By Anil - 18 July, '02
July 18 2002

There is a class of cricket critic in India who can be so unreasonable in his attacks that his motivations are unfathomable. A few ex-cricketers, reporters, and even administrators belong here. They project themselves as friends of Indian cricket, but with friends like these who needs enemies? Several sports journalists in India are armchair critics who lack a strong understanding of the game. However, unreasonable comments from ex-greats such as Bishen Bedi (commonly referred to as "Bedhi" on our message board for his ceaseless rants) and Kapil Dev are harder to come to terms with. Why would ex-cricketers lambast their own team even when they are doing well, thus inviting the wrath of a cricket-loving public upon themselves?

Jealousy?

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Are they jealous? It's possible but this is difficult to understand. Their time is done, and they should enjoy watching the game, helping their team, and making insightful comments to the media. Reporters should try to put things in perspective.

Insecurity?

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Do they feel their achievements are being overshadowed? It is possible that an insecure cricketer - such as Bedi - may blast Harbhajan Singh because he is slighted by remarks that imply the latter is the best young off spinner produced by the country. Kapil may call the pace bowlers "immature" because he realizes this is the best pace attack India has ever fielded. As a captain, Kapil may resent Ganguly's emotional on-field celebrations, which brought a tear to many an Indian eye, because he was unable to celebrate as openly and unabashedly when his team won the World Cup. Both Bedi and Kapil may dislike the new age aggressiveness from Ganguly on both domestic and international fronts, because he has the guts they never did. And when they hear a great from their own generation like Dennis Lillee say that he would have enjoyed playing under a captain such as Ganguly, they may resent that deeply.

Negativity

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Why are they often silent when India is winning while focussing on the negative? Bedi spoke up as soon as India lost their only match in the series, an inconsequential rain-curtailed one against England, claiming that India had peaked too early and predicting doom and gloom. Why didn't he speak up when they were winning, or after they won the final? Kapil has gone on record in the past questioning the commitment of Sachin Tendulkar. All this betrays a transparency in purpose that is laughable.

Inferiority

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Why are they silent when cricketers from other countries violate norms? Bedi had no complaints about a Slater or a Warne, Kapil had nothing to say about a Flintoff. Are they afraid to speak up when someone from Australia or England breaks the rules? Why would Bedi attack spinner Harbhajan and even Muralitharan (who threatens to become not just the best spinner but the most successful bowler ever), but not a Brett Lee who has much more to gain from chucking?

Disenfranchisement

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Do they feel shut out of the system? Bedi has never held a position of any import in Indian cricket. Kapil Dev was a controversial coach, and worse still ever since the accusation against him by Manoj Prabhakar of participating in match fixing (which has since been disproved), he has been looked upon with a vague suspicion by the establishment. Is he lashing out simply because he feels disenfranchised? Does an ex-administrator like Raj Singh Dungarpur criticize Indian cricket because he no longer has control over it?

Arrogance

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Is it sheer arrogance? When a Lele, secretary of BCCI, slams cricketers in the media, his contempt may be the result of knowing he holds the key to the careers of many a cricketer. Does this power give him a rush of blood, influencing him to make comments that lets people know who's boss?

Publicity?

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Do they do it for publicity? The more controversy you are involved in, the more you are in the public eye. Even an unpopular public figure can draw audiences and attention. Media critics may draw a reader base simply because people enjoy giving gaalees in unison to an obvious villain.

Talk sense, guys

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Whatever the reasons, such attacks are unpleasant to see and should be discouraged. The constructive voices in Indian cricket, such as Harsha Bhogle and Sunny Gavaskar and Viswanath, need to openly discourage these negative elements. When one of them speaks up, they must be opposed by voices of reason speaking on behalf of the majority. Every time they are allowed to make their nasty comments unopposed, we discourage progress and encourage discord within the system. Ganguly and his team have enough heat to deal with from the opposition without having to worry about taking heat from our own, even after winning. Let's ask the critics what they have done for us lately when they challenge the people who are giving their all on the field. Let's tell them to put up or shut up.