Now that the auctions are through and guys have been bought over, the focus is now on discussions of how it will impact the future of the game (of Cricket, that is).
1. Is all this money good for cricket?
Money is always a necessity for any activity- so there should be nothing to complain about this fact. But can some journalist please conduct a discussion of how it will help, the various aspects of the sport? Please spell out how much money will go to school-college-and state level (as an avg $ per aspiring player). Will it improve the benchstrength of our National side or will it improve the benches of Wankhade stadium? Or academically, can a teenager rent out a DVD to study past great cricketers from a library or will there be a website with such material, so that there is 'progress' in the IT age for Indians in every corner. I can personally vouch that I have improved my appreciation of chess in the last 3 years, which I could not in 20 years. The internet has PGNs of every past game- no such luck with many other sports.
Geet Sethi- our legendary billiard champion- summed it up today that these developments are a combination of hope and despair. Money is finally coming in a big way. But will it be used for sport or mere entertainment.
2. Will it affect playing for the country in Tests and ODIs?
The general comparison given here is about how soccer clubs function without any conflict with FIFA's World Cup. Just as players give their 100% to their club sides and then are willing to shed their blood for their country in World Cups/Continental Tournaments- so will it be the case with Cricket. But Test Cricket happens every year and for about 6-8 months or more and seasons of each country happen in different times of the year. So what will be left after that will be time for a shrunk down format such as T20. At least the club version of soccer is same as their World Cup version. You can perhaps consider my suggestion of playing T20 as pairs with overs/wicket state carrying over but 2 results in each game...see Dot Chess.
Or take for instance, ad-guru Prahlad Kakkar when asked about whether this was like Archie comics v Charles Dickens (T20 v Test Cricket). He had a simple answer that Archie comics sell more! No problem with that- just do not take characters from Charles Dickens or the classics- and put them into Archie comics! Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in one team- looks like a great Charles Dickens like pairing... but guess what- we will see them trying to be the Jughead of the day (their appetitie will be to try to get out in 3 overs!).
3. The family and friends stuff!
They say T20 will be great to attract families- who can have a great evening after all. Would it not be great for a father and son watch a game together? But a game of what? If they can only find 4 hours together once every so many weeks, that is in itself a scary thing. Why not go and see or do things which naturally take 3-4 hours... a movie, or some other sport...
And what will kids learn- to focus on a Bollywood beauty or the Cheerleaders? (is that not why Archie comics were not permitted in school...).
And which kid would like to grow up to be bowler? Get the bowling machines out instead- at least Preity Zinta can then bowl a few to Sachin or Symonds. Then fathers could bring their wives along as well as the kids!
4. We have to move on- this is the new age of exciting cricket..
Exciting batting, not exciting cricket. I can only thank my stars that I have interests in many other sports as well- which may outlive my lifetime...
Time for a break...
It sure is some nice time for a yacht trip amidst the PhangNga Hongs in Phuket!
WiFi will allow me some time to catch up with wonder boy GM Carlsen and his revival of some off-the-beaten-path chess openings. His Alekhine reply to Topalov sure was great to witness at Linaries 2008.
Have a great summer!
Saumil
Mumbai
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