Ever since it became public that Abhijit Kale offered money to the selectors to include him in the Indian squad, its quite amazing that a lot many people, whether connected with the game or not, have not left a single stone unturned to criticise the players and the system.
In fact, some former players or those (disgruntled elements) who could not find a place in their state team, also came out in the open to express their grievances and how and why they missed the bus. It was a time for all and sundry to jump into the fray and indulge in mudslinging.
There are many who probably never held a bat in their lifetime, yet make a decent living off the game by either writing a column or by commentating. These parasites do have a field day when such a controversy erupts. As a matter of fact, they thrive on it.
During such times, they run down everybody connected with the game and take pleasure in doing so. They dont care whether, in the bargain, they offend those who do their jobs with honesty and sincerity.
Their sole intention is like the bears in the stock exchange who make money when the stocks are on a decline, and they make sure they go down as much as possible to gain maximum out of it.
What was shocking was the fact that even a leading daily newspaper ran a series of articles to show (misguide) people how the game is used by people in power for their personal gains and the means they use to manipulate the system.
As it turned out, the newspaper not only lost its credibility, for the writer (at least the one I know) had to issue a clarification and apologise for what he had written in his concocted story.
The Mumbai Cricket Association took strong objection and the writer, as usual, ended up with egg on his face. Pity that even a reputed newspaper had to indulge in such cheap gimmicks to increase their circulation.
They must realise that in the bargain they end up only misguiding people and losing their own reputation that has been built up over many decades. Period.
During my recent visit to northern India to witness junior cricket, I was pleasantly surprised to see the rapid progress made by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association.
They have not only built a state-of-the-art cricket stadium at the picturesque Dharamsala, but have also succeeded in creating a conducive atmosphere for children to take up the game.
I remember touring the state in 1989 to play a Deodhar Trophy match at a place called Una. I was apprehensive about the conditions that would prevail at the venue, and my fears came true when we arrived there. To say that I was angry is an understatement.
I just didnt want to play. What we were offered to play on was more like a field rather than a cricket ground and it had just one strip in the middle. The outfield was non-existent. I spoke to my players who refused to play a match of such a high magnitude on so pathetic a ground.
But, in the end we didnt want to disappoint thousands of Himachalis who had come to watch us play from remote areas. We won the match comfortably, and left never wanting to return there.
With that experience at the back of my mind, the present state of cricket in Himachal Pradesh is like a dream. Thanks mainly to its young president, Anurag Thakur, the HPCA has come a long way.
Situated at the foothill of the breathtaking Himalayan range of mountains, the ground looks as beautiful as any I have seen in world cricket.
The lush green outfield looks as good as that of Mohali, and the Himachalis thronging the place to watch Jammu and Kashmir play their very own team in an Under-22 match was a great sight.
I am positive that within a couple of years and once the stadium is complete, it will be a venue for big-time cricket. For, Dharamsala is one of the favourite haunts of foreigners who not only come to visit the Dalai Lama but also enjoy its scenic beauty.
How I wish some of the other state associations who are affiliated to the BCCI utilise the funds provided and do what Anurag Thakur has done for his state.
