In yet another tragic incident, a young cricketer, Bavalan Pathmanathan, died on Sunday after being hit on chest by a ball in Long Ditton, Surrey, UK, on Sunday.
24-year-old was hit by the ball when he was batting for Hersham-based Manipay Parish Sports Club at Long Ditton Recreation Ground during a division three match of the British Tamils Cricket League (BTCL).
Immediately after the incident an ambulance, two cars, along with another air ambulance reached to the scene to assist him.
Pathmanathan was treated at the scene and then taken into Kingston Hospital in a serious condition.
But the cricketer subsequently passed away with the cause of death believed to be heart failure.
well, if this is cricket then I am afraid this is not the name of the game.
A complete overhauling is what is needed the most in this gentleman’s game.
Players’ life is what should be the supreme rule of law in cricket law books.
In fact what is the need of the hour is totally over looked by the authorities governing the game.
A cricket field is like a place of great sanctity atleast for those who worship cricket. So how come, in stead of being cool, sober, friendly and above all sporting, the players engage themselves into a sort of warfare, aggression and hatred. How, do they think, they are doing some kind of service to the game and the game lovers.
In sports, there is no room for hatred. then why is the unwarranted aggression shown by some players on the field, not being viewed with a sense of great concern.
Why do the players, who are bent upon maligning the sanctity of the game, roam scot- free.
Though this, yet another tragic event, may not be the outcome of any sort of aggression, but that doesn’t mean that everything is OK with the game.
Actions speak louder than words, then what is the need to destabilize your opponent by passing ugly and awkward comments while playing.
If a bowler bowls a bouncer, I think it is the out burst of his aggression, and can very easily be avoided. But then it needs rules to be amended, in order to call it a no ball ab initio accompanied by a huge penalty in the shape of fine imposed on the erring player.
They can change rules to make the game more sensational, but they will never frame rules to make the game more safe and player friendly. How ironical.
Discipline is what is slowly and steadily eluding the gentleman’s game. And that is the matter of grave concern for the cricket lovers.
Allowing the players to indulge in show business, advertising and adopting all sorts of means to amass wealth, has brought about a drastic change in the over all mind set and the psyche of the players, making them more arrogant and indisciplined.
All this needs to be checked, that too very fast, so that the game could be saved from any further damage.
Players who indulge in such practices and still give a good show on the field, makes some sense. But consistent flop shows should be dealt with punitive measures.
Last but not the least I would insist that the game of cricket is getting more and more popular the world over, let us take some corrective steps in order to make it much safer and near to being called “A gentleman’s game”.
My deepest condolences to the family of the departed young soul.
May his soul rest in peace.
JAI HIND.