The auctions for players for IPL3 took place today and the television 'news' channels having nothing more worthwhile to do, hammered on our heads, eyes and ears about the same.
By the time the auction ended, none of the 11 players from Pakistan was picked by any of the franchise.This incident dominated the evening and prime time news shows.
Some players from Pakistan called it a 'conspiracy' while others felt sorry for the Indians being unable to witness those talented players in action.Conspiracy because the Pakistan players would have been available for the entire IPL3.Pakistan is the defending T20 World Champions which would have made the players from that country a definite value addition to any team.
There are two reasons which I feel made the team owners develop cold feet when bidding for the Pakistan players.
In the first place, there is no certainty that players from across the border would have been available to play given that the government has never made it clear about the granting of visas.So like any shrewd businessman, the teams put the money where it was really worth and were not prepared to take any risk in the face of uncertainty.This is sound business.
Secondly, the team owners wanted to make a politically correct statement, even as the interest of the country comes next to self interest for them. In this atmosphere where jingoism rules the air, it might come in handy to keep clear from any future controversy.Looks like the team owners want a certificate of appreciation from the likes of Bal Thackeray.
This is a perfect case study where sound business and political correctness have successfully cleared the SWOT test.
So much for 'chaddi' (T20) cricket!.
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