IPL is more International

The critics wrote it off, the former cricketer's disliked the shorter format and some believed the city based culture was hard to establish given the nationalistic sentiment about the game in India. By and large there were more skeptics than an optimistic audience.

But the IPL took off with a bang, with a hope to nurture young Indian cricketers giving them an opportunity one could never ever fathom about - sharing the same dressing room with the connoisseurs of the game or effecting a run chase with Sachin Tendulkar or setting a field in consultation with Adam Gilchrist or a keeper saying "Common Warney" when Shane Warne is about to bowl! The IPL was a boon that began with a boom, no doubt.

Now in the middle of the second leg of the IPL one wonders if the IPL has actually had one of its objective fulfilled, which is to have some fine young prospects forming the back bone of Indian cricket. With 8 teams and over 60 Indian players, the percentage of an Indian prospect outshining a player of international repute is very negligible. Barring a few like Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Jakati, Abhishek Nayar, Rajat Bhatia and Pradeep Sangwan the rest of the chunk has failed to create any considerable impact.

Time and again the onus has been on the established players to either make or break the game. While the IPL was expected to have some young talent shining through amidst the galaxy of stars, its still players like Hayden, Gilchrist, Tendulkar and Warne who continue to reign.

The game against Mumbai and Royals (May 14th) was an example of the inability of the Indian talent to take responsibility and perform. The idea of sending Yogesh Takawale and Rahane up the order before Sachin and Jayasurya backfired. Eventually it was upto Sachin to help resurrect Mumbai Indians. The Royal Challenger's, Bangalore have been largely dependent on the experience of Anil Kumble while the likes of Robin Uthappa, Karan Sharma, Rajesh Bishnoi haven't delivered as expected. Similarly, Chennai SuperKings have been doing well, thanks to Matthew Hayden and Delhi with AB De Villiers and Dirk Nannes. And for Punjab its a certain Yusuf Abdulla from SouthAfrica.

While a few performances have been heartening, its the international players who have been the kingmakers of the IPL. However the experience of being the subordinates amidst all the master's is sure to keep them in good stead. And with a hope they will rule one fine day.

Batting
ML Hayden -> 486(Runs)

AC Gilchrist -> 329(Runs)

SK Raina -> 322(Runs)

AB de Villiers -> 315(Runs)

SR Tendulkar -> 307(Runs)

JP Duminy -> 301(Runs)

Bowling
SL Malinga ->16 (Wkts)

RP Singh -> 16 (Wkts)

A Nehra -> 15 (Wkts)

YA Abdulla ->14 (Wkts)

SK Warne -> 14 (Wkts)

A Kumble -> 13 (Wkts)