While I am the first to admit that the IPL has numerous faults, isn’t it going a bit too far to say that it is fixed? Yes, it is long, so long that it seems to stretch on forever and ever and ever. The team names are odd to say the least, and some of the jerseys are just atrocious. Then, there’s the shameless commercialization of cricket. And lest I forget, the fact that certain players hold their boards ransom because of it. Or, it could be something as simple as your team constantly underachieving. The reasons go on and on, like a summer fling; the IPL loses its allure all too quickly.

I know how tough it is to support a team with Sreesanth in it. I understand why the IPL irritates you. And, because I am broad-minded, I can also understand why it appeals to you. What I don’t understand is this. What is your angst with the players and this great game? To say that the IPL is fixed is to spit in the face of cricket, and the people who play it.

Every self-respecting cricket fan who isn’t Australian would have hated Ricky Ponting’s guts at some point or another. I know I did. Where did he get off scoring runs all the time, being hard-as-nails, leading a champion team, spitting on his hands and generally demolishing all opponents? Ponting has been called every name under the sun, but nobody ever accused him of not giving 150% every time he went out to play.

You incessantly follow the IPL. You’re probably Indian. All Indian cricket fans know that Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest batsman ever. We also like Rahul Dravid. MS Dhoni won us the World Cup, so the average fan is pretty fond of him as well. Apart from the aforementioned 3, we have our individual favourites; Sehwag, Gambhir, Kohli, Raina, Yuvraj, Ashwin, Harbhajan, Zaheer. By saying that the IPL is fixed, you are questioning the integrity of your heroes. You are implying that they would disrespect the game that has given them everything to make a quick buck. They are better than that. And if you are a true cricket fan, surely you are too?

Jacques Kallis. Michael Hussey. Mahela Jayawardene. Kumar Sangakkara. Dale Steyn. Morne Morkel. AB De Villiers. Shane Watson. The list goes on. How dare you question their motives? Chris Gayle might have turned his back on the WICB, but as I recall, he never turned his back on cricket. He may have chosen club over country, but he always gave his best, no matter where he was playing. Maybe it has slipped your keen eye, but Salman Butt is not playing in the IPL.

Some may argue that domestic players, the no-names, are susceptible to corruption. After all, they have the most to gain, and nothing to lose. Closed case, right? Wrong. Because they, as no-names, would not want to jeopardize their chances of recognition and further association with the franchise by under-performing. They have everything to lose, as if caught, they lose cricket forever. Sure, some might under-perform for money. One black sheep in every flock, right?

Yes, the IPL is not perfect. Some of the players playing in it are mediocre, at best. It is overrated. But, it is still cricket. A cover-drive is still gorgeous, a leg-break is still wily and a genuine fast bowler is still exhilarating.

If you truly believe that it is fixed, my sincere suggestion to you is this – GO WATCH ANOTHER SPORT. Yes, cricket needs fans, but not fans like you. The game is poorer for people like you having watched it.

Yours sincerely,Yazad Z. Aria

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