The Indian Premier League (IPL) is India’s biggest sporting tournament. This year, the IPL has been operating under a bio-bubble in India and on limited neutral venues.
The 14th edition of the tournament coincided with the deadliest second wave of Covid-19 in the country. This has sparked a social media debate over whether IPL should continue under the current circumstances or not?
One of the main lines of criticism is the tone-deaf nature of the tournament. The lack of empathy shown by the IPL teams and Indian cricket’s governing body BCCI is jarring, to say the least. As the aam aadmi of the country struggles to get basic medical facilities, BCCI has kept ambulances with intensive care beds available on standby, eating up resources that could be used to save lives.
The cricket board isn't the only culprit though, India’s cricket stars are as much to blame for. While sporting superstars in the rest of the world repeatedly take a stance on social issues, Indian sports stars are notoriously known for their silence. While the Indian players were turning a usual blind eye to the disaster unfolding outside the chakaachaundh of IPL, it took an Australian player to show some empathy.
Rajasthan Royals pacer Andrew Tye, who left IPL midway, said in a recent interview that he wondered how the franchises and government were affording to spend so much on IPL, when people were unable to get even hospital beds.
In responding to the criticism, BCCI has taken a line of defense that the tournament is a ‘welcome distraction’ in these testing times for the nation. In fact, they have sent letters to the participating teams and players with appeals for playing for humanity.
What about economic advantages of the tournament?
The IPL brings millions of dollars into the cricketing system and the government in revenue and taxes. A system that employs hundreds- from commentators to hotel and ground staff. There is no denying the kind of entertainment value IPL carries in the country.
Millions of people religiously tune in to watch the games every night for a break from the ongoing disaster and maybe even helps those quarantined and isolated at home.
These arguments, however, stem from a place of privilege- especially when you think about the teams playing in the ravaged capital of the country in a literal bubble, while those around them struggle with basic medicines, oxygen and crowdfunding pages.
So, should the IPL be cancelled?
In one word- No.
It is time to use the reach and riches of IPL for the greater good. While many players and teams have been donating their match winnings, the BCCI and IPL teams should set up an official method of contributing parts of their incomes to various funds set up throughout the country.
One would think that it is time for BCCI and the teams to start thinking beyond the floodlights and do their bit for a country in crisis.
IPL 2020 was held in UAE - the same could have been done with equal revenue generation for the country, and less operating costs. Can it still be done or is it logistically impossible? What are your views on this topic? Let us know in the comments below!
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