Scripted Retirement

Scripted Retirement
This is my second blog in the “Scripted” series, I believe you all will enjoy this and Waheguru will bless me for keeping this series in continuation.
Script and Indians are very closely related as our script, what is more popularly called “Destiny” become functional even before our birth on the earth and creates several challenges and problems for facing in a scripted manner.
Indo- Australia test match series is on and in this cricketing land all eyes, from game lovers to selectors, officials of the game to politicians and even the international cricketing scenario is aiming only at the performance of “Prince of Kolkatta” just because Dada already announcement his retirement from the cricket of international level, this series is going to be last opportunity for this great fighter of the game and most successful Indian captain to be representative of motherland on the cricketing field.
There are many talks about the retirement of some senior players from the Indian Cricket team and most people don’t hesitate to say that Sourav Ganguli is the first victim of the policies of BCCI in this regard. Some television news channels have projected this retirement announcement as the scripted retirement under sweet name of “Golden Hand Shake”. There seems to be ample space available for this suspicious happening being a scripted retirement as just 15 days prior to retirement Gaungli was confident of at least two years cricket left with him.
If the retirement of Bengal Tiger is scripted one than surely the script for this start functioning since the Indian tour to Zimbabwe with the dispute between captain and officials. What more can be said about this script, at one time, one of official was reported for saying Ganguli will not be part of Indian team till he is in the selection committee. Country has witness a huge controversy on this issue and finally this great fighter was reselected into Indian squad though not in Captain’s capacity. Things doesn’t stopped here he was kept under such a constant pressure that even though he was getting runs but his confidence and killing attitude, which has made him most successful Indian captain of the history, was missing altogether. All this resulted in making Dada isolated and concentrated within self and look India has suffer all this in the formation of two groups senior and younger in the team. Fortunately or unfortunately meanwhile India went on to win the inaugural Twenty-20 World cup in absence of these five senior players and this almost closed the doors of ODI for these masters of the game. Here I would like to mention that this will be more appropriate to say Pakistan last the match rather than India won. Destiny was on the side of India and was forcing Pakistani players for committing unforced errors. While I am writing this, there is news quoting Ganguli that he was intended to be in the team on his own merits and not on the mercy of others [selectors] and continuously on going humiliating treatment which he was receiving has forced him to announce retirement.
Whatever may be it a scripted or normal retirement but one thing is sure tigers are always path creators and leaders and this great fighting cricketer sourav was, is and will remain known as Bengal tiger. This is certain that retirement announcement of Dada is going to prove a mile stone in the Indian cricket and will prove path indicator for the players for whom age has and will start playing role of all important hurdle.
Time will surly salute Dada for the cricketing skills and making the Indian squad who not only capable of winning the game but successfully takes the war on the fields of opponent and dare to response off ground tactics in the language used by the opponent.

Yet another defeat of mind game on the cricketing field

Yet another defeat of mind game on the cricketing field

As it was predicted Adilede test match between India and Australia ended with the assured and planed result by Australian players of draw. Though in the pre lunch session on the fifth and final day Indians scored runs at strike rate of about 4 runs per over but again Australians with slow over rate of just 12-13 over per hour succeeded in keeping India deprived of to be with time for declaring second inning and sufficient time to bowl out Australia in the second inning.
Adilede proved the surface of liking of Ricky Poiting [who criticized Perth pitch for being more supportive for bowlers and Australia lost the test in four days] as here five batsmen succeeded in hitting the knocks of ton, 3 from Australia and Sachin and Shewag from India. The Adilede will be remembered for the Yet another century by master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, 100 test wicket and 1000 test run double by Irfan Pathan and retirement of Australian star wicketkeeper batsman Adam Gilchrist.
Fifth day’s play of cricket was also witness the reintroduction of famous Australian non cricketing tool called “mind game” into the playing arena. The Australians, who are at back foot on the moral grounds and in the fields of sportsmanship, came forward with statement of producing some new evidence in the case of so called racial comments allegation against the Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh. The new evidence is the transcript of recording by stump camera. I don’t think that ICC match referee Mr. Proctor had ignored this, in the conditions of lack of decisive evidences and even when the ground umpires were not supporting the allegations. Surely Mr. Proctor had gone through this before reaching to decision. As I recall in those this news was in the air that stump camera were unable to record the conversion between Harbhajan and Symonds. So the question is now from where this recording is made available? If the ICC match referee Mr. Proctor in these conditions had ignored this important aspect, surely it will prove more than sufficient for putting a question mark on the reliability and ability of ICC officials.
To me this has nothing to do with evidences; all this was the part of mind game tool of Australians players aiming to disturb Indians players so might like the Sydney test they got out cheaply and Australians will have a go for easy victory target. Unfortunately Indians have started to understand the game plans and non cricketing tactics adopted by the Australians over the period of last 10-15 years with more clarity than past and started to answer in their language, Shewag slow down his game in post lunch session and till tea in the play of 2 hours scored less than 30 runs and make sure that Australian game plan “mind game” ends with failure.
Anyway the test match series is completed but the forthcoming ODI series is still hanging in the atmosphere of speculations and doubts. In the next 48 hours appeal of Harbhjan will get decision from the ICC appeal commissioner. Indians player and BCCI are determined to withdraw from the series in case of adverse decision. Practically also They should be, because there are no decisive evidence supporting allegation, Symonds already admitted that he was the initiator for the disputed conversation between him and Harbhajan, Hyden is unable to recall the words of Symonds, ground umpires are not supporting the allegations and above all the most trusted personality of cricketing world Sachin Tendulkar, who was at pitch with Harbhjan at that time had endorsed Harbhjan’s statement of not using word “Big monkey” for the Symonds.

Let us hope for the justice and lifting of the bam from Harbhjan so the cricketing nations may remain united and should not divide on the racial and regional grounds.

Adilede Cricket of 90 over

Adilede Cricket of 90 over

Will the play of 90 over left in the Adilede test prove adequate for the fall of 19 wickets; this is the question which is bubbling within the minds of most of cricketing lovers through out the world.

If this has been the shorter version [ODI] of the cricket I might the first one to support this but this is traditional test cricket and for this surely even the acute optimism will oppose supporting happening of this tomorrow at oval. Though this is a fact for a result in this test early fall of just 9 Indian wickets is sufficient but considering the attitude shown by the Indian cricketers after the humiliating treatment received by them in Sydney test and the disputed umpiring decisions which forced India to lose this match, will surely prove reason for fall of 19 wickets.

In the present scenario, oval test is with the assured result of draw. Australian might have the satisfaction of going beyond the huge 526 runs scored by India in first inning but the time consumed by them in the process has forced the only possible result “draw” for this test. This test will be memorable for Ricky Pointing, not for scoring 140 runs even when he is running with out of farm, but for the satisfaction that during this inning he didn’t fall victim either to Harbhajan or to Sharma and succeeded in breaking the tandem.

Australians by batting at slowest possible rate of scoring had not only managed to get assured draw result for this test match but also handed over the powers of taking initiatives rested with hands of Indians. At the end of forth day Indians are eventually 8 for loss of Irfan Pathan’s wicket [after deducting first inning lead of 37 runs by Australia]. This is now left with Indian players to turn the final day in to ODI match by score vigorously in the first 50 over of the day and declare their second inning for asking the Australians to go for victory target in the vicinity of 250 in the remaining play of 40 odd over for a victory.

The forth day’s play brought glory for the budding all rounder Irfan Pathan as he become the 7th Indian player with double of 100 test wickets and 1000 runs. It was the same ground where this Indian speedster has taken his first test wicket in 2003 -2004.

There is nothing much considerable to write about as this test mach is heading towards a draw but who know what will happen tomorrow after all cricket is the game of glorious uncertainties.

Cricket for assuring a draw

Cricket for assuring a draw

The title itself is expressive to describe the third day’s play of Adilede test between India and Australia. When the sun rays started to heat the earth surface Australian were at 62 runs with all the ten wickets in hands and after hard work and sweating for whole day manage to score 322 runs for the loss of three wickets that means in the day’s play of 90 over than scored just 260 run, well below the strike rate of 3 runs per over.

The highlights of day for are the two surprises; it is become a hard composition for me to recall when last the Australians were so slow with the bat, since past few years cricket lovers are used to see Australians cricketers scoring runs at the average of nearly 4 runs in an over even in the test matches but today the body language of Australians was suggestive of their attitude of playing for assuring a draw result in this test to keep their record of series win intact.

The other surprise of the day was to watch an Indian speedster persisting with speed in vicinity or almost of 140. Down the memory lines baring the few early day’s of Shreenath, I can’t recall anyone from India can match with the Eshant Sharma’s today’s constant bowling speed. Hyden went on to score 30th knock of ton for self but surely the over all scoring rate of Australians for clinching the match towards a draw.

Yet another surprise is fleshing on my television set as I am writing this, Adam Gilchrist , yesterday only he become the world record holder hunter behind the wicket, announced his retirement from test match at the end of this test match and from ODI after the conclusion of coming tri series between Australia, India and Shri Lanka. I think the decision of Gili had come at most appropriate time for as his form has started to show the signs of decline and before people start asking and talking about his retirement, this was the most suitable time to leave the ground with pride and honor. Contribution of this talented Australian player can be narrated in converting the special slot of wicketkeeper into place of all rounder.

Since the Sydney test Australian cricket seems to be on the decline as still a proper substitute for the Glen Macgraw and Shen Worn is under the search and surely the retirement of this hard hitting wicket keeper and ODI successful opener with strike rate of almost 97, will create a vacuum in the batting line of Australians and might affect adversely their status of world champions of the cricket.

Back to third day the disappointment of the day is surely the Indian off Spinner Harbhjan, who through out the day seems to struggling for landing the red leather circle in the right area and went wicket less at the end of the day. Indian attack was sustaining the absence of injured R. P. Singh and situations were ideal for scoring at brisk rate by Australia as the pitch has become considerably favoring slow for the batting without signs of deteriorating and notable help to spinners, but Australians seems with the mind of slowing down the happenings of the ground.

If the famous forth day of Adilede doesn’t comes to life tomorrow, Australians by their slow scoring rate have almost assured a draw for this test match and win the series with 2-1 lead including the disputed Sydney test.

India with positive cricketing move

India with positive cricketing move

Once again the supremacy wars are resumed at Adilade in Australia between the existing champions and emerging champions.
India knowing the fact that, a draw here will not solve the purpose of regaining the pride lost by the disputed umpiring decisions at Sydney. A win here will not only help to level the series at 2-2 but will also work as the moral booster for the younger Indian players who will take the top two teams of last ODI world cup in a triangular contest.
Though I was with mind of not commenting on the behavior of Indian cricket selectors but forced to right, as they wish to give time to selected player to be prepared mentally for this tour. My question is that is it affordable to allow new players time for getting mentally prepared at the price of disturbing the mental status of players in the ongoing series. It will be surely a painful and humiliating for Rahul and Sourav to learn that they are not part of ODI squad and surely this will play with their mental health.

India has come with a positive mind of frame by selecting five bowlers in the playing eleven and on the day one at lunch were satisfactory progressed to 90 odd runs in 26 over for lost of Irfan and Dravid.

Playing with five specialist bowlers is a clear message to Australians that Indians are going with the mental status of going all out for repeating the Perth result and keeping the hopes of leveling the series alive.

Wining Cricket at WACA

Wining at WACA

Predictions of this test match not seeing the fifth morning by Australian captain Ricky Pointing proved right by the Perth pitch, though without bringing a smile on the face of Australian captain, as the curtain for cricketing actions at WACA were brought down Indians even well before of the sunset for the forth days play by wining the test, creating a history of being first victorious team from the Indian subcontinent and more importantly proving all odds wrong and snatching the smile from the some what arrogant Australian captain.

After the Sydney storm Indians were at the bottom of demoralization and to come over from there to victorious position was almost equal to climb the Everest without having oxygen cylinders and that too in the winter season. All the anger and anguish generated from the worst umpiring decisions, which forced the team to face a defeat at Sydney, so called allegations of racial comments against the off spinner Hrabhajan singh and disputed decision of match referee over the issue might proved inspiration for the Indian cricketers to cross all the barriers and went on to achieve what can only be described only as the Himalayan task.

Defeating Australia in Australia and that too at the Perth was the unrealized dream of all the cricketing nations of the world. Ever since the era of captaincy by Tylair, Waugh and Pointing Australians were the almost non beatable cricket team and twice created world record of 16 test matches wins in a raw. Australian cricket team is also world Champion of ODI version of the game though the Australians failed to appear in the inaugural T-20 world championship final but no body from the cricketing world thought of the down fall of Australian cricket.

Win by India at WACA is just not a defeat of world champions in a test match but it means a lot more. This was second occasion where wounded Indians had shown there anger in the cricketing answer in recent times. Six sixes of Yuvraj, during the T-20 championships and this win at Perth both are generated from the insulting and non justifying treatment with Indians. At the Perth Australians were undefeated since lost 11 years, no team was able to beat Australians in Australia since last 25 times, and last time Australian cricket team was beaten by the same country India in the year 2003 at Adelaide. If we look at the concluding indications of WACA win
Don’t try to hurt Indian emotions with insulting and non justifying treatment because the rearguard action to this will be most painful.
This is not just yet another defeat, but breaking of dreams, Australians team and Captain Ricky Poiting were dreaming of 17th straight test win and creating a new record.
This is not the Australian cricket team, which is unbeatable but the Indian team is unbeatable team provided if the Indian players keep playing as single unit.
No surface can prove hurdle for the exhibition of talent and skills of the game, for win one needs to be stickled to basics of the game. I don’t agree with Poiting’s statement of criticizing complain about the 22 yard strip of Perth because no batsman succeeded in scoring a century after all bowling is all important part of the game and Australians included Tait in the playing eleven considering the nature of pitch.
Cricket match can win only by performing at ground and not by creating atmosphere of a kind of mental terrorism for the opponents.
You can beat Australian cricket team even at home provided you can match talent of the opponent and be ready for replying Australians in their own language not only in the cricketing skills but even on the sledging fronts. Similarly you need to have the calm body postures of Kumbale or Dhoni for reciprocate the arrogant attitude of Australian cricketers; they are arrogant because no body was there to match with their zeal of winning.
Subsequent dismissal of Ricky Pointing in the series by Harbhajan and Sharma or dismissal of both the Australians openers by Pathan in both innings of this test match, are indicative that one can work and expose weaknesses of Australian players and went on to win the matches.
You can match even to talent of world champions under the favorable conditions for them with you limited experience provided if you can come out with positive attitude and cumulative efforts.
This might be the occasion of emergence of new world champions in the form of Indians though still India a lot to achieve and improve before claiming the right of being the world champions but surely after the Twenty-20 world cup this is second alarming call for Australians for their position of world champions.

Windy WACA was sounding through out the day, as the Indian victory started to become visible even at the stumps of third day’s play. If you ask Dhoni which sound was favorite for him the sure reply will be the sound of dislodging of bells during the stumping of M J Clark when the kumbale’s ball excluded the bat of probable future Australian captain going down to track.

The most important lesson of Perth win for Indians will be not to flow with this win because it is sure Australians will come all out for a win at Adilade to get revenge of defeat not only for this test but also for the defeat of 2003, here Indians will have yet another chance to add the wound pains for Australians because the players are not only in demoralized mood but the ground situations at Adilade are not as favorable as the WACA was for the Australian players.

Heated Perth set to enter into History

Heated Perth set to enter into History

All is set for the start of yet another time journey towards the destination of history when the first ray of sun will touch the kangaroo land at Perth on the forth morning of third cricket test match between India and Australia.

Whatever may be the result, whoever may win the beetle but surely a page is going to be included with cricketing history. Australians will come all out for 17th straight test win where as the Indian tigers will not leave a single cricketing tactics unused for being the first team from the Indian subcontinent with a test win at WACA.

The saga of probable win by Indian team seems to be started even in the pre lunch session of the third morning though Australians succeeded in sending the three Indian stars Sachin, Saurav and Ganguli before they prove much trouble for the scoring sheet writing person but at the lunch night watchman Irfan Pathan was not out at 45. After the lunch this was Australia’s favorite V V S [very very special] Laxman, proved once again thorn in the flesh as this stylish Indian batsman not only scored almost a three quarters of century runs for self but also with the help of bowlers like R.P. Singh succeeded in stretching the Indian lead to cross the 400 mark which surely will unsettle the mental status of Australians, who were asked to chase an uphill target of 413 runs for the victory.

This time Australians were got the chance to start the victory run chase at the comparatively batsman favoring time under which yesterday Indians went to get a good start of 52 for 1 from the eleven hours but it seems that psychological barrier of the target over the 400 runs prove much stronger than the favorable conditions because when umpires call it a day Australians were struggling at 65 for the loss of two wickets and are still have to score almost three and half centuries, runs higher what is not done by any team since few decade at WACA.

Ricky Pointing escaped from the very strong LBW appeal, might be the line of contact between the ball and pad, slightest away from the stump line run into umpires mind and proved life saving for the Australian captain who once again proved fortunate in the fading lights of the day when the Kumable’s sharply turning and bouncing ball went just over the stumps excluding the bat of Ricky Pointing. Hussy seems to be encircled with the dual mind status go for run or play the role of sheath anchor.

The forth morning is set to bring the acid test for the famous long Australian batting line and zeal for the win as the play of the third day will replayed on their minds and surely will keep them restless before the judgment day. Indians are just 8 steps or good wicket taking balls away from once again being the hurdle for the Australian’s world record of straight test wins. Indians are aware of the situation of “Now or Never” for the win at the Perth hence surely every player will take the fielding position with boosted attitude. Presence of Sourav Ganguli, who captained India at Kolkatta, when Indians stopped the victory chariot of straight test wins by Australia, will surely inspire the younger players of the team for repeating the result.

It is a fact that India is in good command, but Australians will also come out with their famous never die spirit, there minds will be heated more the mercury of 39 of yesterday at Perth. Surely if the Indians can get rid of their famous attitude of being relaxed at regular intervals, start the day with the killing instant and can keep it alive till the dismissal of last Australian wicket, than there will nothing between them and first team from the Indian subcontinent winning a test match at WACA. Hope to see you all on the other side of the day with the news of Indian win.

Perth Pitch: Cat comes out

Perth Pitch: Cat comes out

As the most of the cricketing experts were writing about bounce and speed of and Australian captain Ricky Pointing was predicting about his surprise if the Perth test going into fifth day’s play. In all the probabilities it looks that test is not going to witness its fifth sunrise, at least the stamps time of second day’s play is supporting this very strongly but cricket is the game of uncertain glories and every thing that predicted before the last bowl is, may remain in the circle of predictions only without taking the shape of reality.

A great fearful atmosphere was created by the Australian players about the speedy nature of the pitch; they even considered this 22 yard strip as the most fast one of the world and included Shaun Tait in playing eleven to complete square of all speedsters attack. India also made changes; Shewag and Pathan were in replacing Yuvraj and Harbhajan.

When the coin favored by matching with the calling of Indian captain and India decided to bat the decision was seen under the clouds of doubts, but the Indian tigers wounded from the Sydney test were with a different game plan, as they have to prove a point that Sydney defeat was not a cricketing defeat but was the result of ever worst umpiring seen by the world. India went on to score a satisfactory total of 297 runs in the 84 over bowled during the day’s play. The picture might look rosier if Sachin might no fall pray of yet another wrong decision of umpiring and might the casualness in shot selection shown by the Laxman and Dravid has been avoided.

The secod day’s provided the space for pitch cat to come out, as in the day’s play of just over the 75 over proved sufficient to see as many as fifteen [15] returning back to pavilion. It was not surprising as it was already predicted and assumed that 22 yard strip will prove supportive for the Australian speedsters. The surprising was that India not only score 330 runs in the first inning to gain some what respect though it was not matching with the required score of a team bating first and willing to win the match.

Here on wards the pitch cat, which was handled by the Indians with great caution, care and some extant with authority, started to prove a deadly composition for the Australians. The 22 yard strip proved nourishing for the swing of Indian medium pacers [baring sharma who was bowling in vicinity of 140] and all was started by Irfan Pathan and R. P. Sing, soon the mighty Australians were struggling at 61 for 5 wickets of top order batsmen. Thanks to nocks of 66 and 55 runs by Symonds [fortunate being dropped] and Gilchrist respectively to help the team to cross the mark of 200, as the team is dismissed for paltry 212 runs allowing India to enjoy a considerable lead of 118 runs. In the 11 over play of second inning India scored 52 runs for the loss of one wicket to take the over all lead to 170.

Still two sunsets and one whole day are left before the schedule time of match is called over and if the pitch cat keep on behaving on similar lines with same handling by the Indians, it seems possible in all probabilities that India will go on to stretch the lead in the vicinity of 450 than surely world will witness the acid test for the Australian batting line after so many years at WACA.

Whoever team go on to win but surely the Perth test seems to be an addition to tally of test results. At present India is holding upper hand and a strong rear guard action is required by Australia to save the test. I am looking forward to watch the concentration of Australians under the pressure and assuming an Indian win at the WACA.


The second days play also brought the glory and memorable movements for Indian Mr. Perfect ten, skipper Anil Kubale, who went on take the test wicket tally to 600 wickets with the wicket of Symonds. Jumbo with this succeeded in proving once again that still he is effective even on the pitch which was made to favor speedsters.

Perth: Proving ground for Indian cricketers

Perth: Proving ground for Indian cricketers

Third test between India and Australia is to commence in less than 24 hours from now. All is set for a pace attack by the Australia as the WACA pitch is set to favor the pace battery since so many years and with the fame of proving a grave yard for the batsmen from all corners of the world. The beauty of life and game lies with the constant flow and Indians have to forget the happenings, controversial umpiring decisions, and non sporting behavior of Australian team at and during the Sydney test. Though the fetch of the series is already decided with 2-0 unbeatable lead in four test match series by Australia but still battle is on as Australia will go all out for a straight 17th test win and India will fight it for regaining the pride and honor by winning the rest of two test matches of the series.

As this is the all out, do or die situation for the Indians, needs to prove it was not the defeat of skills and talent of Indians at the Sydney but the umpiring was the reason of defeat hence for India the only option left is “Offence is the best defense” . India needs to come out with sheer aggression and attacking the Australians all the way when the team will take the field at WACA tomorrow. Every Indian player need to adopt the causal and not bothering about opponent attitude of Dhoni, shown during the Twenty-20 world championship in South Africa and get inspired from the success run of sourav after the come back to team, experience of Sachin of playing at WACA will be there to help and if the Indian team members decide to concentrate on the role play of self, Indian victory will not be a miracle for me.

Ever since the first foot landing on the Kangaroo land, Indians are facing the problem with the settling of famous bating line up. Failure of in form batsman, of recently conclude home series against Pakistan, Wasim Jaffar is proving itching of wound for the Indians. In these situations I will select the following playing eleven for Perth Test, in order of batting
1. Virendra shewag
2. M.S. Dhoni
3. Rahul Dravid
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Sourav Ganguli
6. V V S Laxman
7. Captain’s Option
8. Irfan Pathan
9. Anil Kumbale
10. Eshan Sharma
11. R. P. Sing


For the captain’s option I will come with two names to choose from Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Kartik. If the Yuvraj is chosen by the captain he will play at number seven but if Kartik [ To whom I am including for his performance at Canberra and to provide a little bit relaxation for Dhoni with availability of another wicket keeping option in the playing eleven, as this might help Dhoni to concentrate on batting and return back to his normal game of hitting hard to red leather] gets favor from the captain, I will prefer him to see at opening slot with Shewag and Dhoni at his normal position of six down. Sachin and Yuvi [if included] will fill the gap in the spin attack created by excluding Harbhajan, Rolling the arms by the Saurav will not only help the speedsters to change the ends but also will add a different variety in the Indian attack.

We will play with more sportsmanship

We will play with more sportsmanship

Under the series of efforts for digging out the cricket from the Sydney storm ICC chief match referee Mr. Ranjan Mudgale asked to both the captains Anil Kumbale and Ricky Pointing for having a talk before the Perth test match. Reports say that before the meeting of two captains Ranjan went on to have individual talk with each of them. Look the statements of two captains after this meeting Indian captain anil Kumbale came out with words “We will forget what had happen” while the Australian captain Ricky Pointing said “ We will with more sportsmanship” though neither of them talked about the incidents and happening of the Sydney test but every body can understand the reference of the statements.

In a surprised move Indians have withdraw the charges of abuse worlds against the Braid Hogg just after this meeting of two captain though it is said that decision is taken in favor of betterment of the game and creating a better cricketing atmosphere among the two teams but surely Indians will not be free from the blame of framing the charge as the reciprocal action of allegations against the Indian spinner Harbhajan.

Yesterday night my son was asking me about the fate of Harbhjan, as the issue is still alive with the electronic media of the country. I told him whatever may be said or done but in my views Harbhajan is not going to come out spotless from this issue of racial comments. At the most he will get freedom from the charge of racial comments but surely either will get a worming or face a suspended sentence for being part of words of war though this will be amazingly surprising that the other player involve in the exchange of words will have neither to face the match referee nor have any punishment.

In my views withdrawing the charges against the Hogg is going to work against the Indians and surely will prove a question mark on the reliability of Indian players in the future. I can’t understand how the BCCI and Indians have forgotten “Sustaining an action of Non Justice is not lesser than doing a Non Justice.” As reports say Indian captain acted as per the instructions issued by the BCCI in respect of issue related with Hogg.

Sledging Cricket

Sledging Cricket

Cricket in the modern times is no more a game. Slowly and gradually turn into a war of supremacy being fought on the fields with non costumed weapons of the skillful actions with the ball and bat with the physical fitness abilities expressed in the form of fielding are proving yet another important weapon of the war.

The game of the cricket was the dominating area of the West Indian countries for several decades till the mid of 80’s when Australian cricket started to emerge as the new leaders with the concept of “cricket is a game neither played nor won on the ground but the mental power and proper implementation of tactics is going to take you to the position of being victorious.” This theory succeeded and since the late 80’s Australian cricket team replaced the mighty West Indians from the status of being the undisputed world champions of the game. In fact this was the start of replacement of talent and skill by the technical excellence and man power.

Sledging- a word or bunch of words pronounce by a single or group of fielders to disturb the concentration of the batsman become a lethal weapon on the cricketing grounds. Here also the Australian players were the front runners; rather we can say they succeeded in adding new word “Sledging” to the cricketing vocabulary.

Huge monetary inflow and immense popularities has made the situations more complicated and a win on the ground become more meaningful than any thing else. Indian entered into arena with the victory of 1983 ODI championship and started to cover the grounds at vigorous rates. Packer’s cricket forced the establishment of ICC and since the Presidential period of Shri Jagmohan Dalmia commercialization and financial growth started to boost. Mean while the Australian concept of “Mind game” was on full swing and Australian cricket team was on the run of being the strangest from the stronger by wining tournament after tournament. Successive win series of Australia inspired other cricketing nations to opt the mind game tactics. Who will forget the hard hitting of Sanath Jayasurya and Kaluvitarana in the ODI world cup or action of Kiwi team opting an off spinner to open the bowling attack in the same format of the game.

Winning started to become a habit of Australian players. Winning is that kind of human want, more you have more you desire to acquire, hence this want resulted in creating a desire among the Australian players and a change in their attitude and ground activities started to be visible. A few lines “Ricky Pointing has turned the bunch of talented Australian players into squad of wild dogs” of famous Australian cricket writer “Peter Rebock” are more than sufficient to address the attitudinal change of Australian players. Anything less than victory was not acceptable to Australian players and beside their winning zeal, talent, dedication they were ready to go for anything for the victory. The recently concluded Sydney Test Match is more than sufficient to tell the levels were Australian cricket team can go down for a win. The Sydney match will not only remembered for the disputed umpiring decisions against the Indian team but the dispute over the allegations of racial comments on the harbhajan Singh, Indian off spinner and recommended ban by the match referee Mike Proctor even in the lake of clear and decisive evidence.

Sledging and disputed decision which were used to be part of the game, started to find and occupy central place for every cricketing talk and discussion. Some one started to blame the officials for creating disputes, to some others the way of Australian won at Sydney was the objectionable, some others started to put the lights on how the Indians are meeting with double standards of umpiring decisions from time to time, but no one seems to go down to reasons of present storm which is threatening a division among the cricketing nations. Why the mighty Australian players are in the complaining mood? And how it becomes possible that masters of sledging fall pray to it? Are the some of the questions, answer to which might prove path indicative help to scholar investigating truth.


“A complain is intended to get birth from the fear”, is the most common saying and might be the strongest reason of complain by Australian players. Look at the recent records of the game, Indian is the only country, with proven strong bating line up and versatile and promising bowling attack, looked as the challenging team for the champions on the cricketing grounds. Recently concluded first world championship of twenty-20 format of the game, where Australians were not part of the final by virtue of semifinal defeat at the hands of India, is the best illustration of growing powers of the Indian cricket team. The defeat was not the reason of fear among the Australian players; it was the expression of change in attitude by the young and comparatively inexperienced team which proved a worry for the champions. The traditional weapon of sledging, used by Australians on the grounds over the years against the opponents was started to be part of game plan of Indians since this tournament. Might be the ideal of young Indians shifted to revolutionary thoughts of subashchandra Bose and Bhagat Singh from the principle of tolerance, peace and non violence of Mahatma Gandhi and they started to believe in the policy of “Treat for Trait” and taking the war into the territory of opponent. This feeling was much more painful for the Australians when compared with the defeat in T-20 championship. I don’t think it will be hard to find the reason of complain by the Australian players. After all we human beings are with the tendency that we can resist a competition in our good quality but never tolerate a competitor in our bad qualities.

Australians on the Cricket Field

Australians on the Cricket Field

The fire and heat generated from the so called allegations of racial comments by the off spinner Harbhajan Singh, is not only reaching to every elite and common of entire cricketing world but also forcing to come out with own views over the allegations and decision of match referee over the issue.

Most recent reports says that BCCI, handed over the authority of taking the final decision in this regard to President Sharad Powar, who went on to say that Indian option of calling the tour off, is still open, if the ICC appeal commissioner is going with decision of match referee. He also expressed unhappiness over the behavior of the Australian players and cricket board for being the reason for these situations. Shall I need to memorized that Sharad Powar was the person who almost thrown out from the dais and pointed out a place away from the central stage by the Australian cricket team lead by same captain Ricky Pointing during the prize distribution ceremony of ICC Championship at Mumbai. It was tolerance and sportsmanship of Indians that Sharad Powar took this shameful Australian action as the act performed under the influence of over enthusiasm and not only excused the Australian players for this insulting and shameful public behavior but also not complained about it to ICC. Might Mr. Sharad Powar had not shown that generosity and lodged an official complain with ICC. Surely in that case ICC will be left with only option of coming with very strong action against the Australian captain and players, because there were crystal clear video evidence for this shameful action of Australian players, but that not happened and right looking attitude for own actions of Australian players allowed to grow. Whatever the crises entire cricketing world is presently facing is generated from this attitude of Australian players.

Whatever you earn through the hard work of years might slip from your hand by just one wrong behavioral action; this is what a common Indian father teaches to children. No doubts Australians are the most talented and skilled one in the entire cricketing world, their zeal for winning and putting in the efforts, dedication for the game and professional attitude has made them mighty and almost unbeatable team of cricketing world, but it is also a fact that over the years, especially after the Ricky Pointing started to lead the team, their behavior on the field is not matching with the behavior of undisputed kings of the game and a champion team. The door for criticism has made opened not by any one else but by the Australian players, the Sydney match referee only went on to put the petrol in the fire.

Allegations against the Harbhajan, has asked the entire cricketing world to come with words about the ground behavior of the Australian team after all the art of sledging was originated and implemented by the Australian cricketers over the years. The filtering in reports says that many past and present cricket players are putting their words opposing the action of Australian players for reporting about Hatbhajan. According the kiwi player Patel, Australians have used more abused word than the “monkey” for him at several occasions though he refused to say something about the guiltiness of Harbhajan. In a column with Dominikan Post Morison, who represented country in the decades of 70’s and 80’s, say that if the Australians cricket players are with a little bit honesty than surely they will feel shame of the self action. To the former kiwi captain Fleming all this was started as the child play of school going children and went on to be a complicated matter with decision of match referee as there were no sufficient evidences. Fast bowler Doll also seems of this vision according to him match referee had not played his role in proper way, there was nothing in the matter specially in the lack of clear and strong evidences.

Indian Cricket and Match Referee

Indian Cricket and Match Referee

Entire cricketing world is respiring again with relief as the Indian tour to Australia gets resumed yesterday with the practice match at Canberra. Fears of division among the cricketing nations, if not removed, at least went under the cloud cover of suspects till the ICC appeal commissioner decides the fate of the charges of so called racial comments, framed over the Indian spinner Harbhajan, by the Andrew Symonds and other Australian players during the Sydney Test of on going series.

Cricketing world is sounding with some voices of bowing of ICC before the BCCI on this controversial issue but if you look into history evidence will prove, non reasonable special behavior of match referees, going harsh with Indian or rather with the players from the sub continent always provided with a reason for the clash between BCCI and ICC. Look at the present issue, there were no audio / video proofs and even other evidences were not even sufficient to issue a warning for Harbhajan but match referee Mr. Proctor decided a three match ban for the Indian player.
This action of match referee prompted to look at some of the post records of the same person. In the year 2003 he conveniently over looked at the clash of Birayan Lara and Steev Waugh at Antigo but not hesitate to issue one match warning for the Indian captain Sourav Ganguli at Brisbane during the last Indian tour to Australia for the slow over rate bowling 9 over short, even there is provision of curtailing the match fees in the situation [For players 10% and for captain 20%] but Proctor prefer to go with level two offence and wormed Indian captain about the extreme punishment.
The same match referee Proctor went on to pose a five match ban for the past Pakistan Captain Rashid for making an appeal for a catch not taken properly against the Bangala Desh but at Sydney he prefer to keep quite when Sourav Ganguli was declared out by the way of catch taken in disputed manner by the Australian fielder Clarck not only this but he also over looked the appealing of Australian captain Ricky Pointing for taking improper catch. History will never forget the Oval Test between the Pakistan and England, where the issue of ball tempering gets more complicated shape and structure with the role played by Mr. Proctor in the same capacity of match referee.
The biggest dispute of the history between the ICC and BCCI was the 2001 Port Elizabeth issue, here once again the match referee Mr. Mike Denis was the accused of providing a space for the clash by banning six Indian players including the mighty Sachin Tendulkar. Mike Denis proposed a ban for Sachin for so called charge of ball tempering, Captain Sourav Ganguli for not keeping the players under control, Virendra Shewag for excessive appealing and one match suspended ban for S.Das, Harbhajan and Deepdas Gupta for the same reason of excessive appealing.
Hopefully the appeal commissioner will look into matter with a justifying vision and Harbhajan will come out spotless from allegations of so called racial comments. Indians have a long proven tradition of tolerance and fighting against the racialism but surely all will go behind the memories, rather out of cerebral hemisphere, if the self respect and national pride of Indians is challenged with an unnecessary and non proven blame. I am concluding this with instead of looking at dispute as the war of supremacy between ICC and BCCI or with the market oriented vision, look as the thing of national pride, honor and blame on attitude because this will not help to see and understand the dispute in true sense but will also prove help in reaching to proper and justifying decision and keeping the integrity of cricketing world intact.

Divided Cricketing World

Divided Cricketing World

In India there is a saying meaning never try to cross the limits, you never no your which of your slightest mistake might going to prove the blinder one and may cause the question of life and death. Cricketing world is presently going through the same phase of existence over the issues of storms generated from the disputes over the Sydney test match between India and Australia and turn of situations taken place there after.

One thing is sure umpiring standards at the Sydney were the ever worst and partial ever since the history of the game. In my previous blog post I had already wrote that neither Australia won nor India lost the Sydney test but umpires allotted this test to Australia so the Ricky Pointings team may equalizes the Australian recode of 16 successive test victory and move to Perth, where the ground situations are comparatively more favorable for the Australian team, to go on creating new world record of successive test match wins. All of this was going on smooth roads but might the successive dismissal by the Indian spinner Harbhajan was playing with the mind of Australian captain Ricky Pointing or might the thought process of Andrew Symonds went on to see this as the most appropriate time for taking revenge of harsh treatment given to Australian all rounder at Mumbai by the cricket lover during the last tour of Australia to India. Recall the statements of the player just after the Australian tour to India was ended, in Australian press for requesting the Australian people not come with reciprocal action during the tour of India to Australia. Any way charges of racial comments were framed against the Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh and series of mistakes ends when the South African match referee Mr. Proctor banned Bhaji for three test matches. India which has a proven record of opposing racialism reacted with natural hard stand over the issue. A cloud of suspect created over the smooth conduction of the remaining part of the Indian tour to Australia.

ICC was forced to appear in the dispute and for settlement of high tensions created, came forward with withdrawing the participation of disputed umpire Steev Buckner and suspended, not given the clean chit, orders of match referee against Harbhajan. British media, West Indian Cricket board and some others are blaming ICC for bowing down before the economic powers of Indians [ India contributes almost 70% of ICC revenue] and deciding the issue in favor of Indian team. Here I will love to include two things first I will salute to Australian citizens and press for taking the true sportsmanship over the issue even though the mistake coming players were representing their own country. Second I would love to see the reaction of British media or the West Indian cricket board if instead of India might the English or West Indian was playing in the Sydney test against the Australia, here I am leaving apart the issue of charges of racial comments.

As for as my cricketing knowledge suggest, Australian players were the first to bring the sledging in the game of cricket and implement it successfully against the opponents over the years under the sweet name of mind game tactics. Surely it is amazing even to listen that Australians players are complaining about the reciprocal action from the irritated opponent. In my view the true racial behavior is this and not the reaction of Indian spinner, I am sure Harbhajan has not reacted in the manner in which he reported by the Australian players. I wish to say to Australian players to remember this neither the love nor the war, where everything will be treated fair. This is the game of cricket, an exhibition ground of skills and talent; learn the lesson from the Sydney and stop so called mind game of sledging opponents, other wise the cricketing world will under go many such occasions of reaching to dangerous dead end of division.

Cricketing World after Sydney summit

Cricketing World after Sydney summit

A new chapter has been started in the history books of the world cricket. Sometime in the futures this might be called as the effects of Indo – Australia Test match at Sydney. The cricketing achievements like the 16th successive win by Australian team, 38th Test century of Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, 29th test century of Haiden etc. will go in the darkness of background generated from the unfair partial and one sided decisions of umpires Steeve Buckner and Benson. Even the TV umpire [third] was not hesitated for being the part of non rational and non justified umpiring as he refuse to declare Australian Batsman Andrew Symond out stumped even when the TV coverage was clearly showing that batsman was not in the crease when bells dislodged by the Indian wicketkeeper M.S. Dhoni. In this atmosphere ICC match referee had also played his part not only justifying the catch of Sourav Ganguli taken by Clarck, where as the reply made it very much clear that catch was not completed as with the falling of the fielder on the ground ball went on to touch the ground, but also went on recommending a three match ban on Indian spinner Harbhajan for so called racial comment “Big Monkey” for Australian player Andrew Symonds, though neither there were any audio/video evidence nor the ground umpires supported the blame.

ICC later on, under the pressures of Indian players and BCCI, who threaten to call off the tour, agreed to prevent further participation in the series by disputed ground umpires and allowed Harbhajan to play in the series till the ICC chief match referee look into matter. Though for a time being things seems to be settled down and it appears that series will go according to predefined schedules but that will happen only if ICC reach to a decision within next seven days, the ultimate time given by the Indian players. If ICC fails to resolve the issue within time limit or the Appeal commissioner upholds the decisions of match referee there are more chances that Indian players will refuse to be further part of the series and might BCCI will also decide in favor of calling the tour off.

I am being a strong positive minded person hence even these most dark situations are the brightly shining one for me, you surely will agree with me when we together will have impacts of all this on the cricketing world. Technological excellence has provided a space for the highlighting the mistakes committed by the field umpires. Like the Tennis we can’t allow to umpires to stand on the ground just for calling the over and let the other decisions be made with the help of technology. I am also not agree with upcoming demand of challenging umpires decision by the captain as this will result in loosing the friendly spirit in which game is being played. I would like to increased active participation of ICC match referee, who is at present there just to relax and once a while impose a fine for slow bowling rate or helps the ground umpires in deciding the number of over in a rain curtailed match and seldom be the part of controversy like the Sydney test match. As the ground umpires are observing the match without the help of technology so they are bound to make mistake and help to create situations resembling with Sydney test hence my suggestion is that match referee must be given powers of rectifying the human mistakes committed by the field umpires. Whenever an appeal is made by the fielding side, the decision of field umpires must be reviewed by the match referee within next five minutes and in case of mistake batsman should be called back or called of the ground accordingly. This will not only release the tension of field umpires but will make the game more fair and interesting. As for as the front foot No ball is concerned on the terms of tennis a sound activated system can be activated.

Racial Sydney Cricket

Racial Sydney Cricket

Disputes of the suspended Indian cricket tour to Australia are going to prove as much as higher dispute as were the shadows of match fixing or the rebel tournament in the Australia and it might even result in the division of cricketing world. Whatever may happen to be the end results of the dispute but surely economic crises are waiting there. If ICC doesn’t come forward and BCCI, the board / country generating about 70% of cricketing revenue, comes forward with threatened action of calling back Indian team and abundant the tour, Cricket Australia will have to fight a long fight for getting the economic compensation, not only this but telecasting companies will face a huge revenue loss by loosing the advertisers, BCCI not only will pay to players but will also not get the guaranty money for Australia tour. The only favorable thing for the economics of the cricket is that with real huge population and cricket being the national passion in India, BCCI can over come these huge losses estimated to 100 carore with some what comfort because if BCCI appeals surely Indians will come forward because the issue is no more a cricketing issue but become related to pride and honor of the country and even a buck from every one will prove sufficient to meet the losses of BCCI.

All this was started with a so called racial comment “Big Monkey” by Indian spinner Harbhajan to Andrew Symonds while the spinner was bating. The dispute went on further as surprisingly ICC match referee Proctor went on to pose a three match ban on Indian spinner. The decision of match referee created clouds of suspects because 1. There were no audio / video evidence supporting the charge. 2. Ground umpires were not supporting the charge. 3. Sachin, one of the most trusted personality of cricketing word, who was with Harbhajan all the times during the exchange of words with Andrew on the ground, was witnessing in favor of Indian spinner. 4. Among from the duo of Haden and Clarck who witnessed in favor of charge, Clarck was never in the frame of TV coverage of exchange of words between the disputed players. In these situations the only probable reason of such non rational behavior by the match referee, comes to mind that as per the cricketing calendar India and South Africa have to clash after the Indian tour to Australia and might the South African referee be intended to shield the South African bating from the attack of this Indian spinner but when we consider the ground realities this seems a remote possibility.

One sided umpiring decisions, against India during all the five days of Sydney test and ban on Harbhajan cross the limits of Indian tolerance and naturally a wave of anger flashed through out the country. Every corner of the country started to sound with protesting voices of this unjustified and unfair decision and demands of calling back touring Indian cricket team. I am wondering how the “Big Monkey” becomes a racial comment because to my knowledge scientific world believes that human beings are the developed version of monkey like ancestors. I will also blame the zero tolerance shown by the Indian team from the day one of landing on the Australia for the current tour. It was sure to see a unpleasant end of Sydney test, if might the Sourav had been the captain of Indian team, when the Rahul Dravid was ruled out in the second inning but as our present gentleman captain Anil Kumbale preferred to go with zero tolerance hence India not only forced to loose the test match but also facing the charges of racial comments.

If we go with the Australian press, majority section is with Indians. Even the most famous Australian cricket writer Rebock went on to blame captain Pointing for turning the bunch of talented Australian cricket players into squad of wild hunting dogs.

At present it seems that play in the series will resume only if the ICC agree to Indian demand of withdrawing charge against the Harbhajan and insure no further participation of disputed umpires in the series.

In my own views the ideal solution over the dead lock is coming forward by the Andrew Symonds and other Australian players for withdrawing their, complain against the Indian spinner. It will not only take the on going series back to smooth tracks but will also indicate that Australians too have a big heart and sportsmanship in true sense. The cricketing world will be saved from the division and no cricketing board or ICC will have to face economic crises.

Suicidal Spots of Sydney Cricket

Suicidal Spots of Sydney Cricket

It is unfortunate in the true sense that frequent users of technological excellence forget that the same technological excellence is taking their actions to drawing rooms of the world families. Just look at how the Indian fall pray to what should be called only as the undignified and as per the will behavior of the umpires on and off the fields at Sydney during the second test of Indian tour to Australia.

Day [1]

1. Ricky Ponting was caught behind by Dhoni, when he was on 17 was given not out by umpire Benson after the batsman went on to score 55 runs though it was unfortunate that Pointing was forced to leave the ground when he should be given the advantage of doubts but by this time he had succeeded in preventing the collapse of Australian bating order to great extant.
2. Field Indian team when under the horrible experience when every body at ground hears the sound of Andrew Symonds snatching Sharma’s ball which rested in the hands of wicketkeeper Dhoni but strangely umpire Bakner was not able to listen or see this. This might not was sufficient hence the third umpire even after a clear TV reply refused to with hold the stumping appeal against the same batsman and rule him not out.
This was the first turning point of the game because after this the team which was struggling for survival at 134 for 6 went on to end the day with a 400 plus score.

Day [2]
3. Steev Bakner refused the stumping appeal of stumping once again against the Adrew without referring to TV umpire though reply were with evidence that might the third umpire be forced to decided otherwise.
4. Wasim Jaffer was given out on the No ball bowled by Lee.
Day [4]

5. Umpire Benson refused the LBW appeal of Kumbale against the Michel Hussy, when batsman was at just 22.
6. Benson repeated the mistake when Hussy was 45 and touched the ball of R.P. Singh and Dhoni took a clear and clean catch. Hussy was allowed to score 145 runs in the second inning.
7. Symonds was LBW on the hetrric ball of Kumable after the dismissal of Hussy and Clarck on the previous two successive balls but Bakner allowed to the batsman to score 61 runs.

Day [5]

This might be the worst day not only for the Indians but for the entire cricketing world. It was seemed like that pre scripted drama of Australian won was at the climax. Dhoni was ruled out on a ball which might go anywhere just for not offering the shot but look at two shocking decision of the umpires earlier in the day.
8. Rahul Dravid was ruled caught behind by umpire Bakner when Symond’s ball was miles away from the bat.
9. All the limits of justice were crossed when umpire Benson instead of asking to third umpire discussed with Ricky Pointing about the catch of Sourav Ganguli and put his finger up only after the Pointing, with a witty smile indicated Sourav out by holding is finger up.

Black Cricketing Sunday at Sydney

Black Cricketing Sunday at Sydney

This is not a game this is a war and everything is fair in the war, history will not discuses the way of your victory but will remember you for your victory, might be the mind of Ricky Pointing was being dominated by this thought when umpire asked him about the catch of Sourav Ganguli and even not being so sure he hold his finger up. A mistake or thoughtful action we can say because it results in what will take Pointing’s name in the record books of the game. All this had turned the game of Gentlemen into game of shame.

You might believe it are not but the fact is that while my discussion with my son over the issue of Harbhajan and Andrew, I told him that match referee will go on to punish Harbhajan with a ban. “How will they can do when there are no evidence against Bhazi?” was the question of my son, and my response was “I don’t know but surely this will happen, for keeping the compromising ground ready, for the facing the emotion storm of Indians, as there are very strong waves of anger and protest among the cricket lovers through out the country, as in this match neither India had last the match nor Australians have won but match has been allotted to Australia by the umpires. The anger is very much high because if the umpires had not favored Australia at the various crucial moments of the game surely India was going to win and make the series at levels. All this will force BCCI to take some strong action and punishment of Harbhajan can be taken as compromising factor”.

In few hours time my speculation proved correct and Harbhjan singh was punished for a three match ban for calling “Big Monkey” to Andrew Symonds, though there were no evidence just two other players were saying that they heard Harbhajan pronouncing this word, but even if we take it that Harbhajan has pronounced so called word than firstly I wonder the how the Ricky Pointing and Australian team forget that they have been guilty of almost pushing the BCCI president Sharad Power from the Dias in a prize ceremony at Mumbai were escaped from the punishment just because BCCI President and Indians have taken their action in sporting way and had not complained. It seems that all this was planned only for Pointing who was finding this Indian spinner almost unplayable. This verdict recalled me a scene from the Maharashtra, when Yudhastra last him self, brothers and wife Dropadi. Duryodhan asked Dushasan to take all the cloths of Dropadi and make her naked, at that time Dropadi asked Bhisham Pitamah, “O! Grand father you have fame of being the expert and knowing the true meaning of religion, does this action of Kouravs is standing with the religious norms and tradition of civilized society?” Bhisham Pitamah replied “Dropadi don’t ask me the minute details of religion, what I can say that whatever the winner or powerful says that is the truth, religion and mark of civilization.”

After the episode of “Murali” once again Australians had proved that at least in the cricketing world they are powerful and winner, but they are forgetting one thing that it is quite possible that in the future all the star Indian players, like the Murali might refuse to tour Australia.

Note: Friends as at my other blog My Article World , I have started a long series articles "India: 60 Years: 60 Words" and don't wish either to interrupt that series or start a fresh blog for the rest of my writings hence my writings other than ongoing series will publish here on this blog of Travel India

13th Australian Cricketer at Sydney

13th Australian Cricketer at Sydney

India is on the tour of so called mighty and frequent world champions of the cricket. The kingdom of undisputed kings of the game was under the threat from the first foot landing of India on land of kangarros.


Over the years it was the tendency and part of game plan that Australian players and press start a campaign against the touring team and show the unnecessary aggression on the ground. Australians players have an attitude of opting and going for anything for the victory. Unfortunately over the years their, this attitude was not challenged by any other team and they keep on winning tournament after tournament, this run of successive victories made the Australian players rude. They even started to think about self bigger than the game.

The scenario went under the change since the Twenty-20 world cup in the South Africa last year, when M. S Dhoni was leading the Indian squad and Indians started to tackle the Australians with the game plan which they were used to implement against the opponents since so many years. It was the success of Indians that Australia could not make the final of this inaugural tournament. This was the first time that Australians not only meet with the opponent equipped with the same weapons but went to taste the defeat. Even the Australian tour to India after T-20 championship doesn’t prove wound healing for Australians as they were again beaten by Indians in the solo T-20 match of the tour, not only this but they also got a reciprocal answer for their activities involving other than game skills not only by the Indian players on the ground but also from the common Indians who were present there on the ground for watching the game.

Now it was turn of India to tour the Australia and players were eager to tackle the opponents in every activity on or off the ground, but things are seems to be taking a different turn on SGC during the second Test Match. It seems that Australians might become aware of the fact that their normal on and off the ground skills might not going to prove sufficient for the series won hence they decided to take the grounds with 13 player [11 team members plus two umpires] at Sydney. The things started to reflect from the day one when Australians were finding hard to face their bating collapse umpire Steev Bankar run into help them by giving Andrew not out twice and Australia went on to pile a 400 plus total in the first inning. The Things doesn’t stopped here Indian first inning ended as the victim of bad umpiring. The series of mistake went on against the India and this time Rahul and Sourav were the victims.

All this happening is prompting me to write that if I might be the president of BCCI, by this time the match might be over [still a ten over game is left and India is trying to come out from the shadows of defeat] as I might have asked the Indian Captain to declare Indian second inning on the umpire's action of giving out sourav after getting confirmation from the player who doesn’t walk out of ground even after knowing that he has touched the ball and fielder had taken the catch.

Surely this is the proper time for the game authorities to steep in the happenings and come forward with action of writing off this test match from the record book as the fate of the game has been decided by the series of mistakes by the umpires. If the BCCI is not going to come forward to protest this surely this will be going to work as the demoralising factor for the Indian players and all the remaining match will not remain attractive for the lovers of the game over the world as Indian players for the rest of match will go into ground with the pre known fact that they are playing for defeat.

Note: Friends as at my other blog My Article World , I have started a long series articles "India: 60 Years: 60 Words" and don't wish either to interrupt that series or start a fresh blog for the rest of my writings hence my writings other than ongoing series will publish here on this blog of Travel India.