Indian Cricket: the riddle of Epicurus

Today, I am a sojourner in praising Indian cricket team for their heroic 127-run win against the English side in the second ODI at Kochi and also in awaiting a similar show in the forth-coming third ODI at skipper’s own town – Ranchi; albeit nitty-gritty of recent performances suggest that men in blue are invincible on their day but when it rains, it pours. The Indian dressing room, lately, has been the abode of inconsistency. You better have no expectations as they will, seldom, be met.

In theory, looking at names in the Indian squad, such dismal performances are not anticipated. We can say with confidence, that every member in the team has got talent to win matches for India and the team composition is just flawless. When everything looks so groovy and well-set on paper, where are we going wrong? The Riddle of Epicurus, a famous argument, comes to my mind. When said in context of Indian cricket, it goes like this:

The Indian team “wants to win and cannot”, or “can win but does not want to” or “neither wishes to win nor can” or “both want to win and can”. If they want to and cannot, then they are weak – and this does not seem to be true given their individual (and team) performances in the past and sometimes in the present too. If they can but do not want to, then they are not rightly spirited; which is equally foreign to Indian cricketers’ nature. If they neither want to nor can, the team is both weak and spiritless, then in this country where cricket is a religion, there is zero chance that they are still representing Indian cricket and this is both impractical and impossible. If they want to and can, which is the only thing fitting; where then do under performances come from? Or why are we losing?

If we go with the Epicurus’ answer, Epicurus’ view is that they are the right persons to play for India, but that they are neither willing nor can prevent losing. This is not because they are not talented, but because they in a perfect state of complacency with their victories in the past that they are not upset by not winning, but only fans are! Just the thought itself is so terrifying! Isn’t it?

So, let’s hope it is not true. After all, the blue brigade is not so evil that they will remain indifferent to the feelings of millions of their followers. At the same time, it is also true that hundred percent of them are not giving their hundred percent to try and fetch the fruits of success to their colossal fan base. And this fan base and some legendary ex-cricketers, everyone, has their own school of thought on what should be done. Some would call others opinions impertinent, which according to the others are very much important and pertinent. Changing the captain – changing the coach – changing the order of batting – changing the bowling combination – changing the opening pair – bring in to the team complete young blood – do not play Jadeja – play some other X person.

As far as my observation goes, one thing remains unchanged in all these changes – when India wins, nothing needs to be changed and when India loses, everything needs to be changed – this is what they say. I do believe all these are not at all necessary. This team is perfect. If something needs to be changed really, it is the attitude of the players! Their attitude towards the game – a pinch of motivation needs to be added to it. And that needs to come out of their inner self.

Gambhir and Rahane can be a little more aggressive and convert their forties into seventies. Virat needs to be a little more patient, should be more sensible while batting, break the cocoon of bad form, unleash his skill and prove himself right for his rightful no. 3 position. Yuvraj, Raina, Dhoni and Jadeja are playing their roles with perfection and just should continue it, more consistently. Ashwin can try more to “turn” matches in India’s way. Youngsters B Kumar and S Ahmed are doing pretty well. Ishant and Dinda have to atone and perform well. Probably Duncan can guide and help the team attain these. Above all, they need to prepare well for the games.

Going in to the 3^rd ODI, it is all very important to win. Because winning means that the team leads the 5-match series 2-1 and it also means the pressure will be on the other side to win the next two matches. The Indian team should continue doing what they did at Kochi – that may include having Sreesanth in the stadium as well – jokes apart. The overall team performance was exceptionally well. Even when the bleak opening tale continued, others could build up innings and did not let the match go. The bowlers performed well and fielders showed some grit. Although it looks like individually they could have put up a better show, as a team, they were successful. And that is what is important and is need of the hour. It is all about performing as a team.

Winning as a team implies rise in confidence levels and confidence will automatically ameliorate individual performances. We should first come out of this abyss of losses and then we can think about scaling new heights. It is just the time for Indian cricket team to prove that they belong there and also that Epicurus solved the riddle wrongly.