Once upon a time, fans flocked to the venue to watch the West Indians. Their distinct style endeared them to cricket followers all over the world. They had the talent and firepower to blow away the best names in the business. India was special in the West Indies itinerary.
To their credit, the West Indians never sent a depleted or a second-string squad to India barring the 1978-79 series when it lost its best to the Kerry Packer event in Australia. Even in 1994, when many Indian towns were in the grip of a plague, the West Indians did not hesitate to go ahead with the tour. The team, led by Courtney Walsh, won generous appreciation for its splendid gesture not to cancel the tour, a stark contrast to the stand adopted by Dwayne Bravo and his men in the current series.
Most of the West Indies greats, including Gary Sobers, Wes Hall, Clive Lloyd, Rohan Kanhai, Conrad Hunte, Michael Holding and Brian Lara, commanded a legion of followers in India. The West Indies was a rare team that never lost its popularity even when crushing the home team. “Their brand of cricket was unique. They had such natural instincts and attracted people with their classy shows. I feel sad at the West Indies’ decline,” remarked former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar.
Unique flavourFor spin great Bishan Singh Bedi, it was always a “privilege” to play against the West Indies. “Their cricket carried a flavour none could match. There was a different aura about the West Indians,’ said Bedi.
The West indies, in the 70s and 80s, took pride in its performance and the national pride drove the team to dominate world cricket. “They seem to have lost their way. No more is it calypso,” reflected Bedi.
From a distance, it appears the players are at fault, for punishing their Indian fans by pulling out of the tour.
The team was a united bunch under Frank Worrell; just as it is now under Bravo. But times and demands have changed. Money is on the mind of the players and it created a situation where a tour has been called off. Self over country, feel some, has been the driving force.
For Aunshuman Gaekwad, who played some stellar innings against the West Indies, it is indeed a “poor” commentary on the state of the game in the Caribbean.
“It was the most popular cricket team in the world. And also the strongest. It was an honour to do well against the West Indies but the decline of today’s team is self-inflicted. Priorities have obviously changed and charisma has gone out of their cricket,” said the opener who fearlessly stood up to the searing pace of Holding, Andy Roberts and Malcolm Marshall.
Unpardonable behaviourVengsarkar agreed that the West Indies was “popular and crowd-puller everywhere.” But he did not appreciate the methods used by the current team. “Their cricket, administration and performance on the field, is at its lowest ebb. It can’t get worse really.
I would say it is extremely poor to put it mildly and very detrimental to the image of the game. This West Indies team has brought disrepute to the game, mocked at the Indians fans. They should be taken to task for this unpardonable behaviour. I am sure the West Indies will have a lot to answer if India takes the case to the ICC (International Cricket Council),” said an angry Vengsarkar.
A team that once commanded the highest guarantee money for visiting a country finds itself bereft of the any clout in world cricket.
The pay-dispute involving the players and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has invited the displeasure of some former greats from the Caribbean.
As for India, it has succeeded in roping in Sri Lanka as replacement to use the time-slot available, but in the process, lost the opportunity to enhance the competitive status of Duleep Trophy.
It would have been a splendid and rare stage, to have seen the best of India players figure in a domestic competition.
The West Indians, meanwhile, landed in Delhi from Dharamshala this evening, checking in at a hotel near the airport. They will be reportedly leaving in batches by Monday.
