Let facts rule over fiction!

DC’s Shimron Hetmyer during his 37 against CSK at Dubai last week. Pics/BCCI; IPL

It was Alexander Zverev's win in the Tokyo Olympics and Daniel Medvedev win in the US Open tennis final that made me feel that just like the youngsters had finally taken hold of men's tennis from the golden trio of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the younger IPL teams would take over from the regular winners Mumbai and Chennai and put their name on the coveted trophy. Delhi had begun the first half in India in magnificent style and they have been the most improved team over the last three years and their young players led by the irrepressible Rishabh Pant were playing some incredible cricket.

Young DC attack

Their biggest asset was that they were all youngsters looking to create a niche for themselves in the world of cricket. There were no already-established superstars in their team and so nobody was the big daddy there. They were all in the same wavelengths with pretty similar tastes in music, fashion and whatever else that makes the young hearts beat faster. They were in tune with themselves which could be seen when they got off the team bus laughing and having fun and generally looking as if they were out for a hit in the park rather than playing a serious game of cricket. It was so refreshing to see the relaxed air with which they trained and practiced.

Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Dwayne Bravo

Deep thinkers of the game

Every team must have a West Indian player in its ranks for they bring such a sense of fun that the tension is eased even in impossible situations. There is a huge misconception that players from the Caribbean isles rely on their natural talent and don't give too much thought to the technicalities of the game. Nothing can be further than that fiction. You just have to spend 15 minutes talking to the legends of West Indies cricket like Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Mike Holding, Andy Roberts to name a few and you will quickly realise how deeply they think about the game and that it's not just natural talent that they rely on. Sadly, that exterior of the fun-loving West Indian player makes many decision-makers in the league believe they won't make good coaches or inclusions in the team squad. Also the fact that the CPL takes place in August-September and not just before the auction like the Australian Big Bash does means that some pretty ordinary Aussies go for huge sums while the game-changers of the Caribbean mostly get ignored. And game-changers they certainly are as can be seen over the 14 years of the league. Just look at what Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, again to name just three, have done for their franchises who between them have won the title 11 times of the 14 years of the league. Look how Shimron Hetmyer almost took Delhi in the final this year and you will find that it is the men from the Caribbean and the Indian players who win titles for teams. Sledging and brash behaviour may give a macho feel, but in the long run, it is Caribbean flair and experience that wins more matches.

There will be two new teams in the fray from next year and hopefully the scouts will open their eyes and see the right colours than what some of them have been seeing now. Meanwhile, just like the golden trio in tennis keep winning most of the majors despite the advent of youngsters, Chennai with its experience were too good once again and won the title for the fourth time. Well done, Chennai and well done, MSD.

Professional Management Group