Indian Premier League- Changing Cricket Core Principles

As you all know, Indian Premier League (IPL) is a T20 cricket game tournament. The league is contested in india every year by franchise teams representing indian cities and states. IPL is under the control of BCCI. And there are 8 teams that participate in the tournament held every year in the month of april and may. IPL now is considered as one of the major entertainment sports in the country. IPL has gained name because of its million dollar investment and glamorous world.

Since the start of the IPL tournament, it has been criticised for its unprofessional way and profit oriented mechanisms in the game. As we all know cricket is a gentlemen’s game. IPL is never far from controversies and criticism. The nature of the game, makes it more prone to criticisms. So lets get into the, pros and cons about the IPL, with fresh inputs.

Why IPL is gaining importance?

• IPL is seen as an entertainment and thriller. This 3 hour excitement game format doesn’t bore the audience

• The huge profit it genrates across the country

• Involvement of glamour, money, fun, and cheerleaders

• Betting is one of the major part of this game

• Loved by the todays youth and young generations, huge fan following

Why IPL is being criticised?

• Cricket is a gentlemen’s game and IPL has destroyed this cricket value

• Illegal beting is a mjaor concern, Govt. Did setup a committe for this

• Lowering the interest in audience for original cricket formats like ODIs and Test Series. Public trust for the game has been eroding

• Too much of money and glamour has destroyed the basic principles of the game as argued by many

• Quick matches and inter change of players has degraded the overall performance of the players

• It is also argued that money is laundered during the match season, taxes are evaded etc

Though IPL is a great tournament introduced by the BCCI but has its own deficiencies. On the whole, the love of the game is suppressed to a great extend in front of the glory and shine of money which is blinding most of us. Looking at all these, in the future IPL could damage BCCI credentials. The government should also actively consider and improve the gentlemen’s game. It is high time that administration take into notice the recommendations of the Lodha committe to improve the overall administration of the Cricket.