New Delhi, Dec 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Congress leadership is raising issues far removed from the interests of common citizens, playing into the hands of the ruling party -- both in West Bengal and the Centre -- misguided and mismanaged by a group close to the top echelons, lamented a veteran leader in the state party unit.

Abdul Mannan was the last Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly (2016–2021) from the Congress party. His bitterness reportedly arises from a series of incidents where he had to pay the price for his strong opposition to the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, and the religion he follows.

Despite the misgivings, he still expresses loyalty to the Gandhi family.

"You've to admit that the Gandhi family still attracts crowds which no state leader can ever match; but that number (present in a rally) doesn't translate into votes," alleged Mannan.

"How do you explain 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' to the common citizen? People ask if the country is physically divided that you intend to bring it together? Why not rather raise mundane issues, like price-rise and unemployment?” he asked.

The 78-year-old Congress leader raised similar questions over “Nyay Yatra” and “Samvidhan Bachao Yatra” among other programmes lately pursued by the party.

He blamed "unknown, inexperienced" faces being picked to represent the party at the national level and put at the helm of affairs, resulting in such decisions. Incidentally, another Congress veteran in adjoining Bihar resigned recently, raising similar issues.

Shakeel Ahmad, who has twice represented the Madhubani constituency in Lok Sabha and has been a minister, expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of Congress.

He too raised the issues of party management and appointment of senior leaders. Ahmad has also expressed his belief that it is difficult for experienced leaders to survive in the party without facing humiliation.

And despite his resignation, he maintains his unwavering faith in the Congress party's principles.

Mannan too reiterated his support for party ideology despite the current situation.

However, he has paid the price for his bitter opposition to the Trinamool and for his religion.

In a bizarre turn of events, after nominating him for Rajya Sabha from West Bengal, the Congress asked Mannan to withdraw his candidacy in March 2012.

While the official reason cited was that the party did not have enough MLAs by itself to ensure his victory, the cause also lay elsewhere. At that time, the Congress was in alliance with Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

The Trinamool had far more MLAs, and the Congress was struggling to maintain influence. Instead of bargaining for one seat, the party chose to support Trinamool candidates to avoid earning Mamata’s ire.

When reminded, Mannan stated that he acceded “as a disciplined soldier of the Congress" following “directions from my party’s leadership”.

In recent times, the Congress reportedly took a similar step in replacing its Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury with Subhankar Sarkar.

While the former, who has represented the state’s Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency five consecutive times before losing it last year, is also seen as a Mamata baiter.

While Sarkar, reportedly, can be malleable.

One of Mannan’s close confidantes had claimed that he was never made the PCC chief due to his religion where the Congress High Command assumed that such a decision will be raised, especially by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as “Muslim appeasement”.

A former Congress general secretary, he added, had even commented once that everyone (from Congress) will join the BJP if Manan was given the job. Mannan chose to ignore confirming or denying it.

Instead, he said that in 2005, he told Indira Gandhi in front of top central leadership representing the state that despite SC, ST, and minorities reposing their faith in the Congress not a single party frontal organisation is led by their representative.

According to him, the Gandhis listen to logic, but are inaccessible due to mechanisms of others. “The party is at crossroads, it is moving away from the masses and their needs,” he sighed. Shouldn’t he be turning to greener pastures like many of his former colleagues? “I’ll always be a ‘Congressman’, anywhere,” was the emphatic answer.

Source: IANS

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Chandigarh, Nov 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) A three-day literary extravaganza - Abhivyakti 4.0 - an exemplary initiative of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) concluded on Sunday on a note of high positivity and resilience with former diplomat Navtej S. Sarna and celebrated author Radhakrishnan Pillai sharing their insights on trials and tribulations of writing as an intellectual pursuit.

The day’s proceedings in Chandimandir, near here, started with a keynote address by Pillai, this was followed by Lt General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, GOC-in-C, Western Command, releasing ‘General’s Jottings,’ a book by Lt General Kamaljit Singh (retd).

Pillai in his keynote address shared his views of different aspects of book writing and also emphasised the need for developing a reading habit to be a good writer.

“Each of us has a story to tell and we need to know how to tell that story. India is a country that is reading in multiple languages but the books that are being read are mainly textbooks. So, we have the opportunity to make people read non-text books as well,” said Dr Pillai.

In his conversation with senior journalist Vipin Pubby, Sarna, India’s former Ambassador to the U.S., shared his thoughts on different dimensions of creative writing in reference to his noted work -- ‘The Exile and Crimson: A Novel’.

Admitting the dilemma of writing historical fiction, Sarna said: “Distorting or not distorting facts is a challenging proposition. I have been very careful about details. I have used fiction only to fill in the gaps.”

Sarna said, “Many things are not known about Udham Singh. Don’t distort history. Be true to history. Dates have to be true.”

Sarna also spoke about Maharaja Duleep Singh, the youngest son of Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharani Zinda, the central theme of his novel ‘The Exile’.

A lively panel discussion on ‘Rekindling the Habit of Reading’ moderated by journalist Soni Sangwan, saw panellists Ajay Jain, Vandana Palli and Saguna Jain dwelling upon challenges and opportunities of inculcating the habit of reading among today’s youngsters.

Moderated by Ambreen Zaidi, a panel discussion on ‘Digital Narratives: Storytelling in the Age of Screens’ brought experts such as Shikha Akhilesh Saxena, Gunjan Mishra, Amrinder Maan and Maj Nithi CJ (retd) together, delving deep into the subject and challenges ahead.

Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune Jyoti Malhotra in her closing remarks highlighted the role of literature in society and also shared her experience and journey as a female journalist.

Shuchi Katiyar, Regional President AWWA, proposed the vote of thanks. The grand closing ceremony of Abhivyakti 4.0 also saw a medley of regional dances by a cultural troupe of the NZCC, Patiala.

Source: IANS

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Just as the handling of national security must be kept above party politics, law and order management must also not be allowed to be tampered with -particularly by internal politics.

The democratic dispensation of India banks heavily on this for its stability since law and order determine in a basic sense how secularism and equality of citizen's rights built into the democratic state, would operate in this country.

Further, a certain uniformity of standards in the handling of law and order by the concerned authorities would be necessary as a requirement of the federal character of Indian democracy that granted complete freedom to its citizens to visit or settle down in any part of the country.

In the Constitutional division of powers, Police and Law and Order fall squarely in the hands of the State governments. Still, if law and order management became an important substratum on which the nation's internal security, peace and stability rests, the Centre also becomes a primary stakeholder.

Fortunately for India, the leadership of Police in the states is in the hands of the officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS) who are recruited through a nationally conducted examination where only merit would prevail and were trained by the Centre before being allocated to different cadre states.

The Centre broadly keeps track of the performance evaluation of these officers and also provides them with certain administrative protection against any arbitrary action initiated against them by the state government.

Experience, however, shows that the Central government needed to strengthen its oversight of the IPS and IAS for the sake of safeguarding national security interests.

In an important development a division bench of the Supreme Court issued on October 24, 2024, contempt notices to the Chief Secretaries of as many as eight states - Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar- for appointing Acting DGPs in violation of the top court's 2006 ruling which required the Police Chief to be selected from among a panel of three names drawn up by UPSC in consultation with the state government, on seniority -cum -merit basis and given a tenure of at least two years.

The September 2006 order of SC further called for the creation of Police Establishment Boards in the states to deal with transfers, postings and promotion as also the constitution of a Police Complaints Authority to examine complaints against Police officers.

These directions were followed by the states but on a perfunctory note. The Centre should completely throw its weight behind the procedure prescribed by the Supreme Court for the appointment of the DGP as this would go a long way in improving the law and order management in the states.

The value system to be followed by the Police in this country flows top down and restoring the professional authority of the DGP was the very first step in the direction of pitching the accountability of the Police hierarchy at different levels.

A DGP - and this could be said of the Chief Secretary as well - seemed often to be the weakest link in the chain, in matters of law enforcement which had to be carried out with a sense of public service. This situation needed to be rectified for the larger cause of internal security.

In the conflict-ridden geopolitics of today, India has to look out for any covert acts of hostility indulged in by the Sino-Pak alliance, the impact of the Iran-Israel confrontation on other regions and the repercussions of a growing Cold War between the US and the Russia-China axis.

Beyond the Ukraine-Russia armed conflict and the Israel -Hamas confrontation, the era of "proxy wars" is upon us which is marked by the advent of social media as an instrument of "influence war", the rising threat of cyber attacks and the methods-open and surreptitious-used by the adversary for damaging the economic strength of the targeted country.

Also, because of the spread of radicalisation in the Muslim world, the global threat of faith-based terrorism has now become a danger for the entire democratic world and this makes it important that the two largest democracies of the world - the US and India - acted together without India having to give up on its policy of developing mutually beneficial bilateral relations with all major powers including Russia.

In these times of multiple conflicts and covert offensives, India has to strategise to deal with a multi-polar world without getting aligned with any single power and opt for capacity-building in the spheres of defence, economy and technology to stand on its own in handling the challenges on various fronts. This is the best guarantee for safeguarding national security.

India has taken to a higher profile in BRICS without reducing its active contribution to Quad in furtherance of its policy of balancing its international relations for serving the national interests without compromising the cause of humanity and world peace. What matters is that India should be able to effectively deal with the ever-changing global security scenario.

The prime concern of India was to counter the danger posed to its "internal" security by "external" causes and threats. Apart from the doings of Pakistan and China, the exposure of India to radicalisation and separatism and plans hatched outside of the country to covertly attack the country's economic lifelines, are to be closely handled.

All of this is attributable to the global shift to the era of "proxy wars" that the world witnessed after the Cold War ended in the early Nineties.

Developments in the Middle East bring out the alarming fact of faith-based divisions bolstering the return of the Cold War between the US and China with Russia remaining firmly aligned with the latter.

Iran and its proxies are directly taking on Israel and the radicalised Hamas-that had originated as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood with a history of being in the good books of the West- was also taken by Iran under its fold in the wake of the Israel-Hamas confrontation that broke out following the ‘terror’ attack of Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The deep-seated divide between Zionism and Islam seems to have crept into the political gulf that had been growing between the US and the China-Russia camp.

It is extremely significant that Iran has aligned with China and Russia even as the Sunni extremist Saudi Arabia along with the UAE remained close to the US.

Islamic radical forces carrying the historical legacy of Wahhabism were opposed to the US-led West whereas the Salafists represented by Saudi Arabia followed extreme Islamic fundamentalism but believed in the concept that an Islamic State could live "in competition not conflict with the West".

India had the second largest Muslim population in the world and had to be wary of radicalisation that made many elements in the community vulnerable to the call of Jehad "in defence of Islam" prescribed by the faith as a "fundamental duty". We have to find our own ways of countering radicalisation with the help of all communities.

The threats to the internal security of India far outweigh the prospects of the country facing any open military attack from outside. India is once again vulnerable to communal, caste and regional conflicts- with enemy agents trying to add fuel to the fire.

The critical infrastructure of the country and the establishments of strategic importance have to be closely protected against covert attacks.

Social media is fast becoming an instrument for recruiting potential terrorists through indoctrination, building "separatist" narratives and spreading misinformation.

For countering terrorism, narcotics trade and human trafficking, the closest cooperation between national intelligence agencies and the state police was of crucial importance. The intelligence generated at the local level will often provide a breakthrough in such cases and that is why the role of the Local Intelligence Unit(LIU) of the district has acquired a newfound significance for internal security.

This also makes law enforcement a component of the efforts to safeguard national security. India is passing through times when the nation’s unity, sovereignty and stability depended in a definitive way on competent law and order management and this is where the country was being tested as a Union of States.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau)

Source: IANS

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The phrase “horses for courses” is synonymous with the way Test cricket is progressing around the world. The garnering of points for the World Test Championship has added extra spice to the contents. Countries are gradually realizing the importance of point accumulation and of winning at home.

Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian men’s team, made a relevant statement recently. A draw will give a side four points, whereas, a win 12 points. Therefore, ensuring a result has become essential for a team to succeed in qualification into the final. This, unfortunately, will lead to the doctrine of pitches to suit the home side, one that has been the bone of contention in the past.

In the present ongoing series, Pakistan as well as India in the 2nd Test match have realized that the old traditional saying of “spin is king” is true and that spin is their forte. A turning track bare of any grass is on offer at both the Asian venues and England and New Zealand respectively, and will need to adapt to these conditions to be successful.

India, in the 1st Test match versus New Zealand in Bangalore, were stunned at how incompetent they were while playing the swinging ball. Winning the toss and batting first turned out to be a horrendous decision. The Indian batters looked dazed and totally at sea and succumbed to a total of 46 runs in their first innings. A similar trend resulted when New Zealand took the second new ball in the second innings and both Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, with runs under their belt, looked well out of sorts even then.

India in the past have been victim to such performances, especially, when conditions assist swing bowling. However, with a battery of experienced batters and superstars in their midst, one felt the past was buried for good. The reality of this miserable performance was a wake-up call that had the Indian think tank run towards ensuring that helpful swing conditions were kept at bay.

Manipulating the playing conditions will be the order of the day in every country and venue, henceforth. A series win has no relevance as points from each match played have become far more important.

This takes one back to the old Indian domestic Ranji Trophy point system played in a three-day encounter. An outright victory was essential to get the maximum points and so conditions were doctored to do so. A placid wicket was offered by the home team if they were required not to lose.

The present point system in the ICC World Championship is heading in that direction. This definitely needs to be looked at very thoroughly. The only redeeming factor that has arisen from the ICC Cricket Committee’s recent meeting is to ensure that a three-match series is played in order to consider it for the World Test Championship next year.

One cannot blame the present cricketers for not being mentally and technically equipped to play Test cricket in conditions alien to them. The popular limited overs versions are the bread and butter of a modern cricketer. Patience is passe and the run-rate equation has become more significant and important to a batsman.

One does not want to be equated as a slow plodder. Being established as one could result in a player not getting a lucrative T20 franchise offer. The art of defensive tactics is in the present cricketing world a thing of the past. The famous saying “prevail or perish” is more significant than “retreat to recover”.

The wonderful fallout of the World Test Championship is that Test cricket has once again come into prominence. Gradually, the newfound fans and followers, brought about through the limited-overs format are realizing the inner depth and seriousness of it.

One is happy to see the positive attitude of teams going full tilt to get a result, however, creating conditions that make Test cricket into a farce must be seriously controlled. After all, it is a 5-day encounter and having matches finish in four days or less at most venues being the trend in recent times will just not augur well for the ethos of Test cricket.

Let us hope the ICC reworks the point system or controls the playing conditions to make the Championship more of an even contest in the future.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) June 15th marks the fourth anniversary of a significant event wherein India and China experienced military casualties along the contentious 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), the first such incident since the 1962 India-China war.

Preceding the incident, tensions had been escalating for several weeks in the high-altitude, frigid Galwan valley in the Ladakh region.

China's actions included the installation of tents and observation posts at patrolling point PP14, an area traditionally patrolled by the Indian Army.

With both sides deploying increasing numbers of troops, the border confrontations took an unprecedented turn when the Chinese attacked Indian soldiers using what the Ministry of Defence described in 2021 as 'unorthodox weapons,' including rocks and rods studded with nails or bound in barbed wire.

In response, Indian soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat, utilising sticks and clubs, adhering to the de facto border code of not using firearms.

Nonetheless, this deadly clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and the capture of 10 more by the Chinese, who were subsequently released following diplomatic and military negotiations.

Despite widespread reports of Chinese casualties and Beijing's eventual acknowledgment, the initial disclosure did not include specific numbers.

It was not until February of the following year that the Chinese military news outlet, PLA Daily, admitted to the deaths of four Chinese soldiers.

Among them was one individual who purportedly drowned while crossing the Galwan River.

Even after significant efforts by the Chinese government to conceal the number of soldiers killed in its aggressive maneuvers, the disclosure emerged only after prolonged endeavors.

This was evidenced by reports indicating that the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs pressured the families of soldiers who died at Galwan to forego traditional burial rites and in-person funeral ceremonies.

Instead, they were urged to opt for cremation, ostensibly to obscure the precise death toll, citing Covid-19 concerns.

Moreover, the following month saw the arrest of Chinese blogger and former journalist Qiu Ziming, who had raised doubts about the officially reported casualty figures and implied that the actual number might be higher on Weibo. His arrest marked the inaugural case under a newly enforced law, effective March 1, which penalised actions deemed to "infringe on the reputation and honor of revolutionary heroes," carrying a potential sentence of up to three years.

However, in February 2022, The Klaxon, an Australian newspaper, released the results of a year-long investigation conducted by a team of social media researchers.

Their findings exposed that the Chinese government had significantly underestimated the number of casualties at Galwan.

According to the investigation, up to 38 Chinese soldiers had perished while crossing the turbulent, sub-zero river in the darkness of the night.

The Chinese government's attempts to distort the true extent of the fatal consequences resulting from its geopolitical and military actions have occurred previously. Renowned for its lack of transparency, the authoritarian regime in China has a history of concealing crucial information.

In the case of the 1962 India-China war, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) took more than three decades to disclose its casualty figures, providing a notably distorted number in 1994.

The PLA reported 722 soldiers killed and 1,697 wounded. Former Army Chief General VK Singh referenced this delay while accusing China of concealing its casualties during the Galwan clash.

This pattern extends to the Chinese invasion of Vietnam in 1979, which was prompted, in part, by Vietnam's incursion into Cambodia the previous year.

Although the main armed conflict lasted only a month, hostilities continued into the 1980s.

Remarkably, the Chinese Foreign Ministry website omits any mention of this war, instead vaguely stating that relations between the two countries deteriorated during the 1980s and 90s without specifying the reasons. Vietnam claims that 42,000 Chinese soldiers died in the conflict, while some foreign scholars estimate the Chinese casualty figures at 25,000 dead and 37,000 injured. Similarly, the Chinese involvement in the Korean War aligns with this pattern of obfuscation.

It is important to emphasise that the Chinese regime's structure entails that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) does not act autonomously but rather requires political authorisation from higher authorities.

This observation is supported by numerous instances. For instance, in July 2016, Chinese UN peacekeepers stationed in South Sudan purportedly deserted their positions during clashes between factions loyal to the President and rebel forces.

This abandonment resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians and instances of sexual abuse.

Coming back to Galwan, the Chinese aggression on the night of June 15 was a plainly premeditated attack, as opposed to a flare-up in the heat of the moment.

This is evinced by the high level of preparedness that the Chinese side displayed.

For weeks before the incident, they had been ramping up infrastructure around the area, leading to objections by the Indian side, eventually ensuing in a consensus agreed on June 6.

However, they violated it by continuing their activities, provoking an Indian delegation led by Colonel Santosh Babu of the 16 Bihar Regiment to demand that they retreat.

This is when they launched their attack, equipped with spiked clubs and other such weapons, shielded with protective gear anticipating retaliation, while a number of Chinese soldiers positioned themselves at a higher ground to strike their Indian counterparts on a relatively lower ground with stones.

Subsequent to this incident, eighteen rounds of Corps Commanders' meetings were convened, leading to a partial withdrawal of forces and the establishment of military buffer zones.

In February 2021, both parties announced their intent for coordinated disengagement and de-escalation.

However, despite these endeavors, China persists in its refusal to withdraw from the Depsang Plains and Demchok areas, previously within the patrolling domain of the Indian Army, aiming to normalise this as a new status quo.

While the gravity of the Galwan incident may render it conspicuous, an examination of Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) reveals it to be consistent with Chinese government policy.

This event was not the inaugural instance of Chinese incitement of unprovoked escalations aimed at altering the de facto status quo at the border, nor was it the concluding one.

As recently as December 2022, hundreds of soldiers from both sides clashed along the LAC and sustained injuries when Chinese forces crossed the border in the Tawang sector with the intention of unilaterally changing the status quo.

Since Independence, the Indian government has consistently pursued efforts to foster harmony with China. This commitment is epitomised by landmark agreements such as the Rajiv Gandhi-Deng Xiaoping modus vivendi, the peace and tranquility accords of 1993, confidence-building measures of 1996, and the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question in 2005.

Following the assumption of office by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, there were 18 meetings between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with five of these comprising visits to China, marking the highest number by an Indian Prime Minister to date.

Despite India's diplomatic overtures, Chinese aggression and assertiveness along the border have persisted, as evidenced by military and infrastructure advancements at strategic locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Notably, in 2021, the Chinese legislature passed a land borders law mandating coordination between defence and socio-economic development along the border, whose implementation is often observable through satellite imagery along the LAC.

Within this framework, China's utilisation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor can be interpreted as a blatant manifestation of its strategic objectives.

Regrettably, the toll of the Chinese regime's persistent revisionist action along the border is endured by soldiers from both nations.

One possible explanation for this could be India's recent adoption of a more assertive foreign policy stance, exemplified by its multi-alignment strategy, Neighborhood First policy, proactive maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean, and strengthening ties with the United States. These initiatives may have been perceived by China as concerted efforts to contain its rising aspirations. Consequently, the border activities could be viewed as part of China's strategy to counteract the perceived threat from India.

Regardless of the underlying motivations, it is imperative for both Asian powers to explore avenues for collective growth and cooperation, particularly along the border, to alleviate the burden placed on Chinese and Indian soldiers in what seems to be a zero-sum game.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) In 2019, Hong Kong witnessed significant protests following Chinese efforts to undermine the region's autonomy. Subsequently, a National Security Law was enacted, profoundly affecting the residents of Hong Kong, who earlier enjoyed relative autonomy while formulating and enacting laws for its citizens.

This law, which aimed to outlaw terrorism, subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign entities, has notably diminished Hong Kong's autonomy, civil liberties, and its role as a major global financial hub.

These developments have triggered debates and raised concerns both within Hong Kong and internationally.

Hong Kong: A Brief Historical Outline

Hong Kong was under the rule of China's Qing dynasty until it was ceded to the British Empire in 1842 after the First Opium War. During the Second World War, Japan occupied Hong Kong for four years; however, the territory was liberated in 1945 through joint British and Chinese military efforts.

Despite the Communist victory in mainland China, the British maintained sovereignty over the island.

Hong Kong became a refuge for numerous individuals fleeing the repercussions of the Korean War and Mao Zedong's atrocious policies, such as the Great Leap Forward. Following the emergence of the Asian Tigers viz, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, the territory leveraged its strategic location to become one of Asia’s largest financial centres.

It developed a vibrant independent culture, shaped by generations of refugees.

In 1984, then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher signed an agreement that enabled substantial emigration from Hong Kong to Britain.

In 1997, Britain transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to China under an arrangement that included the adoption of the "Basic Law".

This law, effective until 2020, was pivotal in maintaining Hong Kong’s open society and democratic ethos, encompassing the rights to protest and freedom of expression.

What is the National Security Law

On June 30, 2020, the Chinese government implemented the controversial National Security Law, also referred to as Article 23, in Hong Kong.

This law was enacted in response to extensive protests in Hong Kong against an extradition bill that would have allowed for the transfer of criminal suspects to mainland China for trial.

Beijing perceived these protests as a threat to the country's stability and security and took immediate actions to cull it once and for all.

Under the National Security Law, there are four primary offences viz, Secession: Any action that separates Hong Kong from China is deemed unlawful under this statute.

Subversion: The law prohibits activities that undermine the authority of the central government or hinder its policy-making capabilities.

Terrorism, as defined by the statute, includes acts of arson, vandalism, and other forms of violence intended to intimidate the public or coerce the government.

Collusion with foreign entities: This offense targets individuals or groups that solicit assistance from foreign governments or organizations to compromise national security.

The legislation also established a National Security Committee in Hong Kong, which is supervised by a central government body based in Beijing and chaired by the Chief Executive.

This committee is endowed with broad powers to oversee and implement the law, including the authority to address issues deemed pertinent to national security and, when necessary, to bypass Hong Kong's legal framework.

Critics argue that the National Security Law erodes the autonomy and freedom guaranteed to Hong Kong under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, intended to persist until 2047.

They express concerns that the law has undermined civil liberties in Hong Kong, such as the rights to free speech, assembly, and press, and that it is being employed to suppress political adversaries and quash dissent.

What is the Impact of National Security Law on the Lives of Hong Kong's Citizens

Following the pro-democracy movement, China conducted a series of arrests that led to the incarceration of prominent opposition leaders in Hong Kong, including the former media mogul Jimmy Lai, a British citizen.

Numerous news outlets have been closed down.

The special police, established under the National Security Law, have detained over 180 individuals ranging in age from 15 to 79.

Approximately, 30 individuals have been arrested for disseminating seditious texts or materials.

Prominent figures like Cardinal Joseph Zen, aged 90, have also been apprehended by the authorities.

Many activists and members of the opposition have relocated to the United Kingdom and Taiwan to escape arrest and persecution.

These laws have had a discernible impact on local council elections; voter turnout in 2019 was around 70 per cent, but it plummeted to a record low of approximately 27 per cent in 2023.

This is not the first instance of China attempting to enact such legislation.

In 2003, a less severe version was proposed but subsequently withdrawn by China following extensive protests.

Despite this, Xi Jinping perceived these protests as a challenge to his prestige and responded by diminishing Hong Kong's autonomy, an action that starkly violated the 1997 Handover Agreement.

In a recent development, the Hong Kong Police, on May 28, 2024, detained six individuals for allegedly disseminating seditious content on social media.

Among those arrested was Chow Hang-tung, known for organizing memorial vigils for the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

These detentions represent the initial known enforcement actions under Hong Kong's National Security Law.

Consequently, the residents of Hong Kong now live under the pervasive threat posed by these laws.

Additionally, civil society and human rights organizations are operating with increased caution on the island.

As noted earlier, Hong Kong had evolved into a financial centre in the latter half of the 20th century.

It boasts a GDP of approximately $360 billion and ranks 43rd among major global economies.

However, as regulatory controls tighten, investors have grown increasingly apprehensive about investing in the region.

This development threatens to undermine the city's longstanding reputation as a financial hub of the East.

Through the enactment of the National Security Law, Xi Jinping has sought to obscure the potential vision of a liberated China.

Hong Kong, a melting pot of major Southeast Asian cultures, once epitomized the democratic aspirations of China.

Nevertheless, the arrests under the National Security Law threaten to erode the city's core identity.

The severe suppression of the 2019 protests and the global apathy towards Hong Kong's situation are facilitating China's objectives. The future will reveal the extent of the National Security Law's impact on Hong Kong.

Source: IANS

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The city of Ranchi will be the venue for the fourth Test match between India and England. Based in the newly formed state of Jharkhand, the city boasts of being the residence of India’s former captain and legendary superstar cricketer, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. There is a ring of halo around cricket there because of him.

India, have played two Test matches previously in Ranchi and in both of them, their batting has been the reason for success. They drew the match against Australia in 2019 and beat South Africa convincingly in 2017.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, has a double century under his belt at this venue, having made it against South Africa. India’s consistent and skilful allrounder, Ravindra Jadeja, has also tasted success, both as a bowler and as a batter, in both Test matches.

The pendulum has swung in favour of India in the Test series against England, especially after their resounding win at Rajkot. India are now 2-1 up and with a lead that has them just ahead. The margin of defeat faced by England was so huge in the last Test match, that to rise from it, thereafter, would need them to showcase enormous willpower and conviction.

The present England side under Ben Stokes, one feels, has that positive and never-say-die attitude. Bazball is a term that is being flouted quite extensively, however, the core thought behind it is to play freely and without worrying about the consequences.

England have transformed Test cricket. They are like prized boxers who have only one thing in mind, either to floor the opponent or get knocked out in doing so. This is precisely why one feels that this England side will come forcefully in the 4th Test match.

They have shown that India are not invincible in their backyard having won the first Test match of this series at Hyderabad. A 5-Test series is always a very different proposition. It has the ingredients of a 5-set tennis encounter to a 3-set one. The additional matches allow the cricket players and teams to adapt to and gauge each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Both India and England are in that frame of mind.

The fourth Test match is normally one by which time batters have shown their preferences and vulnerability, whereas, the bowlers have showcased all their variations and ware. This is when mental and physical fatigue also comes into play.

The Indian side, being one ahead, has decided to rest their most lethal bowling weapon, Jasprit Bumrah. One understands that rest will go a long way in preserving him for the future. However, one feels it has opened the doors of comfort for the English batters.

The Bumrah threat is one that still rankles in the minds of the England batters and India without their strike bowler would be a joyful thought for them.

There is a common belief that the pitch at Ranchi will be a rank-turner. If this is true, it could be a folly that India may regret. The Indian spin bowlers are head and shoulders above the English spinners. To give them a wicket where their average spinners can be effective would be just what England would dream of.

The Indian batting has shown that they too are not comfortable on turning tracks and lack the innovative skills required to adapt to it. At present their batters, apart from Rajat Patidar, are all in prime form and a good wicket would be ideal for them to bat England out of the game.

The English side has been scarred badly, especially, with their loss at Rajkot. Their bazball strategy has failed in India and is now being criticized by the very critics who were enchanted by it. The sweep shot, most of them played on a pre-meditated basis, has not proven to be a consistent option to succeed.

Joe Root, their most technically correct and skilled player, has failed to deliver with the bat and has now become their important spin bowler. The number of overs that he has bowled has definitely taken a toll as regards his batting. One may be able to do so physically, however, the peace and tranquillity that one normally saw when Root was batting was missing in his new avatar.

England came here boasting about capturing the final frontier, a series win in India that has eluded every side in the last 10 years. They looked like doing so initially, however, India have hit back through the batting of young Yashasvi Jaiswal. He has been the major thorn for the English side and a player they would have not focused on as one who would play such an important part in the series.

This daring Mumbai left-handed batter reminds one of the great Brian Lara. He scores his runs at a brisk pace with an air of confidence last seen through the batting of Virendra Sehwag. Jaiswal is one player who has the potential to surpass the 400 runs individual record set by Lara. What a wonderful achievement if he does so.

This England side has a different hum to it. Ben Stokes and his merry men are not ones to accept defeat so easily. They will come at the Indian side with all their might. A wounded animal is one to fear the most and England are definitely one.

Cricket should be enjoyable, as the battleground is all set for a thrilling encounter and one in which England will attack with all guns blazing.

For an Indian supporter, all roads and eyeballs will be glued to the cricket stadium of Ranchi.

An Indian win is all that matters to keep the frontier intact.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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The 1st Test match between India and England in Hyderabad was looked at as a challenging start to the 5-match series between the two nations. England were projecting it as the final frontier, all set to break India's dominance at home. The word “preparation” and “Bazball” were being written and spoken about with gusto. One got the feeling that England were on a serious path of planning and structuring India’s demise. How wrong one was.

The 10 days' preparation in Abu Dhabi to simulate the Indian conditions seemed to have gone totally awry. The English batters and bowlers were as clueless about the Indian conditions as we are about the English weather.

The England side needed to have got acclimatised through a few practice matches, as going into a major series without match practice is asking for trouble.

The famous English Bazball theory was put to rest as well. The basic skills of defense on a slow-turning track of the English batters were unconvincing and uncertain. For them to attack the Indian spinners to play Bazball cricket was like asking for divine help.

The 5-match series is going to be a long and tedious affair for the English team. Their topline spinners are very ordinary. They lack the consistency and guile to either spin the ball or control it through good line and length. A bunch of club-grade cricketers who need time to play the big league. One wonders as to how they will be able to sustain four more matches if India keeps preparing turning tracks at all the venues.

The talk of India preparing wickets suitable for spin bowling was a ploy known to all concerned. England in order to counter it effectively filled their playing eleven with more spin options and had just Mark Wood as their only pacer in the first Test.

England erred in their selection. In Test cricket one plays to their strength especially, in the area of bowling, as one cannot win a Test match if one does not take 20 wickets. Good pacers in the past have been successful in Indian conditions. The slow uneven bounce and the dry surface are conditions that fast bowlers have exploited through their cutters and the reverse swing. A good bowler is a good bowler in all conditions and for England to go into the Test match without their most experienced pacer, James Anderson, one felt they missed a beat.

Anderson has loads of experience in the conditions prevalent in India and can reverse swing and bowl accurately all day long. He is a master of his trade and to have him sitting out was a tactical blunder on the part of the English think tank.

The influence of the Limited-overs game is taking shape in Test match cricket as well. Both batters and bowlers seem to lack patience. Many of the Indian batsmen were set for a big score, however, all succumbed to hitting the ball to fielders in the deep, attempting to send the ball out of the ground. Similarly, bowlers seem to lack planning in ways to get a batter out. Their hope of getting a wicket makes them rely on the wicket assisting them or through a rash stroke played by the batter.

In the past, watching Test cricket was all about how captains and bowlers planned the downfall of the batters. In order to do this, bowlers needed to be accurate and needed to have control over their deliveries. The English bowlers seem to lack this basic capability. Unless they improve drastically, this English side under Ben Stokes will be chasing leather over all parts of the ground throughout the matches in this series.

India should clinch this Test match series quite convincingly. One was happy to see a good crowd at the stadium in Hyderabad on India’s Republic Day. Watching the Indian cricket heroes demolishing the England side truly reflects on how Indian cricket has progressed over time.

Celebrating the return of Bhagwan Ram to Ayodhya and the 74th Republic Day, a win against England for India will be just the icing on the cake.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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The popularity of the conventional form of cricket, ‘Test Matches’ may be on the wane, however, it is the only way one can measure the ability of a cricketer.

The five days of play for men and four days for women truly bring to the fore some of the most important traits of the game that one misses in the shorter versions. It requires concentration, consistency, control, fitness, discipline, mental strength and good planning while batting as well as bowling.

It is such a pleasure watching the men and women in whites on a lush green outfield rather than the colourful parade that one encounters in the limited-overs versions.

Test cricket needed an infusion of change in the 70s as the sport was getting into a state of dullness and boredom. Cricketers, in order to be successful, then played cautiously and so it led to more matches being drawn rather than bearing a result.

Kerry Packer, the flamboyant Australian businessman, brought into play a cricket circus that focused on entertainment and action. His colourful night cricket filled with legendary players from around the world of cricket captured the hearts of the fans and followers. Limited overs came into play and colourful attire became the fashionable alternative.

Cricket took a turn towards a fun-filled, fast-paced, extravagant and result-oriented sport. This was just the spark that was required to bring some spice into the slow-paced movements that cricket had fallen into.

The outcome of this transformation, however, was that some cricketers with average skills rose to prominence. Cricket needed action and what emerged next was the introduction of field and bowling restrictions with Power-plays. The boundaries were shortened to create more sixes and fours and the basics and skills that one required earlier to play the game were not so important to succeed. The artistry and subtle stroke-play gave way to brute force and mighty hits.

The limited-overs cricket that finally converged into the most popular version of T20 is a spectacle for the spectators, however, one was pleased to learn how it is not as satisfying for a cricketer.

The top women and men cricketers are emphasizing their preference to play Test cricket. This is music to a cricket connoisseur’s ears.

The major issue that Test cricket faces against its limited-overs rivals is that of financial and commercial returns. The cricketers may feel that Test cricket is the ultimate test of their abilities, however, the crowd and majority of followers think differently.

The paucity of time is the major concern for spectators and lovers of the game and one wonders how Test cricket can come forth once again to rule the roost.

The ICC has realised the importance of pushing forward the cause of Test cricket through a World Test Cricket Championship, However, it needs a superlative effort from Cricket Boards of all the cricket-playing countries to create an atmosphere and interest to make it happen.

The Bangladesh versus New Zealand series was the start of an exciting new cycle of the Test Championship. Bangladesh at home brought about a historic win in the 1st Test match only to thereafter, lose the next in a close encounter. Although the series was drawn, an extra match would have been just what the doctor ordered. That a 2-match series was what time permitted is precisely why Test cricket will be looked at as an inferior option.

India too in South Africa are playing just two Test matches, it truly diffuses the very essence of what Test cricket is all about. The tenacity and skills to sustain a full-fledged encounter needs over 4 or 5 matches. The batters and bowlers need to continuously innovate to deceive each other and that is what makes cricket an absorbing and interesting sport.

The 1st day's play of Test cricket matches between the Australian men’s team against Pakistan at Perth and the Women’s Test match between India and England in Mumbai were a treat to watch. The bowlers of both the Pakistan Men and England Women sides realised how arduous a task, bowling in a Test match can be.

The excessive exposure of the limited-overs version has limited them in thinking and bowling as a Test cricketer. In failing to keep a consistent line and length, bowling long spells took its toll on all the bowlers.

The batters had a whale of a time, especially as the bowlers were tired and clueless at the end. Test cricket requires a team to take 20 wickets and the only way one can see a result in present-day cricket is when the wicket is prepared to pamper the bowlers as a rank turner or a grassy wicket to suit the home side's arsenal.

It is wonderful to see that Test cricket is gradually making its way into Women’s cricket. The most redeeming factor is that the women cricketers are pressing to play more Test matches and this truly augments well for the sport. Watching the Indian batters pile up a huge total of over 400 runs on the 1st day of play against a strong English attack is a remarkable feat.

These very batters in the limited-overs game get lost between playing normal cricketing shots and end up playing ugly shots in trying to hit the ball out of the park. The Indian women stole the show playing patiently and skillfully showcasing good technique and a solid defense.

Seeing the women in whites was a pleasant sight and the way they played Test cricket was a true reflection as to why they want to play more of it.

After all, watching a woman subtly place the ball between two fielders to the fence is far better than a woman’s swashbuckling hit or heave that one associate with chopping wood.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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The World Cup’23 has been quite a topsy-turvy tournament. However, the one team soaring high with consistent and confident performances has been India. The Indian team seems settled, with every player having played their respective part in achieving five wins in a row. At the halfway stage, the Indian team seems already on the path to qualify for the semifinals.

It takes one back to the heartwarming day when Chandrayaan-3 landed on the moon ending the uncertainty that lay ahead as from a soaring orbit it finally achieved its touch-down. 

The Indian team is in that precarious position, wherein, they have done the hard yards and will most likely be in a position to lift the glorious World Cup trophy. A touchdown that will bring immense joy to the 1.4 billion fellow countrymen.

The Indian team looks like a well-oiled unit. They have demolished every team that has come their way and the squad seems to be beaming with confidence. One did finally see a smile on their coach Rahul Dravid’s face and this itself shows the positive vibes amongst the support staff as well.

The Indian cricket World Cup teams of 2015 and 2019 unfortunately, faltered at the semifinal stage, and every Indian’s desire and hope would be for the Team of 2023 to be successful this time around. 

The cricket World Cup, since its inception, has been a tournament that brings forth a few startling results. India’s win in 1983 was one such example, however, there have been several individual matches where the top sides of that time have been subjected to embarrassing defeats.

Teams now are very familiar with the ODI, 50-overs format. All the 10 participating sides have played a fair amount of it. That is why teams are far more evenly matched and none of them can take any of the matches easy.

England, the reigning champions, are more or less out of the tournament, as even if they were to win all their remaining matches, they would fail to qualify for the knock-out stage. This is when the English side will be most dangerous. With nothing to lose now, they could be the Trojan Horse for the others.

What one has missed in this edition of the World Cup, are genuine fast bowling all-rounders. Maybe, the modern theory of specialization has brought about a downfall of the most glamorous area of the game. The ‘Superstar” all-round cricketers. 

Cricket in the past had these gifted godsent players. The best-ever was Sir Garry Sobers but the likes of Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Richard Hadlee, Jacques Kallis, Clive Rice, Mike Proctor, Andrew Flintoff, Keith Miller, and Alan Davidson were also the poster boys of World Cricket.

Ben Stokes, from the present lot of cricketers, seems to be the only one who could claim a place amongst these greats. However, his injury has kept him away from bowling.

The beauty of these greats from the past was that they terrorised batters as bowlers and as batsmen, they could change the complete complexion of the game.

The limited-overs version of the game is an ideal platform for such all-round cricket champions and to have none amongst the top world cricketers of today is quite sad to see.

Bedi, the gifted geniuse

The bits and pieces players, who can bowl and bat, are the segment that has grown extensively. The artistry even where spin bowling is concerned has dwindled. There is not a single leg spinner who can be compared to Shane Warne or a left-arm spinner of the class of Bishan Bedi or an off-spinner like Erapalli Prasanna. These were geniuses of their trade, who could spin and bewilder a batter on any wicket. 

It was a sad day for Indian cricket at the passing of one of the greatest spin bowlers to have ever played the game. Bishan Singh Bedi was the Rolls Royce of left-arm spin bowling. He was also described as the man who wielded the famous Indian Rope trick in cricket, as his ball seemed to hang in mid-air. 

In the present cricket world of DRS reviews, Bedi would have had so many more wickets, as batters used their pads to counter his guile. Bishan has etched himself forever in the history of cricket as a true genius.

The team which has finally found its feet in this World Cup is Afghanistan. Bishan Bedi would have been happy to see that they played four spinners. The team, being ably assisted by Ajay Jadeja, is now looking like a dangerous unit as a bowling side. Young Noor Ul Haq and Rashid Khan, are difficult for the modern batters to fathom. They could squeeze themselves into the final four if their spinners keep bewildering the batsmen.

Cricket is progressing well, however, the lack of spectators at most venues and the hardship that one faces in watching the matches are the concerning issues that have tarnished the image of the tournament. Watching from the comfort of one’s home will become a better option if the conditions at the stadiums do not improve.

This is not an issue when India plays. One wonders what will happen if India does not make it to the final. One may see a lacklustre crowd, similar to what one saw during the opening match between England versus New Zealand.

Let us hope and pray that India keeps soaring high for the sake of both the ICC and the BCCI or else Bollywood song and dance performers will be the only attraction in the final.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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Los Angeles, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Australian actor Chris Hemsworth delighted fans on Instagram as he posted a video showing exactly how he has built and maintained the body of a mythological Norse God.

He captioned it: "Doing a lot less heavy weight sessions lately and incorporating sprint work and more functional movements. A solid full body workout routine. Feeling good."

He added that he couldn't reveal if he or the friend he was seen sprinting with at the start of the video, adventurer Ross Edgley, had won the race. He joked: "In case you're wondering yes I left @rossedgley in the dust…..um well maybe, unfortunately the camera ran outta film so we’ll never know for certain."

As per Mirror.co.uk, Ross commented: "The only person I know who’s muscle fibres are becoming MORE fast twitch and powerful with each slice of birthday cake." In the video, Chris begins by sprinting up a hill with Ross before the camera cuts to him focusing on bodyweight exercises.

He squats, throws and twists with a medicine ball, gets his arms working with some battle ropes, and makes some tricky forwards and backwards mountain climbers look easy. Unsurprisingly, his 57.7million followers lapped it up. Fellow Aussie Rebel Wilson left some appreciative fire emojis, and Serena Williams commented “Yassss body weight is best!”

Many others were more enamoured with Chris’ sausage dog, who was seen trailing behind them in their race. They begged for more videos of the little pup, and expressed that had they been racing with Chris and Ross, they too would have trailed behind.

Chris celebrated his 40th birthday on August 11 with a trip to the beach for a surf with pals and his brother, Miley Cyrus' ex-husband Liam.

Source: IANS

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The word “jamboree” seems to be an ideal way to describe Indian Cricket at present. The cricket schedules and commitments have created confusion and chaos, not only among the cricketers but more so among the millions of fans following Indian cricket.

One has lost one's bearing as to who is the Indian captain, who is playing where and in which of the Indian teams. 

India seems to have captains coming out of the woodwork. The senior most and officially the man at the helm is Rohit Sharma. However, with the Indian teams being sent to Ireland, the Asia Cup and the Asian Games we have had and appointed in the last two years of international cricket, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bhumra, Ruturaj Gaekwad, K.L. Rahul, Rishab Pant and Shikar Dhawan as captains. 

Similarly, one is at sea identifying players as to which team a specific player is playing in. I can imagine the plight of a young Indian player, who may be happy to get into one of the sides, however, he must be confused as to whether his performance will merit a selection into the Indian Senior side. 

The sword that seems to hang over a youngster's head, is the return of the trusted older players from rest or injuries. These days the latter is more relevant than the rest part of it. 

India needs to ensure that only one Indian team is in operation at all times. Yes, players can be rested, however, it has to be only a single side that represents the country in an international fixture. The reason is that one is representing one’s country and not a club or a state side. There is India’s pride at stake and diffusing it is definitely not acceptable. 

Furthermore, an Indian cap needs to be earned and dishing it out in such a frivolous way, does not augment well for the sport. Between the three upcoming tournaments and a series against Australia before the World Cup’23, one may see well over 10 new debutants, some of whom would never have ever deserved it.

The India ‘A’ tours are a wonderful way in which to assess players and give them a platform to showcase their talent. Presently, a good season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become the benchmark for a player to get recognized and catapulted into the reckoning for an Indian cap. A few of them have barely played first-class domestic cricket but have been successful in the IPL, where they have very little to lose but plenty to gain without immense pressure or fame to live up to.

This brings me to a wonderful article written by Michael Gervais. He has researched the experience and performance anxiety of professional and amateur sportsmen. He calls it “FOPO”. The ‘Fear of people’s Opinion”. This is relevant to Indian cricket as it seems to target both the younger and the experienced ones. 

The Indian cricket stars have a name and reputation to live up to, which one has seen, seems to affect their performance on the world stage when most needed. 

The fear of failure is what brings about anxiety which makes them more cautious, watchful and tentative. Whereas, a youngster, who may have done brilliantly to achieve his place in the side, did it without the pressure and responsibility that the established cricketer faces. 

FOPO is an anticipatory mechanism that involves psychological, physiological and physical activation to avoid rejection as Michael Gervais puts it. He said that when challenged, one protects one’s ego and surrenders one's viewpoint. Unfortunately, with the gigantic fan following an Indian cricketer faces he needs to learn how to deal with it.

This is where Rahul Dravid along with the selectors need to play their part. Brendon McCullum along with Ben Stokes has done this quite remarkably. The English side seems a completely transformed unit that looks to play without fear and inhibitions. One can see that each of their players seems to have gone past it and is not concerned about what the critics and people think. They have decided to play and approach the game according to their plan. 

The Indian cricket team needs to get over the FOPO syndrome. They need to play with pride as one unit and on their terms. The Indian team is brimming with talented players, they just need to believe in themselves. 

The jamboree that exits needs to be put to rest, and very soon. After all, it’s a golden opportunity for India, at home, to win the World Cup 2023. They need to change their approach quickly and radically.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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In less than two months, the biggest cricket tournament will be held in India, the World Cup 2023. India’s victories in 1983 and 2011 are the two milestone performances that are etched in the minds of millions of Indian cricket followers.

The effect and the halo of those victories under two legendary and brilliant Indian cricketers, Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are moments of joy and pride that India revels in, even today.

The Wankhede Stadium was the venue of that glorious hit into the stands by Dhoni in 2011 for a victory, a shot that made Indian cricket finally believe in its potential as world-beaters. 

Since then, the face of Indian cricket has changed drastically as the young players who have emerged are far more aggressive, confident and focused than ever before. It transformed the attitude and perception of the way an Indian cricketer looked at the sport, as one where the player is as good if not better than anyone else playing the game. 

Indian cricket, which was scaling upwards, finally established itself as the World champions in all formats of the game.

India, thereafter, got the pride of place in world cricket and the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) catapulted it to a height of utmost glory.

With such success comes expectations and to sustain one's position one needs consistency, amidst enormous pressure. Unfortunately, the Indian team, even though it is seen as one of the best in the world has not been able to deliver an ICC silverware trophy in the past 10 years. 

The ODI World Cup at home in 2023 is just the ideal setting for India to recapture the glory of the 2011 victorious side. The Indian cricket team has world-class players, whether it is in batting or bowling. They have the class, the experience and the knowledge of playing in conditions familiar to them. On paper, India look to be the favourite. However, India’s past performance in major tournaments is a dampener that hangs above them.

Somehow, one feels India is still not ready, both on and off the field. The schedule of the matches has finally seen the light of day. One gathers stadiums are being spruced up on a war footing to meet the quality expected. Wickets at most venues, with the heavy monsoon rains, will need to be prepared in haste as climate change has made the normal cycle of preparation go completely awry. The task ahead for the BCCI is monumental, although, one expects it to be ready at the very last minute. One sees this happen in India at most events, seminars, and functions and it all finally falls into place somehow or the other. 

The Hand of God seems to always prevail.

The worrying aspect of the WC’23 is not the administrative issues, but, the selection of the Indian squad. The BCCI has still got time till September 27 to announce the 15-member final squad, however, fitness and performances of players are still a worry. 

In keeping with the exhausting schedule of the team in international cricket, one may boast of a cupboard full of players that India have to choose from. However, it is not quantity but quality that one wants in the end.

The ongoing tour of the West Indies has been a complete wash-out where preparation and choosing the Indian World Cup squad is concerned. 

Although the West Indies team has beaten India in an ODI match as well as two T20s, the standard of their cricket has deteriorated and is not much to talk about. Scoring runs and getting wickets against this average side may give one the wrong indication of a player's ability.

The Asia Cup to be held at the beginning of September 2023 is an important tournament for India to finalize their WC’23 core group of players. Apart from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, the rest are still uncertain either because of their recent form or on account of injuries. 

Hardik Pandya, as an all-rounder is essential for India, however, he will need to be fit to bowl his quota of overs. One is happy to read that he has a personal chef travelling with him for his dietary requirements, however, one feels a personal fitness trainer would have been more appropriate. 

One cannot carry a player in the side who is uncertain to bowl 10 overs and this is also where the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah is questionable. Similar fitness issues also arise regards both K.L. Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. 

The Indian team at present is confused between the old and the new. The pressure of a World Cup at home can be quite unnerving. One feels India should select a young daring side. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Arshdeep Singh, Ryan Parag and some of the other such young performers should merit a place in the playing eleven. 

Indian cricket has always fallen prey to relying on the old and trusted performers in the past and the ICC tournaments. The reason was that one felt it was better to be safe rather than sorry. 

The time now is to think ahead and not worry about the outcome. A young side in 2007 won us the inaugural T20 World Cup. The blend of those youngsters with the old finally won us the 2011 World Cup. 

One hopes Ajit Agarkar, who was part of that winning side, and his fellow selectors think out of the box. All eyes will now be focused on them. 

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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Captaincy in cricket is not a goodwill or appointment based on seniority but one where one needs leadership qualities to the nth degree. The limited overs cricket, with the fielding and bowling restrictions, has made a mockery of what cricket captaincy stands for.

A captain has limitations to process, as well as to implement a strategy due to the rules and restrictions. A technical weakness of an opponent can be very easily hidden due to the nature of the game. A tussle between two teams as well as the batter and the bowler is entirely based on errors rather than on brain power. Limited-overs cricket has become more of a game of chance rather than one of skill.

The fallout of the new modern form of the game is that cricketers with average ability have a golden opportunity to shine brilliantly. Possessing good hand-eye coordination and the capability to hit the ball ferociously is the prime skill which could make them into super-stars. Bowlers on the other hand shine by getting wickets mainly because a batter attempts a mighty heave or takes risks to quicken the run-rate. Limited is the duration and therefore, “limited” becomes the skill and the artistry of a player and the thought process of a captain.

Hence this makes captaincy, in the shorter version of the game, more of a regimental exercise rather than a cerebral one.

The recently concluded Ashes series battle between England and Australia was an awakening of how pleasurable Test cricket can be. A hard-fought tussle between two of the top sides in the cricketing world, stretching to get ahead of the other at the slightest opening, was like two magnificent racehorses, striding side by side towards the winning post. The riders in this case were the two captains, Pat Cummings for Australia and Ben Stokes for England. Both were armed with strategic plans and players through a battery of support staff and a coach. The difference in the end finally boiled down to leadership.

Australia may look satisfied in retaining the Ashes, a mini-size cup which has colossal historical importance to it, however, in their heart of hearts they knew that they came through second best. 

Pat Cummings having won the two initial Test matches, one in which he came through as a true hero, seemed to have crumbled thereafter, both physically and mentally. He looked, in the last 3 Test matches, a leader who had lost the plot and was waiting for his English opponents to make a mistake. The Australians, normally aggressive and forthcoming, looked like a team that was timid and shaken up by the opponent's aggressive nature. Cummings needed to ignite his wards, however, he looked like a leader confused and unable to do so. A bewildered man was he, from the very first ball of the Ashes series when Zak Crawley cover-drove him to the fence. The English brand-building campaign of the “Bazball” hit the bullseye, as Australia went on the defensive from the very first hour of play.

England captain Stokes, on the other hand, came through as a brilliant leader who stood tall even when his team was down. He seemed confident of making a comeback from a position in which most teams would have given up hope. 

In Ben Stokes, one finally saw a captain sparkle. His field placements were unique and adventurous and the confidence that he gave to his batting unit was quite remarkable. The positive mindset of winning and not worrying about a defeat, needed all his players to be in sync and they showed that they were just that. The English team consisting of an ageing bowling side as well as mentally driven aggressive batters seemed to be having a more youthful outlook about them, than the Australians. 

The adage “you are only as old as you feel” came through quite prominently as regards the English side, while the Australian side looked tired, jaded and ready to depart from the 4th Test match itself.

Test cricket needs an astute captain. India's Nawab of Pataudi Jr. was one such during the 60s and the early 70s. His trump card to win was his spinners and he too, like Stokes recently, placed fielders in aggressive positions to win, rather than worry about a loss. The famous Indian spin quartet had fielders caging a batsman all around, tempting them to take a risk. In Indian cricket, “commander” is the word that comes to mind with reference to Pataudi and Sourav Ganguly, who were the only ones who showed it and they also had the backing on and off the field. 

Kapil Dev and M.S. Dhoni were more in tune with the shorter version of the game. They too had a brilliant cricket mind, but Test cricket was not their forte. 

Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid were both good strategists, however, they failed because of their own brilliance. They expected the others to deliver in the way they thought and were unable at times to take mediocrity. 

The problem that India currently faces in Test cricket is not having a forceful leader with his own mind. One who can be obeyed, respected as well as one who has the confidence of the selectors and administrators. Cricket captaincy needs one to possess inspirational and motivational leadership qualities. Ben Stokes for England showcased that and one needs to doff one’s hat to him.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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In all sports, winning is the goal that one plays for. It all boils down to performing the best as an individual and as a team.

The pressure to perform to one’s optimum ability or for one’s team or country is a subconscious constant reminder that exits well before one finally takes to the field. Anxiety, sleepless nights, worry, and uncertainty are just some of the effects that a cricketer confronts before a game.

The adrenaline is in full flow during one’s performance. Although one is consciously aware of keeping one’s temperament in check, the inevitable outburst does happen.

The sole reason is that a sportsperson has immersed oneself into a mental state of performing well. Many hours of hard work and pain go into one’s preparation and when one is deprived, or one feels cheated, an angry retort can regretfully emerge.

Sitting on the sidelines, one can easily say that one needs to be calm and collected at all times. Ten deep breaths, and thinking before one speaks, are easy to articulate, but in the heat of the moment, it is very difficult to display.

Trained diplomats and leaders have failed in the past and expecting every sportsperson to do so is a hugely difficult ask.

Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s women’s cricket captain, during the recent third and final ODI match of the series versus Bangladesh, like several sportspersons before, went into a moment of rage on being given out. Dreadful umpiring was her reason for not only her dismissal but also for her team being denied a win.

One sympathises with her, as her primary goal was a commitment to win for her country. For her to be denied it blinded her momentarily and she felt she needed to spell it out openly. Unfortunately, she is paying a heavy price for it, being banned from playing in the next two international matches. One hopes that the BCCI does not penalise her further.

Kaur’s action, however, justifiable it may be for her, unfortunately, is not expected from the captain of a national cricket team, one who has to accept the positive and negative results of one’s actions.

One does not condone what Kaur said and did; however, bad umpiring has been at the core of many such incidents in the past.

The match referee, rather than penalising the defaulter, should also take a serious stand on the 'accused' umpires. If found biased, they should ensure that the person concerned should be permanently banned from umpiring in an international game. One wonders if any such action was taken after Kaur’s verbal outburst. An unfair umpire is more detrimental to the game of cricket than a few spoken words by a player.

Umpiring is a very difficult, challenging and at most times an unappreciated task in cricket. The DRS, independent and non-conflicted umpires have brought about a huge amount of comfort in the way international cricket games are played, presently. In the days gone by, every country had a favouritism tag attached to them. At times one accepted the genuine errors, however, the history of cricket has many such incidents of umpires cheating.

This is an area no cricketer appreciates. Unfortunately, one has seen in India, this emanates from the very grassroots level of the game and continues to do so even at the First-Class level.

There has to be a severe punishment for any biased umpiring at every level of the game. An umpire needs to be fair and honest. One has not seen any of the accused umpires reprimanded or penalised parts of their match allowance, ever.
Umpires are the sole authority on the field and if any accusation of cheating is alleged against them, then that needs to be seriously looked at.

Every cricketer in one's career has faced a bad decision which has ignited anger and frustration. Indian men’s team captains have not been any different from Kaur. Sunil Gavaskar in Melbourne in 1981 and Bishan Bedi in Pakistan in 1978 are a couple that come to mind.

In 1979 when I was a part of the Indian team, we were chasing a mammoth total of 438 to win against England at Lords, we were denied a certain victory because of biased umpiring. Fortunately, in those days one did not have stump microphones or else many of us would have been in the cooler.

The ICC needs to be stricter and seriously concerned about the umpiring in tournaments that do not have DRS or Independent umpires.

Similarly, all the cricket-playing nations need to take the task of umpiring and appointment of umpires as a very important area of concern.

Cricket is a gentleman’s game, and it is time for us to find the root of the problem rather than just focus on the final outcome. Cricket needs to be played hard but fair and anything that tarnishes it needs to be put to rest as soon as possible.

A cricketer's regretful outburst should be a thing of the past.

A fair game of cricket is what cricketers and their millions of viewers aspire for and one cannot excuse bad umpiring on any account.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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The various T20 leagues mushrooming around the world will definitely cause a huge transformation in the game of cricket. In cricket parlance, one can identify it as a turning track on which one is unsure about the future and outcome of the game.

Cricket around the world has shown that the T20 format of the game is commercially and popularly acceptable and one to pursue in the future.

Fortunately, the BCCI with the prime property of the Indian Premier League, (IPL) has established itself to be the frontrunner, However, sustaining it, will be a challenge. 

The reason is that the pool of top-level cricketers is limited and the franchise owners of some of the leading IPL teams are now well-invested in the leagues that have cropped up recently. 

India may have put a stop to their players participating in the other leagues, however, the lure of good financial gains can tempt the very best. Furthermore, the franchise owners are businessmen who have invested for their own gains and cricket for them is a means to do so.

Cricket is at a very crucial juncture. The sport has finally become a huge business platform attracting eyeballs from every corner of the globe. Money seems to be pouring in and the business and the corporate worlds have realised how powerful the medium is for their products and messages to be heard. 

The latest entrant to the business of cricket is the T20 Major League Cricket in the United States of America. A country that had held the very first International cricket match in 1844. The advent of baseball, a much shorter and faster game, during that period in the USA, gradually brought about the demise of cricket there. However, cricket never left the shores of the country and at the beginning of this century there were 20,000 cricketers playing the game. The Asians and West Indians popularised it and the growth escalated with many of them making their home over there. 

The T20 format of the game is ideally suited for countries that have grown up on the most popular sport of football, basketball, baseball and several other such short-duration sports that are less time-consuming than five days or one whole day of cricket.

Australia, England, the West Indies and South Africa have already got well-established T20 cricket Leagues in place and with the rich UAE coming into the fray, a cricketer will have enough options to choose from.

The conventional form of the game, Test cricket, seems to now revolve around just seven countries. How long will it be able to sustain itself is a million-dollar question. The bilateral series which earlier had 4/5 Test matches are being substantially reduced to 2/3 matches only. The commercial viability is also being questioned and the T20 matches are now subsidising the lack of returns from hosting a Test series. 

The Ashes series between Australia versus England is one of the only Test cricket battles that is still surviving the onslaught of the shorter versions of the game. Tradition and history keep it alive and the importance that the players give to playing in it is a big factor in its survival. 

The rest of the countries' Test match encounters have been fortunately revived due to the World Test Championship and the points required for one to garner in order to qualify for the final. However, the aura and glamour are, unfortunately, missing.

The One-Day Internationals (ODI), one feels, will gradually lose its lustre. Winning the World Cup was very important in the past. However, the 50-overs game has become a tedious affair, especially, in the 30 middle overs where batters are consolidating their team's position for a burst in the final overs. 

The World Cup’23 is a very important tournament for the ODI format to continue its existence. India, the host country and the largest cricket market needs to win it to keep it alive. The Indian cricket fans and followers are already in the T20 mode and an Indian loss in the World Cup with 4 years for the next, would be a challenging proposition to keep their interest going.

In India, the IPL has initiated State Associations to have their own individual League. These are turning out to be profitable for each one of them. The irony of it is that the selection for their Ranji Trophy team is based on one's performance in these tournaments. The cast is similar to what at present is happening at the Indian national level as well. The IPL has become an important platform for a player to win an Indian cap.

Cricket is moving fast towards to shorter and shorter formats rather than longer ones. I vividly recollect a statement made by Sachin Tendulkar many years ago. He felt 10 overs of 2 innings each would be one way to boost the T20 version even more. With replacement substitutes and other changes to the rules to liven the T20 even more, one wonders whether Sachin’s suggestion does make sense. 

Cricket is on a turning track and how, and in which way it will survive is a thought to worry about and ponder over.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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There was a time when West Indies cricket was the epitome of the game. The carefree and calypso style of fun-loving and unconventional but skilful approach to the game was a treat to watch.

The West Indians played to mesmerize and entertain the crowd without a care about the result. Genius was the word used by many of their players and it fit the bill perfectly especially for one of theirs, the greatest cricketer ever to play the game, Sir Garfield Sobers. 

The Indian team touring the West Indies at present were privileged to shake the hands of the great man, one who could bat, bowl, field and even keep wickets at the highest level. 

The word “Bazball” has now become a mantra for the England side in their quest to play attacking and attractive cricket. It takes one back to the famous 1961 Test series between Australia and the West Indies Down Under. The two captains, Sir Frank Worrell and Richie Benaud decided to play positive and attractive cricket in their 5-match series. 

The first Test itself proved to be a thrilling encounter as it was a Tie. The first time in the history of the game. Although the West Indies lost the series 2-1, the way in which they played the game made them heroes and stars of it. They were paraded through the street of Melbourne and cheered by an enormous crowd on their departure. 

One is sad to see the state of West Indian cricket at present. How the cookie crumbles is a wake-up call for the ICC and many of the other cricket-playing nations in the world. The 1st Test and the first day's play in Dominica between India and the West Indies was a pitiful sight. The loud, fun-loving crowd filled with retorts and the calypso band of music was missing. Empty stands showed that Test cricket was on the wane there. However, these stands seem to be bursting with people during a T20 encounter. 

The West Indian batting was as limp as were their cricket followers. The players seem to have forgotten the very art of Test cricket. They lack the technique and understanding of a 5-day encounter and the Indian bowlers should make hay while they can. 

Cricket played by the West Indians in the past was filled with brilliant stroke play and lethal fast bowling. However, they had the skills and understanding as to when to employ them. 

The famous documentary “Fire in Babylon”, made by the BBC as to how their captain Clive Lloyd transformed his 1970s West Indian team into champions, is a tale that is far away from the present lot of their cricketers.

The immediate excuse is that cricket is not a good paying proposition for a sportsperson in the Caribbean islands and so many have gone to the United States to play basketball, baseball and other sports professionally. However, if one scans the franchise base T20 cricket played which are also mushrooming at various centres of the world, there are plenty of West Indian cricketers involved in it. 

Quite understandably so, as the lure of making a comfortable life for the future is foremost in the mind of most individuals. The problem that West Indies cricket finds itself in is that it comprises players from different islands, each one a beautiful country in its own right. Clive Lloyd managed to bring about unity amongst them and pride to play as one team as did the great Sir Frank Worrell. 

Unfortunately, the West Indian team lacks a strong leader who can take charge and bring about a holistic change. One can also see the pride to play for the West Indies is missing amongst their players. This naturally revolves around the meagre match fees and the lack of finance of their Cricket Board.

It takes one back to the year 1980 when India were to visit the West Indies for a Test series. The tour was called off by them as Sunil Gavaskar refused to be a part of the team on personal grounds. The West Indies Cricket Board did not feel they could host an Indian side sans Gavaskar as it would not be financially viable. 

The tables have turned now as the Indian cricket side is the fulcrum on which world cricket is balanced. A truly proud and significant achievement for all involved in making India the top cricket-playing nation in the world.

The West Indies series of India should be just the curtain raiser for India to accumulate points for the start of the new phase of the World Test Championship. The inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan in the 1st Test is a positive move for Indian cricket. Young cricketers need to be brought in to keep the fire burning in the future. 

The Indian team requires a genuine quick bowler. Pace is important to ruffle the feathers of the top-order batsmen and create a demon in the minds of the lower-order ones. Umran Malik, a bowler who clocks well over 150kms/hr, should have been an automatic choice in the Test team to play the West Indies. The situation was ideal to introduce him against a relatively weak West Indian side and to groom him for the future. He is a part of both the limited-overs teams in which line and length are essential. He needs to be let loose and not be reined in, a good example of it was Mark Wood for England, against Australia in the third Test match at Headingley. 

The Indian think tank requires some serious future planning, especially for their Test side. One wishes the new chairman of the BCCI selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, the very best.

India is the core centre for world cricket and the success of their Test team is essential to keep it alive and kicking. One does not want to see the cookie crumble.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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The words of Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective come to mind - “Elementary My Dear Watson” - when one reviews the Jonny Bairstow stumping incident.

In a tight situation, especially, during a critical Ashes Test match, every cricketer on the ground is looking to get that one extra bit of advantage. The batter tries to stay on the wicket, whereas, the fielding side hopes to get one. The 10 modes of dismissal for a batsman are foremost on the mind of a fielding side. 

Aspiring Cricketers right from their elementary days are taught to not fall victim to them. Bairstow, unfortunately, in a world of his own, forgot the basic rule, that the ball is not dead until the umpire says so. Strolling up to meet his non-striker captain at the other end with the ball in play was a folly that even a schoolboy cricketer would have avoided. The reason is, that school and club cricket is where one actually learns the importance of the rules of how one can get out. This is a growing-up process in cricket when one is still unaware of the rules and consequences that may arise by not adhering to them. 

Jonny Bairstow knows he made an elementary error and quite rightly has kept quiet for others to debate the issue, rather than for him to get embroiled in it. The famous “Spirit of Cricket” and lack of “fair play” are some words that emerge from such incidents and “gamesmanship” from others, opposing it.

As an international Indian cricketer, I have been through many such incidents wherein opposition players and teams have tried every means in the book to try and get me out. 

Yes, I have fallen victim to it on several occasions, annoyed at making myself vulnerable to the 10 commandments of getting out in cricket. I was once “run out” by a bowler as a non-striker for unintentionally being out of the batting crease. I remember when I was “timed out” for not coming to the wicket in the 2 minutes stipulated and for “hitting the ball twice”. The last was in anger in exchange for a verbal retort by the bowler. On all these occasions my team lost and I learned over time to be careful and not careless.

Cricket used to have that aura of being a gentleman’s game. One that was played hard but fair. This feeling, unfortunately, when assessed today, dates back to the initial days of Test cricket. Incidents of unfair play then were few and far between. 

Douglas Jardine, the famous England captain in the Ashes series of 1932 in Australia, a gentleman by all accounts, was the first one to put a spoke on the spirit of the game. 

In trying to stop the Australian run-machine, Sir Don Bradman, and to win the Ashes series utilized the famous “Bodyline tactics” to demolish Australia. He did not break the rules of cricket then, however, he destroyed the very essence of the game. 

In today’s parlance, his tactics would have been the case study of success for several of the top business schools around the world. Jardine undertook many hours of research to plan and implement his winning ways and although it proved successful, his fellow gentlemen and members of the MCC disapproved of it quite vehemently. 

The irony is that 91 years later at the famous Long Room at the Lord's, the very members who talked and upheld the spirit of the game, booed and made ugly remarks of cheating when the Australian team came back to the pavilion victoriously. 

The Long Room for a visiting cricketer playing at Lord's is like walking through history when one is going out to bat or field. There is an aura that engulfs one. It gives one a halo-like experience and evokes thoughts that take one back to the legends who have walked through it, earlier. The Mecca of cricket is how Lord's is identified and quite rightly so, being the centre point of all cricketing matters in the past. 

The boisterous and uncanny behaviour of its members has truly tarnished the very ingredients of what it stood for. A behaviour that one disapproved of from the spectators at the cheaper stands has now entrenched itself amongst the so-called elite members as well.

Personally, as a former cricketer, the onus of playing fair lies in the actions of a cricketer. Winning is important, however, how one achieves it, is even more important. The rules are there for one to follow and sense should prevail when one applies it. 

One marvel at Courtney Walsh not running out Saleem Jaffar in a crucial World Cup match in 1987.

Cricket has had umpteen number of such heartwarming and wonderful gestures as well in the years gone by. The famous line that comes to one’s mind is, “Playing is not about winning and losing but how you play the game”. 

The Australians may feel that they have done nothing wrong in getting Jonny Bairstow out and quite rightly so. However, subconsciously they know it was not in the right spirit to do so.

The spirit of the game of cricket, however, had evaporated many moons ago, and one wonders whether it will ever come back.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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The defeat at the hands of Australia in the World Test Championship has brought about a fiasco in Indian Cricket. The Indian side was till then considered to be the epitome of the cricketing world. A team that boasted superlative batters, mesmerising spinners and a battery of fast bowlers. Indian cricket was running at full throttle speeding towards what one imagined as an unparalleled success.

Another loss in an ICC tournament has put a question mark on the direction that Indian cricket was happily cruising towards. Presently there are concerns and brickbats are being hurled at the selection of the players and the reason for India’s failure. The Indian Premier League (IPL) naturally has become the easiest target to attack, not for the cricket but for the lack of time that the Indian players were given to recover and get fully acclimatised. 

Test cricket, one understands, is an entirely different game from the limited-overs versions. However, a good batter and bowler should be able to adjust to it without much of a problem. Ajinkya Rahane is a good example of a player put in the wilderness in all the formats of the game, who changed and made a forceful and impressive comeback. More than just one's cricketing skills, it is the mental approach that one requires to hone to make the adjustments.

The next big ICC tournament is the One-Day International World Cup 2023 to be played in India in October-November. Why one considers this to be the prized trophy of the world of cricket, one fails to understand. However, it has become the hallmark of a crowned winner and a side winning it is looked at as the reigning World Champion. 

The schedule of matches for the WC’23 has just recently been released and one already feels sorry for the Indian team, who will be travelling the maximum across the huge length and breadth of the country to play its matches. The commercial advantage both for the host and the ICC as well as the Associations has ruled over a simple issue -- the comfort level of the Indian players. Travelling for T20 IPL matches cannot be the benchmark for a team that one expects to perform at its best at home after playing a 50 overs night game the day before. Rather than India having to play at every Indian-earmarked centre, the BCCI should have ensured a more easy and comfortable journey for the Indian side.

The fiasco that one mentions that is reigning in the Indian side, starts from the criticism that emanated from the side that played in the World Test Championship. The absence of Ravichandran Ashwin and the lack of winning performances from our senior players became the centre-point for the loss. A change and transformation were the order of the day from the wise men of Indian cricket, as well as the millions of fans and followers. Inducting young blood was the call of the day. 

The next cycle of the Test Championship begins with a series against the West Indies. A team that is struggling to even make it to the final Super 10 of the World Cup’23. Fortunately for Ajinkya Rahane, because he performed exceedingly well in the Test Championship, he was selected and also made the Vice-Captain. However, his middle-order colleague, Cheteshwar Pujara, was not so fortunate. 

This was the same storyline that had emerged after the 2021 World Test Championship loss. They were both dropped, thereafter, to make room for youngsters. However, they were back on the side through their performance in the domestic circuit. The new crop of players, who played and some who warmed the reserve bench, were not pursued, solely because of the lack of faith that the selectors had in each one of them. One wonders why, the best batter in T20 cricket, Suryakumar Yadav, who has the capability of playing the longer format of the game as well, has been sidelined after playing just one Test match. 

The folly that one feels the Indian selectors seem to fall into is classifying players into a certain category without having a solid base to do so. One was astonished to read the comments as to why Sarfaraz Khan, the most prolific run-getter in the Indian domestic prime tournament, the Ranji Trophy, was not considered for a place in the squad to the West Indies. He was identified as one who cannot play quick bowling. His attitude and fitness were another reason for his omission. 

The scores that Sarfaraz has made in the last three years in the domestic circuit could not have been achieved without having the skills to play fast bowling or without immense concentration and fitness. A big-built bloke is always looked at as unfit against one who is slim. 

Sunil Gavaskar, at one of our fitness camps in the late 70s, when confronted by our trainer as to how slow and unfit he was while taking rounds of the ground, so correctly retorted, 'But not many of the fast movers seem to be able to bat and last the whole day'. Sunil, the master thinker that he is, knew exactly what building speed and stamina in cricket entails. After a net batting session, he would run three runs 3 times after a short gap at a fast pace. When one analyzes it, cricket does not require one to do more than that, speed and short-term endurance and recovery of breath are the successful formula.

The guns are now being aimed at India’s two master batters as well. A side that would play against India without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would be licking their lips in glee. However, they now have a golden opportunity to keep their detractors silent.

India, tour to play the weak and depressed West Indian side in both Test and limited overs cricket. This is just what the doctor ordered to regain a team's and individual’s confidence. Thereafter, matches against Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan and the Asia Cup are all wonderful to gloat about. There are matches in September against Australia, however, after the strenuous Ashes series, one does not foresee their top bowlers being a part of the side.

India, apart from the World Cup schedule, will also lack playing top-quality opponents. This is the fiasco gripping Indian cricket at present and one wonders whether this is the best preparation to play the important World Cup 2023.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)

Source: IANS

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