- There is a difference when one plays for one's country and when one plays for a city, if you know what I mean. As far as my (tiny) knowledge about cricket goes, cricket's future as an inter-country game looks brighter than an intra-country game.
- This brings me to the next point. The intra-country game. Though I am against pitching a group of 11 sportsmen against each other, the rest of India is for it. There is no doubt about that. And since IPL has been portrayed as an intra-country game, which it is, there is no point in conducting the event on another continent. The entire purpose of such a venture is defeated. Under these circumstances, is IPL still 'all about cricket' as has been advertised? May I remind that this is the INDIAN PL and not the INTERNATIONAL PL!
- The venue issue leads to the next point. The inter-city competition. It is not a difficult task if the matches are held in India, as was last year. Are the sponsors expecting the same kind of enthusiasm this year?
- Lalit Modi recently made a statement saying that continuity of the game was crucial than the profits! Are you serious Mr. Modi? If so, could you have not scheduled the event pre- or post-elections. Everybody knew that India was going to polls in 2009. Thanks to all the voters' registration advertisements post 26/11. Why not take a gap year instead? Raise a debt-note and return all money that exchanged hands during the auctions!
- This brings me to the last point - auctioning of players - is it not like buying slaves? The difference is that the players get hefty amounts after every match. And international brand endorsements take care of the rest.
It is not that I am against IPL. Its just that it has blown cricket out of proportion. Cricket isn't cricket any more. Its more of glamour and less of sport. Forget cricket entering the Olympics!
But heyy...big deal! Watch the match, enjoy the game and forget it. At least Pak players are excluded this year!!
