Ravi Shastri, in his interaction, also discussed what made the league one of the powerhouses of international cricket.
With the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) fifteen years ago, the world of cricket was forever altered. The IPL captured the hearts of cricket fans around the world with its incredible drama and unforgettable moments. From Brendon McCullum‘s historic 158* (73) in the inaugural match to the rise of youthful talents such as Ravindra Jadeja, the IPL has provided a platform for both established stars and up-and-coming players to demonstrate their talents on the biggest stage.
As the IPL celebrates its 15th anniversary, this league has had a substantial impact on cricket. Not only has it revolutionized the way cricket is played, but it has also provided innumerable young cricketers with a golden ticket to incredible success at the highest levels of the sport.
Star Sports, the official television broadcaster of the IPL 2023, commemorated 15 years since the inception of the IPL by gathering some of the tournament’s superstars to reflect on the countless memories and incredible accomplishments that have contributed to the success of the league.
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja spoke exclusively to Star Sports’ ‘Stars on Star’ about how his experiences in the IPL have changed over the years, from winning the inaugural IPL in 2008 with Rajasthan Royals to becoming a multiple-time IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings. He said, “IPL 2008 was the first year, so there was a lot of excitement with the new and big tournament and we U19 players used to think about Indian team players who will be a part of this IPL Consequently, I was eager to consider which team I would join and play for.
CSK’s return after a two-year absence made the 2018 IPL a particularly poignant occasion. Fans were also anticipating the return of CSK to Chepauk Stadium. Therefore, winning the tournament following a revival was a remarkable accomplishment. The fact that CSK supporters waited for us and supported the team even when we weren’t playing gave us a lot of motivation.” The IPL has become an integral part of the cricket calendar, attracting millions of fans and spectators from all over the globe. And with each passing year, the league continues to elevate the bar, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and providing fans with moments that will be cherished for generations.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recalled the first day of the IPL, saying, “I remember that day very well because I was backstage, with the governing council, and I knew what was going on behind the scenes. How are players being signed, and what was the level of interest? As a result of India’s 2007 World Cup victory, the quantity of interest generated was astounding.
And one thing I witnessed that had never occurred in other formats of the game was the number of people who came to support it; it appeared that the entire nation had gathered to observe the match. There were representatives from the advertising industry, cricket enthusiasts, Bollywood, Kolly wood, and Tollywood, among others. “There was no substitute for the quality of cricket displayed from the very first match.”
Ravi Shastri, in his interaction, also discussed what made the league one of the powerhouses of international cricket.
He stated, “If you consider all the players who contributed to this, the caliber of cricket was so high that it took off. The IPL, however, was completed when we traveled to South Africa. Going there and observing that South Africa was as enthusiastic about the IPL as India shocked the globe Because by then, people from all over the world had begun choosing teams.
What you see in football today had already occurred in the IPL by the second season. The EPL has been going on for years, with teams such as Arsenal and Manchester United, but supporters in the IPL have only had their teams for two years: the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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