A T Pierson had commented long back that 'Life is a game' and immortalised himself. Nearer home our cricketers have made foray into all walks of our lives- we listen to Sachin's advice to select the brand of toothpaste one should use, soap which is best for health, that energy drink which will give you and me his power, the kind of hair oil which will make us achieve that perfect shine. Rahul, Saurav, Dhoni, Bhajji are not to be left behind when it comes to selecting the kind of flat TV one needs to purchase, soda that gives a fizz, biscuits that provides super powers and ad infinitum..
They have something or the other to recommend from our birth to death. Your and my choices are closely governed by a bunch of cricketers who have consistently managed to beat bangladesh, kenya, zimbabwe and lesser known countries in their own chosen profession- cricket. It is funny to note that one takes Sachin's, Saurav's or Dravid's choices into consideration when purchasing a toothpaste, TV, washing machine, electric blade (and what not) when they among all the other people would be the last authority on such matters (let alone cricket where they have failed to win a series abroad excepting the sorry shores of West Indies recently)!
I was watching the cricket match yesterday- the last one day match between India and Srilanka
where our Indian players managed to beat the Lankan team comfortably with all batsmen managing to toy the bowling at will (which was sans Muralidharan and Vaas who have featured in more Lankan wins together akin to Mc Grath and Shane Warne for Australia). But like always the world cup is around the corner again and the experts and punters are here to make their comments. Expectations as they say is lowest since 1983. Yet it is likely that by the time India beat Bermuda and Bangladesh in their opening matches jingoism and patriotic fervour would have been whipped up by the usual parties (advertisers, media, former players and our very own idol worshippers).
Winning the world cup we would be made to believe is just one step away which is a mere formality for our stars to achieve. And this is how gullible you and me would be wooed by our Ad-men to buy more soaps, electronic gadgets, moisturizers, health drinks, biscuits, etc etc..
With all the sponsorship deals hailed as a mental victory and just a step away from victory on field, one just hopes that our stars re-discover their fluent cover drives and mesmerizing googlies and not just be satistied with practising the silken signature on the many cheques that are coming their way!
In between all this, here goes an ode to the Indian consumer- 'We buy things we do not need, with the money we do not have, to please people we do not like. This is consumerism at its best and this is what drives the modern economy'.......
Ciao till next time...Harsha
1 comment:
Hmm..sometimes i feel our cricketers are like english footballers...overhyped,over-rated and very rich...neways lets be optimistic and hope they bring us some cheer this time :)
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