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If one goes through the list of names on the team sheet of the Indian cricket team for any major ICC cricket tournament, some names pop up instantly. These are the same names that come up almost every year since the last five years and some longer. Not surprisingly, the results also remain similar. Promising and exciting in some games and utterly drab in others. Reaching the last stages or beyond almost regularly and falling way short in the finals. This is the case in all three formats of the game and across all regions of the world. And still, we chose a similar risk-averse approach in this edition of the T20 Cricket World Cup. And so, my friends, we must not expect a brighter result.
A sportsman’s career lasts a short time. A cricketer’s career may last a shorter time. Injuries, form, competition, stress, and various other factors, some of which may be beyond his control, contribute to the shortening of this career. This makes it all the more necessary for the sportsman and the management around them to be vigilant and assertive to make the most of it at the right time. The young and hungry players need their moment to shine on the big stage. Allow the flowers to bloom when the sun shines, since wilting is their fate anyway.
The status quo is comforting, but it cannot lead to long-term progress and betterment. For bigger glory, some sacrifices need to be made. Not every new player is equal to or better in talent or firepower than the senior players. But they deserve their chances to show their mettle on big occasions as well. Enough opportunities have been provided to some players over the years. And they, as senior players, have contributed immensely to the game. I wholeheartedly appreciate their efforts at making this game beautiful. But now it’s time for them to bow out gracefully and offer the younger crop a chance to blossom. The management and the administration need to wake up from this slumber of mediocrity that they have embroiled themselves in. Only thinking of ourselves as world-class is not enough. We need to be real winners with some noteworthy silverware to vouch for it.
Remember the famous lines from the movie Batman? “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
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