Editor’s note: Each week, our resident cricketer (and former national Singapore player) Sajith Sivanandan will be recounting his experiences watching IPL on YouTube.

Saurabh Tiwary of the Mumbai Indians was only four months old when a certain Anil Kumble played his first one-day international for India. Fast forward 20 years, and Saurabh played Kumble in Match 14 of IPL 2010. The stage was set for young Saurabh to announce himself on the big stage; to show that he was not overawed by this colossus of Indian cricket. On came Kumble for his second over. Young Saurabh was determined to prevail. He jumped out with the confidence that comes with youth, his backlift all of 20 years old. Kumble though had one trick more. He threw in the googly, held back the ball, beat Saurabh in flight and before that ambitious backlift could adjust, had broken down the stumps. The sage Kumble jumped up and down as if he were in his teens again. Young Saurabh could only walk back and wonder. Experience, age and legend prevailed in this battle between young and old.

This past week in IPL matches was about the old stagers - the names that most players in the IPL grew up hearing about, watching on television, probably even chasing for an autograph at one point. Adam Gilchrist is the top scorer for the Deccan Chargers, demolishing attacks as if this were the IPL being played in the year 2000 and not 2010. Chaminda Vaas, all 36 years of him, is the top wicket taker in the tournament.

Tendulkar continues to be a draw not just in the stadium or on TV but on YouTube as well. Matches between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Daredevils, and the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, were among the most viewed on YouTube for the week.



IPL on YouTube this week was about legendary players already made. Will the coming week be about legends in the making?

Posted by Sajith Sivanandan (When not attempting to get selected for IPL in the year 2020, Sajith works at Google Singapore)