The world of cricket, much like life itself, often presents us with fascinating patterns and puzzles. Recently, I've been reflecting on India's 'musical-chair' story concerning the crucial No. 3 batting position, where seven different batters have cycled through in just eighteen Tests. This constant churn, exemplified by players like Gautam Gambhir and others, brings to mind a fundamental question about decision-making in an increasingly data-driven world.
I’ve spent considerable time contemplating the march of technology and the pervasive influence of Artificial Intelligence on our lives. In many of my past writings, such as "Artificial Intelligence : Destroyer of Privacy ?" [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2017/07/re-right-to-privacy26.html] and "Supreme may Propose : Technology will Dispose" [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2017/07/re-for-attn-shri-sadanand-gowdaji26.html], I highlighted how AI and algorithms are not just collecting data but are increasingly shaping our choices, sometimes even without our explicit awareness. We see this in everything from personalized advertising, as I discussed in "Participatory Advertising" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2011/11/participatory-advertising.html], to complex financial decisions and even our daily habits.
The core idea I want to convey is this — take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
Consider the contrast: on one hand, we have the precise, almost omniscient data collection and analysis that AI systems offer, capable of identifying patterns and optimizing outcomes. On the other, we observe the human-driven "musical chair" at No. 3, suggesting a search for stability that perhaps data could expedite. What if the decision-making process for such critical positions in sports was truly informed by the kind of comprehensive data analytics that AI is capable of? Would we still see such frequent changes, or would algorithms, free from human biases and emotional attachments, identify and stick with optimal choices more consistently?
In my blog "Whatever Will Be, Will Be" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2025/05/whatever-will-be-will-be.html], I even discussed how AI systems, when left to interact, can form their own societies and develop linguistic norms and even biases. This raises an interesting parallel: are the frequent changes in cricket selection a reflection of emergent human biases or group dynamics within selection committees, much like the patterns we observe in evolving AI societies? It makes one wonder if a deeper, more objective look at player performance data, combined with advanced predictive modeling, could bring a level of stability and strategic foresight that currently seems elusive.
While the beauty of sport often lies in its human element—the intuition of a captain, the gut feeling of a selector—it is undeniable that the world is moving towards a future where data and AI will increasingly inform even these seemingly intuitive decisions. Striking the right balance between human wisdom and algorithmic insight will be key to navigating not just the complexities of cricket, but indeed, the complexities of our accelerating world.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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