Should India bow out of Cricket?

NEW DELHI: Many of us must have spent the Friday evening watching the India-Sri Lanka cricket match on Television and went off to sleep disappointed. And, many of us must have woken up to a depressing week-end realising that Team India has bowed out of World Cup pre-maturely.

Indian team has virtually crashed out in the first round of the World Cup after suffering a shattering 69-run defeat in their crunch Group B match.

The team with one of the strongest batting line up of the cricketing world and many wicket taking bowlers who are known to be match winners in themselves have failed to deliver. For most fellow Indians and NRIs hopes have shattered that India cannot make it to the 'Super Eight' on the basis of their own performance. Instead, the team is waiting for Bermuda to do a miracle by beating Bangladesh.

The drama though started with the earlier shock defeat at the hands of lesser known Bangladesh team, the anticipation, anguish and build up before the match did not last long as the blue battalion failed to deliver.

Many of you cricket lovers must have travelled all the way to Caribbean Island to cheer the team's way to winning the World Cup 2007 and others must have planned to join the squad as India campaign peaked. And, here is one of the favourite team (to win the World Cup 2007) that looks set to join Pakistan on an early flight out of the Caribbean. India's slim hopes of progressing now hinge on an unlikely defeat for Bangladesh in Sunday's final group game against debutants Bermuda.

Sachin Tendulkar was out for a third ball duck in possibly his last World Cup innings after playing fast bowler Dilhara Fernando on to the stumps. Skipper Rahul Dravid batting with a runner in the late stages due to a calf injury, top-scored with 60 before being the eighth batsman to be dismissed. Openers Robin Uthappa (18) and Saurav Ganguly (7) threw away their wickets by hitting out against paceman Chaminda Vaas. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan dismissed Virender Sehwag (48) and the dangerous Mahendra Dhoni, for a first ball duck, to kill any Indian hopes of a fightback.

The emotions are running high everywhere, from the players, coach, BCCI and not to mention the corporates. The blame game has also started. Experts have their own opinions. Should they have played Anil Kumble? Was the decision to take the fielding first innings a wrong one? Why did Rahul use Sachin as a fifth bowler when Agarkar was doing well? Did the Bowlers give many extra runs? India's captain, Rahul Dravid poured by saying that it is the darkest day of his life.

BCCI sources have also hinted that Coach Greg Chappel's contract may not be renewed. Should the experienced Indian Players turn coach for the Bermuda team to beat Bangladesh to secure their position in the next level of the tournament?

Back-home in India, we cannot forget the vandalisation at Mahendra Singh Dhoni's house site gifted by the Jharkhand government after his performance and India's last week loss to Bangladesh. Other acts of burning player's effigies to protest the loss and show anger have been the ways to vent out public feelings. There are enough security arrangements at players' residence this time.

Apart from the game strategies, what would be the strategy of corporates who have pitched in with huge advertisement spends and sponsorships in the World Cup campaign? The stock markets have just bounced back from recent pitfalls. But, will the Indian team's comeback without even entering the super eight impact the sentiment on the markets as in the past?

So, What did not work out? Cricket Pundits have been speculating so much. Astrologers have been predicting blasting performances. Opponent teams have been giving out fear signals regarding Team India's game. Or, is it that the lady luck failed to shine on our cricketing stars?

Or, is it that India should gracefully bow out for ever as a leading cricketing nation? Alternatively, do you want to empathise with Team India?

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