- More than two viewpoints always accompany any issue of importance signifying how humans dissect the matter. Perception is always different from one perspective to another is stating the obvious. The subject matter too would be viewed in an entirely different way cannot be disputed simply because cricket in India is considered equivalent to a religion, no less. Every citizen in the country is an expert in her/his own ways dishing out opinions with passionate discourse. Since the Indian team was whitewashed in the recently concluded three-match Test series against the New Zealanders, the talks have veered toward the ensuing five-match Test series against the toughest opponents in Team Australia. Will Team India stand a chance to overcome the challenges?
PC: News18
- Even before the mouthwatering Test series commences in Perth on 22nd November, the Indian team had to endure the disconcerting news about captain Rohit Sharma opting not to travel with the team for the first Test citing personal reasons. Not only is Rohit Sharma the captain of the side but also a very important batter opening the batting for the team in his inimitable style displaying an attacking brand of cricket thereby setting the tone and the stage on fire when in full flow. The moot point to ponder over here is when so much is at stake vis-à-vis Team India’s qualification for the much-coveted Test championship finals, is it right on the part of Rohit to skip the all-important first Test match of the series? Yes, the answer will differ from one individual to another again.
- Of course, families are always accorded primary importance in every professional, business, or other scheme of things. Why then should be a professional cricketer not a part of something special happening on the family front by opting to seek a leave of absence before the gruelling tour commences? Undoubtedly, Rohit is entitled to choose what is good for him and the family. If he has decided to forego leading the side in the first Test, his decision should be respected. Period. Nonetheless, several cricket pundits have expressed diverse opinions on whether Rohit was right in choosing to be with the family rather than lead the side right from the first Test itself. The BCCI has fully backed this decision, and what matters is the board’s decision, nothing else.
PC: The Hindu
- Make no mistake, cricketers – especially Indian cricketers – are literally on the road and live out of the suitcase by playing non-stop professional cricket almost throughout the year. Remember, Indian cricket fans expect nothing short of top-notch performances from their favourite cricketers which is well-nigh impossible to repeat perpetually. Why do you think the term workload management has become such a critical aspect of a player’s life of late? Allowing breaks in between to recharge the batteries is essential to ensure a cricketer is conditioned to perform optimally. Thus, Rohit Sharma seeking leave to be with the family is absolutely natural and should be respected by all concerned. Let’s hope he will be a decisive factor in the business end.
