Has cricket lost its essence over the years?

England, many years ago, started the Twenty20 format of cricket for the sole purpose of entertaining cricket fans. People were tired of the county cricket and having to sit and wait all day for a single match. 5-day test matches have always been considered the real format of skills and hard work but were totally out of the picture if the aim were to make sure the crowd is engaged and people are having fun. Ever since the T-20 format has been introduced in cricket, and exploited by Indian Premiere league, cricket seems to have lost some of its true essence.

Money Making Machine

Following in the footsteps of IPL, many countries including Pakistan and Bangladesh have started Twenty20 format cricket regularly with the aim to make money and popularity amongst the world of cricket. IPL showcases batsmen abusing frustrated bowlers and is probably the best brand in India when it comes to entertainment and earning billions. By consistently playing T20 cricket, bowlers struggle a lot because they have to contain the hard-hitting batsmen to score runs off the pitch all the time. On the other hand, this format is perfect for batsmen who want to excel in a short period of time and for the fans who are always delighted to see huge hits. Young players start missing out the real stamina and technique of the game and start emulating players like Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, A.B De Villiers, short-format cricketers who have proved to be the kings of hard-hitting.

Revival of a tired Format?

However, some see this as the international revitalization of cricket. IPL and other T20 leagues are also considered a great reason for really reviving the interest in cricket, and new young players are emerging and showcasing their talents on this fast-passed stage. A hefty number of players have made their way into international cricket because of local T20 cricket leagues in their respective countries.

To conclude, the T20 format may be contributing to a loss in the games true essence but it is creating new and excited fans throughout the world; ensuring that the interest in this great sport remains high.

 – Saad Raja  

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