Frankly, I do not really understand these talks about bidding, and how much the different cricketers will be paid. Moreover, I do not wish to understand. It undermines the sporting spirit in me.
I quote a news item from the Times of India dated February 21, 2008.
“Dhoni will get Rs 37.5 lakh for one T20 match – over 10 times what he gets for every Test he plays. Looked at it another way, a Delhi University professor would earn a total of Rs 2.2 crore over a career of about 35 years. Dhoni will make thrice that amount for a fortnight of a match play.”
Though I completely disagree with comparing different professions, I do feel that the issue here is whether the hard work is worth the awards these cricketers get. It’s all about being fair to every person who works hard. At the same time, if we start scrutinizing this topic, then why only Cricket? Why not Bollywood? How much do the soldiers get paid, who fight at the border? And, what about the corruption in Politics? And for that matter, the common man is working hard too. There is no end!
I really hope that the sport of Cricket remains a sport, and does not turn into a business. Something our country is passionate about and is talented in, should not be turned into a money minting proposition.