The IPL was a rage in its premier season. For cricketing and non-cricketing reasons. While cricket fanatics could not get enough of the new explosive batting format, cricket haters tuned in to watch Dr. Vijay Mallya parade his scantily dressed cheerleaders on the ground. But as they say, good things never last! And they didn't. As we all remember, the cheerleaders were made to 'cover up' and the whole IPL lost it's audience. Well, maybe not whole, but some!In an attempt to bring back the good old days of 2007, the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) has decided to "Indianize" the cheerleader concept by draping them in saris for an upcoming ODI between India and Sri Lanka on December 21st in Cuttack. We don't think pom-poms will be a feature and neither would be high jumps or splits given the dress choice.
OCA secretary Ashirbad Behera says, "The girls will not wear short skirts as has been done in many other places because it would be against our culture and tradition. Our audience will not accept it. They will have modest traditional attire. They will be dressed as per our tradition and culture."
So, which medieval or historic sport in India has had cheerleaders that were in tune with our culture previously?
