We've all heard a lot of things about the IPL and its commissioner, from different commentators who often have their own agendas. He's been accused of vanity, greed and excess. His tussle with the TV channels has become as much of an annual pre-IPL feature as the party he throws to kick things off. His ongoing mission to put an advertising label on everything Cricket makes the IPL commentary sound like the aural equivalent of an F1 player's coveralls - In the DLF IPL there are many DLF maximums interspersed with Citi moments of success and now Karbonn Kamaal catches. This gives offense to many followers of the game, if you are to believe the Internet. Personally I do not mind this stuff. A catch is still a catch and a six is still a six, and as long as the games are played hard, I couldn't care less.
The only problem I have with Mr Modi is this - he's a cheap opportunist. Here's why. Last year, in South Africa, Modi needed to build quick goodwill for his travelling circus. He bought it with a weird scheme of handing out 6 scholarships per match to kids picked out at random from the crowd. This year, he's back in India, on home territory, and obviously feels no need to buy any goodwill, so the scholarship program has been quietly shelved away. What was the harm in continuing it this year too? Are Indian kids too rich for Modi's selective generosity? They do not need scholarships? Or is it that poor Indian kids cannot afford the IPL tickets and are staying out of the grounds unlike last year when Mr Modi was handing out free admissions to everybody to fill the seats for the TV cameras. He can well afford to pay out the money, and the kids will not complain, but since he doesn't have to, he won't. Not a Citi moment of success.
Showing posts with label IPL 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IPL 2010. Show all posts
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I'll (not) be back
Last week Harsh Boggle speculated that Warney won't be back for IPL 2010. That got me thinking as to who else might be reconsidering a return in IPL 2010. Of course this is all speculation, but here's my list of potential retirees -
Anil Kumble - He's done. He gave it his all this year, and would have loved to go out on a winning note, with a thumbed nose at his fat man owner to boot, but it was not to be. I seriously doubt he will be back next year. What a way to go out though.
Rahul Dravid - He would have been gone this year itself, if not for his loyalty to Anil Kumble. I am sure he will not be back next year if Kumble goes.
Saurav Ganguly - Unless SRK fires the entire coaching staff at KKR AND genuflects in abject apology before Dada in the center of Kolkata's maidan, I doubt Ganguly's coming back next year. It just doesn't make sense for him to. Then again, Dada hates going out on a losing note.
VVS Laxman - He is said to be working hard with the physio in the team to learn about being a better 20/20 player. Unless he learns a whole new game, I doubt he will be back next year.
Sachin Tendulkar - This tournament ads no value to Sachin's career, and probably for that reason, Sachin adds no value to the tournament either. He has been forgettable in both seasons, with not one signature innings to prove his worth. 10 years ago, maybe even 5, he'd have rules the roost. Now, his body and mind are just too tired.
Sanath Jayasuriya - The kind of tournament he has had this year, I doubt if Jayasuriya will even be playing international Cricket next year, let alone contribute meaningfully.
Makhaya Ntini - He was the surprise bench rider this year and I doubt he'll be playing past the end of this year anyway.
Chaminda Vaas - He is another one I sincerely doubt can add value to any side anymore.
Muralitharan - He might be back as a spin bowling coach for Chennai, but as a player for a full season seems unlikely. However, again, this is the indestructible Murali we're talking about, so you never know.
Murali Karthik - He's been ineffectual, and apart from the money there's no reason for him to come back or for any team to want him to come back. He's rumored to want out of Kolkata anyway, but I doubt if any of the teams will be falling over themselves to recruit him, specially with the new young Indian spinners making their mark in this IPL.
Ajit Agarkar - Someone has to explain to me what this guy is still doing in Cricket.
The Aussies will all be back, because they all need the money, even Warne, who's underpaid in the IPL as it is, and has made no secret of his desire for a coaching gig in India in any capacity. If he gets a plum coaching assignment, then maybe he will promote himself to coach at RR and leave the captaincy to Smith or Yussie. Remains to be seen.
Anil Kumble - He's done. He gave it his all this year, and would have loved to go out on a winning note, with a thumbed nose at his fat man owner to boot, but it was not to be. I seriously doubt he will be back next year. What a way to go out though.
Rahul Dravid - He would have been gone this year itself, if not for his loyalty to Anil Kumble. I am sure he will not be back next year if Kumble goes.
Saurav Ganguly - Unless SRK fires the entire coaching staff at KKR AND genuflects in abject apology before Dada in the center of Kolkata's maidan, I doubt Ganguly's coming back next year. It just doesn't make sense for him to. Then again, Dada hates going out on a losing note.
VVS Laxman - He is said to be working hard with the physio in the team to learn about being a better 20/20 player. Unless he learns a whole new game, I doubt he will be back next year.
Sachin Tendulkar - This tournament ads no value to Sachin's career, and probably for that reason, Sachin adds no value to the tournament either. He has been forgettable in both seasons, with not one signature innings to prove his worth. 10 years ago, maybe even 5, he'd have rules the roost. Now, his body and mind are just too tired.
Sanath Jayasuriya - The kind of tournament he has had this year, I doubt if Jayasuriya will even be playing international Cricket next year, let alone contribute meaningfully.
Makhaya Ntini - He was the surprise bench rider this year and I doubt he'll be playing past the end of this year anyway.
Chaminda Vaas - He is another one I sincerely doubt can add value to any side anymore.
Muralitharan - He might be back as a spin bowling coach for Chennai, but as a player for a full season seems unlikely. However, again, this is the indestructible Murali we're talking about, so you never know.
Murali Karthik - He's been ineffectual, and apart from the money there's no reason for him to come back or for any team to want him to come back. He's rumored to want out of Kolkata anyway, but I doubt if any of the teams will be falling over themselves to recruit him, specially with the new young Indian spinners making their mark in this IPL.
Ajit Agarkar - Someone has to explain to me what this guy is still doing in Cricket.
The Aussies will all be back, because they all need the money, even Warne, who's underpaid in the IPL as it is, and has made no secret of his desire for a coaching gig in India in any capacity. If he gets a plum coaching assignment, then maybe he will promote himself to coach at RR and leave the captaincy to Smith or Yussie. Remains to be seen.
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