Why you must watch IPL 2017 even if you're not a cricket fan

It's a long star parade which has been confined to the sidelines even before the start of the Indian Premier League. As the eight teams begin their preparations in right earnest and press conferences dominate headlines after the climactic Test series against Australia, you know IPL fever is in the air.

Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav are ruled out for the first part of the IPL season whereas Ravichandran Ashwin, who was set to represent Rising Pune Supergiants, will not be available for the entire IPL due to recurrence of sports hernia. Test openers Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul (RCB) are also virtually ruled out due to imminent shoulder surgeries.

Indeed, news of these players being ruled out does rob the tournament of its sheen but at least none will say they did not put in their best efforts for India in a very long season.

There are three days for the first match to take place and the IPL venues are already ready for the big action. Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Pune and Rajkot will be hosting the matches.

With the heat wave setting in early in India, it will be a big test for the players’ fitness and how the support staff keeps the players fine-tuned for the long travel in a format which is gruelling.

Back to the big Indian players being injured, it’s a good thing they have to rest and recover after being diagnosed with problems.

The common man may think these players will lose huge money but the insurance cover from the Indian cricket board (BCCI) takes care of the financial aspect.

This is the 10th edition of the IPL. For a tournament like this to survive and flourish is a definition of how successful a business model it is. The model has great financial viability and with TV coverage a big factor, it would not be an exaggeration to state the IPL has resulted in other sports leagues taking shape in India.

The IPL is unique. It’s a package which blends so many things and the best part is that despite the rancour among players when they take part in a series between two nations, they gel together in the IPL. Perhaps the best example of it is Australia captain Steve Smith announcing peace as he leads the Pune side this year.

Smith takes over from MS Dhoni, a decision which has surprised many. At the same time, India’s stand-in Test captain Ajinkya Rahane is also in the Pune side.

Superstars aside, the IPL is a great platform for unknown players from India to learn a lot from the big men. The dressing room atmosphere, getting tips from coaches who have been in cricket for decades and being part of an IPL franchise is very special for newcomers, for whom even Rs 30 lakh or 40 lakh is big money.

For the Gujarat Lions and Pune side, this year is special as next year Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are expected to be back in the IPL fold. Cricket administration has been going through a huge churning process in India and the committee of administrators (COA) is aware they will be observed minutely as well.

After the Justice RM Lodha panel recommendations, it needed the COA to be put in place and look into the governance aspect. A centre like the Ferozeshah Kotla comes into focus. It’s being run by an administrator and the mess that the DDCA is needs huge cleansing. Luckily for Delhi Daredevils, they will be playing all their home matches here this year.

The Delhi side looks depleted again with a few injuries. With 38-year-old veteran Zaheer Khan handed the reins this year as well, the focus is on pace, though leggie Amit Mishra is also being touted as a big strength.

Pat Cummins, who did well for Australia in the recent series, is expected to play a big role. He is being supported by a few more in the pace battery, though in home matches at the Kotla, with a short boundary, there could be interesting contests between the pacers and rival team batsmen.

For long, the IPL has been seen as some kind of a prime time show on television at 8pm. At a time when serials and IPL compete with each other, cricket has taken precedence. Last year, the viewing figures did take a dip.

That was because the IPL was held just after the ICC World T20. From April 5 to May 21, IPL will be the flavour.

Even those who are not serious cricket fans watch this for the thrill it provides.

Also read: Why Virat Kohli clarified his 'won't be friends with Australians' statement