OK, now that the initial euphoria over the Indian Premium League auctions is over, let’s think. Let’s remember that whenever the Indian team fails miserably (the World Cup?), the reasons given are ‘excessive cricket’ and ‘packed itineraries’. Our Indian cricketers don’t have enough time and energy to play for ‘Team India’. And now they have a new addition to their ‘packed itineraries’. The IPL matches.
So, what’s going to happen now? Well, the IPL is like a gold mine waiting to be exploited. Everyone will want a share of it. And then maybe, just maybe, our cricketers may start giving the ‘Team India’ matches a miss so that they can play in the IPL.
Of course, one more option exists, the international tournaments can be scheduled in such a way that they don’t interfere with the IPL matches (Heck, I hope that doesn’t happen!). But then, wouldn’t that become ‘excessive cricket’? How could our delicate, fragile cricketers cope with that? I wonder.
Your Opinion? You can just drop in a comment on this issue or write in to me by clicking here
4 responses so far ↓
Indian Homemaker // February 24, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I don’ think we need a Team India. Cricket and sports should NOT be associated with patriotism. Patriotism is serious business, we trivialize it by associating it with a fun filled, light hearted entertaining game. Sports should be used to break barriers we have built between nations, regions, states.
Some percentage of cricket gains can be used for building better sports infrastructure in India. No charity, just opportunity for all who deserve. Maybe expensive coaching centres with scholarship for good players. Since there is money is to be made, all leagues/sponsors will only take the best (no risk of sifarish or recommendations from politicians etc.)
Krishna Aradhi // February 24, 2008 at 7:00 pm
@Indian Homemaker
I agree with your quote: Some percentage of cricket gains can be used for building better sports infrastructure in India. No charity, just opportunity for all who deserve. That’s very much required in the current scenario, where other sports are in a state of utter neglect.
But no Team India? Horrors! That’s one thing I hope never happens. We need it.
Indian Homemaker // February 24, 2008 at 10:30 pm
That was just a passing thought…maybe you are right..maybe we do need Team India.
IPL Blogger // February 26, 2008 at 4:15 pm
IPL is going to be a big success in a country like india. It wuld gradually be interesting for other countries as their top batsmen can play in IPL. important is the money flowing over IPL. View all the teams http://www.iplblogger.com/index.php?q=node/30