The Indian Premier League, or rather, IPL has given a new dimension to cricket. And the good part is that it has happened in our country. With suddenly the whole nation and the world taking so much interest in the shorter version of the game, there is bound to be lot of controversies and disinterests.
This is the first time ever that in India, the cricket is so much hyped. Why not utilize it, rather than criticize,ridicule or even mock at it? Everybody knows that cricket is the most popular sport here. Every child down the street can be seen with a bat and ball, claiming to grow up like Sachin or Dhoni. Ask that child as to who is Narain Karthikain or Dhyanchand, and he looks at you dumb.Not even bollywood movies like Chak De, Goal or media discussions on promoting other forms of sports could make any effective change in those games.
Now considering these circumstances, one would be a fool not to escalate this game into a really big show. After all, everybody is business–minded in this competitive world of the survival of the fittest.
So, it is very much obvious that it is because of our cricket associations and boards that cricket continues to be the dominated game and the interests of the masses. Otherwise our cricket (because of which India is known as global giant) would have long been lost and faded. If you donot believe this, kindly read the following paragraph, unbiasedly.
Post 2007 world cup, Indians and Indian media had lost interest in Indian cricket owing to the bad performance of our squad. There is another lesson to be learnt from this. Our media and fellow people praise and ridicule our playing men almost at the same time. One moment, they will say “Kudos to the Boys in Blue”, and immediately after one defeat, they will complain about BCCI, scold the players who endorse brands or walk on ramps, which is indeed very surprising. Coming back to my post world cup scenario, when all interests had faded, people thought cricket was going down. All the sports crazy fans had started to seek tennis, football, racing, etc. The various reasons were the duration of the game and the poor performance by Indian team. Having analyzed all these, the immediate solution was to redefine cricket. Make a newer shorter version of cricket that would not take much of time. The matches would be more close and the audience would have to stick to the TV’s till the last ball. Needless to say, it succeeded. The Twenty20 worked, India won the world cup and brought back the cricket fans.
Having said that, now if the BCCI is trying to escalate this success by bringing the concept of IPL by mixing it with Bollywood to create even more interests, why make the fuss about it? Of course, everybody is business minded as I mentioned earlier. So what’s wrong if one makes millions, or spends millions. It is their money. Bet me, if you had money, you would have done the some.
All those, opposing IPL and seriously wishing IPL to flop, are taking the excuse that the sporty nature of cricket is lost. They complain that cricket has become commercial and true spirit of game is lost. Common man, do you think all those people who sweat out there on the field lack spirit? It is us, the audience that lack spirit and enthusiasm because somehow we just don’t want to ignore the huge money involved. If we are keen to watch only the sport, it will always be a sport. Why do you want to watch the glamour? Remember, glamour is just a side show. If you want to watch that, then I suggest you go for bollywood awards function or Page3 parties. If one needs to watch dance, go to bars. Why pull cricket in all these controversies?
For those who say, it will destroy the bowlers, I say it is a mere excuse. If the bowlers are beaten up every now and then, then it is the same for all the bowlers. And then the bowling economy of 7 will be considered a good one. I am sure that bowlers will adapt to this new form and deliver better performances as the game develops. It is too early to say anything or disregard anything. After all, cricket, or for that matter, any sport is relative.
If you have seen the squads of the teams, you would have seen a lot of new Indian young faces that have come out. It is a chance that the world pays attention to them. In return they get chance to play with players like Ricky Ponting, Mathew Hayden, Gilchrist, Sachin,Shane Warne,etc. Isn’t this a great opportunity? I am sure this is a dream for them that has just got fulfilled.
Do you still think IPL is killing cricket? On the contrary, it has revived it, given it a new life.
This is the first time ever that in India, the cricket is so much hyped. Why not utilize it, rather than criticize,ridicule or even mock at it? Everybody knows that cricket is the most popular sport here. Every child down the street can be seen with a bat and ball, claiming to grow up like Sachin or Dhoni. Ask that child as to who is Narain Karthikain or Dhyanchand, and he looks at you dumb.Not even bollywood movies like Chak De, Goal or media discussions on promoting other forms of sports could make any effective change in those games.
Now considering these circumstances, one would be a fool not to escalate this game into a really big show. After all, everybody is business–minded in this competitive world of the survival of the fittest.
So, it is very much obvious that it is because of our cricket associations and boards that cricket continues to be the dominated game and the interests of the masses. Otherwise our cricket (because of which India is known as global giant) would have long been lost and faded. If you donot believe this, kindly read the following paragraph, unbiasedly.
Post 2007 world cup, Indians and Indian media had lost interest in Indian cricket owing to the bad performance of our squad. There is another lesson to be learnt from this. Our media and fellow people praise and ridicule our playing men almost at the same time. One moment, they will say “Kudos to the Boys in Blue”, and immediately after one defeat, they will complain about BCCI, scold the players who endorse brands or walk on ramps, which is indeed very surprising. Coming back to my post world cup scenario, when all interests had faded, people thought cricket was going down. All the sports crazy fans had started to seek tennis, football, racing, etc. The various reasons were the duration of the game and the poor performance by Indian team. Having analyzed all these, the immediate solution was to redefine cricket. Make a newer shorter version of cricket that would not take much of time. The matches would be more close and the audience would have to stick to the TV’s till the last ball. Needless to say, it succeeded. The Twenty20 worked, India won the world cup and brought back the cricket fans.
Having said that, now if the BCCI is trying to escalate this success by bringing the concept of IPL by mixing it with Bollywood to create even more interests, why make the fuss about it? Of course, everybody is business minded as I mentioned earlier. So what’s wrong if one makes millions, or spends millions. It is their money. Bet me, if you had money, you would have done the some.
All those, opposing IPL and seriously wishing IPL to flop, are taking the excuse that the sporty nature of cricket is lost. They complain that cricket has become commercial and true spirit of game is lost. Common man, do you think all those people who sweat out there on the field lack spirit? It is us, the audience that lack spirit and enthusiasm because somehow we just don’t want to ignore the huge money involved. If we are keen to watch only the sport, it will always be a sport. Why do you want to watch the glamour? Remember, glamour is just a side show. If you want to watch that, then I suggest you go for bollywood awards function or Page3 parties. If one needs to watch dance, go to bars. Why pull cricket in all these controversies?
For those who say, it will destroy the bowlers, I say it is a mere excuse. If the bowlers are beaten up every now and then, then it is the same for all the bowlers. And then the bowling economy of 7 will be considered a good one. I am sure that bowlers will adapt to this new form and deliver better performances as the game develops. It is too early to say anything or disregard anything. After all, cricket, or for that matter, any sport is relative.
If you have seen the squads of the teams, you would have seen a lot of new Indian young faces that have come out. It is a chance that the world pays attention to them. In return they get chance to play with players like Ricky Ponting, Mathew Hayden, Gilchrist, Sachin,Shane Warne,etc. Isn’t this a great opportunity? I am sure this is a dream for them that has just got fulfilled.
Do you still think IPL is killing cricket? On the contrary, it has revived it, given it a new life.
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