When the first season of IPL event was about to undergo in two days time, me and my dear friend Rahul were discussing about the success, effects, and impact of the format on the players and International cricket.
As a patriot cricket lover, I had objection on some of the points:-
The player’s auction by the franchisee and it’s owner. This process is harmful for the game. It would deviate the players to give priority over National commitment. As the players are owned by the franchisee, most of them are big industrialists and Bollywood charms and the amount of money they had invested, it could give rise to match tampering. Core of the game “The Test Cricket would get affected”. Apart from it, the players who are already susceptible to injury due to excess cricket would get more reasons to get injured.
My friend had different opinion. He said that to make any event successful, marketing is the biggest funda and cricket is a big market in India. If International cricket gets such a big audience and glamour then why not the same international players of different countries playing together in a bunch of teams would get the same attraction in the exciting format of T-20. Add to it the golden bollywood ring plus the Tadka of item events. Perfect three hour recipe for the audience who has great appetite for the entertainment.
As long as national commitment is considered, the players themselves have to decide whether to play for the passion of the game or for the money. If we look at the brighter side of the aspect, players from the domestic circuit of different countries have gained not only recognition but also the handful amount of money for their talent.
After four seasons of the IPL, it is evident that Cricket crazy audience have given the verdict “IPL is here to stay”… no, IPL is here to “RULE”. The promotional activities, advertising and marketing have made target audience become fetish towards the IPL. At international level of cricket, there are strict rules for players and restriction for the interaction with bodies other than team officials. But in IPL event, there is perfect cast between the cricketers and the bollywood stalwarts. It would not be exaggeration if we call it as a three hours live crick-movie filled with suspense, drama, thrill, emotions, and “Cheer girls”.
After all,
Filmein teen cheezon ki wajah se toh chalti hain :-
“Entertainment, Entertainment, aur Entertainment!!!”
Hope this time also the IPL event will be a blockbuster Crick-Movie.
Ritesh R Kadam
rityakadam@rediffmail.com
