Gavaskar no saint but he should have taken charge 20 years ago

Before one becomes too cynical and critical – two quick and wonderful thoughts. I just read an amazing piece on Garfield Sobers by the greatest cricket writer/commentator of the modern era, Tony Cozier – 30 March was the 60th. and 40th. anniversary of Sobers’ first and last Test respectively. Oh, my – only Tony could do justice to the great man.

How about a commentary team of Richie Benaud and Tony reliving the Tied Test of ’60? A challenge to all the marketing wizard’s of the modern age – all five days – with Benaud and Tony live. Something to die for… and in the winter of ’66 I actually saw Sobers live at the Kotla in Delhi, West Indies against President’s XI – he and Pataudi, and now Kohli, are the most graceful players I have ever seen walk onto a cricket field.

Secondly, even though I have not watched the matches, the performance of our team in Bangladesh, and the bowling of Amit Mishra , who has re-inspired Ashwin to flight the ball – and just see the results.

Now – why the hell did we need the Supreme Court to tell us the obvious?

We have become a nation now totally dependent on the courts to tell us what we already know but are either too afraid or too lazy to admit. Gavaskar at the helm of the BCCI – now Sunil is not a saint, but he should have been at the helm twenty years ago and I hope Rahul Dravid is the next player to take over. He will be even better than the great Gavaskar. Corruption is so deep – so deep – that if we recognize it, most of our cozy little worlds will crumble – just as Srinivasan’s almost has – almost.

The Supreme Court backed out at the last minute, and let the IPL carry on – and Srinivasan lurks and lingers in the shadows but just think about it… the company that the President of the BCCI runs – the leader of the ICC runs – is banned from having anything to do with cricket. Can there be anything more shameful? More sad? More demeaning?

But will it touch the Srinivasans of this world? Will it make them finally either cry or smile or show any form of human emotion?

And just see Dhoni now – in the news from Bangladesh, he is suddenly animated, and eager – and choosing Mishra to bowl and win. Was he forced to change, or has he finally realized that to hide behind the grim face of a leader is not him? Will Fletcher follow suit? Has the Supreme Court brought about the supreme miracle? That at least one of the triumvirate that run our beloved game – our captain – is finally showing some emotions?

Sunil Gavaskar – my hero, your work is cut out. You must now play the innings of your life, and use the hook shot, as you finally did against Marshall in Delhi those many, many years ago – go for it, Gavaskar sahib – go for it. Be the Sunil of the ’71 series – take on the Sobers and Lloyds and Halls of the corrupt cricketing world, and teach them a lesson – go for it… we are watching… and hoping.

And if Dhoni did lie to the probe, he must face punishment – although, deep inside, where the true Dhoni must be hiding, he knows the truth and that is punishment, or justice, enough.

Supreme Court, reign supreme – and do not court any favours.