A Cricket Crazy Nation Called India

Many achievements may go unnoticed in a Cricket crazy nation like India. While whole India is ecstatic about winning a quarterfinal match against Australia and all out there on streets dancing and celebrating this victory, some important sports news that are likely to go unseen.

• Saina Nehwal is world number three of women's singles in BWF rankings, after wining
• Viswanathan Anand finishes third in Amber chess tournament at Monaco after defeating against Vugar Gashimov of Azerbaijan

I know, I am no sports queen and don’t possess enough knowledge to comment on Sports environment but sometimes I feel frustrated (disappointed at times as well) on craziness India shows for Cricket and complete negligence towards other sports. To an Indian: No Cricket means No Sport.

I feel it unjustifiable when I read about hefty amounts cricketers earn from their fees and from brand endorsements and other such events obviously using their position as a brand. In India, You are not entitled to glory if you are not a Cricketer. Here a cricketer of half the caliber may earn more money and fame than any other sport person just because people worship Cricket while refuse to acknowledge presence of other sports. For instance, Viswanathan Anand has been world number one in chess for many years and has shown exceptional games like his contemporary Sachin Tendulkar does in Cricket but while a common Indian may regard Sachin as God but may even not be aware who Viswanathan Anand is.

I completely understand that each individual and nation has it’s own favorites but this is more like nourishing one plant at the cost of others and suppressing growth of others. Nevertheless, I hope at the end of the day all this euphoria around 2011 Cricket World Cup proves fruitful and India wins highest title of its much-revered game, Cricket, after drought of 27 years ends this time.

Image Source: Wikipedia