Jr. Tendukar

 
With media’s altering choice from Tendulkar to junior Tendulkar, an unwise side of our wise media unfolds. Yes, I am talking about the news of Arjun Tendulkar’s unsure form that is doing rounds in media now. When I came across the piece of news in morning ‘superfast’ news scheme, I could not swallow that superfastly. I went through the full news on web. I felt not good for the chap of the champion but welcomed the decision; the selecting board has taken, to change for a better. Arjun has been placed out of Uder-14, MCA team because of his constant not-so-good performance. Board claims that it will erase his impressions, in case he has any, that being a champion’s chap will make wonder to him every time, either in performance or selection.
All I want to understand is media’s stance here. The way ‘Arjun’s being out of team’ has been talked in media, which again whip him that he is chap of a champion, he needs to carry every edge of the legacy of his father. Selectors want clearly opposite to take that impression out of his mind. Poor kid! Not his performance! But his condition. Performing on form, getting back in team are not all but performing as a champion’s chap is. Champion’s chap must be a champion!? Expectations are natural on our part. But burdening and tormenting a wonderful soul in its boyish delight with our expectations, and how is it welcomed by media? I pity for Arjun’s state of mind, how he pays off psychologically and morally! ‘He is my father, he is not’, for Arjun, what to think and when? News of his failure being exposed nationally, internationally, must have been clouding his mind, negatively and downwardly. It must have been doubly affecting 13/14 years old innocent mind, strain of performing top-notch and nervousness of getting tugged in media.
Arjun is one among the scores of kids in our country who aspire a career in cricket, Sachin as role model, who undergoes a few low performances and recovers in a next few. Let Arjun play his natural game. Let him fall, let him rise. But he is not yet ready to play the media game. It’s not his or any kid’s age to be distressed by hyperactive media. Be wise, Media! Go ahead, Arjun!

11.07.2013