Letter of the Day

I find it amusing that players on being included in the squad and before achieving their baptism in Tests or ODIs find it necessary to talk to the press by gloating about their hard work, parents, coach and sometimes God.

Of course, the interviews are peppered with lavish praises for Ganguly , Tendulkar and other senior players. Sometimes ex-cricketers are also mentioned in a positive way.

For example, an opening batsman credited Gavaskar for correcting his technique. He hasn't been consistent since then.

Similarly, a wicket-keeper thanked Kirmani and other seniors for fine tuning his keeping . Unfortunately after a few matches the selectors decided to dump him for another mediocre wicket keeper.

Don't these players know that performance at the international level counts more than being elated at merely being selected for the country?

Admittedly, it is no doubt creditable to be included in a squad of fifteen out of a population of a billion people but, cricket fans would like to see performance and yes, consistency too. Just ask domestic Goliaths like Devang Gandhi, MSK Prasad, Sriram, Bahutule,Kulkarni, Dhaiya, Dighe, Dasgupta, Kumaran, Ganesh, Khoda and many others who have either faded away or are still getting there.

Babi Ati