The cricket season is about to start, and all fans must be waiting and watching with bated breath to see the effect of the new rules brought in by the ICC. Before I continue, let me clarify that I am no Madhav – he is the cricket guy in our Floo Network, and even though my practical knowledge of cricket is very much up there with the average cricket fan, I would not be able to give you statistics or the lesser-known details regarding cricket.
The last season was mostly forgettable for the Indian fan, where few positives other than “learning from their mistakes” were derived by the Indian team. Indeed, with the richest board in cricket today backing them, what could be the problem that ails the elite eleven?
Extra? The Indian squad is not just the fourteen players plus a coach, physiotherapist and manager any more. Many more state-of-the-art ‘weapons’ have been added to the arsenal. The proposed baggage? Sample this: A computer analyst. A psychologist. A physical trainer. An official bowling coach. An unofficial bowling coach (?). And, of course, a full-time coach and a physiotherapist. Well, the armory is definitely heavily stocked, but the bench strength, or indeed, even the repertoire of the existing players, leaves much to be desired.
Ordinary? Well, the performances of the team over the last year have definitely been ordinary, or in fact below par and potential. There may have been individual flashes of brilliance, but then, to repeat a cliché, we have to click as a team. From being the self-proclaimed second-best team (hey, we even celebrate being second-best!) in the world after the World Cup 2003, we have gone down to 7th or 8th in the rankings. But then, as a certain (and incorrigibly optimistic) Mr. Sidhu would say, “When you fall on your buttocks, the only way you can look is UP!”
Gentle? This has been a complaint since time immemorial. We purportedly get perturbed by sledging (or what Australian players prefer to call ‘talking’) and are meek, submissive players who get easily intimidated. But this has been replaced by assertiveness, aggression and a certain arrogant pride (in a good sense) under the leadership of Saurav Ganguly.
So, in effect, we have everything. So why do we have nothing? Sounds weird? What I mean is, all the extra baggage is bound to come in handy; we have players who can destroy the opposition almost single-handedly; and even in the mind games, we are pretty much up there. So why don’t we win tournaments? Why is it that we never seem to catch an opposition by the scruff of its neck and make them feel that it would be more worthwhile to take up marbles than face us again? Well, maybe it is time to ask the last question…
MEN??? Ah, well… just joking :-). Hey, in fact, no… they are not just men anymore… (Hold your horses, folks… read on before you jump to conclusions…!!!) Whatever happened to the much publicized integration of the Women’s Cricket Association of India with the BCCI?
Anyway, however the team performs, I, like any other Indian fan, shall be sitting and watching the next match, believing that we will win. (It is funny, isn’t it, that we watch cricket in the belief that we will win, not just hope, even after so many let-downs? Well, maybe there is a Sidhu in each of us!) I just hope the Saurav case, Sachin’s elbow and Bhajji’s doosra are sorted out by then. Or it will be left to us to sort the team out, eh?
Till next time.
"Nuggets of Wisdom" by Haristotle:
It seems to be the season for volte-faces. First an eminent politician makes some remarks about a late politician of another country, which are a complete about-turn from the former’s party’s stand. Then a country, which had been completely against another country 25 years back, is now actually making joint security efforts with that country. (Names withheld to protect identities and myself :-).) Well, here is a word that describes these acts aptly:
tergiversate v. change one’s party or principles; make conflicting or evasive statements.
Words from the wise:
"Er… We don’t know this guy."
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3 comments:
Terrific post Hari!
Maybe we should form some sort of partnership ... you keen on going over the wicket, eh? :)
In any case, bowlers hunt in pairs don't they?
But then again, we may be individually good, but may not "click" as a team! ;)
Anyhow, keep posting ... yours is one blog I just keep coming back to!
thx for that comment, madhav! that was huge praise... actually i was waiting for ur analysis on the new rules as well... i thought it's quite intriguing, and heavily loaded in favor of batsmen... wot say, huh? hope to read a post on it soon!
hari
hey mooch! methinks u missed the whole point man! the new rules were brought in to INCREASE the "excitement" (read "more boundaries") and scores....
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