AWARD GAVASKAR THE NEXT BHARAT RATNA

AWARD GAVASKAR THE NEXT BHARAT RATNA

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=odxW3VuWmPs&feature=share

The question by the interviewer as to why Gavaskar remains one of the most under-rated players in the game remained unanswered beyond just a cursory remark with Harsha Bhogle typically taking the cue from there to once again project Tendulkar and company. This is unfortunate and is really one of the reasons why Gavaskar despite his seminal achievements remains in the shade even today and few care to talk about his exploits with the willow, when in Australia and to a lesser extent in England there is always the remembrance of great players from the past in glowing terms, if even more analytically accurately as well. 

Earlier British high-handedness, Australian indifference and West Indian powerlessness in the media and in the general administration may have been the reasons for this neglect of Gavaskar but over the last two decades and a bit more the problem must be attributed to commerce. Tendulkar is the cash-cow which the Indian Board and the media are cashing in on. They have no such need of a proper assessment of Gavaskar's achievements for it does not pay. It is money all the way and cricket is the facade of a large-scale commercial enterprise where past masters simply do not figure in any commercially viable way. Hence, Gavaskar remains in the shade and Tendulkar is made to shine brighter than he deservingly ought to be. On Tendulkar also there is no real assessment made, only hype and hoopla that cover his colossal deeds on the cricket field.

India must not look towards England or Australia to highlight the achievements of Indian players. The Indian media should do it. But to do so we need a rational, intelligent, enlightened media, one driven by the pursuit of journalistic excellence and not commercial interests alone. Truth must be the paramount principle governing discourse. A rational polity, educated and discerning, will be able to appreciate seminal achievements of our cricketing greats. To this effect journalists and authors must work. If Gavaskar has not been highlighted enough, it is our duty to do so at least now instead of simply finding excuses or blaming someone else belonging to the past for it. Let us work to that effect. I propose Gavaskar's name for the Bharat Ratna. It will for starters be a fitting tribute to what he has done for India on the cricket field.

Written by Sugata Bose