We Pay them

Cricket is a Funny game, but this time around the selectors made it more grotesque. On 14th December 2005 India recorded an emphatic 188 run victory over Srilanka. Soon after the selection committee announced the team for the third test against Srilanka dropping Saurav Ganguly, the most successful Indian captain till date. This decision whetted quite many emotions, sparked off indignation among many of the million.

There are people on both sides of the ring as expected. Some support his exclusion as a brave step with the future in mind while others say there is no reason but politics behind his exclusion.
To each his own view, I am more inclined towards his inclusion simply because I feel that tests require more experience than ODI’s and Saurav certainly strengthens the Indian middle order. I feel it important to mention at this juncture, something which might be considered as a veritable display of modesty being an Indian that I don’t consider myself as a cricket expert.

I am more unnerved by the timing of the decision, lack of accountability by the selectors and finally lack of respect to a great Indian captain. In fact I find some of the reasons given by bloggers more justifiable for his exclusion than the selectors. More importantly I want you to answer a simple question.

What makes BCCI the richest board in world cricket?
Ans. A million Indians.

Why do I keep saying a million Indians is another matter of deep concern, for I believe there’s hardly anyone in our country who knows how many of us are here.

Anyways, we’ll think about that sometime later. I feel that BCCI and the selection board should be more accountable to Indians. Here’s a brief description of our selection committee.

“North’s Bhupinder Singh (Sr) featured in a couple of ODIs, never quite coming
into contention for a Test berth.

The other two, Sanjay Jagdale (Central) and East’s Ranjib Biswal, never got beyond the domestic first-class
level.

Indeed, even among the old-timers — West’s Kiran More and
V.B.Chandrasekhar (South) — the former alone has played both Tests and ODIs.
Chandrasekhar had seven ordinary appearances in the sport’s chota version.”

Source This artcile from the Telegraph.

I feel the best should only be the part of the selection committee. BCCI’s esteemed constitution should be amended so that it is more accountable to the people of this country. I don’t hesitate even a bit to say that indirectly we pay them. They are rich because cricket is worshipped in our country.

Nayan Mongia I remember was gifted a similar kind treatment. And then again, Have they forgotten about Zaheer khan and Balaji.

Our selectors have to be more accountable and respectable.