Plus Thirty Heroes-A Comment on Indian Cricket(sports)

Plus Thirty Heroes

ALL OF THEM ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF 30. IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET, THIS EXACTLY DOESN’T MEAN AGED. BUT IT SAYS THE SWAN SONG IS NOT FAR AWAY. IN THE NEXT TWO-THREE YEARS, THERE WILL BE A VACUUM IN INDIAN CRICKET WITH THE IMPENDING RETIREMENT OF OUR KEY PLAYERS.

Vinod CV

Have you ever thought about the years of cricket left in Sachin Tendulakar, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman and Sourav Ganguly? The ‘big four’ of Indian cricket is well above the 30. One can’t be blamed if he or she feels that these heroes are over the hill. They are in the twilight zone of their career. One or two among them may chug for 2-3 years more. But cricket establishment ought to start searching for replacements

Tendulkar didn’t play first two test matches against Australia due to a tennis elbow, which is the result of excessive use of top hand with a heavy bat. He is in international cricket for the last 14 years. Probably the senior most player in the game, as far as the number of years spent in actually playing international cricket is concerned. The gruesome schedule of one-day matches in the last 10 years is enough to take the energy of any fit player. Now, the wise point about Sachin is to use him sparingly. It is not advisable to utilise him in all matches. He should be preserved for some important matches.

Saurav Ganguly has weathered many storms as a captain. His name will go down in cricketing history as India’s most successful captain. But he is also showing weariness in the field and broke down during the series against Pakistan and Australia. At times he plays as if taking some 20-25 runs is his only responsibility. Many discerning cricket buffs feel that he gets into an aggressive frame of mind without taking into consideration requirements of the situation. It seems he loves to challenge the bowler with an offensive bent of mind that is characteristic of a young cricketer. But it must be said to Ganguly’s credit that he infused the much-needed killer instinct into the Indian team. He protected the young players from the whims and fancies of selectors. Now time has come to look for alternatives.

Ganguly is expected to be at the centre stage for a few more years. That does not lessen the need for grooming the next generation to assume the onerous responsibilities. These heavy weight cricketers can’t make a come back in the event of they being omitted from the squad. And a player doesn’t need much time to lose his form. Any responsible cricket administration will be giving enough attention to these aspects

Coming to Rahul Dravid, his playing, as wicketkeeper was instrumental in India’s many famous wins recently. Dravid doubling as the keeper helped the team to accommodate an extra batsman. Mohammad Kaif being that extra batsman brings batting depth. He lent considerable life in the field too. Kaif means saving some 20 odd runs. Although Rahul Dravid is looking pretty fit, it is not fair to expect that he carries on indefinitely. Rahul can be an asset in the longer versions of the game. But that does shouldn’t stop India from scouting for another player who is comparable to the skills and solidity for which Rahul Dravid is so well known.

Some of the teams like Australia rates V.V.S. Laxman even ahead of Tendulkar. He is the most stylish batsman now in business. Though very unpredictable, Laxman is capable of playing a long innings. He may not have played as much matches like the other three. But he belongs to the same age group. Laxman himself admitted that some of the Shoaib Akthar deliveries blinded him in Pakistan. Even in his best of times, Laxman was not inspiring in the field. The one-day cricket in the coming days will demand exacting standards on the field. In test matches Laxman can be a quality presence, but in the short duration game the need for a possible substitute for Laxman ought to begin now. Then only by the time he retires, there will be a smooth transition.

Anil Kumble has won more test matches for India than any other player. He is a real threat in Indian pitches. Anil played a key part in all most all India’s test wins at home. But he is not suitable for one dayers any more. Anil Kumble looks jaded. He is the eldest member in the team. Even the most optimistic will not give him more than one or two seasons of playing. As Kumble had cemented his place in Indian team for many years, no other leg spinner emerged to occupy the top slot.

These cricketing heroes can still come up with stellar performances as they are all endowed with exceptional abilities. But what is important is that they have already played the most part of their cricket by this time. Even ardent fans of these players won’t argue that the best is yet to come. They may come up with a good performance here or there. But no forward-looking planning can’t rely on the past heroes to deliver in the future battles.

All these players are exceptionally talented ones. They essayed many an Indian victory. Their standing and reputation in international cricket is admirable. But the team should not suffer the transition blues when they retire. The success of a great team is to retain the competitive edge even when key members declare their retirement. The sorry state of affairs of West Indian cricket and to some extent the fate of Pakistan cricket after the exit of Wasim Akram and Waqar Unis ought to open the eye of cricket administrators.