The Yaxis Live by Rajesh Kumar

Never before in the history of ICC World Cup tournaments have so much emotions been generated at such an early stage of the tournament. The early rounds are supposed to be easy for the fancied teams and it is assumed that the ‘minnows’ will walk out at the end of this stage.Not really this time. Pakistan, a former winner of Cricket World Cup is thrown out this early(though technically they have one more match with Zimbabwe left), India, another former champion facing a prospect of the same having lost to neighbours Bangladesh, and saddest of them all, Bob Woolmer, a cricketing legend lost, perhaps to stress and sadness. To add to it, there is already a captain, Inzamaam, who has already announced his intention to step aside and possibly even retire.

Are we expecting too much of a magic from our national teams? Are we forgetting that our teams are made of human beings, and we all have our days? There is a sad picture in today’s Hindu about Dhoni’s under-construction house being vandalised by ‘cricket lovers’. That property, has been apparently been gifted to Dhoni for his cricketing achievements.I find it even difficult to believe having been born in Ranchi and spent several years of my life there. Ranchi was such a fun loving city which danced all night when India won in 1983 world cup. I was under the impression that Ranchi treats MSD as a personal treasure. What will be next? Attack on Chanchalda’s house??? Are we animals????

Why, because Inzy led a lame duck team with a weak bowling attack which was low in morale due to Shoab’s absense? The fear of a return home can sometimes be so frightening. Common guys, they are coming ‘home’ and not walking into enemy territory. And they have brought you laurels in the past.

We perhaps must keen in mind that at the end of the tournament on April 29, there will be only one winner. Assuming that the winner is from the subcontinent, there will be three teams from the subcontinent who would not have won. Does that mean that we will go about setting houses ablaze! So much for our ‘cultural depth’, ‘our scientific temperament’ and ‘world leadership in IT’. What message are we sending?Shame!!!

One point one must make though. The boards in this region have no clear communication strategy to connect with the cricket lovers in respective regions, where cricket is such a high involvement matter. Time to hire some world class mass communication specialists. I am sure the boards can afford them.

Let us enjoy the ICC World Cup 2007 as a sports tournament .Not as war games. May the best team win. Let’s cheer to cricket.And goodbye Bob, we will miss ya.