Lalit Modi’s War on Cricket

Okay. The title sounds rather dramatic, but yeah – this man has declared an all-out war on cricket. So hang on, while I argue my case.

First, today’s news. Our friend, Sri Lalit Kumar Modi has gone on record saying that Australia’s domestic/international players won’t be allowed to play in the IPL if they don’t get released from their respective State teams before the tournament starts. Okay, sounds fine ? Next, this man has again gone on record saying those Australian state teams that refuse to release their cricketers by the due-date will not be banned from the Champions’ League. Good news ? No. I am pretty sure that the Aussies would stay put where they are, playing state cricket and how they are, doing their bit to further their case when it comes to wearing the Baggy Green, and if they show any signs of giving in to Lalit Modi’s demands, again – might represent a darker, unfortunate reality that we are finding ourselves in today.

This was today. Last week, there was so much of nonsense about Pakistani players being denied a Visa and missing the deadline for registration and all that, and finally when they do get the visa for the IPL, what does this man do ? Say, you’re not eligible to be playing since the time has lapsed and you must put forward your names for the auction. Excellent. It’s my way or highway, he says. Some might still hold the argument, that this man has professionalized the game so much and taken this to new heights, but is anyone even talking about the long-term consequences ? The worry or the skepticism within India is quite limited, since interests merge seamlessly, and of course – when the corporates go hand-in-glove with these presumably noble intentions that Mr. Modi have for the game, it’s become increasingly difficult to even express those very concerns/skepticisms. And the game we all love, is in a way, at war, battling against it’s very existence.

No. Why should we ? We’re the World’s no. 1 team in the world, worthy of awards from everywhere possible. So, we’re doing our bit to preserve test cricket. Another futile argument, of course. But the reality is – It’s not that Mr. Modi doesn’t know about the arguments surrounding his moves, but quite simply put – he doesn’t care. And in a way, he’s dished out the classic Bush metaphor of “You’re either with me, or the rest of the cricketing world”. Unfortunate again. And where are we helpless fans trying to cherish and celebrate every piece of real Test cricket we see and read about ? Nowhere.

And lastly, Mr. Modi wants to expand the league to 11 teams ? And then again, play 91 matches. Hello ? 91 frigging matches ? Sorry, but this is taking the war to an unconquered extreme. Surely, for now – the war is on, but cricket must do just about everything to win this war, and not let Mr. Modi’s intentions get the better of the game.

Some Qs and As for Indian Cricket

There were two cricket matches being played in a single inning yesterday – one, a superhuman effort by Sachin Tendulkar, who single-handedly took India close, and the other, by the rest – who despite their undisputed talent, lacked the required temperament to take India over the line. Tendulkar’s innings might prompt me to write a 5000-word essay, but I don’t think that is even required at this stage, for the man reproduced something from the 1990s to a) make a game out of something that was drifting away and b) take India to a position from where few teams would have lost. And importantly, this is not to blame or incriminate Ravindra Jadeja for last night’s loss, but his brief knock and many other similar performances ask many questions, for which it’s only rightful to seek answers. Alas!, we may never get one. But that shouldn’t stop one from asking these relevant questions.

Question #1 – Do our youngsters like Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli lack the 50-over mentality ?

Answer: Pretty much so. I somehow think twenty20 cricket, particularly IPL has somewhere invaded into the mentality of the young Indian cricketer. Monetary influences might be stretching it too far, but just the way the cricketer thinks in certain situations, makes me think so. Jadeja’s case prompted me to seek answers – why would the kid go even attempt a single that wasn’t on ? Perhaps, he went by his instincts, which is something of paramount importance in T20 cricket, and on a given day, comes off in ODIs, but hey, it doesn’t always work. And it wasn’t even a hell-broke-loose situation, if my memory serves me right. Was tailor-made for sensible, good old common-sense cricket, but what took over were impulses, often handy in the shortest format. In a way, these cricketers haven’t quite transformed from being “fantastic” T20 cricketers to good/handy ODI players. As Mike Hussey said in an interview, “Playing first-class cricket for donkey years, gives you an opportunity to know your game inside out, which you may have, when you play international cricket.” From their performances in this series, it’s evident that both Jadeja and Kohli don’t know their game well enough. Most importantly, their very role in this team. Might come with experience, but sorry boss, this situation demanded some maturity and not implosion. This is where you’re found out mentally.