Stop the rumours, let the game be

It was fantastic stuff all right, and irrespective of the result, both teams should be proud of the roles they played in playing such glorio...

It was fantastic stuff all right, and irrespective of the result, both teams should be proud of the roles they played in playing such glorious cricket and bringing the people of the two warring neighbours together. And then it makes me wonder why the imaginations of a few members of the public and the media are allowed to run amok, tarring the image of this series and the players involved by saying everything is staged.

How can it be, when the series — the focus of the entire world, cricketing and otherwise — has been played at such a high level and with such spirit? How can it be, when the ICC’s watchdogs are sitting there watching each and every delivery and each and every player before, during and after the match? And strangest of all, the media seems ready to give each such bit of news pride of place!

These are wild, baseless allegations. Which bring this game of glorious uncertainties into disrepute. And why does it happen only when Indian and Pakistani players are involved? Why doesn’t anyone talk about the Sri Lanka-Australia series where the visitors won both Tests after conceding first innings leads?

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The fixing allegations also steered attention away from the magnificent display by Dravid-Yuvraj-Kaif, who should have been acclaimed for succeeding in shaking of the tag of ‘chokers’ that a lot of people were putting on the Indians.

I think this is where the people and the media of both the countries should behave responsibly. The heads of these two countries are doing their bit to bring the two nations closer. And yes, while we are trying to make the subcontinent a better place, why not work out some sort of penalty for these rumour-mongers who make such accusations without any proof? They are as bad as terrorists, who make a living and take pride in spoiling the reputation of this great game.

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