Its really good that cricket is losing popularity. At least i won't have to suffer by watching a bunch of overhyped,overpaid salesmen(read the "stars" of indian cricket) being thrashed by other professional cricketing nations.
The real problem with cricket is that it is a 'controlled' game and that opionion counts much more than merit. The European leagues feature players from all over thw world, and so do all the important Tennis events. Cricket is so popular in India, yet, how often do we have a chance to watch a Ponting or a McGrath on Indian grounds? Practically never if the Australian team is not playing on the Indian soil. Further, An Abhijit Kale with 25+ centuries and 58 average gets 'disciplined' in cricket, while a Ganguli gets heaps of praise - merely because the later has been 'selected'.
The solution is simple. Let there be two cricket associations in India. Let there be internal league. Let each association field its own team in international fixtures. Let private enterprise flourish. Dalmia has taken the cricket to a level where some players and officials have benefitted and followers ocassionally get to watch epic battles; however, one needs to invite a few other businessmen to contribute their might. Only healthy competition will keep cricket alive. Not selection panels.
It is a very vague article and its obvious that the lady has no clue what she is trying to say. No statistics are given just plain houch pouch of sporting events happening around the world and then mention that ricket is dying. Why does rediff have a seperate section for cricket and for no other sport?
Even if the world stops watching the same as long as India continues to be crazy about this sport it will survive because we are talking of 20% of the world's population and always growing !!!!
