With the Indian Premier league season in full bloom, the cricketing world has suddenly become exciting and entertaining as never before. The Indian Premier League has brought about a lot of firsts – with the auctioning of cricketers, with the salaries of the cricketers reaching an all time high (expected to increase further next season!!), with the introduction of cheerleaders for the teams, the chance for Indian youngsters to mingle with the cricketing greats of different countries and the entertainment industry’s involvement with IPL… the IPL has caught the fancy of the nation and other cricket playing nations worldwide.. money is being poured into cricket like never before..Corporatisation of cricket is well underway.. Is this corporatisation going to be a boon or bane for the game of cricket…The corporate culture will definitely bring about a heavy burden of accountability at all times, which in a sport like cricket(where in almost anything can happen) is quite unlikely.. the players will end up having a few bad days and a few good ones.. Cricket is after all a game, and a “corporate rule” can definitely kill the game.. The IPL will have to see to it that the players interests are well taken care off.. IPL has indeed succeeded in providing world class facilities, flashy flamboyant apparel and sports kits and sky high salaries, media attention et al… The cricketers from the smallest of towns in India have shown tremendous display of talent and character and all of them do want to stand up and be counted and are making the optimum usage of this opportunity of interaction with the worlds best..Sacking of CEO’s and captains for non performance of the team can make or break the morale of the team members and leave them scarred for life… Decisions even if taken the corporate way need to be taken
extremely responsibly… If the IPL succeeds in bringing the talented young Indian cricketers to the fore, guards their interests and helps in making a future with cricket, it will indeed be the best thing to have ever happened to Indian cricket…

Teen Hut Magazine Writer,
Shobhita.