Cricket, for whatever reason, is India’s most followed sport. Despite being a former cricketer myself, I do believe there are more exciting faster-paced sports than cricket. That said, there is nothing quite like Test cricket that tests the skill and temperament of a cricketer than the five-day format called Test match cricket.

No shortage of intensity 

When two of the top-ranked teams play against each other then sparks are bound to fly. However, since the IPL began, the animosity between players of the two teams has lessened considerably while the intensity hasn’t reduced one bit and that’s how it should be. Sharing the same change room, hotels and travelling to different venues over a period of six weeks to play has made the players get to know each other better, understand the different cultures and attitudes and approaches to the game. So, while there will always be a bit of banter between players, the angry and sometimes vulgar exchanges are a thing of the past. Today, if there are any such issues, it’s invariably between players who don’t play the IPL and thus have a bit of resentment towards the Indian players who play against them. Some of them believe that their achievements are such that they should be getting more than the Indian player, who gets millions through the IPL.