Is there a limit to a cricket player's celebration?
On a night when people dress up in scary and bizarre costumes like Lady Gaga, history was made, Pakistan won, they actually won. Pakistan’s match-winning all rounder, Abdul Razzaq, blasted an unbeaten century against South Africa in the 2nd One
Day International (ODI). He had an insanely amazing innings, chalking up a stupendous 109 not out off only 72 balls. He hit 10 sixes and six fours.
Praises and happiness is all around. The World looks beautiful again. But the most interesting thing that happened on the field was seeing the calmness and emotionless expression on Abdul Razzaq face. The 30 year and 334 days old Razzaq was surely happy,
but he was not going overboard with that - which brings the writer to an observation.
Why do people celebrate in front of billions of people? More importantly, why do sports stars celebrate on the field? When a female actor wins an Oscar, they cry ruining their expensive (read cheap) makeup and their speech is often cut off due to the limited
time of a live broadcast. The male actors are drunk and their ramblings are not audible.
When a male sports star celebrates they rather cheekily run around the field, fascinatingly dancing with their team mates for example during football celebrations (look up on YouTube). In tennis, sports men and women like to shout, scream and make annoying
grunting shrieks during the match like the Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova and Andre Agassi.
The cricket stars also like to celebrate. The bowlers jump up and down shouting at the umpire to give their verdict and as soon as the umpire raises his finger, the bowlers would be hugged and would be towered head and shoulders above everyone else. The
batsman would be thumping their fist in the air after each benchmark. The religious cricketers would be bowing their heads or offering silent prayers. They would be acknowledging the exaltation from the spectators and their team.
However, lately this trend of celebrating is getting a bit dragged on. Especially in the limited-overs game where the match has to be so fast it keeps on getting interrupted by prolonged celebrations followed by irritating sponsors. A viewer is so engrossed
in the match that he or she losses their full concentration due to these overly exaggerated emotional outbursts.
There were times when the older generations would listen to the live commentary on the radio and every house would erupt in joyous jubilations oblivious of the player’s euphoric expressions.
Now days, the flamboyant youngsters are more open to the audience’s cheers. They get more encouraged by the noise in the stadium. The lights are flashing, the crowd is going wild, and the player is absorbing everything that is around them. The World stops
and all eyes are on them. It is their time to shine. It is time to celebrate their stroke of success. Their talent is finally recognized and they are on top of their game. This is what they have always imagined, taking in all the love, respect and appreciation
from the crowd. However, some players also have an element of showing–off.
We are living in an era where how one says something is more important than what one says or does. The self–indulgent players would be grabbing all the attention while the quieter or shy player (as mentioned earlier about Razzaq) can get easily overshadowed.
Their feats will be short–lived and they will be satisfied with dimpled smiles.
The bottom line is that people enjoy the crazy out bursts on the field. Fans and supporters enjoy seeing a player celebrate his or her achievements on the field. They love to see their role models share their elated triumph in front of millions and millions
of cameras and fans all around the globe. The people watching at home on their 24 inch television sets or on their plasma TVs cheer along with the crowd in the stadium. Internet savvy bloggers spend hours on YouTube giving hits to the momentous celebration.
Therefore, everyone has some guilty pleasure in watching the celebrations.
In the words of famous song “Celebration” by popular 70’s band Kool and The Gang
There’s a party going on right here a celebration
To last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We’re going to celebrate your party with you
Tags: