The incidents that happened on the 2nd day of the 3rd test between Australia and West Indies is really ugly!! But even uglier is the offense charged against the players!! Here is a footage of the entire set of the incidents in the 3rd test:
There are two incidents here, one on day 1 and another (uglier) on day 2.
The first incident is interesting in the light of the not-so-recent Gambhir-Watson encounter. If you have forgotten what I am talking about, see this (at 1:35):
I guess, Ponting and Gambhir did similar offence here. I am not by any means defending Gambhir, but if Gambhir is wrong, so is "Punter". If Gambhir was served a 1-match ban then, Ponting must receive the same. But no one has even talked about this. And the result: Ponting escapes unnoticed!!!
Now coming to the worser issue: In the second incident in the video, there are definitely 3 culprits, Haddin, Benn and Johnson (in order of their guilt). But the match referee was generous to award a Level-II offence to Benn and Level-I to the other 2. All that I can react to this is "Bloody hell!". The referee here is not anyone unknown, Mr. Chris Broad, the one who handed Gambhir his ban, the one who was involved in the Sydney 2008 issue!! I guess someone needs to check these double-standard officials.
This goes to suggest that a player can provoke someone and escape with least punishment and the poor chap who is provoked beyond a point needs to face the heat! The Austrialians have learnt the art of provocation to perfection, why then should they be involved in most of these instances?? Where is justice here??
Indian Penal Code says, more than the doer the one who instigates the doer is more guilty. Its time ICC has a go at a similar rule. Look here for a similar outpour!
December 17, 2009
November 17, 2009
Political dramas..
I came across a news article yesterday that had Bal Thackeray criticizing Sachin saying, "There was no need to take a cheeky single by making these remarks. By making these remarks, you have got run-out from the "pitch" of Marathi psyche".
After all the remarks that Sachin made was, "I am a Maharashtrian and I am extremely proud of that. But I am an Indian first. And Mumbai belongs to all Indians." Any sane person will not find anything bad about this remark, made by a sports person. And what he said was indeed true! Mumbai is a national property. Then why the hell should Bal Thackeray make such a comment, it is not Sachin who took a "cheeky" single, but it was Bal Thackeray who tried a risky single, on the occasion of the "mumbaikar"'s 20th year in international cricket.
This is not the first time a famous personality is unnecessarily a subject to some politician's stunts. I was quickly reminded of atleast two instances when popular personalities became subject of some politician's drama. When Rajnikanth voiced against Veerappan for abducting kannada actor Rajkumar, Dr. Ramadoss thought he had reasons enough to accuse Rajni's loyalty to Tamil and Tamil Nadu! If people like Rajni and Sachin do not retort to these accusations, it just means that they don't care about it!! But the politicians take it as a tonic for their status.
The second instance was during the release of Kamal's movie Sandiyar, when Dr. Krishnaswamy thought that the name would spark violence in the state (as if the country was free of violence without the film). The film was rechristened as Virumandi. However, one thing I liked about this was, Kamal's sarcastic reply to Dr. Krishnaswami:
Overall, I personally feel, the politicians should concentrate on solving the problems in the society, rather than trying to target famous personalities to gain cheap popularity!!
After all the remarks that Sachin made was, "I am a Maharashtrian and I am extremely proud of that. But I am an Indian first. And Mumbai belongs to all Indians." Any sane person will not find anything bad about this remark, made by a sports person. And what he said was indeed true! Mumbai is a national property. Then why the hell should Bal Thackeray make such a comment, it is not Sachin who took a "cheeky" single, but it was Bal Thackeray who tried a risky single, on the occasion of the "mumbaikar"'s 20th year in international cricket.
This is not the first time a famous personality is unnecessarily a subject to some politician's stunts. I was quickly reminded of atleast two instances when popular personalities became subject of some politician's drama. When Rajnikanth voiced against Veerappan for abducting kannada actor Rajkumar, Dr. Ramadoss thought he had reasons enough to accuse Rajni's loyalty to Tamil and Tamil Nadu! If people like Rajni and Sachin do not retort to these accusations, it just means that they don't care about it!! But the politicians take it as a tonic for their status.
The second instance was during the release of Kamal's movie Sandiyar, when Dr. Krishnaswamy thought that the name would spark violence in the state (as if the country was free of violence without the film). The film was rechristened as Virumandi. However, one thing I liked about this was, Kamal's sarcastic reply to Dr. Krishnaswami:
Overall, I personally feel, the politicians should concentrate on solving the problems in the society, rather than trying to target famous personalities to gain cheap popularity!!
November 13, 2009
Luck and South African Cricket
I was following the T20 match between England and South Africa, and I could only sympathize the South Africans, who are now a known member of the so-near-yet-so-far league. Thanks to Mr. Duckworth-Lewis, South Africans were short by 1-run of the D/L target. This is not the first time that D/L rule makes us feel sorry for a team (remember recent match between West Indies and England?); also this is not the first time South African end up in the unlucky side!
When they were hyped as favorites in the recent Champions trophy (team form suggesting the same as well), they were defeated by one of the tournament underdogs.
Remember the knock-out match between South Africa and Srilanka in 2003? How many times do we see Klusener laboring 6-balls for just a single run.
Remember the semi-finals of 1999 world cup? How many catches has Gibbs dropped in his entire cricketing career? But he dropped a vital one off the bat of Steve Waugh!
How many instances can a team be unlucky! That makes me ponder if sports is all about talent, or does luck have a major role to play?? If talent alone was sufficient, South Africa, would have ended up in the right side of the contest, like when they chased down 400+ runs in the ODI against Australia. But in any sports, you need luck to gain the extra-bit to cross the line. Somehow, South Africans lack a bit of that. Unlucky chaps!
When they were hyped as favorites in the recent Champions trophy (team form suggesting the same as well), they were defeated by one of the tournament underdogs.
Remember the knock-out match between South Africa and Srilanka in 2003? How many times do we see Klusener laboring 6-balls for just a single run.
Remember the semi-finals of 1999 world cup? How many catches has Gibbs dropped in his entire cricketing career? But he dropped a vital one off the bat of Steve Waugh!
How many instances can a team be unlucky! That makes me ponder if sports is all about talent, or does luck have a major role to play?? If talent alone was sufficient, South Africa, would have ended up in the right side of the contest, like when they chased down 400+ runs in the ODI against Australia. But in any sports, you need luck to gain the extra-bit to cross the line. Somehow, South Africans lack a bit of that. Unlucky chaps!
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