The Dying GOD...

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I am the ultimate Test of resilience, strategy and skills. I demand a lot, but I deliver even more. I have ruled for centuries in hearts and minds of my followers. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!

A few decades ago my son was born. They lovingly called him ODI. I saw my son grow and prosper. Which father doesn’t like his son to do better than him?! Now I have a grandchild who has been christened T20. You love him more than me and my son, I am delighted with it. But alas, you forget that they are my babies… born from me. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!

My worshippers came in whites – in their purest form. The leather was red and the skies were blue. Now they follow my children wearing multicoloured pajamas at night. Makes me smile. Times have changed. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!
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ICC is contemplating converting Test cricket into 4 days affair with a result!!!

Bradman, Ranjit Singhji, Lillee, Thompson, Hadlee, Dev, Gavaskar, Mankad, Sobers, Richards, Holding, Marshal, Lloyd, Roberts, Garner… are a few of the Great Servants of this Great game. They and billions others who follow the game and spirit of cricket will squirm wherever they are. A few gluttonous, selfish, self acclaimed custodians of the game are hell bent to destroy very roots of this game.

Those who think Test matches don’t attract crowds should watch the Ashes series starting next week in England. Or they should see the India-Australia test match – a rivalry that has just started to brew.

They say everybody wants a result. Ask the team that looses, ‘Draw’ was the ‘result’ they wanted. Win and Loss are not the only two possible results. As somebody reminded me recently, a coin doesn’t only have two sides. Life is not only black or white. If it were, then it would be science – it is not, that is why it is an art. People are trying to kill this art in cricket.

Mankind is already on expired lease with nature. Next in line are art forms and sports. God save Cricket!