Cricket is no more a game

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Cricket in the following paragraphs. If there's at least one fact you didn't know before, imagine the difference it might make.

Cricket is not just a game anymore. Cricket is business and a big one at that. In India, cricketers are earning money which was unheard of even a decade ago. Top Test players make more money off the ground by endorsements and other business than they do by playing for the country. Even Ranji Trophy players are better off financially than their counterparts in other sports. Cricket is no more a gentleman's game; now it is business and big business at that.

IN the not too distant past playing international cricket matches (especially between India and Pakistan) in offshore venues of Sharjah, Dubai, Toronto and Singapore was frowned upon. The matches there were fixed, the pundits said. In the late 90s the Indian board imposed a blanket ban on Indian team playing there.

But how did all this change so rapidly? Ask the three men responsible for this great change - Sharad Pawar, Bindra and Lalit Modi of the BCCI (The Board of Control for Cricket in India). They broght in the Indian Premier League, the richest cricket tournament in the world! In case you did not know, Indian cricket is administered by the BCCI, which is a quasi government organization that is run by bureaucrats and administrators. India has the largest cricket fan base around the world.

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

Today BCCI is the richest cricket body in the world. It has, according to reports, made investments of over Rs 180 crore in fixed deposits in nationalised banks and has also earmarked Rs 48 crore for various activities in the current year. The national coach, physio and most of the back-up men have been appointed from abroad. But nobody is complaining. The marketing skills of those who run Indian cricket must come in for praise, along with the appeal the game has in the country. The board earns money through sponsorships, match fees, TV rights and also as its share from the ICC as profits of the World Cup and the ICC Trophy.

Will the game suffer in the long run? Players are no more concerned on how well they play...many of them want to be selected just for a few games and mint money in crores or millions. But there is nothing much to worry about in the 20/20 format as the players play mainly to entertain and keep the ad agencies happy.

But in all this chaos about hitting sixes and making money only there was a sad note as well. Adam Gilchrist, the famed Australian wicketkeeper batsman, who pulverised bowlers all over the world for more than decade has announced his retirement. He was a true gentleman on the field though not at all gentle in hitting those sixes! There was so much bad blood between the Australian and Indian cricket teams recently in the matches being played. But not "Gilly". He never took part in the sledging and bickering that went on (He was right behind the stumps). Instead he concentrated only on hitting the ball very hard when he batted. Why did he have to retire so soon? The reason he gave was he had dropped a catches of late! Bull! Far lesser cricketers are still playing only for money. Why did you have to do it Gilly? Here is a small tribute to you I have written in verse...please read and be of good cheer.They say the search engines pick up these feeds for the world to see...everyone should get to know this tribute to you. Here it is...


Tribute to a man named Adam Gilchrist



Once there was a man named Gilly

He made bowlers all over the world look silly

When he hit the ball it soared high into the air

Never to return if only to tear their bellies bare


Even the umpires felt greatly enthused

As he hustled and bustled joyfully to the crease

For they would see the ball being belted with such contemptous ease

Only to keep the giant scoreboard ticking with ever increasing speed


One two three four

Seven to ten sixes in a row

He would with utter disdain hoist them wide into the howling stands

Only to force the poor fielders to piss wet in their pants


Oh, why did he have to retire

This glorius hitter of the ball

What did a few dropped catches matter of late

For he had taken plenty in the days gone great


Not once did he join in the monkeying that went on in the game

For he was of a decent race in spirit and name

Not all the dollars the Khans, the Mallyas, and the Modis paid for him to play

Can ever outweigh our love for him forever today


We will sing praises forever to the Lord, our God

For giving us this priceless cricketer, dear God, our God

If ever He were to say "What! I can always grant you another!"

We'd cry out to him and say"only Gilly, only Gilly, Lord"




There's no doubt that the topic of Cricket these days can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about Cricket, you may find what you're looking for in the next article.