‘Cricket’ and ‘Joke’: I never thought I would use these two words in one sentence. Even while writing this, I feel bad. But as bitter and unfortunate as it might sound, you can’t deny the fact that this great game has become a joke in Kashmir!
Kashmir has always been a place where respect, etiquette and good behaviour are top priorities. No matter which part of the valley you come from, disrespecting anyone or anything is always called out. But then what has suddenly happened to cricket in Kashmir?
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Cricket is often referred to as a ‘gentlemen’s game’, which means being highly respectful both to the game and the people involved in it. In Kashmir, however, there’s something else running; it doesn’t even qualify to be called cricket.
In the game where even the 12th man has to ask the umpire’s permission to enter inside the field, we see people running inside after every ball in Kashmir these days. Fandom is fine but it shouldn’t make the game look like a joke.
A boundary is hit and a huge crowd comes in, hugs the batter and dances around to mock the bowler. A wicket is taken and the opposition crowd runs in, lifts up the bowler and makes fun of a batter. And sometimes, the two crowds and even the players end up fighting. It is hard to differentiate whether it is cricket or circus.
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Who do we blame for this? Tournament organisers? Crowd? Players? Facebook Live pages?
All. Tournament organisers have to maintain discipline and not allow these kinds of activities at any cost. More than anything crowd needs to behave. There are better ways to celebrate and cheer; running onto the field is an insensible thing. Players also need not boast about such acts and call them out publicly. Facebook pages, that run live broadcasts, need not to show these people as heroes and post such stuff regularly just for likes and comments.
There are various problems with Kashmir’s cricket and this crowd intrusion makes it look even worse.