Skipper believes India can win again

Some of the former Indian greats now with the media in various capacities in Australia are going overboard trying to put Indian cricketers somewhere on the moon. It is quite alarming that people who have played and influenced the game over a period of time via their pen and the mike, should sound lacking perspective with their wayward description of the Perth victory.

When Anil Kumble says it was the ‘greatest overseas win by India in which he figured’ it is understandable that the humility of the giant Karnatakan is showing ever so magnificently. But when the rest of the so called ‘experts’ do a ‘sheep walk’, sincerity of their expression raises an automatic alarm. No doubt, the team’s triumph in Perth was indeed extra-ordinary and would deserve to be recorded in letters of gold. But to pretend as if all other wins by India at home or away were hollow comparatively, smacks of a very short human memory. The best that Kumble could have done after annihilating the Aussies in less than four days at Perth was to carry himself with cool aplomb and dignity, without a trace of conceit or arrogance. But some from the Indian media decided to heap Kumble with accolades unheard of in his career earlier. Not only that, some of them are even shouting for similar financial gains for Kumble, especially, and his men, as was accorded to Dhoni and company when they won the T20 World Cup in South Africa late last year.

I am not too sure if Kumble and his lads had lucrative rewards in mind going into the Perth Test. Such a mindset can only emerge from the game’s administrators who are for always looking for reflected glory and eager to make their presence felt by flaunting their riches – not ‘theirs’ really but the BCCI’s ! However, the glory as they say, belongs to the BCCI and seldom to the players who slog their buts off in extreme conditions of hostility on the field and provocation off it.

Herein lies the difference between presenting India at international competitions and attending Board room meetings (all seven-star expenses paid) with more of politico-intent. One has to brave it out in climates extreme, while the other is always looking for compromises and face-saving devices.