It was Darwin who postulated the ‘survival of the fittest.’ While he said so with respect to living species, can the same be extrapolated to sport?

Sport as I once defined is ‘of human, by humans and for humans.’ Such a sphere of life that’s human’s most preferred entertainment therefore demands his maximum attention. And therefore, it’s but inevitable that Darwin’s rule is as much applicable to even sport.

With changing times, different eras have different preferences. In the present times, one is ready to pay any amount for maximum exhilaration, entertainment and art. He has less time to spare but needs more distraction to take him away from the never ending troubles of daily life in the real world. Sport does that with ease granting him a like-minded extended family to splurge.

India’s most popular sport is cricket undoubtedly. As a matter of fact, as it’s often quoted, ‘Cricket is a religion here with Sachin it’s God.’ Although this sport is less popular worldwide spreading over barely 15 countries at the maximum, it’s completed a century of existence right from the days of W.C Grace. But still one can be safe to assume at least a billion followers for it, which is like 1/7th of world population. For an event that consumes the passion and time of 1/7th world, this game has understandably drafted innumerable changes in its one century history itself.

It started off with the most ancient form of all whites and a red ball spread over 5 days. Indeed a long time frame for a single game given the leisure and unhurried lifestyles of the times, when patience was the order of the day. None to complain of the lack of color or time for it was the age of grey emotions. For the world was more involved fighting each other over land disputes. An age that was used to action all day long on the battlefield could sure spare enough time for the calm inaction of maidens and draws. In fact as I see it, probably a draw was a reason to celebrate for those were times when victory in wars was all that mattered turning one human hostile against other. Draws made you more human, putting one on the same level and brought out the human angle of equality. No wonder it was a success that lasted undisputed for close to 6 decades, until the dawn of limited overs cricket arrived

Times changed and so did the sport. People were less willing to donate 5 days of their life for an inconsequential battle. And a renaissance was scripted that combined the grit of the old and the expectations of the new. It was now a 60 over duel. Rules were appropriately changed so that wins were certain, atleast on 99% of the occasions. All were only happy to welcome a new arena although the colors still remained the blemish-less old-fashioned white.

For want of more modernity, there was still unfinished business. Soon the 60 overs turned 50, making way for colors. The bats widened, ball turned white, lights came on, more nations entered the competition, and rules got tweaked. The stadiums got better and the crowds got larger, and finally the patriotic wars had a new battle ground! Most aptly the quadrennial world cups were born similar to the Football. Runaway hits as expected. It was the advent of technology and one could watch anything anywhere. Money was everywhere. The crowds were buzzing in the grounds, a place to catch a battle live, savor some special affects first hand and foremost among them appear on television set.

It had to happen. Seemed greedy on our part initially but not strange that there did come a time when the followers still desired something new. And so was born T20; an extravaganza of entertainment, a 7 hour movie with all the elements of fun, gorgeous ravishing dances, nail-biting seat edge thrillers of suspense, glitz and color. The changes suited a modern man on the move – boundaries got smaller, a batsman’s favorite home, mere 20 overs a side, cheer leaders, club culture. In a time when man has more earnings, less time and thirsts for fun, it couldn’t get better!

But in the midst of all these changes, there exist avid historians and long-time loyal followers of the sport. And understandably they have a lot to crib when the oldest form has minimum favor. They complain of lack of technique, burial of the wizardry of spinning flight and a lot more.

So are all these changes of any gain to us. Has the need for adaption interfered with the beauty of the game?

Well at the moment, probably, I shall refrain from endorsing my view but rather just leave with this metaphoric statement.

We respect history, but we deserve a future. That’s the only way to celebrate a present called present. After all, my friend, it’s the survival of the fittest, not the finest!

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