From the time India managed to reach the finals of the World Cup 2003, after putting up an absolutely stunning display in the league matches, we heard murmurs of India being the second best team in the world. The murmurs kept on increasing till it reached a crescendo when India drew their series against the mighty Australians and then for the first time defeated Pakistan in a test series in Pakistan. WOW!!! We all collectively exclaimed.
Ganguly and his men kept giving interviews left, right and centre as to how we are the second best team in the world, how we have finally learnt to win abroad, why we have the best batting line-up in the world etc. etc. etc. The more they spoke to that effect the more we beamed. More the cricket pundits and analysts proclaimed Team India as the second best in the business, the more we patted our back and puffed our chest. Thankfully the Asia cup arrived and with that the bubble too burst?
The most dangerous aspect of marketing hype and hyperbole in sports is that Teams and individuals themselves start believing it. Not a bad thing per se as Australians have shown. They are marketed world wide as the invincible Australians and their players too believe in that adage, which have helped them many a time turning certain defeats into incredible victories.
However lets look at what Team India does. It proclaims its the second best team in the world?now lets look objectively at this tag. Is it really flattering? Does it really make you proud? Hell! There are 10 test playing nations all over the world and out of that 10: 2 are the ?mighty? teams of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. So whats the big deal about being the 2nd in the class out of such a small number?
The question to be asked is that inspite of having the richest cricket board in the world, the largest pool of cricketers and a frenzied following of millions for the game. Why are we only No.2? (That self-proclaimed status though again is highly disputable-what about teams like England which has won 8 of their last 9 test matches or New Zealand which has won 13 of the 17 one day matches they have played in 2004- we still haven?t heard them shout from their roof tops that they are the 2nd best team in the world. Wake up Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Fleming!!)
This obsession with being No. 2 is disturbing as it betrays a certain lack of confidence and will power to reach the peak. The utterly intolerant attitude of the Indian players to criticism is also worrisome. The moment someone dares to speak his mind, Ganguly starts questioning the very credential of that guy- ?
How many tests has this guy played? How many ODIs has he played? How many runs has he scored? How many wickets has he taken? Etc. etc. etc.? Now if this were a benchmark for writers and commentators we wouldn?t be left with too many in any field. Imagine Manmohan Singh thundering- ?Whose he to comment on my prime minister ship? How many times has been the PM of the country?? or War correspondents being gagged, as they haven?t fought any war per se.
Its high time the Indian team gets off its high horse and get a reality check. One series victory doesn?t make them as great as they would like to believe. The hallmark of any good team is the consistency you display over a considerable period of time and India unfortunately doesn?t pass that test. Out of 49 ODIs since 2003 we have won 27 and lost 20. Nothing spectacular but if we still want to gloat over it, here?s a reality check :out of these 27 wins, 11 have come against the mighty teams of Bangladesh (3), Kenya (2), Zimbabwe (5) and UAE (1)!!!
Brandishing their No. 2 status on numerous interviews and press conferences might help Team India sell more cycles, shaving blades, tyres, cell-phones, snacks, jams, credit cards, bikes, shoes, pens, health drinks, cars?sigh!! pant!!! (Gee did I miss something.. Sorrie for that) but does nothing for Indian cricket. Its time they stop wallowing in their mediocrity and look to aim for the stars. No one remembers the second man on the moon. But then maybe Mr. Ganguly does!!!
P.S- This article is in no way a reaction to our pathetic performance in the ASIA CUP!!! Would be glad if you could drop in your comments!!!
CHEERS!!!!