April 2, 2011 witnessed one of the highest points of international cricket, when Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a confident six to bring India it's share of World Cup glory after 28 years. The whole world was watching - the cricketing world that is - with more than two thirds of the followers from India alone with the rest of the fan base from the rest of the countries. The stakes were high, both for the World Cup finalists, as well as all other 'entrepreneurs' who make their living off the outcome of the game; which has a been a pet peeve of many betrayed fans.
Ever since the match fixing scandal boiled and spilled over world cricket, there has been a sizable number of cricket fans who doubt the authenticity of game results. The accusations reach a fever pitch when the games go down the wire. For a common fan, the situation just gets too confusing on whether to believe in the game-fixing rumors or to stay innocent and have a childlike entertainment out of it.
A movie has actors, a plot with the right amount of spice and twists and turns with a finale. Similarly, the game has it's performers in the form of athletes who perform 'live' on a field in front of not only the crowd, but the millions others glued to their TV sets. The actors in a film get the help from the director, the make up crew and choreographers, whereas the cricketers have to deal with a constantly changing plot and without much on-field instructions. They also have to rely on each other's abilities to do what they are asked to do.
Just like a movie has a finale, which we never want to hear about beforehand, the game has a final twist that we do not know. A movie experience could easily be ruined by the spoilers, however in a game of cricket (or any other sport), no matter how much it is 'fixed', it is extremely tough for a majority of fans to really know what, how and when anything is going to happen. If we were to enjoy a movie that lasts on an average of about two and a half hours- a finite amount of staged storytelling - there is not much of a problem in watching a staged game.
A movie, a TV series, a circus, or a stand-up comedy show is successful only after hours, weeks and days of practice and retakes, as it applies. Whereas in a game, the players have only a limited chance to perform to the script and only a little time to correct their actions if anything goes askew. Thus, performing to the script is even tougher to achieve. So let us all enjoy the game we love, and not despair over something we only suspect is staged. If the game is fixed, so is the fate.
Ever since the match fixing scandal boiled and spilled over world cricket, there has been a sizable number of cricket fans who doubt the authenticity of game results. The accusations reach a fever pitch when the games go down the wire. For a common fan, the situation just gets too confusing on whether to believe in the game-fixing rumors or to stay innocent and have a childlike entertainment out of it.
A movie has actors, a plot with the right amount of spice and twists and turns with a finale. Similarly, the game has it's performers in the form of athletes who perform 'live' on a field in front of not only the crowd, but the millions others glued to their TV sets. The actors in a film get the help from the director, the make up crew and choreographers, whereas the cricketers have to deal with a constantly changing plot and without much on-field instructions. They also have to rely on each other's abilities to do what they are asked to do.
Just like a movie has a finale, which we never want to hear about beforehand, the game has a final twist that we do not know. A movie experience could easily be ruined by the spoilers, however in a game of cricket (or any other sport), no matter how much it is 'fixed', it is extremely tough for a majority of fans to really know what, how and when anything is going to happen. If we were to enjoy a movie that lasts on an average of about two and a half hours- a finite amount of staged storytelling - there is not much of a problem in watching a staged game.
A movie, a TV series, a circus, or a stand-up comedy show is successful only after hours, weeks and days of practice and retakes, as it applies. Whereas in a game, the players have only a limited chance to perform to the script and only a little time to correct their actions if anything goes askew. Thus, performing to the script is even tougher to achieve. So let us all enjoy the game we love, and not despair over something we only suspect is staged. If the game is fixed, so is the fate.
Nice comparisions
ReplyDeleteThanks. Add Reality TV to that list of comparisons
ReplyDelete