As a kid, IPL had a different meaning for me. It was a time when I would watch my favorite team(CSK) play with my family and friends, and we would all cheer them on together. The game was more than just a sport; it was an emotional experience. But as I entered my adult phase, I realized that the emotional attachment I had with the game was slowly fading away.
It was a time when the game was more than just a sport; it was an emotional experience.
As I grew up, I realized that the emotional attachment I had with the game was slowly fading away. The tournament had become more commercialized, and it was more about the money and the glitz and glamour than the sport itself. The players, who were once considered heroes, had become celebrities, and the focus had shifted from the game to their personal lives.
From its inception in 2008, it has become one of the biggest and most-watched T20 leagues in the world. As a die-hard fan of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), I have witnessed how the tournament has changed over the years, and how my emotional attachment to the game has evolved with it.
One of the significant changes that IPL has undergone is the inclusion of new teams.(I hate GT and LSG) When the tournament first began, there were only eight teams, and each team had a unique set of players. It was easy to develop a strong emotional bond with a team and its players. As a fan of CSK, I cheered them on with all my heart, and players like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni became household names.
However, as the years passed, the team composition changed. Many of the original players retired, and new players were brought in to replace them. This meant that the team I supported was no longer the same, and the emotional connection I had with the players began to weaken. Moreover, with the introduction of new teams, the competition became more intense, and the rivalry between teams reduced significantly
Though, the excitement of IPL still remains. Even though my favorite players have retired, and the teams have changed, I still look forward to watching the tournament every year. This year, in particular, is extra special as it may be the last IPL for my all-time favorite player, MS Dhoni, in his home ground of Chennai. It's a bittersweet feeling, as it's time to let go of the past and embrace the future.
Go Whistle Podu!!!!!!!!!
Comments