Between the lines...

It is almost 2 weeks since first 20-2o DLF Indian Premier League(IPL) cricket tournament started and it seems it is being received well by public and media. The tournament has produced a mix of cricket with entertainment and this combination of cricket and entertainment with some bollywood element is very contagious. In last 10 days we have seen some good cricketing entertainment, controversy over cheerleaders(Dance girls), Bhajji slapping SriSanth, Strong teams loosing to supposedly weaker teams etc.

Players from all test cricket playing nations with notable exceptions of England are playing in this DLF cup. Sachin Tendulkar, Riki Ponting, Mathew Haydon, Adam Gilchrist, Sanath Jayasuiya, Andrew Symonds, Murlidharan, Bret Lee, M.S. Dhoni are some of the big names playing in this cup.

The amount of money which is distributed and at stake in IPL Twenty20 tournament is astounding and generating huge interest from media, players and public alike. Twenty-Twenty Cricket is future of Cricket. In all likelihood within few years this will be dominant form of cricket matches and most of the cricket will be played in this fashion.

This form of cricket is good and convenient for everyone, Players get real good money, Players who do not find place in national team can also make a good career in cricket, Match finishes in 3 hours and every minute is full of action so it is non-stop entertainment for spectators etc.

Cricket is most popular sport in Indian subcontinent but football rules the sporting scene on world stage. T20 cricket has the potential to become the most popular sport of world by displacing football as it offers 3 hours full of action, drama and entertainment. ICL, IPL and Twenty20 cricket is also influencing the shift of power base in international cricket from England to India.