The contrasting attitudes of cricketers from different generations

The previous generation of cricketers earned worldwide respect

Cricket is followed like a religion in India. A win brings a smile on the faces of everyone whereas a loss leaves every soul devastated. Be it the highs or the lowest of lows, each and every moment is heartfelt by the fans and followers.

Over the years, many players have come and many have gone, but the passion for the game has remained unchanged and unaltered. Every generation of cricketers produces a set of players who define or highlight that particular era. People relate to them and follow them as their heroes.

I have seen two generations of Indian cricketers and both these generations have produced two very different sets of great players. The first would be the generation represented by the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble etc.

The other generation is the so-called ‘youth brigade’ consisting of Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and others.

Both these generations have given their all for the game. They have devoted major parts of their lives for a game which the entire nation loves.

The dedication of these players is unparalleled. The intention of all has been to achieve the maximum for the nation. But there is an evident contrast in the way the two generation of players have conducted themselves on and off the field.

The game of cricket is many a times referred to as the gentleman’s game. The generation of Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble etc. have strengthened the particular belief by the way they carried themselves on and off the field.

They played a brand of extremely competitive cricket with an equal amount of grace and panache. They competed in a way to which no one on earth could have ever had an objection. People idolised them. These players have been involved in many great moments.

All those runs and centuries of Sachin and Rahul, the 10 wickets in the same innings for Anil Kumble or his tally of 600 wickets, Laxman’s unforgettable 281; all those thrilling match wins and many more. These are no mean achievements.

The celebrations of all these never went overboard. They were joyous, but never demeaning to anyone or never did they make the opponents feel small.

These players were always appreciative of their opponents as well. A good performance was always applauded. Their relations with their teammates and more importantly their counterparts from other nations, are a proof of their amazing persona.

The biggest factor that sets these players apart is their admiration overseas. They are respected and they receive standing ovations all over the world. Nothing is more commendable than earning the respect of the opposing supporters.

Change is the law of nature. No team is constant and goes through change of players. Similar was the case with the Indian cricket team. Some players departed and were replaced by younger set of players popularly known as the ‘youth brigade’.

The success of the team continued, in fact it reached new heights, but the image of the gentleman’s game took some toll. This generation, barring a few players, were clearly very bad mouthed.

Even an amateur could read the lips of these players using foul words. Astonishingly, these foul words were more often used for displaying joy.

The celebrations after centuries or important catches were mostly filled with such words. There has been an instance where a player could not take the crowd’s criticism in a sporting way and showed them the much hated middle finger.

The relation of these players with their own teammates has also not been very healthy. News of dressing room divides surfaces pretty often. The much regretted slapgate incident between two national team members in the IPL cannot be forgotten. The off-field controversies have kept on increasing and the game has got more verbal.

Under no circumstance am I questioning the integrity of any of the players. I admire them as much as any of their fans. They have performed their duties with as much dedication as possible. What I am bringing under the scanner is the stark contrast of the conduct of the two sets of players, the stark contrast by which the two sets of players try to reach the same destination.

A good player becomes great when he wins the respect of the opponents. The present set of players will find it hard to win the hearts of people outside their own nation (exceptions are always there).

It seems highly improbable to me that they would get a standing ovation at Lord’s, or for that matter any other ground, in the latter part of their careers like a few of the players of the preceding generation had earned.

They may surpass the previous generation in records and success but by the way things have shaped up until now, the humility and humbleness can never be matched.

Both sets of players have been extremely efficient and dedicated. But one thing is for sure, a mother would always want her child to be a person resembling a Sachin, Dravid or someone of their generation, not for their on-field exploits but for the way they have conducted themselves through the years of immense success, for their humble nature, for their grounded attitude, for their humility.