The power play of the first innings has just started and the saga is evolving into an ODI rather than a T-20. The strategies adopted by multiple players involved should reveal the real agenda soon.

n a country where cricket is religion and Sachin is god, Dravid is its soul, as pure as it can get. And only gods can have clay feet.

Heavyweight corporate team owners, through their collective silence, have in effect endorsed BCCI's action, with no regard for the sanctity of the game, competition or their respective fan bases

SPORTZPOWER VIEW - ICC move to provide proper windows for domestic T20 leagues in annual schedule could be telling blow that will compromise the power and sheen BCCI enjoys now

SPORTZPOWER VIEW - It will do no good for these big brands and similar others associated with the IPL to be seen supporting an event which is perceived as the root cause for the falling standards of the game, leading to national shame

SPORTZPOWER VIEW - On current reckoning, the Kolkata Test too will not last the distance so this could well be the story of Tests in India for the first two years of Star's rights tenure

SPORTZPOWER VIEW - Apart from a doubling of title sponsorship amount, Pepsi brings a sheen and promise of activation around the IPL brand that could take it to the next level, something that should have been achieved at least two, if not three, years ago

SPORTZPOWER VIEW - Bids for owning a new IPL team will touch, if not cross, the $370m range paid by the Sahara Group for buying the Pune franchise in 2010

SPORTZPOWER VIEW - BCCI needs to relook its policy of not allowing Indian players in other similar leagues around the world. In fact, permitting big names of India to participate will actually showcase their true worth