Today's inaugural game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament will see last year's champs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on the international Champions League winner Mumbai Indians (MI). However, the real test is not so much CSK versus MI.
It's IPL-5 TV viewership versus the Indian fans' disillusionment with cricket in the wake of the pathetic performance of the national team on its last two overseas tours of England and then Australia. Exactly a year ago, India won the one-day international (ODI) World Cup in Mumbai.
Today , India is not in the top two of any of the formats of the game, whether Test cricket, ODIs or T20. If there is no decline in TV viewership for IPL-5 , the BCCI could rest on its laurels of being the world's richest cricketing board that accounts for over 70% of the global revenues from the game.
However, a good IPL-5 viewership response need not be interpreted by the BCCI as a sign that all is well with Indian cricket . Far from it, going by the pathetic performance in England and Australia. The BCCI could emulate its counterpart in Australia.
The Aussie cricket board calls itself Cricket Australia since its focus is on ensuring that its national team is the best in all formats of the game, with the priority being Test cricket, ODIs and T20, in that order. IPL provides prime-time entertainment during the summer vacations for schools and colleges.
However, the BCCI has to convince millions of Indian fans that it is not just satisfied with being the world's richest cricket board but has the systems in place to ensure that Team India is among the best in all formats .
IPL entertainment and international cricketing success are not incompatible. The revenues generated from IPL could be wisely spent on taking Team India to the top of the league.
Delhi Daredevils: Things can only better for the side, which finished last in 2011. The Virender Sehwag-led unit is stronger with the inclusion of batting stars in Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Englishman Kevin Pietersen and Ross Taylor from New Zealand.
Sehwag's opening partner David Warner, who is on national duty in the Windies, will only be available at the end of the month. The bowling will be led by Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron and Irfan Pathan. The main concern for Delhi lies in the spin area.
Pune Warriors: They will be determined to make a mark after having been in the news for off-field reasons, which at one point saw them pulling out of the tournament. Australia captain Michael Clarke has been brought in as a replacement for Yuvraj Singh. Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal was signed recently. Sourav Ganguly will lead a batting line-up that has Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Jesse Ryder (New Zealand) and Angelo Matthews (Sri Lanka).
Bowling looks balanced with multiple spin and pace options. Leggie Rahul Sharma will be expected to deliver the goods again along with other experienced spinner Murali Karthik. Ashish Nehra is also in the squad but has fitness issues to deal with. Pune finished ninth in 2011.
Deccan Chargers: The 2009 champions look one of the weaker teams. Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara has the challenge of bringing out the best from the young-looking team. Bowling remains their strength despite the withdrawal of fast bowler Ishant Sharma due to ankle injury. South African pacer Dale Steyn will be the one to look out for.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra will hope to carry on his good form of 2011. Australia's Daniel Christian and Cameron White are the all-round options. Chargers came sixth in 2011.
Chennai Super Kings: The most successful team in IPL starts as the favourite again. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be spoilt for choice in both the batting and bowling departments.
