The latest spot fixing scandal during the ongoing IPL-6 have shaken the very foundations of the sport. The involvement of an India international and two uncapped players has devastated the cricket establishment.
In the absence of an effective system to curb or eliminate such wrongdoings, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is finding itself in the firing line of the entire nation. Even BCCI will agree to keep an eye on all the players attached to the nine franchises. As a first step, the Indian board can involve the franchises to keep track of their players or monitor their movements. A system should be immediately put in place.
Present-day cricketers are willing to take chances, pursuing cricket as a full-time occupation. Some make it, while most fall by the wayside. Even for those who make it, playing for the State or Zone could be the limit. These cricketers are the most vulnerable when it comes to the lure of big money. Excepting S. Sreesanth, all the players caught so far have either been State or Zonal representatives, and have come from humble backgrounds.
Profile
The profile of the game has changed drastically. It has moved away from a game played by gentlemen. Nobody appreciates a good shot or a good ball.
A century knock is not applauded. Patting the back or shaking hands is a thing of the past. Sledging at the opponent is an in-thing.
It is time the State associations, who guide the destiny of players from a very young age, teach these youngsters the value of ethics, education, honesty, integrity, fair play and, above all, the value of being a good human being.
Those boys who failed to measure up to the expectations should be filtered before they play for the State at their respective age-group level.
As these boys grow up to represent the senior State team and beyond, they can be expected to handle such temptations in an effective manner than fall victim to crooks and their ways, thus bringing disrepute to the noble game.