IPL season 3 ” riding high on bourses & mob mania

The season has begun ” some have lost so that others could win, some have won to ensure that losers should lose ” totally unpredictable! You love and hate it at the same time. But that's the nature of cricket ” as permanent as the obstinacy of the English weather, and as fickle as its rain ¦must be something to do with its birthplace, truly.

But despite all the willow tales, good and bad, this game of the gentlemen has ruled hearts through the ages and will continue to do so. And with the IPL, the game's popularity has taken a new dimension altogether ” almost beginning to be idolized in the sporting arena.

The frenzy that started in 2008 with 59 matches has never seen a dull day and has scored another landmark. In its third phase, the IPL's brand value has catapulted to more than double amassing over Rs18,000 crore (US$ 4.13 billion) in 2009, scoring a neat penalty corner over English Premier League club Manchester United, who counted its value close to US$ 3 billion.

Along with the game, the franchises tills too are ringing with tremendous returns. With a valuation of US$ 48.4 million, Dhoni and his Chennai Super Kings have hit the previous laggard's image for a six and emerged as the most valued franchise in 2010. King Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders is evaluated at US$ 46 million, while Shilpa Shetty's boys in blue, Rajasthan Royals come in third with USD 45.2 million. The king of good times, Vijay Mallya's challenge has been kept up by Royal Challengers Bangalore at the fourth position with a valuation of US$ 41.9 million, followed by the Mumbai Indians (USD 40.8 million), Delhi Daredevils (USD 40.5 million) and Kings XI Punjab ( USD 36.1 million). The Deccan Chargers "unstoppability" not too apparent this season either placed on the bottom rung with a valuation of USD 34.4 million.

However, there's no saying which team will wear the crown ” it's that one game where the suspense is almost as palpable and gripping even as the last ball of the match is delivered to the first wicket taken ” it can be anybody's match. But in all, IPL rocks!