my two cents on... is dedication dying...?

shared by straight point on Wednesday, December 01, 2010

once again the only comment from me on 'the asses' going on is that i can wait for the adelaide test to start... so if you came here looking for the asses... this is it...

thanks to mayank of freehit fame's hat-tip via tweet... i read latest aakash chopra's article... is dedication dying...?

he laments...

"The scales are heavily tilted in favour of the ones playing in the money-spinning IPL with regard to both money and recognition, and in some cases even selection. And if nothing is done soon enough to change that rather warped perception, at the risk of sounding cynical, this current set of players might be the last group who will see India at the top of Test rankings."

chopra of late is falling into the trap of populist themed articles where everybody comes knocking with customary wah! wah!... and this one is no different...

the article is written off the cuff that tries to sweep youngsters with one populist beaten to death stroke... "oh! look how ipl is corrupting the mindsets of our youngsters into easy money without putting much of an effort..."

first of all it just dismiss t20 cricket as if it does not require any skill set to be successful in it... if that was the case chopra would have been a star in indian premium league but that's obviously not the case...

the shorter form of any stream requires a different mindset and skill level which should not be dismissed disdainfully when compared to the longer format of same stream...

every 100 meter sprinter cannot be successful marathon runner... every ad film maker cannot be a good full length feature film maker... so while this is true its opposite is also equally true but that does not mean those who pursue careers in shorter forms should be simply dismissed in favor of those who pursue their careers in longer forms...

market gives equal opportunities for all talent to find their pastures... and so does ipl... i don't know if 100 meter sprinters or ad filmmakers are seen in lesser esteem... their work... their success dismissed with such disdain... just coz they happen to be successful in short form of stream that has longer form too...

in any case why would team india need players who would sell themselves short for lessor pastures...?

for every such players there are equal, if not more, players who want to grind it out in the middle dreaming of making it big at the highest level... yearn for that illusive opportunity and when it comes knocking... grab it with both hands...

our greats did not make a great team overnight and while when they won't be there and team india might slip a bit that would not necessarily be because of ipl... or comment on our youngsters ethics... it is too simplistic... 

the cricketing world is filled with success stories like zaheer's who was what sree is today in terms of temperament, was rightly dropped from the team more on attitude rather than talent, spent quality time in wilderness of county cricket where you are on your own without many noticing it... and came back to become a spear head of team india's bowling attack...

he did not fell for lessor postures or sold himself short coz he wanted to be known as good cricketer at the highest level...

and he is not alone... for every so called 'ipl dreamer' we have che waiting impatiently to just break into the test team...

23 comments:

Soulberry said...

While there are some truths in the article, it's a poor populist one as you say for it implicates all without discernment.

In every profession you will find the complete range of mixture of dedication and desire to earn. You have good mixtures and bad ones everywhere.

But one understands what Chopra wishes to express fundamentally.

straight point said...

sb... then what one would expect from a talented writer who happens to be a cricketer himself... such as aakash is that put a balanced argument and let reader decide what is it...

i do not have problem with him highlighting the issue but what this article invariably suggests is that our domestic cricket is filled with such 'ipl dreamers' and there is just about no hope...

this is the conclusion with which i am gutted with...

Golandaaz said...

sp, good post. My thoughts as well on the whole attempt to look down upon T20 as something that does not require "skill". I have made the sprint v marathon analogy in the past between T20 and Tests and I see no need, merit or basis for it. People just don't get it. As you say the skill requirement for the 2 formats is different and just like Usain Bolt is celebrated for his slam bang running, so should Pollard. To say he has no skill is stupid.

straight point said...

thanks gol...

btw now that you have said it i think i draw the analogy from you subconsciously... :)

if they think that short form does not require any skill then try make a statement or impact in 15 seconds!!

the companies spends fortunes in making those 15 seconds count...

while there will be players who will sell short but those players with that infallible temperament won't make it to highest level anyways... ipl or not...

Golandaaz said...

my friend vidooshak has made another analogy. that of the same company making a luxury brand (tests) for elite, quality and value conscious customers and a utility brand for cost conscious customers. The luxy business is not a volume or a growth business whereas the later is all about growth and volume. A Lexus v a Corolla perhaps.

Both levels of brand give something different to offer, different goals and go after different segments in the market.

Anyways, I digress. I haven't read AC's article so I will comment on the main topic after I have done that a bit later :-)

straight point said...

that's another interesting analogy!

take that!

while i will duly wait for your comments once you finish reading his post... :)

Anil Singh said...

If i'm not wrong, Aakash Chopra, spent his entire career, as if he was doing some govt job; kept one moving from one posting to another. And made sure he always remains employed.

I think, all this debate has nothing to do with IPL,it's more about 'how less the generation that was born in 70s and earlier' are failing in judging those born in late eighties and early ninties.

The recent blackberry ad, which shows college going boys and girls and says "Why don't we listen because we have life to live" best reflects how this Gen Y behaves.

And skeptics, please keep aside; these ill mannered rascals are actually the reason behind India's resurgence in any field, including cricket.

Just sit back and watch. And Relax.

straight point said...

And skeptics, please keep aside; these ill mannered rascals are actually the reason behind India's resurgence in any field, including cricket.

wohoo... look... ab gets angry too... :)

on serious note i am surprised the cricketer like akaash who was part (however little) of the india becoming no.1 test team loosly concludes that india won't be no.1 test team again coz of the attitude of some players with infallible temperament...

india was lowly ranked despite fab four being in the team which shows that even the great players with utmost dedication are not a guarantee for a team to be top ranking team... and ipl is barely three season old!

Freehit said...

Guys,I would say that what he mainly wants to say,is the fact that youngsters don't like playing tests and rather want quick fame and money through IPL.

The matter to be discussed is whether there are youngsters want to play tests or not.You have gone on to say that even T20 requires skill and this n that.I don't disagree with that,but what Aakash has written is true.I can tell you that because I am myself a 19-year old who wanted to play for the country.Eventually I realized that I wasn't good enough.But most youngsters I met and am still meeting thought highly of T20 and Pollards n Rainas were their favourites rather than test match players like Lara,Dravid and others.

For example,I have played 4-5 times against a young 18 year fast bowler n middle order batsman.He was just superb and has gone onto play for North Zone U-19 teams n all & was even called for practice in NCA.In spite of being a good test batsman himself,he doesn't like the game.He isn't the only one,I have met many such exciting youngsters who hope to crack a IPL contract first.Of course,this isn't the case with every teenager,but still are ominous signs.

So,if majority of upcoming players want to play all formats but their preference is T20(IPL considered most important),then ODIs and at last tests.Hence,dedication towards tests is certainly decreasing.

Freehit said...

CORRECTION:
* But most youngsters I met and am still meeting,think highly of T20 and Pollards n Rainas were their favourites rather than test match players like Lara,Dravid and others.*

Freehit said...

Oops,another CORRECTION:
* So,majority of upcoming players want to play all formats but their preference is T20(IPL considered most important),then ODIs and at last tests.Hence,dedication towards tests is certainly decreasing.

straight point said...

Guys,I would say that what he mainly wants to say,is the fact that youngsters don't like playing tests and rather want quick fame and money through IPL.

lets assume that this is true mayank...

you can't remain in ipl contract if you can't perform consistently at domestic games... ipl happens once in year where the performance are evaluated over the period of time and not necessarily in shorter format coz india don't have any. so if they don't perform consistently at domestic level how come they keep the ipl contract intact?

the franchisees who spend millions are not fools and while one can be duped once but not twice...

those who are talented and wants to be recognized as good cricketers at highest level will pursue their goals irrespective of what others do...

india used to ask who after gavaskar... we had sachin, dravid, laxman, ganguly and other talented players before these who did india proud...

now we have dhoni, sehwag, gambhir, vijay, che, kohli, raina, etc amongts many who are are our next gen...

the rush for easy money will continue so will be the players who will look for test as another avenue as even if we go by many wants ipl contracts no many can have one... can they...? ;D

Spongebob said...

First of all, Excellent Points .. but really straight points.

I have been barking this all around the cricinfo comments for so long.

Let me begin by saying Dedication is not dying, never will, this is INDIA for crying out load. Millions of us wanted to be/ want to be cricketer by each year, as a child.

Thousands of us manage to train to be cricketer, and few hundreds eventually break into 'Cricket world'. Despite all this lot of really good players can't make into side either t20 odi or test. Why! because there is enormous competition and 'all other things'.

Now, if a player who can't make it into side decides to join ipl, how quality and dedication is dead, before you even tasted it.

I absolutely don't agree with Chopra that "OMG no-one will have dedication like Dravid, we will loose quality, respect for the game, and we will be doomed". I mean what are you doing!! You are smothering employment right there.

I personally bat like Dravid, (I wish), but really if I personally want to play I would obviously go for Test as a beginner, because I am suffering from obsessive compulsive cricketemia (TM) haha I love playing cricket, even till date, I would rather play cricket than watch cricket. So, thats one point, and there are hundreds of Spongebob like me in India. NOW, where on earth dedication is dying!!?? Is it because I can't make it into IPL side!! lol

Ok, I don't want to insult so let me move in to 2nd point I want to make.

If player doesn't have "proper skill" HOW on this 'deforesting' world will survive IPL for more than 3-4 season. Are contract for 3-4 season is enough to make it for whole like with normal family of 4?? NO.
So, if player is not skilled and doesn't play proper cricket what are the chances he is going to survive!!! I don't want to mention number of players, who are struggling to get a proper worthing employment through playing cricket. There are lot.

If people want to see current scenario just look at last tweets in between Hamang Badani and Harsha Bhogle. (Now, lot of people might have forgot him, but I loved his sitting down swip shots that goes for 6) You will get the picture, what I am trying to prove here.

IPL is freaken employment. It also require lot of work, you are not going to get picked if you haven't done somewhere, if you haven't showed enough skills somewhere, and what is that somewhere!! Ranji, ODI, Test cap !! where else.

Why Dravid had a higher contract pay than lot of young guns who have done better than him in IPL? Because he is famous personality who had dedicated his life for playing cricket and made lots of runs.

All those sentimental asides. In short, I don't think quality is dying. I don't want to warm my hands of someone losing employment. or someone who want to make an employment. Sorry Mr. Chopra, I agree with SP completely. You can't say "young guns are going after IPL there is not dedication there, running after money, BLah Blah Boobdy Blah." Dude player is not going to survive if player doesn't make enough runs with good technique. Did I hear Badrinath somewhere?

Ok, I am done for today. I apologize to SP, for this long puke of mine, but sorry I don't blog currently. And twitter is too much tweets. Thank you for the platform.

Spongebob said...

First of all, Excellent Points .. but really straight points.

I have been barking this all around the cricinfo comments for so long.

Let me begin by saying Dedication is not dying, never will, this is INDIA for crying out load. Millions of us wanted to be/ want to be cricketer by each year, as a child.

Thousands of us manage to train to be cricketer, and few hundreds eventually break into 'Cricket world'. Despite all this lot of really good players can't make into side either t20 odi or test. Why! because there is enormous competition and 'all other things'.

Now, if a player who can't make it into side decides to join ipl, how quality and dedication is dead, before you even tasted it.

I absolutely don't agree with Chopra that "OMG no-one will have dedication like Dravid, we will loose quality, respect for the game, and we will be doomed". I mean what are you doing!! You are smothering employment right there.

I personally bat like Dravid, (I wish), but really if I personally want to play I would obviously go for Test as a beginner, because I am suffering from obsessive compulsive cricketemia (TM) haha I love playing cricket, even till date, I would rather play cricket than watch cricket. So, thats one point, and there are hundreds of Spongebob like me in India. NOW, where on earth dedication is dying!!?? Is it because I can't make it into IPL side!! lol

(Continuing)

Spongebob said...

(Continue)

Ok, I don't want to insult so let me move in to 2nd point I want to make.

If player doesn't have "proper skill" HOW on this 'deforesting' world will survive IPL for more than 3-4 season. Are contract for 3-4 season is enough to make it for whole like with normal family of 4?? NO.
So, if player is not skilled and doesn't play proper cricket what are the chances he is going to survive!!! I don't want to mention number of players, who are struggling to get a proper worthing employment through playing cricket. There are lot.

If people want to see current scenario just look at last tweets in between Hamang Badani and Harsha Bhogle. (Now, lot of people might have forgot him, but I loved his sitting down swip shots that goes for 6) You will get the picture, what I am trying to prove here.

IPL is freaken employment. It also require lot of work, you are not going to get picked if you haven't done somewhere, if you haven't showed enough skills somewhere, and what is that somewhere!! Ranji, ODI, Test cap !! where else.

Why Dravid had a higher contract pay than lot of young guns who have done better than him in IPL? Because he is famous personality who had dedicated his life for playing cricket and made lots of runs.

All those sentimental asides. In short, I don't think quality is dying. I don't want to warm my hands of someone losing employment. or someone who want to make an employment. Sorry Mr. Chopra, I agree with SP completely. You can't say "young guns are going after IPL there is not dedication there, running after money, BLah Blah Boobdy Blah." Dude player is not going to survive if player doesn't make enough runs with good technique. Did I hear Badrinath somewhere?

Ok, I am done for today. I apologize to SP, for this long puke of mine, but sorry I don't blog currently. And twitter is too much tweets. Thank you for the platform.

Freehit said...

See,these(those Aakash talks of and a few I have come across) youngsters are delighted to get into U-19 squads where they play 4 or 5 day games,but they are even more interested in IPL contracts.

I am not talking about players who can't make it to test squad as Spongebob,but for those who are good enough or smart enough to do well in tests.Maybe the next generation will be satisfied with just IPL contracts and stints with other T20 sides like Pollard and Bravo.

I am not saying the we don't have anyone after Dravid,Sachin n Laxman.But,maybe 20-30 years down the line,with more sponsors wanting to invest in T20s rather than tests,players might get inspiration from Bravo n Pollard

Spongebob said...

Sorry, SP, I think I have gone over board. lol I will keep it short next time. I personally liked his whole series of 'insider' but I just get carried away, when someone put a stop sign to India's future, without even seeing a future. Some times, may be certain articles need to be written to stop youngster for even thinking that 'you are going to be famous just playing IPL' which is shooting axe on own leg.

Because I think without performing on Test or ODI level, or performing constantly, no-one will give you better contract or retain contract anyway.

Anyway, cheers good topic.

Golandaaz said...

SP, So I finally read the article...

I think people use the IPL as a punching bag. The people he talks about and the story of a batsman trying to throw caution to the wind to get an IPL contract may well be true and indeed unfortunate, but I say these guys would not have made it whether there was IPL or not

I agree with you, its not like you can make it in the IPL without any dedication.

The IPL has expanded the opportunities for cricketers but they still need to prepare and dedicate their lives to cricket to get somewhere.

I do think that in time, the two formats will require specialized skills. It will become increasingly difficult for someone play all formats of the game and they may have to choose their trade very early in their development as a cricketer.

straight point said...

But,maybe 20-30 years down the line,with more sponsors wanting to invest in T20s rather than tests,players might get inspiration from Bravo n Pollard

mayank, are you sure test cricket will survive 20-30 years from the feather birds that are being prepared in the name of pitches?

i think more than t20, ipl or anything the roads are hurting test cricket far deeper...

straight point said...

no spongebob on the contrary i think you made some very compelling points that have added value to the post...

the most compelling one is can a player make the living out of 3-4 ipl season if he do not have it in him to sustain the performance coz he took the short cut...?

this is the problem with taking short cut is that tho the instant money or recognition comes with it but since you compromised at the most basic level... the mediocre skills cant take you far even in t20 or ipl...

thanks for sharing your views... :)

straight point said...

exactly gol... and that is where i am disappointed with aakas coz he is the cricketer of current lot and yet he is so disjointed from the reality that he can't see it happening...?

as you said... i am perfectly ok with players assessing themselves which format they have realist chance to achieve success... they have right to decide it for themselves and take it in stride whatever comes with that decision...

there are always going to be some cases where a genuine talent will succumb to the easy routes and will repent it later but that can happen in best of systems and in every stream of life... why blame the market (which ipl is) for it...?

namya said...

One just has to read Chopra's mostly self publicity pandering inane tweets to understand where he is coming from

straight point said...

he can come from anywhere he wants namya until he presents a balanced argument rather than this self appeasing sweet nothings...

about me...

BCC!straight point (sp) is restless... relentless... but a fun loving guy... likes to live life to fullest... trying to discover himself through cricket... welcome to this little world of his...

sp is also a bored member at BCC!

sp tweets

     


    © straight points
    straight points by sp is licensed under a creative commons attribution noncommercial-no derivative works 2.5 india license. based on a work at straightpoints.blogspot.com
    this blog takes no responsibility for statements posted by participants

    this blog is best viewed with Mozilla FireFox at a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels
    thanks for the visit!!