SPORTS

IPL Season I I 
The Politics of Cricket!

BY ROGERR PATELL  

IPL Season 2 has not begun. But like in Season 1, there have been a lot of controversies surrounding the tournament.

First it was the huge sums of money doled out to the cricketers by the very corporates that have been on a cost-cutting spree to see them through the global recession.

Next up was security. Home Minister P Chidambaram was not sure if his ministry could provide adequate security for matches because IPL Season 2 collided with the only other thing that is even more entertaining and exciting than cricket—The General Elections.

The Home Minister wanted the organizers to reschedule matches so that adequate security could be provided to the cricketers and thousands of spectators in the stadium. After the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan, no government can afford a lapse in security. And Mr Chidambaram was right in asking the IPL to reschedule the tournament.

Then followed the usual political drama—a few states promising fool-proof security and others refusing to provide any. Yes, IPL has always been a cocktail of money, power, politics, and entertainment. And the cocktail gives us followers of cricket a high even without a ball being bowled.

After weeks of drama, the decision was made to shift IPL Season 2 outside India. And the organizers choose South Africa as the venue. We can all argue that India’s pride is at stake for having refused to provide security and moving the tournament outside India. But what’s the use of pride if the world’s largest democracy cannot conduct polls freely?

Cricket is just a sport; nobody loses anything if we fail to host a tournament. The talk of losing pride is a game that politicians are playing to bag a few extra votes. So let’s leave that game to the politics, because we can’t play the game as well as they do.

True, I am a cricket enthusiast, but I am a citizen of India first, and my duty towards the country is far more important than my duty towards a cricket team. And I am sure, the Indian cricketers, who are a part of the IPL teams, would second my opinion. Polls in India can turn violent, and any government’s duty is to provide security to its citizens, especially the brave ones who come out to vote in violence-marred states.

But are the organizers worried about the tournament being held in South Africa? Shouldn’t they happy that this could be a blessing in disguise and a new venue could add variety to cricket? Having talked of variety at a new venue, there is one big question lurking in our minds—Will IPL Season 2 attract crowds and team loyalty in South Africa? Will a Chennai Superkings, Royal Challengers Bangalore or a Mumbai Indians fan be as effective as he would have been in his homeland?

True, South Africa has many Indians, but the intensity that a game in India provides might be missing. I might be wrong, but a Chennai Superkings match versus Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata, in front of a 100,000 KKR fans is any day more intense than a match in Durban.

But cricket is game of glorious uncertainties. It ain’t over till the last ball is bowled and it ain’t over until we all see what happens with IPL Season 2.

Airlines and tourism companies can promote it as the great Indian safari in Wild Wild South Africa. But as I mentioned in the March issue, recession might just stump IPL in South Africa. It’s unlikely that Indians would spend money to travel to South Africa to cheer on their favorite team

But IPL is more about business than cricket. And the rich businessmen and Bollywood owners mean money and celebrity power. SA is a big market for Bollywood, and with marketing geniuses like King Khan, who knows, IPL will be a bigger success in South Africa than it is in India! And if that happens, we might just see IPL being held in different countries every year. Now that would add some variety and keep the money and interest flowing. So sit back and relax, and watch the game of cricket from the comfort of your home. That’s a great way of saving money during recession. Let the game begin!

Rogerr Patell is a cricket enthusiast. Comments: patell.rogerr@gmail.com