They say cricket is a religion in India, but most forget the drawbacks of excess (The Turf Ain’t That Green Anymore, Apr 9). The biggest casualty of too much cricket, masala and otherwise, is not dropping trps, but injuries, fatigue and loss of motivation that bedevil an international cricketer. It leads to important players missing out on important tours, injuries on tours, or just an inability to concentrate on Test cricket with its exacting demands. The results are an embarrassment: eight consecutive Test defeats abroad, 11 losses in odis. Money is understandably important for a cricketer, considering they give their best years to the game, and that when their playing years end, it leaves them relatively young, with a long life ahead. But they also need to draw a line somewhere.
Bal Govind, Noida
Well, in the whole article, the word ‘money’ was mentioned eight times, and ‘brand’ eight times. Guess what? ‘Cricket’ was mentioned once. That pretty much sums it up.
Shankar, Bangalore
In India, sports is not really a part of our lives. A very small percentage actually play any sport as a part of their routine. At the same time, we have retained a healthy love for any sort of tamasha, especially ones providing cheap thrills. Hence the fascination for IPL. But familiarity breeds contempt, hence the slackening interest.
Rajesh Chary, Mumbai
The IPL, it seems to me, is like the great Indian rope trick which people have now decoded. They have understood the illusion behind it.
Rajneesh Batra, New Delhi
Well, In the whole of the article Money was mentioned 8 times, Brand 8 times and guess what? what were we talking about? oh yeah !!! cricket, this was mentioned Once. That pretty much sums it up
In India sport is not really part of our lives. A very small % (outside the professional community) actually play sport as a part of their routines. At the same time we have retained our ancestral genes which enjoy a good 'tamasha'. People in the sub continent enjoy Cricket because it offers a lot of drama (sixers and fours and no balls and powerplays) - add sex and bollywood - and it is a potent mixture. So people will watch it. Of course if anyone else can provide a better tamasha, then they'll ditch cricket for munni badnaam hui...
Yesterday there was a thriller of a hockey match in WSH which went into penalties after a last minute equaliser - how many column inches were devoted to it? if you didnt look closely at the newspaper, you would not even be able to find it. But then hockey is hard work, 70 unrelenting minutes of non stop running (no where to hide fat, ageing superstars) - and a bit simple as well - no tamasha to keep the masses entertained...
“IPL is like the ‘Great Indian Rope Trick’ which people have now decoded and understood the illusion hidden behind it.”
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