Cricket is an unusual game in which players some time find themselves in a fix or forced into a fix !!!. The term 'Spirit of the Game' is the present day fashion, but the question is do we really understand what it means ?. While, one team is forced to make unnecessary decisions like considering out of game stuffs like peer criticisms, whereas other team walks away smiling, commenting 'Game is the ultimate winner !!!!'.
Is 'Spirit of the game' so different from the fair game, where we follow rules ?. If so, why were those rules made in the first place?, we could all play by 'Spirit of the game', why bother the rules at all !!!!.
In Match 8, India Vs Sri Lanka of the Commonwealth Bank series, similar situation arose where Thirimanne was clearly run out (Mankadad) which is well within the rules of the game. Why was 'spirit of the game' bought into question at all, in the first place ?. Why did umpires bought Sehwag in to a fix if the rules permitted the wicket ?. One would argue he could have taken the wicket, but considering the fact that he would be put through criticisms and controversies it is no surprise at all that he has takes such a decision.
It would have real 'Spirit of the game' if Thirimanne has decided to walk, because by the rules of the game he is taking an UNFAIR advantage by walking out of the crease. This falls under Law 42 it states 'clearly consider unfair the act of batsmen gaining a few feet before the bowler has even delivered'. India, by not sticking with the appeal, they abetted with the unfair play.
Jayawardene commented, "Try and keep it nice and clean, and tell the umpires to try and keep an eye on the guy. But if he still keeps doing it regularly, and if he is taking advantage, yes then, but I think they did the right thing in the middle. The seniors got together. Like I said, let's move on." when asked about what he would do in that situation. Think about the irony of the statement as Thirimanne committed similar unfair moves even after all the drama when Irfan Pathan and praveen kumar were bowling and umpires made no move to stop him !!!.
So, was the 'Spirit of the game' was uphold at last ?, NO. It should have been Thirimanne who must have considered about the Spirit, not the Indians. It is not fair to say Sri Lanka played an unfair game for the mistake of just one man, but at least from the next match umpires must do their duty correctly and follow the rules as in the book, ICC must make appeals irreversible. Spirit of the game and Fair game is a same entity, team must always understand that following rules won't harm the spirit !!!.
No comments:
Post a Comment