The news channels are show casting Harbhajan and Sree episode over and over again. There are comments like spot over the gentleman’s game. The question here is not of the code of conduct but the reactions of cricketers but probable the aggression arising due to the pressures in the game which have increased so much over the period of time. The episode is no less dramatic then what happens in the reality shows these days. The soon covering of the incident from both parties has left many questions unanswered.

The Indian Premium and the Indian Cricket Leagues, the famous 20-20 matches have been commented as madcap version of the game and has become hugely popular, even more than the 50-over matches. But it will be wrong to think that all Twenty-20 contests will attract as many crowds as the IPL and, to some extent, the ICL matches did. The crowds attracted to the grounds are not mainly for the game but the presence of the superstars. To this must be added the glitz and glamour which has become a feature of these competitions. The cheerleader which is another controversial issue is also drawing the crowds. After all the companies have spent so much to buy players, we can say invested in the new business and now selling the product is equally important with good packaging and marketing strategy. And the famous names in the game would not have come in such numbers but for the money. Even if the objections about greed driving the tournament is conceded, the fact remains that given the monetary incentives, the professionals will also know that they must give their best.

Probably, they would have done so in any case to sustain their reputation. But since the prospects of earning enormous sums have enticed more of them, their competitive instincts are bound to be sharpened all the more. From the spectator’s point of view, however, both those who go the stadiums and those who watch on TV, the IPL has been a godsend. It is something like the world cup without the feverish excitement of the national teams battling one another.

The supposed lack of intensity which seems to be another point of criticism is not entirely valid. Apart from the fact that professionals will not spare themselves, one has to remember the Soccer clubs of Europe. From the point of view of the subcontinent, the involvement of so many Pakistani players cannot but help in a further improvement of ties between the two countries. It is the fear that the slam-bang nature of the batting in the Twenty-20 games will undermine the techniques of most players, especially the younger ones.

Clearly, cricket has come a long lesser players will be. As is known, it was the expressed with the arrival of the falling attendance in the Tests one-day encounters. Now it will which led to the invention of be strengthened by the 50-over matches. In the ultimate analysis, it is what the viewer wants which those players like Andrew prevails if only because it is he Symonds and Harbhajan Singh, who pays.