With reference to the article, India’s
premier sexist league (May 16, 2013, The
Hindu), I have the following observations:
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| Old-timer stalwarts, good at cricket and talking about it, are made to pose |
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| Models, good at posing, are made to comment on cricket |
Firstly,
use of women as cheerleaders or sexily attired woman hosts in cricket
isn't very much in the traditional spirit of cricket. These are the
real acts which have associated objectification of women via cricket.
Secondly,
the way cricket commentary has evolved in the recent years has put
some otherwise remarkable people in very awkward situations. Remember
Mandira Bedi, a fairly talented actress and model? She was the first
in India brought in to give a make-over (not necessarily much-needed)
to Indian Cricket commentary. I am sure she would make a very lovely
host to a reality show. But when she was made to sit alongside the
likes of Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle, it is hard to expect her to
match them in her insights about cricket. No wonder, she was found
goofing up rather often. Now, matters have proceeded further in the
direction of glamourisation of cricket commentary and analysis. Now,
the cricket studio is very little about insightful analysis and
mostly about acting like socialites, something models would do much
better than cricketers. No wonder, it's the cricket experts' turn to
goof up. First, the seniors are made to adapt to this very foreign
style of talking and conducting themselves, thereby forcing them to
commit errors. Then, they are ridiculed or criticised in public. Not
fair!
Finally,
I agree that the way IPL is being clothed up, it shows a demeaning
attitude towards women. Talking of rapes and harrassment in the same
breath is a bit of a stretch, if not irrelevant. But our seniors
should be left out of this debate, if required, by not subjecting
them to the completely changed scenes in the IPL studio.
