Words have been written, spoken, heard, blogged, tweeted, facebooked, googled about the IPL (indian premier league). So why not a few more?? Bear with me.
I know cricket is the national obsession in India. And IPL has become a super craze since last few seasons.
Definitely, for a not so great cricket fan like me, it has definitely made an impact by increasing the interest which I have in the game. Three reasons: Firstly, It is a short form of the game, just 20 overs each session. And for impatient people like me, it is easy on the eye and on the patience. Secondly, The diversity of players forming part of each of the teams. That is lovely to see. The professionalism. The team spirit. I find, with few exceptions, the overseas players playing their hearts out. Thirdly: The glamour part of it. I guess this appeals to the average person. Seeing their idols associated with their fav teams. The cheerleaders, who I find very attractive and appealing and nowhere vulgar. In fact, i appreciate them for cheering every six or every wicket. And it is an awesome celebration of the love for cricket by indians everywhere in the world.
But while there are some pluses, associated this popularisation of a game, Some ugly sides to this has been observed especially in this season.
First and foremost , the question of whether the exorbitant fees paid to the players have dampened their commitment for the national team.Secondly, Match fixing rumors. which has always been prevalent but received some confirmation by a sting operation on spot fixing by some IPL players. Some of the matches which have been played for unbelievably low scores and some unbelievable results have been observed. So, are , we the viewers and fans being taken for a ride?
Then came the Shahrukh Khan -MCA fracas which became ugly and led to the banning of SRK from wankhede stadium for five years? This has undoubtedly led to the exposure of the ugly rivalries and jealousies between persona hidden under the glitz.
On the heels of this incident, came the accusations of molestation against an IPL player. Is the amount of money and fame going to players’ head?
Such concerns are removing the sheen from the IPL glamour slowly. Do we need to take a step back and think about the advisability of conducting such Competitions, which are breeding vices along with prizes? Or atleast, a way of moderating the Contest such that it does not become solely about oodles of money pumped in or teams buying their way through games or promoting betting?? Where it has stopped becoming cricket and more of business and where a player is a saleable object? Where the young and talented are being taught to play for lucre ? Where it has become more a showing off between business enterprises and superstar personae to display their star power and might?
Where is cricket in all these?
Related articles
- IPL match fixing: Bookie paid Rs100m to SL cricketer (nation.com.pk)
- Former cricketer Kirti Azad on dharna against IPL (ndtv.com)
- A week in hell for the IPL (cricketnext.in.com)
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Everything or person which/who gains popularity among masses will be tried to brought down, jepardised, compromised by a section of jealous/attention-seeking asses. Same goes with IPL. In every sport there are fixing allegations, and authorities trying to crack it.Nothing new in that. Pomersbach incident reminded me of the Ntini scandal..Some people can’t stand others achieving what they couldnot/never can thru hard work. Easy money, 30 mins of fame, attention of media, they seek. But above all these Cricket will stand tall. There will be IPL next yr too, with more players, more money n more glamour.
Well said..!!! IPL the most glamourous 20-20 league Intelligently PLanned by Mr.Modi is now having the outrage at its peak..!! My doubt is why these kinda things more oftenly happen in cricket than any other kinda sport??!! EPL it has been now successfully running for ages, how many issues like this an year has poped up there??? Time for a RootCauseAnalysis to be done…!!!!
Every one knows IPL is all about money.. But now it’s having some added features like booz n boo#s..!! Last to happen was Rave party.. 7 more days to go.. Hope no new scandal will pop out..
I don’t say IPL is a bad idea. I myself, enjoy it more than other forms of cricket. I find it very exciting. and I really appreciate Lalit modi to generate this idea. But my concern is, isn’t it better to streamline and discipline it a bit more so that it does not go the way of other sports? Plus ensure that young talents know that their priority should be for national level cricket.
I was also wondering the same regarding EPL. It is a lso a similar concept, hugely popular. But you never hear so much issues associated with it in comparison to cricket.
Maybe a Huge amount of $$$ which are rolling all over the IPL is the Devil..!!
We should say IPL has saved the lives of many Cricketers who were struggling to get a chance.. but is it making people Greedy? They see a window of opportunity to make some bucks which is ending in Pain..!!
True. I agree that giving many struggling cricketers chance and opportunity to play is terrific. Greed may be an undesirable by product..