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Journalism of Courage
This is a time to celebrate India’s successes on the playing fields of South Africa, not a time to brood over a single defeat, however important. For the better part of six weeks, India’s cricketers have given not just their compatriots, but cricket-lovers everywhere, reason to exult. They have played cricket in the best of Indian traditions — with passion, flair and emotion. But to this subcontinental mix they have added tools from the western arsenal, notably a pace attack that is among the best. The tournament has also seen one of cricket’s most glorious sights — Sachin Tendulkar in his prime. Too often the Little Master has been bowed down by the weight of expectation; now, with the team on fire, it seemed he had found the freedom to express himself. Indeed, it is that team spirit which is perhaps the biggest positive this side will bring back from South Africa.
Yet Sunday’s final showed that India were — again, in the best traditions — a flawed side, with much hard work to do to be the best. The virtues of discipline, whether in batting or bowling, and some amount of emotional disconnect will do for a start. The biggest handicap against the awesome Australians was sheer lack of experience, which can only be redressed through time. And that’s where India, more than any other team, holds the advantage. Because, as this paper has pointed out, this is a team for the future: barring a couple of changes, this side will take part in the next world cup four years hence. And medical experts believe that’s when they — bowlers and batsmen — will be in the peak of their physical condition. Add match experience and you have the basis of a great, not merely good, side.
While we celebrate, however, it may be the right time to appreciate one fact: there is more to cricket in India than one-day internationals. There’s a whole world of cricket out there, in schools, colleges, between universities, states, regions that goes largely unappreciated by the public, the media and the game’s deep-pocketed sponsors. Attendance at even a Ranji Trophy final, leave alone an inter-college meet, is pathetic — and looks more absurd if the match is played at a coliseum like the Eden Gardens. Yet it is this cricket that gives birth to the Kaifs, Zaheers and Harbhajans; for every Kaif who makes it, there are a thousand who won’t but will cheer him on. So let’s raise a toast to Team India, and include those who will never play a world cup but keep the game alive.
