Best of the Week | Where's the fun in cricket anymore?

livemint.com:

Best of the Week for nearly a year and a half, and yet we've rarely mused on cricket. The average Indian man, in my experience, is quite fond of the sport. He has an opinion about everything, especially on men's cricket—should Kohli reassume captaincy? Why didn't Tendulkar step down earlier? Will RCB ever provide any joy in life? As a kid, I too grew up playing cricket.

First, in the bylanes of my building. Then, in school. Before I knew it, I was playing district-level cricket.

Of course, I wasn't any good at it—but I shouldn't let facts get in the way of a narrative. Despite remaining on the bench throughout, I enjoyed every facet of the game. I suppose most men share this emotion.

It's why men randomly break out into a bowling action while walking to the train station. It's why they curse a dropped catch, murmuring, “itna easy drop kar diya". It's why we watch.

However, after last year's loss to Australia in the World Cup final, something fundamentally changed in me. I haven't found that joy from cricket since then. That's why, this year's IPL feels quite disappointing.

Of course, some other factors play in too. Mumbai Indians are bottomdwellers. The disparity between the bat and ball is too wide too, but enough has been written about that.

It's just not as exciting any more. Maybe I'll tune in for the finals. Maybe I won't.

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