With cricket, come the pundits of the game. Historically, whenever new formats were introduced in this glorious game, the traditionalists were the first ones to oppose them
With cricket, come the pundits of the game. Historically, whenever new formats were introduced in this glorious game, the traditionalists were the first ones to oppose them. Whether it was Kerry Packers' One-Day game or this new and exciting format of IPL. The opposition would be based on some or the other flimsy ground, as perhaps they all felt threatened, only to quickly retrace their steps and quietly harmonise themselves with the success!
I, as an administrator connected with this game, have often watched with amusement these swings of opinions and the often convoluted logic that goes on with it.
'T20 is not cricket... It will destroy our young cricketers. It puts money above everything else,' are some of the various arguments and counter arguments that one hears so often.
But, what I have always maintained is, which other game can exist when one game can be played in so many versions. So, why worry about its pitfalls real or imaginary!
The young cricketers today, are indeed a smarter and savvier lot, in all respects. With the exposure, training and television, I think they have learned the ropes. They clearly recognise and appreciate the differences between the various formats. It is in this context that I feel that the IPL has stolen a march over the rest of the cricketing world. In this melting pot of cricket, where cricket is a religion, and has crazy fan following, it has addressed and successfully exploited this new market.
It has clearly brought new fans and patrons, and broken a hitherto largely male preserve of the game being watched mostly by males. And, this is a huge achievement.
Developing this league in the shape and manner of a commercial enterprise is bound to bring in benefits, both on the cricketing side and beyond. Making it more market driven will ensure that things like infrastructure and facilities for fans as well as cricketers will improve. Visible signs of this have already started to appear. New and iconic stadia, comparable to the best in the world are being built.
Any kind of infrastructure needs funding and more importantly it should be used. I think that is one of the great achievements of the league. Thanks to the IPL, the stadiums are now capable of running to full houses 30-odd days every year.
So, kudos to Lalit, the man behind the league, and also BCCI, the organisation behind it. They conceptualised, developed and successfully implemented this league. IPL in its youth itself has become the cynosure of the cricketing world.
Ajay Shirke is the President of Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA). He is also an industrialist and founder of Cadence Cricket Academy.
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