20 May / 2015(322)…Indian Proportion Level(IPL8)postscript

A postscript of IPL

This was the most competitive IPL of all(irrespective who wins). Although the quality of cricket is not up to mark when compared with domestic tournaments played in SA, AUS, NZ  and ENG, yet it was entertaining and at times intense contest. Nevertheless lot of errors, especially in basic fielding errors by both domestic and Int. players.

Few thoughts on how IPL can be much better next year in terms of quality, content, and Indian cricket.

 

  • IPL should not be a gateway for domestic players to enter Int. cricket in any format. Indian selectors are always biased(of not selecting once dropped) towards former players who still have lot to offer for India at International level. They have a tendency to pick very young players to represent India with hardly any experience. Nevertheless once they are out of form and are dropped, they hardly get picked…and even if they get picked, they are dropped immediately. Players like Badrinath, Uthappa, Harbhajan, Yuvraj, Nehra, and many such cricketers who have played for India but now are not in contention to play again in at least one format. They are treated like untouchables.  These players have done exceptionally well at domestic circuit and one believes they should be given enough opportunity to perform. Instead, some youngster is picked and touted as next big thing by both board and the media. I think here is a good chance for the Board to look at Australian selection policy. Since 1990s every Aussie player has been dropped, and once they are picked again they have made a grand comeback, with few becoming legends of cricket!. Cricketers like Waugh brothers(their contribution to Australian cricket is much higher, valuable and bigger than Chappell brothers)Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Clarke, Martyn, Lehmann, MacGill, Gillespie, B Lee, Langer, Symonds, Johnson, Warner, Watson and others have made Australia champions of cricket.
  • Therefore select those who have performed well at domestic level, and have only 2 cricketers in playing XI at IPL . LET them earn the spot, instead of giving chance to everyone and touting them the best. I believe the domestic T20 Tournament(Syed Mushtaq) is a great place to start with. This year only two players from Gujarat team (winner of the tournament)played IPL and overall only 5% –
  • The playing XI should be 2(Indian Domestic)+ 5(Indian Int.)+4(Overseas Int.). The two domestic(ID)cricketers should be specialist players, batsman and a bowler, and they should bat in TOP 4 batting position, and bowl all 4 mandatory overs irrespective of game situation. This should be mandatory for all franchise. Out of 5 Indian Int, at least two should the dropped player from National team.
  • In an athlete’s playing career rest is a key element. Traveling and playing every 3days does not allow any rest and it becomes strenuous. Therefore fewer IPL games(7 instead of 14 per team)excluding the play-offs….or have at least >4 days gap between games for each team.
  • Have few warm-up before IPL starts(without Overseas players)for all teams against state teams. One can have options for 10 over a side or less overs.

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