An Indian whisper...

After all that was witnessed in the Sydney test, i just can't help but make a few observations.

1. 11 bad decisions at key phases of every day , including asking the fielding captain rather than the other umpire whether the catch was taken.. And the match referee says 'it happens.' Really? Does it ? I thought they stopped this kind of silly 'my way or the highway' attitude once you graduate from street cricket.

2. We have all the replays we need. Nothing is conclusive on Bhajji saying anything racist. Or of anyone hearing it. Yet 5 people gang up to testify against him and He's banned. Cool. Playing 'Strength in numbers' against the second largest population in the world ? How smart is that, really ?

3. Ok. I've had a big debate on this with some really big docs in the last 24 hours.. And they all agree. Symonds is NOT A MONKEY. It's unfair to call him that. Stop it, you guys.
He is,however, the 3rd last guy from the right in Darwin's theory of evolution diagram. I'm not sure.. Was it Australopithecus?

4. Kumble saying 'Only one team played in the true spirit of the game.' For this lion heart to say it.. It speaks volumes. Just as Ponting's 'how dare you judge my integrity' after a) standing his ground after edging the ball. b ) 'catchin' the ball by stabilising it with the ground. C) being the 4th umpire and giving ganguly out on the crucial last day... All speaks volumes about him.

5. Noone can dispute the umpires decisions no matter how bad they are, without earning a fine and a ban. It ensures .. What ? The fairness of the game ?

Oh. Come on. It's just a game, right?

No, it isn't. It stopped being that the day Kapil's Devils lifted the cup in 83. Since then, it has grown.. People say it is a religion in India. They're wrong.

Religion in India divides. Cricket in India unites.

People of all castes and classes stand outside the Tv shops to watch the match. Which religion casts such a spell ? Girlfriends sharpen their claws and tear their hair in frustration as their ever attentive beaus suddenly disappear, mentally or even physically, from between their fingers. Life comes to a standstill. We laugh and we bitch together about 11 people we've never met... 11 people whose biodata billions know better than we know our wives and inlaws. In these 11 people's exploits, we forget our barriers. Everyone has an opinion on kumble's googly and dravid's defence , irrespective of how we fold our hands when we pray.. can the same even be said about our choice of food ?

No. Cricket is not a game here.. It is what Unites a country..our country. Love em( T20 ) or hate em ( World Cup ), these are 11 overpaid boys, but they are OUR 11 overpaid boys and when we feel they're being pushed around, you better damn well believe we'll stand behind them. In the last 5 days, billions of Indians were grumpier people, angrier people,enraged people, praying for justice which was constantly denied. What spoiled this test will have far reaching changes, I foresee.

But for that, it is time to take a stand really. Stop being the good boys meekly surrendering .
Think about it - the Aussies can afford to brag and sledge because they lead in the game. The ball is in their court as far as talent stands. But has everyone forgotten in whose court the whole cash of the game lies ? If India backs out of the tour refusing to either play or pay, can you really imagine what would happen to the game? How far can the ICC punish them, knowing that India is the cashcow of this game? In short, How bad can we be when we want to ?

Personally, I feel, take the risk. Show 'em we aren't going to back down this time. Or atleast make a mockery right back at them - have the full team forfeit the next game due to a sudden 'acute case of seafood poisoning' ( I hear the clams are mighty suspicious down unda' at this time of the year ). Let the world know we're ready to take a stand. That this convent school rules of the Icc can't work anymore; if the game has to be played fairly - the school favourites have to be punished too. That's what this is all about.. The Indian whisper. When one Indian says it, you mock and gloat.. But India has never been about one man. Have you ever heard the sound of a million whispers? Can you imagine the fire of a billion whispers? That is an Indian whisper, Mr Ponting. Your integrity can never stand a chance against it.

Congrats Aussies. You're on your way to a record 18 straight wins. But just so you know...
Poor losers I've seen aplenty. This week, I saw a bunch of poor winners.