Cricket, Film Stars and Controversies

Breaking News of the Day "Shahrukh Khan Banned from Entering Wankhede Stadium for Life".

This case may really create a divide between the True Cricket Fans and those who are Fans of the Movie Stars.  We all know that there is a pretty close tie between Cricket and Film Stars. Starting from the yesteryear's Star Sharmila Tagore and Cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan of Pataudi to Sangeeta Bijlani and Azharruddin, we have witnessed the love stories, then we had the cricketers like Sandeep Patil Ajay Jadeja, Kapil Dev and others featuring in various movies.  With IPL, these ties went deeper with various stars getting associated with the IPL teams.  

Whether in past or in present, the Film Stars have got special treatment may it be by media or by their Fans. The Film Stars have always been portrayed with larger than life pictures and some of them have not been able to digest that they too can be subjected to rules and regulations. In case of Cricket and getting associated with IPL, some of these stars adjusted to the rules and regulations and some still lived in the "Aura" of their Larger than Life Picture.  It needs to be remembered that such controversial altercations will not only destroy their public image and would not impact the popularity of either IPL or Cricket in general.  Cricket for that matter had always is known as Gentlemen's game, and when one get's associated with Cricket he or she is expected to abide by the rules and regulations governing the game, the players and the officials around.

Though the news is fresh and even BCCI is expected to conduct an internal inquiry on the case, the decision by the Mumbai Cricket is certainly commendable.  When it comes to Games and Sports, no-one is above them.  It is really a good example that MCA has set by treating Shahrukh Khan like just another Ordinary Person and not like any Celebrity.  

Though, the final proceedings from BCCI and Mumbai Police are still to be witnessed as to how they take the things forward and what is the outcome of the case.

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Interestingly one of the Tweets that I read "It would be awesome to see Shahrukh Khan Buying the Wankhede Stadium  and throwing out the officials from there". It is certainly not in the good spirits by that particular fan of Shahrukh Khan and certainly not in good taste for the Game.

IPL Controversies

So finally the news channels are abuzz with the set of controversies that started looming over the cash rich IPL. All started with the alleged sting operations by one of the TV News Channel India TV.  How much truth is there in the video is still to be evaluated as n past also another sting operation by the same News Channel was widely criticized by the Media in general.  

Just to add the vows of IPL Management and BCCI, the controversial mis-behavior and altercation between the "Super Star" and the Mumbai Cricket Association's Staff at Wankhede Stadium has taken the limelight.  The morning news at almost all the channels read "Breaking News - Shahrukh Khan Banned from Wankhede Stadium", the news papers read various versions about the altercations representing the altercation between "Drunk" Shahrukh Khan and the MCA Officials.  Interestingly one of the officials made a statement that the altercations happened in presence of BCCI Official and ACP of Mumbai Police.  

As I glanced through the news channels and news papers, I noted that Mumbai Police did record the statements of the MCA Officials, but had not taken a decision on recording the statement of Shahrukh Khan.  Another aspect that unveiled is MCA has Banned Shahrukh Khan from entering the premises of Wankhede Stadium "For Life". The various versions that have come to the public domain are all from the MCA's side and from Mumbai Police.  There is not even a single statement from Shahrukh Khan or any of his associates.  It would be interesting to know what comes out from them.

And They Say Cricket is Gentleman's Game

From the time I have known Cricket, sledging in the game has been associated as one of the key tactical activity.  Yeah generally its been the fielders around the Batsman who have been the culprits to get into the act of sledging.  Certainly Bowlers have to snare at the Batsman after every delivery that leaves Batsman far and Wide from his Shot selection.

I was not born in the era of Sir Don Bradman though or have not known if Cricket was clean before I started understanding the game.  But certainly from the time I remember, the sort of sledging that goes between the players, it can't be a Gentleman's game. No way!!!!

However, I understand that sledging is used as a tactic aimed at unsettling the Batsman by breaking his concentration, so may be we may tend to discount that part.  But how about the On Field misdemeanor by the players, how about abusive behavior against the officials and how about the disrespect towards the Ground Staff?  Certainly these can't be taken as a Gentleman's Behavior.

I would not go too far, I would just bring up the incident that happened after recent IPL match between RCB and RR where RR lost to RCB by 10 wickets.  Now as per the reports Mr. Warne used abusive language with Rajasthan Cricket Board Official Mr Dixit.  Now this certainly is uncalled for under any circumstance and moreover, the only NOT SO Favorable thing that Mr. Dixit did was Not to heed to Mr. Warne's message of getting a favorable pitch for the match, the one with low and slow bounce.  Ah How Convenient Mr. Warne, if you want to win the match, with them with your game and not by asking favors.  So what if it was your Last IPL Match.  Totally an UnGentleman behavior and an act of dishonesty, that too when you were the Captain of the Team Rajasthan Royals. Mr. Warne you need to understand that Rajasthan is known for the respect it showers on others and am sure you must have experienced it.  Rajasthan is known for its Honesty and Pride, and after your act, I am sure you wouldn't even understand what that means.

But yeah this incident again proves - Cricket is certainly not the game of Gentlemen any more. And if you think, please look back at the Betting and Match Fixing Saga, or do I need to elaborate that for you?? Am sure Not (wink)