Wanted at the World Cup: Respect

Stare away, fellows. Challenge a batsman. But everything can't be a scowl and a cavalcade of curses and spitting confrontations, writes Rohit Brijnath in Livemint. He says he will wait for a single gesture of respect from the players at the World Cup. For the game, themselves, the opposition, the crowd.

Loudly and crassly, and without much intervention, cricket has strayed from civility. Decency, once becoming and essential to sporting cultures, is almost considered sissy-ish. Quietly congratulating a batsman on a hard-earned century is viewed as weakness. You bowled hard, he played better, you struggle on, but no. Ignored amidst real war is the truth that for all its celebrity this is only sport.