Disappointing display leads to dreadful disaster

It was reminiscent of a lamb trapped in a cage in front of a hungry tiger. Only this time the tiger happened to be the Indian fast bowlers and not so much the Bangladesh team that is associated with the name 'Tigers' around the world. Yes, this obviously refers to the recent demolition act carried on by the Indian team against its neighbouring country Bangladesh during its test and T20 series. It was the honour shown by BCCI in which its President Sourav Ganguly who not only organized the first ever day-night pink ball test at the iconic Eden Gardens but invited our honourable Prime Minister along with its Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and many past and present cricketers and champion athletes and sports persons of so many disciplines to witness the match to set things in motion. 

It was the pathetic display by the Bangladeshis given the occasion and the honour being extended by the host nation that it actually failed to show or reciprocate by making the game of cricket more competitive. The 'City of joy' as Kolkata is known as were far from treated with joy as Mominul Haque and his boys disappointed the crowd to no end. It was the tame and timid manner in which the Bangladeshi batsmen succumbed to the Indian bowling attack that not only were aggressive but relentless in its approach as well.

The Bangladesh captain may be excused for his naivety in opting to bat first on both occasions after winning the toss but it was his positive intent that otherwise ought to have rubbed off on the players. It's no mean job to take on the world's fastest of bowlers on conditions favouring seamers and the captain who may have scored the dreaded pair in the Kolkata test must've weighed the options being a frontline batsman himself. What was obviously glaringly evident was the absolute ineptness of the Bangladeshi batsmen not only to handle pressure situations as was faced by them by all the glamour and glitz but also in handling the fast rising and moving deliveries hurled by the Indian pacers.

 As many as five batsmen were struck on their helmets and two of them did not return to bat again and hence the concussion law was enforced. Making the batsmen hop and jump around the crease and beating them on countless of occasions on or outside the off stump was like nightmare for them. With the exception of Liton Das who in all his appearances at the crease looked a class apart and much to the consternation of the crowd and fans alike took no further part in the Kolkata test after being hit on the helmet. 

Just when Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyadh were showing signs of some resistance Riyadh had to leave the field due to a hamstring injury and couldn't continue in the same vein of belligerence that highlighted his innings. Losing the test match once more within six sessions and more gave a sordid picture of the state of affairs of cricket in Bangladesh. Reflecting back just prior to the series when all the players including the top notch ones barring Mashrafe Mortaza revolted enmasse against the BCB looks now as one of sheer irresponsibility and calls for accountability. Whilst the reasons for the protest were legitimate and rationale but the approach by the players in putting forward their case was akin to their performance on the field. 

The cricketers were unable to put their right foot forward and couldn't get away as the Indians were ruthless and relentless whilst the BCB on the other hand showed a lot of tolerance and consideration in mitigating their problems and anxieties prior to the series during which time all that the President of BCB did not do was pull his own hair off of whatever little there is left on his head. The cricketers must now ask themselves whether their performance on the field had any semblance of commitment and dedication that was required from their part to at least save the blushes in so far our Prime Ministers visit was concerned. Needless to say our Prime Minister who has been known to be a big fan of cricket and its cricketers expected a lot more resilience and fight from them and who were in tatters no sooner than the ring of the bell which she was made to do as mark of honour to start the game along with the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

One must admit that it is about time that the administrators in particular put their acts together and formulate a long term plan to groom up cricketers meant only for test cricket and create an environment and atmosphere wherein budding youngsters begin to put the love for their country more than the love for money. Without meaning to disrespect those who have represented their country, it is quite obvious that the possibility of being mercenaries in the shortest possible time has what has swayed them away from the love and passion that the country needs from its players. It is also about time that the media who plays a big part in the development of any sport start to focus and highlight as to what needs to be done for the sustenance and development of the game in the country. instead of highlighting few players who may have excelled at the highest level they should rather practice the art of being balanced in the manner in which it tends to create players into Frankenstein's instead of mere mortals.