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Cricket is a ‘religion’ in India and its stars are treated like gods. They are idols who can do no wrong, or more aptly, are not allowed to. They have to win every game, day in and day out, and bring glory to the nation. The country tends to forget that its icons are human, made of the same flesh and blood, who cannot always perform the same way, unlike machines. Being human also brings with it its own insecurities and the book offers an insight into this aspect. It analyses the ills that plague Indian cricket "primarily on account of dirty money and the nexus between bookies and players." This has taken the sheen off the game and robbed it of its sportsmanship spirit. The author has a chance interaction with a bookie. The latter makes an offer after a few more meetings and after giving careful thought, the former joins him. The author later brings out his personal experiences in print. He is even called by Justice Chandrachud, where the former is convinced of the futility of the probe. The influence of bookies cannot be just wished away. They wield considerable power, enough to see that nothing comes out in the open, and to ensure that their diktat is final. Like all underhand dealings, these cannot easily be proved beyond all doubt, but their mention cannot merely be termed as pure fancy. Cricketers are definitely not the main culprits. They are being forced into a situation in which they have to either agree or go. These pawns, who are more like victims of the system, have no choice as the agents "have survived through the patronage and protection of the establishment." Cricketing heroes have to fall in line for their own survival as the board can drop them from the team any time on flimsy grounds. The players are not infallible as "immortality and vulnerability probably go hand in hand." It is not always that they can stand up against their paymasters. The anti-ambush marketing clause episode has been a rare victory for them and the board has "not forgiven the players for having stood as one to fight against it." The way the sport is being run in India is anything but transparent, according to the book, and the cricket board mostly conceals more than it reveals. Its effort to project the game as clean, fair and gentlemanly can, at best, be taken with a large pinch of salt as these are "qualities that are clearly not the distinguishing features of the game any more." The system makes it difficult for players to revolt and impossible for those without connections to reach the top level. Money has entered cricket in a big way and the book details the huge sums that current stars pocket. The reasons for the decline need a thorough and impartial probe by some agency which does not have anybody with vested interests. These are not difficult to seek as "most of these have to do with the irresponsibility and mismanagement of the BCCI." Unless a proper diagnosis is made and stern corrective measures taken to root out the malady, it may not be possible to arrest the decay, allowing the game to reach the point of no-return.
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