I am staying out of all this. Not worth my time.

Boycott the Tour……..

fight for Bhajji

Firstly congratulations on starting the New year by winning the Sydney Test match, it was a fantastic come from behind victory, one which will rival the victory at Adelaide in the Ashes in 2006. Many congratulations also on equaling the record of securing 16 consecutive Test wins on the trot.

Dare I say it though, deep down there must be a certain lack of satisfaction about the manner in which the win was completed. No, I’m talking about you not contributing anything and getting out to Harbhajan faster than he can say “Tandoori Chicken”. I’m talking about the spirit and the sportsmanship with which the game was played. I know what you are thinking,” the Umpiring is neutral, how can you blame the Australians for that.”

Yes, you are probably right, though a bad decision count of 9 to 1 in favor of the Australians can hardly be termed as neutral. Anil Kumble said at the press match conference, “ Only 1 team played in the spirit of the game.” Since, you quite obviously don’t agree with this statement, let me refresh your memory and take you through a few events that unfolded in those dark days in Sydney.

4th day of the Test match, Michael Clarke caught at slips. Let me repeat ‘Slips’, yes that chap who stands next to the wicket keeper. But Michael Clarke waits till he is ‘given out’? I realize that Andrew Symonds got 3 lives and Hussey 2, but really caught at slips? What next? Will you stand your ground if you get bowled as well? Maybe you should have when you got bowled for just 1 run in the Test Match at the MCG.

5th day of the Test Match, you Mr.Ponting are convinced that your best mate Clarke hung on to a catch and decide to give Ganguly out. Firstly, how can you be sure Clarke caught it when replays clearly show otherwise? Secondly, when did you become an Umpire? What gives you the judicial high-ground to give people out?

Move ahead, a few overs later. You take a catch of Dhoni and then clearly press the ball onto the ground, further still you even press the ball on the ground taking support on it to stand up. And then you appeal? You appeal Mr.Ponting? I realize Australians are not really well known for being cultured, articulate or any of those things, but surely that was pushing it too far.

If that was not enough, you have seemingly masterminded the best way of ensuring you don’t face Harbhajan for the rest of the series. Quite simple really, make up a story that Bhajji called Symonds a “Monkey” and then pressurize and mob the referee to get the ruling in your favor. It’s your word against the Indians, are you more correct because you are of fairer skin? Who is really being racist here?

Really who would want to tour your country anymore? First you guys make up stories about Yuvraj’s supposed attitude problem then you decide who deserves a place in the media room, further you concoct a story about Harbhajan Singh.

Surely, surely Mr. Ponting, they are better ways to win Test matches. India had no business losing 3 wickets with 2 overs to go, but really deep down you know you haven’t played this game in the right spirit. You can go on, go ahead, win 20 Test Matches, win 40 win even 100. Call your opponents for Chucking, Boo them, and heckle them. The World is watching Mr. Ponting, and there is a god up above (Even in your country). If there is one thing that the World is unanimous on, it’s that these victories don’t count for anything. For all of us Indians, the series is 1-1. We won the Test match at Sydney.

I can see the picture quite clearly 3 years from now. The world decides that they have had enough of touring Australia. The Boxing Day Test match in 2010, its Tasmania Vs Victoria, bump catches are given out, the 3rd umpire is a blind man and guess who’s umpiring, you guessed it, it’s Messrs. Bucknor and Benson.

Shame on you Australia. Shame on you Ricky Ponting.