Oh, Arnab. This is just not done. A master of political debates exposed his ignorance as far as cricket is concerned. He seemed still a student. Where do we begin? In his latest foray into the cricketing world, the self-styled king of debates has managed to serve up a piping-hot spread of ignorance, spiced generously with a side dish of arrogance. During a debate on the Indian cricket team’s back-to-back losses—first to New Zealand at home and then to Australia on their turf— Arnab not only confessed to knowing little about the game but also went on to belittle it. A man who doesn’t understand the rules decides to question the game itself—talk about guts, or maybe just plain cluelessness.
His pièce de résistance? Declaring cricket is “not a global game” and suggesting India should focus on kho-kho instead. Yes, you read that right. Kho-kho. That statement alone could qualify him as the joker of his self-proclaimed No. 1 debate show. Let’s not even delve into his channel’s questionable claims of being Asia’s top news platform—because, much like his cricketing knowledge, that’s far from the truth.
Arnab might excel in whipping up political drama (with a nudge and a wink from those in power), but his stance on cricket—a sport contributing significantly to the country’s economy—is laughably stone-deaf. Let’s break it down for the man: cricket isn’t just a sport; it’s a religion in India. It’s mentally and physically gruelling, requiring teamwork and strategy. But Arnab, in his infinite wisdom, dismissed it without understanding its global traction. Newsflash: the Olympics are planning to include cricket, the USA is investing in the sport, and even Gulf nations are stepping up the ante at the crease.
But wait, there’s more. Arnab’s envy-fuelled tirade about cricketers being highly paid hit peak absurdity when he zeroed in on alleged “fissures” within the Indian team. Suddenly, he’s an authority on dressing room dynamics, confidently pitting new head coach Gautam Gambhir against senior players like Virat Kohli. Sure, Arnab, because drama is your bread and butter. But do your homework first. Kohli, with the most centuries in modern cricket, and Rohit Sharma, who holds multiple records, don’t need your validation. Their contributions to Indian cricket are undeniable, even if their current form isn’t stellar.
And let’s not forget the classic dressing room tales of yore. Yes, Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar had their differences. Yes, legends like Sachin Tendulkar endured bad patches. But these are stories of resilience and respect, not fodder for your ill-informed circus. Arnab should note: that real cricket debates require nuances, not his trademark shouting matches.
Former cricketers like Madan Lal, Yograj Singh, and Atul Wassan, along with seasoned sports journalists, have rightly handed Arnab a verbal thrashing. But in true Arnab fashion, he likely staged a poll to declare himself victorious. After all, why let facts ruin a good ego massage?
So, Arnab, a piece of advice to you: stick to politics. Cricket isn’t your pitch, and the scoreboard of public opinion isn’t in your favour.
