NEW DELHI: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to 2 Indian Premier League (IPL) trophies in 2012 and 2014, feels that the introduction of the event has been the very best factor to have ever occurred to Indian cricket within the final couple of years.
“IPL is the best thing that has happened to Indian cricket. I can say this with all my senses. There has been a lot of backlash regarding IPL since it started. Every time Indian cricket does not do well, the blame comes on IPL, which is not fair. If we don’t perform well in ICC tournaments, blame the players, blame the performance, but it is unfair to point fingers at the IPL,” Gambhir mentioned on the sidelines of the TURF2022 & India Sports Awards of FICCI on Saturday.
Gambhir, who represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is, aside from 154 IPL matches, threw mild on how there may be monetary safety amongst gamers as a result of creation of the IPL. “A sportsman can only earn till he is 35-36. IPL provides with financial security which is equally important.”
The former left-handed batter, who works as the worldwide mentor of Lucknow and Durban Super Giants franchises within the IPL and SA20 leagues, praised the BCCI for using Indian coaches over the previous few years to steer the nationwide aspect and wished to see extra Indian coaches working in IPL.
“One good thing that has happened in Indian cricket is that Indians have started coaching the Indian national cricket team now. I strongly believe (an) Indian should coach the Indian team. All these foreign coaches, who we gave a lot of importance to, come here to make money and then they vanish. Emotions are important in sports. The only people who can be emotional about Indian cricket are the ones who have represented their country.”
“I am a mentor of Lucknow Super Giants. One thing I want to change is that I want to see all Indian coaches in IPL. Because no Indian coach gets an opportunity in Big Bash or any other foreign league. India is a superpower in cricket, but our coaches do not get the opportunity anywhere. All the foreigners come here and get the top jobs. We are more democratic and flexible than other leagues. We need to give our people more opportunity.”
Gambhir, who can be a Lok Sabha MP from East Delhi, additional pressed the necessity for state governments to undertake the Odisha mannequin of encouraging different sports activities like Hockey and decide up one Olympic sport to advertise them of their respective states.
“Sports is going to play a massive role in the development of India. There is a need to engage young children in sports and physical activities instead of their electronic devices. Every state should pick up one sport as Odisha has done with Indian hockey. See where hockey has gone today. I know sports ministry is doing a lot and corporates are getting involved, but if each state picks up one sport and completely focuses on that, imagine where our Olympic sports are going to be.”
“If it is my way, probably the BCCI should also go on and give 50 percent of revenue to all other Olympic sports, though it is not my way. Because 50 percent of revenue that is generated out of cricket is enough for cricketers. But the rest of the 50 percent can actually pick up all the other sports.”
“IPL is the best thing that has happened to Indian cricket. I can say this with all my senses. There has been a lot of backlash regarding IPL since it started. Every time Indian cricket does not do well, the blame comes on IPL, which is not fair. If we don’t perform well in ICC tournaments, blame the players, blame the performance, but it is unfair to point fingers at the IPL,” Gambhir mentioned on the sidelines of the TURF2022 & India Sports Awards of FICCI on Saturday.
Gambhir, who represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is, aside from 154 IPL matches, threw mild on how there may be monetary safety amongst gamers as a result of creation of the IPL. “A sportsman can only earn till he is 35-36. IPL provides with financial security which is equally important.”
The former left-handed batter, who works as the worldwide mentor of Lucknow and Durban Super Giants franchises within the IPL and SA20 leagues, praised the BCCI for using Indian coaches over the previous few years to steer the nationwide aspect and wished to see extra Indian coaches working in IPL.
“One good thing that has happened in Indian cricket is that Indians have started coaching the Indian national cricket team now. I strongly believe (an) Indian should coach the Indian team. All these foreign coaches, who we gave a lot of importance to, come here to make money and then they vanish. Emotions are important in sports. The only people who can be emotional about Indian cricket are the ones who have represented their country.”
“I am a mentor of Lucknow Super Giants. One thing I want to change is that I want to see all Indian coaches in IPL. Because no Indian coach gets an opportunity in Big Bash or any other foreign league. India is a superpower in cricket, but our coaches do not get the opportunity anywhere. All the foreigners come here and get the top jobs. We are more democratic and flexible than other leagues. We need to give our people more opportunity.”
Gambhir, who can be a Lok Sabha MP from East Delhi, additional pressed the necessity for state governments to undertake the Odisha mannequin of encouraging different sports activities like Hockey and decide up one Olympic sport to advertise them of their respective states.
“Sports is going to play a massive role in the development of India. There is a need to engage young children in sports and physical activities instead of their electronic devices. Every state should pick up one sport as Odisha has done with Indian hockey. See where hockey has gone today. I know sports ministry is doing a lot and corporates are getting involved, but if each state picks up one sport and completely focuses on that, imagine where our Olympic sports are going to be.”
“If it is my way, probably the BCCI should also go on and give 50 percent of revenue to all other Olympic sports, though it is not my way. Because 50 percent of revenue that is generated out of cricket is enough for cricketers. But the rest of the 50 percent can actually pick up all the other sports.”