The Gentleman was, the Hooligan is.

                                                     

The other day I was watching the greatest Indian sporting spectacle – IPL. And what was happening on the cricket field was nothing short of carnage. Gayle, the West Indian mammoth, was dispatching nearly every ball out the field. It was a perfect example of how raw power can help you. For every ball that was hit, there were some Slovakian/Croatian/Scandinavian cheer leaders dancing. The audience loved what they were paying for. As Ravi Shastri would say in his clichéd language “The atmosphere was electric”.

But, while I switched the channel to other match, being played half-way across the world, I could not help but notice the strange contrast. Chanderpaul, belonging to same nation as Gayle, was single-handedly trying to save a test match for his team. But, in here, there were no semi-nude ladies dancing. In here, there were no reckless shots. It was a test of perseverance. Patience. Skill. Things that do not matter in the short game. There was no electrifying atmosphere. The crowd did not come for entertainment. But, for sport. For watching cricket. Dressed in suits, applauding every shot/wicket by a mere clap, this crowd looked completely different.

            And then, I realized the change the game has undergone. And, by no means, it looked a change-for-the-good. Yes, test cricket at times might test the patience of the viewer also. That is why perhaps a limited over edition was introduced.  And, in today’s fast world who had the time to spend 8 hours for a game. So, there it was. Even shorter version. T20. Test cricket was a game of skill. It was a test of mind games. Shots were played exactly as written in the book. It was about working relentlessly towards a goal. And, there were no short-cuts. Some might argue, rains affect the longer version such that a game of 5 days turns into one with no result. That the game turns boring. The first argument is true and is a sad, unlucky affair. But, test cricket is never boring. Never on pitches where bowlers get help. Of course, sub-continent has fewer such pitches. Ashes or the India-Australia tours have plenty of excitement.

           

            True. We live in 21^st century now. Time is more than money now. But, had IPL remained just a game, would have been better. Business, politics and bollywood have all converged to create a big mess. Every match, the camera for half of the time is on the owners. Players have started to somehow take the I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude from their owners. Controversies have been plenty. Players and owners have both been involved. Shreesanth-Harbhajan row, financial irregularities, Shashi Tharoor scandal have rocked the event. Amongst the latest, spot-fixing, SRK brawl and also the assault on a woman by a player show how the game has been denigrated. An event that was started with the goal to find new talent and provide opportunities to youngsters has somehow completely failed in the process. In fact, youngsters are now increasingly desperate to enter IPL and not international cricket. A fact that is substantiated by the recent dismal performance in England and Australia. IPL has shown that you need not strive hard to earn money. It’s easy. Just ball a no-ball or get out at a pre-determined time and you are there.

           

            The next generation might love this version. But, for me having seen some of the finest moments in cricket, having seen some of the greatest legends and having loved the game, this extravaganza is difficult to digest. Gentlemen’s game it was. Hooligan’s it is becoming.