Playing for India

By John Cheeran
The Indian players are being told to play for each other at a camp in Bangalore.
I find that very, very, interesting.
Aren't these players already playing for each other?
They have made the National team through the ranks of age-wise competitions and other assorted domestic tournaments such as Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy.
Cricket is a very, very tricky game.
It is a team game only through one angle. While remaining a team game it offers individuals platform to pursue their private agendas. Centuries, double centuries, triple centuries.
Batting is an individual pursuit. It is one man against 11 enemies. A good batsman does not have to be a good team-man precisely because none can help him in his task of scoring runs except himself.
When you go out there to bat, you never think about rest of the team. Not even of your non-striker. It has been the case with Indian cricket which is largely true of other cricket nations as well.
On the other hand, bowling is a team pursuit.
It calls for a collective effort to take wickets. Even the most ferocious bowler need help from the pitch, wicketkeeper and fielders to dismiss batsmen.
What makes cricket a fascinating sport is this conflict between the individual and the collective.
In cricket it is not enough to play for each other. May be Indian Idols need to be told not to play for each other, but for India.
Playing for India, playing for a billion hearts. Think about it.
That's a great honour and it carries a greater responsibility.
Playing for India, let it be the new mantra for Rahul Dravid and guys.