Sorry to say it but I predicted India’s first round exit from the World Cup sometime back. I’ve been on a vacation and not really keeping track of what happened, only got to know that my dire prediction came true on the flight back. Was with some gujarati pals who seem to think that both India and Pakistan were paid off, most of the top players performed worse than some school cricket teams, pathetic.
An extreme reaction to the shocking exits, just like stoning players houses (forgot that you were kissing the ground they walked on just a few days back?!!) but not entirely unexpected. We Indians do seem to be extreme when it comes to cricket. I always felt that we put too much of our national pride in a privately run team of individuals who are more interested in individual performances, endorsements and money they can make from them, than the game itself. While some, like Sachin & Dravid, probably deserve it, most are just flash in the pan performers. And some don’t even deserve to be in it.
Now Zee has announced a new cricket league. Another money making racket or a new way for corporate India to get involved with sport, only time will tell. But if they can even provide a platform to deserving people who don’t make it to the team just because of regional politics (and other petty considerations) within the selection committe, this will be a good initiative in the long run.
Since none of my advice was followed I assume that the powers that be don’t read my blog (or probably any other for that matter). Sad, so sad. As it is our performance in sports worldwide is pathetic, we don’t even matter in the Asian games, leave alone the Olympics! Now I guess the average Indian sports fan will also have to give up on cricket.
What next? Gulli danda? or Kho Kho (kabbaddi)? I guess we will be the best till some small country with a population of 20,000 people beats us at them too.
