Indian Cricket League thread

[pasag]

It seems like Inzamam wont play cricket again either, thanks to PCB, isn't that madness as well? Yousuf will Play test cricket again, unless the board displays complete lack of understanding and takes a boneheaded attitude.

Besides Cricket isn't bigger than life. In the subcontinent, it is very difficult for players to take up any kind of sport, most of them sacrifice best years of their life in the hope of making big, most of them dont make big, the boards do nothing for them and these players end up worse than beggars if they dont get support from their families.

Our boards have done nothing to help them and now that there is an alternative league where some of these cricketers have achance to earn some money, our boards are acting like dickheads. Instead of fixing the issue they are targetting the players and threatening them with bans.

I couldn't care less if Yousuf and other like him don't play test cricket ever again if ICL becomes successful and provides a good platform for youngsters and pays them well too.

Yes, any situation where the best players are not representing their country is a horrible one. Sport is sport, heaps of people don't make it in every sport in every country and will never become superstars and be financially rewarded for it. That's the risk you take. I couldn't care less about the 'platform for youngsters' and what they get paid if it means Test cricket suffers. This is not to say that the boards are free from blame, far from it, but to see some corporation ravage cricketing resources is painful to watch, and imo tragic.

Obviously the best solution at this stage would be for the boards to retract and work with the ICL, much like Packer, but before any real damage is done. But we all know that is unlikely to happen.

 

[Richard]

The trouble is, the damage was done by the BCCI messing Zee and other TV networks around. Same as the damage in 1976 was done by CA rejecting what was, after all, a generous offer from Packer.

Just goes to show that, as in Packer's day, TV can rule The World.

Trouble is, now anyone who doesn't get the TV contract in India knows what they need to do.

 

[pasag]

Anyways, all I can see happening here is the TV network sticking with it as long as it is profitable and the ratings are there and dumping it as soon as they aren't, leaving dead careers in the wake. I'm not trying to blame the TV station, they're a company and have do whatever they please to make money. Neither should there be much blame for players who want financial stability. And the boards are obviously not producing a good environment if players are leaving for better conditions. However, when the top players are not playing Test cricket, when international careers are cut short, it is an awful situation.

 

[Sanz]

Sport is sport, heaps of people don't make it in every sport in every country and will never become superstars and be financially rewarded for it. That's the risk you take. I couldn't care less about the 'platform for youngsters' and what they get paid if it means Test cricket suffers. This is not to say that the boards are free from blame, far from it, but to see some corporation ravage cricketing resources is painful to watch, and imo tragic.

I dont think you understand the situation in the subcontient. In other countries, even if you dont make it big, you dont end up broke. My cousin, who is in England has a full time job in IT, plays cricket on weekends in some Division 3 or something(not sure where, but way low in the county level), He gets paid for that and probably makes more money than the Domestic cricketers make in the subcontinent playing full time. If Boards in the subcontinent have not been able to provide that basic financial security to its players, what right do they have to ban players who are only trying to play cricket and at the same time want to get some financial security ?

Obviously we are from different school of thought, IMO Test Cricket is not bigger than a sportsman's life and I want ICL to succeed for the sake of cricketers in the subcontinent at any cost even if it means test cricket suffers for a while, You on the other hand rather have ICL fail if it is at the expense of Test Cricket.

 

[silentstriker]

In most of the developed countries, a person in their thirties can go back to school, get his degree and continue on after his cricketing career. It's not always easy, but it's doable. In India, if you don't make it in cricket, there are no opportunities for you unless you are lucky enough to get into the media or commenting.

There is a very good chance that you will leave in poverty for the rest of your life, and that is what happens to a very large percentage of cricketers.

 

[pasag]

I dont think you understand the situation in the subcontient. In other countries, even if you dont make it big, you dont end up broke. My cousin, who is in England has a full time job in IT, plays cricket on weekends in some Division 3 or something(not sure where, but way low in the county level), He gets paid for that and probably makes more money than the Domestic cricketers make in the subcontinent playing full time. If Boards in the subcontinent have not been able to provide that basic financial security to its players, what right do they have to ban players who are only trying to play cricket and at the same time want to get some financial security ?

Obviously we are from different school of thought, IMO Test Cricket is not bigger than a sportsman's life and I want ICL to succeed for the sake of cricketers in the subcontinent at any cost even if it means test cricket suffers for a while, You on the other hand rather have ICL fail if it is at the expense of Test Cricket.

Yeah, fair enough.

 

[vic_orthdox]

In most of the developed countries, a person in their thirties can go back to school, get his degree and continue on after his cricketing career. It's not always easy, but it's doable. In India, if you don't make it in cricket, there are no opportunities for you unless you are lucky enough to get into the media or commenting.

I guess that's why you'd see quite a few ex-Test players from Pakistan playing over in England - they see it as their chance to start again after cricket.

 

[Fusion]

In most of the developed countries, a person in their thirties can go back to school, get his degree and continue on after his cricketing career. It's not always easy, but it's doable. In India, if you don't make it in cricket, there are no opportunities for you unless you are lucky enough to get into the media or commenting.

There is a very good chance that you will leave in poverty for the rest of your life, and that is what happens to a very large percentage of cricketers.

I'm sorry, but how is the ICL going to rectify that situation? Are they not in it for the money, just like the BCCI? You really think they have the player's best interests at heart? If this league fails (which is a high probability), you think the fat wallets behind this league will look after the players whose careers would end?

 

[Sanz]

I'm sorry, but how is the ICL going to rectify that situation? Are they not in it for the money, just like the BCCI? You really think they have the player's best interests at heart? If this league fails (which is a high probability), you think the fat wallets behind this league will look after the players whose careers would end?

By offering more money to them initially. From what I have heard, they are willing to play 25-30 lakhs per year to a Ranji Level player and 50 lakhs to players with some internationale experience. 30 Lakhs is an amount, no player will earn in his lifetime of domestic cricket, and ICL is offering it one year itself. I know it has high probability to fail, but what career do these domestic players in subcontinent have anyway , apart from the hope of making it to the national team ?

BCCI are not in for money, there are there by default. They already have more money than any other board, but that money eithers rots in the banks or spent on 200 committees while the players suffer.


And No I dont think the fat wallets are going to protect these youngsters, but there is always a risk in life. ICL is not forcing anyone, If it fails, it wont be because it didn't want to succeed, it will because of BCCI and fans for not supporting it.

 

[silentstriker]

I'm sorry, but how is the ICL going to rectify that situation? Are they not in it for the money, just like the BCCI? You really think they have the player's best interests at heart? If this league fails (which is a high probability), you think the fat wallets behind this league will look after the players whose careers would end?

And it's also another place for cricketers to go. It's not going to rectify anything, but the more choices the players have, the better it is for themselves and their futures.

 

[biased indian]

i dont hink it will be great succes as it 20-20 format....and i dont know they have any stadium with floodlight facility.in ther hand...and sorry i wont give my time to watch some players who are at the end of ther career playing aganist some youngsters.An best example of this can be the PHL that is being held in india recently the first year of it was some wht ok next year it was a big flop as all the matches was held to empty stand.and as it stands the ICL wil be having ther macth in october when india is supposed to play pakistan.i odnt know how many cricket fans will opt to watch the ICLinstead of the ind vs pak match.

And another factor that has to be considered is how the media give importance to ICL the hindu one newspaper that gives great space to cricket had a very very small report on the hydrbad players joining the ICL.

And another thing is Zee TV is in this to make money not to protect or safe gaurd the players.if they find out this is not feasible i am sure there wont be a second year fo ICL.

 

[silentstriker]

A lot of these guys linked are doing it for their families and futures. Cricket still isn't a sport where you can play for a while and earn enough money to retire on, and you end up as a mid-thirties ex-player with absolutely no marketable skills and no way to acquire them.

The top superstars who get endorsements do all right, but below that there is a huge population of cricketers who are vital to the game but who live on basically nothing, and when they are done, they have nothing to show for it.

The more opportunities for them, the better. Regardless of the short term damage to Tests.

 

[Richard]

In most of the developed countries, a person in their thirties can go back to school, get his degree and continue on after his cricketing career. It's not always easy, but it's doable. In India, if you don't make it in cricket, there are no opportunities for you unless you are lucky enough to get into the media or commenting.

There is a very good chance that you will leave in poverty for the rest of your life, and that is what happens to a very large percentage of cricketers.

VVS Laxman: "I decided to give myself 5 years to make it in cricket, knowing that if I didn't, I could always go for medicine".

?

 

[Sanz]

VVS Laxman: "I decided to give myself 5 years to make it in cricket, knowing that if I didn't, I could always go for medicine".

?

VVS comes from a very afluent family, both his parents are reknowned Doctors in Hyderabad and filthy Rich. Tells a lot about his laid back attitude.

 

[Richard]

Yes, I know that, the article which contained that quote mentioned this too.

The point is, ss said there is no chance, pretty well at all, for anyone who tries and fails to make it in cricket, to do anything. No mention of whether those are upper- or middle-class.

 

[silentstriker]

Yes, I know that, the article which contained that quote mentioned this too.

The point is, ss said there is no chance, pretty well at all, for anyone who tries and fails to make it in cricket, to do anything. No mention of whether those are upper- or middle-class.

That is ridiculous nitpicking. You know exactly what I meant. Do I really have to specifically say, "Unless you're already a millionaire?"

 

[Richard]

I wasn't under the impression that Laxman's family were millionnaires. He is the only person I've ever heard speak about the potential problems of not making it in cricket.

 

[brockley]

Will be interesting when they have 16 teams,and do both 20/20 and 50 overs,scope to increase,but they will need a lot of players in the future.
The asian countries may have to change their mind in banning players.

 

[Sanz]

I wasn't under the impression that Laxman's family were millionnaires. He is the only person I've ever heard speak about the potential problems of not making it in cricket.

 

[R_D]

I wasn't under the impression that Laxman's family were millionnaires. He is the only person I've ever heard speak about the potential problems of not making it in cricket.

hehehe... you couldn't gather that Laxman must be pretty well off considering his parents are doctors.
I agree with Sanz's posts.... i hope players finally get some respect and BCCI start working towards helping players and improving infrastructure at grass roots. Maybe start considering their fans as well and have better stadium seating.
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