Half of the Indian Premier League is over. There are broad headlines in the newspaper exhibiting its popularity. A lot of hullabaloo is also in the air over this cricket drama. However a normal person is not honestly watching the IPL which amazingly includes Premier League, money, Indian politics unless he/she is not a strict fan of Chris Gayle or a Kingfisher employee or a devotee of Shah Rukh Khan or a Rohit Sharma-influenced unlucky soul whose boss inspired him by saying that he has the “potential to rise”!
In fact, the IPL was highly enthusiastic when it commenced in 2008. It had even allured the attention of fans who were least interested in cricket and it had claimed the centre stage of Indian cricket instantly beyond doubt and prediction. The music, glamour, colour, concept and the game itself was superb. IPL was an extravaganza by its own that rocketed up Set Max’s TRP similar to Kieron Pollard’s strike-rate!
But too much of goodness can be irksome after a certain dosage! This is exactly what has happened in the sixth edition of IPL. The mash-ups, the glitz and glamour no longer enchant the audience like before. People cannot wake up early in the morning before 8 pm. They would rather prefer to surf the movie channels during the breaks. Nobody expresses interest on the cheerleaders who somersault near the spectators.
In this season, IPL is accompanied with Sameer Kochhar’s announcements redefining the insipidness of a bored anchor. The praises are vacant and void! Farah Khan’s choreography and the cricketers-turned-dancers recall us about Johnny Bravo.
As the match proceeds, one realizes that even Flintstones is a better family entertainer compared to the IPL. Runs galore, flat pitches, fours and sixes in a glimpse—sometimes it might be felt that it is all planned. It is experienced that someone called as Ashish Reddy picked up a wicket who motivated the cheerleaders more than the fielders. Even if the viewer tries to concentrate in the match, the cartoon-like commercials flash on the screen all of a sudden to distract the unfortunate viewer. As soon as the viewer prepares to change the channel for his child’s sake, the horrific sound of the trumpet echoes the room to remind the grand event. At last the viewer surrenders to the deafening trumpet. May God bless this IPL!
Now let us draw our attention towards the IPL. All the players arrive on the ground in-a-blink of an eye as if Srinivasan has spelled magic on them. No doubt Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir produce match-winning performances in the stadium. But it will not be wrong if it is wondered that IPL is above the benchmark of national team for these players. In the next moment, a comparison pops up in the mind of a viewer that which fashion designer devised the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s jersey? It reminds them about the franchisee who is related to spices and flavoured raw products. Even the SRH wardrobe is more shocking than Ajay Devgan’s jackets in Himmatwala!
As the onlooker attempts to concentrate in the match by chance, the batsman gets dismissed while hitting a shot by an explosive delivery, even Gavaskar find it difficult to name. A gust of celebration follows it along with the camera which immediately focuses on the little skirts of the cheerleaders. Finally the viewer outside the TV screen changes the channel for good. To be frank, even Aaj Tak clippings are more attractive than this hellish event.
Then the hapless viewer remembers the ticket which he/she had bought for the game at the stadium. The horrific experience of the event finally compels him/her to decide to tear the glittering DLF/Pepsi logo apart. Just before doing that, he/she remembers about his/her boss who had requested to arrange ticket for the match. The viewer at the end decides to gift the ticket to him for the sake of possible promotion.
At last the IPL has done something excellent for a viewer!
