How much is justified

These days I’m getting a bit irritated with the news of player remunerations. With respect to soccer and recently with respect to cricket. I dont have a problem with people earning much, or on what and where they spend all that money. Someone who spends money in the best way would earn my respect.

Well, I know it doesnt matter much anyways…

Inspired by the soccer world, cricket is taking the same turn. So much of money is being thrown on players. Someone did a research, IIMA probably, on how the amount is worked upon, and came out with numbers saying every run, every catch, every wicket counts. I used to think cricket is played as a team. Not anymore, the fraternity seems to think that a few good players are good enough. And guess what, every player would now be playing in his own interest.

Its just that it doesnt sink well to know that you and me, and that poor farmer toiling his way for a livelihood is made to pay for all this, indirectly. The players are paid by the clubs. This means that the club earns much more than what they actually end up paying the players. Most of this money comes not just the amount collected as part of the tickets but from the television rights. Television companies get their money from advertisements. Advertisement expenses are reclaimed by companies by marking up the cost into the final price of things that you and me buy.

May be the government should limit the amount spent on advertising as these directly add to the cost of producing things.

Whats the point in writing all this, Indians are so much addicted to cricket that now its more like drug addiction. You and I cant live without it. We still see crowds in front of shops displaying tubes watching some match, obstructing whatever is left to resemble as sidewalk? Is there a time when you didnt logon to cricinfo or any news site just to keep tab on whats happening?

And just like weeds this is going to cost us a lot more, while the intermediaries will laugh all the way to the bank….

 

Our heros, our legends

Today was Anil Kumble’s last day. He quit test cricket forever. In his last message, he thanked everyone for the support, remembered how it was in the dressing room; Said he had planned to quit after the test series and his injury led him take the decision early. He is not playing the last test match against the visiting aussies. MS Dhoni who has been groomed to lead the test team will take over the mantle.

It was a disheartening episode to see Anil kumble’s farewell. There are several folds of reason. In recent days the selectors have become a bit vocal about their opinions and concerns. Its either becos they started enjoying all the attention they are getting or the media has become hyper active and reports even a sneeze.

Every news channel attempts to grab the attention of cricket crazy fans by having erstwhile players as their private panelist to whom they ask questions and opinions. Recent trial by media saying the fab five should be shown the door was completely tasteless. Creating a controversy has become the mode to grab the audience. The media was united in its call for the fab five to step down.

Who are you guys? Who gave you authority to speak on these? Just because you have the ability to reach millions of viewers doesnt mean that you can impose all your nonsense on them. Why dont you call upon politicians and ask them to quit. You talk about 35 years age limit, most of the politicians in India are well over 50. There are a lot over 70. Talk about them. Talk about how young politicians are not getting recognition because of dynasty politics. Talk about how politicians report bribes collected in the order of millions and millions of rupees in their income tax reports as gift received from the general public.

Cricketers are selected by the BCCI and they look at various factors before deciding if a player should be included or not. Who are these guys to ask? Who are they speaking for?

Every ounce of blood in my body boils when they show utter disrespect and denounce people who had been the inspiration for thousands and thousands of Indians. We grew up watching them, we grew up having them as our role models. We would not tolerate insults to our heros.

Saurav ganguly was subject to mistreatment and insulted. Tendulkar was insulted for his poor form. What do you have to say about VVS, his golden knock of a double century and an unbeaten half century. What do you have to say about sachin crossing becoming the highest run getter in the world.

Guys, guys, guys can you even stand in front of them. If you are really concerned that the young players are not getting chances to play, make BCCI do alterations. For instance, create dual squads, visiting teams get to play both the squads; Create high quality internal competition that will show people what they are cabable of. In the worst case, let BCCI be the deciding authority about who plays and who doesnt. And if the BCCI cannot really judge who is fit by itself, we know where the problem is!

Every player of his worth knows exactly when its time for him to end the show. Every musician knows when the last note is to be played.

Dilip vengsarkars comments in the middle of the series that the captian should quit was senseless and without timing. If it had come from some critic, we can junk it. But Dilip has been in a responsible position and should know. A little bit of respect, some empathy towards a fellow cricketer who is walking the path, he walked years ago is all I’m seeking. Not only from him, but the rest of the so called panelists on different television channels.

My advice to news channels, Leave analysis to the sports channels and concentrate on other things. Even if you want to report on sports, talk about the condition of sports in India, talk about how there is lack of support both financial and material for the aspiring sportsmen.

I think the media is not really concerned about the young players, its not concerned about cricket, all it is concerned about is the TRP ratings. We want our heros to be respected and legends to be built around their style, their game, their charm, their contribution, their achievements. We want the tiny tots to read about these legends and feel proud.