IPL...The Irony of Cricket!

Could we have wished, that we never had this IPL....I doubt..the amount of investment it has brought, jobs that it has made available and players it has made rich. So its going to stay for a long time, even Sri lanka has come up with their own SPL. Way to go! The Test Matches, seems to have faded out and the One Day...well....still holding on!...Test matches have their own beauty....a five day match, you could know exactly which player plays the best, and in tough conditions. And it cant get more thrilling than the One Day matches. The winning of the One day world cup, was just amazing,,,,nothing can beat that  adrenaline rush!...So what is with the IPL. An interesting Concept!...the T20 game, but somehow the feeling is amiss.. Everyday there are issues of some kind going on with these matches, be it the players fitness, the betting, the fees the player demand. Cricket has become the new money making game, its ironical that some players are still playing even while they are injured. What is it that has happened to this game, once known as the Gentleman's game. Its sad, but nevertheless the fact is as it is. 

Though there are still some exceptional players around, and its simply worthwhile watching these players. Sachin still has the grace and class in his batting, he has an amazing finesse in whatever he does. When you see him bat, its a real treat! . There's so much to learn from him. He has the humbleness, and so grounded all the time. Would have loved it, if he could brush up a little with his speaking skill, but nevertheless...a true legend, truly loved by millions around the world.

Similar is the case for Shane warne, he still has the magic left in him. I remember during an earlier India Australia Match,  Just before bowling, he was talking to the then captain Ricky Ponting . And he knew exactly, that he is going to take the wicket when he bowls next. That's what he did...it was like watching a magic happen in front of the eyes. 

This bring me to one of my favorite batsman of all time. Sir Viv  Richards, he had an aura around himself. Never found anyone who had such confidence. The moment he used to walk on the ground to bat, I could feel the pride as did the rest who watched him play. He was a craftsmen to the core, and I vividly remember he always used to have smile intact on his face. He could play any shot, in any situation, even when he used to get out on duck, he still had the smile. He really enjoyed the game, never showed the pressure either on his face or on his batting. There were others who followed suit, like Gordon grenidge, Alan border, steve waugh,  malcolm marshal, micheal  holding,  our very own sunil gavaskar, kapil dev etc..to name a few. It was as if they are playing for their country, now the stakes are high. The betting has reached new heights. So its easier to throw a wicket than winning the game for the country, when the money is at stake. The game is played for personal reasons than for the Nation. 

What was it then , that was so great that time. The charm seems to be gone, its all about money now. Look at Gambhir now...played all  the IPL matches with an injured shoulder. Now when it was time to captain for his country on the west indies tour, he decided to complain. Such is the way. Too much cricket, too much money, is doing harm to the attitude of players. Its important to score well and win, but where is the class in batting, in bowling. And losing is not an option anymore, one has to perform all the time. And even worse is the fact, that either one does perform or not, the money still goes in the account...So a very careless attitude seems to have developed. But where  is the sportsmanship. Would we ever see the likes of Warne, Bedi...I doubt..the Passion is missing.....cause now its all about Money , honey!

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