Much ado about nothing at Sydney
Posted on Jan 12, 2008 at 08:07 | Updated Jan 12, 2008 at 13:51
65 Comments
Email 
Print
A lot has been said, heard and written about the second India-Australia Test at Sydney. Any sensible brain will vouch that there was much ado about nothing. There was only one basic issue really – the racist tag put around the neck of the most likely Indian cricketer- Harbhajan Singh.
Now, before I start defending the ‘15 degree offie’, which is not my intention any way, allow me to characterise the ‘sardar’ from Jalandhar. He is no saint by any sense of imagination. Nor are the 11 Aussies led gustily by the chirpy and bouncy Ricky Ponting, also known as ‘Punter’ for his love for horse-racing, where gambling is not fun but serious business. The beauty of the Australians is that they have a knack of naming a person from the choice of his hobbies, or as in the case of Michael Clarke, ‘Pup’ for being the youngest member of a team of experienced ‘hounds’.
They all take pride in names given to them by team-mates and not outsiders. Bobby Simpson was called ‘Buckets’ for his slip catching excellence. Allan Border was called the ‘Aussie terrier’, never giving up a fight. Such connotations keep the dressing room lively and many beers and laughs are bartered in case of wins taking place with a regular monotony. It is this monotony of dominance which is disturbing other Test playing nations. So, the ‘Ugly Australians’ tag fits in popularly.
Pray, tell me why so many sub-continental countries want to ape the ‘Aussie system’, almost blindfolded? It is the success story of the ugly Australians which has captivating appeal. And yet, just about all their opponents despise cocky Australian behaviour. Let me assure you all, that if we could do what the Aussies are doing so consistently, we would love to swap positions.
It is everybody’s desire to knock the hell out of the present Aussies but since that is not easily possible the next best thing is to beat them at their own game. That is, ‘sledging’ or as Steve ‘Tugga’ Waugh suggested, ‘mental disintegration’.
It is almost 30 years that the Aussies have used this formula ruthlessly successfully. All of a sudden, Indians discovered ‘giving it back to them’ would be the right attitude. Yes, giving it back to them, verbally that is, not with the sheer consistency of bat or ball. Or shall we say the rugged preparedness of any event of importance.
| Ads by Google |
Total Comments: 65
Read All Comments | Post Comment
Posted By Abhilash Gopakumar
I am not surprised with the sort of comments Mr Bedi has come out with, having seen him shelling out
Read Comment
Posted By AJIT ANJARIA
Bishan Bedi is always tells you bitter trouth though one likes or not. Cricket should be played in the right
Read Comment
Posted By aparna
Someone , please remind Mr. Bedi he is an Indian. Incase we are not as good players as aussies are
Read Comment
Posted By Sivakumar
I agree completely with Mr. Bedi. The issue was raised and it was given the importance that is not really
Read Comment
Posted By Raseek Patel
Harish,compare like for like. A boycott was threatened for upholding an alleged racist jibe by Harbhajan without any concrete evidence
Read Comment