By Yajurvindra Singh The nature of the sport of cricket is going through an incredible transformation.The regal leisure sport was its name referred to is changing into a center of activities that were never thought of before.
The game of cricket in the beginning was regarded as a game that embodied the ideals of life that was and played in the spirit of teamwork healthy competition respect for the opponent and players.
The sport of cricket grew into an activity that gave the feeling of national pride, and consequently winning became a key element in the final result.
The emotions of the fans and the followers made cricketers warriors in for supremacy.
But, the fundamental element of the rules and regulations as well as the character and culture cricket represented was able to overcome the brutality and crude conduct that had become ingrained in some of other sports.
Two major shifts that have swept the game of cricket are the T20 format of the game as well as women’s cricket.Both are regarded as attractive and are easy to follow.
They have a certain amateur slant to them that can make the game more hazy and human.
The Indian women’s cricket team’s performance in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games was a good illustration of an Indian team that was on the brink of winning but overwhelmed by the pressure of reaching the goal.
A silver medal is an impressive achievement.However, the manner in which the women played the game was what was the most admirable.Each team played hard , but the unity among the cricketers was was amazing to witness.
India’s women cricketers have unfortunately been defeated at three of the biggest world cricket events in the past few years.It’s just one win in the near future that can make them the most successful in the world.It was awe-inspiring to see the number of catchers taken by India and the growth in their fielding and fitness.
The Indian women’s team was lacking the mentality of winning this was a characteristic that was apparent in the men’s team up until the 1983 World Cup.
One wonders why cricket for men was not element of the Commonwealth Games.Particularly, since the games were held in Birmingham in England.Cricket is popular in the Commonwealth countries.
It was the beginning of the T20 World Cup being played later in the year.The matches between nations on a major stage would have been much more entertaining than the myriad of cricket matches that are happening around the world.
The only reason anyone could give the reason for men’s cricket being not included in CWG was due to the nature of the packed schedule of cricket and the financial ramifications that surround it.
The T20 format has become a legend in cricket.The growing of cricket leagues in the majority of the countries that have cricket is the major change that will transform cricket in significant ways.The franchise model every one will implement will alter the landscape of cricket.
Cricketers are the backbone of the game and the essential elements of the game.Participation as well as financial receivables will be an the mainstay of it.
The best International players will be enticed into agreements of million-dollar contracts.The game both on and off the field could be similar to roulette tables.
Cricket will be a gambling den that will be extremely difficult to control when it comes to gambling and other illegal activities.
This is the difficult wicket that cricket is facing and the Boards of all cricket-playing nations, headed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) have to tackle carefully.
Now, the scent of cash and the sound of the cashbox are exciting at the possibility of franchise-based T20 leagues.We can already see the growing competition between the Big Bash in Australia and the one that is scheduled to take place in the UAE.Cricketers naturally will favor the one that is the most beneficial for them.
The problem that could arise is to convince International players to wear their national colors.
If they do but are they physically and mentally in the right frame of mind to be at their peak?
The well-known American Management guru, Clayton Christensen’s concept of “Disruptive Innovation appears to be the method in which organizers, managers and administrators must think about their roles regarding their respective leagues for cricket.
The Indian Premier League at present is one that has established itself as a leading league.
It will need to be innovative to stand up to its competition.
“Money is what makes the world go around Cricket is in that stage where you aren’t certain of where the ball is heading.
The shifts, swerves and turns that one can observe it taking could result in the game disrupted for the rest of the time.
It could result in franchise-owned teams from all over the world competing against one another.
One wonders if Test cricket or cricket matches between countries will be given the same significance as they do now.
If international superstars of the sport from their countries are not present the very essential aspect of playing with the very best is lost.The games then turn into a shambles.
The world cricket scene is in this stage.India is playing the West Indies in the recently-concluded limited-overs series is an excellent illustration of the declining popularity of cricket.Watching them perform in Florida is more depressing.
Cricket is definitely on a difficult wicket.
(Yajurvindra Singh was an ex- India cricketer)
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