Mukul Kesavan has written about how the exit of India and Pakistan might actually be good for Cricket. He argues that the rise of these two south asian cricketing giants is responsible for the rise of one day cricket (which he associates with match fixing and other corrupt practices).
While I do agree that this exit might be good for cricket but not for the reason. One Day cricket is no south asian invention, infact the brits have even shorter version Twenty20. These are innovations designed to make the game popular. And match fixing and corruption are no south asian preserve.
But the malaise lies in the unstable nature of international cricket. There are around a dozen international teams playing the world cup but (I guess) the audience comprise more than 70% south asians. I dont think there is much passion for the game in Britan or even Australia (who are doing so well).
If cricket in India has to be saved, then more effort must be made to popularize the domestic cricket like Ranji Trophy. It is a joke that the players representing state teams have so little perks while the players just a level above them are treated like gods.
I do hope that the cricket administrator realize that they should not kill the hen that lays the golden eggs.
While I do agree that this exit might be good for cricket but not for the reason. One Day cricket is no south asian invention, infact the brits have even shorter version Twenty20. These are innovations designed to make the game popular. And match fixing and corruption are no south asian preserve.
But the malaise lies in the unstable nature of international cricket. There are around a dozen international teams playing the world cup but (I guess) the audience comprise more than 70% south asians. I dont think there is much passion for the game in Britan or even Australia (who are doing so well).
If cricket in India has to be saved, then more effort must be made to popularize the domestic cricket like Ranji Trophy. It is a joke that the players representing state teams have so little perks while the players just a level above them are treated like gods.
I do hope that the cricket administrator realize that they should not kill the hen that lays the golden eggs.
2 comments:
It's terrible that nobody watches the local league games. Maybe twenty20 will bring the fans to the stadia. some revamping of the system has to take place - it makes no sense that australian or sri lankan players are better than us. we should have 11 world class geniuses in every team based on our population.
maybe send the players to military boot camp, looks like they were not fit in the field and their endurance was lacking.
It's a shame that cricket is seen as something that strenghtens national identity in India.
I think states should get autonomy when it comes to sports. This will also ensure higher level of competitiveness for matches within India. More like a UK setting.
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