Foul Play!

This IPL has had more drama than excitement. The 28-run over courtesy Albie Morkel or that fiery exhibition of fast bowling by Dale Steyn or an over full of class exhibited through 6 fours all round the ground by Ajinkya Rahane standout as performances of this season or perhaps the best ever in the tournament's history. But for a drama, you need people to perform negative roles too. Unfortunately, we have had our bunch of players volunteering for that. 

Mumbai Indians had come into the tournament as favorites. A couple of good buys in the auction and the presence of two of the most intimidating players in the 20-over format made up for a strong team on paper. But when you have a bowler who is equally short-tempered as his skipper, throwing the ball down in protest to a wrong umpiring decision, you know clearly that it's not cricket that is being played out in the middle. Not only did Harbhajan Singh clearly give a piece of his mind to the umpire, but also encouraged Munaf Patel to do the same. Harbhajan's IPL indiscipline were already in the news 4 years ago, when he slapped another team mate. But at least now, as captain, there was to be a bit more maturity expected from someone who has been the lead bowler of the national team for quite a long time. Clearly, Harbhajan was in no mood to behave even remotely as the man whom he was replacing as captain. More than that, Sachin's presence as an individual was missed on the field. For the man himself has been at the receiving end of many such umpiring errors. And in each of those situations, forget a change in temper, not even a word was spoken in protest. 

Ravichandran Ashwin is following exactly on the same path as Harbhajan. After becoming the lead spinner of the national side, he has forgotten the knack to take wickets, merely being in the side as a bowler who can contain the runs. But that's just not it. When he tried 'Mankading' Steven Smith in the match against Pune Warriors India and later charged into him for an apparently heard 'swear' word, it was clear that Ashwin had succeeded Bhajji in every sense. The umpire's presence between the two was only physical. Ashwin took no notice. The law of averages had definitely struck Chennai Super Kings, who had been winning the Fairplay award many times previously. It was evident in their second match itself when Doug Bollinger tried multiple times to block Naman Ojha while the latter was trying to get to his crease to complete a run. 

We have imported a lot of things from the football premier leagues. The league format in itself, regional clubs, foreign players and the transfer window. It is time we borrowed the concept of yellow and red cards from them as well. At least introduce the concept in IPL. The concept is clearly not new to cricket as Billy Bowden had already 'red-carded' Glen McGrath although jokingly. Now as players get serious about their attitudes, let the refereeing also get serious. Ban a bowler from completing his over by showing a yellow -card. Send him off the field by showing him a red-card. Something similar for batsmen and fielders will be a more innovative idea to IPL matches than that stupid 'Time Out' break. And there can even be sponsors for the cards. Although I feel sad that such measures have to be taken in a gentleman's game. 

I think the Fairplay rating is a good measure as of now. The ones on the top don't interest me. If you come and play the game normally you remain at the top. Fairplay points are not won. Rather they are lost due to indifferent behavior on the field.