Since we are all stuck at home in times of the pandemic where there is no Cricket of any sort, there’s only so much cricketers can do in these times to keep themselves occupied and positive. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise when there are countless Instagram Live and FB Lives happening where cricketers discuss about mostly random stuff apart from Cricket. It of course gives a personal touch to the stars that they are on the field.
Even the fans of those players would get bored of watching their favorite stars talk about other topics- they would want to know more of what happens behind the scenes, how they prepare for an innings etc. I have seen a couple of them and was surprised that no one discussed in detail about the main question- ‘How will cricket be played post COVID-19?’
On the other hand, shows that follow the conversation and discussion format are actually pretty intriguing and exciting. Cricbuzz in Conversation is a good show and many Podcasts and Videocasts of players getting interviewed and asked about how their cricket journey started right up to their recent matches is good fun to watch.
But at the end of the day, they are human too and need to keep themselves positive, active and occupied in times of lockdown. Where it gets disappointing is the kind of matches that get telecast in sport channels during this lockdown period. There seems to be no clear plan put to the strategy behind telecasting bi-lateral ODI series that featured India dominating the oppositions.
This extended period of lockdown was a golden opportunity for broadcasters to show some of the gripping and great performances of India in Test match cricket too. It’s the ideal time as young kids and aspiring cricketers along with their family should get to see some of India’s better performances in Test cricket as well over the years. Nowadays we see replays of bi-lateral ODI series played at home along with IPL highlights.
I am personally completely fine with seeing IPL highlights as this is the time when IPL usually takes place so watching the highlights gives some satisfaction. But TV channels could have easily slotted in 3-4 hours of Test cricket as well in this period. That would have made it a wholesome experience for those who want to watch some form of cricket daily even now.
Some instances that come to my mind is the India vs England Test series that happened after the gruesome 26/11 attacks. It was truly motivational and inspiring to see Sachin and Yuvi battle it out and defeat England in the scorching heat of Chennai. They both batted so well to chase down 387. Why isn’t that game being telecasted? That showed immense mental strength and skill as Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar were the chief wreckers in that series before this fantastic match.
Or this could have been the time to show highlights of India’s famous series win in New Zealand, 2009. Many such series that showed the might of the Indians at home in the longest form of the game could have telecasted. The list of ‘what could have been’ is endless.
I don’t think too many people would complain watching Virender Sehwag go about his business at the top of the order, or watch the grit and resilience of Rahul Dravid, the sheer mastery of Sachin Tendulkar, the wrists of VVS Laxman (especially against the Aussies) or the fight put up by Sourav Ganguly. I don’t think any of these would make for a boring watch or reduce the TRP’s of channels.
Yes, the modern cricket fan craves more of T20Is and ODIs especially after the emergence of the IPL, so that’s the probable logic behind telecasting replays of bi-lateral ODI and T20I series where not surprisingly India were dominant right through. But my question is couldn’t they have squeezed in some special shows at least if not replays featuring great performances from Test cricket in recent times?
Everyone including me who needs some sort of Cricket fix to get things going on a daily basis, would like to have a variety to watch. To an extent shows like ‘Great Centuries’, ‘Masters of Oz’ and ‘Memorable Masterstrokes’ keep my type of cricket fans happy as that features a nice mix of ODIs, T20Is and Tests.
This is also reflective of the times we live in. There is no interest(shockingly) to watch Test cricket of any sort, even the 1-2-hour highlights. The big TV channels clearly know that the only way to stay afloat and relevant when there is no live cricket happening is to feed the audience with ample replays of ODIs and T20Is that feature their favourite stars dominating the best in the world.
Personally, I feel this is a lost opportunity to make Test cricket relevant to an extent again. Nothing can and will take away the tension and drama Test matches provide to an audience and as a Cricket Analyst. That quality can ‘not be replicated in the shorter forms of the game.
Upto a point in the start of the lockdown, it was nice to see that they were showing complete match replays of the 2011 ICC CWC which bought back fond and not so fond memories. But for someone like me who usually watches about 30-40 minutes of Cricket action daily even now, I have moved on to Youtube to give me the cricket fix I need for the day.
It’s pretty sad that there is very little Test cricket shown on TV but this is the reality. I was probably extremely optimistic when I felt in a period like the lockdown when the full family is at home, they would be interested to watch some good Test cricket.
But that’s not happened and will not looks like. The fact of the matter is they want to see more of what is being dished out in abundance to them- replays of bi-lateral ODI and T20I series and great knocks played by their idols in mostly completely one-sided affairs.
As a cricket freak and analyst, rather than lamenting on the lack of Test cricket getting telecasted in this period, I have switched my attention to other means to ensure I get my daily dose of Cricket I want to see- a nice balance of all the three formats.
