Published: Oct 17, 2015, 08:20 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 17, 2015, 08:22 AM (IST)
The third One-Day International (ODI) between India and South Africa, slated for Sunday at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Ground in Rajkot is under doubt. Hardik Patel, the political activist who has the backing of vast numbers of Patels and Patidars in the state of Gujarat, has threatened to block the two cricket teams on their way to the stadium in the outskirts of Rajkot city on Sunday afternoon. But according to sources, the leader of the campaign may actually call off his protest if Parthiv Patel gets a chance to play in the third ODI between India and South Africa, that too in place of the Indian captain MS Dhoni. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs South Africa 3rd ODI at Rajkot
Hardik is leading a campaign to force the Gujarat state government to include the Patels and Patidars under the category of Other Backward Classes (OBC); this despite the fact that they are among the richest communities in Gujarat. There has already been a lot of drama happening around this since the last two or three months, and if the sources close to the Indian cricket board — the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are to be believed — this development has come as a shock. ALSO READ: Hardik Patel threatens to disrupt 3rd ODI at Rajkot
A source close to the BCCI said on the condition of anonymity, “See, we have full faith in the officials and the security arrangements that the match will start on time. The transportation of the two teams could be an issue but we are sure there will not be many troubles. We will also think of the alternatives that we have at our perusal.” Hardik was the reason behind enormous unrest in Ahmedabad and Surat, two major cities in Gujarat. Because of his machinations internet access was taken away, riots broke out, and busses were set on fire. In other words, it was just another Tuesday for the everyday pseudo-political deviant of Hardik’s ilk. (Sentence censored for fear of immense backlash and goondagiri).
Hardik, the 22-year-old leader of this campaign is said to be a cricket fan like every other young Indian man. In fact, he was once a cricketer himself, before choosing a life of political hooliganism activism. He has idolised many cricketers since his childhood, and there is no surprise that Hardik has decided to give boost to his campaign through an international cricket match involving the Indian cricket team.
But there are sources close to Hardik who say that there are negotiations happening behind the doors. And if one of the reliable sources is to be believed, Hardik has promised the Indian cricket board, the Saurashtra Cricket Association officials and the local police, that none of his men would be even seen in the vicinity of the stadium in the outskirts of Rajkot if one of his special demands is met. ALSO READ: Indore crowd’s cheerful behaviour puts Cuttack incident behind, earns praise from AB de Villiers
Hardik, being a die-hard cricket enthusiast, wants to see Parthiv Patel — who last made his international appearance for India as many as three years ago in Brisbane in 2012 — back in action. This is not all; Hardik, being a youth icon full of vigour and vision, wants Parthiv Patel to replace no other than the Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni. The reason why Hardik wants Parthiv and no one else on this earth, is simple. It’s the ‘Patel’ connection.
The source said, “Hardikbhai, as you all know, is a man of many words. He would do everything for the game to happen smoothly on Sunday if Parthiv replaces Dhoni in the Indian line-up. Hardik doesn’t want Parthiv to replace Dhoni as a captain; he only wants to see Parthiv playing in front of his people and them standing right behind him.”
“Hardikbhai knows Dhoni was the reason India won the second match, but if one has to speak sense, one day he will have to make way for young blood. Hardikbhai knows Dhoni’s presence has killed the chances for the others to play, but it is only for one match that he wants this change to be made. As far as captaincy is concerned, it is a no-brainer that Virat Kohli will be the captain of the side. Remember, this demand is only for the third ODI,” the source added. ALSO READ: MS Dhoni’s plight shows depreciating standard of Indian cricket fans
According to this source, the reason why Hardik has not demanded for Parthiv’s appointment as the captain for the third ODI is because Dhoni has given special place to another Patel — the budding all-rounder Akshar Patel — in his heart as well as in the team. In the second ODI, Akshar had replaced Amit Mishra in the Indian team, and there is not even a handful who liked what Dhoni did.
The Indian cricket board was left bemused after this obnoxious demand. They will be having a meeting in Mumbai on Sunday morning to discuss over the matter. Till the time any decision is made public, there will certainly be lot of commotion which is expected only to end sometime close to the third ODI between India and South Africa at Rajkot.
Please note this is a satirical article — a work of pure fiction
(Golu Sharma is among the millions of lardy Indians who wanted to become international cricketers, but their bulkiness came in the way. He’s now freelancing as a cricket journalist, but doesn’t like to be addressed as ‘citizen journalist’)
