Mumbai: For many, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a joke. For a few others, it is a money-making business venture. So even though good things do come out of IPL many refuse to accept it. No doubt the league has made many cricketers rich and the Indian cricket board richer. So that could also be the reason why many criticise IPL and put in all efforts to tarnish the image of this event.
The negativity surrounding this event with regards to water usage in the grounds where the IPL matches are to be played, especially when the state is experiencing a period of drought, has gained a lot of media attention of late.
Anurag Thakur, secretary of the Indian cricket board has revealed that shifting of the IPL out of Maharashtra will result in a loss of Rs100 crores (Dh55 million approx) as revenue, but right now the mood is to ensure that the event is shifted out of this state (Maharashtra) at all cost. The promise of a benefit cricket match to generate revenue for the drought hit farmers has made no impact.
Lalit Modi the former IPL chief, who is in exile following corruption charges, was very eager to remark that IPL should donate Rs1000 crores (Dh 550million approx) for the victims of drought. Wonder whether he would have done it had he still been the chief! What is for sure is that everyone is out to score some brownie points out of this issue.
On the water issue, till today there was never a talk about how the Wankhede Stadium ground weas maintained. Following this IPL incident, the government is now trying to acquire details on its water and electricity consumption. A study has revealed that approximately 20 per cent of the water used in this stadium would be enough to fulfill the daily water requirements of 150 people.
IPL also becomes a platform that exposes many differences in opinion among cricketers. The latest to become evident is Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s dislike for off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. In the first match of the IPL, Dhoni gave novice leg spinner Murgan Ashwin four overs, while R. Ashwin was given just one. Dhoni has never been asked whether R. Ashwin was being kept as a reserve or that he doesn’t have the confidence in this experienced bowler. In the Twenty20 World Cup too, Ashwin was not given his full quota of overs by Dhoni. Ashwin aggravated the issue by hitting out at a journalist who questioned his bowling during the World Cup. With Indian cricketers now waiting for opportunities to pounce on journalists, it looks like everyone is scared to ask Dhoni about his likes and dislikes.
The Wankhede stadium security officials, known for their strict policies. asked commentator Ravi Shastri for his identity card to enter the ground. Shastri. who considers the Wankhede as his home ground, was very upset about it. It is from this very ground that film star Shah Rukh Khan, also owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, was evicted and prevented entry for five years. So amidst all the great action in the middle, be ready for many more controversies and juicy gossips that will continue to make IPL a talking point.
