The Indian Premier League returns on Saturday after a week-long break following a brief yet explosive conflict between India and Pakistan.
During times of war, everything else pales in significance. The IPL took time to understand the implications of what was happening around it and still held matches while tensions were high.
It was definitely unwise to host an evening match close to the north west border of the country – Dharamsala – just as the conflict had intensified nearby. That the match between Delhi and Punjab had to be abandoned midway through showed the league was treading dangerously close to the precipice.
Now, the IPL is back. And at the first available opportunity. Obviously because there is just the final batch of matches remaining and there has not been too long of a disruption to throw the schedule too far off. But also because there is way too much riding on the IPL. And also because people probably want it at this point.
From a business point of view, it was important to finish the task of hosting the tournament as efficiently and early as possible; commercial deals and other contractual obligations are black and white, bereft of emotions.
But IPL is not just business or entertainment. It has become an important part of life for Indians. The idea of four-hour long matches night after night for two months straight might seem to a lot for sports fans elsewhere but has become an annual ritual in the country where early summer evenings mean IPL and nothing else. Even big budget Bollywood movies generally avoid release during these months.
After almost two decades, the IPL has been internalised by Indian fans. There are deep divisions among the legacy teams of the tournament. Clashes among supporters of opposing teams are fairly common and the regional franchise divide is starting to cast a shadow on the national team; India coach Gautam Gambhir had been targeted for backing players who were at his Kolkata franchise earlier.
The league has become seriously big business and an unabashed obsession for cricket fans. No matter who loses, Indian cricket wins and it is a fire that feeds itself, flamed further by the vast sea of fans who keep getting served top tier content through highly accessible means anywhere in the country.
And suddenly, the conflict of last week snapped cricket fans back into reality. After weeks of IPL induced emotions, cricket followers were reminded that there is a real world out there and you don’t always get to switch the screen off once it is done.
Hoping that fans – shaken by the realities of life and conflict – will jump right back into the jingoistic world of IPL and cheer for runs and wickets might be asking a bit too much from them. But people might also want to get back to the things that made their day before the start of the hostilities with their nuclear-armed neighbours.
There are always more important and serious issues in life, but for millions of people in India, the unmistakable sound of the IPL jingle might offer some relief, however superficial, after many nights of air raid sirens.
It might not be the same as before, with a few overseas players missing because of international commitments, injury and – in some cases – being shaken up by the entire ordeal.
Also, during the brief break, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket, making the remaining matches of the IPL and some ODIs in the future the only chance for fans to see them in action for the time being.
Fans might not be completely invested in which team and player does what over the next couple of weeks leading up to the June 3 final; especially those who were reasonably affected by what transpired over the last 10 days. But, at least the evenings can be frivolous and carefree for some.
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
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PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
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Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
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