World Cup blues

SHATTERED HOPES: India's loss in World Cup has disappointed many fans.

GITAM: In the wake of the recent cricket matches of the ICC World Cup, India had realised its worst ever dreams come true - a thrashing from the so-called grade-B team, Bangladesh, and losing an all important do-or-die qualifier with the Lankans.

The hopes of a million people were shattered and in a matter of a few hours fans turned into fanatics. Violent protests were carried out at various parts of the country by people who surely had a special taste for the game. Effigies were burnt and houses were vandalised. Dhoni, who had been an icon and so influential even in revolutionising the hairstyles of many youngsters bore the brunt. An appeal was made by the people to seize back the land gifted to him.

The recent revelation of the fact that Bob Woolmer was in fact murdered seems to be only the tip of the iceberg. But, is this irate response from the people justified and what should have roused their emotions to this extent? The reasons can be attributed to the cult - status which cricket has acquired. There is so much hype for the game and we have been so very obsessed with it that a loss in a crunch match cannot be assimilated, which instigates the people to treat their demi-gods as demons.

Yet, at the end of the day, it would be wrong to find the entire fault with the players. The people have the right to question and demand an explanation for the poor performance. But more importantly, they need to sit back and analyse as to what makes our team so very laid back when compared to other world-class teams - the invincible Aussies, for instance. It isn't that we lack the ability. There is bounteous raw force waiting to be groomed.

In a land where playing cricket as a kid is indispensable, why have we not been able to produce enough legends? It is the difference in what could be called as the "Cricketing culture" (I fear if I could use that term). An abstract noun for which the Indian cricket's Thesaurus fails to have got the right sense.

Australian great, Michael Bevan - one of the best ever finishers of the game was dropped and I wonder why he could never make it back to the team and eventually had to retire.

A newcomer doesn't require much time to prove his worth and to proclaim the world of his arrival since they are seasoned players who have come through the rigours of the selection.

On the other hand, India is stung by corruption. There is venality in every aspect of the game. Politics and recommendations have a heavy hand on the proceedings. The result being, the country doesn't get the best 11 and the team fails to perform. Ultimately, it is the people who are fooled to have laid their hopes on presumably their best team and to vent their anger, on losing, while the actual reason waits to be pondered. This has been the situation and would forever be, unless there's a miracle. Perhaps if a Lenin or a Martin Luther is born in Indian soil could fight for crickets' cause - a renaissance for the men in blue to overcome their world cup blues.

*****Please find below the link to the e-version of this article published in THE HINDU*****

http://www.hindu.com/edu/2007/04/09/stories/2007040907330600.htm