Randiv’s No-Ball Woes

One of the most amazing characteristic features of human nature is its enduring proclivity towards controversies. The most recent controversy in cricket, with Virender Sehwag and Suraj Randiv as its main protagonists, proves this fact beyond any doubt. In a moment of folly, which might have become a life changing one later for him, Randiv deliberately bowled a no-ball to deny Sehwag a century in an ODI, which created havoc in the cricketing world.

A trivial incident that should have warranted only the minimal concern that triviality deserves has been blown out of proportion by many around us, not any less by our 24/7 visual media. TV hosts were pouncing at Randiv as hungry lions on a meek deer, so called cricket experts were furious at his unsporting demeanour and newspapers carried headlines that were tantamount to declaring Randiv a habitual offender of serious crimes. For those who have been following cricket for at least a couple of decades would find it quite obvious that this incident was an insignificant one when compared to other more blatant violations of the spirit of the game. Common sense should have prevailed on such an occasion but unfortunately even wise men sometimes get overwhelmed by emotions. Sehwag, a street smart cricketer, who normally takes such things lightly, was undoubtedly furious on being denied a certain century. Though in the first instance, immediately after the match, he was inclined to dismiss it as a trivial incident, at the press conference he came out with all guns blazing and lashed out at the rookie Lankan off spinner. He even accused that it was not the first time that Sri Lankan cricket team resorted to such unsporting tactics.

The Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakara and the team management were quick to come up with an apology. Randiv personally apologised to Sehwag and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga called up the Indian team manager Ranjib Biswal to tender his apology on the incident. SLC also handed down one match suspension to Randiv and also decided to forfeit his match fee for the game. Tilakaratne Dilshan, who is accused to have coaxed Randiv into bowling a no-ball, will lose his match fee as well.

One can’t help but feel sad for the young man, Suraj Randiv, the offie hailed by many as a worthy successor to the great Muthiah Muraliadharan, as he got such a big blot on his character very early in his international career. It must be acknowledged that the cricketing world was rather harsh on its accusation of the young man. It was a matter that should have been handled in a defter manner than that was on view at this occasion. But it certainly was another occasion that reminded cricketers of their utmost responsibility of upholding the spirit of the great game of cricket - the gentleman’s game. Yet the greatest challenge for Suraj Randiv is to move forward leaving behind this incident and to excel in what he does well, which is bowling turning deliveries that mesmerise batsmen.