Indian Premier League, the Finishing School of the World Cup Champions
Indian Premier League is India's domestic T20 tournament but the Australians have used the glitzy T20 tournament the best. Every year, they send over their best youngsters and let them experience their biggest fear - the subcontinent.
21614 runs off the bat, 450 sixes, 2109 fours - that's what happened in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The ICC mega event Down Under saw the batsmen take centre-stage and the world was treated to some fantastic batting displays. (Indian Premier League 2015: Players to Watch Out For)
Now, if all that had happened in a 50-over contest; imagine how a T20 competition would shape up?
More runs, more sixes and more fours! (Friends, Foes and Friends Again - Return of the Indian Premier League)
That's what the Indian Premier League is all about! Isn't it?
The IPL is upon us, yet again, for the eighth time and this time it promises to be yet another magnificent spectacle. (Kings XI Stars Maxwell, Johnson to Arrive Next Week)
The eight edition of the IPL is set to be much grander because it arrives at the end of a World Cup. The stars are free from their national commitments and would be eyeing glory wearing their franchise colours.
While the Australians would aim to enhance their World Cup winners' reputation, the rest would be smacking their lips at the opportunity to heal their wounds.
That's the beauty of the IPL. Staying true to its motto, it provides an opportunity for everyone.
The World Cup 2015 displayed the power of the IPL.
Australia - Winner
New Zealand - Runners-up
India - Semifinalist
South Africa - Semifinalist
The top four teams in this World Cup were not only the strongest, but also are heavily invested in the IPL.
West Indies too, have a strong IPL presence but, their selectors were too busy managing their egos and left their three big IPL stars - Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine - back home.
However out of the four top sides, the Aussies have used the IPL the best.
Every year, they send over their best youngsters and let them experience their biggest fear - the subcontinent, their 'last frontier'.
As a national team, they are yet to conquer it completely but through the IPL, they have created a core of players who are well-versed with the perils of the subcontinent.
And it has paid rich dividend!
A couple of youngsters who shot to instant stardom after plying their trade in the IPL are:
Steve Smith
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The future of Australian cricket was first spotted by the world when he turned out for the now disbanded Pune Warriors side.
After winnings accolades for his insane fielding prowess, Smith moved on to Rajasthan Royals.
Now, this Aussie is all set to take over the reins of Australian cricket and is perhaps the best young talent of world cricket.
James Faulkner
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This all-rounder is a death-overs specialist, both with the bat and the bowl.
Before churning out match winning performances for Australia, this young Aussie honed his skills at Rajasthan Royals. Under the tutelage of Rahul Dravid, Faulkner has improved his game and now, is surely one of the feared all-rounders in world cricket.
Glenn Maxwell
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The mad Max stepped up his game in this World Cup.
The Punjab player was always known for his hitting abilities but it was his consistent show for the Kings XI Punjab last season that cemented his place in the Oz ODI side and now, he is a nightmare for the bowlers.
Then there's the Aussie opening duo of David Warner and Aaron Finch.
Not only nourishing the youngsters, the IPL has also revived the careers of a couple of Kangaroo stars.
Shane Watson
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His career was in the doldrums before IPL came calling.
Under Shane Warne's leadership, this burly all-rounder reinvented his entire game. Along with his bowling abilities, he converted himself into a proper top-order batsman and this World Cup, bore testimony to his finishing abilities.
Mitchell Johnson
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Here's another struggling Australian who found his bearings in the Indian domestic T20 competition.
The left-arm quickie had a song written to describe his 'erratic' bowling. Stung by inconsistency and lack of control, Johnson spent months on the sidelines.
The Mumbai Indians flicked his switch the correct way. Under the captaincy of Ricky Ponting, big 'Mitch' turned into a monster. He not only started hitting the correct lengths, but also scared the living daylights of batsmen round the world with his devastating pace.
The Indian cricket 'intellectuals' don't like the IPL. At least, they pretend not to. For them, the competition is a beast that has breached the sanctity of the classic version of the game. It's looked down upon as crass since it has enormous commercial interests at stake.
Hence, every time something goes wrong with Indian cricket, fingers are pointed at the T20 league.
The Australians though, view it otherwise.
They view the IPL as an opportunity for a Glenn Maxwell to exchange notes with a Virender Sehwag. For them, a veteran like Rajat Bhatia's ideas are important for Steve Smith's improvement and Nathan Coulter-Nile bowling alongside Lasith Malinga is an opportunity for progress.
No wonder, David Warner listens to a ball boy's advice of how to play spin better.
For them, the IPL is as big a revolution as the 'Packer-circus'.
While the entire world is still debating the moral dilemma of the Indian Premier League, the Aussies have taken the cricket carnival seriously and have turned it into their breeding ground for success.
The finishing school too, has lived up to its promise and delivered some polished gems to the World Champions.