Cynics and Indian cricket - An everlasting relationship

Indian Cricket Fans Burn posters and an effigy of the Indian Cricket team in Amritsar, 24 March 2007, following the team’s loss against Sri Lanka in the World cup. India were virtually ousted of the World Cup after a 69-run loss against Sri Lanka .

The 2011 World Cup triumph brought about temporary silence in the cynical community who sprang back to life during overseas mauling of India by England and Australia. Rants of a complete overhaul in the line-up became as popular as rosogollas in Kolkata. Given the predicament Indian cricket was in, it was only natural that these vociferous calls would dominate the newspaper headlines until India managed to win a match.

Come summer 2013, and India did manage to win a match. Not just one match, rather a complete whitewash of a touring Australian side. History was created, and jubilation spread across the country until, of course, the cynics surfaced once again. Public memory is short, and one of the major duties that the critics have shouldered upon themselves is to remind Indians, constantly, of the shortcomings. This time it was the lack of skill in the Australian squad that was mocked at. India’s historic deed was, once again, downplayed as if it was only expected that such a depleted side would be beaten no less comprehensively on spinning turfs.

Most top teams around the world are dominant at their own backyard and it is, of course, a challenge to succeed away from home in adverse conditions. However, does this suggest the Indian team must be deprived of the credit of outplaying the same Aussies who had punched them hard in the Kangaroo Island? While the Australian media had organized over-the-top celebrations for the victorious home team months ago, here was their Indian counterpart, all sardonic and vinegary regarding their own team after the 4-0 revenge. Agreed that the ‘real’ test awaits the Indians in South Africa, but does that imply Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay must be scrapped off the glory they actually deserve?

Be it Sourav Ganguly or MS Dhoni, every Indian captain has lived through and accepted the cynicism of the media and the public with indifference. Indian cricket is a lot more than just newspapers and public hullabaloos, and the players have known better than to read too much into controversies. Immature and untimely judgments about a particular player are no less absurd than farcical statements of soothsayers. At this juncture, one has to admit that a calm-headed skipper in Dhoni has done a world of good to the players and infused new vigour and inspiration in them.

Negativism, however, continues to wither the relationship between the devotees and the devout deities of Indian cricket. Escalating pessimism persisting in media circle means cricket is being shrouded by gloom and distrust where every single individual is being placed to doubt. The IPL scandal has made matters worse. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before players begin to alienate themselves from the fans (or vice versa). For the best interest of the country and the sport that has successfully flourished, it’s an absolute requirement to strike a balance – basking in the glory of triumphs is as essential as accepting defeats sportingly. Cynicism had been the order for so long; what harm in endorsing a bit of optimism?

For once, the half-empty glass demands to be observed as a half-filled one.