Sports: Professionalism or Patriotism

There has been a lot of brouhaha over Sachin post his booing by the crowds. Some believe the great master is not being given his due after having done so much for the country, having sacrificed so many things.

Lets look at Sachin's present state.

Its been 17 odd years since he made his debut. Now Sachin is among the top three brand ambassadors of the country earning in millions. He owns a chain of restaurants, a fleet of cars. He has everything that money can buy.

He is married to a beautiful diamond merchant's daughter. He has 2 adorable kids. He has an amazingly supportive family with a very strong root. He has all the other things that money cannot buy.

Forget the odd Mumbai crowd, Sachin is still one of the most respected persons in India due to the sheer grace of his personality and the joy that he brings when he is in his true elements.

Sachin has earned all this out his sheer cricketing skills and brilliant temperament. A skill like any other professional like a doctor, a banker, a musician or even a carpenter. Compare him with a doctor like Devi Shetty, a banker like K. V. Kamat or even a musician like A.R. Rahman. Each of them has succeeded in life on their merits.

The problem is with the invisible coterie. People who choose to be the ambassadors of the man. All great men have people sticking around them. Sachin is a brand and an industry. The sticky men make the most of a situation. When the great man is down with doubts these men rally around the master fueling those doubts. That is the time to prove their loyalty. They keep the flame burning and keep proving their loyaltly.

The coterie of late has been harping on Sachin's past sacrifices. This is most irritating. Is Sachin some freedom fighter? Someone like Bhagat Singh or Khudiram who chose to give their lives for the country with no visible material benefits?

Was Sachin playing for free? Isn't cricket just another successful profession to be pursued? Why do we not talk of sacrifices when we talk of Devi Shetty, K.V. Kamat or A.R. Rahman? They lead an equally public life, have made equally good money. Each profession has its own pains and tribulations. Just as it has money, fame and satisfaction. It all comes in a package.

So lets cut the crap. Lets judge Sachin as a professional i.e. as a cricketer. Lets give credit where it is due. But not at the cost of brickbats where it is deserved. Many will judge Sachin on the records that he makes. But isnt it fair if a cricketer, who plays a teamsport, judged on how many times he has come up trumps when the stakes were down for the team?