IPL 6: Let the bat and ball only do the talking

The Indian Premier League, which has been promoted more as an entertainment show (going as per the television advertisements) than a cricket series, has had its fair share of drama over the years, some of which has helped to attract a greater audience attention. IPL edition 6 has had some wonderful close matches so far, but as expected, it hasn’t gone down without any controversy. The recent Kohli vs Gambhir duel on the field or Kohli’s remark about the booing crowd at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai raises some serious disciplinary issues.

Passion vs Aggression – Are they interrelated or is there a fine line separating the two? It is interesting to note that a considerable number of fans consider a player who is more expressive as the one who shows a lot of passion and aggression in the game. When things were going well for team India, Dhoni’s cool outlook was given a lot of credit for his excellent handling of the team, but when they were on a losing streak, these were the same reasons given for India’s poor performance.

It was said that he takes it too casually and doesn’t really show the kind of aggression needed to change a team’s fortunes. Kohli was hailed as the captain India badly needed to take them out of the dire situation. There were no doubts about his skills as a batsman, but people opined that with his aggressive streak, he could be the next generation captain for India.

But looking at the way the IPL has progressed, the question arises if Kohli is the right man to lead India in the future. His aggressive bursts on the field for any misfield or poor execution of the bowlers can be demoralising for a player. Will he be able to mentor a junior player and pass on his suggestions to a senior player in an equably respectable way?

It is too early to judge a player of Kohli’s class, and there is no doubt that all the anger which he expresses on the field is due to the passion he has for doing well for the team. But here arises the dilemma. How much is too much? As of now, his performances at the international level have been outstanding which has allowed him to get away with all his antics on the field. At some point or the other in his career, there is bound to be a stage where his performances will dip, and that’s when his character will be tested.

The likes of Gambhir and Kohli getting animated when their plans don’t go right or getting into a duel doesn’t augur well for the game. There is no harm in a little bit of banter between players of two teams and in fact at times, it even increases the intensity of the game. Some of the greatest duels in the game have happened after a verbal show too!

Having said that, it is important that with a large number of youngsters following the game, they are taught the good aspects of the game which includes on-field conduct as well. The pillars of the game like Dravid, Kumble, Tendulkar and Hussey have shown how to play the game hard but while maintaining exemplary conduct on the field.

The recent on-field spat between Gambhir and Dravid left Gambhir’s stocks in decline even more. Even if he was just trying to suggest Dravid that probably he should talk to Watson about his behaviour rather than to Bisla, his aggressive past has put him in bad light irrespective of whether he was right or wrong.

With the IPL being extremely popular among the younger generations, players have to realise that they not only play for the team to win, but also are ambassadors of the game who inspire the next generation of cricketers. As the theme song of the IPL goes by, Isko sirf dekhne ka nahi (It is not just to be seen); it is a tournament where new fans get to learn and take up interest in the game as well. How the players conduct themselves on the field may well define how the next set grows up.