Mar 31, 2004 03:47 PM
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(Updated Mar 31, 2004 03:47 PM)
End justifies the means?
Those of my readers who have read my review on the declaration being a wrong decision might be a little surprised to see this review from me. But those among you who have read me since the beginning would not be really. Let me, first, justify why I am actually writing on the declaration being the wrong decision and the right decision.
The world is neither black nor white: it is grey.
There is no absolute correct or wrong, as a member on this website said once in her review and I completely agree with that. Some things don't appeal to us so much which is why we oppose them, hate them, even fight them. But they are, in their own way, the right things to happen. Taxes, for example, are vital for the government to run. Does anyone like them, though?
I am sure Rahul Dravid had his reasons to terminate the innings without caring for Sachin's double hundred and by the way the match has been going on, his reasons seem to have been good. In any case, allow me to speculate more objectively the possible reasons behind the declaration.
We Want to Win
To defeat an enemy, it is important that you are strong and very well prepared, well equipped and well positioned. But just that is not enough in a battle against opponents whose strengths are the same as yours and who know where your weakness lies. To defeat such a knowledgeable enemy, one has to convince him. Here I am, sir, and I am not going to move till I have what I want, happen what may. This is the kind of thrust and anger that one has to show convincingly to the opponent. One has to make one's desire for absolute victory heard clearly.
Terminating the innings with that cut-glass style sent a razor-sharp message to the Pakistan team which was in no manner unclear. Rahul had said and said very sternly: ''Pakistan, now let me see you bat. Let me see what you have.'' It was an gesture which thoroughly intimidated Pakistan. For Pakistan knows that a captain who terminated a magnificent innings like Tendulkar's in that fashion is bound to create all sorts of traps to terminate their innings without letting them become magnificent.
It was a masterfully placed splinter in Pakistan's already treacherous path.
We Came to Win
I could smell it very strongly that the sportsmen in our country's dressing room had looked at Pakistan as a great platform to make huge personal records in order that they strengthen their reputation and place in the future squads for the Indian team. Sachin, for one, was looking a little on the side of wanting a personal milestone in his belt. Of course, the brave and wise gentleman that he is, he showed his want by supporting every batsman that came to the crease in the manner that a team-mate should support by his words and his game.
I beg pardon for having suggested Tendulkar was being selfish. All I mean is that he was playing a little too slow.
But other players were certainly on a look out for as many personal milestones as they can set. Whether they benefit the team or not is not the issue of discussion.
Rahul Dravid spoke clearly through that declaration: India has come here to win and not the player. Let us focus ourselves simply on winning the match. This is a team's game and let the team benefit from every decision. I am sorry Sachin, but time to pack up your batting kit and flex your shoulders and uproot some stumps. Off you go, gentlemen!
Probably it was his way of making the team realize that look this is a game for all of us to contribute in and this is a platform to show what brilliant spirit this team has. Not what brilliant skills a few individuals have. That Sachin had to sacrfice two hundred for this lesson which, in fact, is probably something he has taught Dravid in the past, is completely unfortunate. The big heart that Sachin has, I am sure that he will see it as it is. Dissapointing or not, personal issues are not so important as the larger team's issues. I am sure Sachin will say that. (Right Sachin?).
In Conclusion
Through what is probably the smallest and the least (pseudo) philosophical of my reviews in the recent past, what I have tried to express is this: Rahul Dravid's declaration of the Indian innings was in it's own way the right thing to do, just as taxes are the right things to pay. The decision has paid off and India is perched atop what can be called a highly probable victory.
May Rahul know he still has my confidence and that of a large number of people who can think analytically and be just to people.
And of course, since the end appears to be good, probably the means were good too.
