With the new T20 format taking the world by its stride the focus on the "Purest Form" (TEST) of cricket has been shifted. Moreover with so many matches being played every month it has become extremely difficult to keep track with each and everyone one of the international matches across the globe. The intensity of the One Dayer's have dropped. That was clearly proved with the kind of attendance the grounds like Eden Gardens boasted in the last match against England. Something for the ICC to think about.
Over the past few years i have made some interesting observations. More than the 50 over format I find the young bloods are more interested in Test cricket. I myself am starting to find it more interesting than the 50 over format. There is a philosophy which says that " What goes around comes around" i think that whats happening in this case. Is it because there is a change in mentality of the generation? Or because of the pitches????? What is it which makes the match more interesting???? I think its the simplicity and the fact that it happens once in every 2 to 3 months. Top 5 reasons i think that the game is losing its interest-
1. CHANGE OF FORMAT- ICC have got it wrong. Its certainly not the format. I am tired of reading in the columns about ICC introducing all kind of new rules- The new two time ball change rule, the new powerplay rule etc. They have made a simple game quite complex. Earlier a five year old kid could sat on the lap of his father and understand the basic rules of the game but not now. We complain of the drifting interest interest towards football but why will it not happen?? Ever since football began there have been very little changes to the game (atleast the rules) . People find it simple enough to follow. So why change the format??? Why not play with the old rules of first 15 over field restriction and then normal game????
2. INTRODUCTION OF T20'S- ICC have hit themselves by introducing the T20 format. The new format has driven people crazy and now no one is interested in the ODI's and Tests. People are not patient enough to wait for the result. They want it quickly.
3 MORE FOCUS ON THE BATSMEN- The biggest mistake we are making is laying stress on the batsmen. We prepare pitches which are usually high scoring and then end up getting big scores. Careful observations have revealed that low scoring matches are much interesting than the big ones. The recent example of SAFS vs the Kangaroos is the best one. I would enjoy seeing such matches rather than seeing 450 or 500 being chased down. Same in the case of ODI's. Earlier 270 was considered a good score but now even lower ranked teams surpass it with ease.
4. INTRODUCTION OF UDRS- Although, people persist that UDRS has helped the game, I think in a completely different manner. Earlier a batsman would walk away if the decision was out. Wouldnt even consider to ask the umpire. It was like God deciding the fate of the match. Moreover, the umpires were not under pressure. When Hawk-Eye was at its nascent stage it revealed that much of umpire's decisions were correct. But now the umpires are under so much pressure that their decisions are going more wrong.
5.MATCH FIXING SCANDALS- The recent match fixing scandals have got everyone worrying and thinking that every match is fixed. ICC needs to see to it that no "PLAYER" or no "BOARD" is above it. And such allegations have to be looked into deeply and should result in the banshiment of the player or the country (if the board is involved).
Cricket has been the passion in our country for such a long time. But one thing is for sure that if the present happenings continue then all the stands in our country would soon be barren.!!!
Rishabh Ghai
Over the past few years i have made some interesting observations. More than the 50 over format I find the young bloods are more interested in Test cricket. I myself am starting to find it more interesting than the 50 over format. There is a philosophy which says that " What goes around comes around" i think that whats happening in this case. Is it because there is a change in mentality of the generation? Or because of the pitches????? What is it which makes the match more interesting???? I think its the simplicity and the fact that it happens once in every 2 to 3 months. Top 5 reasons i think that the game is losing its interest-
1. CHANGE OF FORMAT- ICC have got it wrong. Its certainly not the format. I am tired of reading in the columns about ICC introducing all kind of new rules- The new two time ball change rule, the new powerplay rule etc. They have made a simple game quite complex. Earlier a five year old kid could sat on the lap of his father and understand the basic rules of the game but not now. We complain of the drifting interest interest towards football but why will it not happen?? Ever since football began there have been very little changes to the game (atleast the rules) . People find it simple enough to follow. So why change the format??? Why not play with the old rules of first 15 over field restriction and then normal game????
2. INTRODUCTION OF T20'S- ICC have hit themselves by introducing the T20 format. The new format has driven people crazy and now no one is interested in the ODI's and Tests. People are not patient enough to wait for the result. They want it quickly.
3 MORE FOCUS ON THE BATSMEN- The biggest mistake we are making is laying stress on the batsmen. We prepare pitches which are usually high scoring and then end up getting big scores. Careful observations have revealed that low scoring matches are much interesting than the big ones. The recent example of SAFS vs the Kangaroos is the best one. I would enjoy seeing such matches rather than seeing 450 or 500 being chased down. Same in the case of ODI's. Earlier 270 was considered a good score but now even lower ranked teams surpass it with ease.
4. INTRODUCTION OF UDRS- Although, people persist that UDRS has helped the game, I think in a completely different manner. Earlier a batsman would walk away if the decision was out. Wouldnt even consider to ask the umpire. It was like God deciding the fate of the match. Moreover, the umpires were not under pressure. When Hawk-Eye was at its nascent stage it revealed that much of umpire's decisions were correct. But now the umpires are under so much pressure that their decisions are going more wrong.
5.MATCH FIXING SCANDALS- The recent match fixing scandals have got everyone worrying and thinking that every match is fixed. ICC needs to see to it that no "PLAYER" or no "BOARD" is above it. And such allegations have to be looked into deeply and should result in the banshiment of the player or the country (if the board is involved).
Cricket has been the passion in our country for such a long time. But one thing is for sure that if the present happenings continue then all the stands in our country would soon be barren.!!!
Rishabh Ghai
