IPL Spot-Fixing: Study of signs and creation of meaning facing threat

The cricket spot-fixing fracas is a sorry thing in more ways than one. It is also in danger of causing much confusion in the field of semiotics. Signs play a key role in cricket.

A captain or bowler making a come-hither sign to a teammate, for example, is usually not an on-field declaration of amorous intent. It is meant to ask a fielder to come up towards the infield.

Bowlers have also been known to make an agreed-upon sign, usually to the wicket keeper, to indicate that a particular sort of delivery is coming up. Umpires aren’t meant to speak, but deploy the known signs to regulate and judge the proceedings.

Some, like Billy Bowden, even added curvature to the raised finger and, shall we say, a flourish to indicate a four or a six. Add the normal actions of players, hitherto considered de rigueur, and you can begin to comprehend how closely linked semiotics is to cricket.

But what are we to make now of a cricketer fiddling with a locket? Or tucking a T-shirt in! Or merely, the gods have mercy on us, warming up! And let’s not speak of using towels. Since yesterday, it would be logical for the All India Towel Manufacturers’ Association to register a profound protest.

The confusion is spreading. The police are already hit. When everyone knew it was Sreesanth under arrest, they put a black hood on his head! Or was it a towel?