One cannot help but heave a sigh of relief that the much hyped T-20 cricket tourney imposed on the Indian public by Lalit Modi and his supporters has been shifted from this country. Kudos to the Indian government and, of course, the Indian democracy because the elections meant that the Indian Premier League (IPL) dates had to be shifted which its bosses and franchisees did not want for their own reasons. Whatever these might be, one hopes the public is not interested. And why should there be any interest in money bags?

There have been mixed reactions as a result of the shift, and if some former players have their views on this they also have their vested interests.  

For instance, Kapil Dev and Erapalli Prasanna belong to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) and they must be wondering what the future holds for them and their tournament, when the far more influential IPL has come a cropper.  Then, one cannot but be amused that former Test stumper Syed Kirmani has his view on this matter too, even when he is not involved in either league. But then he might be looking for some sort of deal from the establishment, read IPL. Was it not the Greek cynic Diogenes who walked in broad daylight with a lighted candle in his hand and when asked why he was doing this, replied: ‘Looking for a honest man?’

It is well known that the IPL in its inaugural year was a success and it seems that the format had come to stay. Yes, it would have, had not the format become bigger and bigger and almost unmanageable. True, towards the end of the tourney, when the excitement had really built up, the crowds came in. Even Sachin Tendulkar was persuaded to remark that it was ideal entertainment for an evening and families could participate. Other than being an outstanding cricketer, Tendulkar also has the image of being the model head of a family. This is what modern image-building can do.

There is the flip side to this tamasha. It is not cricket as too much depends on chance. It has been described as television entertainment and that is what it should be: like one of those reality shows. Finally, considering the people who have stakes in it, they have nothing to offer to the development of the game. So good riddance!