Many Orange & Purple cap owners in IPL4 preferred club over country
Many stars in IPL4 preferred club over country
By Venkat Balantrapu
Gone are the days when only Maggie sauce used to be different from the rest. The just-ended IPL edition can proudly claim to have joined that elite list. IPL has always had something or the other to offer. If it was wholesome entertainment to the innumerable cricket fans, it was also an opportunity to stake a claim on an international cricketing career, accompanied by fame and money. In addition to these, each season of IPL always offered something to ponder about. This has been one of the rare cricketing events where we have seen the venue shifted from one country to another, the organizing chairman sacked and with which the Bollywood, though indirectly, and cheerleaders are associated with.
This IPL saw the retiring Shane Warne warned before being fined US $50,000 for his tirade against the Rajasthan Cricket Association secretary. This should be one of the rarest farewells as well. Instead of receiving a farewell gift, Warne had to shell out this huge amount through his nose. What a send-off for a legend who led a bunch of no-hopers to victory in the first edition of the IPL!
This IPL has seen many of the the World Cup winning Indian players sidelined by injuries and niggles. It’s a pity that the cricket-loving West Indies public will not get to see many of the big names that won the 2011 World Cup.
IPL4 triggered the Country vs Club debate, leading to two Indian cricketing legends – Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev – differing in their respective views on the matter.
The West Indies Board seems to have towed Gavaskar’s line by sidelining IPL hero Chris Gayle, by ignoring his heroics and abilities, along with Jerome Taylor. This means the world’s best T20 batsman will not feature in the T20 match against India. Shame! While Gayle preferred the IPL to his country, the West Indies Cricket Board preferred not to use his services, at least for the time being.
The 2011 edition of IPL witnessed quite a few empty seats at the match venues. Surely, the 51-day affair with around 70 matches was a bit too much after the World Cup feast. The initial IPL editions saw some international cricketers preferring country to club and thus keeping away from this abridged entertainment. This time saw a turnaround with many a cricketer preferring club to country. Not surprisingly, many of the Orange and Purple cap owners in IPL4 were those who preferred club over country.
IPL, the most lucrative short-term assignment was expected to bring out fresh and young talent, especially with the opportunity it provides to youngsters to mix with national as well as foreign international cricketers. The Indian selectors did not consider even one youngster from this IPL worth touring the West Indies. Just like this shorter version, players thrown into limelight also live in the public memory for a short duration. IPL has hitherto provided a shortcut to get into Team India. But are these youngsters really tested thoroughly? May be one in a few might come up with a whirlwind knock on his day. Anybody claiming a slot in the national team should undergo the test by playing domestic fixtures like Ranji Trophy or Duleep Trophy. This will at least give a semblance of assurance that they can stand the test at international level with their temperament and endurance. Can the IPL achieve this?
As an Indian fan, I would prefer an IPL which makes a difference and not one which is just different!
(Venkat Balantrapu works in senior insurance management in Tanzania. He has deep passion for cricket and has played the game at various levels in India, and also in some of the African countries for over a period of two decades. Venkat writes on the game with the same passion for various websites and magazines)