Dark Side 1 : Dark Lord 0

To those from IIMB, there needs to be no introduction to the Dark Lord. For those who dont know him, he spouts his depressing stuff here.
For those confused about what the Dark Side means - all you need to know is that he got married last month.

So I couldnt attend his marriage on account of hawking tea in the Desert and could only meet him on my return. I had unexpectedly landed in Bandra and gave him a call - asked him if he was free to meet - a moments thought and he agreed. We met - over a cup of coffee. We talked for a while. There was that slight embarrased smile on his face as he answered all questions about the newness in his life. It was like the old times - except till that time when he received a call. The expressions changed from confident and suave to worried and petrified. Then he started glancing at his watch and towards the door. I asked the obvious question - was it your wife, are u required home immediately. He mumbled. Then loudly said that not to worry we could sit. I took it at face value - the glancing at the watch became staring at the watch.

Soon he asked if we should leave. Without mentioning a drink or an evening session (For context everytime we met, he would ask if we should go drink and I would refuse). Then he got up - a spring in his step, a marked hurry. And then he was gone, sucumbed to the all pervasive phone call.

And thus was one lost to the dark side

Using the rod

Imagine a kid who has just failed in his examinations and has his report card reviewed by his parents. The parents - naturally angry at his poor performance - decide to clamp down on the kid in order to straighten him up. The easiest way they believe is to deprive the kid of all his priveleges and they think that the longing for them will make him do better next time around. So off goes his allowance and his free time - he gets grounded. But they ignore that maybe a systemic change might have been better off.

So similarly what does our cricket board do when it reviews the performance of our players? It decides to show them who their daddy is and clamps down on the players. While I can see the intention behind the moves, I have issues with the way the board has tried to implement it.

For example if the logic is that due to endorsements, the players dont get enough time to focus on the game - there was no need to undemocratically limit the number of endorsements for the players. Simply increase the number of mandatory camps the players must attend. Increase the number of domestic matches the players have to play compulsorily to be selected to the team. Create blackout periods where only training and cricket is focussed on but allow the players a specified time where they can go earn money from endorsements to the highest of their capabilites. Market forces will anyway ensure that money earned is proportional to performance on field.

The fact is that we have no bench strength and it can only be built through ensuring competetive domestic matches - which means that international players have to be routinely involved in these matches. How else will we know just how good a player really is? India A and U19 tours abroad hopefully will also help the cause. Finally I do hope the BCCI actually implements fast green pitches in as many locations as possible for domestic cricket - so that we have players who can actually play. Having said that as long as Kumble still plays test cricket, please have spinning beauties for Home test matches. No one wants to see a Nagpur green pitch while playing against the Aussies - the word i think is suicide.

The board might do well to realise that they support cricket which includes the players. Having anti-player diktats just smells of appeasement politics - hardly a surprise given that politicians run BCCI anyway. Maybe we can have control handed over to the players yeah?

They say that to spare the rod is to spoil the child. But to use the rod excessively is to have a child who will kick the parents out when its his turn.

One year on

Wuhooo! This blog celebrates its first birthday today. For a blog that promised to die and fizzle out, this is more than what I bargained for. Ofcourse the blog is a resounding failure but that can not be a detterent. So what if there are no readers or commentators - we shall live on and perhaps some day even celebrate our Independence day.

Ah well! Its all pointless! Happy BDay Blog!

Confronting Reality

Its extremely funny how we cant handle a touch of mortality from the guys we attribute "Godhood" (?) or greatness too. We want Sachin to retire not because he isnt good enough to be in the team anymore (he definitely is) but because he isnt living up to the mental image we have of him. Because he isnt doing his ordained job of fulfilling our wet dreams. And now when he speaks out - in what is a completely rare occassion - about someone questioning his commitment to the team - mind you his commitment is questioned not form or capability and I would imagine that his commitment was one thing beyond any question - the moment he shows that he is a mortal too - we are saddened and shocked by his behavior.

Maybe the fault lies not just in the team/players/board/media/coach but also us? Is that worth a consideration?