Ever since India lost to Australia at Motera in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, there have been charges and counter charges that have been levelled by political parties focusing on the reason of the defeat. The Congress and some others have accused the Prime Minister to be the cause why India, which had performed exceedingly well till then, succumbed to the pressure put by the Australians, who in any case, played better cricket. Derogatory remarks have also been made on the Ahmedabad crowd, which it is being alleged lacked sportsman spirit and contributed to the proceedings. One political leader even went on to suggest that had the finals been played in Mumbai or Kolkata, the outcome would have been different. What is playing out in the political arena is most shameful and is absolutely uncalled for. India lost to the Australians who outwitted them in every department on the day of the finals. However, it needs to be understood that Rohit Sharma’s team has been exceptional and for one bad day in office, it cannot be accused of being a pedestrian side. The fact that Rohit led from the front and Virat Kohli and Mohmmad Shami emerged as the highest run getter and highest wicket taker respectively of the tournament, speaks volumes about the Men in Blue. This is not the first time that politics has crept in so far as sports go. Yes, the cricket administration maybe controlled by leaders linked to politics, but when the game is played, no party has any influence to change the result and everything depends on how the players perform on that given day or moment. Therefore, to introduce an element of politics is uncalled for and those who don the India colours are proud of them, and leave no stone unturned for the sake of their country. But in any game, there have be to winners and losers, and in the World Cup finals, India landed up where it did not wish to be. The expectations of the crowd in Ahmedabad like in other places were very high. The hype was there and after winning ten games in their stride, no one had thought that the finals would be different. But Cricket like other sports also teaches lessons and the Australians simply outplayed us. There is no shame in losing to a better side and the country is proud of our team and their performance, which would be hard to replicate by any outfit in the future. India played like champions and full marks to them for that. Full marks also to Rahul Dravid for introducing a new work culture in the dressing room. Cricket is not the only game where passions run high when India is in any tournament. There were similar emotions and sentiments when the Indian Hockey team which remained the best in the world for many years, would play against its rivals, particularly Pakistan. In fact, the India-Pakistan confrontation had the highest billing anywhere and this pattern continues even on the cricket field when these two neighbours clash. The point is that India and Pakistan may not have good relations politically but when the two teams meet each other, fans on both sides of the border have huge expectations from their sides. The result is always a heart break for one of the two. There has also been demand from many sports lovers that India-Pakistan clashes should be a routine affair but because of politics and the actions of our neighbour, it is not easy for the administration to take any favourable decision in this matter. For many years, when South Africa was the best side in the world, it could not participate in cricketing activity in many countries because of the apartheid issue. The result as that sports lovers never really got to see the likes of Barry Richards and his team mates while they were at their peak. It was only after the policies of the South African government changed that the cricket relations commenced and that country continues to produce some outstanding sportspersons including Cricketers. Politics was also witnessed at the Olympics and the tragedy that took place at Munich in 1972 where Israeli sportspersons were made the victims of terror, is something the whole world has reason to be ashamed of. In the United States, African Americans have been victims of hate crimes but in sports, it is from this community that the country gets its maximum medals. Over 60 years ago, when young Cassius Clay later Mohammad Ali was taunted at his home town despite winning a Gold Medal at the Rome Olympics, he is said to have thrown his prized possession in the river. Back in India, there is politics in selection and it has been observed that the West Zone and South Zone players are preferred over those from other regions, because of an inbuilt bias. However, the limitations may be there but when the boys turn up in their blue attire or even White while playing for India, Cricket becomes the great unifier and prevails. There is little point in blaming some politician or the other for the World Cup loss. We must accept that on that given day, the Aussies were superior to us even though our team was exceptional and perhaps better than them. In sports, the credo is that the best on that day should emerge victorious and this heartbreak has to be left behind for a better future and greater learning.