God Save Cricket!

I am not finding cricket exciting these days. Not just me, but several other cricket fans across the world are developing a disconnect with the sport, which once even occupied their dreams. Such was the charm and beauty of this supposed gentleman's game that people (specially Indians) did not mind following the proceedings of a match even for five continuous days (test matches). But things have changed now. There is hardly any buzz around India-WI test series that starts today. Fewer and fewer fans are turning up for cricket matches in the stadiums. One Day Internationals, which were considered to be crowd-pullers, at least in India, have recorded dismal attendance recently (India-England ODI at Mumbai). This trend is alarming as attendance of spectators is already low in cricket stadiums outside the Indian Subcontinent.

What has led to this apparent lack of interest among cricket fans? Have they finally come out of the 'illusion'? Do they think cricket as a sport has not anything new to offer (Are the soccer enthusiasts grinning)? Not exactly. There is nothing wrong with the sport as such. Cricket and all its three forms (Tests, ODIs, T20s) are very wholesome and entertaining in their own special ways. In fact, cricket is the only sport that offers such variety to its followers, giving them a wide range of dishes, as per their tastes. A purist may take pride in the 5-day format and meticulously follow the technicalities of the game. A fan, whose life runs on time, can indulge himself in the T20 game after coming back home at 8 in the night. And for those who like fireworks along with some sanity can follow the ODIs. Then, where does the problem lie?

The problem, it seems, lies with the scheduling of the matches and the 'excessive' dose. If India's World Cup win ensured that madness for the game reached its crescendo, the subsequent West Indies tour proved to be a damp squib. furthermore, spirit of the fans touched an all-time low after India failed to register a single win during the disastrous England Tour. The problem is, India, after winning the world cup, should not have started off their campaign through a low-key WI tour. And England should not have come to India to play One-Dayers just a couple of weeks after hosting them. For months, it was as if India had only one task at hand, that is to play England and play England again. And now, India will host West Indies for tests and ODIs. Why have we spent the entire year playing West Indies and England? And not to forget, their was a CLT20 squeezed in between all this nonsensical drama.

So, scheduling is a clear problem. And this kind of unreasonable planning eventually leads to overdose of cricket or instigates the 'fatigue factor' among the fans. And also, one should understand that when we talk of cricket's dwindling popularity, receding TRPs of broadcasters, it mostly and primarily concerns state of the game in India. Because, whether you like it or not, Cricket's nerve center lies in this nation of billion people. Cricket's health is directly proportional to interest for the game in India, and the subcontinent in larger perspective. South Africa, Australia, England and New Zealand may be good cricketing nations but that cricketing culture is somewhat non-existent in these countries.

Cricket's woes have been further compounded by the shocking spot fixing controversy. Few days back, I read an article by Pradeep Magazine (Senior sports journalist, HT), where he drew an interesting parallel between sports and society at large. He said, its tough to imagine corruption-free cricket when money making and pursuit of wealth have become the main motto of society. The eventual fate of Butt, Asif and Amir should act as strong deterrence for youngsters. But in any case, it is the sport of cricket that has been tarnished and damaged beyond repair. A set of cynical fans will now look at every delivery with a certain degree of suspicion and every dropped catch or even a no-ball may excite them.

So where does the solution lie? At a time, when cricket is perhaps going through its sternest test, both on and off the field, the rescue act has to come through a moment of immense significance. There has to be a divine intervention, a masterly act that compels us to focus our attention back to those 22 yards.

No, we need not look heavenwards. A certain Indian cricketer, who bats for his country at No. 4 in Test Matches, holds the key here. Sachin Tendulkar's 100th ton would be the perfect antidote for all the ailments plaguing the game of cricket. Who cares about the West Indies or this test series for that matter, but time would come to a standstill when Sachin walks out to bat, most probably tomorrow. I am sure he would beat the insensitive Central Government, hell bent to score a hundred through petrol price hike, in reaching the magical mark.

We, the mortals, have always looked upwards in moments of crisis. And the Almighty has often responded in his own unique yet effective ways. I think, cricket lovers might just get their prayers answered, by their God,  in next few days.

India Defeated: The Way Forward

India's Tour of England: Mid-Series Analysis

Dignity is of paramount importance. Men who fail to guard their dignity are worse than those who do not have any dignity at first place. Dhoni and  his Men suffered second humiliating defeat in a row at the hands of a rampaging English side, which seems to be getting better with every single match. Those 319 runs were not just mere numbers but a reminder to the Indian Team that it can not take its No. 1 test spot for granted. England outplayed India in all departments of the game by putting up a remarkable team effort. This humiliating loss has tarnished the very 'seat' of World's No.1 Test Team. More than loss, it was the manner in which we lost, will haunt us for a long time.

At the halfway stage, series is heavily dominated by England with a commanding 2-0 lead, which only needs to be maintained or bettered to occupy the No.1 test status. England are a very well balanced side with genuine fast bowlers and quality all-rounders, two category of gems that India lacks. India have lot to ponder upon. Lets find out what troubles India and what can be done to restore some of the lost pride in the next two tests:

• Touted as the mainstay of the team, India's batting has failed to deliver. Barring Dravid, no other batsman has shown the guts to stand before the English trio of Anderson, Bresnan and Broad. Abhinav Mukund seems to have been pushed into test arena, a bit too early. Laxman has not been able to convert starts into something significant. Sachin has looked patchy and uncertain. Raina and Yuvraj are unpredictable. MS Dhoni's horrible test record is only getting worse.
• The only quick remedy for batting woes seems to be Virender Sehwag. When Sehwag fires at top, the middle order usually responds with batting masterpieces. Without a good opening stand, India's middle order fails to deliver, most of the times.
• Injuries seem to have developed a special liking for Indians. Blame it on excessive cricket or overall poor fitness of Indian cricketers, but we surely missed Zaheer, Sehwag and Gambhir. But I believe, World's Best Test Team should have a lizard's tail. These 3 should have been missed. But they were made to look like indispensables!
• If Gambhir and Sehwag do come back for the next game, India should get its batting order in place. There is too much confusion in the middle. There is uncertainty and disorder in the Indian ranks.
• Harbhajan Singh should be dropped. No arguments. Period.
• MS Dhoni: Next time you win the toss, elect to bat first. By electing to field, you not only underplay what you consider as the greatest strength of your team but also end up playing 'catch up' game throughout the match. 

The morale of Indian team must be in the dire straits. It needs that one moment of celebration, inspiration and probably one-handed brilliance to resurrect its fortunes. It could, ideally, be any one or a combination of more than one, of the following events:

• Sachin scores his 100th 100 and you will suddenly see a changed Indian team. There would be a spring in the feets and reassurance in the dressing room.
• Sehwag gives India a flying start, scores blazing hundred on Day 1 of the next match. India end up with nearly 400 runs on first day with only a couple of wickets down!
• Sreesanth rips through English top order, bags a fiver for himself. And breaks into a jig.
• The captain cool silences all critics with a responsible hundred. His first on foreign soil.

This is not wishful thinking. Nor is this fanciful summer retreat. All of this has happened before. And there is no reason why it can not happen again (what if there are some 'firsts' in the list!). We have our hopes and prayers intact.


P.S- On what has been a very poor series for Indians so far, Two Captains of the team have Glittered Brightly. While MS Dhoni, the man in-charge of the operations right now, perhaps took the most intelligent decision of his career by recalling Bell Post-Tea, Sourav Ganguly, India's Original Captain Courageous, beautifully deflated Miachel Vaughan's cheap publicity campaign, both in and out of the studio. Till we have great captains like them, there is always bucket full of hopes.

When Harry Met Joanne - 2

Recap: Click on 'Recap' to Read When Harry Met Joanne Part-1.


"Listen. Consider me your friend. I know that you are going through a really tough phase. But it is important that you do not lose hope.” Harry was exhausting all of his convincing abilities.

“Harry. What? Yeah, Potter! How on earth do you think you know so much about me? You just mentioned my surname? Did not you?” Joanne said in a semi-shocked voice.

“How I know, is not important at the moment. You will know that yourself, before anyone else! But, I have come here to talk to you. So please, for heaven’s sake, lets try and add some value to this, otherwise worthless journey.” Harry was pleading, almost.

Joanne looked at Harry Potter. There was an urgency, gratitude and truthfulness in his green eyes. Suddenly, Joanne felt more assured, as if she could rely on him. After all, she was, indeed, not in the best frame of mind. She wanted to talk to somebody. How dearly has she missed her mother, all this while.

The train was now hissing through picturesque English countryside. Joanne noticed that the sun was battling hard against the clouds and the snow. The white world outside, now, had a pinch of warmth to it.

“Joanne, I know it’s a terrible feeling when you don’t have your mother by your side. I have no memory of my mother spending time with me, taking care of me, holding my hands when I needed support, comforting me when I was in pain. All I remember is that she loved me a lot. And she sacrificed herself for my sake. I am nothing but personification of her undying love.” Harry had mist in his eyes.

Joanne’s face turned paler with every word from Harry’s mouth. How did he know about her mother’s sad demise? How could he, so strongly, feel her agony? But this emotion of surprise was accompanied with further sense of assurance. She, now, wanted to talk.

“I have not talked to anyone about this before. But, yes, I miss my mother a lot. She was a very brave woman. 10 years, she fought with that awful disease. It was a pity to see her in so much of pain. And, all I could do was nothing. I blame myself for not being able to save her.” Joanne, finally, was talking.

“Why blame yourself? Your mother fought like a true warrior and you supported her throughout. You can not change destiny. Death is God’s prerogative. He takes away most of the good things from our lives, so that we can evolve better.”

"But, this is not entirely true! I could have saved my mother, had I had some money with me! A bankrupt, nearly non-existent daughter is all that my mother got. What’s the point of living such a life?"

"And, so you thought, why not end this life. Joanne,  you contemplated suicide, did not you?"

Joanne Rowling resembled a human body, freshly struck by lightning. As a spontaneous reaction, she adjusted her clothes, fearing Harry could see through them.

TO BE CONTINUED

P.S. : This post is inspired by some 'real life events'. Fictional situations have been created as per literary convenience. 

When Harry Met Joanne -1

She was pretty, if one ignored dark circles below the bluish eyes and the graying hair, which was neatly tied just below her shoulder. Her personality was totally unassuming, she was one of those several average looking women, whom you may not bother to give a second look. She occupied a window seat of the 4-hours delayed Manchester-London Mail.

Joanne was lost and irritated. Irritated because of the delayed journey and lost because she has always been like that. The freezing weather outside, made her mood worse. She looked at the window pane and white world outside. For a moment, she felt as if happiness and hope were sucked out of her soul.

“Hey, Can I sit here?”

A young man in his late teen, with twinkling green eyes, untidy black hair and a lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead was standing in front of Joanne. She just nodded and the 'man with the scar' enthusiastically took the seat in front of her.

 ‘Hi, I am Harry. Harry Potter.” He stretched out his hand.

“I am Joanne.” She did not shake hands.

The frozen countryside flashed through train’s window. Mercury seemed to dip a notch further. Harry Potter took off his jacket and casually put it aside. A stick peeped out of one of its pockets.

“You look tensed. May I know why?”

“No, I am absolutely fine. And I am afraid; I don’t see any reason why shall I tell you, even if I am tensed.” Joanne shot back.

“Because, I can do Magic” Harry Winked.

Joanne passed a wry smile. She wondered why this young man was showing interest in her. She was not used to attention from opposite sex, she was never ‘hit’ upon, either in college or at workplace. Her slate was absolutely clean. And uninteresting.

After looking at her strange co-passenger for good ten seconds, she looked away. “See, I know what bothers you. But, this is not the way, you should deal with it.” Harry said with a bit of concern in his voice.

“Really! I don’t know who you are or what interests you in me. But I am seriously not interested in your magical stuff. I have lot many things in my life to deal with. And, this journey is surely not doing any good to me or my mood. So would please try and not bother me!” Joanne said with remarkable restrain in her voice.

"What a pity. The creator is not interested in the creation. Interesting." Harry murmured while looking away.

“I beg your pardon!”

"Ummm. Nothing. Joanne. I know its difficult for you to connect with me right now. But I am here to help you. To help a person, to whom I owe my existence and this entire bloody stardom."

"I am not getting a word of what you are saying. Either you are playing some prank or this obnoxious journey has damaged your grey cells!" Joanne was on verge of losing her cool.

"Look, I am ahead of your time. You will know ‘this’ me, may be, 20-22 years later.  But for the moment, I want to talk to you. I want to fix that one bit of ‘patchy’ past you had. I owe it you. I mean, I have been into memories of several people. But this time, I am inside your memory, Joanne Rowling, I want to see you happy."

"Are you Insane?"

TO BE CONTINUED