The announcement of the Indian cricket team for the Asia Cup has, as usual, created a debate, as Indian cricket team selections invariably do. In a game as popular as cricket in India, this is totally understandable, and frankly, it would be a little disappointing if there were no debate about the team selected. In fact, seldom has there been a situation where there has been total acceptance of what the team should be. In a country as big as ours, with its different languages, cultures and, more importantly, the available talent pool, such debates, discussions and variety of opinions are perfectly in sync with what life is like in India, where there’s a debate and argument just about everything. All this is, as they say in golfing parlance, par for the course.
What is baffling, though, is that foreigners with no stake in Indian cricket and little knowledge about it wade into the debate, adding fuel to the fire. However great they may be as players and however many times they may have been to India, the selection of the Indian team is strictly none of their business. They should focus on their country’s cricket and let us Indians worry about our cricket. Amazingly, when their country’s teams are selected, there’s hardly anything, if ever, heard from them about the selection. It’s almost as if the selection is perfect and they have no comments to make. So why butt your nose into the selection of the Indian team? Have you ever heard Indian ex-cricketers talk about the selection of other countries’ teams? No, we mind our own business and seriously couldn’t be bothered by who they choose or who they don’t select.
Today, in the days of public media, where getting views and followers is the theme, one of the fastest ways to increase the numbers is by commenting on matters Indian. And mostly, they do it negatively, so there is a huge reaction from Indian keyboard users, which in turn boosts their follower count. If you have a thick skin, then all the better. That’s why so many overseas cricketers have made a living by needling the Indian cricket lovers with their mostly negative comments about Indian cricket and cricketers. To an extent, the Indian media is also responsible, as they go to overseas cricketers and ask them about Indian cricket. How often, on overseas tours, do we see members of the Indian media chasing former players from the host country — players whom even their own nation has almost forgotten — for an interview? It’s almost as if validation about Indian cricket and its cricketers has to be obtained from overseas players.
While it may be unfair to comment on earlier generations, one can say with confidence that the post-Independence generation of Indian cricketers had no inferiority complex and were prepared to stand toe to toe with the opposition when playing overseas. Yes, the results may not have been great, but how many touring teams win abroad even today?
Hopefully, this seeking out of overseas opinion about India will cease sooner rather than later, and we won’t feel the need to canvass foreign opinion to boost our confidence.
Published on Aug 26, 2025
