Can donkey-kongs become World Champions

If the recent Cricket test and ODI series between India and England are any testament, then it is to this.  That despite all the hype and jingoism and love for cricket that we, the people of India have, our cricketers have none or just not good enough.

Personally, I tend to favour the former and many of the most rabid cricket lovers in India have repeatedly told me so in the past few weeks.

The injury list is for all the world to witness:

• the batsmen:
• Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar
• the bowlers:
• Zaheer Khan, Harbajan Singh, Ishant Sharma Praveen Kumar

If ever I have committed a mistake on the above list, it would be one of omission and not of inclusion.
Being the way the ‘injuries’ that have been, I’ve a question to put to the Indian selectors, the team and the IPL owners and the organisers of the forthcoming ICC Cricket Champions Twenty20 League 2011.

Should all or any of the above (or anyone I’ve missed out) be permitted to play in the Champions League?

Apart from any other query, the basic question is:

• If they are unable to ‘play’, leave alone perform or perform admirably (who am I fooling?  it would be apt to rephrase it ‘perform averagely’)
• - and there goes my grammar
• Should they be permitted to ‘exhibit’ their talents in a Champions Trophy, just because ‘private’ owners are paying their (the players) way?

I personally think not, and it should be time that every Cricketing nation or sports body puts in a clause (or better the ICC) that says if any player begs off a ‘national’ side due to injury, personal reasons or even as part of some rotational policy, then he (she) should not be allowed to take part in any of the forthcoming Twenty20 tournaments, whether IPL or BBL or any other - till he/she takes part  and performs in a full Test or ODI series.

The reasons are two  fold:

• The obvious is that players might fake, fudge or play up an injury during an ongoing series which is near or close to an upcoming Twenty20 tournament, to conserve and better their performance therein, to the detriment of the national sides prospects.
• The hidden is that the players might again, fake, fudge or hide up an injury and declare themselves fit even before there is enough time for them to get well, and thus exuberate their injuries while playing a Twenty20 tournament - making them unfit for further national commitments.

This suggestion would go a long way in instigating the players to conserve their health and strength and make them durable.

Isn’t it so?

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