The topic of mental health is gaining popularity all around the world. People are more conscious, empathetic, and understanding than previously. However, that’s where it ends. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s still stigmatized, and it’s not going away anytime soon. People are frequently misinterpreted, with eyebrows raised and questions asked. Depression, anxiety, and Borderline Personality Disorder are linked with melancholy, and patients are casually encouraged, rather than told, to go on and just be happy. All of this now happens to ordinary people, people who are not subjected to the scrutiny of the media or who do not live in the glamorous world. Now take a moment to pause, reflect, and try to grasp the reality of people who are continuously photographed. It is difficult, to say the least.
Cricket is a globally popular sport. It is second only to football in the world. When you step onto the field, the entire world is watching you, criticizing you, making jabs at you, trolling you, abusing you, and in certain cases, abusing your family as well. The claim that they agreed to this is a little hazy. The players did not sign up for the trolls, abuses, or digs. They signed up to pursue their interest, play a game, and feel good about themselves. To be honest, I couldn’t have claimed I wasn’t in good mental shape and wanted to get away from the game because you never know how it will be perceived: Kohli after the terrible 2014 England tour. Suzie Bates, former New Zealand captain, says cricket is the worst sport for mental health.
I was enraged when I was attacked, and part of me hoped my arm would be shattered. I thought to myself, “This is it, I just need a break.” I was considering what I could do to snap it on the way back: Glenn Maxwell is a well-known author and musician. I was in a dark place, and I was having some troubling thoughts. I’ve always been one of those people that like to keep their feelings to themselves and go on with their lives. Now I see how powerful talking is, and how it has utterly transformed me: Ben Stokes in his Mirror column. These are just a few cricketers who have opened up about their mental health issues. There are a lot of people out there, and the desire to look at them sympathetically is at an all-time high. The problems are real and must be addressed. It’s difficult to keep up with all the hate when you’re in a terrible place yourself. People do pay heed. There is help available. But, in the face of all the vitriol, trolls, and digs, is it enough? Most likely not.
Consider the fact that Riyan Parag is still a child. A 20-year-old cricketer striving for a position in the vast world of cricket. It didn’t matter to the so-called fandom, though. When he didn’t perform well in the competition, trolls, insults, and even abuse were hurled at him. Rishabh Pant had a similar experience. When the youthful Pant dropped a catch against Australia, the Mohali fans chanted Dhoni’s name. Virat Kohli’s wife, Anushka Sharma, is frequently brought into her husband’s on-field performances, even though she is a major Bollywood star herself. Even their daughter, Vamika, is subjected to maltreatment. Cricket is almost a religion in India. The gods of cricket are the cricketers. One terrible match, one bad final, one gaffe, and the gods’ images, sculptures, and effigies are set ablaze in the middle of the road.
Everyone, including fans, the media, and trolls, must examine themselves. Every battle is distinct from the others. You don’t have the right to dispute it just because it doesn’t suit your preconceived notion of difficulty. It is past time for us to pay attention to what is going on around us. It is far past time for us to demonstrate compassion. It’s been a long time since we gave athletes the respect they deserve.
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