And for a Friday as the curtains came down for IPL 2024, some thoughts….. some musings…..
Left management to the Professionals.
The 2024 version of IPL was unique as it almost ran parallel to the very major National event, Lok Sabha elections – 2024. Both commencing in April and running for more than two months. Both were studies in contradictions. Whilst the politicians slugged it out fighting for voter attention – creating controversies, mauling each other, wild accusations, most unsubstantiated but all with effect, money power at its height with all forms of social and localite media pressed into service; IPL too provided great entertainment in another way. Every night there was something exciting to look forward to. Fortunes swung with every over, some to the last ball of the match. Outstanding cricket and records broken. Sheer entertainment. Finally, on Sunday 27th May, KKR won the coveted Trophy. We now await June 4th to know who gets the Nation Trophy to run the Govt next 5 years.
This IPL also threw up contradicting management styles. Cricket is a team game and IPL has now sharpened Professional Club cricket at the highest level, almost like the Football Clubs in Europe. BCCI has mastered the skills and each of the ten teams get to choose their players at the auctions. It’s big money involved. Betting is illegal and not allowed in India. But there is serious betting in other parts of the World. As in Corporates so in IPL. This year the role of Owners (Investors of the capital), Professional Management (CEO, Head Coach, Director, Coaches in charge of each aspect of batting, bowling, fielding etc. etc.), the Teams who are the Brands which monetises the investments and finally the Players were all out in the open. Some unforgettable images of Owner – Management styles were seen. Sanjeev Goenka with LSG captain Rahul and in total contradiction Shah Rukh Khan with Shreyas Iyer. It’s all history now.
Undoubtedly Cricket is the number one TV sport and money spinner in India. Lets all savour the game year after year, the sporting way, the enjoyable way, the SEEGOS way.