The IPL will not find a better replacement than England where millions of Indians already reside, insists former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer
The IPL will not find a better replacement than England where millions of Indians already reside, insists former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer
Having made the decision to play the second edition of the Indian Premier League outside India, the discussion now is about choosing the venue between England and South Africa.
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Victory scenes like this one at DY Patil Stadium during last season's IPL final will not be seen at Indian venues |
In terms of infrastructure and organisation skills, both have a proven record. As the officials weigh the pros and cons of the two venues, England-based former India player Farokh Engineer, who was the IPL match referee last season, believes England will be an ideal place to have the event because it will be like a 'home away from home'.
The feature of the inaugural IPL was the atmosphere the packed houses created at almost all the venues.
Engineer reckoned the League would be assured of the same kind of success if it came to England.
"There are a lot of desis here and they will welcome the IPL. You will get packed stadiums," Engineer told MiD DAY from his home in Lancashire.
"After all, it is an Indian tournament with international flavour. At the end of the day, cricket lovers want to see two highly competitive teams produce high quality cricket and we have some of the best players in the world."
One concern in having England as venue is the fear of an overkill given their packed summer schedule with the ICC World Twenty20 and Ashes lined up. Engineer said all this will not matter.
"The Indian population is huge here. For all the cricket TV channels, 80 per cent viewers are Indians. In fact, the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club has as an Indian president Nat Puri. Everybody will welcome IPL," the debonair wicketkeeper-batsman of the 60s and 70s said.
Ideal locationGiven the short time left for the tournament to begin, Engineer felt logistically too England would be ideal. "It is a much smaller country, so logistically it will be ideal. There are many grounds with floodlights," he said.
Engineer also rubbished the reservation expressed by a senior English scribe (on TV) that the weather would be too cold for Twenty20 in April.
"That it will be cold in April-May is a load of rubbish. Today is a beautiful sunny day. I am sitting in my shorts and short sleeved shirt, having a barbecue in my garden. The winter is over. The weather shouldn't be a problem."
More than anything, Engineer said his first emotion on hearing that the IPL will not be cancelled was of relief.u00a0
"I am very glad it is not cancelled. Maintaining continuity is important. Indian cricket's reputation is at stake.
The whole world is watching us. In fact, we should be riding on the success of the first edition and all of us should ensure that it is a success."
