IPL 4: Country or Franchise?

Though Sachin Tendulkar's 140 not out at Bristol in 2009 World Cup was just another century amongst many, but it won him many accolades. It is not because of the inings but the soel fact that only a few days ago he had lost one of the most loved persons in his life. His father Ramesh Tendulkar had died and after finishing off the ceremonies back home he rushed to serve his country. This elevated his stature in the minds of the cricket lovers. This is the kind of patriotism you would expect from a player representing their country. Now let me come to the last soccer World Cup where there was much talk of Rooney, Messi and Christiano Ronaldo magic, but hardly did these players deliver to their hype. Why? Even the players admitted that they were too tired after a full season with their respective clubs. So does country come first in todays date or the clubs/franchises?

Isn't This Glory Enough?

Indian cricket team gave the best gift possible to the nation by winning the much craved for World Cup. All the players admitted that they had a draining time (both physically and emotionally) on their path to glory. But the BCCI paid no heed to it. They had to pull up their socks over again and participate in the glamorous IPL 4, which by the way is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Indian Premier League barring the presence of the Indian players would not be a crowd puller, thus the BCCI had to involve the Indian cricket stars. Its great that they are performing well in this searing heat, but the cause of concern comes next. Most of the players have opted out of the West Indies tour that India will soon undertake. Let me remind the readers Indian teams have never fared well in the Caribbean Islands, so this was a great occasion to win a series in Windies. But with the exhaustion of World Cup and IPL 3 the players need rest and time for their families. Thus their demand for rest are valid. But does this mean the BCCI is encouraging the players to choose franchise ahead of their nation? The IPL could be dropped this year as we have already had a dose of great cricket with the World Cup 2011 being organized in the sub-continent. But the cash rich Indian cricket board just crave on for more money, at times at the sake of their star players and nation's pride.

IPL “Players Auctions” A Disgrace to Cricketers

Before the glamorous IPL 3 season began there was a players auction was held by the BCCI in a bid to sell the players to the franchise. The word “players auction” itself was a hard term to digest. Are players slaves that they will be put up for sale just as the slaves were in the Roman era? These are players who have climbed the ladders of professional success by working hard and now they have to stand the humiliation of being auctioned. When the Indian Premier League began in 2008 a similar process was followed, but that was just the starting of a annual mega event, so such a fault could be overlooked. But in its third year running, still the BCCI authorities fail to respect the players.

A Still from the IPL 3 Players Auction

Auction is a suitable term for real estate but it does not fit in for cricketers. Just think Sachin Tendulkar (arguably the best cricketer ever) is standing in front of a crowd of interested owners and the price of his skills are fixed. It is very disgraceful to think of. Why can't the sensible heads in the BCCI see such a picture, after all most of them were respectable cricketers too!

When the IPL was conceptualized, it was modeled on the EPL (English Premier League) but there the players do not have to go through the shameful procedure of bidding. They can choose the money and the club themselves. In case of the IPL the players are sold off by the BCCI to the franchises who pays the maximum, the wishes of the players are secondary here. Like other professionals, players too can perform their best when they find a favorable atmosphere around them. Just think Christiano Ronaldo playing in the Fulham team because they pay the best prices for the player! It seems weird isn't it? But thats what many of the talented cricketers have to go through in IPL auctions. They get a call from the owner that you are mine and they have to turn up and play for their franchise.

IPL is making millions of dollars every year and all the laurels should go to the players. In returns of IPL such a grand success can't they get a little respect?

Sourav Ganguly: Warrior Left Dry and Cold!

It is famous saying in cricket “knock, knock and knock the door down”. It signifies the fact that good performances never go unnoticed when you are a cricketer. But there are exceptions though! Have a look at the Kolkata Knight Riders management. They dropped their most prolific run getter in the last season of IPL. The victim of this unjustified act was Sourav Ganguly. The former Indian skipper had a great IPL 3 scoring 493 runs in 14 inings at an average of 37.92. He landed up as the fourth highest run getter in the 2010 IPL season. So what? The KKR management put all the blames of the woeful performances upon the shoulders of Sourav and ousted this glorious performer from their ranks.

Sourav Ganguly Grimacing

There were many reasons sighted by the authorities. Let us analyze a few of them:

• Sourav Ganguly is past his best days: If being the fourth highest run getter when there was none to support him at the other end is being past the best days, then there are many Indian crickets who should quit cricket immediately.
• He is not a good fielder: Yes, I admit he is not a Herschelle Gibbs. But then is VVS Laxman or Rahul Dravid known for their fielding prowess. In the last edition of the IPL our own Dada took some stunning catches and looked the most agile fielder on the park.
• He does not have high strike rate: If we go by the first couple of matches in the present IPL 2011, then Jacques Kallis is the highest run getter. When was the last time South Africa considered Jacques to be a power hitter? Yet he is successful. However short the game might be, class always stands apart from the crowd. In this respect it is important to inform you Dada had a strike rate of 117.66 across the 14 matches he played.

No wonder people have a cold heart for the present KKR side and Eden sees only half filled stands. Their warrior Prince was deprived of a much deserved opportunity. Why shouldn't they be unsatisfied?