2010 IPL preview
For many Hampshire fans this year’s edition of the IPL will be the most keenly observed so far. Following recent confirmation that Hampshire have joined the Rajashtan Royals, Victoria, Cape Cobras and Trinidad & Tobago in the world’s first global sports franchise there will be keen interest in Rajasthan’s progress.
Dimitri Mascaranas and Michael Lumb will be representing Shane Warne’s side as they look the win the trophy for the second time in its brief existence.
It’s nothing new for Dimi as he has participated in the previous tournaments, snaring six wickets in his five appearances last season. For Lumby it will be a completely new experience, but the left-handers participation is confirmation of his burgeoning reputation and recognition for his imperious displays both in domestic cricket and for the England Lions.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has changed the game of cricket forever as it has given cricketers the potential to earn significant sums of money outside the international game. It has arguably been the most important innovation in cricket since Kerry Packer’s World Series in 1977.
It’s also hugely ironic because India had initially treated the newest form of the game with a fair degree of scepticism. They sent a second string side to the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in 2007, but the nation became transfixed as MS Dhoni’s fearless young side claimed the trophy, beating their great rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final. Overnight India was hooked on Twenty20 and the Board of Control for Cricket in India capitalised on the craze with the inception of the IPL.
Shane Warne launches the Royals global franchise
The IPL is loosely based on English football and its Premier League, but is more rigid and regulated. The structure was created by the BCCI and is chaired by their vice chairman Lalit Modi.
IPL consists of eight franchises that were bought at auction in January 2008 by mega-rich businessmen and companies. The country’s biggest cities Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are all represented, as well as states like Rajasthan and the Punjab.
Overseas cricketers are snapped through a high profile auction which is held in January.
Team composition rules consist of a minimum squad of sixteen players plus one physio and a coach. There can be no more than ten overseas players in a squad with a maximum of four in the playing XI. A minimum of eight local players and two under the age of 22 must be included in each squad.
Each team plays the others home and away in a condensed five week period, with the top four in the final table progressing to the semi-finals. Teams acquire two points for a win and one point for a no result; if a game finishes in a tie then the one over per side ‘super over’ will be implemented.
The 60 game extravaganza will see the introduction of a third place play-off for the first time this year, with Champions League qualification up for grabs for the winner as well as the two finalists.
The third IPL will be the biggest yet with an estimated television audience of over 200 million in India. It will also be the first ever cricket tournament to be shown live on YouTube.
There will an in-depth preview on the Rajasthan Royals coming to the website soon.
Neil Evans
Royals TV
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