KEEP POLITICS AWAY

Every year the IPL begins on a politically controversial note. Elections, state issues, cultural misgivings — politicians and political parties leave no stone unturned to derive mileage. We hope cricket is consciously kept away from it and pursued only for the love of the sport.

STRATEGIC BREAKS BREAK THE MOMENTUM

A Twenty20 innings hardly lasts for more than an hour-and-half. Between that time, to take a five-minute strategy break may sound good only to the ears of the advertiser or the IPL that earns from it. But for the players and the viewers, it can only be a distraction. It's time there's a strategy in place to do away with these breaks.

PLEASE AVOID CHEERLEADERS IN THAT CLASSICAL LOOK!

Cheerleaders are a western concept. Let's admit it. So, either we have cheerleaders the way they ought to be, or just not have them inside the stadiums at all. To see women dressed in Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Kuchipudi outfits, dancing to Bollywood numbers is getting to be an eye-sore. Besides, it doesn't do justice at all to the classical Indian dance culture.

PARTIES TURNING CONTROVERSIAL

After-parties can be a good way to unwind after a hard-day's work. And who doesn't like good music and fun any way? But parties getting highlighted for the wrong reasons — drugs, too much alcohol consumption and misbehaviour — is something that should be strictly avoided.

NO ONE-SIDED GAMES PLEASE

In 2012, KKR scored less than 150 in a knockout against MI and defended the total. There was a certain edge to that game. We'd like to see more such thrillers, and not the 200-plus totals that almost kill the contest.

STING OPS

IPL can do without them. Players and officials getting caught on camera for agreeing to accept money to influence matches is a scary thought. When it last happened, the whole idea of IPL being a clean tournament, bereft of an Anti-Corruption Unit, took a beating.



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