New Delhi:

Contrary to the commonly held perception about sabse bada rupaiya and the game being bigger than any individual, recent events have clearly demo-nstrated that the system is king, it is supreme and all powerful. The Boa-rd is a democratic institution, so elections ensure turnover of people in control, and when votes don’t add up some have to go and new persons come in.

But that does not disturb the system because the structure has a life of its own. What it means is this: performers change, the stage remains the same.

Whether it is the Board or any another similar organisation, ultimately they all work through patronage and using office. If politics is about accommodation and adjustment, running a sports body is not much different. Experience shows that best results are achieved from a management style that combines laddoo and lathi, of doing favours and taking in favours. The selection drama, and the unending excitement about Ganguly, is only one example of the system at work. Someone remarked that picking an Indian team attracts more attention than a cabinet reshuffle, the Ganguly soap opera proves this theory because speculation about his fate dominated news the last one month.

In this period there were more ups and downs than on a roller coaster, more excitement than in a David Dhawan film. As events unfolded at a rapid pace Kiran More did more somersaults than an Olympic gymnast and Souravda made more comebacks in one month than Mohinder Amarnath did in a lifetime!

Some observers will critically point to the erosion of independence of the selectors, be concerned over the interference in the working of the five chosen reps.

Despite what has happened I don’t think the selectors are explicitly told what to do, but there must be a realisation that they too are part of the system. Other observers are worried the Sourav saga reinforces the belief that in India the players are bigger than the game. When India loses there is deep disappointment, anger is directed against players, they get gaali for being more interested in making money than making runs. But the outcry over Sourav has stretched the limits of normal criticism — this time there was unprecedented public agitation and political outrage (with questions in Parliament, and bandh calls in the state).

During this tamasha Sourav maintained an aggrieved stance, and urged his fans, like a true statesman, to support the Indian team against the Sri Lankans. The Indians did not need any help against the visitors (appropriately described by SMG as a popat side) but this situation will alter when they go to Pakistan. After vanquishing England, Inzamam’s side looks settled whereas Dravid has a squad, which might be hit by an internal tsunami.

Amrit Mathur is the former media manager of BCCI