Cricket poised for its Columbus crossing

In just over a day's time, the face of cricket will change forever. Whether it's for better or worse is a matter that will be open to debate long after the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League ends on June 1. What is certain is that cricket's economy has undergone a seismic shift, and unless the game's administrators, not always known for their competence, respond, international cricket could soon become an irrelevance. Already, a Sydney Morning Herald report based on a survey done by the Australian Players' Association has revealed that 47 percent of national players and 49 percent of state players would give up the chance of baggy-green glory in return for a slice of the Twenty20 pie.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore was quite a sight on the eve of the game, with TV crews competing for space with stilt-walkers, acrobats and others involved with the opening ceremony. Every available inch of advertising space either boasted the Bangalore Royal Challengers logo or the insignia of the IPL and its sponsors. There was even a makeshift red tunnel leading out on to the pitch, though the visiting Kolkata Knight Riders are unlikely to be terrified in the absence of a This is Anfield sign.

The opening ceremony will start at 6:45pm on Friday, with the first ball to be bowled at 8pm. Before that, there will be the bizarre spectacle of the two captains, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, walking out to toss in pitch darkness, with a spotlight illuminating their path.

The first game is a sell-out, and the stakeholders that have invested millions in a leap into the unknown will hope that the trend continues. At least now, we can look past the hype and focus on the action. Legends like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will shed the cotton wool and return to the spotlight, while India's young Under-19 heroes scent an opportunity to make a mark on the big stage. Just remember though that these are not players. They are warriors. Or so the official posters tell you. There really is no escaping the hype after all.

Comments

[Dan Patel]

Cricket died the day these idiots, one and all of them walked out with GOLD batting pads.

Instead of T20 they should rename it 'RAPPER' cricket.

Actually, I was mighty disappointed for not being able to spot MR T gold chains on all the players.

UGH!

[Steve]

Five minutes into the first match -

so THIS is what you mean by the reference to "Columbus" - Americanized cricket. Umpires with cowboy hats, players with outsize gold helmets and glitzy stripes, cheerleaders (and Yank ones at that). Is this all India could come up with? It looks like a cross between baseball and a video game. Why aren't the players wearing shoulderpads and crotch-hugging tight pants, then? Warriors?? W**kers, more likely.