Beyond Realisation’s 2015 IPL XII – Part 1 of 2

Brendon McCullum punishes one for six (photo: BCCI)

Strategy in cricket’s shortest format is key.  There’s barely enough time to scratch out a guard and then face some thunderbolts or eye-poppers.  The battle between ball and fielder is almost always won by the little white pill, especially when a boundary line is involved.

All about the cricket in IPL 8

Shane Watson smashes one through the covers (photo: BCCI)

It has taken just one-quarter of the 67 matches in the eighth instalment of the Indian Premier League to show cricket fans just why it was so highly touted in the lead-up.

Rajasthan Royals have blown everyone off the park, including the vaunted Chennai Super Kings, who have looked something of a shadow on their last season.  Mumbai Indians have finally registered a win, and the Delhi Daredevils have been up and down like a yo-yo on a child’s finger.

Cricket: IPL over, but entertainment galore

2014 champions Kolkata (photo: BCCI)

Let’s start off with a figure, and that figure is 714.  That’s the number of sixes hit across edition seven of the Indian Premier League, and 60 matches.

This tournament provided one of the greatest spectacles in the history of Twenty20 cricket.  From game one between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, the stage was set.

Cricket: IPL appeal in Australia still exists, just harder to find

Glenn Maxwell belts a six during his 95 (photo: BCCI/ESPN Cricinfo)

The United Arab Emirates is the stage for the 2014 Indian Premier League – installment seven – and after just four matches, there has already been a platform set for all teams to play high quality cricket.

Let’s stop there for a moment, however.  How does the world see such a contest, and in particular, Australia?