The most over-rated side in the world yet again ventures to shatter our hopes; it might be all we have for a very long time to come if measures are not afoot to catapult India and its deluded fans to the land of reality. As 1966 is forever etched in the memories of the English football fan, 1983 could well be the year that triggers memories and half-hearted hope for the Indian fan. In this respect at least, there are a lot of similarities between the two sides. Both sides boast individual brilliance and yet collectively flatter to deceive on the big stage. Players are handsomely, and in some cases obscenely, paid for their services to sport. They boast a huge following by almost fanatical fans bordering on hero worship and God-like status. Time and time again, the rigmarole that is fans’ expectations, coupled by media hype, meander towards another failure on the world’s biggest stage.

 

In the 2nd week of WC activity, India is juxtaposed in the "Bermuda triangle" featuring Bangladesh to make up the equation and waiting on the grace of Bermuda to manifest itself into a defeat for Bangladesh, which is as probable as Agarkar learning to be consistent. If the unthinkable did happen and the run rate worked in India’s favour, then cricket stands to lose all credibility. Even a drunken Bangladesh side would struggle to lose against Bermuda. Cricket is a wonderful game that boasts glorious uncertainties but with respect to India, they ought to be preparing themselves to board the next flight home rather than wait on the result of the Bangladesh - Bermuda game. However, in anticipation of the reception awaiting them back home, it would be prudent for them to make the journey by ship rather than air as our fickle memories are bound to engage ourselves with something more important and meaningful in life by the ship docks.

 

It’s cricketing courtesy to point fingers at those involved for such an ignominious exit from the WC. Blame the Coach, blame the Captain and blame all the players for not living up to our expectations and so goes the usual chant. However, why even blame anyone when our deluded expectations overwhelm us to such an extent that the real potential of a side is over-inflated hand-in-hand with the media hype? What good does it serve to expect the prima donnas and demi-gods of Indian cricket to accede to our wishes? Surely, that would be too easy and banal a proposition. There is the small matter of priorities for this bunch of pampered players. Actively pursuing business interests whilst still a current member of the squad seems to be in such vogue that it would be sneered at to not have a business interest outside cricket. Commitments suffer but who cares as long as the business interests are floated on the back of their cricketing fame?

 

Two years of experimentation in trying to mould a side capable of challenging for the top spot has yielded nothing more than fancy talk. Someone seems to have played a cruel joke on Team India. They seem to have gone around in circles in trying to re-discover their talent and potential. The end result is nothing short of abysmal. Hopes have been severely dashed. Bank balances have been depleted. A kidney has been sold. A young life has been lost. Hope has given way to despair. Disgruntlement has engulfed many a fan. All in the name of cricket. All in the name of rooting for Team India. All in the name of hoping to see Team India challenge the top teams for glory. Team India’s progress has been rudely halted by their indiscretions and over-hyped personnel.

 

This quandary whether India ought to have a highly paid coaching entourage could be explained with the aid of some necessary and vital props. Toilet paper comes in varied forms...just plain, quilted, embroidered, perfumed, decorated, and multi-coloured. All well and good. Introduce sand-paper toilet paper for an abrasive effect and folk may not be too keen on trying it out for obvious reasons. Then there is the good old water that equally accomplishes the task without having to needlessly clog up the sewage network. All accomplish the intended task well. For those who have got the drift by now, it’s not the methods of execution but the end result that matters. For some, using quilted toilet paper, apart from being vainly expensive, it neither meets their requirements nor fits in with their habits or culture. India doesn’t need a bells and whistles approach. It does not need to hire expensive personnel either. All it needs is a simple back to basics scheme, which introduces amongst other things, a sense of pride in playing for your country. Never mind the endorsements, never mind trying to garner as many billboards you can, never mind the cat walks, never mind launching a dispute with your employers for greater monetary benefits based on seniority...just stick to playing cricket in its purest form...for your country and with pride. The rest will follow.