The ads have been good, some of the anthems have been excellent; the fireworks have gone off and the dancers are showing a lot of energy. But cricket is winning, as we always knew it would. The first week of the IPL has worked. Now it must draw repeat crowds, it must be a success in its fourth week. Chances are it will do more than just that; I sense we are seeing a lifestyle change, like the personal computer, broadband and digital music.

The sceptics abound and that is not bad because success must be challenged; new thought must stand up to scrutiny. The first people who said the world was round took a long time convincing others. This will be a much shorter journey towards acceptance. Maybe it has already happened.

The players are enjoying it too. They are not here for a hit and a giggle but to create a name for themselves in this new world. Matthew Hayden told me yesterday that he had the same feeling in his gut as he has otherwise when he walked out to bat for the Chennai Super Kings. He is playing it with the same toughness as international cricket and while some might think it is blasphemous to say that he plays with the same intensity for Australia, it may not be too far from the truth.

And the more I see it, the more I am convinced that we are now at the threshold of a reverse learning pyramid. Traditionally, cricketers learnt to build innings, adapt to the 50-over format and, in recent times, have had to embrace 20-20.

... contd.