T20 : Definitely Here To Stay

Those of you all who have read the preceding post of mine, well this can be called a sequel... In that previous post, i had speculated upon whether T20, the new format of cricket would be a major hit or not. Today I'm gonna give my verdict on the same... Going by the heading, you must have got my stand on the issue.

First of all, a hearty congrats to India for winning the first ever T20 World Cup, and that too in the most fearless and stylish fashion possible. I followed all of India's matches till the end. (Unlike those so-called "true" Indian fans who switch off their TV sets the moment India goes into trouble and praise 'em like hell when they perform well) This win will definitely bring a new lease of life into Indian cricket. After 24 years, we've finally become the world champions again.

So getting back to the point, which is the format of Twenty20. I've had some doubts about the format of this game which were completely washed away after I witnessed the entire series. One of them being the loss of technique, the genuine method of playing cricket as it used to be in Tests and ODIs. But now I think there's nothing much to fear. The Indians have clearly showed that T20 is not just some game where all you do is slog and win. The bowlers have had their share of game. Only those batsmen who played methodically have survived. If one prepares bowler-friendly pitches in future, then definitely T20 will be a game of clear wits. Those who can think clearly and quickly, make quick decisions and adjust themselves quickly to blitzkrieg change of situations, can survive.

T20 asks more of the players than ODIs or Tests did. It requires the best of batsmen and bowlers. Cos now, any new batsman, coming in to play does not have time to take 4-5 overs to adjust himself and then start playing. All he can get is max 2-3 balls (that too if the situation is relaxed enough to allow him to do so). The bowlers, on the other hand have to bend their backs more, make sure each and every ball of their four over quota falls right into the proper place. One over-pitched ball or short-pitched ball(or any other ball except good length and yorker for that matter); will be punished for sure. So, the discipline the bowlers will need to inculcate in themselves will be higher. Much higher.

This format doesn't even spare the fielders (if you think that's not being talked about anywhere). It was said in cricket (when T20 was not in existence), that every run matters. But that sentence did not have so deep an impact on the masses. Now the essence of each and every word hits deep in the minds of viewers. Fielding can't be loose. One run could change the game completely, cos the matches have ended real close.

Another good thing T20 has done in that it has raised interest amongst those people who never used to follow the game. It has also found viewers in American and European nations where cricket is almost non-existent. We might see new teams coming up in future to take part on international tournaments. Maybe cricket might become an international rage in the truest sense, as football is today. And viewers are truly enjoying it. Very close finishes were seen in almost all of India's matches, but the heart pounding final really gave the viewers the best of excitement, what T20 had promised. And this is how a final should be. Cos if you have two teams who have reached the finals, then the match should be really close.

I, for one, was tired of watching World Cup finals earlier where Australia had got a comfortable win in all one-sided matches against Pakistan, India and Sri-Lanka. Here, no team gets a chance to capitalize on the game. It's your day if you're extremely good, else it's not.

And man! I tried to watch the first ODI of India vs Australia that was held in Bangalore yesterday. I swear I couldn't sit in front of the TV to watch the entire innings. Just the thought of going thru' the entire innings made my dizzy. Seems I'll have to get used to ODIs instead of T20.

All said and done, T20 is here to stay. It poses a serious threat to the existence of the older versions of cricket and it shall definitely reign over its other two counterparts in the days to come...