Thanks for your comments. You’re right about Sachin. He was out for sometime (with a thumb injury I think). However, if you look at the last 3 games MI has played with SRT in the lineup, their top order has scored 93 out of the team’s 422 runs. That’s a very low 22%. And they’re 1W-2L in those games. They are relying on their middle order heroics a tad too much.

And you’re spot on with Pune. They just don’t have a stable batting order. I think that is important to lend some consistency to the team’s performance.

Nice to hear from you mate. Hope you are well.

I do not believe the BCCI even hears (forget listening). I agree that it is not Bhogle’s style to beat the drums loudly. Subtlety was his choice and chosen path at a time when he was *constructing* his career. He is at a stage when he must use his significant voice to demand and influence change. Such change cannot be accomplished through pain-induced verses in January followed by an expression of surprise in May when nothing has happened. Nothing will. I know that. He knows that too, I am sure! One has to continue to attack relentlessly — even if through subtle means. Otherwise expression of pain-surprise is an all-care-no-responsibility mode of operation. To use your surgeon analogy, the pain-surprise mode is nothing but an “operation successful, patient dead” approach. In other words, mine is a plea for him to shed his “gentle, kind bloke” image and relentlessly seek change; demand change; be the change. Otherwise his surprise at inactivity will be seen *by me* as the equivalent of crocodile tears that an all-care-no-responsibility bloke would shed.

His feeling for (and hurt at) the situation is not being called into question, Darshak. It is clear that he cares deeply. I’d like him to translate that hurt/care into action. His approach is NOT working now. So yes, I believe I am calling for change; a more strident tone; for, good guys get marginalised.

Former stars need to step up too. Two of them have sold out. Who knows how Kumble and Ganguly will turn out? Kumble’s first steps have been confused, conflicted and complicated, in my view. But I am hoping that that is an aberration.

But dependence on former greats is not enough. We need strong independent voices to perform the role a critical ombudsman would. We have none. It is an unfair expectation I know. But it is mine!

Happy to chat further.

Ps: There is another issue. I will send email though…

At the outset, let me confess that I consider myself a friend of Harsha’s & an admirer. Whilst, I fully agree with you that shrill, persistent voices need to be raised to embarass the BCCI into really listening (not just hearing), I believe that it is just not Harsha’s style. Subtlety is his forte. If he was a surgeon he would perform blood-less surgery. That is the kind of gentle, kind bloke he is. I know cricket aficianados “maange more” and want him to be “the voice” but we must respect the fact that he feels and hurts as much as you and I do but has a different, less strident way of dealing with it.

Our despair needs to transgress from “the voice” to past greats of the game. Two of them have sold their souls. Dilip V is one who hasn’t but has been effectively check-mated in Bombay. Of Anil K, great things are expected. Will the system “get him” in the end? I hope not as that would be a tragedy. But, he sure needs to speak up NOW. And not just within, because he will get stifled but outside of the BCCI so that our crazy media can for a change sensationalise something which might shame/embarass the Ivory Tower dwellers into some action….
If the articulate greats of Indian cricket are silenced or choose to be silent, then we might as all follow hockey.

PS: Thalarokzzzzz

Their response to the 2007 WC crash out was to fix the problems of the broadcasters by giving them an annual money spinner in the IPL. Poor bench/crowded schedule, not even addressed.
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I do not understand Mukul Kesavan’s polished disgust of T20, why a format of cricket altered to be accessible to more fans is an abomination. But I do agree on his points on the crass packaging of the IPL and your view on the function it has come to serve as a distraction.
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