I have just been reading the transcript of the Colin Cowdrey lecture that Adam Gilchrist delivered this week in London. You must too because it is always interesting to know what a contemporary, and articulate cricketer thinks about the state of our game. We have too little of such debate in India, burdened, as we are, by an army of names in our newspapers many of whom have neither the time, nor the inclination, to read what goes under their name. That is why I am really looking forward to the Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture at the Cricket Club of India on the 2nd of July; first because cricket will briefly become relevant again at the CCI and second because it will be delivered by a man whose views evoke strong feelings.

Sunil Gavaskar has rarely hidden behind diplomacy in stating what he thinks about cricket. Consequently you can either agree with him or, occasionally, disagree, but he provokes thought and debate and he loves the game. And there are many in our country who are drawn towards the game from an academic, intellectual point of view; just as there are many who love it only for the sheer spectacle it generates. Coincidentally I have just started reading a highly acclaimed book called What Sport Teaches Us About Life by Ed Smith where the author talks about how sport can be enjoyed at different levels, like music, literature and art can. My fear is that in India we have started putting the commerce of cricket so far above everything else that there are few occasions for thought and education and debate. I am hoping therefore that Gavaskar stimulates thought and that the media views it as such, not just as a collection of quotes to be used in the next edition or bulletin.

... contd.