IPL making everyone dance to its tunes
The repercussions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are showing already. Mahendra Dhoni has given a pass to India’s first Test series in Sri Lanka in seven years, while the Sri Lankans managed to get their tour of England postponed.
Not too long ago, these were challenges that players looked forward to eagerly. Grappling with the Lankans, always tigers in their own den, or featuring on a tour of England, that place where every enthusiastic young cricketer yearns to play, used to be stuff dreams were made of.
But it is no more so. The lure of quick money has meant that the equations have changed not just in terms of a shift of power towards South Asia, but also vis-à-vis the formats of the game and the venues. But while a romantic would be quick to castigate such moves by players, one has to understand that they are decisions taken by players only after being provided with the alternate of T20 by administrators.
Dhoni’s was a pragmatic decision. A man who knows little fear, he had to take a break or risk a breakdown. In fact, he is said to have contemplated rest earlier in the year because of a niggling injury, that too before the IPL. So, it was only natural that he managed one after the traditional off-season that absorbed the extravaganza.
Being the ODI captain, he could not have given the 50-over format a miss, and the Test series it had to be. With Australia and England due to tour India after the Champions Trophy, it was but natural that he chose this time. There are some who feel that he is being shrewd but there was little else he could do at this point in time.
Yes, the IPL may have been important for him, but the converse was true as well. As the biddings showed, he was a highly valued player. His presence was essential for the 44-day event, and not just for star value, as proved by Chennai’s march to the final.
Total Comments: 8
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Posted : By samir ali
i dont think ipl is so bad for indian cricket.?lalit has done is a great job in my perseption.nothing better could be done for indian cricket as well as for world cricket.only ipl kind of event can bring this game up to the level in terms of viewership.not only in india but all over the world every news about ipl were sold as a hot cake in international market.all of us observed its popularity when we saw prize giving ceremony in one of the euro cup where yuvraj had an upper hand,these are the example of forign reach of indian cricket.
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Posted : By Bhasker
Good writeup.
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Posted : By prakash
IPL has to be kept in check by the authorities. It''s becoming too powerful and may ruin international cricket.
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Posted : By k_ram
@ NSBro Lalit Modi wont go unpunished...May god punish him like an infected street Dog.....Amen !
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Posted : By Saurabh
IPL is a good concept but gone are the days when players use to dream playing for their country. Sachin is the best example. After his hundred in CB series final with star cricket he said that he grew up dreaming to play for India. But here just to Play in IPL he came in with the injury and that further bruised his groin injury. So just for money he played in IPL and avoided playing for India in Bangladesh and Aisa Cup. Same with Dhoni, he could have avoided the IPL and played in Tests in SL. But no, IPL was more important. And think what if Karthik scores a couple of hundreds in SL. After Dhoni comes back later this year for tests, he will replace Karthik coz selectors are afraid of making bold moves.
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