- It’s worth reiterating that cricket as a sport is not only hugely popular across the length and breadth of the country but also considered no less than a religion as the passion with which the game is pursued, followed, and embraced is unbelievable. Not for nothing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considered the driving force of the sports itself in the global firmament as more than 70% of the revenue is generated here. When Team India contests anywhere in the world, expect cricket-crazy fans to throng the stadiums in large numbers to cheer them. Consequently, more parents are willing to allow their children to take up the sport as a professional option since the amount of money invested by the sponsors is humongous.
- Of course, for any sporting discipline to sustain acceptance, sponsors must make a beeline to ensure not only a steady supply of potential sportsmen embrace the game but also ensure they succeed in catching the imagination of the public too. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has completely altered the face of cricket in India and beyond as the franchise-based league has metamorphosed into a great money-spinning extravaganza attracting huge talented cricketers as well as sponsors. The moot point to ponder over here is whether too much easy money available has resulted in some of the most talented cricketers failing to cope with the accompanying pressures, pulls, attractions, and eventually leading to disastrous consequences.
PC:The Economic Times
- Agreed, professional sports are not different from any other vocations out there but a huge amount of money accruing to talented cricketers at a very young age may not be ideal for the holistic development of individuals. Fame, money, recognition, and temptations are bound to attract cricketers to explore uncharted territories which may not necessarily help the cause of sustaining in an extremely competitive world of sports, especially in cricket where thousands are waiting in the wings to break into. Going haywire in no time is most evident if any cricketer is not focused on furthering a career. Look at how talented cricketers like Vinod Kambli, a contemporary of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, have fared in comparison to his famed teammate.
PC:Hindustan Times
It is disheartening to note how Kambli has fared in life. Unfortunately, Kambli could not realise the potential he once possessed in cricket simply because of his flamboyant approach and withered away talent without contributing significantly to his or the country’s cause. Recent visuals of an unhealthy looking Kambli struggling to sound coherent are a distressing sight for any true cricket lovers. It’s a stark reminder to everyone that not having a firm grip on life will only end up in a sorry situation which was proved yet again in the case of Kambli. Wasting such talent without remaining firmly rooted in the ground must be a wake-up call for other cricketers. The talented Prithvi Shaw should quickly refocus to bring his teetering career back on track. Will he?
