The Indian experiences in politics and cricket
Perhaps in no other country, with due respect to Pakistan and Caribbean countries, are the fortunes of cricket and politics so intertwined with the daily lives of the population as in India. There are many similarities in the development of both spheres. Cricket in pre-independence India mirrored colonial political development, revolving largely around an elite group. The politics of the clamour for independence from Britain also contained in it a burning desire for the deprived classes to have their place on the field and in the administration of the game of cricket.
Indian politics has had, and continues to have, more than its fair share of controversy, conflict, armed and bloody confrontations, assassination of leaders and instability. Starting with the insensitive and self-serving British carve-up of the Indian sub-continent after the Second World War, India has had to suffer cycles of these unfortunate developments. It has resulted in many tragedies in the history of that nation, wars with Pakistan, and armed conflicts involving Indian participation in the fortunes of neighbouring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Important leaders such as the venerable Mahatma Gandhi and generations of his line have met untimely ends at the hands of assassins.
Modi, the victor of the massive election process in India, has worked his way up from the lower classes of society to triumph at the head of the Hindu nationalist BJP party, triumphing over the Gandhi dynasty, which not even the assassinations could end. He now has the mandate and the task of re-energizing a nation still torn by class, religious and political strife.
That is a challenge also before Indiaâs cricket administrators. Cricket has suffered from a level of controversy and strife comparable to Indiaâs political fortunes. It has meant drastic changes in the administration of the game and at the leadership of the national team. As often as there have been administrative upheavals, so too have there been changes in national captaincy, as well as in the choice of both selectors and players, which have extended the instability.
This has continued up until today, with leaders at both the official national level and the professional Indian Premier League (IPL) forced to step down in the face of corruption charges. Gautam Gambhir has found himself sometimes on the wrong side of such internal wrangling. He would feel very relieved and vindicated both by his teamâs IPL triumph, as well as his recall to the Indian national line-up after a two-year absence.
That Gambhirâs Kolkata team won its second title is to a large extent due to the bowling of the Caribbeanâs Sunil Narine, the spinner who continues to puzzle all and sundry. The Trinidadian âmystery manâ weaved his web to propel his team to the finals and though not as successful on the âBig Dayâ, still ended with the second highest number of wickets, and among those who played regularly, the second-best figures for economy rates.
He was one of only three of the 13 Caribbean participants in the IPL who redeemed themselves. Barbadian Dwayne Smith registered the second highest total of runs, while Narineâs compatriot, Lendl Simmons, a late replacement, has ensured that he will be in demand next year with some attractive knocks, including the
first century of the 2014 season.
It was disappointment for the other ten. Dwayne Bravo made an early exit after injury; Chris Gayle, plagued by nagging injury, was but a shadow of himself, managing less than 200 runs in his nine innings, as compared with over 700 runs in 2013; Pollard made fantastic catches, but generally batted too low to allow himself to be more effective; Sammyâs bowling undermined his usefulness and all the others made only fleeting appearances.
But it must have been a learning experience and it is to be hoped that just as Narendra Modi and Gambhir persevered to triumph, our guys can do the same.
Renwickrose0@gmail.com
Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.
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