A shameful day for Indian cricket

As an Indian, and as a Bengali, I am truly ashamed to see Kolkatans behave the way they did during the match at Eden Gardens.


To be sure, Indian cricket has had more than its fair share of politicking and behind-the-scenes parleys, and yes - there's bound to be bad blood oozing out of the now-infamous Ganguly-Chappell fracas. To be sure, the Ganguly issue could have been handled a lot better by all parties concerned. To be sure, its never a good feeling to see one of your greatest captains miss out on a chance to play for India. But equally true is the fact that surely, cricket itself, and Indian pride, is above such things. Players and coaches come and go - but the game endures forever.


I am no great cricket player, but I would be first to stand up and applaud Ganguly for leading the way and pulling the Indian team out of the dumps with his aggressive brand of in-your-face captaincy - something an Australian would be secretly proud of ! But at the same time, I would also not lag behind in pointing out that no one is indispensable. Its also true that Ganguly has had a rather long string of consistent failures with bat and ball in both forms of the game - and I am sure no one in their right mind would give weightage to a laborious century against a second- or third-string attack from a depleted Zimbabwe squad.


Maybe it is time for Ganguly to step down as captain - if you can't lead from the front, hand over the reins to someone who can. It does not necessarily mean permanent disbarment from the squad - if you really are a team player, designation wont matter - the pride of the Indian logo on your chest will. For sure, the way Ganguly was shown the door is indeed regrettable - but then as any cricket great would admit - sometimes the rub of the green just doesn't go your way. That is no reason for an entire city to lose their mind and give such a shameful display of narrow-minded regionalism.


For those who want to protest, then do so at the doors of the all-powerful BCCI ; at the doors of the oft-brainless selectors ; at the doors of money-hungry officials who do not understand the meaning of the word "confidential" ; the list is endless. But please - do not sully or tarnish the image of the Indian cricket audience by indulging in such abomniable acts - if you cant love and look up to your own national team, then how the heck do you expect the rest of the world to do so ?