Cricket
in India is like Potato in a Samosa. Integral part, I mean! We Indians love
this game of Cricket. We watch it on TV, travel all the way to the stadium to
watch the real action, play it ourselves and 'write articles on it too' (hope
you understood..:)..)! When a crucial match like an India vs Pakistan game goes
live, the streets, the markets, the roads and the time stands still. It seems
like curfew is imposed in the city. Such is our enthusiasm for this great game.
Cricket
in recent years has changed significantly. New rules implemented, new format
introduced (T20) and the all new form of cricket, that is, IPL Cricket
invented. Indian Premier League is certainly one concept which has
revolutionized Cricket. With the huge money inflows, glamour spice, privately
owned teams and the controversies associated, Cricket is given a completely new
meaning which was earlier thought be a 'Gentlemen's Game'. IPL is a positive
when we talk about:
- More number of Indian players getting the chance to play at the highest level
- Higher payments to the players
- Exposure to the youngsters
- Experience the young Indian Players gain by playing with the legends
- More and more Cricket offering to the fans
But,
at the same time there are a few points which make us feel bad to such an
extent that we start thinking 'the IPL should be stopped'. These points are:
- The late night IPL after match parties
- The cheerleaders illogical integration
- More than sufficient amounts paid to the players
- Changes which are coming in the mentality of the players. They now prefer IPL over National Team
- Controversies which are hurting the fans
Talking
about controversies, IPL, right from its origin, has been in controversies. And
the recent, Spot-fixing controversy is the worst one. Players are getting huge
bucks as payments, but, still they want more. This is bad; really, very bad!
Three players: S Sreesanth, A Chandila, A Chavan were caught by Delhi Police
with serious allegations imposed on them. The case is currently in court. But,
what question fans ask themselves after seeing such incidents is, 'What are we
watching on TV? A game or a reality show (which is not that real as the name
suggest, by the way)?'
All
the controversies are done and dusted for this season. What next? Shouldn't
something be done to prevent such controversies from taking place again?
Shouldn't the BCCI be taking the steps to forbid this from happening again? The
BCCI should, simple as that! Well, the good news is that some steps are already
taken. From Next year, cheerleaders, time-outs, after-match parties will not be
a part of the game. Well, these never supposed to be a part of the Gentleman's
Game, by the way!
May
this Great Game of Cricket find the Gentlemen it was known for. Amen!
