DNA Edit: Batting for a cause

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cannot even pretend to have the best interests of the players or the well-being of the sport in mind when it draws up the schedule of matches. It is more preoccupied with minting money, institutionalising nepotism and corruption, and stonewalling reforms. With India’s most successful batsman now speaking up against the board’s insensitive attitude towards players, the BCCI has no place to hide from public opprobrium. Virat Kohli’s concerns are legitimate, to say the least.

Given the relentless parade of matches before the South Africa tour, the players will hardly get any time to acclimatise and prepare themselves for a formidable opponent. If they fail to perform, diehard Indian fans will bay for their blood and the Board conveniently will pass the buck to the boys to steer clear of the line of fire. Shouldn’t players have a say in assessing schedules since they are the ones who will have to sweat it out on the field to satiate the board’s hunger for revenue? If the players’ concerns and requests are not accommodated, why should an autocratic board be allowed to function? It’s difficult to tame a body as wily as BCCI, which is continuing to play hide and seek with the Supreme Court.

More importantly, the Board has in the past shown extreme tenacity to preserve the status quo because some very powerful people are working behind the scenes to protect their vested interests. But Kohli’s words will definitely have an impact, given his tremendous talent and fan following. Since the players will get only two days before they fly to South Africa after the ongoing series with Sri Lanka is over, it means they will have no time to rest, train and mentally prepare. How come the Board loses sight of these basic things? The boys are truly overworked, and before long many of them would burn out, out of sheer exhaustion. The Board, of course, will take no responsibilities for bringing promising careers to an abrupt end.

The fact is, when an institution becomes too blinded by power, it not only harms itself, but also those who are dependent on it or are in close proximity. There is a lot of truth in what Kohli said about players’ rankings. The constant pressure of being at the top coupled with the wear and tear on the field does have a negative impact on the mind and body. Playing cricket for India requires a lot more than talent. The gentleman’s sport is no longer gentlemanly, given the burden of fierce competitions among cricketing nations and the money that has been pumped into the sport. The stakes are tremendously high, thanks to the irrational importance associated with cricket. In the midst of all of this, it becomes a do-or-die battle for the players. They have no option but to oblige the board and their fans. That pretty much sums up their predicament. Kohli’s frankness has highlighted this crucial aspect. The Board should now sit up and take note.