This article has been cooking in my mind since India's remarkable Test series victory in Australia. A large and strong contingent of Indian cricketers played a famous and memorable Test series defeating the Australian team.The 20-21 series witnessed an injury plagued Indian team emerged victorious in a fiercely contested series, ultimately winning by score of 2-1.Numerous experts believed that Australia was defeated by what was considered to be India's B and C team.It. was during this period that a thought took shape in my mind.I hope I have not burned by over cooking thought process and you like my writing .
Cricket, as a sport, has witnessed significant evolution, adapting to multiple format that cater to different segments of cricket enthusiasts.While some nations with a history of producing champion teams are encountering difficulties in sustaining the game, others facing internal conflicts have managed to field teams that defeated cricketing powerhouses in world cups.
With its talented players and devoted fan base, Indian cricket has transformed into a prominent financial force. Such is its influence that it holds the ability to shape the future of the sport, and the individual brand value of its players can be utilized to advocate for and secure a spot in prestigious events like the Olympics. As a testament to this, the International Olympics Association has recognized the significance of cricket and intends to incorporate it into the 2028 edition of the Olympic Games.
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has effectively capitalized on the game's popularity and financial potential, transforming Indian cricket into a lucrative enterprise. Not only does this benefit the BCCI itself, but it also generates substantial revenue for other cricket boards, players and cricket investors. The immense popularity of Indian cricket is evident from the packed stadiums and high broadcasting viewership whenever the Indian cricket team plays. Nevertheless, I believe that the BCCI has been fortunate in its success and still has much work to do to further develop the game within and outside of India. In this write-up, I would like to propose a few ideas for consideration. I welcome your comments and feedback on these suggestions.
Since the inception of the T20 World Cup in 2008, there has been a noticeable decline in the performance of some traditionally dominant cricket teams at the international level. This has led me to believe that teams can now be categorized into three tiers based on their quality. Shifting the focus to domestic cricket, the BCCI has been instrumental in organizing a significant number of matches. For instance, in the 22-23 season, around 1500 matches were played, and more than 1800 matches are planned for the 23-24 season across various categories including Men's, Women's,Under-25, and Under-19 matches (excluding IPL matches). However, despite this extensive domestic cricket structure, there exists a substantial gap in quality between teams like Mumbai and Assam, for example. This is an area where I believe the BCCI should intervene and support states and countries in cultivating and nurturing high-quality cricket sides.
Proposal 1: The Indian cricket team possesses a wealth of talent and depth within its player pool. To leverage this advantage, it is proposed that a season begins with three teams competing against each other. A point system would be employed and based on this , 3 proper balanced team will be formed (Team A, B and C).
A proposed structure entails Team A competing against Category A teams both at home and away, while Team B faces Category B teams in a similar manner. Team C engages in bilateral series against Category C teams in away fixtures but plays test matches in a bilateral and limited over matches in Tri/Quad series format at home. By implementing this series, cricket boards can address player burnout concerns, offer regular opportunities for other boards to face against competitive Indian team, and enhance the competitiveness of their own sides. Additionally, the BCCI can generate more revenue through this structure and allocate it towards game development. Moreover, players will benefit from increased opportunities to represent India, as more players can earn national caps and regularly participate in international cricket. This heightened competition among players ultimately contributes to their overall growth as well.
Proposal 2 : The BCCI currently operates only one high performance centre, the NCA in Bengaluru, relying on state and zonal camps to groom talented individuals. However, many Indian states with limited cricketing heritage find it challenging to assemble competitive teams for domestic tournaments. Players from these states must be then naturally blessed and lucky to be coached by passionate coaches to get attention and play for Nation. To address this disparity, it is crucial to implement periodic measures such as establishing additional high-performance centres. Priority should be given to states lacking adequate cricket infrastructure. Moreover, the BCCI should utilize its financial resources to establish sports-focused colleges that specialize in areas like sports medicine, nutrition, and skills development related to sports such as commentary, umpiring, and coaching.
Proposal 3 : There are 38 teams in the country ( I am of the opinion , we need to eliminate teams like Railways and Services as in yester year players took to sports to get jobs in these sectors which may not be the case going forward ) . We should replace these teams with 2 associate nations. BCCI conducts both red ball and White ball tournaments for Women , Men, age category, and college tournaments All major tournaments for Men , should be extended to the Women players. Ranji Trophy, which is the premier red ball tournament for Men, is currently played in Elite, Plate division format, which I believe, will only further the skill gap between the team, instead should follow the Syed Mushtaq Ali format of having 5 groups and teams within the group playing each other once , top 2 from each team qualifying for Knockout. A similar format should be adopted for age group also.
Last year or before , I saw Mumbai team tour Oman and play them before their start of the domestic season, this should be adopted by all teams , wherein they go on foreign tours giving players exposure on foreign soil, which will not help boost the national base of players but help associate nations in their cricketing journey.
Proposal 4 : When reflecting on an exceptional cricket match, we often appreciate outstanding batting or bowling performances, but we tend to overlook the essence of a joyous crowd and the captivating voices of expert commentators, especially when watching on TV. Indian domestic cricket has long missed the vibrant atmosphere created by a live crowd and the magic woven by commentators. The BCCI should consider taking steps to bring back the excitement of the crowd. One way to engage the crowd is by waiving the entry fee for domestic matches. Taking inspiration from countries like New Zealand, where crowds are rewarded for catching sixes hit towards them, we should explore similar initiatives. For instance, lucky attendees of domestic matches could receive tickets for international matches, enjoy special experiences like lunch with superstar players, spend a day with Indian cricket team or receive signed memorabilia from them. Another suggestion to enhance the fan experience is to legalize in-ground betting. For example, spectators could contribute a small amount, like 5 rupees, which would be pooled together. Winners would then be chosen through a lucky draw, and the prize money would come from the collected pot. These ideas present a unique opportunity for fan engagement and adds to the overall excitement of the game. By implementing these ideas, the BCCI can create a more captivating and inclusive atmosphere for domestic cricket matches, reinvigorating the joy of being a part of the live crowd and heightening the overall experience for cricket enthusiasts.
I am proposing these to BCCI, as an ardent fan of cricket.World cups , may be a good tournaments to popularize the game , but it is not enough for taking the game forward.I feel BCCI should grab the opportunity at hand , which ECB and ACB missed in the past, to propel the game of cricket to new heights domestically and internationally.
