Get on with the game

AP

Virat Kohli (in pic) has to keep scoring runs and not let his omission (from the Indian team for the World T20 tournament) affect his game. After all, the squad can accommodate only 15 players and as such the rub of the green can go either way.

The Indian Premier League is halfway through and the tournament has proved to be a mixed bag in the case ofsome teams and also some individuals. Mumbai Indians have gone along nicely and, given their current form, they look like carrying on in the same vein at least till the knock-out stage. Some hard decisions like dropping Sanath Jayasuriya have been taken and the confidence reposed in the youngsters has paid off. However, the highlight of Mumbai Indians' journey in the tournament has been the batting of Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar has batted with the minimum of fuss, but has still managed to spoil the party of his opponents. His innings against Chennai Super Kings is a case in point. Despite appearing to be scratching for runs, Tendulkar notched up a match-winning knock.

Another leading exponent of his art has also proved his critics wrong with some high quality bowling. Yes, I am referring to Muttiah Muralitharan. He has picked quite a few wickets and the remarkable thing about his bowling has been the economy rate. Both Tendulkar and Muralitharan have proved that they can beat the youngsters at their own game.

The current edition of the IPL has proved to be a platform for some lesser-known but consistent performers in domestic cricket to showcase their wares. Siddarth Trivedi, Naman Ojha and Vinay Kumar to name a few have done well for their sides. And though Trivedi may never get to don the India cap, he will relish the fact that his presence is being felt in a high profile tournament.

IPL-3, however, will be remembered for a long time by Vinay Kumar, who has at last got a look-in. His selection is a reward for a persevering cricketer who has picked up wickets on a regular basis for Karnataka in the last three seasons. He was in danger of joining a long list of players who toil year after year for their state teams without getting recognition. But his recent showing in the IPL, coming close on the heels of a successful Ranji season, has ensured that Vinay will not be spending the rest of his life sulking over lack of rewards for his performance.

It was heartening to read Vinay mention that he is aware of the fact that he needs to justify his selection in the Indian team and hopefully, the bull terrier of a cricketer will go on to perform well in the World T20 tournament.

The current edition of the IPL has proved to be a frustrating one for Ravindra Jadeja, who has been banned for “approaching” other teams. His eagerness to shift must be attributed to the lure of more money apart from what he might deem as shabby treatment meted out to him by his first team in the IPL.

It is rather a problem these days with the youngsters — they do not equip themselves well enough with the right knowledge before making their moves. Of course, Jadeja is by no means a lawyer, but the hype given tothe youngsters these days tends to make them believe they can get away with anything and everything. This is where the youngsters need to realise that the game is bigger than any individual and it does not pay to lock horns with the deciding authority.

This will prove to be a good learning experience for Jadeja. Unfortunately for him, the IPL committee's ruling has denied Jadeja some high quality match practice before the World T20 tournament. He would have benefited immensely by playing in the IPL. However, he needs to pick up his pieces and get on with the game.

Another player who needs to do the same is Virat Kohli as he would be extremely disappointed for not getting the selectors' nod for the World T20 tournament. He was deemed a certainty but obviously the selectors seem to have a lot of time for the gifted Rohit Sharma. Kohli may not give the impression of someone who has all the time in the world to play the fast bowlers, but he has made his share of runs for India. Besides, he is definitely one of the better fielders in the country.

Of course, it is not about Sharma or Kohli but how much latitude a particular player can be given. I for one would like to watch Sharma when he is in full flow, but his mere extraordinary talent cannot be the reason for denying others who do their job in their own way. But that's the way the cookie crumbles, and Kohli has to keep scoring runs and not let his omission affect his game. After all, the squad can accommodate only 15 players and as such the rub of the green can go either way for those who are there and thereabouts.