Random Thoughts

Where the spirit in the Indian Cricket has all gone?

It seems that our veteran cricketers have become more conscious about their individual performance than ever. Look at the innings of Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly in the first test match against Bangladesh. Both hit a century and got out soon after; Sachin on 101 and Saurav on 100. And both of them got out on a very loose (irresponsible may be a more suitable word!) shot.

Both these players had a good opportunity to play a long innings against a less experienced Bangladesh team. That would’ve pepped the team score as well as their individual records. But, both were bothered more about making a rather rash statement about their form.

Both these centuries have a common backdrop. There was a severe backlash on the senior players after the recent bad performance of the team in the World Cup. Questions were raised against the form of the veterans including Sachin and Saurav. And, eventually both the players lost their births in the one-day team for Bangladesh tour. Further, performance of the selected team, which mainly included new blood, was consistent and assuring against the Bangladesh team. The latter had earlier surprised the Indian side in a World Cup match.

The strange fall of wickets of both the erstwhile heroes of contemporary Indian Cricket during the first innings of the test match against Bangladesh is not s healthy sign. It indicates that the players are playing just to enhance their track record and secure their places in forthcoming matches. Moreover, Sachin’s reaction after his innings to whether he wanted to prove something was quite pompous. The player said that he had nothing to prove after playing for 17 years and hitting so many centuries.

If this is what the seniors are going to do then there would be still some more years and some more World Cups before India could dream of some really cherishing and worthwhile performance.

Labels: Cricket

posted by Ranjit @ 5/20/2007 09:52:00 pm