The IPL is here

It's almost been an entire week since the World Cup ended, and Chuck Culpepper of the National can hardly stand the 'horrid, wretched cricket-lessness of it all'. But the circus will rev back into action when the IPL begins on Friday. Here's his tongue-in-cheek look at how things have unfolded in the 141 interminable hours between the two events.

The Wankhede area seems back to normal. The sun sets beautifully just half a block over on Marine Drive. Delivery lorries come and go at the stadium. World Cup signs remain pasted on the gates, instructing about proper credentials. Two Indian passers-by ask if Sachin is in. A security guard tells you basically to get lost and notes the Indians' first home match will occur on April 15.

A World Cup closes down, and a league revs right up, hungry sponsors at the ready. Really? Really amazing.