March 29, 2010
The IPL 2010 so far has thrown nerve tingling moments, adrenaline-pumping cricketing events and nail-biting finishes to push the cricket enthusiasts into frenzied fervor, as the IPL twenty 20 matches have almost captured the hearts and imaginations of the fanatics, who eat, breathe and sleep cricket. But not many are aware of the harm that the IPL 2010 is inflicting on the art of cricket, let alone on the future of the game. But it certainly has turned out to be a money-spinner wooing the best talent from across the globe.
To look into the daily mode of life that we embrace as of today, we desire a fast turnaround in all our endeavors, with quality taking a backseat. We term it as fashion as we have opted all and sundry as entertainment medium without attaching importance to the artistic flavor that these mediums carry. This, to my knowledge, produces a greater effect on very many entertainment activities, as it has also produced its degrading effect on the art of cricket.
People these days neither have the patience nor the time to turn out for a good five-day test match, which happens to be the surefire tool in cricket to judge the talent of individual cricketers as well as the teams. This is where the IPL 2010 has scored over the more artful five-day games, and is inching its way to become the most sought form that gets relished by the spectators. Even some of the brilliant cricketers of the past sing in unison as to the power that the IPL 2010 holds and sing paeans about the IPL 2010 and about its influence on the game.
Is dearth of practical cricketing ideas the real reason for events like IPL 2010 to occupy centre stage? Or has Cricket become another satirical comedy show inviting everyone to watch the game, as these enthusiasts without knowing the basics of the technicalities pertaining to the game enjoy the IPL game as if watching an entertaining movie. Does it share the suspense of a Roger Moore movie where the result is known only when the last ball is bowled? Is money taking away the charm of the game? Do we hear the death of cricket rattling and roaring to signify the blunder on the part of cricket administrators the world over? Whatever be the reason, the IPL 2010 so far has unveiled pomp and splendor, as it also has increased the steady rise in the following related to the IPL twenty 20 games.
But bleeding hearts as of mine will realize that the art of cricket is dead, and it is only a past glory to talk about cricketers like Sir Garfield Sobers, Keith Miller, Compton, Tom Graveney, Sir Don Bradman and other such greats who have been great ambassadors of the game and whose talent and sportsmanship brought glory to the game without inducing a swell with respect to their purse strings.
