MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture 2014: Ian Botham’s ignorance about “slavery” in IPL

Ian Botham’s speech at the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture 2014 at Lord’s taking jibes at the Indian Premier League (IPL) referring to it as “too powerful” and something that “should be scrapped” led to an uproar in the cricketing circles, as anticipated.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) retorted at the legendary all-rounder’s remarks by raising the issue of his supposed links with the former Texas-based financier Allen Stanford when he established an IPL-inspired Twenty20 league in West Indies. Later, he was found guilty of duping investors through Ponzi schemes and is currently serving 110 years in the United States penitentiary.

But this is not the only problem with Botham’s speech. He also questioned the IPL for getting the best players world over without providing a monetary compensation to the respective cricket boards. But that is so factually incorrect. In reality, the BCCI pays an annual sum of ten million dollars to cricket boards to get the players on the auction list, as it was made cleare by Sanjay Patel, the BCCI secretary, in an interview to the press.

The Slaves remark

But, for me, the highlight of his speech is marked by one word. One word that he used intentionally; the word that summarized his whole argument against the IPL: his use of the term “slaves”. Perhaps Botham should check a dictionary to understand what it means.

Slavery is a system of exploitation in which men and women are sold and bought to be used for monetary gains. One who leads a life of a slave gets no chance to make a name for himself/herself. They have no free will. They do not have the option to pick the kind of life they would want to live and to come out of it, as well.

How can players become slaves to the IPL when they participate in it for the sole purpose of making a name for themselves in international cricket? How many cricket fans would claim to know who Sunil Narine was before they saw him take Kolkata Knight Riders towards the victory in the 2012 edition? The off-spinner is arguably the world’s best, now.

Why is Botham wrong?

Not only Narine, even Indian players like Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ambati Rayudu and many more got recognition to be selected for international matches through the IPL. South African team found a top notch striker in David Miller, Australian cricket team realized the best way to use players like David Warner and Shane Watson in international matches, all through IPL.

Who is the slave here? The players who, after struggling for years, are finally getting a chance in international games? Or the senior pros who are prolonging their careers in the sport they love?

These so-called slaves are truly creating a world for themselves. Who knows what would have happened to players like Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and many more if their skills in the game were not recognized on such a stage?

Maybe they would have just remained slaves to the long and tedious selection procedures that are prevalent in countries like India, England, South Africa and Australia where the sport is as popular as football in England. Instead, they have now got a chance to play the sport they love at the highest level; they have a chance to earn more money and more recognition. What is wrong with that?

Chill pill, Sir

Perhaps Botham thinks that the players are more interested and inclined towards playing the IPL than they are towards playing international games for the country. If that is what the 58-year-old feels about the players, then it’s the players who are at fault. Scrapping the IPL is not going to fix the priorities of the players. I consider this particular remark very insulting to the players who give their sweat, blood and tears to get selected for international fares. To say that they are not interested in playing these games is clearly misjudging the dedication of players.

Botham appears like an angry man who is losing his cool because of England’s abysmal performance in the ODIs. But to say that the players are not dedicated enough and to put the blame on the IPL does not sound appropriate to me. Also, perhaps the controversial cricketer’s scathing criticism comes out of his recognition of the “too powerful” IPL, which is clearly overpowering England’s top-ladder position in world cricket. Adding to it, an Indian – N. Srinivasan – is the ICC chief currently; Botham may have realised that the longer the IPL continues to grow, so will the power of Indian cricket board.

Perhaps it is that fear if his that makes him biased towards the IPL and makes him ask for it to be scrapped.

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