Do we really like watching 20-20?

There are some things that a purist (or should I say an old timer) doesn't understand about cricket. One of them is 20-20 format. Is it cricket? Yes, it is. Does it excite the purist the way the more traditional test cricket does? No, it doesn't. Does it have rules? Yes, it does. All the other rules that apply to normal 50-over format, plus a few add-ons like the 1-over bowl out in case of a tie, field restrictions applying only for the first 6 overs etc, apply to the T20 format also. Does a win in a 20-20 game give the same satisfaction it does in a test match? No - it doesn't. But then do the teams really play to win? Yes. They may not cut each other's throats to win the game, but every team certainly wants to lift a trophy, especially if it is a world cup or an IPL. Then what is this game called T20? Probably, I still don't understand. 

Sometimes it feels like madness. As though the bi-annual world cup event in this format is not enough, we have this yearly extravaganza called IPL. It seems to generate more interest than any other tournament. I initially thought that I will not be interested in IPL matches looking at the way they are played. But slowly I have become a convert and yes, I watch and follow the IPL matches just the way I do the normal cricket (I mean, test matches). And I enjoy being part of the excitement too. So, then I wonder what is it that this T20 format gives a spectator who is being sucked in to its fold, taking along the way some slow converts like me. There is no greater secret than the fact that it provides short and manageable bursts of high intensity entertainment that is not exactly the strong point of the longer versions of the game.  Never mind even if it doesn't conform to traditions. This format when played by teams that are really fit and young, comes close to an adventure sport. With batsmen running between the wickets like 100m dash athletes and fielders diving like bungee jumpers to take catches and sliding like skiiers on the fence to save a run or two, this game should provide the maximum excitement and entertainment and there can be no two ways about it. 

The longer versions do certainly provide entertainment but some times also test the patience of most of the audience. A test match, even when it provides a result, may have its moments of dullness. A 50-over one-day match still takes away an entire day and most professionals today don't just have the time to spend so much time following the game. This is where the T20 format has certainly filled in a gap that existed in the game of cricket. So, I do find myself following T20 format as well as the other 2 formats and I do even enjoy the entertainment. And why not - it provides entertainment like no other format does.