Healthy Criticism
Listening to criticism, accommodating advice and then course correcting are necessary for growth and self improvement. Though criticism is not always appreciated, the ones who are prudent welcome them, set their egos aside, exhibit humble acceptance and deploy them for their own success. Such healthy criticism is constructive and has a positive bearing on the one being criticised. However, when the criticism goes overboard it turns toxic and has detrimental value only.
Toxic Criticism
Toxic criticism is a scathing attack with a not so good intent. It may be used as a tool to undermine someone’s self esteem and confidence. To rip apart someone’s ideas and abilities and to harm someone’s reputation too. This is destructive criticism and may have severe consequences if not handled effectively. Many struggle with such criticism, take them personally and eventually lose their way. It takes some gumption to swallow reckless and unfair criticism and those who fail to do it, live in pain and hurt.
The Post Today
My esteemed readers might wonder the reasons for me to have broached this topic today. Criticism happens all around us and many a times we too indulge in this activity, but what motivated me to write this post today was the no holds barred, refusing to die criticism targeted at the Indian Cricket Team after their loss to Australia in the World Test Championship Final at The Oval in London.
Bearing the Brunt
The Test Match was a well fought affair stretching to 5 days ( I have hardly come across a test match which has gone into the 5th day in the past few years). Though India were playing catch up to Australia for most of the game, they were not decimated by the opposition. They were not steamrolled, but on the contrary, at times fought back strongly to pull the match towards them. However once India lost, criticism came from all quarters ( which was expected ) and that too bare fisted.
Pedal Pressed
The condemnation was severe, the fault-finding appalling , the examination minute and the disapprovals outrageous. To top it all it just kept going unabated. Former players, analysts, commentators, the fans just kept pressing the criticism pedal much too far. Right from the toss to team selection, to shot selection, to coaching, to decision making, to attitude of the players etc., everything came under critical review.
The so called critics were quick to forget the several victories India had recorded to reach the Test Championship Finals twice in succession ( the only Team to have achieved this ). Our previous teams have had dismal records while touring outside India, while it has been the current lot only whose aggressive and skilful play has made India a tough team to beat anywhere in the world.
Patience is the Key
I do agree though, that the loss has hurt and we need to do a bit of course correction and some tinkering with our strategy and players, but there should not be any knee jerk reactions. Our players have made us proud on several occasions and Rahul Dravid, the Head Coach has been just a year incharge and has to be given time to develop the team for the future. Scathing diatribes on the Indian Team will serve no good.
Let’s back our team strongly and be patient with our views, reactions and do away with toxic criticism.
Read Quick, Read Better @ rizkhan.in
A very timely interjection by Riz Khan.
One team has to win and one team has to lose. Riz is absolutely right when he says that criticism of the Indian team is not warranted in the manner and and to the extent to which it has been done. The team’s achievements ( in the face of stiff international competition) in reaching the Final have been given a complete go-bye. This is not cricket. It revolts agaist the very spirit of this very popular sport.
Superbly summarised. Really appreciate.