ICL V/s IPL: Who's game is it anyway???

V/s

Long ago, there was simple game in India, with simple rules, meant simply for fun and leisure. It was called Cricket (क्रिकेट), by the way. It was also known to some, as the "Gentleman's game", considering it originated in England, and was played with the highest level of sportsmanship. Now, that sweet ol' game has simply vanished; to be replaced by a race, started by blood-thirsty men (with their corporations, of course) out to "buy" players, for exorbitant prices, to create fancy teams, with fancy names/ logos/ taglines/ songs/ uniforms and what else, with the singular aim of attracting publicity and raking in the moolah! This race, known to many as the IPL, and to others as the ICL has created somewhat of a furore in the cricket-crazy country that's India. They, who lead this race, have only one objective in mind: buy players, form a team, make them play and earns millions of $$s, only to shower some of it on these players(who already are millionaires, by the way!).

Moreover, leagues like the IPL/ICL don't seem to have quite the faith, in any of our budding cricketers. They're interested, rather, in ageing international stalwarts, many of whom may not even feature in their own country's squad when it comes to playing international matches. The ICL even boasts of a long list of players signed by them, who, having retired from the international circuit, play only in these league matches; namely players like Adam Parore(he hasn't even performed to international standards in the ICL), Chris Cairns, Marvan Attapattu, Chris Harris(he's quite fit, though!) et al... No doubt, the ICL hasn't been thoroughly disappointing, as it does have within its ranks, a lot of young talent from within the country itself. The rounds of auctioning at the IPL though, make me laugh, almost pitifully, as a host of players from around the world have been auctioned and bought, for prices that could only be witnessed to believe!! Many of the highly ranked players have fetched packages worth millions!!


May i take the privilege(risk, rather) of asking the head honchos behind the league, as to why they could not have, possibly, thought of spending this money to improve the infrastructure for Cricket in the country??? Why could they have not gone to schools, colleges and clubs instead, picked the genuine talent that grooms there and turned them into players of international worth??? I'm sure they would've found a host of indigenous talent, more than willing, to perform at the bigger scenario. Or did these honchos feel it an utter waste of time, energy and resource to indulge in such activities??? Of course, who'd pay to watch little known faces play the game, however well they do it!! Such a pity!!


The IPL has selected the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, as a prime venue for the league's matches to be held later this month. All this, knowing that the stadium lacks even the most basic amenities, leave alone be compared to international standards!!! Why not spend money first, on bringing the venue up to international standards, so that the spectators who pay huge sums to watch their stars, get the comfort that they're entitled to?? Why not build venues, like the Allianze Arena or the Emirates Stadium, or the Lord's, for that matter, that we, as Indians would be proud of ?? I'm sure, with the huge balances that the BCCI possesses, this would hardly be difficult. Why have such impending issues been conveniently ignored then? Do you not feel the need for them to be addressed, before anything else??


There are many such questions that we, as people of this country and as ardent followers of the game, feel we have the right to ask and get answers to. Who do we go to???