Post-IPL thoughts

After a month of controversy, hype, advertisements amidst a sprinkling of cricket, the Indian Premier League has ended with the Deccan Chargers victorious in this second installation of this annual extravaganza.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think cricket could become as commercialized as this, mainly because I believed the majority of the cricket-watching public were primarily interested in the sport itself.  Now, I stand corrected!  Obviously, cricket mixed in with a large, and arguably unhealthy, dose of advertising and marketing is a very successful product.  The organizers and players seem to be swimming in pools of money, we didn't know existed in this drab economic climate, and the spectators (myself included) seem to be enjoying the product on and off the field.  A win-win situation!  So, highly paid superstar cricketers, flamboyant owners, Bollywood, cheerleaders and strategic timeouts are here to stay.  If only the commentators can raise their game so they are more than merely unintentional comedic acts, we'd have a cracking sports event!

I've been fortunate enough to catch a few days of action leading up to the grand finale of the IPL as part of my free TV package, thanks to Freeview!  So, here's my all-star IPL team of the tournament 2009.

IPL Superstars XI:

1. Adam Gilchrist (wk) - Deccan Chargers

2. Matthew Hayden - Chennai Super Kings

3. Suresh Raina - Chennai Super Kings

4. AB de Villiers - Delhi Daredevils

5. Tillakaratne Dilshan - Delhi Daredevils

6. Brad Hodge - Kolkata Knight Riders

7. Rohit Sharma - Deccan Chargers

8. Pragyan Ojha - Deccan Chargers

9. Anil Kumble (captain) - Royal Challengers Bangalore 

10. Lasith Malinga - Mumbai Indians

11. RP Singh - Deccan Chargers

Now, it is on to the World Twenty20 Tournament which promises more passionate entertainment with teams split along national lines once again.  Here's hoping that Dhoni and co. put up a strong defence of their title.  Chak de India!