© Shailesh Nigam, Varun Khanna (for respective articles)
If the ODI was termed as Pyjama Cricket, Chhadhi cricket seems to be an appropriate title for the T20 format. And the biggest tournament to celebrate this form of cricket begins today at the mecca of cricket...
Conventionally, at the start of any tournament of this stature, in any sport, there are bound to be a few favourites. Specially in a team sport, there is a fair and close to accurate prediction of who will emerge the champion. The basis of the prediction being - quality of players, their form, recent results and playing conditions. However, if one was to look at T20 history (whatever little we have), whether in previous worldcup or the two IPLs, the champions were hardly a team which fulfilled the above criteria. India started as underdogs in the WC in South Africa, who thought Rajasthan Royals will bring glory in IPL1... Deccan Chargers?? Need I say more...
The argument is that, well there is indeed some trend... unlikeliest team is likely to win. Now if an unlikely team is likely, then it is not a unlikely team! Isn't it? Or have I managed to confuse you...?
But the fact of the matter is that in a game of cricket which is as short in length as chhaddi, one really can't predict. One player out of 22 on field in a given match can win (or for that matter loose) a match for you. He doesn't necessarily be in the best of form lately nor does he have to be a star in his own right (ask Joginder Sharma). So if anyone claims to predict the winner accurately, he/she may do it at his/her own peril. No doubt that one would want India to win, but without a prediction.
Various aspects of this shorter version of the game are hugely debated. A purists may feel that this is not cricket at all and that the rigour and persistence of a test match is the real test of supremacy. The others may feel the shorter version is more enjoyable, guarantees a result and respects time. All arguments and the counters thereof are accepted and respected, to each his own! But the amazing thing is that Cricket has always existed in multiple forms. The game of bat and ball, where runs are scored and wickets fall, exists in much more varied forms than probably any other sport. Consider this...
A toddler grows a little, barely having learnt to walk, is gifted a plastic bat and a plastic ball (which makes more sound than bounce). His loving father hands over the bat to the kid and rolls the ball towards him on the ground. Almost instinctively, the little one tries to hit it with the bat, preventing the ball to hit an invisible wicket behind him. At times the ball does roll behind him and a father smiles silently within for having taken a wicket. It is cricket in one form.
Then, once this kid gets a little older, he plays with the bouncy rubber ball and make shift wooden bat... probably the tool used for washing clothes in good old days. The ball too, spins like a serpent with a tiny tweak of fingers while bowling underarm. This cricket is played on terraces without a team. You contest alone, score your individual runs trying to beat four others. Basic rule is same, you stop batting once you are out... although the manner in which you can get out are far too many than the conventional cricket. One tip and one hand catch is out, you hit the ball outside the terrace is out, the ball hits you three times on your leg is out and many more. This is another form of cricket for you.
Then there is one form of cricket which we played much to the annoyance of our Mothers. Cricket was played inside your bedroom or drawing room, usually when it was raining outside, ironically keeping your thirst for cricket unquenched, or in summer vacations when it was too hot for you to step outside. You hit the bed and it is four, but if you hit the glass table you are out. You hit the TV and you stop playing. There you go... that was cricket, wasn't it?
Of course you would remember your school cricket, which in itself was played under various formats. Those games in the recess for which you happily skipped your meal, or the one played in the 'games' period. Format & rules adjusted for time, number of players, availability of a bat... so and so forth.
Around this time, you get inducted to a leather ball and other equipment which becomes necessary with it. There is a giant leap in the way you start playing now. The format now is more of T20 that we see played internationally. 20-25 overs matches, players from batting side doing the umpiring, the just-unjust decisions and the scoring fiascoes. This format is usually same (or rather similar) unless you go on to play professionally with a club, state, country etc. The corporate tournaments also follow the same format...
One cannot imagine any other sport followed in so many different formats. The most popular sport in the world today is football (or soccer as it is called in some parts) and the only variations that are possible in the game is adjustment of duration and number of players... that's it! Now how's that!
Today, as another chapter in the newest form of international cricket is added, I feel great to be a proud follower of this game, in each of it's shade. The nuances attached with the rules, conflicts associated with use and lack of technology, the differences acceptability of formats at top level and all those controversies which are integral part of this game, which invokes nothing but passion.
Long live Cricket!!! I love this game!!! And may the best team win!!!
Varun Khanna
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