A white country will win World Cup

It was a long, long wait to see Team India leave for the Caribbean. I did just that hoping the mad hype would subside. The last fortnight has really been crazy with the print and electronic media going overboard with Team India’s expectations.

There has been a distinct lack of maturity from a commoner to the high and mighty of the corporate and celluloid world. I suspect Indian cricketers enjoyed the melee while it lasted without quite realising the mounting pressure on them. Well, so be it.

The reality of the ninth edition of the cricket World Cup between the Test playing countries and a host of global partners will get underway soon and last the longest period of any sporting contest, including the Olympics. No other sport caters for absolute no-hopers to get anywhere near a world-class contest.

Imagine India playing in World Cup foot ball! The qualifying stipulation in itself is a Himalayan barrier. Soon Indian hockey may find itself in a similar predicament. Cricket is a different ball game whence India can claim to be there on merit, having won the Cup in 1983 and not forgetting that flukes and miracles do happen in cricket.

No, I’m not taking anything away from Kapil’s devils. But the abject surrender to the Windies in India following the ’83 triumph was a clear indication of where Indians actually belonged.

The ICC’s stubborn attempt is not even fashionable, leave alone competitive. When Bangladesh and Zimbabwe were given Test status on a platter, it was frowned upon by mainstream Test teams, and rightly so too.

I remember playing un-official Tests against Sri Lanka before they had come of age. But no such carrot was offered to Bangladesh or Zimbabwe. Now they look happiest playing against each other only.

The United Kingdom has three teams in the fray this time – England, Ireland & Scotland. Wonder how Wales missed out because they play in the county circuit too. Oh yes, the parent body at Lord’s is called “England and Wales Cricket Board.” All this sounds pretty peculiar, not funny but weird.

By all means encourage cricket globally by financing. The ICC has loads of moolah to burn. But for goodness’ sake let’s not throw lambs to slaughter in a world competition. This vote-catching device is the politicians’ prerogative to perpetuate themselves.

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