An eye for an eye-PL

Crickmicks amaze me and bring in the big Q- Why do I follow these matches ardently? Every time I am in front of the idiot box to watch a match, I had had to swap names with it. I am crazy about the game, I don’t know if it’s fair to use the present tense anymore because I have the television right in front of me with the Indo-Pak match going on and I am not even bothered. There was this time when I used to get glued to my seat in front of the TV set whenever India played, even if it was with the easiest of our rivals. The excitement of an India- Pakistan match needs no explanation. And now, when India has slaughtered the Pak team with 330 runs on board and Pak struggling with only 180 and 9 wickets down. And India wins! Pakistan 190 all out...applaud, over and out!
So what is the matter now? Where is all that "Its an India-Pak match today and i want to take off from work" gone ?
I wonder if it’s the post-IPL effect and all those gimmicks that came along with it- Bhaji slapping, Sree crying...Yuck! King Khan's tiff with Dada, the Royally Challenged fiasco with Charu getting fired..What not!
Oh yeah, not to forget the Mumbai Non-Indian cheer leaders and the length of their skirts, which was blown out of proportion. Thanks to the media. Thanckeray.
The game is finding new ways to take the seriousness out of it. It started with the Mand-era and her bloopers. But, she managed catching many an eye with those noodle straps and tri-colour saris. Some were caught, while some others clean bowled.
We are getting an overdose of the game and its getting on my nerves. Its all about the money now, however, the effort to raise it to the EPL (English Premier League) level is still a little far fetched. I can still take the game and the players, even while they are on the ramp, but what I cannot take is the intrusion of Bollywood. Why can’t each one stick to ones own profession and enjoy the game back home. Be a fan and no more. We don't need film stars sitting around, deciding the strategies of the team and reviewing the game plan for crying out loud.
Cricket is considered a religion in this country, (a) coz we are good at it (b) coz of the massive fan-following. I can’t think of more reasons at this stage, but am sure there are many more.
The IPL, which is the brainchild of the BCCI, is backed by the ICC (International Cricket Council). I don't know why it should be "the great revenue generator" for the already richest cricketing body in the world. But, it will be nice to see half of the dough going to charity, some of it going to the development of other games and sports in the country and only the remaining shared among the cricketers, the board and the body.
And then I would love to endorse it- "An eye for an IPL match".
*Issued in public interest.