Francis Gonsalves

“Does the Bible say anything about cricket?” asked a teacher of her Sunday school kids. Little Vijay cried, “Yes!” Curious, the teacher continued, “And, what exactly does it say?”
Without batting an eyelid he replied, “Peter stood before the 11 and was bold”. Appointed headman by Jesus, Saint Peter was bold in proclaiming his beliefs not only to his 11 colleagues, but to all people. Today, religion calls for boldness in words and works, although there’s likelihood of bhakts (devotees) sometimes being stumped, if not clean bowled.

“Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks from you an account for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence”, advises Peter in his First Letter (3:15), suggesting that we bat and field for God. Batting and fielding implies guarding against brickbats and fielding the volley of questions about God, life, death and afterlife, fully aware that one is dealing with boundary issues known fully only to God.
Instead of batting for God, people often battle for God. God’s bats(wo)men are pilgrims; God-battlers, fanatics. God-battles rage because the fanatics’ think God is weak and must be defended by bullets and bloodshed. But, those who bat for God realise that their field of belief is limited, since, although religion connects one with the Infinite, its beliefs and rituals are imperfect as they’re expressed and executed by humans. In faith expressions, therefore, there are differences among religions, just as bowling a maiden over is meritorious on a cricket pitch, not really in a bowling alley.
Peter’s advice to provide answers “with gentleness and reverence” is vital. Interfaith dialogue requires great prudence and respect. In cricket, would a crafty captain make gameplans by imagining his best players playing against the worst of the opponents? Wouldn’t he be shrewder if he planned strategies by imagining his weakest players pitted against the opposition’s best? Sadly, fanatics naively compare the best of their religion with the worst of the other’s religion to pooh-pooh another’s faith.
“If cricket is religion, Sachin is God”, screamed a cricket buff’s poster recently. Arguably, with prayers propping players at crunch clashes, cricket is quasi-religion in the Indian subcontinent. Personally, I’m sceptical about God’s will wilting to the willow. Nonetheless, seeing the Little Master Sachin crossing boundary after boundary, gazing upward with eyes closed, in gratitude for partnerships with the Great Master, God, gives me glimpses of the Eternal.
One gets glimpses of eternity in Test matches plodding on for five days. But, in T20 or in the current 50-50 ICC World Cup, there’s excitement right from the toss. While you might wisely play backfoot cricket in Tests, you’d better go forward and take risks in the limited versions from the moment you’re tossed in. Here, as in life, cuts and creases, singles and sweeps count even more than mighty swipes that risk “getting caught”.
Dharma, like cricket, is about crossing boundaries — not lofting the ball from the field of the few into the stands of the many, but of lifting our globe with the stands of many into the hands of The One in trustful surrender. Daily, our life is played out between the visible and the invisible, the finite and the infinite, with sighs and in silence, until our innings is over. Who and what lies over and above that Great Boundary that we hope to cross?
Boundaries of beliefs understandably divide believers. But, pitching in concertedly for dharmic duties unfailing unites all God’s fielders and bats(wo)men. Surely, Sachin’s kar seva of supporting social causes like the struggle against cancer among children, and Steve Waugh’s selfless support for Kolkata’s kids suffering from leprosy are innings that will be remembered long after the accolades of admiring fans fade away.
Batting for God brings both, bouquets and brickbats. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King took stands, were bold and braved bullets. Believers do well by offering their bouquets to God and braving brickbats as price to be paid for being bold.
Remember, those who cheer or jeer from sidelines are mere spectators, not the players. Continue fielding and batting for God, praying: “Victory comes from you, O God; bless your people!” (Psalm 3:8)

— Francis Gonsalves is the principal of the Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi. He is involved in interfaith dialogue and peoples’ iniiatives for fostering justice, harmony and peace. He can be contacted at fragons@gmail.com