India’s World Cup debacle - a Blog
India’s loss to NZ leaves us with one more dream shattered. It is disappointing to see a powerhouse like India getting relegated before knockouts.
Knives are out and so are memes and trolls attacking the Indian team, but who is to blame?
Many think it is Virat, some think it is Ravi. Some blame Dhoni, the mentor. I disagree with all of them.
I find BCCI, the media and the Aam Aadmi (specifically Aadmi) guilty of this debacle.
BCCI
Sourav Ganguly is someone who revolutionised Indian Cricket. Much was expected of him as the BCCI chief, but he is proving to be useless and spineless under the political leadership. The greed to make money through IPL superceded the player’s need.
The net impact, when it came to the crucial World Cup - a set of jaded tired, disheveled players who were overplayed, overused, overwrought.
The teams that look freshest are those with no IPL rigmarole( Pakistan) or who took a break - Buttler, Bairstow etc.
The difference in energy levels between the IPL exposed and unexposed is very visible.
The Indian Media
The Indian media does not have too many whipping boys. It cannot attack the Government as it only knows too well the repercussions. That leaves only two vulnerable, susceptible scapegoats - Cricketers and Bollywood.
Everything that Kohli says or doesn’t say is magnified beyond imagination. Some jokers who have played for India in the past pose as experts and they rave and rant about what is wrong with the Indian team. This fuels unnecessary discussions that can only harm the team’s morale.
The fact that he is human is completely forgotten. The fact that Kohli wears his passion on his sleeve and is fighting day in and day out for the country’s prestige is forgotten.
The Aam Aadmi.
Let us face it- India is a nation of a large number of under achievers. Otherwise, we would not have been surrounded by so much mediocrity. But the same Aam Aadmi (honestly women are less vile, more composed and more empathetic) powered by free data and the mask of anonymity brutally attacks the Indian team. Cricketers are attacked, their wives are attacked. These same critics - if they were to write their CV would find it difficult to fill half a page give gyan on what players should do.
Some say the paycheck that cricketers get should take care of this. But please, these guys are sportsmen/ women - they are not politicians with thick skins.
Covid has worsened the situation for these cricketers. Earlier, they could shake a leg, let down their hair in the presence of family and friends. But, the prolonged bubbles might have made them emotionally vulnerable.
The brutal attacks ( Shami’s religion being cited as a reason for our loss as an example) would have been shielded by the close family members earlier but are now piercing the mental defences of the players- the impact is felt on the field.
Honestly. If we care about the Indian cricket, support them now - they need it.
