How can a country that plays more T20 than any other appear like novices?
That question was certainly racking my brain after seeing Chris Gayle and his West Indian teammates run India ragged during Sunday’s T20 World Cup encounter in front of a partisan and raucous crowd in Barbados.
The hosts’ 14 run victory left the richest and most powerful cricketing nation on the planet on the brink of a second successive departure at the Super 8 stage.
Many viewers will be asking how top order batsmen who were plundering bowling attacks just weeks ago in the IPL have been made to look distinctly ordinary on the quicker pitches of the Caribbean.
True the absence of Virenda Sehwag is a massive blow - any team would miss the game's most destructive opener.
But his absence alone should not be able to wholly explain the team's poor performances against both Australia and the West Indies.
Much has been made of the team’s vulnerability against the short ball, which was brutally exposed by the Australians. But this weakness is nothing new.
What is more uncomfortable for the selectors and the team management is that, following last year’s poor showing in England, the shadow of the recently concluded IPL, is looming large.
The IPL was supposed to be the brave new dawn for Indian cricket –not just a marketing goal in making a few men a lot of money but also a natural breeding ground for young Indian players to compete against and with the world’s best.
But the whole credibility of the IPL is at stake if those players who shine for their franchises, wither in the glaring spotlight for their country.
And by the world’s best we should mean Tendulkar, Steyn, Pietersen, Kallis, Sehwag –players who are not only box office for the marketing men but also proven current matchwinners.
The longer the likes of Ganguly, Warne, Gilchrist and other ex players are allowed to ply their trade, the longer the tournament is diminished.
The IPL should be for the best of the best - not a wealthy retirement home for glorious names of yesteryear.
And what is more, fans will not stand for players earning fortunes from their franchises while turning in sub standard performances for their country.
Ask any Indian cricket fan whether he or she cares if the IPL can cement its position as ‘one of the great sporting brands’ by increasing its ‘brand value’ of $4.13 billion?
Everyone know the answer to that question....everyone it seems except the BCCI?
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