Monday, March 21, 2005

Cricketing Non-Cliches #1: The Kolkata Effect

I am starting this series as a complement to that of the Cricketing Cliches by Amit Varma on India Uncut. These are the ones coined in modern times, and have not been going on since eternity like the ones Amit talks about. Some of these have been coined by me and accepted by a fair following of my friends, others I have picked up from here and there.

The Kolkata Effect: Originally used to describe the phenomenon in which captains all over the World, particularly Australians drastically reduced the frequency of enforcing follow-ons as a result of a reverse suffered by Steve Waugh's all-conquering side at the hands of a once-in-a-lifetime 281 by VVS Laxman at this venue.

Usage: Despite trailing by over 200 runs in consecutive matches against the West Indies and England in 2002, India were not asked to follow on; as a direct consequence of The Kolkata Effect.

In recent days, it is also used to describe the phenomenon in which touring teams suddenly capitulate at Kolkata for reasons more mysterious than the evident cricketing ones. It is widely believed that Kolkata is a very lucky venue for India and the unparalleled Kolkata crowd often creates an atmosphere that foreign teams find difficult to handle.

Usage: The pitch might not be deteriorating as fast as I expected, but the Kolkata effect could yet help India pull off a victory on the final day.

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