Is Cricket Really Over-Hyped?

In a country of 1 billion where the cultural diversity is so much that in every 100 Km there is a change of language but still one religion bonds all of them and it is called “Cricket”; Welcome to India.

Every child’s dream is to be in the national team and represent country on the international arena, a game which is not only a game but life for some. If things are so intense, emotions are so attached to the game then why is the case that still when it comes to the consistency on achievement we lack so much. Last month we celebrated 25th Anniversary of winning the world cup. It rather looks absurd to celebrate such occasion (Although remembering it is fine), with no offence to the team who won the greatest ever achievement in history of Indian cricket; it gives me a feeling that this was a celebration of an unachievable target which was achieved in a fluke. They were welcomed by that time Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on arrival with the world cup. Scenes were recreated after 24 years when the young Indian cricket team won the T-20 world cup, on arrival at Mumbai a huge parade took place from Airport to Wankhede stadium where the players were felicitated by the BCCI chief, the reception by the crowd was overwhelming. On the other hand the same time Indian hockey team won the trophy, the game which was once upon a time trade mark of India, our national game which has won the maximum number of gold medals for the country in the Olympics as well as in the world cup hockey but still the team hardly had someone waiting for them to even congratulate. Same is case with Grand master of chess Vishwanathan Anand who won the international grand master’s title but was out of fan at arrival to his home soil.

Now the question arises: Why it’s only about cricket, why it’s only cricket which gets attraction from the countries best sectors (Entertainment, advertising, etc)? I often ask this question to myself and start criticizing the game and the players involved in cricket.

In many ways the work of critics is easy; they risk very little and enjoy a position over those who offer up level self odd judgment. Critics thrive on negative criticism which is found to be right and to read, although the bitter truth critics must face is that even an average piece of junk can be more meaningful than their criticism designating it so.

I strongly feel sometimes critics should truly risk something in the discovery and in the defense of new. World often is unkind to the new talents, new creations. New needs friend. When Greg Chappell coached India and strived towards getting young players in the team and creating all-rounder he was bitterly criticized, the wrath of losing the world cup in the first round became the reason for him to leave the job but last year we all witnessed the same strategy of young guns winning the T-20 cup for India. From then I saw something new and that too from few unexpected young players and to say that both the team and players are not worth praise for their consistent performance would be a gross understatement, they have rocked me and every sports lover to their core. In the past critics have made lots of criticism on Indian cricket team but I realize only now what it means to be a part a new revolution, one can not change the fact that cricket is not just a game in this country; it’s a religion but still the final triumph lies in the hand of leader. It was the steady leadership of Kapil Dev 25 year’s back which won the world cup for us and this time it was Dhoni who brought back the glory home. Don’t forget it was the great stewardship of Dhyan Chand which brought all (At least most) of the hockey glory to India. It was the time when cricket was not even in the radar of common man. Problem lies in the perspective of a common man in the country, when ever we see that someone is doing very well, instead of appreciating the achievement we starts criticizing them to hide our own failures. One mustn’t forget that Indian hockey team didn’t even qualify for the world cup this time barring all the facilities they have been provided. It is in the hands of players who play the game to make it popular and its job of the leader to make the best out of team. If this wasn’t the case then Sachin Tendulkar the greatest cricketer of all time would have been the best of caption but fact is India failed bitterly under his captaincy.
Let’s just face the fact that not everyone can become a great sportsman but a great sportsman can come from anywhere in this case from Ranchi.

Dhoni’s team is proving this point over and over again. I wish to see more and more glory for his team and future of other sports in the country in coming years.