DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Nothing pervades the Indian mindset more than the platitude of being omnipotent, without ever making a logical evaluation of inherent weaknesses. It permeates the attitude and spirit as much as the spiritual perception of faith does vis-à-vis logic.

Perhaps, nothing demonstrates it more vividly than a ODI match, when everyone, root for a victory. A victory is celebrated passionately, bordering on mass frenzy, as though, a cherished goal in life is realized. But a very few are closely connected with the game as it is played. The celebration of the event is as effervescent as the anguish of a loss in similar contest. Indian-anglo writer Late Nirad C Choudhury described it almost very accurately, when he wrote, `fear in heart and desire (changed) in mind’.The most disturbing part of this attitude is deep faith in success, even under huge uncertainties -just like the game of cricket, which is avidly followed in the country like a religion.

The ` chalta hai ’ attitude epitomizes a perception of overconfidence, which connotes the typical approach to things, reflected in every aspect of day to day living.  Be it governance in policy implementation, reorganization of states, law and order, scams and corruption, opportunistic attitude of politicians, inflation, fiscal deficit, drain in foreign exchange, shrinking of rupee, boom in investment in gold, thriving free circulation of black money, social and economic plight of `aam admi’ , constructions compromising nature to vent its fury and last  but not the least, undertaking odious pilgrimage to perilous places against advice of impending devastation, betray a lack of seriousness in approach, contingent  planning, overemphasis on fatalistic outcome. It is the nemesis of our ambitions, which are also equally ad hoc and transient.

The fall out is apparent `national emergency’. Everyone tend to quarrel over the consequential aftermath, with a quasi-philosophical posture, without ruminating on the causes of perpetration. Why should we worry, if China gives us a frantic run for our money and we lag behind by a chasm! Do we need to ponder over seriously and come out to the streets like in Brazil for a much bigger cause than the triviality of a win in a ODI match, which might yet again cover up the scam and corruption that has eroded the credibility of the `gentleman’ game. And more worrisomely, each time such a match winning happens, it diverts attention from more serious and important issues that plague the nation and the nation drowns in the inebriating euphoria to forget the gnawing ignominy that hunger, privation and destitution could impact.

Wishing all the best for Indian Team in CT 2013 Final, as a true Indian.

Clueless Aussies vis a vis brawny Dhoni

The meek disintegretion of haughty Australian cricketers at Hyderabad made a very pathetic sight.Their urgent reverting to practice on a turning pitch on the residual time of fourth day and part of the fifth day,was metaphorically, like locking the stable after the horse had bolted.Anyway two Test matches are still to be played and the Aussies would certainly be very keen to restore some pride.

Indian cricketers are rollicking at the moment of glory and deservedly,so. But given the erratic record of oscillations between resounding victory and ignominious defeats,there has to be a word of caution always. These victories are convincing and glimpses of an emerging new resurgent team India is noticeable,which augurs well for the future.But the victory should not make the cricketers too relaxed and complacent to forget that every other day in the field against a strong opponent is another fresh day of trial and tribulations and there is nothing like resting in peace ever after a win in international sports as it is fiercely competitive.

There has to be necessarily a review of the physical fitness of every member of the team, to imbibe the standard like that of the fighting fit Tendulkar, even in the twilight years of his remarkable career.Fielding and running between the wickets have scope for improvement.Saving runs by alert and dedicated applications and stealing runs under the nose of opponent fielders is an art,provided the fitness level is superb.In a highly competitive sport every trick in the trade and improvisations are important to flummox the opposition.It was not a pleasant sight to find fielders in the silly point and short leg position,stretching themselves or looking the other way even before the ball came, instead of diving instinctively to grab sharp half chance of a catch.Since our attack is spin based,this extraordinary art is essential for effective grip on matches.The ilks of Solkar and Johnty Rhodes are rare to find but a level of high competency in, at least one to two fielders in these specialist areas can not be over emphasized.It is a hazardous task but every professional sport has nothing less.

Dhoni,s brawny way of handling the opposition attack has given the Aussies a taste of their own medicine of the physical side.He has also tricked them to believe that field gaps were left unwisely, for batsman's exploitation and manoeuvering,which was indeed a ploy to the lurking nemesis against the tweaks of the turning ball.Bravo,so far, but farther to go a long way to stamp authority. Dhoni must not allow reservations against any player to under utilise  them to the detriment of team and national interest.International cricket pitch is not the best place to settle personal scores.