Then, the
fun began. First, it was Sachin Tendulkar who apparently didn’t “see” the event
but condemned whatever he heard happened. Then, Sunil Gavaskar, who was
indignant about the Aussies allegedly having said, “Hiya buddy” to Pawar. Mr
Pawar himself stated that “Tendulkar must be right, but I don’t want to make it
an issue” (the first part is quintessential Maharashtrian politics –
incidentally, besides heading the BCCI, Pawar is also the Union Minister for
Agriculture.). Later, he would add that it was a small, stupid thing and that
he didn’t want to make it an issue. But how can the Indian media, having tasted
blood, lay off? Voice after outraged voice is being “quoted”, castigating rude
Aussie behaviour.
Ponting
himself hasn’t helped matters by commenting on a possible apology from his
team’s side, "If we all feel that it's relevant then I'll certainly do
that." He has apparently been making similar noises ever since, but no
concrete admission of guilt yet.
Research
agencies in India
have stated that many Indians look for role models today in the world of
cricket. So, while Ponting behaves like a brash class monitor, and his team
like spoilt brats, while Shoaib apparently slaps Woolmer, and while the ICC and
BCCI indulge in a puerile slinging match (that includes Malcolm Speed
questioning India’s proportion of population and veritable cricketers), let us
not wring our hands and shake our heads.
We could
also worry about the moronities of Friday night, two nights before the Champions
Trophy final. Let us wonder what the IQ levels of the organizers of the ICC
Awards were, given that they chose to hold the most prestigious cricket awards
show, not in a hotel, but…hold your breath, in a tent outdoors. The black-tie
and suit affair was held in the heat of pre-winter Mumbai without air
conditioning. And Ponting was absolutely right to question the absence of Lara
and his team, while they roughed it out. More than Indian hospitality, this was
glorious Indian intelligence on show for the world (and proof for Speed that a
greater population serves to provide obstacles to its own self). Who knows,
maybe Ponting had had enough of Indian organizational skills?
All this
is not a defence of the Australian team’s uncouth behaviour, but it could help
to have some perspective on things. In the heat (or high) of the moment, the
Aussies slipped up. It is highly unlikely they meant any disrespect per se, and
such an event is not likely to be repeated again, so it is time to move on.
Australia is too caught up with the Ashes
now, and really, what is the fuss about? Does anyone seriously think that England is
going to compete with the team they’ve put together?
West
Indies vs Pakistan and India vs South Africa are likely to be far
more interesting.