- Not for nothing, cricket connoisseurs, experts, ex-players, and discerning fans always vouch in unison that the classic format of the sport – Tests – is the real test of any cricketer’s true worth. The number of runs scored and the wickets taken by a cricketer are more valued than their exploits in the shorter and the shortest formats of the game. Mind you, the advent of white-ball cricket has completely revolutionized the sport in the last few decades. First, the 50-over format, and now the proliferation of T20 cricket, have captured the fans’ fancies in unimaginable ways. The popularity, reach, attraction, and following for the T20 leagues around the cricketing world are simply unbelievable, but fantastic to say the least.
PC: NewsBytes
- The whole cricketing world knows that the crux of the sport is firmly ensconced in India, generating almost 70% of the revenue for the International Cricket Council. Did someone mention demographic dividends? Aptly applies to India, as every Indian considers himself/herself as no less than an expert on matters concerning cricket. Such is the maddening following for cricket here that it is described as no less than a religion. While the big moolah generated by the increasing popularity of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament and more and morebusiness behemoths making a beeline for sponsorship, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must be attuned to what’s happening on the ground.
PC: Frontline – The Hindu
- In other words, the BCCI administrators/officials should have their ears to the ground to gauge the pulse of what’s happening vis-à-vis the spread of the game. Keen observers would have noticed how the IPL is increasingly tending towards a batting-heavy league with the bowlers merely expected to play second fiddle to the batters. The keen and quality contest between the bat and the ball appears to be missing of late, with the bat completely dominating the proceedings. With the grounds being smaller, boundary lines being pulled in, and the flat pitches on offer, the introduction of the ‘Impact Substitute’ has completely marred the competitive contest expected between the bat and the ball. Sixes and fours are raining with ridiculous ease.
PC: IPL T20
- Looking at the statistics of the last few editions of the IPL would reveal how the run rates have steadily headed northwards. While a score of 140-160 in 20 overs used to be considered at par and competitive in the last few years. However, with the teams consistently breaching 200 runs while setting the target, and the chasing team overhauling the target with consummate ease has become a norm of late. While the entertainment quotient has been assured for the paying public and fans, the contest between the two main protagonists – the bat and the ball – is becoming too unidimensional in favour of the batters. Mind you, low-scoring games are always thrilling when the bowlers have an upper hand. The BCCI administrators should look into this aspect.
