| Reply 1 : When the BCCI came up with the concept of Indian Premier League few years back, every one knew that something big is in the offing. No doubt the IPL has become a great entertainer for the Indian public because of the amount of publicity it received (thanks to financial powers with BCCI) and the involvement of foreign players in the tournament. It is a well known fact that had BCCI not involved the foreign players in the tournament, IPL would have been 20 overs version of Ranji Trophy (Ha ha ha...!). Even Kevin Peterson (popularly known as KP) said that ECB is envy of BCCI for not able to take their T20 tournament to the level of IPL! There were also some instances where the players were found to have an inherent tendency to prefer to play in IPL over the domestic or even international matches. And why not? With the kind of money being involved, anyone would be more interested in playing in IPL. That is quite obvious.
The recent failures of Indian Cricket team on the tours of Eng and Aus have raised a lot of questions, and need not say the "default" blame in every expert's view goes to IPL. But I think IPL has given a lot to Indian Cricket as well.
Let us look at some of the positives, which IPL has given to the Indian Cricket:
1. It has given the exposure to the youngsters to play with International Players - Thanks to the BCCI's policy in restricting the number of foreign recruits in the IPL's teams, IPL has given the opportunity to youngsters to play along side with the masters of the game (like Shane Watson). Had IPL not been there, the only limited exposure which the youngsters could get was India A tours which is nornally always cramped with no space for breathing for the youngsters.
2. Make money - With the likes of Tendulkar showing no signs of retirement, the team is already full and the bench strength also looks overcrowded, there is still a lot of talent who is just waiting to be called. With the country not supporting much of sports, where the kids are still more inspired to be engineers or doctors, rather than sportsman. And why not? Atleast little money is assured after being an engineers. Not all crickets afterall become Sachin Tendulkars. Hence IPL has given a peek of hope to such youngsters.
3. Outside Cricket, IPL has promoted a lot of travel and tourism industry in India and that too for continuous two months every year!
I think one issue is still not addressed with the BCCI - Exposure of Indian cricket team members to foreign conditions. Because even now after winning the world cup, Indian team could not be called as World Champions (They lost two clean sweep series on foreign soil, after immidiately winning the world cup!). And BCCI must do something about it. |
