The IPL looks to add a bit of something new every year. This T20 extravaganza has made it a point right from the start that it is not only about cricket but also about entertainment, a key component which has brought new audiences into the sport.
This year, the IPL will be graced by women commentators -- four of them -- alongside the veterans in the commentary box like Harsha Bhogle, Ravi Shastri, Danny Morrison, David Lloyd and others. Women suppport has always been there for cricket, but it has increased considerably with the advent of the IPL, and the presence of these four commentators only adds to the growing stature of the sport.
We have already seen the likes of Mandira Bedi, Archana Vijaya and others with the mic on the sets of this popular tournament.
To take women's involvement to an all new level, IPL 2015 will have four women commentators in the shape of Anjum Chopra, Isa Guha, Lisa Sthalekar and Melanie Jones. They, along with the other 22 commentators, will bring Pepsi IPL 2015 live to the audience across the world.
Anjum Chopra, former India Women's team captain, has been seen as a cricket expert in TV shows earlier. Former England fast bowler Isa Guha too, was involved with the IPL experts team in previous years. They will now join the commentary team, along with Lisa Sthalekarand Melanie Jones, who have previously represented Australia at the international level.
The IPL 2015 was been declared open last night with a less-than glamorous opening ceremony that took place at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata in front of 30,000 fans.
Cricket on the pitch will begin today as the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders take on the Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens.
