Indian Premier League, popularly known as the IPL is a decade old now, but on the contrary it’s getting new with each passing year.
Although cricket is not the de-facto sport of our country but is popular more than the national game. The way Americans breathe soccer; we Indians breathe cricket. We literally worship cricket and cricketers.
Conceptualised by the then vice-president Lalit Modi, in 2008, IPL came into existence as a competitive response to the Indian Cricket League (ICL) .
IPL has turned into a mania and this passion continues to increase with each season. People of all age groups have become it’s admirers and they can’t resist watching it, firstly because of it’s T20 format which is very convenient in this fast paced world where people don’t want to be glued to the television for long hours like it used to be in conservative cricket and secondly due to the enormous glamour quotient it has brought to the cricket industry with the presence of Bollywood superstars (who happens to be the team owners as well) and needless to mention, the cheerleaders. IPL had changed the way cricket is played.
Although it has brought a revolutionary change in the cricketing business, IPL has it’s own pros and cons.
Advantages-
1. Medium of entertainment for masses- Because of its concise concept of just 20 overs, and also due to the star studded ambience, IPL has always succeeded in providing entertainment to the large number of people across the globe.
2. Platform for new cricketers- IPL has given a vast platform to the newbies along with the existing players who now could not make through the selected team of 12 or are on their verge of retirement but are tremendously experienced. New cricketers who otherwise play for their state get the opportunity to showcase their talent and also the opportunity to work and play under senior players.
3. Brings the cricket industry closer- IPL involves cricketers from all over the world. This promotes diversity and amalgamation of various cultures, values becomes feasible.
4. Shortcut to fame- New cricketers who possess immense talent but are not known to the world get instant limelight in IPL and they get highlighted in no time which is in a way good for their career. Nitish Rana of Mumbai Indians and Manish Pandey of Kolkata Knight Riders are a few amongst such players who have rose from rags to riches because of IPL.
Disadvantages-
1. Money game- IPL involves an exorbitant amount of money as it has a process of auctioning it’s players, which is a bit objectionable as well, as the players are sold for a price. It can be made out from the fact that the most expensive player of this season (Ben Stokes of Rising Pune Supergiants) was sold for ₹ 14 Cr approx. Also it has increased the chances of hoarding of black money. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were the last examples.
2. Understanding the techniques- Under IPL players of different countries play in one team which divulges a lot about their playing techniques and style to one another. These techniques can be used in international matches against them.
3. Makes the players exhausted- The tight scheduling of the matches makes the players tired which affect their performance in the international cricket.
Every game has it’s own set of advantages and disadvantages but once it becomes a passion for someone, there is no stopping and for we Indians, love for cricket is greater than any love.
*Image courtesy- Google