When our very own ‘Gentleman's game’ reveals its hideous side...

The demons are back in the cricketing town. Three eminent cricketers at the peak of their careers (one newly appointed captain, other two darting demolishers) have plummeted to nadir overnight in a startling revelation by a London-based bookie. This has further obfuscated the abysmal past record of a team tainted with myriad allegations and now grappling to clean dappled reputations. If this is not a ‘flash in the pan’ kind of thing, then it is surely a sorry state of affairs for this elegant game. There is no rocket science involved to comprehend the fact that all this was done for ‘easy money’, at the stake of national pride. The incident is redolent of Cronje-Azharrudin incident that did no harm to either of the men. One of them had a crash and the other is blooming in local politics. The verdict might give a temporary suspension to culprits or even might call for exoneration, but one way or the other-‘fixing’ quandary will remain.20 months later, new faces might make the headlines with similar sins only to be again acquitted. It’s high time we send chills down the spines of those who are even contemplating of fiddling with the game in lure of money. Don’t hesitate to hand life bans to the people who are tainting reputations with impunity. If that’s not frightening enough, give a severe incarceration to teach them a lesson of their lives. This is not any more just a question of national pride and justice; it is a question of salvaging some respect for the game that deserves every single bit of it.