I don't think the scandals will have serious impact on cricket lovers. We may lose faith in the IPL but certainly not in the game. For me and for most of the cricket fans, the game matters, not the individuals.
A.T.K. Rishi
Class 10, Teja Vidyalaya, Kodad
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Cricket is the only sport which has gained such popularity in India. I agree that scandals are disappointments but we must remember that it is a game with great deal of integrity. There are talented and respectful players and officials. So we have to try and remember this as well and support cricket.
M.V. Ramanan,
Class 11, Sri Vageesha Vidhyashram, Sri Rangam
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After India won the 1983 World Cup, cricket became more popular. However, it is true that people have started losing faith in the game. Once it started becoming more than just a sport and started involving money such as the IPL tournaments, corruption started creeping in. Still, I would not say that Indian cricket has completely lost its sheen, as India seems to have a big fan group for cricket.
Rahul Jain,
Class 12, Chennai Public School, Thirumazhisai
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Cricket is one of the most popular games in India and people can be seen playing it right from the streets to the stadium. I don’t think scandals will change the mindset of a cricket lover. It might affect their faith on the players if they are found guilty.
P. Renee Sharon,
Class 8, All Saints High School, Hyderabad
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Yes, scandals like the IPL may make one lose faith in the game.
Shubhashree P,
Class 9, St. Francis Desales Public School, Bengaluru
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The mindset of people regarding cricket has been changing since scandals. Earlier, politicians alone were considered corrupt. It is a humble request from this tiny heart to the cricketers to stop corruption. Everything is up to them — the destruction or the restoration!
Steffy V.,
Class 10, Excel Central School, Thiruvattar.
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Yes, cricket enjoys prominence over games like football and basketball. But the ‘match fixing’ instances have really put fans off.
Vibhor Jain
Class 10, Jindal Vidya Mandir, Bellary
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Cricket is like a religion in our country. Scandals related to the game has shattered people’s belief in the players and the game.
B.S.V Ranga Rajan,
Class 10, Viswabharati English Medium High School, Gudivada
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Cricket is considered as a ‘money-making’ game. No doubt children are encouraged to excel in cricket than any other sport. Match-fixing has spoiled the excitement of watching a fair game.
Sakshi Kulkarni
Class 10, Jindal Vidya Mandir, Bellary
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In India, cricket is a 'religion' and cricketers are 'deities'. Though tennis, kabbadi and other games have slowly won over many hearts, cricket will remain the No. 1. Cricket affects people’s emotions. So in such a scenario, even a small black mark could break fans’ hearts. Then imagine the impact of scandals like the IPL one!
Sanjana B.A.
Class 10, Prarthana Central School, Bengaluru
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Media plays an important role in popularising cricket. Of course, scandals affect people. But they might lose faith in a particular player or team but not in the game. The love for cricket will not diminish.Saishweta Muruganant
Class V, SSVM World School, Coimbatore
Cricket is the only sport that unites India from North to South to West to East. It is not a bad to like a sport and be crazy about it but why does that craziness has to limit itself to cricket alone? Every other person I meet is a cricket fan. It makes me wonder why the Government has not declared cricket as the national sport already. And the media goes gaga about the players and their personal life. We are exposed to so much about cricket. I hardly know anything about chess; I came to know about Mary Kom only because of the film on her.
When India fails to bag the World cup, people get angry and start shouting slogans and what not. But when the sons and daughters of the same country win golds and silvers and come back, many a times, there is no one at the airport to greet them. Why this prejudice? No, I do not wish to belong to this cricket maniac crowd. And I do not want to be ignorant. I wish to know every name that brought glory to the country playing the sport they love the most.
Ispita Borah
Class 10, Jindal Vidya Mandir, Bellary
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Cricket was actually interesting when everything was unexpected and nothing was 'fixed'. The introduction of new leagues and a vast number of new players has made it boring .
Srivathsa. M,
Class 10, Jindal Vidya Mandir, Bellary