Last week, as the South African cricket team arrived in
Bangladesh for 2 T20s, 3 One Day Internationals and 2 Test Matches, Faf du
Plessis told the press that one of the reasons why South Africa has done so
well in the subcontinent in the recent past is the positive influence of IPL
(Indian Premier League). He told press “It’s one of the biggest reasons we’ve
done well here”.
It’s in a way heartening to hear something positive about the
IPL from someone who is representing probably one of the best teams in the
world. And what he said makes sense: without IPL, a team like South Africa
visits the subcontinent once in a while and it would take some time for them to
adjust to the conditions. Even the best in the world has struggled here.
Since 2010, South Africa has won three of the eight Tests,
16 of 28 ODIs and 11 of 17 T20Is on the subcontinent.
From their current T20 team, nine players played in the IPL
this year.
While above make sense, you wonder if IPL has actually
helped the host nation too? After all, the front end agenda or the objective of
IPL was to let the youngsters get exposure to play with international
cricketers and take that experience forward to their performance for National
Team, right?
During the Opening Ceremony of IPL season 8, Sourav Ganguly
said that “IPL has done wonders for Indian Cricket”. Though I agree that an IPL
is better than no IPL at all, as it helps so many young cricketers who may or
may not make the final 11 or final 15 of the National Team, to enjoy cricket
with Indian and International stars and also earn good money, But “IPL working
wonders for Indian Cricket”. Am I missing something or people are just paid to
say what they are supposed to say?
Let’s compare the performance of Indian Cricket Team in both
tests and one day internationals between pre IPL Period and Post IPL. And for
the sake of really testing the capabilities of the team with respect to
challenging situations, let’s compare their performance outside home,
especially in England, Australia and South Africa. Because this has been the week
area for Indian Cricket and we all know about it.
IPL was founded in 2008, so as per Sourav’s claims, it must
have planted its improvement since 2009? Hypothetically at least. Let’s compare
Test Cricket Team’s Performance First:
From 2002 to 2008 (6 seasons), Indian team managed to
register “One Test Series Win, 2
Series were drawn and they Lost 2”. This includes a test series win in
England and a Series in Australia ending 1 match each. They lost only in
England, by one match.
Then came IPL and from 2009 till date they “haven’t won a single test series in these
countries, drawn 2 and lost 5!” This includes miserable whitewashes in
England and Australia. The way they lost in England and Australia during 2011
and 12, it’s hard to understand what Sourav is saying.
May be I should not talk about test cricket? Though that
should be the first priority if you are a cricketer, right? But anyhow, maybe
he was suggesting one day cricket performance? Let’s see about that. From 2002
and 2008 again, Indian team managed to “Win
3 one day series in Australia and England”. Where as from 2008 until
now, they have “Won 2”. More
or less same? Or worse?
If we talk about World Cups, during the pre IPL period,
India was finalist in One and Lost out in Group Stage in West Indies. During
the Post IPL period, they Won a cup and reached one semifinal. The cup they won
was obviously in India, as you know. One noticeable achievement was winning
champions trophy in England. But that’s about it, that stands out.
I still don’t understand how IPL has done Wonders to Indian
Cricket. Do you?
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