CROSSING LINE

 

 

 

THE bust-up between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) is still evoking responses from the cricketing fraternity even as it has become a raging debate on the social media. As fans of both cricketers have put forth arguments in favour of their favourite player, the issue also has ruffled many a feather among the top echelons of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Both Kohli and Gambhir have responded with cryptic comments without blaming other or justifying their actions but it is clearly a time for the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council to bring the two to the table and draw a line of accepted behaviour on the field.

Kohli and Gambhir had a go at each other in full public view last week after the Royal Challengers Bangalore match with Lucknow Super Giants. It was the reaction to the verbal exchange between Kohli and LSG player Naveen-ul Haq during the game. The animated discussions between Kohli and Haq were precursors to the bigger fight. Gambhir was involved in the action soon as Kohli and Haq had another go at each other after the match. What followed was a poor show of public display by two top players, both of whom had played together for Delhi and then for the national team. The two World Cup winners pointing fingers at each other after being separated by fellow players left a poor taste in the mouth of the followers of the game.

Both the players have a history of fiery altercations. But this was going too far as both Kohli and Gambhir have risen in status in their chosen fields. Being in the gaze of the public it is a responsibility for both the Delhi mates to take care of their behaviour in public. With social media taking a huge form as a platform to make opinions, the two had to be extremely careful about their public image. Yet, without caring for their image, both Kohli and Gambhir indulged in another pathetic show unbecoming to their stature.

The fracas will have a big effect on their following, especially Kohli as he is regarded as the role model by the upcoming generation of cricketers. He had already hit headlines for his outbursts with fellow players, former greats and even journalists, something which he regretted after a while. Even as his fans were welcoming a sober version of the original brat, he has betrayed their feelings,yet again. Same is with Gambhir, who conveniently forgets that he is a responsible public representative, too, besides being a veteran cricketer. Like his political rants, the Member of Parliament has failed to control his emotions on the field. It bodes really bad for his overall image. It will also reflect really poorly on the BCCI if it does not go beyond the standard norm of levying monetary fine on the guilty players. As batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has demanded, it is time for the Board to make a statement by suspending such players.