An Open Letter To Mr.Lalit Modi

From

The IPL-Frenzy Common Man

India

 

To

Mr. Lalit Modi

The Fugleman

The Helm of Decision Making Excellence

SUB:-My Report Card on your move to shift the IPL out of India.

Sir,

  My identity is something that is synonymous to the passion towards cricket that every Indian has. I am that Indian who is vociferously and wildly passionate about the game that almost unites the people of our country. More recently, i.e. in 2008, this very zeal towards the game took a new dimension with the advent of your multi-million dollar baby, the Indian Premier League. And as you would certainly have observed with delight, it has struck the proper chord in the hearts of us cricket fans, not just in India but across the globe. Your IPL has had overwhelmingly positive repercussions.

Your latest move of shifting the second instalment of the Indian Premier League out of India, due to understandable reasons, has incurred both flak as well as approbation from the Indian public. Some have very interestingly deduced that this can be compared to serving Idly-Sambar in an African hotel. I, however, hold the view that this decision of yours is a directorial masterstroke. I, for one did not opine that the implacable demeanour of the Home Ministry and the concerned states with regard to security for the IPL was justified. Their obstinacy was indeed hazardous, as we see the implications of it today.

Your fearless act of snubbing the Government for their persistent tenacity and deciding to go ahead with the tournament in another country is worthy of optimum praise and appreciation. However, the censure of the public with this decision of yours is indeed irksome. Quite understandably, the people of India are miffed with this move of yours. I've heard you state that this has been the toughest decision of your life but that will do little to diminish the resentment of the people of an IPL-crazy nation like ours. Certain questions that I know are arbitrarily being put to the fore cannot be suppressed. Would the venues of the states which had agreed to host the IPL not have sufficed? Was this really your best step forward? Did you jump the gun a little too early? Would it have been more prudent of you to wait for a couple of days and then take the call, given that most of the states had actually agreed to your revised itinerary? Did you not have a plan-B in place, very well conscious of the fact that the IPL would clash with the polls this year?

However, your equanimity and fortitude in trying times is praise-worthy. That you acknowledged and ensured the IPL took place in these difficult circumstances is an achievement by itself. Mr. Modi, if I ever owned a hat, I'd take it off for you!

I would have no trepidation whatsoever in stating indubitably that the IPL this year will be a sensational one. The prospect of playing this fantastic, eye-catching tournament in a country like South Africa adds an entirely new dimension to your aspiration. The lush green lawns of those flawless South African grounds, the image of exuberance and cheer that is attributed to the country and its cricketing infrastructure will add gild to your tournament. Added to this is the variation in the playing conditions, especially in terms of extra bounce in South Africa, when compared to those in the Sub-Continent. The batsmen-friendly conditions in South Africa that will ensure T20 cricket at its enthralling best will provide a fascinating dose of entertainment to us back home even though we can't actually be there. And gosh...how can I forget? The greatest advantage for you and your enterprise in this exercise is the globalization of the League, invoking greater support and setting up a permanent fan base in South Africa. The kind of support and publicity the league would be getting from local South Africans as well as NRIs will be unprecedented.

Personally speaking, I am for your decision, although I would have, as an ardent cricket fan, loved to see the Semi-Finals and the Final held in India. Never mind though...all said and done...I think you have hit the Government for a huge six. The ball has disappeared from the stadium and I hope you will never make the effort of retrieving it.

My good wishes are with you, Mr. Modi...all the best!

Thanking You

Yours in the hope of a sensational IPL 2

Vociferous IPL admirer.

P.S:-Do ensure that the ingredients of the Sambar are well in place...and do not overcook the Idlis!