Processes in sport need to be practical

When the Supreme Court ruled on cricket’s technical matters, an important voice welcomed the decision. Good luck to retired judges, it said, if they think they can run cricket.

The remark was laced with sarcasm but it made the point that sports should be left to those with experience and understanding of the reality. In India, cricket interests everyone and so deep is the general awareness that all of us are self-appointed experts.

Strangers have (bravely) advised Sachin Tendulkar on batting and Virender Sehwag has been lectured on moving his feet by people who don’t know mid-on from mid-off. Cricket in our social context is the spark that ignites a friendly chat and breathes life into dull discussions over dinner.

Players-turned-commentators admit cricket is simple when viewed from the media box. Much the same way, cricket administration appears uncomplicated from a distance. It is difficult to understand why the judges decided to shrink the selection committee from five to three considering India has 28 Ranji teams, close to 1000 first-class players and almost 100 venues.

Also, why should only former internationals be national selectors. Australia is headed by Trevor Hohns who never earned the Baggy Green. Raj Singh Dungarpur was a distinguished chairman of the selection committee though he did not play for India, and Sanjay Jagdale, a Ranji player, was an excellent selector. The point is the quality of the person and his knowledge matter, not the batting average or the number of games he played.

There are many Test players who would be disastrous selectors or coaches. It was said about a senior Test player that his entire cricket knowledge could be written on the nail of the little finger and there would still be space left!

Meanwhile, the Anil KumbleRavi Shastri coach selection drama has triggered fresh debate about the role of the coach. Imran Khan, Ian Chappell, Shane Warne consider coaches an unnecessary nuisance. Arjuna Ranatunga echoes the sentiment when he says the captain is the boss, the driver of the bus whereas the coach is only a conductor. Coach Shastri has said he is a facilitator, his role restricted to creating the right environment in the dressing room. The BCCI has also provided clarity on the subject. The coach, it mentioned, is ‘a buddy and mentor’!