I admit it!
I'm sick and tired of some members of "The Blue Billion", even though I'm a proud member. In fact, I'm even doubtful whether these guys are what they claim to be: True Fans of Indian cricket.
Was I disappointed that India didn't make it to at least the semis of the just-concluded Champions Trophy? YES.
Do I think the Indian team is going to smash the Springboks in their home territory? NO.
Am I realistic about their chances, but hope they'll play well, fight hard, and give the South Africans a run for their money? Am I supporting MY team? CERTAINLY.
I read, with interest, many news items on the web about mature statements by Rahul Dravid & Co., at Press Conferences before departure from India, and on arrival in South Africa.
What is the reaction of India's "rabid" fans to these quotes? Here's a sampling from what I've heard from some friends, and what I've read on the web in the past few days:
"India will lose the ODIs and Tests 0-5 and 0-3 respectively", and "Why are Dravid & Chappell making these 'BRAVE' statements? We know they are going to lose."
Come on, folks, grow up and show some maturity!
What do you expect Dravid and Chappell to say? What would you say if you are in their position? The following?
"We have not won a Test in SA before, we have not done well in ODIs in the past few months, we are missing a key player in Yuvraj, we are not used to bouncy wickets. So we will surely lose."
Going in with a mindset thinking you will lose can only lead to one thing: you WILL lose. That's why the likes of underdogs Bangladesh and Zimbabwe almost always lose to stronger teams - they have already lost in their minds before they step onto the cricket field.
You have a reason to complain if Dravid & Co were to make bombastic statements like, "We will win the ODI series 5-0 and the Tests 2-0", or even, "We will win".
The fact is, this mature leadership won't make such statements even ahead of series against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh.
Let's look at an IT analogy: If you lead an IT project, are you going to tell your Management and Project staff, "There is only a 9% chance we will be on time-and budget, because the Standish Group says so," or "The deadline is impossible to meet", or "we are grossly understaffed, so we can't make a success of this project".
These may all be valid fears (some may even be facts), but what you will do will be to emphasise the positives while warning colleagues of the risks. And you are certainly going to try your best to deliver success!
Back to cricket: Please understand why Rahul and Greg are highlighting the positives: They give the team confidence, and something to play for, while, at the same time, emphasising that a lot of hard work is required to achieve good results.
Fans, please grow up! You neither need to praise the team to the skies when they win, NOR rubbish them into the nearest garbage dump when they lose.
Let's be positive, yet realistic and wish the team all the best.
After all, that's the least we can do!
