Why India's tour of Australia should be more than just winning

By K.R. Nayar

The talk among all cricket fans is now centered on India’s tour of Australia. The big question is: Can India beat Australia? As a journalist who has never covered cricket with a preference for a particular team or country to win, I believe one could ask many other questions. If you always watch a match rooting for your favourite team to win, you miss out on truly enjoying the game of cricket.

 

India and Australia captains with the Border-Gavaskar trophy 

There is considerable anxiety among Indian fans following India’s 3-0 thrashing by New Zealand in a home Test series. Many are worried about India’s chances in Australia. This anxiety could prevent fans from appreciating the cricketing contest that will unfold during the series. Ask yourself: If Australia happens to play poorly and India wins easily, will we truly enjoy the series?

 

It will indeed be thrilling if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli perform well. Watch their strokes, and if they fail, appreciate the deliveries that dismiss them. Constantly worrying about their failures or fearing that it might signal the end of their careers prevents fans from enjoying even their best moments.

 

I remember covering Sachin Tendulkar’s last innings during the 2013 series against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. I wasn’t concerned about whether he would score a century but instead focused on every stroke he played. Tendulkar was dismissed for 74, but even now, I vividly recall his last Test boundary. It was an elegant drive past a diving mid-on off Shannon Gabriel, more a push than a drive, timed to perfection.

 

When Tendulkar got caught at first slip by Darren Sammy off Narsingh Deonarine, I wasn’t sad because he failed to score a century. I was saddened by the thought that I would never again see those exquisitely timed strokes from him. That memory stays with me because I focused on his artistry, not the milestone.

 

If players like Mitchell Starc or Steve Smith deliver outstanding performances and the Indian players rise above them, only then will this series be truly memorable. Let us, therefore, prepare to enjoy good cricket. 

 

Questions are also being raised about whether this series could mark the end of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as a coach. It’s true that his plans faltered during the home series against New Zealand. What fans should focus on is whether his strategies succeed in this series and whether the Indian players fulfill the roles expected from them. Depending on whether Gambhir’s plans succeed or fail, we can debate about that later on. Such discussions add to the vibrancy of cricket.

 

Cricket often turns even casual observers into experts. To be a true expert, however, one must appreciate the performance of both teams, not just their favourite. To understand your favourite team’s failures, you must watch the contest with an open mind, appreciating the game even as you root for your country.

 

Whether India beats Australia or not should be a secondary concern. The primary focus should be on enjoying a high-quality contest between two strong teams. It is this kind of appreciation that etches the best moments of cricket in our memories forever.