The highly successful and addictive IPL, moves to SA in its second season. There has been a lot of discussion in the Indian media about the moving out of the IPL, the war of words among political leaders about how India has failed to provide security to visitors, it’s a national shame blah, blah… A whole load of crap.
First of all, IPL is not a matter of national pride just like county cricket is not for England. It is a commercial venture to make money promoted by Mr. Lalit Modi who is a high handed, corrupt man who took people for granted during the BJP’s rule in Rajasthan with the blessings of the then CM of the state. It is a format which appealed to the cricket crazy nation and India having won the T 20 world cup helped them. So, let’s just look at it as a circus of cricket, which it is.
Secondly, the situation has changed since the last year with the Mumbai attacks first last November, then the attack on cricketers in Pakistan this year calling for much tougher security measures than before.
Thirdly, and most importantly, Mr. Modi and the organizers should have had the gumption to see that their schedule is coinciding with the General Elections in India which is a huge exercise. This again would require a lot of security. This schedule was no state secret and if they did not see it coming then it is their problem. Can you imagine the headache for the security forces to hold both events simultaneously. I don’t blame them for requesting for different dates for the IPL which they were unable to provide due to the packed schedules of all international teams.
Finally, it is no national shame or pride to hold or not to hold IPL in India. It will affect the presence on the grounds for matches not held in India and frankly, what significance does a Chennai, Bangalore or Delhi team hold in South Africa is anybody’s guess. So, let’s get on with it !
Very true and sensible thought. Everything is getting politicised for the benefit of one political party or the other. Frustrating. It is good that Govt. is more concerned about security and not business. What if they agree for the security and later a terrorist attack happens? Then there wouldn’t have been any difference in India and Pakistan. At least now everything can be smooth and as per schedule.