Not long ago,
leading up to a test match,
the discussions would not only be
the weather conditions,
the best option if win the toss,
the anticipated behaviour of the pitch,
the possibilities of winning in three innings;
but also about the ‘great players’ in the opposing XI.

The aim was to not only to pick a playing eleven
with players who would be able to maximise on the variables
but also to have players in the team who would make the oppositions think twice.

It does not seem to happen anymore,
by individual attributes, temperaments, skills matched to conditions
or trying to psyche the opponent, to create fissures in their self-belief.

Now players are judged by ICC rankings
and the statistical ‘numbers’ of averages and strike rates.
Their selections influenced by sponsorships and endorsements.

Day 2, First Test. Chittagong, Bangladesh v India.

Tendulkar, Ganguly make big difference: Mortaza

CHITTAGONG, May 21: Bangladesh pacer Mashrafe Mortaza on Monday said the inclusion of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly had made a big difference to the Indian team playing the first Test.

When asked to compare the Indian ODI side with the Test team, Mortaza said “definitely when Sachin and Sourav are in the team, there is a big change.”

In a world
convenienced by
disposable commodities,
player names will not matter any more.
Its Chawlas, Singhs, Badrinaths and Pathans…,
off the assembly line today on the slag heap tommorow.

Its not the cricket, as I once knew.

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