Forget the politics, let’s focus on the cricket

Finally, the World Cup is on but not without a few hiccups. The Kiwis have now decided to forgo points by refusing to play in Nairobi. They ...

Finally, the World Cup is on but not without a few hiccups. The Kiwis have now decided to forgo points by refusing to play in Nairobi. They seem to have forgotten that, just two years back, they played the ICC Championship in Kenya without any incident, rioting or bomb explosion. None of their players was harmed physically.

If these countries do feel scared to play in developing countries because of a possible break down in the situation, the very purpose of spreading and promoting cricket all over the world gets defeated. If the ICC can withhold US $9 million to the BCCI just because Indian players have not agreed to sign on the dotted line of the ICC contract, why not impose some financial penalties to such countries like NZ who want to play at their chosen venues only?

The ICC had no choice but to allow the Indian team to participate in the World Cup because nearly 80 per cent of the sponsorship for the biggest cricketing event comes from this country alone. Jagmohan Dalmiya was targeted not only for shielding the Indian players all along but also for not toeing the ICC line.

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The Indian team seems to be serious about focussing only on cricket and nothing else after they landed in South Africa. The rest they got before was utilized for shoots and modeling by almost all. Maybe that’s their way of relaxing. Maybe it was because of that that the BCCI president decided not to allow the wives to travel with them.

I’m in full agreement with the Board, not because I’m against players’ wives accompanying them. When the better half is with the player in a foreign country, the player is required to look after her: her transportation and meals on and off the ground, sightseeing, and finally shopping too. Naturally the player’s attention and the focus get diverted unconsciously or subconsciously. There are very few that can balance this act judiciously and not lose the focus on cricket. And, of course, these days the wives can easily afford to see these places with their husbands after the series or the event gets over.

It was way back in 1993 in the home series against England that I, as a cricket manager implemented the code of conduct. I thought it was necessary when I watched them in South Africa just before that. The team needed to focus in the middle. Initially, the players didn’t like it. However, in the end, when we whitewashed England in both the Test and One day series, it was these very players who requested me to continue the code of conduct further!