R. Ashwin, who was away from the VIVO IPL-10 spotlight for six weeks to sort out a sports hernia ailment, speaks about the biggest Indian Twenty20 event after the CEAT awards function.
“From my point of view, IPL has done only good for Indian cricket. There could be different opinions and we can argue over it till the cows come home. As far as I am concerned, a lot players from other countries have echoed the same feeling about the amount of talent India has displayed through the IPL.
“It’s going to continue to happen, but the key points from the IPL is to identify the talented players, nurture them and give them enough opportunities. I sound a little bit like an old man here, but that’s how I came through the system ... ranks. We have to provide them with adequate facilities and the time span to force themselves into the international scene.
“There is an unfortunate time gap between one IPL and another. What these players go through is an emotional roller-coaster over a period of time. All of a sudden they start through the IPL. And at the end of the day, what we need to realise is that the IPL is an Indian domestic tournament launched in a global scale where people get identified. But they go through a season full of Ranji Trophy and the domestic grind when you don’t find the necessary amount of travelling facilities, hotel stays, practice facilities.
“And we know how challenging the wickets can be in first class cricket and a couple of knocks here and there. I would like to reiterate that we have to identify the talents, nurture them and make sure that they are good at what they do.
“Come another IPL they would be still good enough to strike the ball. You cannot put the psychological scars and not nurture them ... they have to be managed through small camps and provide opportunities to go abroad, try and train them in conditions that would be very challenging.
Size of bats
“Clamp down on size of bats to bring balance between bat and ball: Rule changes are welcome; it was going out of proportion. But the bat-making technology has gone so far ahead that I don’t think that the size change will actually have an impromptu effect as soon as we think it will. Where I think there can be a real contribution is having grounds which are of proper size that they can facilitate to still remain the same size.
“There are sponsorship boards and then the perimeter board and it goes on...it becomes kind of ridiculous to be honest. Even this IPL I saw a lot of shots lob over the fielder and go for six off clear mishits. These incidents actually make a bowler lose courage over a period of time, you don’t want to bowl that particular ball that will fetch you a wicket, especially a spinner.
“Use of football style cards as a disciplinary measure: I think it will give us more reasons to scrutinise the game. It’s going to bring in more complications into the game. I think the players have to take responsibility and exhibit class, quality and character and try and be an ambassador for the game.
