Jilted and Jolted
Manoj Madhavan -
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:00 PM
So this was the proverbial bolt from the blue... Sad that it needed the surrender in Colombo to remind us of it. India has always played to the opposition's strengths. A test victory against Australia in Australia, need not necessarily mean that India would annihilate Bangladesh in their series against them. Sure, there is no logic to it. But when it comes to our cricketers, logic is your last refuge.
This is my point: For India to do justice to their strength, at least on paper, and register victories, they either need a big jolt, like the Colombo defeat, or find themselves in a situation where the team is in danger of being knocked out of a tournament at the early stages. But my question is: Why do we let such situations haunt us again and again, and again.
Is it because of our attitudes? Or, does it have to do with the way we think, the way we are brought up? It is difficult to understand, and answer such questions. But that is not to discount the fact that a billion hearts bleed every time we lose, more so when we lose so pathetically.
Let's not even consider the so-called strong batting line up we have in our playing eleven. At least on paper, we should have been compared to the fearsome foursome of the West Indies of the 80s. But then, we still succumb to pressure. Like always, the only thing consistent with us is our inconsistency. We still need such jolts to wake the sleeping tigers. I know that it is only a question of one good innings and all follies would be forgiven. But those celebrations come riding on the fear of another defeat just round the corner.
With the new rule* being implemented at the Colombo Test, we saw many crucial decisions going Sri Lanka's way. Standing your ground as a batsman now, when you are clearly out, would be more embarrassing than ever before. Sure it was difficult to say whether Sachin Tendulkar knew that he hit the ball before it went to leg gully position. But I am sure Rahul Dravid knew it and would have had to walk a long way back to the pavilion. If I may say so, for my liking, at least Rahul Dravid should have walked on without the umpire telling him to.
*A small correction. In my last blog, I said that the new rule would be applied from the Idea series and not Asia Cup. Also, the rule does permit the bowlers to appeal against umpires' judgment. I thought otherwise.