India, May 22 -- Towards the end of another uneasy night, when the press conference room of Eden Gardens smelled faintly of sweat and impatience, Ajinkya Rahane smiled in the way unassuming leaders do when they know the joke is partly on them. Kolkata Knight Riders had just slipped again, their campaign threatening to dissolve before even the norwesters had had their say in this part of the world.

A reporter, perhaps trying to lighten the mood, congratulated Rahane for "working hard" despite the losses. The room murmured awkwardly. Rahane paused, looked up, and delivered the line that instantly ricocheted through the room. "Thank you," he said. "Someone has finally appreciated me for my hard work."

It was funny because it was dry. It wa...