Sir Viv Richards Has Something Interesting To Say About The IPL

It has forged many successful international careers, particularly from an Indian stand-point. It’s arguably T20 cricket’s best show-stopping event since the World T20 and is inarguably the most watched T20 cricketing league in the whole wide world.

Even in its eleventh season, having begun in 2008, the Indian Premier League or the IPL as its called is going strong and perhaps increasing in popularity by the tick of the clock.

But what stands out in the whole fanfare surrounding the IPL is not just the high-octane competition that often exults with a triumphant show of the bat versus the ball. Rather, it’s the immensity of anticipation regarding the IPL that cuts the famous T20 league in a different bracket altogether. Even as critics who have made a living having panned T20 cricket completely go hand in hand with it’s backers, there’s no love lost for the IPL where some of the games greatest names are concerned.

You ought to take the appreciation more seriously when it comes from someone like a master of the game in Sir Viv Richards who had some encouraging things to share about the famous T20 contest. Speaking to the media about his feelings for the IPL, Sir Viv Richards was of the view that leagues like IPL are foremost in shaping cricket’s changing landscape. And that leagues like the famous sub-continental tournament have acted as an agent of change in the time of cricket’s facelift.

Of course, it ought to be mentioned that one of the reasons why Sir Viv is curiously engaged in following the IPL happens to be the participation of some of the noted compatriots from his West Indies including the Universe Boss- Chris Gayle, all rounders- Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, mystery spinner Sunil Narine and newly picked Mumbai Indians talent- Evin Lewis.

What makes Sir Viv’s association with the IPL a close one is the legendary batsman’s earlier involvement with the Delhi Daredevils team of the past in the capacity of its batting mentor and consultant. But interestingly, Sir Viv’s positive observations about the IPL come at a time where the tournament has witnessed some scathing criticism particularly from the ambit of classicists who’ve regarded the evolution of T20 and it’s amplification through leagues such as the IPL as being responsible for inducing a damning blow to the pure spirit that is cricket; one expressed fully through Test match cricket.

Thus far, among the 8 teams contesting for glory in the IPL’s 11th edition, Sir Viv has pointed out table toppers- King’s XI and Chennai Super Kings as the finest of the tournament so far and are according to him, the teams to beat this season. Sir Viv was also all praise for the stormy success that an ageing Universe Boss; ball-smasher, familiar six-hitting, batting dynamite; Chris Gayle has managed along with the impressive showing that someone like an Andre Russell has demonstrated for his Kolkata Knight Riders, although having just made his international comeback in the game.

But all that said, it remains to be seen how might the IPL have been had it featured Sir Viv during his era? For starters, it would’ve stoked the big-hitting tournament to an astounding height, isn’t it?