When the Prime Minister returned India from his foreign trip, he had no idea that he would be attending issues related to Cricket. This definitely proves how valuable the game of Cricket is for the people of this country. No matter you are a toddler or an elder, from coolie to a corporate executive, from an underworld don to a pretty gambler, from a school student to a bollywood star, from a politician of a village to cabinet minister, every single person is influenced by this game. They have a reason for it too.
I was just looking at the newspaper on 17th April and I found out that almost 40% of the newspaper was covered with the news of IPL, Shashi Tharoor, BCCI and Lalit Modi. Not only in newspapers but also on TV entire day there was hot and extended discussions on IPL. Moreover, our so called Parliament was seized with the topic of Cricket. Due to this all other important issues that needs our attention has been eclipsed.
What I believe is that Cricket in India is no longer considered as a sport. It has become a business. And that also fully related to gambling. It has become a lot lucrative where huge money is made by playing all unfair and dirty tricks. The ministers are participating in this business more than handling the affairs of our country. The only reason is that this game of IPL will earn them huge amount of cash.
Does any one of us have any idea that how much of tax payer’s money has been eaten in the form of security cover, facilities, power etc. Cricket because of IPL has taken the center stage and has pushed all other sports out of the limelight. The IPL is transforming the game of Cricket into the lucrative corporate business. It has spoiled the entire meaning of Cricket. People say that IPL 3 has been remarkable in the terms of quality. They still believe that Yusuf Pathan is a great player. You tell me how many runs he has scored after that hundred off 37 balls? In fact we should focus on the players who did well like Tendulkar, Kumble, Kallis, Symonds, etc. One thing that is common in these players is that all of them are senior players.
I have nothing against Cricket but what I hate is the way it has been commercialized. It is just getting an unwanted publicity in India. How many of you feel that spending billions just for a game is justified? And that also in a country where still an average man thinks twice before spending a penny. Do we really need Ads, campaigns, publicity stunts? because of IPL, the game of cricket is creating a wrong impression in the minds of fans and followers.
The cricketers are identified as the commodities of sale in IPL. It has become a super entertainer for the rich on and off the ground.
