Oh, Calcutta!

Sujata Prakash & Prem Panicker

Prem: Hey, Sujata, Happy New Year! What did you make, in cricketing terms, of the year that was?

Sujata: Happy New Year to you and all the readers, Prem. Let's see, 2001 could be titled 'Oh, Calcutta!' There was some pathetic cricket played by the Indians last year, but the Australian tour provided us with a moment to hold onto. For a brief period of time we had some real heroes to worship.

Prem: Yeah -- same old story, one moment of joy, one spark to warm ourselves with for the duration. Which brings me to the obvious question -- how do you see the year just dawned?

Sujata: Being of a practical nature I don't, alas, foresee a spark of such magnitude to light our lives again. We used to be lions at home, but the lions have barely managed to guard their turf against England. I see the Indians struggling in West Indies and England, because there is just too much collective despondency that comes from losing so much, and from having a captain who seems very directionless at the moment.

Prem: Some such thought occured to me, too -- the last time we were in the West Indies, we dominated for a good part of the tour and one day's mess up cost us dear. This year we have an extra handicap -- the schedule. I don't know which mastermind drew up a calendar where we play an ODI in India and a Test -- the first of five -- in the Windies just three days later. But if there is any Indian player injury free after playing England in ODIs, Zimbabwe in Tests and ODIs, Windies in Tests and ODIs, then England in England, Windies in India.... hoo boy, you'd rather try and climb Everest without oxygen.

Sujata: Geez, that kind of schedule would be enough to kill Arnold Schwarzeneggar! And you know how unfit half our team is. No wonder Wright can't make the players muster up the motivation needed to win. Any sportsperson can tell you that standing in the sun day after gruelling day, and retaining motivation throughout, can only happen if fitness is one hundred and ten percent. And fitness also means giving your muscles and mind a rest.

Prem: True. It is a vicious cycle, really -- you can work on fitness training only during the off period, and there IS no off period. On another note, other than the Calcutta win, I thought the year did have a couple of shining points -- one being Harbhajan's emergence, the other being Virender Sehwag. Add to that the retention of Wright and Leipus. And finally, Dalmiya's obiter dicta about what he plans to do for Indian cricket -- did you read that?

Sujata: I did read it, and you could have knocked me down with a feather! I thought the BCCI had taken a vow to ignore such things as fitness, motivation, accountability and unbiased selection. Now Dalmiya has stated that he is determined to start the turnaround. If he implements ALL that he has sworn to, than get ready world, we're on our way to becoming serious contenders for the top slot. So, Prem, do you believe in miracles?

Prem: About as much as I believe in love at first sight, frankly! But against that -- Dalmiya in a private conversation with some bigwigs was pretty miffed at all the flak he was getting, and told his listeners, you wait and see, I'll take India to the top if it is the last thing I do. Actually, for me the really significant point could be the implementation of contracts in February. Right now, players won't miss a game even if they have to carry a broken leg, cause they ain't sure they'll get their place back -- but once they are on contract, the board and selectors can rotate players, judiciously rest some, and shepherd the team through what looks like being the toughest international season yet.

Sujata: They do say there is such a thing as love at first sight, but the BCCI following its dictats to the T? Hmm, I guess I'd be more inclined to believe in the former. However, if the players are rotated and the selectors get firm about fitness -- which means no one, not even the best batsman is exempt from being dropped if he doesn't pass the fitness test -- then that should be a good beginning. Just look at our team, Prem, they don't even DARE to dream anymore. The South Africans, Australians and even the Pakistanis play for love, for pride, and to oust each other out from the number one and two slots. But the Indians are content with their number four position. No tremors jolt them if that becomes five, or six. If a man is not motivated enough to achieve the maximum fitness levels he can, so as to be on par with the best, than let's not have him in the team. Would you say that's too radical?

Prem: Not radical, no -- in fact, I would say it's about time such standards were enforced. And the installation of the contract system has to be the starting point of the process -- the board can now tell its players, we gave you everything you asked for, now give us the results, or get the heck out, no matter who you are. And that brings up the big question -- with the World Cup just over a year away, can we afford a non-performing captain any more, or does it make better sense to give him time off, to get to the drawing board of domestic competition and get his game back? One thing for sure -- an off form Ganguly is increasingly becoming a liability, not just with the bat but in the field.

Sujata: Ganguly is one vexed problem for everyone. I think the reason why the selectors do not want to 'rest' him is because there is no alternative and they are too scared to make Sachin the captain and risk his batting going into a slide. If you ask me, Ganguly could be retained as captain for the one dayers and Sachin can be tried out as captain for the tests in the West Indies.

Prem: Hmmm.... when Sachin was captain, his average slipped five points, if I remember right. Ganguly's slide is more like, 25 points. When SG is on song, there is no batsman I'd rather watch -- and that is precisely why I hope he, and the selectors, do the right thing. The last thing he needs is to go through another series or two the way he has been going lately, because then the lack of confidence could spill into the ODIs as well, and that will be disaster.

Sujata: Yes, it would be a disaster for him and for the team. Dalmiya is harping about accountability, so why exempt Ganguly? He needs help, not to get back to his old form, but to polish his present one. He can't tackle the fast bowlers and he's in a state of denial, insisting that there is nothing wrong with his batting. Maybe there isn't, in which case something is wrong with his nerves.

Prem: Whatever -- it is something for Ganguly, his coach, and his selectors to work out and that right soon. Rahul Dravid was in similar case, but with his shoulder injury, he is getting a break anyway to rethink his game. I donno, Sujata, I keep going back to Dalmiya's prescription -- and find myself thinking, if he implements even 50 per cent of it, most especially the accountability-down-the-line bit, then Indian cricket and its fans will happily forgive him everything in the past, mebbe even put up a statue to the man. God knows, he would have deserved one.

Sujata: Sure, you can put up the statue and some corporate types will give him and the team endorsements ranging from suitings to fizzy drinks, and before you know it everything will be back to square one! I think I'll settle on giving him a pat on the back for doing his job. Pardon my cynicism, Prem, but the Indian fan these days is wary of excessive largesse towards the BCCI or the team. Still, what is life without hope, so I will end by saying 'May 2002 be better than 2001.'

Prem: That's as fitting an epitaph as any actually -- Here lies Indian cricket, it created a nation of cynics! I'll say Amen to that last thought, and see you before the ODIs against England begin. Take care, adios.

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The Year That Was