- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) mandarins must be heaving a huge sigh of relief with the successful conclusion of the 18th edition of the hugely popular T20 tournament. While the revenue registers of the BCCI continue to be flooded with unheard of revenue from the ever-increasing popularity of the game in India and beyond, the authorities must consider a few measures that would make the competition even, keen, and alsooffer a worthy contest expected between the bat and the ball organically. Undoubtedly, the quality of the performers has steadily headed northwards, with some of the biggest names in the cricketing field showcasing their skills with such finesse and awesome abilities. No questions.
PC: Moneycontrol.com
- The ten franchises competing for the most coveted trophy in the cricketing world in the T20 format are endowed with top-notch internationally renowned cricketers, thereby making the league extremely competitive. Needless to mention, the fans, sponsors, franchise owners, the BCCI, the broadcasters, and the associated paraphernalia are not complaining one bit. Nonetheless, what should be worrying the true connoisseurs of the game is the way the league is positioned as more batter-friendly by the year. Undeniably, the paying public and the present generation expect thrill-a-ball entertainment with fours and sixes raining incessantly right from the first delivery bowled. Would it all be in the game’s interest when the bat completely dominates the ball? Let’s dwelve.
PC: IPL T20
- Any sports, for that matter, should offer a keen contest with both teams fighting it out on a level-playing field. Unfortunately, what is increasingly becoming clear is that the batters are being accorded extra cushion to unleash their fury on the hapless bowlers from the word go. It’s obvious how the boundary lines in every stadium have been shortened, allowing even a mishit from the batters to sail over the ropes. The pitches on offer are completely batter-friendly, with nary a chance for the bowlers to seam/swing/spin or get some palpable aid from the benign surface. The heavy bats make it that much more challenging for the bowlers. And the impact substitute rule means an additional batter is available at all times to further kill the prospects of bowlers.
PC: Cricket Kesari – Punjab Kesari
- Agreed, a huge amount of money rides on the T20 format, with the sole motto of providing batting entertainment, with the bat overwhelmingly dominating the ball. To their credit, the bowlers have time and again reinvented themselves with subtle variations to flummox the batters. Some of the cunningly deceptive bowlers have ensured the batter doesn’t simply ride roughshod over them. Despite these welcome inventions from the bowlers, the heavily one-sided batter-friendly rules will potentially harm the prospects of the game in the long run. To begin with, the impact substitute rule should be repealed forthwith. The boundary lines should be extended as much as possible. And the pitches should not be too batter-friendly either. Hope these measures will be considered and implemented to make our beloved cricket more competitive and compelling.
