MAY 27: In the last week, so much muck has been thrown at the fair name of cricket, it is not at all funny. Indeed it is a cruel story which runs on wheels and every hand oils the wheels as they run. We have seen cricket offcialdom falter at every bend and not taking any turn to make amends. And as if the cricket administrators had not done enough damage, there is now a free for all, no holds barred, live enactment of a boorish drama between two international cricketers - both vying to outdo each other in bringing more disrepute to the game.I'm astounded that nobody in the Sports Ministry or in the BCCI is telling the warring duo to shut up or else face dire consequences. Now that the CBI is investigating, where is the need to go to town with personal explanations. Admittedly, the media is having a field day. But at the expense of cricket, which has given both Kapil and Manoj a social status, for whatever it is worth.Midway through the last half century, a young cricketer who made the headlines would have modest expectations of their effect on his life. This trend is now greeted with much suspicion and resentment. The fact is that money has always been something of a dirty word in cricket, especially money that finds its way to the players. But money is so plentiful now. when there is a stack available, human nature dictates that you grab at it, even when the ability that rocketed you to that eminence sometimes lets you down.Cricket, rushing towards the next millennium in overwrought fashion, does not lend itself to crystal or transparent ball treatment. Hence we find the conceit and arrogance of a Kapil Dev crossing all barriers. Manoj Prabhakar does not come into frame of an icon. That is why, I'm more cross and upset with Kapil. There is no way Manoj can reach the dizzy heights of Kapil. Why should the legend then decide to stoop to the level of a comparative non-entity. This not to pull down either Manoj or Kapil - only to remind them of cricketing etiquette.One moment Kapil is sobbing in an interview and the next thundering to prove a point. In between, he begs the BCCI to provide him with legal finance. All this is so confusing and most undesirable. Should the BCCI set a sad precedent, it would be unpardonable. To put a stop to all verbal duels, may I suggest the Sports Ministry should intervene.Apparently, the BCCI is a mute observor. And if cricket officials can put up a your-business-is-to-put-me-out-of-business show, we can well imagine the fate of other sports federations. Maybe, we can start with a debate: Should sports come in the Concurrent List to make for better accountability and transparency in sports administration? I think it ought to, considering the malaise cricket is going through.
