IPL images & reflections

IPL images & reflections

Cricketing world is under the phase of being redefined under the influence of IPL a T20 cricket tournament, a BCCI organized sponsored competition. Primary image of Indian Premier League [IPL] is a tournament organized to face the challenges created by Indian Cricket League [ICL] organized by a private body of former cricket players lead by Great Kapil Dev Nikhaj, ever first genuine all rounder and most inspiring captain of India and sponsored by Essel group. IPL is also looked as the efforts of BCCI for keeping the undisputed and undivided rights of conducting the game of cricket on Indian land.

Look at the dominance and inflow of money with the IPL. Sponsored have paid approx. Rs. 43 Lakhs for the solitary run scored by star Indian wicket Keeper Mahindera Singh Dhoni in the match against the Rajasthan Royals. Delhi’s speedster Eshant Sharma, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, is bowling in the tournament at the unbelievable rate of over Rs. 1.3 lakhs per ball. A few Australian players, like Bret Lee, Pointing, Symonds etc. who played in 3-4 matches of IPL and returned back to join their National team for touring to West Indies, have landed on the kangaroo land with money purses heavier even then that of an Australian player might have only after playing for two years for the national team.

Dominance of IPL, which in fun often called as Indian Paisa [Money] League on Indian land, is very much clear from the Shoaib Akhtar episode. This speedster from Pakistan was banned for five years by PCB for misbehavior on and off the field. This fast bowler was supposed neither to represent country nor to play any kind of cricket in the Pakistan, however PCB has allowed him to play cricket in other parts of the globe without representing Pakistan. IPL rules are very clear about the playing of banned players so even being very much eager Kolkatta Knight Riders have denied the participation of this speedster. This is the true reflection for the influence IPL have on the world cricket that PCB has forced to adjourn the ban till 3rd June 2008 so Shoaib can play in IPL. [Earnings of shoaib from IPL is much higher than what many players might earn by playing five years for the national team of Pakistan]. Just consider on one side PCB chief initiating a judicial suit against this fast bowler and on the other side same PCB is making sure for a crystal clear way of participation in IPL by this star speedster.

Another reflective image of IPL lies with creation of new line of difference among the players [though this was in existence with English County Cricket but was not so deeper]. Prior to IPL, players were getting unanimous remuneration for their participation in same tournament representing same team. These unanimous and equal rates of payments are now deposited with history. Look at earning of some of young star performers of IPL like, Virat Kohali, Yusuf Pathan, Sohil Tanvir etc. they are going to earn for playing in whole tournament much lesser than what some of their other team mates might be earning for playing in single match of same tournament and representing same team. Surely this earning difference is working with the psychic of players, deeper this valley of difference of remuneration, more the ups and down in the performance of the team.

Look at team performance of Rajasthan Royals, at the start of tournament team was with the lowest ranking for winning the tournament and today when we are at almost halfway of tournament, this, Halla Bol squad of Rajasthan Royals are leading the point table, just because with this team the money difference valley is narrowest in comparison on other teams.

Last but not the least image of IPL, this tournament has not left anything unturned for making this gentleman game, a racecourse. Starting from the franchise of team to picking the players for the team, nothing was hidden, each and every thing was available for biding and all this was giving the look of crucial olden days of Slave market.

Positive and shining reflection of IPL lies with the performance by the Indian players which is on the way of proving that this is the tournament of dominance by Indians in the cricketing world. Highest Individual inning record is not with an Indian but a musical chair race is on between Rohit sharma, Gautam Gambhir and Shewag for being the highest run scorer of the tournament at present the “Orange cap” is changing hands in succession with them.

Pakitani speedster Sohil Tanvir exposed the magical rabbit under hat by taking record 6 wickets for just 14 runs while playing against the Super Kings but still Indian Irfan Pathan playing for Kings Eleven is the highest wicket taker of the tournament till date. All rounder Yusuf Pathan is miles and miles ahead of well known names from other countries and playing in IPL.

Coming to captaincy, the only foreign captain Shane Warne playing for Rajasthan Royals is on success run and creating new definitions for leading a cricket team but still with the daring decisions MS Dhoni and innovating inspiring game plans Shewag and Yuvraj are the front runners. It will be a genuine treat for cricket lovers from all part of world to be witness for the captaincy tactics, after a long time, of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar as and when he comes out from injury and start leading Mumbai Indians.

Australians on the Cricket Field

Australians on the Cricket Field

The fire and heat generated from the so called allegations of racial comments by the off spinner Harbhajan Singh, is not only reaching to every elite and common of entire cricketing world but also forcing to come out with own views over the allegations and decision of match referee over the issue.

Most recent reports says that BCCI, handed over the authority of taking the final decision in this regard to President Sharad Powar, who went on to say that Indian option of calling the tour off, is still open, if the ICC appeal commissioner is going with decision of match referee. He also expressed unhappiness over the behavior of the Australian players and cricket board for being the reason for these situations. Shall I need to memorized that Sharad Powar was the person who almost thrown out from the dais and pointed out a place away from the central stage by the Australian cricket team lead by same captain Ricky Pointing during the prize distribution ceremony of ICC Championship at Mumbai. It was tolerance and sportsmanship of Indians that Sharad Powar took this shameful Australian action as the act performed under the influence of over enthusiasm and not only excused the Australian players for this insulting and shameful public behavior but also not complained about it to ICC. Might Mr. Sharad Powar had not shown that generosity and lodged an official complain with ICC. Surely in that case ICC will be left with only option of coming with very strong action against the Australian captain and players, because there were crystal clear video evidence for this shameful action of Australian players, but that not happened and right looking attitude for own actions of Australian players allowed to grow. Whatever the crises entire cricketing world is presently facing is generated from this attitude of Australian players.

Whatever you earn through the hard work of years might slip from your hand by just one wrong behavioral action; this is what a common Indian father teaches to children. No doubts Australians are the most talented and skilled one in the entire cricketing world, their zeal for winning and putting in the efforts, dedication for the game and professional attitude has made them mighty and almost unbeatable team of cricketing world, but it is also a fact that over the years, especially after the Ricky Pointing started to lead the team, their behavior on the field is not matching with the behavior of undisputed kings of the game and a champion team. The door for criticism has made opened not by any one else but by the Australian players, the Sydney match referee only went on to put the petrol in the fire.

Allegations against the Harbhajan, has asked the entire cricketing world to come with words about the ground behavior of the Australian team after all the art of sledging was originated and implemented by the Australian cricketers over the years. The filtering in reports says that many past and present cricket players are putting their words opposing the action of Australian players for reporting about Hatbhajan. According the kiwi player Patel, Australians have used more abused word than the “monkey” for him at several occasions though he refused to say something about the guiltiness of Harbhajan. In a column with Dominikan Post Morison, who represented country in the decades of 70’s and 80’s, say that if the Australians cricket players are with a little bit honesty than surely they will feel shame of the self action. To the former kiwi captain Fleming all this was started as the child play of school going children and went on to be a complicated matter with decision of match referee as there were no sufficient evidences. Fast bowler Doll also seems of this vision according to him match referee had not played his role in proper way, there was nothing in the matter specially in the lack of clear and strong evidences.