IPL to take place outside India

It took the BCCI ever so long to realize that the Indian government was reluctant to provide clearance for the Indian Premier League Season 2 - DLF IPL 2009 . From the outset, it was obvious that the Home Ministry was dragging its feet on the issue of security and the fact that the draw was asked to be revised, not once but twice, made it abundantly clear that the IPL 2009 would be a no show. Ultimately, the decision to shift this year's tournament to South Africa (very likely) or England has triggered reactions of many hues.

Unsurprisingly, the reactions have ranged from outright condemnation of the government for 'conceding victory' to terrorism and the BCCI itself for insisting on the IPL coinciding with the general elections in the post-Lahore environment. The 'third front' that has evoked as much debate is the decision to conduct IPL, basically a domestic tournament, on foreign soil.

Purely from a National perspective, the government cannot be faulted for giving precedence to the general elections over a cricket tournament. On the other hand, its refusal or rather a tacit admission of its inability to provide security to an event involving a bunch of international sports persons has shown up India in poor light. Yes, the Lahore incident might have been a major factor, but then, within a couple of weeks after the Mumbai attacks, we hosted a full Test series against England.

Honestly, it is difficult to take a firm stand on the issue as one also needs to keep in perspective the high stakes game that is the IPL. The moneys involved are colossal as also the business commitments to the eight franchises and of course, the TV rights. That the IPL organizers were willing to invest in 80 bullet proof vehicles to transport the players and teams reflected their determination to go ahead with the tournament regardless.

The point is that the government is and will always be supreme. Its refusal to clear the Indian cricket team's tour of Pakistan in January proved correct in the wake of the Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan players. When the dates for the elections were announced, it became obvious that the IPL would take a hit. But I wonder why the Home Ministry kept humming and hawing when it knew the security requirements for the elections. It could have come out in the open at the first opportunity and taken a firm stand rather than needlessly dragging the issue for nearly a fortnight.

It is pointless now to go on and on about the government's rather coy behaviour as it will not change the scenario. One can only speculate whether politics had anything to do with the government's stand, but rather get on with life as the Board has decided to.

As regards conducting a 'home' event abroad, it is an uncharted territory even though many international matches have been played at neutral venues. Pakistan, in particular, played some of their 'home' series on foreign soil. But for a domestic tournament to be played abroad is different. Like the 2008 IPL, we are entering into the unknown and perhaps, it might set a trend or even jettison the tournament into becoming a truly international spectacle.

However, the logistics of assembling eight teams comprising of players of different nationalities can be mind-boggling, but given the Board's financial muscle it is certainly within its realms. What about costs? Well, who cares so long as the show hits the road as scheduled and the business commitments are met. Never mind the economic slowdown and the global meltdown. For the Board, the IPL is far too hot and has proven to be a money-spinner. At the end of the day, I guess, money talks the loudest.

To be fair to the Board, the dates for the 2009 IPL were announced months ago, much before the elections were scheduled. Deals were struck and commitments made. From purely a business perspective, it is well nigh impossible to change course at short notice. We might berate the Board and the IPL for putting commerce before everything else, but then, like it or not, cricket has evolved into an industry and a viable business proposition.

As to whether the IPL held in South Africa or England would be a success, remains to be seen. I wouldn't go into issues such as Indian fans and what they might be missing out on, for it is a fruitless exercise. However, I am pretty certain that the IPL 2009 will not generate the kind of passion and following the inaugural version it did. It will be akin to playing in front of empty stands.