IPL Turns 18-Is It Getting More Indian Than Ever?

The Indian Premier League has come a long way since its inception and now it is beginning to give indications that it may be becoming even more Indian than ever. Youngsters such as Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi are spearheading this transformation. These young boys have stunned everyone with their bold performances on the big stage. Ayush Mhatre is only 17 and played with immense ability for Chennai Super Kings whereas 14-year-old Suryavanshi hit his first ball for six for Rajasthan Royals. It is not very common to witness such young players performing with so much confidence in front of such a large crowd. This indicates how Indian cricket is growing through IPL by providing opportunities to youngsters at an early stage than ever before.

It was not so many years ago when youngsters used to take time to adjust and play. But nowadays no team is hesitant to recruit teenagers who can perform from day one. Such players are not occupying positions but are turning out to be match-winners. Even big hitters like Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan were dismantled by Suryavanshi. The manner in which these kids play with so much courage attests to Indian cricket being healthier than ever before. Several of them have already done well in domestic cricket, and this makes their transition to IPL easier. Mhatre had already registered a massive hundred in a List A match before coming to IPL and was already a recognized face in Mumbai cricket circles. Even then the limelight was more on Suryavanshi primarily due to his youth. At only 14 he is still at school and was born barely in time to see MS Dhoni lift the 2011 World Cup.

This illustrates how Indian cricket has developed a rich talent pool. Players like Prithvi Shaw were touted to be the future of Indian cricket. But now new names have risen quickly to the limelight. Even the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy have proved that they are primed for the international stage. So many young players now walk into IPL already ready due to good coaching systems and introduction to competitive cricket early in their lives. They are not intimidated by big occasions and like the big stage. That confidence is what makes them different.

Due to this trend IPL teams are also modifying their strategy in picking up their squad. Some squads are not utilizing the entire contingent of overseas players that are allowed. Delhi Capitals, for instance, had one match with two overseas players alone. This reflects the faith the teams have on their young Indian players. They are not picked solely based on potential but should be delivering the goods as of now. And most of them are doing exactly that. It would have been difficult to imagine this during the initial years of IPL.

The success of the Indian team in the T20 World Cup last year also confirms that the league is now benefiting the national team more than ever before. People used to wonder if IPL was actually benefiting Team India in T20 cricket. But that question no longer exists. With the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20s now, the new crop is ready to step up. And it's not just with batting. Quite a few Indian young spinners have established themselves this season as well demonstrating the all-round caliber of the upcoming talent.

We seem to be moving towards a period when extremely special overseas players will be only getting opportunities in IPL. Unless you are like star player Mitchell Starc Nicholas Pooran or Pat Cummins then it would get increasingly difficult to get in. Teams are already providing the overseas players less chance to try their luck. If you have local players like Indian players who are equally or better than then naturally you can opt for local ones. This transition has been evident this year and could well persist in the years to come.

The Indian Premier League will always retain a universal image but it is now evident that the core of the tournament is more Indian than ever before. With youngsters emerging and establishing themselves, the IPL is becoming a platform that fully embraces Indian cricket. As it celebrates its 18th birthday and a new wave of growth it is thrilling to know how much more Indian the league could possibly get in the years to follow. The horizon looks bright with prospects as adolescent superstars promise to take the game to a new level.