The IPL is into its 18th year, weathering several storms along the way, without losing its appeal or charm globally. A high-profile competition such as the IPL will have created an ocean of memories for the cricketers, the fraternity and the fans. It is but natural to reminisce if an act or two in one of the bygone editions can be overshadowed. I am going pick out three acts out of the inaugural edition, that were outstanding, given the context at that time.
I have picked out three acts based on my memory, from different stages of the tournament. Without further ado, let me get to the crux of the matter.
The events that unfolded at the inaugural IPL auction were intriguing, triggering a lot of discussions and debates. However, Chennai Super Kings, represented by the late V. B. Chandrasekar, picked a squad that went to become the core. This core was maintained with utmost care to make the franchisee very successful in the years to come. There is no doubt that the masterstroke was in making M. S. Dhoni the captain of the side. But even a numero uno captain needs the right options at his disposal to forge a winning team. And this is where VB did a grand job, by picking a well thought out squad that will stand the test of time. His selection of the squad made Chennaites reckon that the squad had the right mix of coffee, chicory and milk to concoct a filter coffee that others would die for!
The second act that stole the thunder was the pyrotechnics of Brendon McCullum in the opening encounter between KKR and RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The head honchos of the BCCI and the franchisees were reasonably edgy about the public response and financial prospects of the IPL prior to the start of the tournament. It would require something spectacular that had not been witnessed ever on a cricket field to seal the deal. Even as the RCB side took the field after winning the toss, there was no way to predict what the deal clincher was going to be. But the wait was not long, as McCullum just tore into the RCB attack before anyone could say Baz! Within no time, he smashed 10 fours and 13 sixers in a blistering knock of 158 not out off just 73 deliveries. If the numbers were not enough to blow the minds of the fans, the innovative shots he conjured were never even within the realms of any coaching manuals or any stretch of imagination! While the RCB squad was left to ruminate on what they could have done better, McCullum had launched a product in the cricketing world that would skyrocket into a global mega blockbuster. The nerves of the invested parties settled down within the first half-hour of the game. Thereafter, their minds began to calculate the future potential returns way into the night.
The third act was the handling of a young Rajasthan Royals side and leading them to a title triumph amidst the other fancied teams. The title triumph was planned, implemented and achieved by a flamboyant genius, the late Shane Warne. He was considered the best captain Australia did not have, a notion that needed some kind of endorsement. Warne inspiring and rallying a side with a mix of some experience and lot of inexperience to a title was the confirmation of it. The wizard proved that the appreciation of his leadership qualities was not just a propaganda. The leadership he displayed was a great delight to watch no doubt, but to me, his captaincy was trumped by his victory in his duel with M.S. Dhoni in Jaipur in the first of their three encounters that season.
Dhoni, the CSK skipper walked out to bat at 38 for 4, and he had to pull out his side out of trouble. The modest and pragmatic Dhoni generally prefers not to play the leggies, but the situation was not one where he could choose. The arrival of Dhoni to the crease spurred the late Aussie legend to pick up the ball and have a go.
Warne teased Dhoni by tossing the ball up, but Dhoni did not yield to the temptation. The conditioned reflexes developed from years of practice to smash a flighted delivery were restrained by the mind because of the dire situation. The perceivable conflict of the reflexes and mind provided enough encouragement to Warne to tease his opposite number further. The duel was well and truly settled when Warne changed his line to leg and middle and made one turn across Dhoni. The preoccupied mind of Dhoni prompted a tentative defense-cum-drive, which resulted in a catch to slip. It was a duel that lasted just a few deliveries, but it was too intriguing to forget.
Warne and VB would have perhaps discussed these duels if they had come across each other. The flamboyant leggie would have only reminded VB that it was RR that beat CSK in the final! The intense and studious VB would have smiled it off, given his reverence for great cricketers. Nonetheless, their deeds are still remembered, and memories of their personalities still linger, even as the IPL marches on as a MAJOR force as it turns 18 years of age.
(Picture: Sportstar)
Would be interesting to also see the three terrible things of 2008! 🙂
So true. All three were turning points. Soon after Kapil was treated badly post his zee associated IPL type event. Sentiments were high and it looked doubtful starter.
And, IMO Lalith Modis perseverance and proximity to vasandhura raje helped.