Gambhirs choice

Gautam Gambhirs shoulder injury has provoked a loud club versus country debate. And predictably it has inspired flights of high moralising. The allegation being made against the batsman is that he knew he was aggravating an injury by playing out his season with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League,that in fact he should have rested it out,to be fit for Indias June tour of the West Indies.

How far to push ones body to best serve a playing schedule is a tough call all athletes are periodically called upon to take. Its difficult enough for athletes in individual disciplines but in a team sport its much more complicated,as opting out of a match could impact the collective effort. The Gambhir case aside,various factors are at play for any such decision. First,its a percentage game in deciding whether one is just competing through a passing niggle,or worsening the injury. After an injury flares up its easy to pass judgment in hindsight,but only then. Second,players take a call depending on how they value a particular competition. Swimmers,for instance,play their entire four-year competition schedule in order to peak during the Olympics,when of course they represent their country. Club versus country toss-ups are common,and controversial,in football but over time the sport has learnt how to appraise footballers through the mix of matches they play,for club and for their national team. Its this that cricket is yet to get a measure of.

As the cricket calendar gets ever more packed and the BCCI is responsible for scheduling both the IPL and international series players will be forced to take calls with more stark choices than the injured Gambhir has. And its not just about the money. Top sportspersons seek the best stages,those that are the most competitive,to establish their dominance. When in pursuit of longevity as competitors they pass some tournaments,the decision should be seen for its rationale for an athletes choices define her greatness and not as a pretext to pass judgment.