It has been 10 years since Indian Premier League (IPL) found its way into every Indian Cricket aficionado’s life. It came as a gust of wind and resided inside the heart of each and every India. As the cash-rich extravaganza, which catapulted the game to dizzier heights has entered into its 10th edition from April 5 by a certain Lalit Modi, who is now banned for life by the Indian cricket board for alleged corruption and misuse of power. Lalit Modi, the all powerful man in BCCI, was the only one to decide the launching of a franchise-based T20 league (IPL), after the India’s World Cup T20 win in 2007, involving both domestic and foreign players.
Initially, it was a pure marketing tactics employed by BCCI to cash upon the successful triumph of Indian cricket team in the 1st T20 world cup.The tournament saw celebrities like actors Shah Rukh Khan (Kolkata Knight Riders), Preity Zinta (Kings XI Punjab) and business magnate Mukesh Ambani (Mumbai Indians) coming forward to own teams in IPL. Everyone from the glitz, glamour and cricketing world were brought under one roof by this new form of cricket called IPL (Indian premier league).
In a nation where cricketing heroes are worshipped like Gods, the IPL was conceived around “icon players” like Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai Indians), Rahul Dravid (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Sourav Ganguly (Kolkata Knight Riders) who enjoyed special status for the first two seasons of IPL earning 15 per cent more than the highest-earning player from the franchise.
The launch of IPL brought a bizarre among us, the Indians, fighting over teams to prove their supremacy, competing for the loud cheers for their teams, friends becoming rivals and the cold war between couples on their teams in each and every corner of the country. Initially, this was the impact which could be seen on Indian Cricket and its devotees of IPL.
When IPL announced itself on the big stage, it was a huge opportunity for Indian youngsters who initially had only domestic tournaments to showcase their talent and get selected into the national team. But with the introduction of IPL, they could play with world-class players from different countries having a better equation with them resulting in the amalgamation of culture, values and learning. Through IPL, youngsters could also learn from their seniors, mentors who were previously very successful cricketers and also fulfil their dream of playing in front of huge crowds which they don’t get to play in domestic cricket. Even youngsters who performed well at domestic levels got picked up by various franchises of IPL resulting in better pay-cheques and an opportunity to show talent in front of the world. You can take an example of Shaun Marsh, who was the highest run- scorer in IPL 1 and then got selected in Australian cricket team.
With all the name and fame associated with IPL, there is a down side to it as well.
IPL has had its fair share of controversies; be it the slap gate controversy involving Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth or the match fixing scandals involving Rajasthan Royals team of IPL, the IPL has never shied away from the limelight. This league also selects its players through auction, which should be called as selling of players. The players play for the money and the owners of team also aims at earning. There have been various arrests of many owners and players of IPL on account of holding the black money. The same can be recalled by CSK and RR’s examples.
Many players have started putting IPL ahead of their countries as whatever they earn in one year of international cricket; they are able to earn it in just 2-3 months of IPL cricket. Also the ongoing international matches and then two months series makes the players fatigue and tired for their upcoming tours.
The Merits and Demerits of IPL will always be there, but here it becomes crucial to have a rational thought and balance both to support one. Let’s hope that the IPL 2017 is free of scams and scandals to weigh us on the positive side. After all, for us, Indians, love for the cricket is greater than all.
