Even as we are into the business end of the tournament, with the competition getting hotter and hotter, certain points need to be reviewed. As things stand, Rajasthan Royals, under the charismatic captaincy of Shane Warne, and Kings XI of Punjab, with the redoubtable Yuvraj at the helm, seem to be poised for semi-final births. Chennai Super kings, led by Dhoni should also make it comfortably. For the last spot, it would be a fight between Delhi Dare Devils, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The biggest disappointments have been Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers, Bangalore. The former, with such explosive players like Adam Gilchrist and Shahid Afridi have not performed creditably at all. The later, has been a total misfit, both in terms of choice of players, as well as their approach to the game. They do not seem to be conversant of even the rudimentary facts of this format, like rotation of strike, quick-silver reflexes in fielding and utilizing the power-play.

This takes us to the next point- what do the sponsors do with these white elephants? The only 2 options are, either hold on to dead-weights like Kumble and Dravid for all of 3 years, or to pay them off in entirety and scout for performers. In the former case they would only be facing an even bleaker scenario, because the players are not going to get any younger. In the later case, they might have to shell out huge sums of money. In that sense, neither option would be fair. At the time of framing the rules, these factors must have been considered. No contractual arrangement can be unilateral or benefit one party only. When the players are not performing, how can they expect remuneration? We are in the performance-driven world, where non-achievers have no place. In any case, 3 years is too long a period, and some changes must be effected to safeguard the interest of the franchise-holders.

The other point is the unnecessary and uncalled for fear, that Test cricket would suffer and die a natural death. Modern world has thrown up immense possibilities in all the fields. The secret is to carve out a niche - create a place for yourself. Thus in Bollywood you find, a versatile Shah Rukh, peacefully coexisting with the hunk Salman and the actor-par-excellence Aamir Khan. Each one has their share of fan-following.  Gone are the days of No.1.So also, Test cricket with its nuances, astute planning and strategy is still the favourite for the puritans. When Kerry Packer came up with the concept of Limited-over internationals and coloured clothing and day-night matches, way back in 1977, similar hue and cry was raised. To day you find both forms of cricket co-existing. Similarly T-20 has opened up another facet of the game. People seem to enjoy this version and it can very well continue with the other 2 formats. God knows how many more formats would be developed in future, and how many would really be able to capture the imagination of the public.

Pundits feared that it was a game heavily loaded in favour of the batsmen. Agreed. But it has also shored-up the bottom line for bowlers. You still find ‘practioners of the art of bowling’ like McGrath and Warne coming up trumps. We have already had 2 hat-tricks by comeback kid L.Balaji and young sensation Amit Mishra. Besides a whole lot of new bowlers like Goni, Dinda and Piyush have made their mark.

Fielding has been taken to sublime level. Some of the catches have been breathtaking. Even the normal sliding stops, which were few and far between, have become common feature. Men like Gibbs, Raina, Shukla and others have been outstanding.

About batting, there is nothing much to say. Batsmen who believe, the very reason that a cricket ball exists, is to smash it to every corner and burst its seam, have reveled. The far-thinking Woolmer had predicted that the days of 2 –run-per-ball was not very far off. There have been a couple of 400 plus scores in 50-overs matches, the most memorable being the one in which South Africa went on to defeat Australia, in a mammoth run-chase. In the IPL tournaments not very many matches have seen 200-plus scores. But it not impossible and may be we will witness one before the curtains are drawn!

In conclusion, let us not cry hoarse about the sanctity of cricket being lost and original cricket being contaminated. Let us welcome with open hands, the newest and most popular format of the game. Every new change has an in-built system of filtering the coarser elements. What will survive will be, clean, pure and unadulterated form which would bring joy to crores of avid cricket-lovers.