Letters to The EDITOR: Simply not done

I, as a proud Indian cricket fan, was rather shell-shocked to know that legendary Kapil Dev, the then skipper of the victorious 1983 ODI World Cup, was not invited to attend the final of the recently concluded ICC Men’s World Cup ODI at Ahmedabad. If that is the case, it is the worst crime ever committed by BCCI. It was also reported that all the skippers from the past World Cup ODIs would be invited to attend the final. But maybe, due to certain compulsions, BCCI failed to comply with their earlier commitments.

Missing the opportunity to invite someone like Kapil Dev on that particular occasion is simply a great insult to the nation’s cricket fraternity. For us, Kapil Dev, Mahinder Amarnath, Roger Binny, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Syed Kirmani, etc. are still our demigods. It is very apparent that BCCI, because of its cash, glamour, and political influences, might have forgotten Kapil Dev, the Devil and co.

It is simply not done and is unacceptable.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Team India disappoints yet again

Team India has yet again bit the dust in their own backyard by suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Aussies by six wickets in the ICC Men’s World Cup final on November 19. It has been a shocking norm over the recent years that the superstar cricketers, who are placed on a high pedestal at home, are meekly surrendering to the opponent with an unbroken record in the ICC trophy knockout (semi-final/final) matches. My sympathy goes out to the huge crowd cheering non-stop in the stadium for Team India, for whom the final result is a big letdown. Their relentless cheers will not make any difference in the lives of the highly-paid cricketers, but that prompted the Aussie captain to make the funny remark, “There is nothing more satisfying than hearing the crowd go silent,” which has to be swallowed by the Indian team members.

Possibly, we have to wait to witness a victory at a future date in the ICC trophy final when the opponent will give a walkover to Team India. It remains to be seen how the cricket board (BCCI) deals with such shoddy performances repeatedly by team India in the mega meet.

Pannalal Dey

Guwahati

Cricket unites political rivals

BJP and Congress cheered for Team India in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final.

In a surprising turn of events, the political landscape of India witnessed an unusual display of unity as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) set aside their political differences to rally behind the national cricket team in the final showdown of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The cricket fever gripping the nation has transcended party lines, bringing together supporters from all walks of life for a shared moment of national pride.

As the anticipation reached its peak for the final match between India and Australia, the official Twitter handles of the BJP and Congress reflected a rare camaraderie. The BJP, known for its distinctive saffron branding, posted on X, “Come on, Team India! We believe in you!” was a sentiment that was echoed by their political counterparts. In a retweet, the Congress wrote, “True that! JEETEGA INDIA.” This unexpected alliance on the cricketing front demonstrates the unifying power of sports, overshadowing political discord for a brief yet significant moment.

Cricket, often referred to as a religion in India, has time and again served as a common ground that transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries. The fervour surrounding the World Cup has managed to bring together ardent supporters of both the BJP and Congress, reminding the nation that beyond the political spectrum, the love for cricket runs deep in the hearts of millions.

As the final match unfolded, the tension was palpable. India faced an early setback, losing three wickets in the first 10 overs. However, the hopes of a cricket-crazy nation remained high, with the spotlight on the seasoned campaigner Virat Kohli. The charismatic captain has time and again risen to the occasion, and the nation eagerly awaits his performance in this crucial match.

Earlier in the day, Australian skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl, setting the stage for a nail-biting clash for the coveted World Cup trophy. The unity displayed by the political rivals in supporting Team India underscores the immense significance of the cricketing event, where national pride takes precedence over political affiliations.

As the cricketing drama unfolds on the field, the unity forged by BJP and Congress supporters in cheering for the national team sends a powerful message: that the spirit of sports can bridge divides and bring people together in a celebration of shared identity and pride. In this historic moment, cricket stands tall as a symbol of unity, reminding the nation that some victories go beyond the boundaries of the playing field.

Swagata L. Kar

swagatalkar13@gmail.com