The media has been relentless in panning the IPL franchisees for ignoring
Pakistan players for the third instalment of Indian Premier League.
Commentators and intellectual columnists have uniformly cried foul over this
shameful omission.
My take on this, however, is different. Whether there was an understanding
between the franchisees before the bid began, or the government nudged the
franchisees to ignore Pak players is irrelevant, really. Given the mood in the
nation, I think having players from across the border makes little sense, at
least not for the franchisees.
I am not for a moment saying the Pakistani players are bad or do not have a fan
following here. On the contrary, they regularly produce some of the most
talented, and watchable, players in the world, so what if they play
irresponsibly at times, and then surprise everyone with sterling performances
that border genius. But the ground reality is different.
We all know the fan following in the current scenario is fickle. Fans may adore
someone, but one brutal attack in Kashmir or elsewhere will change the
situation diametrically in a jiffy. Now, if I am a franchisee who has invested
in a Pakistani player, why would I risk it? And it is not just risking the
franchisee’s reputation, it is even risking the safety of players from all over
the world, on the ground, in the hotel where they stay and while they travel.
Why would a franchisee invest heavily in a great player if the wrongdoings by
his country somewhere works against his interest? The franchisee, after all is
investing in these teams for brand building, not negative publicity.
Even from the organisers and government’s point of view, not having players
from Pakistan helps. Sporting events are organised so that there is great
competition and everyone enjoys a good contest. But if that contest has even a
small chance of endangering spectators and players safety, it is not a risk
worth taking.
Now back to Pakistani players, I once again reiterate that they are among the
best in the game, and to be fair to them, the way the auctions were held was
unsavoury. Here, assuming that the IPL or the government was instrumental in
nudging franchisees not to bid for Shahid Afridi and others, as a respect to
the sportspersons at least, it should have been handled differently. Instead of
including them among the players available and then ‘humiliating’ them, they
should have simply said, sorry, given the current scenario, we are unable to
welcome you for the IPL. It would have hurt too, but less.
Ultimately, as I said, it is the franchisee that is spending and if he feels it
does not help his brand, he would not. In that context therefore, it would help
if Pakistani politicians stop the rhetoric that says this is India’s attempt to
derail the peace process.
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