End of the road for IPL?

Since its inception in 2008, IPL has always been embroiled in some controversy or the other. Be it the slap gate controversy in year one or the spot fixing sting operation that rocked the IPL last year. This year looked different as the focus seemed to be more on cricket than any other issue. But after today’s scandalous revelations, IPL is now hit by one of the biggest scandals to hit the Indian cricket scene since the match fixing saga in 1999.

As soon as the news began flashing on various news channels about the spot fixing episode, there were many who felt vindicated. Scenes were shown on news channels from across the country depicting public anger against the IPL and how it is ruining the game.

Now, there is no denying the fact that such scandals do hamper the sport and its legitimacy, but it cannot be the sole reason for the IPL to be banned. I would have to agree with the BCCI on this that just because of the wrong-doings of a few cricketers, the IPL as a whole cannot be blamed. The IPL or the franchise officials cannot personally monitor each player to see what they are doing and with whom they liaise on a day to day basis. But one cannot deny the fact that the BCCI should now enforce stringent laws to punish the guilty. Clearly, just banning a player for such offences is not the way to go. The action taken by the police currently on the trio is appropriate and the law should take its own course. If the players are found guilty, then they should not just be banned but a jail term should also be imposed. Until there is a fear created in the minds of the cricketers and other officials for any wrongdoing, such misdeeds will keep on happening. A cricketer who has played test cricket for the country and earns a handsome amount in the IPL should for no reason indulge in such malpractices. Having said that, a jail term punishment will help to create a doubt in the minds of the lesser known cricketers who are the most vulnerable to spot fixing.

Eradicating corruption from the game may be impossible, but taking small steps to curb it should be the way forward. If any of the franchise officials or IPL council members are found to be guilty of any wrong-doing in the spot fixing episode, then yes, the integrity of the league will be in question and then the chants for IPL to be banned will have to be considered. Spot fixing and match fixing are different. Thought both are offences, but just because of few miscreants, the league should not be banned.