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Keeping the faith

It's quite simple. Funny, how I never looked at it from that perspective. Did you ever think about the fact that there could be a deeper reason for why they've been - well - not doing too well, to put it as politely as I can.

Altruism.

Also defined as benevolence, charity and kindness.

And they said, Charity must begin at home.

Which is exactly what I'm saying! And the Indian team is doing. Now, I've got you confused and not just a little frustrated. What the hell is she talking about? Who's kind? To whom? To me? Hello.

Ahem. Could you hear me out please? I do have a point here, and give me the next 10 sentences and you'll get my drift. Cross my heart.

While there is life, there is hope. I think I've said this before, and so have many others, but just to reiterate my point. Hope is eternal, yes? In the Indian heart, even more so. Come on, while we're cribbing, criticizing, even bad mouthing, we never really do give up do we, till Prasad's middle stump finds the turf, or Mr. Mohanty bowls that slower, wider ball that finds its way to the boundary, and there goes the match.

We don't. And that's a fact. If it weren't, then the advertising revenue generated during these matches would find itself dipping, dipping, down. Check with any research agency if you don't believe me.

I still haven't got to the point. Like I was saying, most of us love the game, and hate to watch us lose. And while, the stated intent of the team is to win, well, that noble intention finds itself not reaching fruition in most cases. Which gives all of us cause for despair, which breeds anger. Loads of it. Hey, I just saw the man get out, followed by the usual breakdown, and I'm angry too.

Well, now I don't get really angry, but just optimum angry. Enough to be able to scowl, sigh and go, why did I bother to watch this one. Foregone conclusion and all that.

However, while walking down the road, having decided the match was over when the 4th wicket fell, I happened to overhear conversations, catch the afternoon tabloid headlines and just think about the dinner conversation the previous evening. Focussed largely on Indian cricket, criticisms peppered with suggestions. The Indian team management would do well to listen in to a few of them experts. Headlines on "what is wrong with Indian cricket". Also, around tea stalls, the creative manner in which the team is, umm, discussed (more like disparaged) is very entertaining, and all in all, the focus is shifted from issues such as Nuclear disarmament, terrorism, TRAI regulations and the BSE index.

Understand. What is happening here is, just for a while, the Indian team gives it's people something else to talk about. Worry about. Brood about. Think about.

Now, if that isn't kindness, what is? The only people worried are the marketing people. Worried that the crores sitting on X's bat, and Y's gear, are not looking too pretty. Because, they aren't seen enough on the screen, the kind of time X and Y are spending at the crease, and the quality of the same time makes them want to hide the selfsame logos.

But worry not. The Indian team is smart enough. They have this one trump card that gives some joy, occasionally, ensuring that at least for a few years, there would be a critical mass watching. So, the sponsors are still around, and whatever passes for cricket is still being played. After which, it's anybody's guess, and everybody's game, I guess.

However, having said all this, I hope you understand where I'm coming from. The deeper reason? Are you convinced? Do you now believe that they lose so that you may win. Well, sort of!

Well, if even one of you buys this theory, do let me know! As far as I am concerned, I'm thinking, they start winning, and I won't have nothing to write about!

The Spare Crib/Abhilasha Khaitan