There is something else about the IPL that we cannot ignore. Having had the opportunity to travel with the Mumbai Indians

I have watched the juniors look with open admiration at the legends they are getting to play with and listen to. They could never have seen the likes of Shaun Pollock and Sanath Jayasuriya at such close quarters, asked them questions and marvelled at their work ethic. In course of time, there will be a very pleasant osmosis and that is how people grow; by being with the best. Indian cricket will emerge richer in the near future.

I hope, though, that we resist the temptation of playing more than the current four overseas players per side. It is creating some very interesting permutations within teams and it is allowing some little known players to flower. That is how it should be.

And so, into the first week of the IPL, only two things jar; the boundaries are too far in and the 8pm starts are no good if you want to play cricket with a dry ball!! Both, in course of time, will make it difficult for spinners to play a major role. Hopefully these are glitches.