By walking away at a very crucial stage of an all-important game against Pakistan, Virat Kohli has set an example for cricketers across the world
In walking away — when all set to score a glorious century against Pakistan — captain Virat Kohli set an example for cricketers all around the world. This is not just about the gentleman’s game of cricket but also about ethics, values and traditions. Kohli was at 77 when he thought he had snicked one from Mohammad Amir to Sarfaraz Ahmed but that never was. Nor was he given out by the umpire. Yet, in the highest traditions of sportsman’s spirit, he walked away. Contrast this with Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, who refused to walk. While in the 38th over against South Africa, he had clearly snicked one from Imran Tahir, as shown by the replays later, but was adjudged not out by the umpire. So he stood his ground as South Africans did not go in for a review. As of now, full marks to Kohli for upholding gentlemanly traditions.
So far our team has given a first-rate performance with a hundred per cent record of wins except that in one case we had to share the points due to rain. The variety in our bowling attack fully complements our strong batting line up. There was a time when there was not a single pace bowler in the team — not even for the opening attack. This situation continued until the arrival of Kapil Dev on the scene, so much so that sometimes even Sunil Gavaskar had to open the bowling. In one test match (Old Trafford 1967), even Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Budhi Kunderan (reserve wicket keeper) had to open the bowling. Now, the success of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the spinners, all match winners, is bound to be infectious and would inspire numerous youngsters to turn their arms around in a country where batsmen have usually cornered all the glamour and glory.
From its very inception in 1975, every World Cup has seen the imprint of a towering personality, a player who is far ahead of others and held both in awe as well as high esteem. Clive Lloyd in 1975 and Vivian Richards in 1979 thrashed almost every bowler; the 1983 edition belonged to Kapil Dev, while nothing could go wrong for Allan Border’s Aussies in 1987. Though New Zealand lost in the semi-finals of 1992, it was surely not Imran Khan but Martin Crowe and Mark Greatbatch, who would be remembered for successfully reversing the slog overs theory by blasting every bowler in the first 15 overs, a style which continues to be a match winner even today. The Sri Lankan victory in 1996 was attributed to Arvinda De Silva and in 1999, notwithstanding the masterly Steve Waugh, it was Shane Warne all the way. Despite three centuries in the 2003 World Cup by Sourav Ganguly, it was a Ricky Ponting show. So was the case in 2007. Yuvraj Singh dominated the 2011 edition of the tournament, while Michael Clarke won it for Australia in 2015.
In the prevailing atmosphere of heavy sledging and intimidating body language on the field, and psy-war tactics off it, one has almost forgotten that cricket used to be known as a ‘gentleman’s game’ where certain norms and traditions were important. In fact, till the early 1960s, the match between the ‘gentleman’ and the players used to be a regular feature in England. Today, perhaps, the over commercialisation of the game is responsible for the present state of affairs. It is in this context that Adam Gilchrist’s decision to walk in the World Cup 2003 semi-final with Sri Lanka, when the umpire had ruled him not out, appears to be a rare gem of a gentlemanly behaviour. Brian Lara also belonged to this rare breed which has now been enriched by Kohli.
The little master, as he was affectionately known, Gundappa Viswanath, however, surpassed them all. He had assumed the captaincy of India in the sixth and the last Test at Calcutta during Pakistan’s tour of 1979-80 — the series having already been decided in India’s favour under Gavaskar. This was followed by the Golden Jubilee Test between India and England at Mumbai (then Bombay) in February 1980, also known as Ian Botham’s test. India, batting first, went cheaply for 242, Botham claiming six wickets for 58 runs. In reply, England was tottering at 58 for five when Botham was given out. While he was just off the crease en route the pavilion, the appeal was withdrawn by our captain, who was none other than Viswanath, enabling Botham to score a match winning 114. In India’s second innings, he claimed seven for 48 to give England an easy victory in less than four days. Viswanath’s action won wide acclaim but it is a different story that he had to step down from captaincy, followed by somewhat premature retirement.
Kohli has already achieved 11,000 runs in the lowest number of ODIs and in the shortest period and is bound to break most records in all formats of the game in due course. The historical example set by him to walk away when the umpire had not given him out, at a very crucial stage of an all-important game against Pakistan, will always be spoken of in superlative terms and continue to inspire players as well as lovers of the game for a long long time.
(The writer is a retired Delhi Police Commissioner and former Uttarakhand Governor)
