Delhi Premier League shows how much cricket has evolved in the Capital
Cricket is a non-stop sport. If someone says it has become a 24 X 7 X 365 day affair, it is no exaggeration. As the second edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) climaxed at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the Capital on Sunday night, a whirlpool of memories flooded the mind.
First things first, for all those who have been caustic about the DDCA, the Delhi cricket establishment, for the DPL to have been gone through with clockwork precision is a good effort. After all, heavy rain, up North of India, has wrecked normal life. For T20 cricket to evolve and showcase itself as a ‘marketable product’ is important as well.
A bit on the history of the DPL, it may be just two editions old, but it has provided a platform for many talented players, be it boys/girls or men/women. One cannot forget the ugly spat which happened between Digvesh Rathi and Nitish Rana a few days back. At a time when every bit of action is under multiple cameras and screened live, churlish behaviour needs to be checked. That the folks involved in the incident have been hauled up is important.
If the previous week of the DPL saw the women’s final climax, there was a stiff contest on cards, where South Delhi Superstarz defeated Central Delhi Queens by one run on August 25. Notable efforts came from Tanisha Singh who scored a quick 23 and Medhavi Bidhura for the winners (3/26). For the women folk in the Capital, the DPL is a great opportunity to showcase talent. In the past, nothing so exciting existed. And for those who say T20 is ruining cricket, don’t believe it. Even ‘The Hundred’ format in England should be in for an overhaul, says legend Kevin Pietersen.
On August 31 night, in the men’s final, Nitish Rana powered West Delhi Lions to a massive win as they crushed Central Delhi Kings by six wickets. Scoring 79 runs is massive and Nitish Rana was in his elements as he unfurled strokes which were bold and creative.
To be sure, cricket in Delhi has evolved massively. Over four decades back, the Delhi University inter-college final used to a high voltage affair. The format was different, red ball, spread over three days. Today cricket in schools and colleges have also chosen the T20 route mostly, so to imagine radio commentary for a Delhi University inter-college final, like in the past, is unthinkable.
Back to the DPL, TV is the new medium and the colourful clothes which players wear no longer looks garish. There is a proper commentary set-up and the involvement of players who have represented Delhi and India, as owners/mentors, is important. Two prime examples, Rishabh Pant, recovering from a foot injury, and Gabbar, as Shikhar Dhawan was called.
The mushrooming of T20 leagues is not a new concept. For those who think only the IPL and WPL provides players riches, no, even state leagues like DPL are lucrative. Imagine, a state like Kerala has a rocking state league on – Kerala Premier League – despite it being the monsoon season. Not all may be following the results in these leagues, but the mushrooming of a league in many parts of India, Puducherry/Pondicherry included, reflects professionalism.
One cannot forget, these leagues offer a sustainable eco-system where there is money for players, coaches, support staff and more people involved. Last but not the least, state T20 league performances are also taken note of, just like first class cricket.
The big plus, fitness standards and game sense of players in these leagues are worth watching. At a time when Indian cricket is ensuring no player gets into the team unless he is fully fit, it is important the T20 leagues also ensures players pay attention to fitness.
In the good old days, the Yo-Yo scale was used to ascertain fitness. Now, the Bronco Test has come into play. Originally used for rugby players, it is now being pushed for Indian players as well. Young and old, that is Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill also were put through this in Bengaluru at the BCCI Centre last weekend.
Sample this, a player has to run shuttle distances of 20 metres, 40 metres and 60 metres. The total comes to 1200 metres, where stamina, speed and conditioning of the cardio capacity is tested. For those who wonder what is the relevance, it has been explained by Ramji Srinivasan, former fitness and conditioning expert with the Indian team.
“This is one test which can be done anytime and anywhere. It’s relevant to all skill tests and is now done all over the world. I do feel it is superior to the Yo-Yo test and for Indian cricket to embrace it is welcome,” Ramji Srinivasan told One Turf News.
Imagine, it is not just the elite India players who face intense fitness scrutiny. Even in the T20 leagues, fitness, speed and recovery are important. Surely, the state leagues also have on board, physios, strength and conditioning experts and those who can monitor the data of players. Cricket is no longer a lazy sport, it is evolving, big time.
