Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team and former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), made a compelling statement recently. He declared that winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) is more challenging than clinching the World Cup. The basis of this assertion, he explained, lies in the number of matches a team needs to conquer. “You’ve to play 14 matches then Playoffs in the IPL whereas you qualify for Semis and then Final after 4-5 matches in the WC,” he stated.
This remark, however, didn’t sit well with a section of cricket fans. The fanbase took to various social media platforms to express their disagreement and even troll the cricketing legend. Their reaction stems from a point of frustration. It’s worth noting that the Indian cricket team hasn’t won an ICC Trophy since 2013.
In the meantime, the IPL has grown in prominence, becoming a colossal event in the cricketing calendar. Yet, this very success has sparked a debate. Critics argue that the IPL’s commercial success has overshadowed the core purpose of cricket – national glory. The backlash to Ganguly’s statement is rooted in this argument.
Ganguly’s remark was seen as valuing IPL victories over international triumphs, intensifying the fans’ disappointment. The trolling was relentless, and the sentiment was widespread. Critics pointed out that comparing the IPL to the World Cup was inappropriate, each carrying its own weight and prestige.
Furthermore, the disappointment of the fans was fueled by India’s lacklustre performance in recent international tournaments. A series of near misses in ICC events have left the fans exasperated, leading to the eruption of criticism following Ganguly’s statement. The fans felt that the statement overlooked the importance of international trophies in favor of a domestic league.
Simultaneously, some critics pointed out the inherent differences between the IPL and World Cup formats. The IPL, a franchise-based tournament, includes players from various nations playing together. Conversely, the World Cup represents the pride and honor of representing one’s nation. Each tournament, they argue, carries its unique challenges and cannot be compared linearly.
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Sourav Ganguly said that winning IPL is a lot tougher than winning the World Cup
Moreover, many attribute India’s lack of success in ICC tournaments to the intense schedule of the IPL. They contend that the IPL leaves players fatigued and less prepared for international events, thus affecting the team’s performance. This argument further fuelled the backlash against Ganguly’s statement.
Despite the controversy, it’s crucial to note that Ganguly’s comment highlights the IPL’s competitiveness. It’s undeniable that the IPL is a rigorous tournament, demanding exceptional performance and consistency from the teams. However, the fans’ reactions underscore the importance they place on international glory.
In conclusion, Ganguly’s statement sparked a debate on the prioritization of cricket tournaments in India. It highlighted the growing divide between fans who value the thrill of the IPL and those who yearn for international success. Amid the uproar, one thing is clear – the passion for cricket in India remains unparalleled, and so does the expectation for international triumphs.
Get somebody who can do both….. in the span of 2 months 😮🔥 https://t.co/ROFSYZwI9I pic.twitter.com/L3pFbQrRWV
— ; (@171off90) June 12, 2023
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That's why we are not interested in #ICCTrophies
So keep winning the IPL trophies
Got the answer @Anujj_Sharmaa ? https://t.co/slwbPPLnODAdvertisement— Vmk (@MisrSkr) June 12, 2023
My man Dhoni did both in the span of 2 months in 2011. The greatest ever. https://t.co/JbkYVJt46K pic.twitter.com/CNkoMtzbWh
— ` (@FourOverthrows) June 12, 2023
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2 Ipl and 2 ctMsd and co made cake walk in both International and ipl https://t.co/vMI5BO2nQv pic.twitter.com/vlskap1zQX
Advertisement— டராண்டினோ (@TaxiDriver_01) June 12, 2023
Bbl has the same schedule lol so BBL is tougher than World Cup with that logic https://t.co/3zN5c7xwjW
— Archer (@poserarcher) June 12, 2023
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They just trying to Kill international cricket coz they ain’t winning anything jaise some people overthrow the ludo board coz they are losing https://t.co/3Kj2qufgH3
Advertisement— Hass (@GokboruWolf) June 12, 2023
I had to check if this was parody lol
You can win the IPL if you manage to win 10/17 games, but in the World Cup, two defeats in the group stage usually means you're knocked out. https://t.co/33x05Krh2u
Advertisement— Arjun* (@mxtaverse) June 12, 2023
