'What matters most is commitment'

VOX POP

The auction grabbed a lot of eyeballs and gave room for speculation as well.  Looks like IPL fans will have to shift loyalties a little this time for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has a new team and true-blue Bangaloreans like Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Robin Uthappa are missing from the fresh mix.

Also Ross Taylor, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Cameron White, who had their set of devoted fans have been shifted around to other teams. How have Bangaloreans reacted to the new mix? Some say it doesn’t make a difference to them because IPL is a money-spinner, others say the loyalties of IPL fans will be divided this season.

Metrolife spoke to a cross-section of people who say they’d definitely miss the Bangalore boys but they also think the mix is not as important as the player’s devotion and
loyalty to the team. 

Tobin Roy
IT professional

“I don’t find anything wrong in moving the players around. IPL is all about mixing and gambling with the players and money. It’s entertainment at its best where tycoons throw money and bid for the best. I am sure the new mix will do a lot of good. Freshness always helps.”

Remya
Banker

“I was shocked when I saw the new line up for RCB. A person like Mallya who claims to value the heritage of Karnataka should have retained at least one senior player like Dravid. I was supporting RCB till last year but now I will go for my favourite players who have been moved to other teams. My loyalty will be divided.”

Bishnu
Technical writer

“IPL is more of an entertainment than serious cricketing. It is a game for the young. It’s alright if the senior players have been shifted around.

Seniority is secondary, what matters is each player’s talent and loyalty to the team. Seniors can contribute to the World Cup or compete at a national level but their seniority doesn’t make a difference in the IPL.”

Himanshu
Student

“IPL is all about making money. The mix doesn’t really bother me but I hope the new team will perform well. There seems to be some strange names, some of whom I don’t really know but whoever has been selected will have to give his full to RCB whether he likes it or not. The players from Bangalore are conspicuous by their absence, which is slightly odd.”

Padmini Parthasarathy
Lecturer

“IPL is pure entertainment with a lot of money rolling back and forth. The new mix will make no difference to me. The players will have to play well and compete wherever they are slotted. It’s sad that players like Anil Kumble who have great potential will be missing from RCB this year. RCB had some wonderful players last year and the mix this year seems a little lost. But I hope the new mix performs just as well. But looks like IPL fans’ loyalty will be divided.”