Sports like everything else in life faces the challenging dynamics of change . Take the recent proposals in the cricketing world for doing away with the most important first reel of a cricket match ‘the toss’ or the flick of the coin to determine which team has the right to choose to bat or field first.Since there is another version of the ‘toss’ in other sports like tennis and badminton which is not facing any removal, why is toss so vital in the game of cricket ?
As the buffs will understand, in cricket the pitch conditions have a bearing on how the ball will swing/move/bounce and turn to the detriment or benefit of the team batting first. The home-team always has the distinct advantage of preparing the pitch to suit its players and to negate this, it was proposed by ICC officials, that the visiting team would have the choice ( to bat or field first) and the toss became redundant in that case. Deliberations by the Committee appointed by ICC has opined that the ‘toss’ remains an integral part of cricket’s game of ‘glorious uncertainties’ and adds that bit of suspense and agility of the teams and its players to adjust to conditions, often to expect the unexpected and learn to cope with it.
Extending this to the broader canvas of life, management gurus have conceptualized it into the ‘choices’ that one must take (right from Lord Krishna’s epic exhortation to Arjun on the battlefield !). As all of us have experienced, to make the right choice is uncertain but not making a choice is risky, for chances and opportunities lost may not fall our way again. The elements of risk-taking abilities start playing a role but as fund-managers of mutual funds always advise – study, spread and balance your risks. They add, however, that more risk will also fetch more returns !
Some whom we may call adventurers (and reckless ?) are the ones who love quick bucks, job changes, flashy cars, stock market booms, adventure sports and risks of a life in fast lane ! There are others fearful of making changes or committing mistakes, preferring to stay close to what is familiar and not wandering too far and that includes their choices and decisions.
Today, one would have imagined that the progeny of the average, middle-class parents would grow up to be conservative, austere and reticent in their attitudes. However, modern living brewing in a multi-cultural ethos of big cities is throwing up huge surprises catching old traditions and elders off guard. The liberal socio-economic environment and sense of freedom is making our youth just dive into life and do what they feel is right with enthusiasm and excitement, while two decades ago they would have many reservations at the thought of having to step up to anything that might require taking bold action.
At times, the fault lies with parents who try to control too much of their children’s early lives and actions fearing that they will miss out on what the parents, deem to be important unless they chart the proper course for them. Often this later takes the form of rebellion and expression of new found freedom – doing the exact opposite of what the parents wanted.Despite their well–meaning moves, parents have to retract at some stage.
At the end of the day, decision-making is something we all need to learn how to do. More importantly, it has to be taught from very early on since decision-making takes years of practice and the developing right attitudes towards taking responsibilities for one own actions. Learning how to make good choices and wise decisions is not included in school curriculum –they form part of life’s experiences and in owning up to the mistakes made !
Working on Living 