An Imperial Success

THE purists may scoff but the public is delighted and, like it or not, it’s the majority vote that counts. Indeed there is an element of elitism in the barbs directed against the Indian Premier League. Some of the concerns voiced are right on the money, pun intended, but the ebbing flood of criticism also appears to be coming from a position of unwarranted superiority. It is time the naysayers emerged from the ether and saw the real world at ground level. Twenty20 contests are a thrill a minute, usually take place after the day’s work is done and are over in less than four hours. That’s why they are an instant hit with a public that craves spectacle more than stratagem, for whatever reason. And how many decades ago was it that cricket was not commercialised? It’s just a matter of degree, though the IPL does represent a quantum leap in that direction.

Even though all Pakistani players save Sohail Tanvir, and to a lesser extent Kamran Akmal, proved to be dismal flops these past few weeks, that did not diminish public interest here in the IPL. True, their presence in the team probably explained why many in Pakistan were rooting for the Rajasthan Royals, who deservedly clinched the championship on Sunday. But as a former Pakistan captain pointed out, there was no sign of viewer fatigue throughout the tournament, lengthy as it was. The IPL also saw cricketers from across the globe playing together as a unit, and this is a significant development. Even if there is no racism in cricket — though some of the evidence suggests otherwise — the IPL experience could help make the players more culturally attuned and avoid misunderstandings arising out of ‘difference’. Besides the stars who raked in the big bucks, the young and largely unknown Indian cricketers who featured in the IPL will derive great benefit from the tournament. They have rubbed shoulders with the greatest in the game and experienced pressure-cooker situations that domestic cricket can never provide. Yes, there is a downside. Too much Twenty20 could lead to players abandoning country in favour of the IPL and spin-off leagues, and increase the risk of burnout and injury. The one-day game could suffer, though it is unlikely that Test cricket will lose its core following. And yes, the ‘auctioning’ of players is in poor taste and needs a rethink. A balance that benefits the game and its fans has to be found.
Dawn