TOO MUCH CRICKET
Playing cricket in Indian sub-continent during hot May is the most atrocious thing. Two batsmen were forced to retired hurt, because of cramps, on first day of the test match itself. Three wicket keepers kept for a single innings. In an already packed international calendar BCCI have arranged matches in Ireland. Against England and Australia we are going to play 7 match one-day bilateral series each in next 6 months. It will be draining the energies of players and also bore the viewers. Indian team is going to play 25% more matches than any other team in coming months. These are due to greediness of BCCI and ICC.
Suggestion: All bilateral one-day series should be of 3-5 matches. In a calendar year a team should play 9-12 tests and maximum of 30 one-day internationals.
ENDORSEMENTS
Adidas issued legal warning to Sachin, BCCI and Nike for violating its rights. Sachin endorses Adidas so his images cannot be used by competitor Nike, which is the official sponsor of BCCI. Nike can use Sachin’s image only when he is represented as part of Indian team not individually.
Suggestion: Players should not endorse the products, which are competitor to the sponsors of the board. The cricketing board should also have discussion with the players about its sponsors before signing the agreement with the sponsors.
TELECAST RIGHTS
Most people in India have not watched the recent test series between India and Bangladesh. Even though it is a low profile series the main reason for this incident is most consumers don’t have access to Neo sports, which is a pay channel. Because of introduction of CAS in metros, most consumers in metros don’t have access to any pay channels. In villages most of the sporting channels are not available. DOORDHARSAN (DD), the national broadcaster of India, which normally uses government power and public mood to further its commercial interest did not make any effort to live telecast this test series between Indian and Bangladesh because it was not a profitable venture.
Earlier this year the Information and Broadcasting ministry of India introduced a law that states that all cricketing events of importance should be telecasted live on DD. The real intent of this law was not to satisfy public but to promote DD’s commercial interest.
Suggestion: All matches played in India and all ICC events should be telecasted live on DD, the national broadcaster of India. DD should have revenue and other business arrangements with rights holders such that rights holder of the matches are not offended in any way. All sports channels (ESPN, Star Sports, TEN Sports, Neo Sports, ZEE Sports and SET MAX) should be made free to air. Advertising revenues are more than enough for them.
MATCH FIXING & BETTING
Underworld have used cricket to generating money for their activities because it is one of the area where money flows. So they were into betting. To make betting profitable they fix matches. To fix matches they need cooperation of players and officials, so they intimidate players or offer them huge money.
Suggestion: In England and Australia betting are legal. So legalize betting in India with proper restrictions and rules. Deal underworld with firm hand. ICC’s anti-corruption unit also needs to get its act together.
In all the above cases cricketers and cricket viewing public (consumers) are the money yielding golden geese. Cricketing boards (especially BCCI), ICC, Corporates, Mafia and few cricketers are the modern day Shylock’s. Money is important thing in one’s life but not the foremost thing. There are many things that are more important than money in life.
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