Indian cricket team’s success can be a model for country’s manufacturing sector

 Source: Indian express

Gs3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Synopsis: The good practices behind the success of Cricketing standards can be used in the Indian manufacturing sector. It will make Manufacturing in India more competitive

Background

• India achieved a remarkable victory in Australia recently. It is a result of high-quality governance instituted by the BCCI over the years, to make India’s cricket team a global champion.
• Due to this systemic effort, India was able to compete so well against Australia, with a third-choice Indian team.
• Similar practices can be adopted by policy makers for Manufacturing sector. It can develop India into a globally competitive ‘champion manufacturing sector’.

What are the good practices that policy makers can use?

• First, Institutionalisation of IPL facilitated the inclusion of Overseas players. Competing against the world’s best players has led to a significant rise in the skills of domestic cricketers.
  • • Similarly, allowing foreign industries in India will raise the standards of the domestic manufacturing sector and make them more competitive. For example, Foreign competition in the food sector (McDonald’s) has increased the standard and competitiveness of Indian players (Haldiram’s).
• Second, the mandatory rule for the preferential treatment for locals. It limits the number of foreign players, to be used in any team. (only 4 overseas players are allowed in any playing team).
  • • This has led to an increasing number of domestic players. English Premier League (EPL) failed to create a world-class England football team due to this fact. EPL is dominated by overseas players without enough opportunities for local players in top teams.
    • So, considering this fact the policy makers should provide some limited protection from destructive competition from overseas. This move will facilitate the growth of Indian domestic manufacturers.
• Third, BCCI provided high-class infrastructure by setting up top-class cricket facilities in non-traditional cricketing centers. It provided access, opportunity, and a level playing field to all talented cricketers.
  • • Similarly, the Government should try to provide high-class infrastructure in the manufacturing sector. It includes plugging the existing gaps between Indian and global standards, particularly on logistics. This will make the manufacturing sector cost-competitive and enable a level playing field for every Indian entrepreneur.
• Fourth, Success of Indian cricket has ensured that every good cricketer pursues their dream during studies. This has led to the retention of the best talent in Indian cricket.
  • • But, It is not the case in manufacturing due to the lack of success and the presence of obstacles. The best entrepreneurial talent of India looks for opportunities elsewhere either in the services (Flipkart) or overseas manufacturing (for example, textiles in Bangladesh).
    • For India, to create a robust manufacturing sector it needs to retain the best talent by removing the obstacles.

If policymakers learn the right lessons from cricket and implement those lessons with honesty, we can become globally competitive in the manufacturing sector. To be the best, we must be able to compete with and defeat the best.