I was sipping chai in my balcony as I saw it rain like crazy outside. I mean CRAZY. I was almost reminded of the scenes in “the day after tomorrow” as i looked on and silently wondered if I am actually one of those who are witnessing the beginning of the end. And then, right there, the thought gave me a sinking feeling. I wasn’t even rich enough to build myself a tunnel to survive Armageddon or something. And there were so many out there who would just silently whisk away to safety when shit actually happens.
True. Indians have got very rich over the past few years in particular. I mean.. that is something I was thinking about a few days back when a few cricketers were accused of spot fixing and arrested. Details had come out stating bookies had paid 60 lakhs to Sreesanth for giving away 14 runs in a specified over. I mean that is plain ridiculous man! The logic confounded me. I wondered if the money was being wasted to give only 14 runs and no more or at least 14 runs. I use the word waste because either ways it’s a waste if you think about it. Sreesanth is magnificently incapable of bowling an over without conceding at least 14 runs in a 20 over spread and that makes him, if not more incapable, at least equally incapable of assuring that he doesn’t get molested for more than 14 in a over. So either ways, it’s a waste. And this is no rocket science. You need not even be aware of his bowling prowess, or the lack of it. You can only see him and understand this blatant fact of life. So why would somebody give him 60 lakhs, still a fortune for ppl like me, for something that he is either obviously going to do or obviously not. I mean you give 14 lakhs to Steyn for giving away at least 14 runs and it will be an over to watch or you give Malinga 60 lakhs to ensure that nothing more than 14 runs in an over and even that will be interesting if the batsman is someone credible. Not like this. This is why, i guess, spot fixing is a crime! Otherwise, for all I care, somebody bowled an over and got his ass whopped. How does it matter to me if it was deliberate or genuine talent. It’s not like I am going to get inspired by this shit called T20 and take to playing cricket at the highest level. Just like I don’t care if an actress actually enjoyed it or faked it in any movie. Its entertainment and you take it the way it comes. If you idolise somebody who is getting his idolism by becoming a hero at the expense of people who sell their talent on the field, that’s your problem, not mine.
Coming back to the point of being stupid and wasting money. Funny. The only logic in this for someone like me is that people are paying money just for the thrill of paying that money and be involved in something financially obnoxious, thus stepping into the league of big money players in the Indian market. And that, to me, is depressing. Not because he is doing it, but because I cannot do it . Because somewhere deep within, I think that I may be a better bookie, if I knew the tricks of the trade. Only because I understand what someone like Sree can and cannot do. But all I can do about it is watch this rain pour and sip on my chai that’s already gone cold.
