In the world of sports, ruthlessness is a defining factor. The upcoming announcement of the T20 team for the Asia Cup highlights the tough decisions cricket selectors must make, such as choosing the wicketkeeper and the opener. Comparatively, when we look at other sports, particularly the English Premier League, we see a similar scenario of tough calls being made. Manchester City, for instance, considered their last season to be subpar. As a result, they've made significant changes to their squad, not renewing the contract of Kevin De Bruyne, a key player for many years. They're also placing their trust in a 21-year-old goalkeeper for the new season.
Across the football world, PSG's situation is equally intriguing. Despite winning the Champions League with Gianluca Donnarumma, a top goalkeeper, the team under Luis Henrique has chosen to sideline him due to tactical differences. In a bold move, Donnarumma has been left out of recent matches and now finds himself seeking a new club, compounding the disappointment by not being offered a new contract.
Closer to home, in India's cricket landscape, the drama around Sanju Samson and the Rajasthan Royals is unfolding. The franchise seems inclined to focus on grooming Riyan Parag, who is connected to the team's ownership, as indicated by his appointment as captain last year. Such decisions cause ripples, potentially contributing to moves by other players like Jaiswal, who seeks to enhance his leadership skills.
These situations reflect a broader trend where accountability is fundamental. European football coaches are rigorously evaluated based on performance despite their lucrative contracts. In India, there is a tendency to focus on buying talent and protecting local interests. The IPL, modeled after the NBA, contrasts sharply with the English Premier League's meritocratic approach where non-performance leads to exclusion. The payment structures in these leagues further emphasize this difference; consistent winners receive the most rewards.
This divergent philosophy is evident in player selection policies. The English Premier League does not impose nationality quotas, once having teams like Arsenal without a single English player. The IPL, however, restricts foreign players to a minimum, which, while preserving local talent, may not foster the league's growth into a world-class competition.
In competitive sports you cannot hide your weakness and coaches like CEO's need to constantly evaluate performance, manage players (including their fitness) and also ensure the audience is also happy. However, in professional life, some of these things take a backseat. Do you agree?
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