Sorry Modi Bhai!: An Apology from a Fan
You can't guess the consequence or even the result of the very next ball. Pretty much everything about the game is unpredictable, be it a toss or a burst of fury from a batsman or bowler alike. This is what added charm to a quaint contest between a wooden stick called bat and a leather sphere named ball over a distance of 22 yards with an umpire for a judge.
Right from the cricketing whites of the Tests to the colourful jerseys in ODIs, the game itself had revolutionised itself without losing sight of its supporters. Shots crept in; the pace quickened and so did every ones heartbeat. All in all it was a brilliant makeover for the gentleman's game and while it lasted it was too good to be true.
All seemed well until three years ago when a certain individual came up with a brilliant idea, the master team game with the best talent on the wicket. The game took pundits by surprise when rivals joined hands and a clutch of international stars crossed swords (bats eh!) along the lines of the English Premier League. The game welcomed a bunch of non cricketing stars from the film circuit and of course the cheer girls! You had eight teams vying for glory across nationalities for the ultimate prize.
Bizarre it may seem at first but the twenty over edition did pip the old form and the colourful ODI. The fast paced innings did find takers and sponsors as well which brings us to the current scenario circa 2010. You'd be surprised the change in today's game that would make the Don spin in his grave or evoke "non-cricketing" from old Geoffrey Boycott. As a spectator, we all have few questions that need clarification. What do you call a six today? A half century or a wicket? Leave all that, what about the break?
There you go, you have me stumped. My nephew can answer all the above in a complete sponsor articulated jargon. For him a six is a DLF maximum, a wicket taken or a century hit is Citi moment of success and the break is the Maxx mobile time out. Pretty neat eh? Hold it he just said something Danny Morrison said wiping his brow, what was it? Oh yes - The Karbon Kamal Catch! Jeez, when will one differentiate the contest between a bat and ball and some ludicrous name of a product that has no roots in cricket.
Am sure the commentators would be muttering to them selves and a dandy Mike Haysman would have rehearsed a hundred time what is a Kamal and Karbon to get it right on TV. I'm sure the matter doesn't end there. We all know our cricketing greats are well versed in the game and veterans do speak gems of wisdom as afterthought that made up for a lively commentary. The tearaway pair of Holding and Marshall
I was really surprised when everyone knew what MRF stood for. Not getting the flow here are you? Let me refresh your memory - the huge dirty yellow helium-filled (possibly - for it floats) contraption that floats high above every stadium and blinks, sorry blimps, at you on screen and a delighted commentator giving you the great gyaan on how the blimp won the game for the world by training fast bowlers from all over the world. I stood dumfounded when every one knew a certain Mammen Mapilla as their own uncle who ran the candy shop next door and said he owns MRF.
More surprise was when they told what MRF stood for - Madras Rubber Factory. Great going fellas I wanted to say, but aren't they so near yet so far?
Back to our story, in hindsight, I have never seen a game that is defined by a certain endorsement. Even now a goal in football is a 'Goal' or an ace is an 'Ace' in tennis be it Zidane who kicks it or Federer who slams it in. It never was a 'Kamal ka Goal' or 'Citi ace'. You'd be crossing the long list of fans on the arena and mind you they are not the forgiving type.
But ours is a forgiving public for the masses forget what it sees and the clouded senses accept the ring of the star not the game, it is a sad end for such an entertaining game.
I peek around and see the 'Munch ad' on the giant LCD screen, the irony strikes me - food for thought. Is it the same old game still? Its break time and I'm sure you will ponder and decide what's right
