Updated: 21 February 2022
Indian Premier League (IPL), regarded as among the most-watched cricket tournament in the world debuted in the year 2008. This is the 13th edition, and the IPL keeps getting better with each passing edition. Recently been valued at over 6 billion USD, there is no denying the fact that this event is indeed the daddy of T20 leagues around the globe.
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HOW IPL HAS BENEFITED YOUNG INDIAN CRICKETERS
IPL, by in large has actually revolutionized the money domestic players can earn. There has been many rags-to-riches stories of the Indian players like Md. Siraj, Pawan Negi, T Natrajan, Rahul Tewatia, Shubman Gill, etc. who come to the mind of people from humble backgrounds getting deals worth crores only because they deserved it. Then there are players like Robin Uthappa, who despite not being part of the Indian team anymore, still earn hefty money during the IPL auctions.
When they stepped onto the field at first, the screaming spectators from the stands, the noise, the emotions could have actually taken a toll on them, but then, there was a Dhoni or a Rohit Sharma or a Virat Kohli at the other end.
Easing the pressure and helping them to focus on the job at their hand rather than think of the macroelements which are beyond their control. So, slowly but surely, young Indian cricketers got used to playing naturally on the big stage, and eventually the stage fear got out of the picture.
IPL has also made the Indian players versatile to a great extent. Establish players of Indian Cricket team like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra Jadeja, etc could succeed in IPL and test cricket, both at the same time as they have learned skills required for different formats of game.
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They have learned when and how to shift gears and what kind of game is appropriate for what situation. This is the reason, in recent years we have witnessed ‘mystery’ Indian spinners like M Ashwin and Varun Chakravarty picked up for large contracts as they exhibited the ability to successfully execute their plans.
Indian Fast bowling has improved by leaps and bounds in the last 6-8 years and the majority of that credit had to go to IPL.
Team owners have witnessed the skills of young Indian fast bowlers, and they spend huge money in order to acquire and retain them. This means that usually the 2nd or 3rd seamer in the lineup is an Indian. Domestic bowlers realized that if they could bowl to a plan and execute their skills consistently, they could eventually be picked for the national side.
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Players like Jaspreet Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Md Shami, Shardul Thakur, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are prime examples. Then there is a next tier of young Indian fast bowlers like Saini, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Harshal Patel waiting in the wings.
Young Talents Are Coming Through IPL
Young batsmen too very quickly realized that they needed to cash in to the opportunities given to them and learn as much as they can from the international stars around them. They have adapted to different facets of the game, and they have learned innovative ideas to score runs. The reverse sweeps, ramps, or scoop shots are all courtesy of these innovations. A young Rishabh Pant playing reverse sweep, or a scoop shot and hitting the ball to the boundary has become a delight to watch.
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Over the last few years, the fortunes of the Indian Cricket team have taken a turn for the better, and the Indian team has been among the top 3 ranked countries for a considerable period in all three formats of the game. IPL could have something to do with the quality and versatile players that are coming through to represent the country.
A lot of good has come out of the IPL for Indian youngsters, and we wish the journey continues for years to come..
