The Lead: Javagal Srinath on his journey in cricket

In this episode, Cricketer Javagal Srinath, famously known as Mysore Express talks to DH's Madhu Jawali about his career on the field and about the sport in newer times.

Excerpts:

Madhu Jawali: I'll begin with asking how have you been coping with this uncertain period, you would've been travelling all over the world if the situation was normal. How have you been managing?

Javagal Srinath: This is a pandemic, I think it has made us learn a lot. We probably had a great life, in my fifty years of life, I've had a wonderful time, but all of a sudden, we've had to face this particular issue, it is not new to the world and it has happened before as well. I think it is not an epidemic, it has become a pandemic across the world. Everybody has suffered in this. Lot of people have realised that it is not about money and material. It is about being kind to lesser privileged people. People have started thinking about what is life among so many things. Basically, life in isolation, all these things have made people introspect deeply about their own lives. A lot of philosophical dimensions must have emerged. What we need to see is, people are very careful about how they walk, how they talk. Hygiene levels have increased quite a bit. It is a lot of good things that have been enforced on people as well. When it comes to possessions, people need to think that less is more. It is not the time to expect too many things. There are a lot of things that we can manage without. Honestly, I have not been to a restaurant, club, social clubs for almost six months. It has not changed my life and I am not desperate to go there. More importantly, lot of community have come together. There is tremendous awareness that has happened.

Madhu Jawali: As a cricketer, as a match referee now, how excited are you to see cricket return finally and that too test cricket?

Javagal Srinath: I think England has taken an initiative and have successfully completed three Test matches, which is a wonderful thing. Now, I think in this pandemic, you've got to make a living with it, from here on. We might face a few more viruses in the future too but that doesn't mean the world must come to a halt. Now, this requires, newer thought, courage and a reasonable amount of responsibility must be taken. The bio-bubble, the bio-security, all of it matters. Spectators will come and watch the match but what is more important, sacrifices need to be made. I think India is also heading in the right direction.

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