To represent the Indian cricket team is an honor unparalleled the world over. a nation, starved of heroes, more so in the sports arena; a nation, grappling with inadequacy and dissatisfaction, frustration and inconveniences, has found an outlet for its aspirations, its latent energy and the underlying need for association with fellow human beings through the game. It has captured the imagination to such an extent that it ha ceased to be a game anymore, its turned into a harbinger of the country’s capabilities on the international scene, even the central government machinery stirs when the three wickets are repeatedly shattered.
In such a scenario, going out there and being aware of the fact that one act of yours can bring a smile upon the faces of more number of people than there are in the continent of North America, must be an enormous experience, easily the greatest honor a person can be bestowed. But at the same moment he also knows that one error on his part can invite the wrath from the same multitude and bring disappointment and frustration to the whole country would be equally awe-inspiring, perhaps making it tougher for people in the Indian cricket team than any other sportspersons the world over.
On top of all this, we have a scandal-mongering media, which almost seems poised and eager to find a scapegoat at the expense of whom they can make their TRPs soar. We have to accept it, people love to hate and blame someone for their troubles and love it all the more if they find someone else to do it with. The channels cash in on this attitude and end up creating abominable villains out of erstwhile heroes.
Mind you, these channels never claim anything, they seem to be just showing news, not views, so at the next moment they can bring the villain back to life and project him as a martyr or a superhero, the memories are short and in any case, the most loved topic for debate in our country is the big game itself and the media perpetually provides the reason for these debates to keep their medium alive. The one who suffers from all this is the sportsperson, and consequently the sport. For the harassed players, the focus shifts to staying on in the team, getting back at the media, answering selectors, politicking, and defending themselves. Victory, and performances take a backseat.
Of course, sportspersons can also benefit if they decide to hang their boots and learn public speaking, they’d then come to the other side of the fence and conveniently pass judgments.
In such a scenario, going out there and being aware of the fact that one act of yours can bring a smile upon the faces of more number of people than there are in the continent of North America, must be an enormous experience, easily the greatest honor a person can be bestowed. But at the same moment he also knows that one error on his part can invite the wrath from the same multitude and bring disappointment and frustration to the whole country would be equally awe-inspiring, perhaps making it tougher for people in the Indian cricket team than any other sportspersons the world over.
On top of all this, we have a scandal-mongering media, which almost seems poised and eager to find a scapegoat at the expense of whom they can make their TRPs soar. We have to accept it, people love to hate and blame someone for their troubles and love it all the more if they find someone else to do it with. The channels cash in on this attitude and end up creating abominable villains out of erstwhile heroes.
Mind you, these channels never claim anything, they seem to be just showing news, not views, so at the next moment they can bring the villain back to life and project him as a martyr or a superhero, the memories are short and in any case, the most loved topic for debate in our country is the big game itself and the media perpetually provides the reason for these debates to keep their medium alive. The one who suffers from all this is the sportsperson, and consequently the sport. For the harassed players, the focus shifts to staying on in the team, getting back at the media, answering selectors, politicking, and defending themselves. Victory, and performances take a backseat.
Of course, sportspersons can also benefit if they decide to hang their boots and learn public speaking, they’d then come to the other side of the fence and conveniently pass judgments.
