Saturday, December 20, 2008

On boring cricketers

Why do cricketers sound so dull, even dumb, when answering simple questions put to them by the media? Why do they need to be politically correct all the time? Why can’t they lower their guard, once in a while, and speak what’s on top of their heads? Why are they obsessed with the need to avoid controversies?

Tendulkar epitomises this breed of boring speakers. “How does it feel after the century?” he is asked. He replies with a deadpan expression, “Every century is special, but a century that helps the team win is what I cherish the most”. How does it feel to break the world record?”. “Well, I never play for records. Important thing is the honour of playing for the country”.

Some years back, when he had taken some important wickets to clinch a match for India, he gave a boyish grin and said, “Slowly, slowly, I am becoming bowler too”. Spontaneous and a top-of-the-head remark that stood out for its refreshing honesty. Today, the same Tendulkar, will deliver a pious speech filled with motherhood statements about how the wickets are dedicated to the victims of the terror attack and how he salutes the country for its bravery and courage. And end up sounding completely insincere.

6 comments:

Rachna said...

I guess the answers are as dumb as the questions are stupid. Why does the media ask how do u feel after scoring a century or winning a match? Can't they come up with something new. Also have you seen the way words are twisted or pulled out of context to generate good copy. Is it any surprise then that people are ultra cautious before uttering anything at the risk of being boring.

Vijay Vaidyanathan said...

It's becoming more and more dangerous to openly say things. A small slip of the tongue can be whipped up into a big issue. So, I guess they're also trying to take a safer route and deliver almost 'pre-rehearsed' answers.

Hi, I just stumbled across your blog while browsing the net.

AR Hemant said...

It's not that they can't come up with better answers. They choose not to for various reasons, one being their comments - especially the ones made on the spur of the moment - will be twisted and given new meanings by the media.

AR Hemant said...

Oh, I see Vijay said the same thing. Sorry. :P

I couldn't help myself, having followed cricket from close quarters.

Anonymous said...

It is like the last question answer round on the Miss World or Miss Universe contest. Everyone wants to become a Mother Theresa.

We Indians never did have spontaneity and honesty in our public expression. We further cannot laugh at ourselves. Take Gavaskar as an example -- to the best of my knowledge he will never criticise any Indian cricketer -- be politically correct while commenting about Indians. But he makes no bones about criticising the Australians. The Boycotts and the Australians are seemingly more honest.

Raj said...

Rachna, I agree. Stupid questions deserve boring answers.

Vijaym not-so-talkative man : true, but that makes it so boring.

Sankar: Gavaskar gets his money from indian sponsors, not Australian.