Cricket- A Gentleman's Game?
There was once a time, when cricket was a game of the elite. It was played only in clubhouses, a privilege of the 'higher class'.It was considered to be 'The Gentleman's Game'.
As the English began expanding their territorial acquisitions, the game spread to their colonies. The people of their colonies adopted this unique game, and cricket then started to be played by the non- elite too. Even so, the game did not lose its reputation as the 'The Gentleman's Game'. Cricket WAS played with the highest level of professional ethics and respect for each other, save the occasional sledging which was just taken in the stride.
Cricket became more and more famous and was played with the same love for the game and in the same gentleman-ly way even up till the 90s. Then cricket started becoming increasingly commercialized. The taint gradually started to percolate, and it wasn't very later until match- fixing scandals began to emerge into the public eye, quite like skeletons tumbling out of a closet.
Now let's fast- forward to 2014. Quite recently, the honourable Supreme Court of India, in its investigation headed by Justice Mudgal, framed Mr. Gurunath Meiyappan for indulging in match-fixing in the IPL. Only last year, Sreesanth and two of his fellow players at Rajasthan Royals were banned for spot- fixing. In 2011, Mohammed Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif too were banned for accepting quite a large sum froma a bookmaker to bowl extras at specific moments in the match.
Famous players like Azharuddin, Jadeja, Gibbs and (late)Hansie Cronje have also been banned in the past for similar crimes. The list of such incidents is disturbingly large and seems to be a sort of infinite series; and this is definitely not doing much good for 'The Gentleman's Game'. On the contrary, it is only maligning it. Match- fixing, spot- fixing, even the glamourous 'after- parties' made famous(or infamous perhaps?) by the IPL, are only adding more weight to the argument that our beloved game; so proudly labelled as 'The Gentleman's Game' is no more worth its classy label.
We all love to watch edge-of-the-seat games, which literally boil- down to the very last ball. However, later when you learn that some pivotal moments of that match that you so much enjoyed were fixed, it deals the ardent cricket- fan a big, painful blow. When cricketers don't follow The Gentleman's Code, the game simply doesn't remain The Gentleman's Game.
On a concluding note, I would like you to ponder over this question: " Is cricket a gentleman's game anymore?"
As the English began expanding their territorial acquisitions, the game spread to their colonies. The people of their colonies adopted this unique game, and cricket then started to be played by the non- elite too. Even so, the game did not lose its reputation as the 'The Gentleman's Game'. Cricket WAS played with the highest level of professional ethics and respect for each other, save the occasional sledging which was just taken in the stride.
Cricket became more and more famous and was played with the same love for the game and in the same gentleman-ly way even up till the 90s. Then cricket started becoming increasingly commercialized. The taint gradually started to percolate, and it wasn't very later until match- fixing scandals began to emerge into the public eye, quite like skeletons tumbling out of a closet.
Now let's fast- forward to 2014. Quite recently, the honourable Supreme Court of India, in its investigation headed by Justice Mudgal, framed Mr. Gurunath Meiyappan for indulging in match-fixing in the IPL. Only last year, Sreesanth and two of his fellow players at Rajasthan Royals were banned for spot- fixing. In 2011, Mohammed Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif too were banned for accepting quite a large sum froma a bookmaker to bowl extras at specific moments in the match.
Famous players like Azharuddin, Jadeja, Gibbs and (late)Hansie Cronje have also been banned in the past for similar crimes. The list of such incidents is disturbingly large and seems to be a sort of infinite series; and this is definitely not doing much good for 'The Gentleman's Game'. On the contrary, it is only maligning it. Match- fixing, spot- fixing, even the glamourous 'after- parties' made famous(or infamous perhaps?) by the IPL, are only adding more weight to the argument that our beloved game; so proudly labelled as 'The Gentleman's Game' is no more worth its classy label.
We all love to watch edge-of-the-seat games, which literally boil- down to the very last ball. However, later when you learn that some pivotal moments of that match that you so much enjoyed were fixed, it deals the ardent cricket- fan a big, painful blow. When cricketers don't follow The Gentleman's Code, the game simply doesn't remain The Gentleman's Game.
On a concluding note, I would like you to ponder over this question: " Is cricket a gentleman's game anymore?"
Yes bhide .... I agree with u ..
ReplyDeleteNice article Nimish. I see you have a good structure and flow to your writing. You introduce, narrate further, get the readers engrossed and conclude..with a 'Thing to do'- Like in text books :) very unique and a style statement in writing of sorts. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteThe article like the latest one is well researched and you have covered all aspects from your perspective. Its beautifully written. Great Going Nimish! Sneha.
Thank you, Sneha! :D
DeleteThank you, Sneha! :D
Delete