From here on let the US play in all major cricket tournaments. The potential in the US for the gentleman’s game has not yet been exploited (‘Yorkers for New Yorkers’, June 23).
The future of USA Cricket looks good and the team will perform even better in the years to come, and it will be counted among the best in the world. Look where the Afghanistan team has reached today. The US is next.
I have always wondered why the number of teams in the cricket World Cup is far less than those in the football World Cup. The more the teams, the better it is for the sport. T20 cricket, unlike Test cricket and ODI, is exciting and is already popular. Not just the US, but Brazil, Argentina, France, Japan and China, too, should play cricket. The ICC needs to do everything it can to push cricket in these countries and encourage the youth to play the sport.
Vikas Malhotra,
On email.
Even if most of the US cricketers are of Indian origin, it does not matter. America is the largest sports market in the world. There will come a time when Americans will take the sport seriously. Today all of them know that there is a sport called cricket, but very few know how to play it, because of the lack of exposure.
Not just in the US, there is a growing interest in cricket in all parts of the world. Hollywood, I feel, should do its bit to promote cricket, with a business tycoon from India co-producing such films. The moment that happens kids across the US will start swinging cricket bats.
Amol Anand,
On email.
Cricket became popular in India after India won its first World Cup in 1983. That is what teams like the US, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE should strive for. If the US can defeat Pakistan, it can defeat any team on its day. There are more than five million Americans of South Asian descent, and this will open a new market for American cricket players.
Pramod Menon,
On email.
Jasprit Bumrah is India’s best find in recent years. I feel he is the best pace bowler we have had after Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath. When Bumrah misses a match because of injury, it shows up big time. Bumrah definitely is the X-factor that would help India win overseas regularly.
Jyotikumari Das,
On email.
Hear both sides
Powerdrive (June 23) was informative. R. Prasannan explained well how the post of the deputy speaker in Lok Sabha came into existence. Very few know that the speaker should offer his resignation to the deputy speaker.
The deputy speaker’s post is a Constitutional post, and by convention it should go to the opposition. If the government fails to do that and continues to be adamant, the people of the country will punish it after five years. Voters are the supreme authority.
It is expected that rulers would learn and listen to their conscience. Let me end my letter with what the RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat said: ‘We must hear both sides in Parliament’.
P.R. Surana,
On email.
Aiyar the prophesier
There has to be a method to Mani Shankar Aiyar’s madness (‘Mani-festo’, June 23). Aiyar has been spewing venom against Modi since 2014. He had then said that Modi will not become the prime minister of the country in the 21st century. Like in 2014, Aiyar’s prophecy is going to evaporate even this time.
Aiyar, you are making a mountain out of a molehill while foreseeing mid-term elections. Good job, and continue to do all that you are doing—criticising Modi in the manner that you are.
Chandrashekhar Tukaram Joshi,
Yavatmal, Maharashtra.
The Modi government may not complete its full term, but considering that Aiyar has said the same, there is a good chance of the government serving its full term. Aiyar should end his fixation with Modi, and write on other things that could be of use to us. Aiyar is a learned man with a vast amount of experience. He speaks and writes so well. So there is so much that he can offer us.
May Aiyar, from here on, write his column in THE WEEK without any agenda or ill-will.
Ajay Rathore,
On email.
What Aiyar said was correct. Modi will not be able to complete his full term. I foresee elections in 2026 or 2027, marking the end of the Modi era in Indian politics.
Bhoomika Tyagi,
On email.
Aiyar is happy for now. But soon he will be disappointed, as Modi will be back in full flow.
If this is how it goes, Aiyar is not going to see any other prime minister rule the country in his lifetime. That much I am sure of.
Vyom P.,
On email.
One of the greatest
Sunil Chhetri can be easily called one of the greatest footballers to play for India (‘Farewell, legend’, June 23). It is the likes of Chhetri who have contributed to football’s popularity in a cricket-crazy nation.
I don’t know who will be able to fill Chhetri’s shoes. He has inspired an entire generation of football lovers. This is an exciting phase for the sport in the country. May football continue to grow here.
Devika Chandran,
On email.