Indian PL in full swing

The Indian Premier League (IPL), at its new host country South Africa, is in full swing and cricket fans around the globe are enjoying every moment of it.

The IPL is the cynosure of all eyes and the interest and enthusiasm it has generated world over has even overshadowed the current international series of the ICC calendar - Pakistan versus Australia and England versus the West Indies.

The way the latest 'cowboy' version of the game is becoming closer to the hearts of sports fans, one wonders whether Twenty20 cricket would mean a natural death for the established game.

Cricket is mainly confined to the former British colonies and the most Europeans and Americans have hardly shown any interest because of the long time volumes consumed for matches - five days for a Test match and one whole day for a one day international (ODI). This is comparatively a long time and most European and American fans opt for short games which are more exciting such as soccer, tennis, motor racing, golf and hockey.

Latest version

However, the latest version of international cricket and its popular IPL have been able to attract a new set of sports fans who have not been fond of cricket that much.

The excitement and enthusiasm that is generated at the IPL matches have caught the attention of an altogether new segment of sports fans. That is a positive sign for the worldwide development of the game which is mainly popular in the subcontinent.

Our own master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya was at his brilliant best at Port Elizabeth. Representing Mumbai Indians, Jayasuriya proved the saying 'Old is Gold' with a knock that was a great treat for the fans with his willow. His critics and the few scribes who tried to dump him from international cricket three years ago citing Jayasuriya's age was a big problem for them, could not hide their faces the way the Matara mauler mauled the opposing bowlers.

Jayasuriya and Indian master batsman Sachin Tendulkar produced vintage strokeplay to give Mumbai Indians a decisive win over Kolkata Knight Riders.

92-run victory

The veteran pair provided the fireworks in a record 127-run opening stand off just 12.2 overs. Their explosive batting enabled Mumbai Indians to score 187 for 6 in 20 overs after electing to bat first. In return Kolkata Knight Riders were shot out for 95 in 15.2 overs.

The smashing 92-run victory took Mumbai Indians tally to five points from four matches to advance to the third slot behind leaders Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils. Jayasuriya, who turns 40 in two months time, blasted 52 off 32 balls with two fours and four sixes as the veterans turned the clock back in a breathtaking display of attacking batting.

They batted intelligently with Tendulkar letting Jayasuriya to tame his Sri Lanka team-mate Ajantha Mendis more often.

That saw Jayasuriya and Tendulkar hammering boundary after boundary as players of Kolkata Knight Riders appeared to be running in a 'sports meet'.

Tendulkar smashed a blistering knock of 68 runs off 45 balls. He had six boundaries and four sixes with one against Mendis ending outside the St George's Park Stadium.

Interesting games

There have been several other interesting games in the early part of the IPL but the best is yet to be dished out. There seem to be a good following and the South African fans have made best use of the opportunity they got to witness vintage cricket at their doorstep.

Though the 2009 IPL went outside India due to security concerns following terror attacks in Mumbai and the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team in Pakistan, the cricket-crazy subcontinent fans would get an opportunity in 2011 when the next edition of the World Cup returns to South Asia.

When the subcontinent's cricketing giants jointly hosted the World Cup in 1996, Sri Lanka had its most memorable moment emerging champions, thrashing Australia by seven wickets in the final played in Lahore.

Our boys should make every effort to emulate that feat when the World Cup returns to the subcontinent in two years time.

Three venues

India will host the final and one semi-final while Sri Lanka will get an opportunity of hosting the other semi-final.

As exclusively stated in these columns several months ago, the new international stadium, that would be built in Hambantota will host a 2011 World Cup semi-final. Sri Lanka will host 12 World Cup matches in three venues.

It is a pity that Pakistan, where there is a great following for cricket, is not joining their fellow South Asian nations in hosting the World Cup. The main reason for this was the recent attack when Sri Lanka toured there recently. Though Pakistan was originally picked to host 14 World Cup matches, they have lost that opportunity.

Way of life

For most sports fans in the subcontinent, cricket is a way of life and there is a great passion for the game here. It easily surpasses the enthusiasm it attracts even in the birthplace of the game - England.

Nevertheless, the return of the World Cup to the subcontinent, only for the second time, is a positive sign. Whatever happens, it is important that we retain the right to host the World Cup. At the same time, the South Asian nations should be united to eradicate terrorism and provide the highest security to the visiting teams.

There could be interested parties trying to take the World Cup out of the subcontinent even at the eleventh hour citing an isolated incident or two.

But the four ICC full member states in Asia should stand as one to beat all odds. If possible, we must get Pakistan a couple of games, if the security situation there improves by that time.