Lalit Modi’s War on Cricket

Okay. The title sounds rather dramatic, but yeah – this man has declared an all-out war on cricket. So hang on, while I argue my case.

First, today’s news. Our friend, Sri Lalit Kumar Modi has gone on record saying that Australia’s domestic/international players won’t be allowed to play in the IPL if they don’t get released from their respective State teams before the tournament starts. Okay, sounds fine ? Next, this man has again gone on record saying those Australian state teams that refuse to release their cricketers by the due-date will not be banned from the Champions’ League. Good news ? No. I am pretty sure that the Aussies would stay put where they are, playing state cricket and how they are, doing their bit to further their case when it comes to wearing the Baggy Green, and if they show any signs of giving in to Lalit Modi’s demands, again – might represent a darker, unfortunate reality that we are finding ourselves in today.

This was today. Last week, there was so much of nonsense about Pakistani players being denied a Visa and missing the deadline for registration and all that, and finally when they do get the visa for the IPL, what does this man do ? Say, you’re not eligible to be playing since the time has lapsed and you must put forward your names for the auction. Excellent. It’s my way or highway, he says. Some might still hold the argument, that this man has professionalized the game so much and taken this to new heights, but is anyone even talking about the long-term consequences ? The worry or the skepticism within India is quite limited, since interests merge seamlessly, and of course – when the corporates go hand-in-glove with these presumably noble intentions that Mr. Modi have for the game, it’s become increasingly difficult to even express those very concerns/skepticisms. And the game we all love, is in a way, at war, battling against it’s very existence.

No. Why should we ? We’re the World’s no. 1 team in the world, worthy of awards from everywhere possible. So, we’re doing our bit to preserve test cricket. Another futile argument, of course. But the reality is – It’s not that Mr. Modi doesn’t know about the arguments surrounding his moves, but quite simply put – he doesn’t care. And in a way, he’s dished out the classic Bush metaphor of “You’re either with me, or the rest of the cricketing world”. Unfortunate again. And where are we helpless fans trying to cherish and celebrate every piece of real Test cricket we see and read about ? Nowhere.

And lastly, Mr. Modi wants to expand the league to 11 teams ? And then again, play 91 matches. Hello ? 91 frigging matches ? Sorry, but this is taking the war to an unconquered extreme. Surely, for now – the war is on, but cricket must do just about everything to win this war, and not let Mr. Modi’s intentions get the better of the game.