The 20 over format of the Indian Premier League [I P L ] basically takes away the ” float ” generally available for a 50 over match or a test match . In fact , there is no ” safety net ” in an I P L match . You have to perform right from the first ball bowled or first strike by an opening batsman .
It is generally stated that aggressive batting carries the match and we saw this in many of the matches played in the first 30 schedules played out . Yes ,we have more than 450 sixes already scored in I P L version 3.0. Many matches , had more than 60 runs scored in 5 overs or individual half centuries made in less than 25 balls faced . The wagon wheels were very impressive indeed .
But , the last 4 or 5 matches changed this paradigm all over and we found wickets falling like nine pins .We had one team losing 4 wickets in the first 4 overs and the opponent losing 3 for 8 in the first two overs . In one match , 37 Dot balls were bowled and in another , no hits to the boundary for 10 overs at a stretch . So , how do we explain this change of scene ? . The body language of losing captains said all in sharp images . They were totally surprised , to say the least . Little known bowlers walked away with most of the laurels and established batsmen both Indian and imported , looked cheated at the crease .
Did decisions to bat or bowl first on winning a toss help any team ? Not really . So , did any Captain demonstrate a winning strategy ? Perhaps ,Yes. THOSE WHO DARED , WON . Yes , those Captains who showed an appetite for risk by changing the batting order or introducing an unconventional bowling order generally were rewarded in this version of the I P L . The essence here seems to be the surprise element and working on the risk profile of a batsman when you depute a bowler to attack him . Those batsmen who have a high stake on their reputation were more vulnerable than some of the youngsters who could not care a damn when it came to facing famous bowlers .
The beauty of the I P L format is still its ” UNCERTAINTY factor ” .You cannot take anything for granted till the last ball is bowled . Great value for money and T R P .