I am truly perturbed at seeing Indian cricket being strangled mercilessly by politicians and the media alike, at a time when it requires immediate attention and perhaps an admission in the “ICU”. Getting emotionally charged up by criticizing the team’s performance and vandalizing their houses would do more harm than good. The failure of this team must be attributed to some top players in the team who are playing below expectations. Especially our bowlers who have lost their charm and magic on the field – where’s the famous Irfan swing and what happened to Munaf’s pace?
But now comes a new chapter in the sad part of this story called Indian Cricket – Dravid, perhaps the sole light of hope in our dark moments, has been ruled out for the rest of the One Day series because of an injury and VVS Laxman is being flown down to South Africa to take his place. It must be true, that when you’re in a mind set that our team has settled in, seemingly easier tasks feel gargantuan plus there is no respite from the pressure back home that keeps building on you to perform. It’s a rather difficult situation to be in. Must I remind this team that they have been in a familiar situation in the past, in the 2003 world cup at South Africa. Soon after their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Aussies, they fought their way back to the final. Victory, as I see it has the ability to settle the dust of criticism and straightening out things assuredly making the road towards the future smooth and clear. Just few wins to get that much needed confidence back!
The Left parties in India have been vocal about the inclusion of Sourav Ganguly. Firstly, any attempt at portraying Sourav, who has been absent from the national team for a long time, as the savior of our times will only make him more vulnerable in performing for his team. On the other hand, the pitches in West Indies, where the world cup is held next year will suit his stroke playing potential more than then bouncier ones in South Africa. His role in the current team would have been marred since the “supporting cast” is currently performing miserably. I certainly hope that he is considered for the world cup squad. We will require all the help to get us out of this black hole. But we must start winning now and end the long drought.
