Published: Oct 15, 2015, 04:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 15, 2015, 04:56 PM (IST)
One day a hero, and more than a villain the next. Such has been the story of MS Dhoni, who gave up Tests to prolong a career in limited-overs cricket, gave up the faintest of possibility to see his new-born child in India as he was away on a ‘national duty’ in Australia. Despite taking his battered team to the semi-final of a cricket World Cup, Dhoni received very little in return. After an altruistic and productive span as Indian cricket captain across formats, as Dhoni seeks some time for himself to enjoy his final few outings and serve his country, the least the cricket fans could do is to let him enjoy till he lasts. MUST READ: An open letter to MS Dhoni’s fans
Unfortunately, a vast section of the Indian cricket fans would not allow him to go out on his own terms.
The popularity of the sport has increased immensely in the last few years, not by exploration of new markets and countries, but by a vast influx of ‘fans’. There are few that have already been defined: the purists, the suckers of slam-bang Twenty20 cricket, and those still smitten by One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In India, there is another category growing in leaps and bounds. These are ‘consumers’ who do not have a real understanding of the game and the processes. But since they are countless and their expectations endless, their voices cannot be shut out. ALSO READ: MS Dhoni: Finisher no more, but still a key batsman for India in ODIs
This category — the ‘people on the internet’ — resides majorly in cyberspace. Many of them are faceless with usernames revealing little about their real identity. They are on Twitter and Facebook, and are swarming everywhere else one can think of, using the freedom of expression at will.
Perhaps for the first time ever, after a remarkable win in the second ODI against South Africa at Indore, Dhoni looked like a good old warrior desperate to ‘give it back’. Merely four years ago (World Cup 2011), the same Dhoni and his team would stay away from all that was being said. But Dhoni’s comments on Wednesday night showed the fighter in him has slowly started receding on his principals, and that he has a soft heart inside a stone-faced persona. Most importantly, the negativity building up around him has finally started making an impact.
Dhoni likened the criticism that he has copped of late with the word ‘sword’, which the critics are having ‘fun with it’. The experienced cricketer in Dhoni knows and realises the hard work that goes in, but when someone like him is forced to hit back, it shows how much he has been troubled within. ALSO READ: MS Dhoni: Top 10 innings in international cricket
But what is the real reason for the sudden surge in hatred towards Dhoni? Has he lost a major tournament? No. Has he been poor behind the wickets? No. Has he not been scoring runs? No. Has he been ordinary with captaincy? No.
Then what is the reason?
It could have to do with the fact that the Indian cricket ‘fans’ want an early arrival of Virat Kohli into captaincy across formats. There is nothing wrong in that, but to hound someone who has selflessly gone on for years, to ignore his existence completely and not give him the respect where it is due, is not right in spirit. They do not deserve to be called ‘fans’.
It could also be the fact that India last registered a ‘famous’ win more than two years ago, if a global tournament triumph such as the one in ICC Champions Trophy 2013 is the parameter Indian cricket fans want to judge their captain with. Dhoni’s achievements have been many, but somewhere, they have stopped coming India’s way.
Dhoni’s career surely is going to hit the end sometime, but the rapidly waning interest of Indian public in his captaincy has to have some logical reason. The truth is, there is none. It is just that the new category of Indian fans want to move to the future sooner than the time arrives. They are impatient; they do not want their team to lose, ever. And if it does, they would throw water bottles and express their anger.
Cricket is indeed a massive source of ‘entertainment’ for the Indian public, but they must realise that it is not a stage where actors perform. It is a sport; a way of life for many.
(Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
