Over the years since its inception, the IPL has provided unlimited entertainment in the sporting world and has helped blossom a number of careers over the 9 years.
But it has equally been involved in a number of controversies, most of them involving a monitory factor.
To add to these controversies, Indian international Yuvraj Singh has added more fuel to the fire in the domestic arena of the sport in the country.
The 34-year old swashbuckling batsman spoke to the Mumbai Mirror recently and opened up about the problems domestic cricket in India is facing because of the cash-rich IPL.
He said that the current generation of youngsters needs to calm themselves and that they have to curb their instincts in public.
“This generation is a bit outspoken, at times the things they do look inappropriate in public. But, that’s the way the younger generation is going. I think they need to calm themselves,” Yuvraj said.
He also felt that the current crop of players have a problem with their attitude and that they are still a long way from reaching the heights they are capable of.
“I see plenty of younger players in the IPL. After hitting a boundary or a six, they behave as though they have won the game. It is not right. Only once you have won, you should enjoy the way you want to,” Yuvraj said in the interview.
Yuvraj also revealed that the amount of money involved in the IPL has seen the youngsters opt for the tournament over the domestic season and said that this will not help them be successful in the long-term.
“I feel many guys are looking forward to playing just the IPL. They give less importance to domestic cricket. Even in our Punjab Ranji team, they want to play T20,” he added.
The 34-year old left who was lucky to have made his debut under the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly said that the calm and control those guys used to give to the squad is missing from the current generation.
He said, “The present generation is different. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly were level-headed. And very controlled.”
The hard-hitting batsman who plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the current IPL season revealed recently that he will be back for the game against the Lions of May 6th but insisted that it would be hard for him to bat the way he used to at his prime.
“Obviously, your game changes, the situation changes.”
“I’m playing international cricket after a year-and-a-half, so it takes a while before I find my groove,” he revealed.
He also recollected a quote from the Master Blaster to remind himself that he can still show glimpses of his form.
“I can still do what I’ve been doing and prove myself. I remember Tendulkar telling me that it’s all about that one cover-drive you hit. That stroke gives you so much confidence,” Yuvraj said recollecting words from the legend himself.
Do you think IPL should change its system to allow players to concentrate on the domestic season?