The Hardik Pandya-K.L. Rahul episode, followed by the incident involving an under-16 cricketer from Mumbai indulging in an obscene act in the dressing room has shown Indian cricket in poor light.
Some former cricketers, appalled at the degeneration of the public image of the game in India, want the administrators to step in and arrest the falling reputation of the Board.
Educate and mentor
Soon after his retirement, former India captain Anil Kumble had submitted a proposal to the Board to “educate and mentor” young cricketers. He had observed from close the need to “guide” the young generation exposed to fame and money at a very impressionable age.
Kumble's proposal comprised a comprehensive document on teaching the under-16 batch at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) life skills. The legendary leg-spinner wanted the Board to undertake the responsibility to fund the education of the players given their exposure to a world they would not have been familiar with.
Veteran Board official Prof. Ratnakar Shetty confirmed Kumble's proposal.
“Kumble's presentation was in keeping with the times. Unfortunately we have not done any serious work on this front. Even Justice Lodha had recommended educating youngsters. Sudden success can also mislead. But look at M.S. Dhoni. He came from a small town but see how gracefully he has conducted himself in public,” said Shetty.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag observed it was high time the Board took over the responsibility of mentoring the youngsters.
“I was taught at home to respect seniors. I was lucky I got to learn from players like Kumble, Sachin, Laxman, Ganguly. I feel it is the responsibility of the international players to set an example. Why can't we have regular visits by former stars and legends to lecture the trainees at the NCA.
“The Board should have a psychiatrist to speak to young cricketers at the NCA. It has become imperative now,” said Sehwag.
Social issue
For Mohinder Amarnath the issue was social. “When you gain fame, after coming from humble surroundings, small towns, you tend to make mistakes. They should know that off the field behaviour is as important as on it. They can't be bigger than the game. They should also remember that women should always be respected.”
V.V.S. Laxman advocated “No IPL until a player turns 22. It's important for BCCI to see that aspects like handling sudden prosperity, fame, media, fans become part of the cricketing curriculum at the NCA. Upbringing of a cricketer should be BCCI's responsibility especially with the explosion of the social media now.”
