The Hindu : Reluctant travellers to a neighbouring land

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 22, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - News Analysis

Reluctant travellers to a neighbouring land

There is serious concern about the players' security. Vijay Lokapally gets some reactions.

Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid... a tough tour ahead.

THE FEAR factor rules the minds of the Indian cricket players even as they reconcile themselves to touring Pakistan, what with the Government so keen on the series now. It is certainly not the fear of losing to Pakistan but the security concerns that threaten to affect their concentration all through the tour.

"I have to say on behalf of the team that the arrangements regarding players' security is what bothers me. It is laughable to suggest that we are scared of losing in Pakistan. It will be one hard tour for us but not necessarily because of action on the field. There are many other factors that matter when you play in Pakistan," says India skipper Sourav Ganguly.

Sourav is not scared but is concerned about a vital aspect — the security of the players — that has prevented many teams from travelling to Pakistan. Some of the New Zealand players still suffer nightmares after the bomb explosion at their hotel two years ago in Karachi. For the Indians, a tour to Pakistan is significant for many reasons. But given the history of hostilities between the two nations, the players are bound to be under the scrutiny of both critics and supporters.

Nothing short of a victory for their team would satisfy the people on either side of the border and this aspect too sometimes worries the cricketers. "The pressure to perform increases manifold when you play Pakistan," notes Kapil Dev, who made four trips to the country. "An unfair demand [is made] on the players just because they are playing Pakistan," observes Yashpal Sharma.

Every tour to Pakistan in the past was marred by incidents which, in the opinion of former Test captain Bishan Singh Bedi, did not really speak well for the image of the game or for the relations between the teams. The fear of personal security did not dominate the players' preparation for any tour to Pakistan in the previous visits but it has become the most talked about issue in the current scenario.

This tour to Pakistan played on the minds of the Indian cricketers much before their series against Australia was completed. "Will the tour take place," was a question often asked by the players with that unmistakable trace of anxiety. They prayed silently for the tour to be called off purely for cricketing reasons.

Once the tour to Pakistan became a reality, the players, in unison, debated the need for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to press for this series, coming so close after the trip Down Under. The series against Australia had taken its toll — mentally and physically — and the challenge of another tough assignment was obviously hard for the players to tackle.

Injuries to some players indicate that the team would not be at its best for a series in which mental toughness as much as experience in international cricket count. Only Sachin Tendulkar in the current lot has played a Test series in Pakistan.

Asked one top player: "Is the atmosphere conducive to play cricket when there is so much talk about security?'' Another observed: "The very promise of giving us security befitting a head of state means even the hosts admit not everything is smooth. Why should a cricket team be provided security that a head of state would command?"

Then, statements from Pakistani officials suggesting no sightseeing or shopping for the Indian cricketers too did not go down well with the team. "It will be close to being condemned to a prison and paraded in front of hostile crowds whenever you venture out," said a team member.

There was never any doubt that some key players had their apprehensions about travelling to Pakistan. "How can you pursue your goals when surrounded by gunmen all through" was a question raised by one of the cricketers. "What is the guarantee we won't be harmed by the very person supposed to protect us," asked another. "I'm not used to having four black cats surrounding me all the time. It can be quite uncomfortable," said a senior member.

As cricketers argue in private, it can be tough for a sportsman to excel under such stress — of becoming the target of some insane element in the crowd. So if some of the players wanted to skip the tour to Pakistan, it was quite understandable. But they had made a decision during the Australia tour that they would not back out if the tour was on.

On the cricketing front, the team management has a point when it raises the issue of non-availability of some key players. Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra are ruled out on account of injuries; Anil Kumble has a sore shoulder; Zaheer Khan returns from an injury and a two-month lay off from the game. There are others with niggling injuries. "We lack the depth in the bowling department," said Rahul Dravid, who is looking forward, along with V.V.S. Laxman, to making it a memorable tour.

"It will be hard. Playing in Pakistan will always be difficult because of the hostile atmosphere and the expectations from people back home," was Mohinder Amarnath's opinion. He should know, having travelled thrice to Pakistan and done well in those fierce situations. His batting philosophy when in Pakistan was simple — do not let the ball hit the pads. "Neutral umpires are a big relief when you play in Pakistan now," Mohinder pointed out, sharing the security concerns of the players.

The players will be making this tour most reluctantly. "It has been forced upon us," is a common refrain. "This is not the ideal way to become the best team in the world. By following this hectic schedule, India is only becoming the most travelling cricket team in the world, and [is] not necessarily the best. Please spare a thought. It is not easy to play high intensity cricket at such [a] frenetic pace of matches," one cricketer pointed out.

Given a choice, most of the players would love to avoid travelling to Pakistan. But having committed themselves now, they will give their best, setting personal fears aside once they board the aircraft to Lahore.

On its part, the team, as it prepares for the grind ahead, appeals to all well-wishers and critics, especially former players who sit in a position to influence public opinion, to be balanced in their reactions — do not lose perspective when praising or criticising. All the hype that marks India's tour to Pakistan is fine, but, as Ganguly remarked, not at the cost of the players.

"We don't play to lose. We do try our best to win every match but sometimes the other team happens to be better," says Ganguly. Team India would want the public to remember that cricket is not a matter of "life and death" but "just a game" even when played against Pakistan.

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