IPL -- Kasu , Panam , Thuttu , Money Money , Fame , Shame

There is no doubt that IPL ( Indian Premier League ) is a great success. Lalit Modi’s creation was excellent money spinner so long as the sport was played as sport. As soon as other things other than the sport itself started taking centre stage , it was clear that there would be only “dirt” and nothing else to talk about. A very classic case where a great event that brought in crowds , provided a stage for young players to blossom , created avenues for various business to grow is now languishing because of the greed to make quick money in not being ethical to the sport itself.

There were simmering’s from the previous editions of the IPL itself. Spot fixing is nothing new. Some low rung players involvement , they being banned , change in the chairmanship post of IPL, did nothing effectively to keep the sport being played in its best interest. It is surprising that the IPL committee had no clue of what was going on. All things that happened in the past two weeks cannot have come about without people in powers knowing about what was going on. Letting things go this far is a High Hurt for the sport itself.

Take a look at the Players charged in the Spot Fixing charge – Why did they do, what they did ?

Ankeet Chavan : This left armer was a bright prospect. He holds the record for the Maximum number of wickets in a innings for Mumbai in the Ranji trophy ( Nine for twenty three ). Why on earth would he do this ? Was he impatient to grow ? If he had the talent to make it to the Mumbai Ranji team ( not an easy task and to perform for them ) I am sure he could have made it to the Indian team. Was he not identified as a talent potential for the future and groomed and mentored in to playing the sport with a sense of responsibility without bringing damage to it ? These are things that BCCI should look to do as they build the team for the Country.
Sreesanth : I am surprised at his choice by the bookies to spot fix. Let alone anyone bet on how many runs he can give in an over . he himself would not know as to how well or bad he can bowl. Such was his inconsistency. He could either be terrific or horrible in the six legal deliveries he can deliver

Ajit Chandila : He was a good choice. With no bright future for him in Cricket ( he was not even a regular for Rajasthan state ) and his ambitions elsewhere , he was an easy target.

The key question was “Did any of these guys consider consequences if caught or they believed that they will get away?. I thought the chances are slim considering so much coverage on Television, Mobiles being tracked , CCTV’s watching and media glare all the time on your movements. I am sure they cannot be so stupid not to realize these things. So if they believed that they were doing things that will help get them away , I am sure this would be known to more people than just this three. Must have been very common and would have been practiced easily.

Can the Board do anything ?

Yes definitely .Something that can be done well with the players as they come in to reckoning is to ensure that they are groomed well, not just on how to play well but being rational , playing with integrity, learn to handle success with maturity. It is so evident with Sreesanth that he was not counseled -- he was always in one trouble or other for non-cricketing reasons. It is not wrong to play the game hard , but playing it with fairness is important. Another player who is a good example to be mentored is Dinesh karthik . Appealing for a bump ball and making a huff and puff over the decision not being given in his favour. The whole world knew he was wrong , for they were watching the replays. Should the captain not walk to him and counsel him? Should not the match referee make note ? Unfortunately there are no Yellow or Red cards in Cricket to have the player sent out.

Board should take tough calls on players that do not play the game , keeping the spirit of the sport above them. More monitoring is needed . Betting can be made legal if that is the only reason all types of match fixing happen . I do not believe that it is the only reason.

What about those who follow the game either by their presence at the venue or through the TV Channels

The fun about 20 -20 is the fact that it is nail biting till the end and brings the viewer to the edge of the seat till the last ball is bowled. The match timings are short and for sure there is a result. It has raised the quality of the game – be it the batting or bowling or fielding. All of them have raised many notches compared to the five day or even the one day game. So from format perspective , there is no doubt it is most enjoyable and the crowd would love this.

Now imagine the match is fixed and you are watching it blissfully unaware. What a shame?

. Today , people are paying a premium to get the tickets for the matches ( no difference between Cinema ticket black marketers and these guys ) and to do this for a match that is fixed would be absurd and insulting to the viewer. Those running the game , should ensure that this cannot and will not happen. They cannot take the sporting public for granted.

The only way the sports lover can teach everyone involved in this a lesson is to boycott the next edition of the IPL. Imagine an IPL match with no one watching. That would be fun as well.

The administrator have a year to pull up their socks and clean up everything. We need credible people to lead.
The Italian Football league went through a very similar storm couple of years ago. Strong actions were taken. Teams were banned . Coaches were sent out. Administration changed. Credibility was restored.

Can the BCCI match the same ? With today’s step off deal , I doubt so.

It is up to us to give the next edition of the IPL a decent ...... !