Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | November 16, 2024

Cricket in India isn’t just a sport—it’s a religion, an obsession, and occasionally, a family drama unfolding in the public eye. But as much as we love seeing sixes soar into the crowd and bowlers dismantling stumps, there’s another game being played off the field—parental commentary. Yes, some cricketers’ fathers are vying for as much limelight as their progeny. Can’t they let their kids just play bat-ball and leave the drama out of it? Apparently not.

Yograj Singh: The Master Complainer

Take the case of Yograj Singh, the OG member of the ‘My Son Deserved Better Club’. His persistent claims about Mahendra Singh Dhoni sabotaging Yuvraj Singh’s career are now cricketing folklore. Never mind that Yuvraj’s achievements—a World Cup hero, a six-sixes legend, and a champion fighter off the field—speak volumes about his talent and grit.

Years after Yuvraj retired, Yograj is still going on about how Dhoni robbed his son of more greatness. The grievances are as stale as last week’s samosas, and the constant mud-slinging? Pure bad taste.

Sanju Samson’s Father: The Late Entry Whistle-Blower

And just when we thought cricket dads had mellowed out, in steps Sanju Samson’s father (Samson Viswanath), pinning the blame for his son’s “wasted decade” on—you guessed it—Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Why this sudden epiphany? Oh, because Sanju just scored two scintillating back-to-back T20 centuries in the ongoing series in South Africa.

Convenient timing, isn’t it? Ten years ago, there wasn’t a peep about this supposed injustice. Why? Because back then, Sanju wasn’t setting stadiums ablaze, and his father didn’t have a narrative to peddle. Sure, cricket is tough, and favouritism may exist, but airing grievances when the spotlight finally shines on your son reeks of opportunism.

Naushad Khan: From Sidelines to Spotlight

Then we have Naushad Khan, the ever-present father of Sarfaraz Khan, who has practically become a fixture at his son’s matches. From beaming smiles to jubilant celebrations, Naushad is the picture of paternal pride. Admirable? Absolutely. But here’s the thing: while Sarfaraz is steadily making a name for himself, wouldn’t it be better for his dad to stay in the shadows occasionally?

Let Sarfaraz soak up the glory without the added burden of expectations fuelled by constant family involvement. No one denies Naushad’s immense role in shaping his sons’ careers, but there’s a line between supportive parenting and overbearing cheerleading.

Sachin & Arjun Tendulkar: The Legacy Conundrum

Speaking of lines, let’s talk about cricket’s most famous surname: Tendulkar. Arjun Tendulkar, son of the legend Sachin Tendulkar, has inherited not just the family name but also an Everest of expectations. Four years with the Mumbai Indians (MI), five games, and then the release—it’s a pretty stark message.

The MI team, owned by Nita Ambani, likely held onto Arjun out of respect for Sachin and his monumental contributions to Indian cricket. But even Sachin must understand that goodwill only gets you this far in the fiercely competitive IPL. If Nita has no faith in Arjun’s performance, it’s a cue for both father and son. Sachin, perhaps the most low-profile cricket parent ever, would do well to remind Arjun not to let the weight of his surname stifle his ambitions. Maybe cricket isn’t the only path—it’s time for Arjun to script a different story.

Cricket is About Bat and Ball, Not Blame and Baggage

Now, let’s put this cricket-parent phenomenon into perspective. Sure, parenting is a tough gig. When your child achieves greatness, emotions can run high. But when dads start overshadowing their kids with unsolicited opinions and never-ending grievances, it takes the spotlight away from where it belongs: the players themselves.

If we’re assigning roles in this family drama, Yograj Singh is undoubtedly the Director of ‘Perpetual Complaints’. Sanju Samson’s father has temporarily signed up as Vice President of ‘The Blame Game Club’. Meanwhile, Naushad Khan oscillates between ‘Proud Cheerleader’ and ‘Well-Meaning Helicopter Parent’, and Sachin Tendulkar is the ‘Silent Observer’ everyone respects, even when things go south.

But here’s the real kicker: for every cricketing dad hogging the headlines, there are countless unsung parents whose quiet sacrifices and steady support have propelled their children to the top. These are the moms and dads who wake up at ungodly hours, pack kits, arrange transport, and encourage their kids to pursue dreams in the face of daunting odds—all without seeking personal glory.

The Fine Line Between Encouragement and Interference

So, what’s the moral of the story? If you’re a cricket parent, be proud but not pushy, involved but not overbearing, and supportive without hijacking the narrative. As a certain spider-themed superhero once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Maybe cricket parents should adapt this to: “With great talent in your offspring comes the responsibility to not be That Parent.”

After all, cricket is a gentleman’s game, and the same decorum should apply off the field. Parents, your job is done when you’ve given your kids the tools to succeed. Let them wield those tools without the noise of public opinion—or worse, your unsolicited two cents. They’ve got enough on their plate facing pace attacks and strategizing against world-class spinners.

So here’s a toast to all the parents who know when to step back, applaud from the sidelines, and let their children own their moments in the sun. Because in the cricketing arena, it’s not just about winning matches; it’s about winning respect. Let the kids do the talking—with their bats and balls—not their dads.

[Moody Marty: Sometimes funny, sometimes informative, always downright forthright!]

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