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Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli after failures in AUS vs IND 1st ODI (Source: AFP Photos)
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.” - Abraham Maslow.
People in India function in a funny way when it comes to cricket. They make one individual an undisputed superhero overnight and, 48 hours later, refer to the same person as a team burden.
More significantly, when the cricket board, the BCCI, makes a move that seems out of the box to the naked eye, the fans raise their voices if the administrators do not care about their team’s success. In fact, in the age of social media, the debates and discussions sound like people who sit on chairs and keep the vision in mind; they have absolutely zero idea about their job and designations.
This has been the same old story, not like something for once, twice, or a few more times. The immediate rants have been happening for decades.
Ro-Ko facing the heat!
Provided that cricket is nothing but religion to many in India, specific individuals become larger-than-life characters over time by making the country proud over and over again throughout their illustrious careers. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two such greats of this generation.
Therefore, whenever fans feel something is harsh or not so generous to the icons of the game, they don’t look at the larger picture immediately. They think there must be some politics behind the moves.
The same pattern followed on October 4 when the BCCI left the world in shock by replacing Rohit Sharma with Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain. The public reaction was normal, considering the fact of what Rohit has achieved as a leader for the country.
However, the mood became bad to worse when a few reputed media outlets claimed that soon after that, both Rohit and Kohli’s performance will be tracked going forward and based on that, their selection for the World Cup 2027 will take place. In fact, they were reportedly advised to play domestic cricket to increase their chances of playing the grandest event of all, which is supposed to be their one last dance.
The reports and claims were so disheartening that they united two certain fanbases who have been fighting with each other for over a decade. To give them company, MS Dhoni fans join hands as well to protest against the BCCI. Needless to say, Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach made them take easy choices.
No glamorous return raises more doubts!
Having retired from two international formats, the atmosphere was absolutely electric on Sunday (October 19) morning when Rohit and Kohli were back in international cricket after a prolonged wait of 223 days.
The stage was set for them to give the BCCI a tight slap on its face. Unfortunately, all they could bring to their ardent fans was sheer disappointment. The comeback could have been iconic, and the situation could not have been any better, but then life makes you understand that just like every day is not Sunday, every comeback can’t be a fairy tale.
Still two matches to go, and both Kohli and Rohit have opportunities to change the present narrative. However, the first impression from two GOATs of the format gave fans the idea that they are not the same demigods any longer, particularly the way they lost their wickets.
Courage is important for tough calls!
There have been instances when the BCCI and a few individuals have taken the limelight for unwanted reasons. Among them, the most famous one was when MS Dhoni headlined in 2008 by axing Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid from the ODI set-up. The outburst was uncontrollable, but none of them talked about the same matter once they lifted the World Cup three years later.
In hindsight, let’s not think that the BCCI has always been right over the years. To handle such extraordinary individuals, keeping in mind how the public reacts, there were times when the BCCI overstretched a few careers, including that of the one who gave them an idea of how it needed to function for better results.
With age, people struggle with hand-eye coordination and foot movements while batting, and Dhoni’s struggles during the World Cup 2019 ensured he could no longer be termed as Mr. dependable.
Mission South Africa, the toughest of all!
Let’s not forget the fact that South Africa, co-hosts of the World Cup 2027 alongside Namibia and Zimbabwe, will have 44 out of 54 matches. In cricket, South Africa is the toughest country to hold the bat. Given the fact that Rohit and Kohli will be 40 and 38 years old during the next World Cup, respectively, it would be unfair if they become automatic choices irrespective of their performances.
After all, even though cricket is a sport, it’s a profession which has given them fame, money and a better life. By bidding adieus to two formats, Kohli and Rohit only dug their own grave by limiting their cricket at the highest level. The ambition is there, and will always be until the hunger is fulfilled, but their bat must do the talking to prove the world wrong.
Two more chances. Two golden chances incoming. Kohli and Rohit both are aware of the fact that what is at the stake, but their show in Perth made sure the BCCI is not just messing around in terms of selection criteria.
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