CRICKET – II

 CRICKET – II

Cricket enjoyed such a social acceptance that media, sports authorities and sponsors found a goldmine in the game, so much so, it turned out to be a fertile ground for wrong-doing, betting, money spinning – all in a silent mode; it tempted persons to attain positions of authority on the boards of control of different zones by augmenting ‘support’ from among committees.  It nearly reached ‘menacing proportions’ that rival groups emerged and slowly the focus shifted from game to ‘administration’. Meanwhile short version cricket became quite popular and games in stadia drew spectators in large number and it did not ‘hurt’ the broadcasters for their share of fortune. Though Kerry Packer was bitterly chided by varied establishments –as spoiling the purity of the game for its traditions, boards themselves succumbed to the lure of money and started fielding ‘short version International matches, Tri-series involving 3 teams from different continents and so on.

The new-found enthusiasm for cricket in India can be traced and ascribed to India’s victory as world champions in The Prudential cup -1983 in England. At that point global attention was on the captain of the team –KAPIL DEV NIKHANJ – a Haryana lad. His leadership is said to have been the ‘energizing factor’ which strongly infused the ‘never say die’ spirit into the then Indian team.  He led by example and motivated everyone to give ‘his’ best. Undoubtedly it was a clear example of what motivation can do. Thereafter, keeping head high and holding genuine pride for skills literally became an Indian ethos. Kapil’s career as a national cricketer began in 1978 and lasted till 1994. Literally, he was a role model for many youngsters then. I know that Kapil [his stature as a cricketer] cannot be compressed into a few lines even by articulate writers.

The game is now a money spinner. We hear of ‘auctions’ for players to fix-up a certain ‘price tag’ for each player for that season. There are bidders who plunge so much money in the deal and such dull heads as mine cannot decipher as to how the money would be retrieved; Whole teams are sponsored by men / women –obviously with copious money that cannot be contained in wallets / baskets or containers; our imagination is incapable of conceiving beyond a limit.  Though it invokes awe and laughter together, there is so much in it that the earlier advice to children to concentrate on studies looks ill-placed, if education is a route to making a good life. Actually, the same cannot be said of every other game, even ‘team games’ for that matter.  The hue and cry that a step-motherly deal is meted out to other field games is not ill-placed or a figment of someone’s imagination. In the progress of events in our country as regards cricket, a major outlet has been nearly left in the oblivion. Yes, I mean the Radio.

The present generation [say in the last 35 years or so] men and women would not have had the thrill of using a Radio for different forms of entertainment- Cine songs, movie sound tracks, Games like, Cricket, Tennis, Foot ball, Horse racing –all in audio format portrayed by descriptive Commentating of reputed men of global standing. India boasted of the likes of Bobby Thalayar Khan, Vijay Merchant, Vizzy  - THE Maharaj  kumar of Vijayanagaram], V N Chakrapani, Pearson Swarita, Anand setalvad, Dickie Rutnagar, Ananda Rao –the prominent ones. Jack Fingleton, Michael Charlton [Australia], Trevor Bailey, Henry Bloefeld, [England], Tony cozier [W. Indies] were names of International repute.

To keep the listeners glued to the Radio is no mean feat. The commentator ought to be lively, brisk with a steadfast adherence to proceedings on the field without digression. Each of them [commentators] had a voice so typical that listeners would right away spot who the commentator was. They had a global following and fans too. They used to make critical observations with incisive analysis. In least time, they used to give the most and were neat in their presentation and composure. They seldom revealed emotional leanings and were quite objective through the proceedings. Certainly we are missing those fine elements.

Prof. K. Raman