Indian Cricket

If there is one thing that is more unpredictable than the monsoons and the stock market indices in India, it is the performance of the Indian cricket team. The latter part of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 gave one a feeling that things were going to be great for Indian cricket. The victory in the T- 20 and U- 19 world cup as well as the controversies and the big win in the Commonwealth Bank series against Australia catapulted the Indian cricket team back into the big league once again. The test series with South Africa started on an encouraging note. Viru, who had been down and out for quite sometime, staged a magnificent comeback with a triple ton and joined the ranks of Sachin, Sourav, Dhoni and Gambhir who were in good form. The Chepauk test ended in a draw but showcased the best of India as regards batting and bowling. However, the dismal performance of the team in Ahmedabad came in as a shocker to many. In the first innings, India was bowled out for a meager 76 and in 3 days, South Africans finished the 2nd test with an innings victory over India. Irresponsibility of the highest order was visible in the performance of the Indian team- be it batting, bowling or fielding. Anil Kumble and his team of boys could not figure out how to handle the media after the disappointing performance of the team. News also has it that many of the players are feigning lack of fitness to avoid playing the test series since everyone is looking forward to the IPL that is scheduled for April. Considering the kind of money involved, the players are making sure that they remain fit to put in their best efforts in IPL. Apart from the money and the media coverage, their performance in IPL could also be instrumental in bagging further endorsements thus fattening their paycheck even further. Precisely, a case of what happens when the players become bigger than the game! I do encourage private participation in cricket and privatization of the whole business considering the kind of activities the BCCI officials are involved in. However, at no point of time should the players be allowed to dictate terms because it is always the sport that comes first and not the sportsman. Further, with the IPL championships also being regularity, it is kinda going to be cricket 24/7 in the country. Cricket definitely provides a big high for Indians and is one of the few things that keep the country united. Nevertheless, with IPL and the many other series charted for the rest of the year, there is definitely going to be an exercise in excess for cricket in India!

With the many issues plaguing Indian cricket (BCCI, players’ attitude, privatization and too many tourneys), only time can tell where the sport is going to end up in the country! I am being optimistic and am keeping my fingers crossed…