iSport | For the Fans, by the Fans

Respected Sir,

I introduce myself as Jigar Mehta an ardent fan of the Gentlemen’s Game which is by far losing its essence now-a-days. The latest Spot fixing controversy has hit me at the speed of a bullet! It’s not only me but millions of cricket fans who have been awe struck!

The problem is that the game is making news for all the wrong reasons; where the matter stands as of now, the fixing episode and the lack of sportsmanship breaking the laws of the game is right in the centre stage of all cricketing activities and that is what the most worrying part is.

There has to be limit of ignorance and this is testing the patience of a true Cricket fan. This has started since 1993 and it’s been 17 long years of patience for a cricket fan. After all it’s our heart that takes the decisions when it comes to cricket!

After the Cronje debacle, Cricket lost out on a few fans but with the beautiful game that it is and with the belief that it’s only a few culprits who are trying to spoil the name and identity of the game; the game has managed to keep a whole lot of supporters which is absolute great in itself!

But looking at what’s going on these days where in it all started right from offering the opposition captain money to lose a match, providing weather and pitch reports to the bookies, a team mate alleging others of bribing him to underperform, bribing the officials for giving wrong decisions and then onto a phase where in a keeper is accused of deliberately dropping catches and missing simple run outs, losing a match from an impossible situation!

Players apparently speak on the phone during the course of matches and last but not the least being paid for bowling No-balls! It’s really saddening to see a true cricket lover losing out on his interest in the game!                                                                                                                                                 
What’s adding insult to the injury is that no action is taken even after all these things and even if action is taken we see the player playing in the side after 1 or 2 matches or a culprit’s life ban lifted by a local court within few years!

After all these years still when the game gets into news with controversies such as spot fixing then their consequences will only lead to every failure that will require a valid explanation! It is the authenticity of heroism that’s being questioned and it’s the innocent ones who will have to suffer which could have a serious impact on the budding youngsters taking up this sport in the near future.

I have been following this game right since my childhood and as it is for all Indians this game is my life. I worship this game. My happiness and sorrows are related with how well or bad the game was played on the particular day, not relating to a particular country or team but the game as whole.

Right from analysis at the start of the game to the results and discussions on the different aspects of this beautiful game, with real excitements of upcoming big tournaments, with real hopes on our idols to deliver and the real joys of watching the games live from the stands, it’s a sport that has found place not only in mine but millions of hearts.

It’s really very sad to hear people telling you “why waste time and money behind this bunch of cheaters’’. It’s only because of a few mindless creatures that the game is losing its identity!

Being the parent body, through the voice of all cricket fans I would like to request you to please see to it that this game does not lose its essence and the Culprits be given the strictest of punishments so that in future these kinds of acts are not repeated which would hamper the identity of this sport.

Yours Truly,

Jigar Mehta