What the IPL has done to the Careers of Venkatesh Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy and Others

“Where Talent Meets Opportunity” might arguably be the most apt motto of the IPL. Over the past so many years, the tournament has opened the doors to so many blossoming careers that youngsters are now seriously thinking about cricket as a realistic career option. What’s more, it is also encouraging enough youngsters to courageously drop their existing professions and switch over to cricket. 

And perhaps the courage to dynamically change professions is what is reflected even on the grounds when these youngsters come out to bat or bowl. It’s like they always belonged to that space; it’s like they have already found the means to accumulate the experience, which once used to take years to achieve; it’s like they have modes within themselves that they could turn off or on. Whatever be the case, it’s fascinating to see the abundance of healthy competition and rivalries between players to get a spot in the playing eleven, be it that of a franchise team, or the national side. And when any 10 or 12 year old picks up the newspaper and flips over to the sports column and finds out that 7 good games in the IPL could mean a call-up to the national side, that’s enough to make them check their bats, make some quick calls to their friends, and play a serious game of cricket. That’s enough argument that could persuade a reluctant parent to consider cricket training as something beyond ‘just a hobby’. I suppose gone are the days (maybe a little optimistic too soon?) that parents had to advise children about the sensibility in making realistic career goals, something that would guarantee a secure income and a ‘normal’ healthy lifestyle. But I suppose it wouldn’t be too far off when this wouldn’t be a far-fetched idea. 

What the IPL has done is it has created a vast space for youngsters to thrive and learn and find their way about. Take the case of Venkatesh Iyer. I had read very little about him, let alone see him play before that first game he got during the second leg of the IPL in the UAE. The man exudes confidence. It’s written all over the shots he plays, the cracking sound off the bat you hear and the realization that it is going to be a six no doubt is more of a reflection of his state of mind as much as his ability. Being able to play good cricket is no longer a rarity. But it is the maturity to handle big game situations that sees you play in the side more consistently. More than the blistering strike rates Iyer has shown me this second half, it is his slow innings at a sticky wicket in Sharjah that has impressed me most. Both the eliminator and the playoff showed the temperament and maturity to play sensible cricket than swinging the bat about wildly. What it also suggests is his ability to become dependable, someone who is difficult to dismiss, and someone who becomes a headache for the opposition. 

It will be interesting also because, in a way, Iyer is new and that there isn’t a lot of data on him to have a specific game plan against him, but I guess he is perhaps going to be one of those players you just can’t have one fixed game plan that would necessarily work. 

Along with Iyer are also two more players: Varun Chakravarthy and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Chakravarthy has his name drafted in the Indian team for the world cup, and may very well be a sure name to feature in the eleven. Not so long ago, say about 3 years ago, Chakravarthy was an unknown entity. But in interesting turn of events fit to be turning points in movie sequences, he impressed with bowling dot balls consistently, picking up wickets at crucial intervals, and showcasing variations that were difficult to pick. This saw him getting a huge bid with the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018 where, frankly, he did not impress much. But since then, Chakravarthy has worked on his bowling and has foxed many batsmen. Notably, he has dismissed Dhoni quite a few times. 

Ruturaj has been another player who has consistently scored at the top for the CSK. It is a certainty that in due time, he will be a consistent name in the Indian playing eleven because of his wonderful skill with the bat. At 24, the IPL has given him the maturity to understand that he could take his innings deep into the game and put his team in a winning position. 

And that is precisely what the IPL does. It’s an opportunity for all those school kids who are an unknown entity today; who are just tiny sparks of talent waiting to be noticed by a coach or a scout; who are just one opportunity away from starting off as a net bowler to turn their life around into fulfilling careers. More than anything, it is a beacon for many to take up cricket as a serious sport; an encouragement for parents to understand that the skills their children have could potentially become life changing for them. 

I have merely listed out three players in a tournament that has been full of youngsters. We could talk about Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, and many, many more. The mega auction could see more mystery spinners, classy batters and daring all-rounders making it into different squads. But what the IPL has done and perhaps will continue to do is ensure that it stays true to its message – where talent does indeed meet opportunity.