Cricket, often celebrated for its spirit and sportsmanship, hides its fair share of intriguing stories and controversies. Former Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar recently shed light on two such aspects – the politics behind his initial IPL team choice and the once-common practice of ball-tampering in the sport.
In the nascent stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Praveen Kumar found himself entangled in an unforeseen situation regarding his team choice. Revealing the behind-the-scenes drama, Praveen disclosed that he initially wanted to join the Delhi Daredevils, considering its proximity to his hometown, Meerut. However, a twist of fate led him to sign what turned out to be an RCB contract.
The distance from Bangalore to Meerut, coupled with language barriers and culinary preferences, made Praveen uncomfortable with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise. Despite expressing his desire to play for Delhi, he inadvertently signed an RCB contract. When Praveen approached Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner at the time, to explain his predicament, he faced a severe threat – the end of his cricketing career.
This revelation opens a window into the early complexities of IPL team selections, where personal preferences and misunderstandings could shape a player’s destiny. Praveen’s experience highlights the challenges faced by players in navigating the business side of cricket, even in a tournament as celebrated as the IPL.
About Praveen Kumar:
In another intriguing revelation, Praveen Kumar touched upon the once-common practice of ball-tampering in cricket. Admitting that it was a prevalent tactic among players, he noted that Pakistani bowlers, in particular, were known to engage in ball-tampering to enhance reverse swing – a skill they were considered masters of during the 1990s.
Reverse swing, a phenomenon that revolutionized fast bowling, became a potent weapon for bowlers worldwide. Praveen highlighted that players would scratch one side of the ball to induce reverse swing, but emphasized that even after tampering, skill was paramount in effectively utilizing this art in bowling.
This admission offers a glimpse into a bygone era where such practices were not as heavily scrutinized as they are today. It prompts reflection on how the game has evolved, with stringent measures now in place to curb any form of tampering and maintain the integrity of cricket.
Praveen Kumar’s revelations provide cricket enthusiasts with a peek behind the curtains of the IPL’s early days and the once-accepted norm of ball-tampering. These stories add layers to the intricate narrative of cricket, reminding fans that the sport’s history is not just about on-field heroics but also the human drama and controversies that shape it.