In defence of cricket

The recently revelation of spot-fixing in the IPL came as another misfortune for the game of cricket, labelled as a game of gentlemen. But, it was of course not an instance happening for the first time in the history of this game. The game has suffered numerous blows over the last decade. Who had thought, even for a while, that a player with excellent on-field record and as venerable as Hansie Cronje could be indulged in this derogatory act sidelining all the ethics and morals synonymous with the game.

The Cronje case, presumably, marked the beginning of a long terrible episode, determined to mark the glorious history of the game with innumerable blots. These cases have pushed the fans and the defenders of the game on the defensive. And disappointingly, since then they have always been let down. They are, in part, going through a distressing time, witnessing a number of fixing instances – some are unforgettable and some are unbelievable.

This spot-fixing saga once again shattered the beliefs of many cricket lovers. And for much of what happened, IPL is being blamed. But accusing IPL for everything unfortunate and bad gripping the game would be similar to laying the blame on an easy target and demonstrating our unwillingness to ruminate over a broader issue. These on-field and off-field happenings are not entirely the product of IPL, and the sooner we realise it the better it would be for the game; rather it indicates at the deeper malaise growing up in ourselves for money.

And amidst all the hullabaloo of spot-fixing, remembering the contribution of great players, such as Don Bradman, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Muttaih Muralitharan and so on, is mandatory to cast off the doubt that Cricket as a game has lost everything. These capricious incidents might snatch a little effulgence from the game, but these can never overshadow the inherent lambency in the game.

However, a fixing story circulates pain in the entire cricket fraternity. Every time it explodes, it hurts and compels to doubt the intentions of players. It also torments the lovely feeling for the game and consequently arises anguish.

Cricket has reached at a critical juncture in its history. Its future seems uncertain. And before the game is thrown into a corner, something has to be done immediately to preserve it, to assist the game to stand tall and recover those golden periods when nobody could even dare to see the results of a cricket match through a tainted glass; when a defeat was just a defeat; a misfield was only a misfield; a poor batting performance was because of bad luck; a bad delivery was a mistake of a bowler; everything was original; nothing was pre-planned; nothing was fixed.

It might appear like a long and arduous task. But re-establishing the lost confidence of the fans in the game is not impossible. A kind of integrity must prevail in the game. And that cannot happen if the passionate fans let their anger diminish. Continue with the anger until the wounds are healed. Also continue with the hope that out of this shocking and disgraceful episode something positive will emerge for this fantastic game.