Structure needs overhauling

The passionate, fickle fan and the greedy, insecure administrator always in conflict with each other’s interests in India are now facing a serious crisis: Whom to blame for the defeat Down Under. Kapil was an avtaar who had condescended to help Indian cricket and Tendulkar is a God who never fails. When the icons let you down, darkness descends and the mere mortals grope for answers.

Kapil the coach was supposed to be an inspirational figure. So far he has appeared out ofdepth, juggling with the playing XI without finding the right combination which could, at least, give a fight to the much superior Australians and the talented Pakistanis. The reality dawns on the field, where the Indians with each outing have fallen into a rut of mediocrity with their fielding becoming the laughing stock of the world. Wasn’t this one department which Kapil was supposed to improve ?

Both coach and captain have created more news by being in conflict with the selectors and have so far got away with whatever they wanted, even if at times the demands were thought to be unreasonable. And today, like the fans, the selectors have discovered these two greats too have feet of clay and intend not to give in.

The way the wicket-keeping slot was handled the inclusion of MSK Prasad, Nayan Mongia’s recall and finally the place going to Sameer Dighe and the retention of Devang Gandhi for the one-dayers all give indications that `give and take’ policies still exist. Then there is the crucial questionof Azharuddin. The situation is such that those who think Azharuddin should not be recalled are branded as `pro Kapil’ and those who want him back are supposed to be `anti Kapil’. In this pro and anti fight, the real issues get clouded, not by the least helped by lack of transparency of the Board.

Amid all this depressing scenario, came the under-19 World Cup victory. India’s win at Colombo raises one vital question. If our junior team is so good, then doesn’t it mean that the basic structure of the game in the country is sound ? But in this euphoria, let us not forget that this win has come in conditions ideal for us the sub-continent and even coach Roger Binny has acknowledged this important factor. There may have been a couple of `men’ playing among the `boys’ in Sri Lanka and it is time these `men’ are exposed to the adult world to gauge their real worth.

One can criticise and praise only upto a point and let the defeat in Australia and the win in Sri Lanka not take us way from the real issues. Ourbasic cricket structure needs overhauling. Nit-picking will serve a limited purpose, it is not going to solve the problem, unless we don’t play abroad and always at home.