IPL return has fans salivating
BIG DRAW: WORLD STARS AGAIN DESCENDING ON INDIA
Cash-rich league will soothe the pain of millions of fans.
The glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL) starts today, helping to ease the heartache of millions of fans following India’s failure to win the World Twenty20 on home soil this month.
India’s short-form extravaganza gets underway with the Mumbai Indians taking on the Rising Pune Supergiants.
Fans hope the cash-rich league, featuring blockbuster stars including Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli, will soothe the pain of India’s shock semifinal defeat to eventual World T20 champions West Indies.
The ninth edition of the franchise-based competition, which has revolutionised world cricket, will see eight teams clash in 60 matches.
A spot-fixing scandal in 2013 led to two teams – Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals – being suspended last year for two seasons.
They have been replaced by Pune and Rajkot’s Gujarat Lions, who will be making their IPL debut in this edition, which runs until 29 May, when the final is in Mumbai.
Despite the controversies, the IPL has attracted a host of foreign players who have shaped or resurrected their careers.
India’s short-form captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was synonymous with two-time champions Chennai, will play for Pune, as will former England talisman Kevin Pietersen.
“It’s an opportunity to play alongside some of the best talents,” said New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, who will turn out for SunRisers Hyderabad.
Ace Indian batsman Kohli will be looking to carry on from his scintillating form at the World T20, when he leads Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Bangalore boast one of the tournament’s most formidable batting line-ups. They have West Indies star Gayle and South Africa’s AB de Villiers.
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson will line up alongside them after Bangalore signed him for a whopping $1.98 million at the auction in February. –