It is no use blaming our cricketers or their coaches. We were given Test status for politics and not cricket and that, too, for our ability to play the one-day version of the game. We did not have then nor now any scheme of playing the longer version of the game and this is why when we play Test matches, our cricketers look like sacrificial lambs. Ironically, our grant of Test status has now affected our ability to play one-day cricket where we were scoring between 175 to 200 not long ago, but now falling to between 100 and 150!! Seems like our cricketers, when playing the game, get confused which version they are playing!

There are no reasons for optimism with our present lot of cricketers. Those who have been arguing that all nations granted Test status, struggled in the beginning and used Sri Lanka as an example should now know their mistake. These optimists should now be convinced that we are never going to get out of this national shame unless we take a few firm steps immediately. First, reduce our international engagements to a minimum so that we do not lose our Test status. Second, introduce well-planned tournaments for matches of 3 or 4 days' duration. Third, focus on building cricketing infrastructure in the divisional headquarters. Fourth, withdraw privileges now being enjoyed by this bunch of useless cricketers. (I read in newspapers that on a recent tour of Sri Lanka, the cricketers were allowed to take their wives along at official expense!). Finally, get honest people to run the cricket administration.

We are years, if not decades, away from playing Test cricket. All the investment made in our cricket has so far produced nothing. These are facts that our cricket planners need to keep in mind in relieving the nation of the shame that the Test status has brought upon us.