T20 cricket is a flavor that has put more spice to the game. After being launched internationally in 2007, T20 has changed the entire approach towards the game. Not only is its format different, but it has also inspired the other two formats and has been the cause to bring major changes to them.
The style of play:
Cricket is now the game of innovators. Shots which once were unknown are now a key part of the coaching manual. Reverse sweeps, the scoops, paddle, switch hit and much more have changed the game big time. Slow bouncers, wide yorkers and more are applied by the bowlers to keep the charge from the batsmen at bay.
Impossible is nothing:
Scoring runs was never that easy. After the birth of T20 cricket, any target is achievable. Scoring 300 in One Day Cricket was considered as a winning score but now the generation has moved towards the 400 run mark. Heavy bats, batting conditions, small boundaries and immense amount of courage, makes every target reachable. Afridi’s record of fastest century was a fairytale. A record that looked unlikely to get disturbed. However, the modern day players have rewritten history. Corey Anderson and AB De Villiers are now ahead of Afridi with 36 balls and 31 balls centuries respectively. The game is not over till the last ball. The world has witnessed how James Faulkner is turning into a red hot all-rounder. Also, the recent magic of Anwer Ali saw Pakistan pull a screamer out of nowhere against the Lankan lions.
Impression on test cricket:
Test Cricket is vivacious. Thanks to T20 cricket, test matches now carry a new dimension. The recent example of Dinesh Chandimal’s outstanding innings describes a lot about the modern game. It’s not only about digging deep and absorbing the pressure. The teams now carry the courage of counter-attacking their way out of trouble. The captains are ready to set extra ordinary fields and are brave enough these days to do something out of the ordinary.
Generation Next:
The next generation is getting more involved in the game. More fans and more interest is a good sign. However, the soul of the game is having some negative effects. The heroes, idols are different. Blocking and leaving the ball is a dying art in the modern generation especially in the sub-continent. The dream of a young cricket player is to play in big money studded leagues rather than representing the country in the international test arena. Hitting boundaries has become a priority while less concentration is towards a proper technique.