Imagine being mentored by the likes of Michael Bevan, Stephen Fleming, Shane Warne and Dav Whatmore - Isn't that an exciting prospect, especially for a rookie playing first class cricket and trying to get a look in for National duties. After all, it's not every day that one can grab an opportunity to network with say a Wasim Akram and pick up a trick or two to hone one's skill. The franchisees, on their part, just as they have meticulously picked up the playing line-up, seem to have gone all the way in ensuring that a stalwart tutor the team.

Quite unfortunately though, this IPL, just as the past three editions, seems to be turning that noble intention right on its head. With over 50 days of non-stop cricket and a total of 14 matches to play, squeezed in between travelling and managing a few net sessions, where is the time for the coach to evaluate a player's skill and guide accordingly, or for the player to actually make the suggested changes. What it eventually boils down to is a