Rowland Ryder had noted in 1974, “Among the myriad delights of cricket, not least is the glorious uncertainty of the game.†Over a period of time, the term ‘cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties’ has been used and abused to death, almost making the occasion, whenever it arises, devoid of the romance it deserves. But cricket writers have failed to describe the surprises the game throws up time and again better.
Leaving aside all talks of how the Indian Premier League (IPL) is killing Test cricket, the tournament is a platter of opportunities. For some it is about money, for some it is about the chance of being seen on television, for some it’s about getting a chance to play in Indian colours. For the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh it is about making a comeback – and much more.
Sehwag, at his best, beats the ball with brutality. Yuvraj provides the same treatment, but with more grace. Gambhir can’t butcher it as well, but had effectively mastered two of India’s world cup wins in recent times. However, much to the dropping delight of their fans, with time, their powers have waned. There are no more the masters they were with their art when they guided India to win in the inaugural World T20.
The victory led to the eventual formation of the IPL. Two of the three were even accorded the status of ‘icon players’. They were at their peak to even help India lift the 2011 ICC World Cup. However, much has changed since then. Not only have they been dropped off that status, but discussion on the inclusion of the once prized possessions has turned into an elephant in the room
To say in the most undiplomatic terms, the trio along with Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan aren’t there in their respective franchises for their cricketing potential alone. There is undoubtedly a good financial reason behind their inclusion. Irrespective of how well they perform in the upcoming tournament, the chances of them making a comeback to the Indian side aren’t too bright.
Even in recent times, there have been exceptions. Michael Hussey made a late entry into cricket, Brad Hogg came out of retirement to play in the ICC World T20 2014. Brad Hodge continues to be evergreen in the T20 format. Misbah-ul-Haq reinvented his career at the age of 33. But circumstances are massively different in India, Australia and Pakistan cricket.
Indian cricket isn’t undergoing a crisis period. The reserve talent of young players isn’t small either. More importantly, the selectors gambled to go ahead with a young bunch and seem to be happy with how things have panned out so far. Odds aren’t in their favour.
With the mid-life crisis plaguing their cricket careers, the senior bunch will be aiming for more than just a return to Indian colours. They have to make a statement, a befitting one which will sit pretty as tributes to their careers.
Modified Date: April 07, 2015 4:05 AM
