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.

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