The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : IPL cricket

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Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

IPL cricket

Cricket is a lovely game of which I am a vivid fan. The introduction of the Twenty20 format was a masterstroke that made the game more interesting. But, by adding masala and glamour to it, the BCCI has transformed the game into a fashion show. It is disturbing to see the way the cheerleaders at the IPL matches are dressed and, worse, shown on television. There should be some decorum on the field as a match is seen by the entire family.

L. Saravanan,

Chennai

I waited with bated breath for the IPL matches to start. However, I am disappointed by the show. I don’t find in the T20 games any drama or thrill of the kind that exists in a one-day game.

Most matches have been lop-sided and there has been no plot to follow. When everyone throws his bat at everything, one of the batsmen is sure to succeed. There ends the game. One might as well toss a coin and call it a day.

C.G. Senthilkumar,

Redmond, Washington

Bollywood used to be the craze until recently. But now it seems even Bollywood stars have become cricket aficionados. One thing is certain; it is neither the love for cricket nor the spirit of sportsmanship that is attracting them but the money, publicity and glamour that is associated with it. When one part of India is plagued with hunger, unemployment and indebtedness, the other is indulging in extravagance. This is what is called the great Indian divide.

A. Lathika Venugopal,

Thrissur

I don’t know what George Bernard Shaw would have said had he lived to see IPL cricket matches. Money power has robbed the game of genuine skills, and technical excellence. It has become a jamboree of events such as musical opera and something that resembles belly-dance. One hopes this will be a short-term affair and better sense will prevail on the organisers sooner than later.

V. Vijayendra Rao,

Neyveli

As a diehard votary of Test cricket, I found the transition to one-day cricket difficult but in course of time my interest in the shorter version picked up so much that Test matches lost their charm. Likewise, after initial resistance, I am sure I will be converted to the T20 format, a case of a person coming to scoff staying to pray. It is a stroke of genius on the part of the BCCI to have founded the IPL and enrolled international cricket stars to conduct a tournament which is as big as, if not bigger than, the World Cup.

It is edifying to see erstwhile rivals exchanging pleasantries while playing for the success of their teams. There is commercialism no doubt but it is nothing considering the overall spirit of the venture.

C.P. Srinivasan,

Chennai

Whether one likes it or agrees with it or not, the latest form of cricket has caught the imagination of not only cricket lovers but also the general public. For the first time, overseas cricket stars, and our own senior and junior players are rubbing shoulders with one another and getting on famously. There is opportunity for youngsters to shine in the shortened version which will help them to play at the national level. And there is the ‘trickle down’ effect of the investment that will benefit many ordinary people — from uniform designers to vendors, transport personnel and groundsmen. Moreover, the entertainment business never had it so good.

D.B.N. Murthy,

Bangalore

T20 cricket has made the sport far more popular and has become a family entertainment with all the glamour, dance, music and, of course, the spirited game riveting watchers to their seats. Even the intermittent watchers of one-day cricket and sporadic watchers and non-watchers of Test cricket are showing heightened interest in T20. I feel that such sport leads to close camaraderie and understanding among people of different nations. Those who talk of the dilution of sporting standards lose sight of the fact that like many other things in life, sports too requires modification to suit the times and lifestyle of the people for whom it is intended.

Dr. (Col) S.S.K. Ayyar,

Chennai

It remains to be seen whether or not the IPL will improve the standard of cricket but it does appear it will contribute to the cause of national integration. I recently came across a man who, despite being a staunch Hyderabadi, was rooting for the Kolkata Knight Riders because the team is being led by a cricketer whom he admires more than any other player. Parochial and territorial instincts seem to be taking a backseat, courtesy IPL.

Ananth Seth,

Secunderabad

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