It says something about the extent to which money has taken over the gentleman’s game that the IPL, the annual Twenty20 cricket tournament that features eight teams, has just lost a quarter of its contestants. India’s highest court handed down two-year bans to Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals after officials were found guilty of gambling on matches. Life bans from cricket-related activities were also imposed on the son-in-law of the Chennai franchise owner and one of the co-owners of Rajasthan Royals.
It goes without saying that there will be a decided gap in the six-week tournament with the enforced absence of the two teams. But the biggest void goes beyond temporary absences. It is about the hollowed spirit of a game that is considered noble, with exemplary values and a fiercely held spirit of fair play.
Scandals such as this only devalue the game and it is the fans who lose out. Having faithfully supported these glitzy franchises, supporters now find their clubs lacked integrity.
