Should critics don the role of selectors in cricket?

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 28: Sachin Tendulkar of India leaves the field after being dismissed during the One Day International match between India and Sri Lanka at Bellerive Oval on February 28, 2012 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

There are two types of cricket fans out there in India. They stand united as well as divided by the game. While many of them are die-hard Sachin fans, there are some who are his harshest critics. Right now it looks like the critics have got the upper hand, helped by indifferent performances of the great Indian Maestro in the last few series. It is obvious that they have been waiting to call for his head for very long.

Once they get the opportunity to make hues and cries, you can rest assured they are not the ones to lag behind. Their eyes got lit up seeing the Little Master getting bowled time and again in the ongoing home series against a mediocre Kiwi side. The fact that the great man has got out either by bowled or by leg before in the last 24 innings does not help his cause either. Immediately the doubters have started questioning his technique, which according to them is diminished, failing to cope up with his growing age.

Many of them might not have not even touched the cricket willow in their life to know what goes on in the mind of a cricketer like Tendulkar, as he takes guard. But still they do not mind being judgemental. They feel that the Mumbai batsman is done and so holds no right to get selected in the team. I am not here to argue in Sachin’s favour either. Neither I am here to claim Sachin is indispensable and so deserves a place in the side, irrespective of the way he performs. I am not going to say any of those things because I am not a fanatic.

But, having said that I don’t agree as well with those crazy fans who seem to persist on one view that Sachin should retire. I simply do not understand as to what prompted them to decide on the career of the great man. Who gave them the right to think that they can dictate terms to Sachin or to any cricketer for that matter? Sachin was right when he stated in a press conference that no one should advise when he should retire. If he starts to feel that he is not fit to play for India anymore, he would go and take rest by himself. As long as he is confident of himself, why should he call it a day or why should he heed to someone else?

Sachin’s love for the game has always been from the bottom of his heart and that is why he is able to survive as a cricketer for the last 23 years, scoring runs all round the world. He is so passionate even after turning a Member of the Parliament in the Upper House, he is still making himself available for selection. No one can even accuse him that he is after money and so he is still sticking himself in the team. He has earned enough money and he can lead a comfortable life with whatever he has earned thus far, without starving for a single day. Being an MP, he will be getting every bit of freebies and allowances in addition to remuneration. Inspite of all such eligibilities and having adequate money, he still is prepared to sweat it out in the cricket field and that speaks of the amount of affinity he has for the game.

He has overcome the physical problems like tennis elbow and sore back in the middle of his distinguished 23 years run only to play the game which he romances dearly. All in all, he is one rare phenomenon when it comes to embracing the sport. Such a cricketer will never like to quit what he cares so much. It is highly immoral on the part of the fans, therefore, to pressurize the star batsman to retire.

Such critics are just opportunists with a preconceived notion that people nearing 40 years are not good to play the game of cricket. As much as they know the prevailing situation, even the selectors know what is happening in cricket to which they are responsible. They are the ones who are paid for doing what is good for the game. If they are happy with the role a player plays, then why should it bother outsiders? The remote control is always with the selection panel and they will always be under the scanner if a particular player’s non – performance hinders the progress of the team. So, like a cricketer, they will also be targeted if they fail to give valid reason behind selections. They are accountable for failures and the committee can be easily rearranged for poor selection.

It is purely selectors’ discretion to pick a player or not. Citing Sachin’s age, it is unfair on the part of the outsiders to seek his retirement. They cannot ask him to stop doing what he perceives as his passion. Till he feels he has done enough, he can go on playing and no vested interests should be allowed to sneak in demanding him to hang off the boots. It is highly unethical. India is a free country and everyone is allowed to do whatever they want according to our fundamental principles.

It is just a myth that people feel a sportsman cannot go beyond a certain age in giving his best. Already he is in an immense “pressure cooker” type of situation to perform following the retirements of the veterans, Dravid and Laxman. He, more than any one, knows that the crazy fanatics of the game would make him a marked man urging him to quit once the other big players walked off and precisely that is what happening.

With all these thoughts if he enters the cricket field well aware of a Damocles’ sword hanging right above his head already, it will be difficult for him to focus on the game. Maybe because he is the only senior from the 90s left in the team, amidst all youngsters, he is forced to hold on to his place, building a big innings in every match he plays. The pressure of performing in a “do or die” situation , coupled with what his critics are thrusting upon him seeking his retirement, could have got into him and perhaps that is the reason for his debacles what we see now. The skeptics may well be responsible for his failures, may be inadvertently, which we have seen recently. If only they leave him alone, he can go to the cricket field with a tranquil mind set which may help him to bring back his lost form.

We have probably lost many standout innings already which we would have otherwise seen from him had he been assured of a place in the side. He is not another Tom, Dick and Harry who plays the game. He is a special player widely respected by fans across the cricket playing countries. He has achieved so much in his elite career that he commands his place in the side. So, critics need not worry about his depleting form. There are always selectors who are bothered about their own survival. The roles are assigned and let only the incumbents decide on the future of the team.