BY ILA
Gazing at the bustling crowd in the Metro station, Sahil was wondering why cricket was exalted to obsession among the Indian populace. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh-you name them; you could go on & on about
cricketers who were remorselessly hailed as heroes. BCCI is the wealthiest cricket board in the world, & its patronized cricketers the wealthiest sportsmen in India.
Although, sports stalwarts like Sania Mirza(tennis), Narain Kartikeyan(carracing), Baichung Bhutia(football), Vishwanathan Anand(chess), are playing a lone hand in their endeavours to battle for the equally deserved dignity & popularityof their respective sports. Why do they blame our hockey players solely, if they are unable to qualify for the World Cup, when there’s work to be done at the grassroot levels?, thought Sahil.
Condemning the biased attitude of the authorities & ignorance of the masses, Sahil was drowned in his own thoughts when Anupam called from behind, “Dude, we’re heading the wrong way.”
To this, Sahil tactfully replied,”Now, that’s what I’ve been trying to say. We’ve set our destination right but we’re wandering on the wrong platforms.”
“Ah…All right! Only if I could discern that. Anyways, I just heard on radio that Bhajji is going to plead to BCCI for a final chance.”
“Damn it!” So, Sahil was back in this world. “Wayne Rooney is finally going to the altar with his childhood sweetheart Coleen next month. Now, how’s that?”, retorted a seemingly bugged Sahil.
Anupam laughed, & said, ”I was just pondering over Delhi Daredevils’ chances of winning the trophy…& I think they are fantabulous.”
“And I was pondering over India’s chances of churning out great, international football players like Ronaldo, Lampard, Gerrard”,answered Sahil.
“Shoaib is finally making a smashing entry into Dada’s team. Man, he’s one such guy who can beat the hell out of his adversaries, be it through his bowling attack, or sometimes through his bat, even if that required hitting his own team
mates.”, said Anupam jubilantly.
Sahil quipped,”So, cricket is more of entertainment, & not exactly a ‘gentleman’s game’. Right?” “But it sells, nevertheless.”
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