Twelfth man

Twelfth man

To say that the extensive raids at farflung establishments of some of current Indian cricket's greatest names have come as anything of a surprise would be overstating it. And to wail that the income tax and CBI searches at 85 premises have heralded Indian cricket's darkest hour would be a gross misrepresentation of facts. The Dark Ages began far too long ago -- to be precise, on the day Hansie Cronje's salesman-like conversations became public knowledge -- to occasion disconsolate wails. And yet, it would be naive to declare Thursday, when the unprecedented seal-and-search operations commenced, just another manic monsoon day. No, there is a message and it is hopelessly depressing. Given the list of cricketing personalities now under income tax -- and consequently public -- scrutiny, it seems that the much desired rescue of India's most loved game is a near impossibility. It is a sad thing to say, extremely cynical, but given the circumstances very realistic.

It is traumatic indeed when leading players in sport that till yesterday was a religion come under a shadow; but when the men who are supposed to be minding them and who have been self-righteously drafting codes and policies to combat the match-fixing menace themselves become subjects of intensive investigation and allegations, drastic action is in order. Ajay Jadeja, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Mohammed Azharuddin... which cricket lover is not saddened by their seemingly imminent fall from grace? Still, it has been repeatedly demanded that a thorough probe be undertaken to once and for all establish each protagonist's guilt or innocence, as the case may be. Hence, the raids are entirely in order; but why did they take so long in coming? Ever since the worms started squirming out of the can after the Cronje bombshell, everyone and her grandfather have been speculating on the timing of the seemingly imminent raids. Nit-picking aside, it is the curious spectacle of national team coach Kapil Dev, BCCI treasurer KishoreRungta and the de facto boss of Indian cricket, Jagmohan Dalmiya, being asked to sing in their own defence that threatens to nudge matters beyond repair.

Seeking government intervention is clearly against the tenor of our times; but it is clear that cricket administrators are simply not up to the crisis at hand. The modalities of a stronger governmental involvement in cleansing cricket will no doubt require extensive debate before a consensus can be arrived at. Should changes be made in the structure of the BCCI? Should there be a one-shot amnesty for anyone anxious to unload a heavy conscience? Sure, there will be much talk before concrete action can be initiated; but at least that debate will bring back disillusioned fans. And disillusioned and repulsed they are. "You can tell the ideals of a nation by its advertisements," said American adman Norman Douglas way back in 1917. Scan the ads today, compare them with those just six months ago, and it will be clear where cricket and its leading lights stand in public perception. In the meantime, the raids are all very well. But if follow-up investigation is not swift, they will remain just a distraction to helpDepartment of Revenue officials pass time.