| When India won the cricket worldcup in 1983 under | | | | introduction in 2008. It has reached a stage where its |
| the leadership of Kapil dev Nikhanj, I was barely | | | | chairman has been sacked and a Union minister lost |
| fifteen years old. Cricket was a passion during those | | | | his job. Cricket has been glamorised and its very |
| times and the Indians who were the underdogs for | | | | fabric has underwent drastic changes. Now money |
| the tournament turned out to be the dark horses of | | | | and power plays a prominent role in cricket. Along |
| the hour at Lords. These heady days of cricket were | | | | with this political involvement has changed the very |
| the times when the West Indians ruled the roost. | | | | face of cricket in India. The public viewing of cricket |
| The famed pace battery of the Windies were held | | | | has undergone major changes with even cinemas |
| with respect and fear even by the best of the | | | | giving the viewers a chance to watch it in the |
| batsmen. Even test cricket was played with pride and | | | | theatres. The change, be it for the good or the bad |
| passion. It is debatable if test cricket is needed at all, | | | | is irreversible. Probably in future cricket could even be |
| at this time of twenty twenty era of hit out or get | | | | played indoors! The Indian passion for sports was |
| out attitude. It must be said that 20-20 matches | | | | fueled by hockey in the 70's and cricket in 80's. Now |
| have opened up a plethora of opportunities for | | | | shorter versions of cricket and new age hockey |
| youngsters. Money and politics have started polluting | | | | turfs have changed it all. |
| the true spirit of cricket. The image of Kapil dev | | | | The main criticism was that cricket is a time |
| asking for water, choked by emotion after a ball hit | | | | consuming game and it reduced productivity. But |
| by him killed a bird in Australia lingers in mind and | | | | 20-20 cricket has to some extent managed to dispel |
| brings back memories of the good old days. True, | | | | these apprehensions. Even though the fact that |
| gone are those times when only a few stalwarts | | | | cricket is national game is undisputable, it remains to |
| stood tall in cricket. Now we have a number of | | | | be seen how far the IPL will help in national |
| players in the fray which is a good sign. | | | | integration. Money is major factor that plays a role in |
| It can be said that the times when cricket was | | | | cricket and BCCI is the richest board in the cricketing |
| viewed as a gentleman's game are gone with the | | | | world. Money, politics and glamour is a potent mixture |
| exception of the likes of Sachin Tendulkar. Test | | | | and cricket is now in the cluches of this lethal |
| cricket in its original self has burned itself out. | | | | combination. How far this formula mixed with cricket |
| Exceptions were the all rounders of the 80's like Ian | | | | will survive remains to be seen. The common man |
| Botham, Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan and India's very | | | | sees fun and excitement in this fantasy flight but |
| own Kapil dev. With the advent of one-dayers, focus | | | | quietly and surely many businesses and businessmen |
| shifted to hard hitting and defensive bowling. Kapil, no | | | | are reaping huge profits. So how far this will benefit |
| doubt infused patriotism by his heroics in the field and | | | | economy of the state remains to be seen. This |
| inspirational leadership. The sad fact is that nobody | | | | doesn't mean that IPL is an entirely a wasteful |
| has emerged as replacement for this legendary | | | | exercise benefiting only the rich and powerful with |
| cricketer. India's world cup victory in 1983 still remains | | | | glamorous overtones but could be used to tap |
| India's greatest sporting achievement. This victory | | | | resources in the game effectively. |
| was soaked in the sweat and blood of a bunch of | | | | Cricket must survive whether it is IPL or not but we |
| inspired cricketers from the subcontinent. The fact | | | | must make sure that IPL does not swallow the |
| that even the Pakistani players joined the | | | | cricketing spirit and sportsmanship. Sport doesn't |
| celebrations in the Indian dressing room speaks in | | | | mean winning always. Cricket in this sense is great |
| volumes of what cricket could do in terms of | | | | leveler. Modern day cricketers and BCCI should play a |
| camaraderie, to the subcontinent. Lot of water has | | | | prominent role in moulding the game in and bring back |
| flowed under the bridge since then but the true spirit | | | | its true spirit. Cricket is a powerful sport in the |
| of cricket seems to be buried under the sands of | | | | national sense and IPL can channelised in the proper |
| time. | | | | manner to make a more fruitful and beneficial |
| IPL has raked up lot of controversy since its | | | | experience for the players and the general public. |