Jhakas | Sanjay Jha
Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law, goes an old saying. Obviously, some Aussie scribe from National Nine News who has indulged in some rather eloquent stanza after the drawn Bengaluru Test match , is not aware of the basics of dynamic family politics. " If Test cricket continues to produce farcical finishes like this one in Bangalore, this great game's Bradmans, Gavaskars, Tendulkars, and Pontings will also be soon forgotten. Even by their mothers-in-law" writes the erudite critic. My dear friend, if that was an attempt at sounding funny, it sure fell flat in an awkward pose.. Maybe he should be made to watch an Ekta Kapoor serial while guzzling monstrous jars of Foster's beer while serenading our shores.
I also think we are ( including Indian observers) atrociously over-reacting to a drawn result. In my opinion, it was a great Test match, and the light and shadow show added to the suspense and drama. And by the way, let me remind the Australian media that much as India would like to control atmospheric pressure, rain showers and dark clouds happen here on account of divine intervention. Instead of targeting the fall-guy Sourav Ganguly all over again for delaying tactics, maybe they should acknowledge that Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Ganguly played like obstinate old warhorses. India fought hard, resisted temptations to appear glamorous, and simply stuck to a methodical task. It was a great mental battle, as India remained under constant pressure throughout the Test match. And they played by the rule-book, within ICC guidelines, with neutral match adjudicators. So cut the holy recrimination, Mister! Ricky Ponting, who made a stellar statement with a convincing hundred, has a lot to chew on, besides his nails. If Anil Kumble " shoulders" on, and Virendra Sehwag starts thumping around, the concerned Aussie critic will be soon crying buckets for some rain-water. Continue reading below
Elsewhere, I have been amused by former Chief Selector Dilip Vengsarkar's new-found agro. The moment Sourav was quoted taking a sardonic dig at Vengsarkar 's selection panel ( which he has since denied) by a Kolkota daily, Mr Vengsarkar issued an Osama -like intimidating warning; I will fix you after the series is over, blah blah . Whew! . Thank god he did not release a videotape , sporting an AK-48 behind some hillock in Thane. Dilip obviously believes that now that he has become a TV expert commentator for some channel, he must make explosive ejaculations which transmits forward at sputnik speed. Vengsarkar spat venom at injured skipper Anil Kumble, criticizing him for not using Virendra Sehwag as an off-spinner ( that's a technical argument; then why not Sourav and Sachin too, for that matter? ) . But what was worse was that he accused Kumble of concealing his injury, as if an act of deliberate intent. I thought that was a rather pedestrian observation coming from the former chief selector, and playing colleague of Jumbo. It was really hitting below the belt, and was an impertinent crude remark that needs to be soundly rebuked. Sorry Dilip, but Kumble deserves better in the December of his career.
Going by the way Mr Vengsrakar is tongue-lashing one and sundry , I think maybe he is positioning himself for an alternate career; television. He is sure to attract the attention of the czarina of bubble bath, Ms Kapoor. Maybe the erstwhile captain of India will soon star in a prime time serial called, Tere Saas Ki, hollering at one and all, twirling his moustache , pacing up and down furiously, blaming Kumble for Tulsi's increasing hip to waist ratio.
The End
