Time for some perspective

We in India are experts at jumping the gun. We are the absolute masters of knee-jerk reactions. We revel in suggesting instanteneous 'solutions' to contrived 'issues'. I sometimes envy journalists who write on cricket for a living. Some job, this! Getting paid to criticise some of the finest men ever to play the game, and that too on flimsy grounds, most of the time. Take the case of VVS Laxman. The man has cranked out more than 6,000 Test runs in all sorts of conditions at a more than healthy average in the mid-40s. He's had a part to play in many significant victories for Team India over the years. And the poor guy has done all that under the threat of the proverbial sword dangling over his neck all the time. One small mistake, and the knives come out. I somehow could never understand how he was deemed 'unfit' for limited overs cricket, when he had the capacity to make three centuries in that format in the space of a week in Australia in 2003-04. Similarly I am at a loss to understand the section of the media which said till recently that he should be dropped. And why? So that India could play three spinners at the Kotla. Whom were they counting on to make the runs? Their current darling Dhoni? Laxman has made them eat their words after his thrilling double century. So what now? In the perfect knee-jerk reaction possible, its now being suggested that VVS should be promoted up the order to bat at No. 3. Pray, what about poor Rahul Dravid? Where do they think he's made all those 10,000 Test runs? At No. 7? It would be laughable if it weren't so downright stupid. The logic being offered is that the No. 3 batsman needs to 'set the pace' for the innings, something 'slow' Dravid cannot, they feel. These people forget that this was the Kotla wicket, where even Anil Kumble almost managed a half-century. We'll see who 'sets the pace' on the tour to New Zealand next year. Its excusable if the general public makes such comments. They are after all not supposed to know the nuances of the game. But professional journalists who work for respectable names in the media are supposed to know that this is Test cricket. This is not two-minute instant noodles. Where's the perspective, guys? What next? My guess is next time Harbhajan Singh gets a half-century, they'll suggest that India drop Dravid and go in with five bowlers, now that 'all-rounder' Bhajji can bat at No. 7!