Most of the above posts were flaming so i havent read them..
But i feel as usual there are pros and cons..
Well IPL is highly glamorous, entertaining and produces many thrilling matches.. But in the larger perspective its killing the real game of cricket which is not ODI but Test-Cricket. Killing in the sense its not as if Test Cricket wont be played anymore. People are losing interests in Test Cricket and majority of them have lost in ODI's too..
Well some might say that due to the same reason 20-20 is started but now it will get worse...
Anyways me being die hard cricket fan, i still prefer a morning session of Ashes @Lords over any IPL.. Yeah they dont hit so many sixes and fours.. agreed wickets fall slowly but all this ohh and ahhs.. misses..appeals... inswings.. outswings.. killer bouncer.. awesome coverdrives.. Do we see that so much in 20-20.. Its all about mindless hitting.. Well actually thats the only way as this format demands it..
But the former version is a delight.. I still have highlights of Ashes 05 in HD and it was some of the best cricket ever played..
Well commercially IPL is huge success plus for a common man who doesnt want to get in deeper aspects of the game, this it the game to watch..
Nevermind.. as they say 'Change is inevitable'
Edit :- I'll add one more thing. It's sad that there is being Your State and My state type of supporting going on.. We must support good cricket here. The other day there was comment by Dravid - "I was suprised at the pin drop silence from the crowd after hitting boundary, As in India it has never happened with us, seems like we will have to get used to this"
Same case happened with Sehwag yesterday when after his 50.. When he raised his bat, no-one applauded, cheered him.. I mean cmon that was one hell of a knock..
I hope this IPL doesnt seperate the country cricket fans on the basis of the region..