I was raised during the times when most Cricketers worldwide, and more specifically from India , would be benchmarked of their standing , rating and credibility based on which English counties they played for. To be invited then to play for the Counties was your gateway to stardom and securing future career. That was then.

Indian cricket to me took a great positive turn around the same time India’s prowess as a nation , as a knowledge community and as a market opportunity caught the world’s attention. Our performance in the test matches, the one day matches climbed up the ranks and suddenly the formidable Pakistan as well as the Australian team were devoured many times and many old taboos broken. Commendable.

Then came the newly scripted 20- 20’s. And India quickly moved to win the first world cup. The story is so compelling that I am sure many Bollywood directors must be making movies and may provide us the 08 blockbuster around this success!

The IPL is an epitome of branding, marketing, reading the pulse of the nation and resonance of sports with entertainment. And behind all this is money and a great business model. And I must congratulate everyone that has helped craft this model that will with time get better and hopefully should be the most coveted yearly tournament in cricket worldwide. And this time around my gut says, we will achieve it.

Look around at most of the IPL stars today – apart from half a dozen English speaking expats, most of the other heroes are from smaller towns and cities – there is a wave here that tells me we have just catalyzed the long tail. Passion runs deep here, fearlessness is natural and conviction so deep that there is no room for failure. Almost zero tolerance. And they have dreams in their eyes and are taking on, first our own metropolitan stars, and then hurtling forward to take on global stars.

My sense tells me we’ve seen nothing as yet. Soon this wave( not just for Cricket, but in every business vertical) will build even more stronger and lead the entire nation with it to greater heights. And I salute these heroes from across our nation and welcome them in our journey. I hope you do too.