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How can Ponting take a moral ground on on field behavior when just few months ago he and martyn shoved Sharad pawar aside in a trophy presentation. Lets not forget, that he wasn't even in the thick of things when a heated exchange between Indian and australian players took place and to see him comment on Harbhajan Singh was too phony. Whats more phony is the fact that Andrew symonds has taken it upon himself to police how indians should celebrate a T20 cup victory. Whats the worst phony attitude of all is that Australians have come up with a theory that aggression backuped with performance is not phony but a reactive aggression is phony if not backed up. OK if thats the case, I guess McGrath's outburst on Sarwan is a very sportsman like according to Aussies. WOW, So I guess its Aussies who have the right to tell the world that since we are world champions we can shove anybody, sledge anybody, curse anybody but everyone else is waived of those rights. Thats a typical australian mentality. Now Here how the indian mentality is,..... he is down and hurt, he is unable to perform, he does not have enough skill, but what he does have and what the aussies can never take away is that his spirit will not back down in face of aggression.

I have been reading all the comments made by the Aussies with interest. I do condemn Sreesanth for his daft appeal against Symonds. But Aussies projecting themselves as whiter than the white is laughing stock.

Ponting must be lauded (sarcastically) by Mr. Broad for his exemplary behaviour after his dismissal in the last one dayer.

Isn't he the same guy who was moaning non-stop to an umpire, who recalled Sachin after adjudging him out incorrectly in an one dayer at Dhaka?

Indian press joining the Aussie bandwagon and criticising our players for their deeds is bang out of order..

India has been waiting ages for a team of winners and aggression is a key component of any champion team.

Myself and a billion Indians would love to see Team India winning by playing aggressive cricket rather than exchanging pleasantries with opponents and losing meekly...

One final note for Ricky: This is the beginning of a New Era in India. Modern Indians can talk the talk and also walk the walk. Hope I haven't put the mockers on our cricket team...

Chak De India!!!

Mukul,you got too much time in your hands!

I think we should ask Ponting after every match if the aggression shown by Indians was fake or real. I wish Rameez Raja asked him that after Ponting's side (once again) wilted under pressure.

"Aww look", sure we do it too ...
but then its all games and fun.
Some things you can't get away with,
Not even Gilly's Harrison.

Its one thing to talk the talk,
but if you nick it, you have to walk.
But Sree's antics are sheer criminal
they bring out Symmo's animal.

Three World Cups in a row,
while spectators took a nap.
Don't tell us about Twenty20,
it's just a load of cr*p.

And this is just how we play
how dare you raise a brow?
We are the champion Aussies,
Holier than Thou!!!

It's a classic case of projection. The Aussies are a great team, no question. Their preparation, commitment to winning and work ethic are not in dispute. The rest of the world should learn these from them. But for them to rail against the verbal jousting of Indians is rich. What goes around comes around. I agree that the Indians should back up their verbal aggression with performance on the field, otherwise the "aggression" looks foolish. But the Aussies hardly should be complaining about being sledged by Indians. It's akin to the neighborhood bully saying the nerd in glasses and a beanie, upon whom he picks all the time, talked back to him one day.

What in the world...??

To be honest, I've lost respect for Ponting. He has no respect for anyone in the Indian team, and how can we forget the the way the Australians pushed the president of the BCCI. (forget the fact that it is pawar or some one else.. what he represents matters to indian cricket)
I wonder why Gilchrist never said he wudn't want his Son to do those things anywhere, leave alone the back yard?!? He is openly stating what and what does not constitute as sledging. Well, someone should tell him...if in his country, sledging = personal jibes, asking how d*ck tastes like...then in our country, sledging = telling the bastman where the pavilion is, yelling, chest-thumping and roaring after every wicket.

Cricket-inspired poetry is always an abomination, and Mukul has proved that the tongue-in-cheek version is no exception. Let's hope it doesn't produce emulators. A wasted blog, really.

Mukul - stick to writing prose. Suits you better.

hahahaha..I liked this. yes yes it is so good. You see approval from aussies is so required in the world. Today I also read open mail from Gavin Robertson on how sledging drives aussies and how few childs play from India won't make any difference and what India has to do (that is, shut up and play).. yes yes we want approval from aussies - thats the only thing that matters yes yes :)

If what is said above is ponting's philosophy then I am wondering why is it that gilchrist cried in press that he would'nt expect his son to behave as the indians did in the second odi. Dude! if dragging the umpire into the controversy represents fake attitude then why is complaining to the press so respectable?? aussies are posers too

Erm, either stick to prose or use rhyme and metre more effectively.

I get Ponting's point, I don't agree with it. I don't get your point - except for since they are Australians everything they say is a choreographed attempt at winning the battle off-stage. Here are the facts:
- Sreesanth going over the top is fake. But, who cares? He is making money, becoming popular but, once that form subsidies so will he.
- Harbajhan has always been aggressive - at least against the aussies.
- India need to decide where they stand. Sledging against the Indians has worked well for them.
- There are a few aggressive characters in the team and a few who get spurred on by aggressive opposition (case in point - Yuvraj and Zaheer.)
-We also need to understand the different cultural aspects. A friendly match in Australia involves professional sledging. A club match in India rarely does.

Fiction:
-Your posts remaining objective. I'm sorry but, all you seem to do is twist things to suit your twisted reality.
-Anything Chris Broad says about a South Asian Team's behaviour.

Conclusion: I'm not suggesting anyone behaved well. In fact the behaviour on and off the ground has been very poor. At least, their excuse is they are under pressure. And kudos for that post-colonial diatribe. Get over it!

Lol....you can become a poet!!!
But according to me Ponting is always over the line, in any match.
Just take the example of this last match when he was given stumped out. What was so stunning to him, it was referred to the third umpire who gave him out. He was behaving as if some one had committed a crime by giving him out. And in almost every match you have Ponting going to the umpire and debating his decisions. What about those? Shouldn't those come under the match refree's scanner?
Hope India stamps its authority in this next match and trounce Australia, that should keep him quiet for a while, no wait he will again start complaining about Indians using the fake attitude to their advantage and winning!

Sreesanth went off and lost his cool.
Snarled at Symonds and played the fool.
Now Sree, you can very well bowl a maiden.
But you can't hold a candle to powerful Hayden.
The Aussies might use you as a bbq tool.

Mukul, I appreciate you taking the poetic way to deliver some poetic justice(?) to these big mouths, but mate, you do so well when you write in simple sentences... please remember that for me next time.
One point that really bothers me about Ponting is that why does a grand alloy of sportmanship and sledging like him gets itches under his skin by all the jumping? Man, they lost to us in the T20 championship. This series is being faught well as of now... so why don't they do all of us a favor and stop this show of ugly and fake gamemanship? We know what they are and they don't have to educat ethe public about their gentlemanly attitudes (or lack thereof).

Mukul, I appreciate you taking the poetic way to deliver some poetic justice(?) to these big mouths, but mate, you do so well when you write in simple sentences... please remember that for me next time.
One point that really bothers me about Ponting is that why does a grand alloy of sportmanship and sledging like him gets itches under his skin by all the jumping? Man, they lost to us in the T20 championship. This series is being fought well as of now... so why don't they do all of us a favor and stop this show of ugly and fake gamemanship? We know what they are and they don't have to educate the public about their gentlemanly attitudes (or lack thereof). Or may, its just the burn from the fire of their own kind, which is causing all these inflammatory responses from him?

I liked the last-stanza-but-one.

I think we've found India's next Poet Laureate.

Ponting talking about sporting behavior is like Javed Miandad giving lectures about playing in the real spirit of the game. No doubt, they were greats but as captains, their behavior disgraced the game and their country. Looking at Ponting's logic, a. Swear as much as you want at others but do not expect them to do it to you b. If they do, get people like Symonds involved under the pretext of defendng (from what?) your mate.c. As legends of tham game, the Aussie team has the right to sledge anyone and everyone, whenever they feel like it d. In the Chandigarh match, Symonds repeatedly sledged the Indian batters-- where were Ponting and Broad then? Maybe, they were thinking of the spirit of the game. e. If the other team improves their behavior, accuse them of being fakes-- if they do not, talk about playing in the spirit of the game.
Either way, IT IS NEVER THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM'S FAULT. You could have Gilchrist as captain but then the team would look less manly and more gentlemanly, I suppose. Then again, what other choices do you have for captain? Hayden, CLarke, Symonds and a relative rookie Hussey.
Shane Warne must be cursing the powers-that-be for denying him the captaincy when you have Mr. Ponting in a state of permanent and shameless denial. It is this behavior that is the real slight to the spirit of the game. If the captain thinks and acts like this, you cannot expect the others to be angels, especially with such manly standards to uphold.

I think this blog has no place on this site. Cricinfo's regular writers are a pleasure to read, but the blogs are generally of poor quality. Mukul might be a good writer, but he is certainly not a good cricket writer. Instead of this particular brand 'spectatorial perspective', why not feature more from the likes of osman, rahul, etc. who to my knowledge were never cricketers either but appear to have a real appreciation for the game itself, and not just its imagery.

I think Australian players love creating images of themselves and then making others buy into them, big Daddy included. That's their game. Just don't play it.

Gamesmanship is very much a part of their psyche.

Very lame, I'm afraid, Mukul! Seeing the title of the piece I was anticipating another well reasoned, thought provoking piece on the issue, only to find a somewhat juvenile piece of 'worse'.

It's sad... not just the cricketers, but the media itself can't control it's childishness...

What next? The Australian and Indian boards taking cheap shots at each other? Oh, wait...

As an Australian of Indian descent, it is extremely amusing to see the macho posturing from both sides in this series. I think it has made an irrelevant series interesting.

Further, the chest beating and other posturing coming from the Indian camp is laughable. The Australian's can act the way they do because they have been the dominant team over the past decade in both forms of the game. The buffonery from India and comemnts from all and sundry abot talking it to the Australians (ie a New India) totally miss the point here.

You have to win away from home and regularly!! for example, India could not beat an English Team without the World's best All rounder and their 3 best bowlers (Harmiston, Hoggard, Jones).

A win in a minor tournament (it was not a world cup by the way) does not make you the world champions in test cricket or odI's. Only consistent winning on the road and playing your style of cricket your way is what being a winner is about.

When Australia won the World Cup in 1987, it did not make them the best odi team in the world. This remained with the West Indies until 1995 when they were beaten by Australia home and away.

Further, the West Indians were a very aggressive team and they did not mind the odd verbal stouch either. I can remember reading comments from subcontinent cricketers in the 80's, where a number of West Indies bowlers would tell them (mainly tail enders) that they were going to die on the field!!!

So mental and verbal intimidation is a part of the game but this current macho posuturing, where India is down in the series (it could have been 4 nil if not for rain and the rare Australian choke in the last game)makes me laugh and worry at the same time about Indian cricket. There is a massive difference between not backing off an inch and being buffoons. Win regularly on the road in all forms of the game and you can act how ever you want. Until this occurs, you run the risk of looking like ...

Quite a hilarious composition...liked your poetic powers Mukul...

Pointing can go take a hike. If he opens his mouth he should be man enough to take it too. As far as Gilchrist son behaving good - that may be the case but the way he was laughing when Harbhajan was going out it showed he does not know how to behave.
Leave Sreesanth alone. he is a gem.
Aussie complaining about bad behavior is like Pol Pot complaining about human rights.
Give em hell. Bunch of Cryroos.

What on earth is this all about?! Yet another attempt by someone from the sub continent to denigrate the Australian cricket team, simply because their own team is struggling to compete. Where is the balance?! Where is the sarcastic, puerile, insulting ditty regarding the indian's behaviour throughout the series?! Instead of playing with words, why not just have the guts to call all Australians 'convicts' outright, since this is what the author alludes to and obviously believes.

Ponting's point is well made in that several indian players are quite happy to chirp and antagonise when things go their way, but as soon as things go against them they start squealing. The author of this ridiculous piece is obviously unable to discern that this is 'fake' behaviour, or maybe Ponting's comments hurt his feelings, but the reality is that Ponting is spot on with his assesment of india's behaviour.

I can only imagine the outcry had the Australian 12th man behaved the way sreesanth allegedly did towards Symonds ... it would be all over this website and other cricketing media. However, because it wasn't an Australian behaving badly, the story is basically a footnote. Being aggressive is one thing but behaving like a child is quite another.

Finally, there are obviously large cultural differences between Australia and India. Australian's have had to accept the way India plays the game, it's about time India accepted the way Australia play, and stopped trying to impose their standards on another country. Many Australians don't like the way teams from the sub continent go about the game, but the Australians get on with it. Many from the sub continent don't like the way Australia goes about the game, and all they do is whine, moan and bleat. It is tiresome and unbecoming.

Always look foward to your posts. Excellent reading.

To be sledged after years of watching the Indians tirn their back has definitely suprised the Aussies. As an Indian-Aussie, I know that the popular belief here is that Indians want no part of the verbal stoush and go into their shells.

To read Dhoni's criticism of Sreesanth in the news was very suprising, especially after the maanger Lalcahnd Rajout had basically urged them to take on the Aussies on that front.

Ponting would never crticise his players in public, nor would any good manager.

I was disappointed

it is a joke if ricky ponting expects anybody to believe that Australians are good losers. Yes, they are 2-1 up and the series is not over yet, he needs to remember that. Was he not the crying sissy in the 2005 Ashes, oh why did the English have a substitute runner who ran him out...and everybody saw the shouting match he got into with the then English coach.

I wonder what might happen to his so called wonderful and praised behavior if the Australians land up losing the series.

I guess when macgrath and warne did this it was agression, when sreesanth does it, we call it bad, erractic behavior? So far he has 8 wickets in three games and thats better than anybody else in the series so far..he is backing the talk with the walk and he deserves all the damn support he can get. I think Ricky Ponting and his so called team are actually not liking being on the receiving end....when the Australians are involved every series is "ugly"...they do not set very high standards with their behavior..so it makes us wonder what they are really complaining about.

What does Broad think of Symonds going and talking to Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting not walking back after he was given out by the third umpire.
The Aussies may be fine cricketers but under pressure their dark side really comes out. I hope Sreesanth annoys them even more, and so does the rest of the team. Anybody who has watched cricket over the years will know that the Aussies don't deserve any sympathy.

A childish post in the same vein as Sreesanth's childish behaviour. I suppose given that your country is only 60 years old we should expect this. Your old colonial masters will be very dissapointed at your behaviour.

Is this the new India?

Heheh! I used to find this stuff puerile, but now I am enjoying the sight of Sreesanth pissing off the Australians.

Its funny how most of these Aussie ,Pakistani and English fans take objections to this blog and say they wont read it gain , only to later read it and post their ignorant India bashing comments as a form of a revenge.I like it that this guy is brutally honest and not scared to ruffle a few feathers , and definitely has a good understanding of the game and echoes what millions of educated Indian fans are thinking of at the time.I do feel though that the poem here could have been enhanced with more poetic devices such as alliteration instead of solely relying on rhyming.

There was a lot of chest beating by Indians after their ODI win the other night. I am impressed by the mightly Indian team who have now managed to win one of the last fourteen ODI's against the Aussies (and a 20/20 match). Impressive stuff. What I am really looking forward to is the Indians at the WACA Ground (now a very bouncy track again) in January fending off the short balls from Lee, Johnson, Clark and Tait (yes you have all forgotten about Tait).

Seriously, a boring blog from a hypocritical writer... Perhaps, he should be hired by some celebrity gossip magazine. Sree was childish perhaps, but he was being in the Aussie's faces and getting under their skin which is what the Aussies do to others.. You don't have to do it the "right" way as long as you achieve the objective (another Aussie lesson, if i may... So holier-than-thou Aussies are just being sour grapes and nothing else.. And the writer here needs to take a break..

What the hell is this 'new India' crap? Isn't this the same fluff you guys have been coming out with for the last 50 years?

As an Aussie (a proud one) of Indian background (born and lived in Bombay till I was four), its hilarious to view the antics of both sides. While some of the behaviour is not of an approving nature, its creating theatre, and I dont mind that.

While I hardly think Aussies are in the position to endorse the qualities of examplary on-field behaviour, to claim India are much better is a laugh.

Honestly, I implore Indians to look at the behaviours of both teams respectively. Australia are in the position to do the big talk because you look at the number of trophies they've won. That sort of success can give you a superiority complex over the rest of the competition. The West Indies of yore did the same thing, so to merely dismiss this as an Australian trait shows a terrible lack of knowledge.

Now lets look at India- a country filled with talent, money and facilities, but rarely have sewn it together to translate to positive performances. If India come back and win the Future Cup, it will generate massive interest for the home Test series in Australia this December and January.

A congratulations must be in order to India for their T20 win, but just how much of an achievement it is remains to be seen. Was it worth the sort of celebrations that eventuated? I really don't think it was. Still, 24 years is a long time, and Indians should have something to smile about.

But dont let it go to your head. Anyone who argues the T20 win is more valuable than winning a hat-trick of ODI world cups is an idiot. Since winning in the Carribean in 95, Australia have only lost 20 tests. India have lost that many in two.

So while Australia's arrogance, while not admirable, is somewhat understandable. What has India done to warrant such a arrogant view on the game?

Andy Roberts,Joel Garner,Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall,Greenidge were sissies,no fire in the belly,no swear words,no double standards.They failed miserably,because they didn't play hard and fair.Never raised hell when they disturbed the furniture,or when their's disturbed.The game needs characters you know.These guys were so timid that even uncle referee wasn't required who himself broke stumps while playing and now gives nice little sermons to budding characters and clowns.We should learn how to shake one's head after getting caught at batpad that too flush of the bat.Justin Langer will soon be in town,don't miss.The game needs characters.

@nath "Finally, there are obviously large cultural differences between Australia and India. Australian's have had to accept the way India plays the game, it's about time India accepted the way Australia play, and stopped trying to impose their standards on another country. Many Australians don't like the way teams from the sub continent go about the game, but the Australians get on with it. Many from the sub continent don't like the way Australia goes about the game, and all they do is whine, moan and bleat. It is tiresome and unbecoming."

Couldn't agree more. If the sub continent could play cricket as well as they whinge, they might be able to match Australia on the field.

This is the first instance when any Indian captain has so fantastically embraced aggression and free spirit in his team mates – after Kapil Dev. Very refreshing to see Dhoni talk about letting his boys be themselves. With his strong individuality what he is doing is no less a Process than what a Greg Chappell promised (wanted) to do, sans the computer. His method is more refreshing because, its armoured in our own values and not by those defined by a westerner in a book – him not coming from a cosmopolitan city, … and all! Hence, almost all of us, can innately relate to it.

This is another great episode for the self-believing India. Just to make this point, let me tell you that until mid 1990s (since 200 years), we were only trying to measure ourselves up based on the “Comments from the west”. But since then, it grew into “trying to measure ourselves With them”, and presently, “daring to beat them” – at almost All fields. Obviously we are far from being there yet! But in our own way, we have begun the process, in just a decade and we are getting there pretty quickly! This is no mean task! This is new for both Us, and Them.

This re-nurtured self identity in India and in the Indian cricket team may take time to consolidate to be cosmetically appealing. So, there are going to be things happening like those in this Future Cup. But hey, I am happy that the process has begun. I would suggest that we all sit and enjoy the drama, and laud it, rather than dampen it by doing anything – holding our players back or boosting their actions or crying fowl at the opposition. If we start to realize what is unfolding for the long run then we the spectators also grow with India and the Team.

As for the media, I think it is growing too. We still have majority of match reports being biased by the result and oblivious of the contest. But there are also quite a few that talk about the game, the game plan, the finesse and talent in an improving wicket keeper who stumped the opposition captain, etc. Our media is also participating passively in the sledging games with the opposition – although they are far behind those down under, who would cautiously spare but a small column commending the opponents, Only if they win the Series (nothing less)! That may not be the right thing to do, but that component is not a part of our media – not yet.

As for our team, I am mightily impressed. There has been no mention from the Indian side of lack of preparation-time, match fitness, etc. From the first ODI to the fourth, they have constantly stifled the opponent’s scoring rate and total score (307, 306, 291, 283), while constantly bettering their own (DNB, 225, 244, 291). That is the result of this new born aggression. One or two victories is all what we may be able to muster in this series. But an achievement should be credited according to its significance in the context of things – the new aggression has gotten us something for the first time in threeE years! And any visionary would realize that these are huge moral victories against this Australian team, who win almost nothing less than everything along their way. Let not Ponting’s statement (back your aggression with actions) fool us away from realization of this improvement – this should give us a great moral victory so far in this series! We are Chuk de-ing!

All this talk is both sad and exhilarating at the same time. Mainly sad to see that people can't seem to look past their own biases and see that both teams have made mistakes in this series regarding 'aggressive' behaviour.

I think its fair to say that Symonds lecturing Indians on how to celebrate winning is a little rich as is any Australian player complaining about poor on-field behaviour.

On the Indian side I find it bizarre that after all the bluster (all heard before from opponents of Australia) about playing an aggressive game, fighting fire with fire etc, that after 3 games of it clearly not working their captain should take on the role of playground dobber. If they wish to talk a big game then they're going to want to back it up a little better in future. Victory in the T20 carnival, while admirable, cannot be mistaken for real success.

On the exhilarating side how good is it to see two teams go at it so hard on the field giving their all for their team.

Just a final note on the needling of Australia's convict heritage. I'd say don't bother as most Australians are proud that many came as prisoners and built a prosperous modern country. I think its on a par with the old and tired painting of Indians as curry munchers. As with the convict jibe, patently true and equally ineffective as an insult.

Bring on the cricket!

nice. it rhymes. Everyone knows the Aussies are sore losers. but so far that's exactly what they don't do often . lose ! Symonds was whining about feeling like something precious been taken away and moralizing about celebration. had the same comment come from Gilchrist it would ave been more than just sour grapes after T20 cause I remember him chiding Indian public for their reaction after the world cup exit. But for all his brilliant one day performances Symonds was just being a cry baby :P . Australians are definitely not humble or well behaved on the field by any yardstick. So they should stop pointing fingers or making comments on any other teams aggression fake or not.

So i read a lot of negative comments about the post . Things like "childish post" etc. Keep writing .. if Ponting and team reads it, they are sure to be bugged by this.And they'll hopefully choke for a more times in close games with India.

PS: The fact that Ponting is whining is already proof that hes bugged. Good going India...

PS2: Australian team should either stop acting like a school bully, or should stop crying when someone gives it back to them.

Sreesanth's wickets in this series include:
Symonds: 3 times (in 3 matches)
Hodge and Hopes: Twice each
Hayden: once

Does it need any further explaining why the Aussie team and their press are baying for his blood?

LOL...I guess the best way to react to something as silly and a non issue as this is a post like this.

Australia basically will say anything and everything to gain the psychological edge and there is no point in trying to logically argue against it because the only logic they adhere to is what suits them on the given day.

As to the 'fake' attitude of the Indians, it is more about deliberately taking the aggro up a notch but they may end up looking a little foolish at times because they are new at this game while the Aussies are past masters at this and have perfected the art. Given enough time, they will learn how to do it in style like the Aussies.

Granted that Sreesanth's behavior is childish, but it is nothing new. Australia and SA do it all the time, why is it that when they do it, it is considered civilized. There is a double standard here. Look at Nel while he is bowling. He continuosly chatters to the batsman. Why is the media not looking at the other side of the fence.

Someone please tell me what is wrong with Sreessanth, look at then his reaction when he gets Symonds out a few matches ago, nobody should act like that unless they were actually a good bowler.

You should be so lucky that Australia kept you minnows alive in this series by bowling 39 extras and lets not forget Sachin ,who needs too be dismissed a minimum of 6 times for it too register with the umpires , try praying for more of that or for more rain like the way it saved you in the 1st match thrashing.

Don't go getting a big head after winning such an insignificant tournament either (t20). It's so low rated the Indians would be the only team to remember who won.

Sattire par excellence, Mukul, though i am surprised you haven't got enough fire and brimstone in return for the 'transportation' bit!
However, the Indians need to mix it up a bit with naked aggro and smiling taunts thrown in equal measure! Why don't you lend them your poem, each stanza being muttered within earshot of each Aussie batsman by earmarked fielders, when they settle into their stance at the wicket!
Good to see an aggressive Indian team after 2-3 years again. If only our selectors and secretaries can lay their hands off the team!

All the chauvinistic Indian supporters will obviously don't like Aussie Team. In last 25 years, the only significant victory India has managed over Aussies is the last win in the T20 cup, so no need for all that jumping around. Your team is childish and has no professionalism in it, only money-hungry contract players; who stick around for ages just to earn extra money through advertisements

It's only the self righteous nonsense on this blog that makes me write but it's true!! Indians are much better losers than Australia!! They've had much much more practice at it!
Sreesanth's does nothing more than inspire Australia to find some motivation when forced to play against a team of under achievers who don't know what's required to get to the top let alone stay there. The schoolground cricket "world" cup appears to have gone to your heads and now you think you are contenders! 20 million versus over 1 billion! Why aren't India the best in the World at all forms of cricket? Must be something vital for success missing I think. What could it be?

I don't know what to make of your post. The purist might look askance at the construction (and meter), but I suppose it does bring out the sliding scale of Australian posturing in sharp relief.
But what price Sreesanth's most recent antics? Was that an instance of wholesome, well-intentioned one-upmanship that went horribly wrong? It wasn't like Symonds was going in to bat, for god's sake, so what could his motive have possibly been? I gave him the benefit of the doubt for the beamer at Pietersen, and the no-ball which could have been spotted from the lower stratosphere, but have ample reason to revise my opinion after this display of churlish vindictiveness. It's one thing to spontaneously erupt into an impression of 16 saucers gyrating at different speeds around a spindle after hitting Andre Nel for a six--I cannot think of worthier candidate for such an opprobrium--but that was just boorishness begetting the same. Sreesanth's behavior in recent times is serving to discredit him roundly, and is threatening to bring the team (and the sport) to disrepute. I think he should be banned from playing cricket at any level until he develops a moderate sense of proportion (and perspective).

This is the first instance when any Indian captain has so fantastically embraced aggression and free spirit in his team mates – after Kapil Dev. Very refreshing to see Dhoni talk about letting his boys be themselves. With his strong individuality what he is doing is no less a Process than what a Greg Chappell promised (wanted) to do, sans the computer. His method is more refreshing because, its armored in our own values and not by those defined by a westerner in a book – him Not coming from a cosmopolitan(!) city, … and all! Hence, almost all of us, can innately relate to it.

This is another great episode for the self-believing India. Just to make this point, let me tell you that until mid 1990s (since 200 years), we were only trying to measure ourselves up based on the “Comments from the west”. But since then, it grew into “trying to measure ourselves With them”, and presently, “daring to Beat them” – at almost All fields. Obviously we are far from being there yet! But in our own way, we have begun the process, in just a decade and we are getting there pretty quickly! This is no mean task! This is new for both Us, and Them.

This re-nurtured self identity in India and in the Indian cricket team may take time to consolidate to be cosmetically appealing. So, there ARE going to be things happening like those in this Future Cup. But hey, I am happy that the process has begun. I would suggest that we all sit and enjoy the drama, and laud it, rather than dampen it by doing anything – holding our players back or boosting their actions or crying fowl at the opposition. If we start to realize what is unfolding for the long run then WE the spectators also grow with India and the Team.

continued .....
As for the media, I think it is growing too. We still have majority of match reports being biased by the result and oblivious of the contest. But there are also quite a few that talk about the game, the game plan, the finesse and talent in an improving wicket keeper who stumped the opposition captain, etc. Our media is also participating passively in the sledging games with the opposition – although they are far behind those down under, who would cautiously spare but a small column commending the opponents, Only if they Win the Series (nothing less)! That may not be the right thing to do, but that component is not a part of our media – not yet.

As for our team, I am mightily impressed. There has been no mention from the Indian side of lack of preparation-time, match fitness, etc. From the first ODI to the fourth, they have constantly stifled the opponent’s scoring rate and total score (307, 306, 291, 283), while constantly bettering their own (DNB, 225, 244, 291). THAT is the result of this new born aggression. One or two victories is all what we may be able to muster in this series. But an achievement should be credited according to its significance in the context of things – the new aggression has gotten us something for the first time in THREE years! And any visionary would realize that these are huge moral victories against this Australian team, who win almost nothing less than Everything along their way. Let not Ponting’s statement (back your aggression with actions) fool us away from realization of this improvement – this should give us a great moral victory so far in this series! We are “Chuk de-ing”!

in reference to
[Posted by: Romit
How can Ponting take a moral ground on on field behavior when just few months ago he and martyn shoved Sharad pawar aside in a trophy presentation. ...]

Did he really do that?!!! WOW Ponting is my new hero then. May he break all of tendulkar's test records.

@nath:""Finally, there are obviously large cultural differences between Australia and India. Australian's have had to accept the way India plays the game, it's about time India accepted the way Australia play, and stopped trying to impose their standards on another country. "

What a self-loathing load of crap! Can you please elaborate how Australia has had to "accept the way India plays the game"? The Indians didn't mouth obscenities perhaps? Oh the suffering the poor Aussies endured...!

Okay, so even I can rap,
Unlike mukul’s crazy cr*p
What you call that a poem?
Better go to Rome (I don’t know why, just for the rhy-me)

Here goes: Sree is mental!
After every wicket, he leers and shows his dental.
He is Furious but not Fast,
For a long time he may not last.
Symonds can kill a boar with a roar
And can evade a bunch of sharks,
But for the first time in his life is challenged by a parasite dork;
Together they make a good showing of Alien vs Predator - 2.

Ponting, what can I say about him,
That man can get bashed up in a bar,
The next day he destroys bowling attacks in a ruthless war.
Always argues with a point equally toothless.
Knows (thinks) the Indians don’t deserve: the adulation, fame and money.
But what can he do, his people like rugby.

Big man from small town is Dhoni,
Ponting called him a phony.
That man doesn’t care for comments from men so cheap,
For he knows his popularity among his people still runs deep,
He will continue to pile runs in a heap.

I pity Mukul.
That man willingly becomes a boxing bag.
He posts his 'opinions', he agrees his mistakes.
But some readers are just too harsh,
They insult him, kick him and spit on his living grave.

Were you wondering where’s the rhyme gone now?
For your kind information – carried away by a Japanese tow.
Don’t find fault with me, no you don’t!
50 cents, LL J Cool and Ice cube themselves stay out of my sight,
Cause the king of rap, Eminem taught me right,
Iam every girl’s knight in white,
Karthik is my name,
And I will not go down without a fight.

This is for the sorry Aussie/Barmy army (wo)men who have been whining.
It is fine if,
…. Flintoff trash talks - as long as your only reply is with 6 sixers.
…. the English team spills jelly beans on the playing field and taunt you asking the color of your choice, as long as your only reply is to win the series winning match.
…. Donald threatens to run over Dravid, as long as Dravid only silently replies with a half century.
…. Ponting shoves the BCCI president, as long as the reply is only to win the T20 championship (which is bugging them endlessly)!
…. Hair is too quick to act illegally without proof and scheme against a non-western bloc, and bring down the reputation of every respected umpire in the elite panel, as long as he is reinstated with full monitory compensation from the ICC, only with minor degradation.
…. for an Aussie captain to show dissent at an Asian bloc umpire’s call for his stumping, as long as the match referee congratulates him for being nice to Him off the field.
But, …..
It is not fine if,
…. a tailender from the Asian bloc celebrates hitting a frontline bowler for six, the ball after being challenged to do so.
…. a Murali surpasses the record of his contemporary.
…. Lara out scores (again!) a record which the Aussies thought was at last going to be theirs again (after Don).
…. Sarwan return’s Glenn his own medicine.
…. Sreesanth asks after genuinely knocking-out Ponting, “are you OK”.

These and many more such …, tell us clearly that The western-bloc never wants anyone returning their serves. Well, very few of their serves are worthy of being aces! Now, more opponents are learning to return their serves and in fact serving back genuine aces at them. If they are humiliated by these aces they better step down from the sport!

Well, clearly, the situation is the same as it was until 5 decades ago, when the slave-filled Western world propagated civilization and democracy.

For those who call this discussion childish, get a ship load of reality poured into your backyard! NO one, I mean NO ONE in the “Asian Bloc” likes the Aussie attitude, the Kiwi treatment (at airports), English belittlement, South African racial comments (although apologized for later) when they visit these places. And it so happens that recently these blocs have started stating their intent, Loudly. That is only the good news. The bad news is that, please wait …. there is much more to come!

MJ, I am surprised at your vitriol toward Sreesanth. His latest encounter with Symonds was not churlish vindictiveness. He was clearly ribbing him. It has been blown way out of proportion. There was nothing "in your face" about it.

Childish he may seem, but if you think Sreesanth should be banned, then what did you think of Warne, McGrath, Lillee, and many others in their pomp? I suppose all of these latter exhibited "a moderate sense of proportion". What a laugh.

The Indians are merely giving back what was dished out to them in the past. They'll get better at it. Sreesanth included.

Just get used to it. They will do it the Indian way, just as you Aussies do it the Australian way.

@EngPom11:"lets not forget Sachin ,who needs too be dismissed a minimum of 6 times for it too register with the umpires"

Well, when playing in England he does not need to be dismissed at all. Just hitting hits pads and appealing is enough. Bottom line is, what goes round comes around. Stop hinting that Sachin makes his runs with the help of umpires. Every batsman make (or do not make) runs based on their skill level

Just don't bother much about the things mentioned above, coz Aussies started and are being paid back now with interest. One point, quite irrelevant to the post perhaps, that I would want to highlight is -
I remember Ponting quoting that it would be nothing but a clean sweep when they land here in October for the one-dayers. This was probably immediately after the world-cup. For once, I am happy that the scoreline would read atmost 5-1
(who knows, we might dig it out to square). That heartens me a plenty now !!!

So what's your point? If a team is confrontational one day and crying to the umpire the next, obviously one of the two behaviours is not natural.
.
Harsh words. I have no idea what Dhoni considers harsh.... Or was it a jibe about his hair?
.
You might have been trying to be facetious when you write "Real men don't need to start jumping
To get their testosterone pumping. These Sreesanths and Dhonis: They're just phonies." But I certainly agree that taunting gesturing and overly physical celebrations should really have been grown out of by the time you've left intermediate school. A number of international bowlers, Sreesanth being a major example, needs to learn that the battle with a batsman ends the moment his wicket falls.
.
The Indian team aren't perpetually victimised heroes, and they certainly don't need you Mr. Kevasan to defend them as such, as you tend to on this blog.

Dear! aussie fan, rext, and the likes …,
Indian team won the Prundential world cup, Benson and Hedges world cup, Sharja cup, ICC champions trophy, etc. and many more, after either beating Australia or in which Australia also participated! 1987 world cup could well have been an Indo-Pak affair, had it not been for their unexpected results in the SM with England and Australia. Indian team have been the Aussie’s most consistent challenger in the world cups, etc. Indian team is the only team to be unbeaten by Australia, in a test match series In Australia, in the past years. Only the Indian team stopped the unbeaten Aussie run in both ODIs and Test matches, when they were peaking.
“Self righteous nonsense” is – Ian Chappell and Tony Greg trumpeting their dime-a-dozen comments – “awi think this, … awi think that, ….” like they were worth their price in gold!

Australians do respond to sledging; and it does get under their skin. Witness the nationwide response to Saurav Ganguly, who can easily induce a collective conniption Down Under just by picking up his bat.

Pontings comments were/have not been racist. The poem by Mukul uses racism to explain Pontings' comments.

Controversy sell's no doubt.

I thought the proud people from India were above playing "The Race Card", obviously not.

Perhaps we need a quota system so that non Australian cricket teams can win more often & feel good???

Better yet, let's introduce ten/10 cricket, five/5 or even matches where just 1 ball is bowled by either side???

If we did that, we could have cricket that is even more competitive!

1 Billion+ people live in India. 20 million in Australia.

Yes our cricket team is so much better than India's because of,,,,,

"A history of transportation".

Wake up!!!!! Indian sources suggested through the media that the Australian Cricket team was susceptible to sledging & offensive behaviour on the field(especially Matthew Hayden). After a few games the Indian captain was complaining about Aussie Cricketer behaviour on the field to the media!!! Pontings comments stemmed from that.

Any attempt to convert Pontings comments into a racist rant is totally unjustified.

IMHO all the Indians involved should put on a dress, claim sexism as well & divorce cricket taking 75% of the assets & find a new sport. That's what Aussie women do when they don't like something.

Here's a poem,

The Indian men decided the best dish was Curry,
for the Aussies were weak & would leave in a hurry,
They ranted & raved on how they were strong,
But the the Aussies endured because they weren't wrong,
The Indians complained & started calling for mummy,
The Aussies stood tall, they don't need a dummy,

Led by Mukul, the issue became race,
The sad fact of it all, India is just off the pace!

Thankyou, please come again.

There are allot of misguided bias indians here including the joke who started the post. Ponting isn't whinging about being sledged, he is correctly stating that that joke Dohni and harbhajan go crying to the press when they get sledged but don'y mind having a say out on the field. As for sreesanth, he is the biggest joke of them all. Since when have you seen a player carry on like that. He did it in SA and in England when he became just about the only player in living memory to forcfully make contact with another player (Vaughan). If you guys think that is great, then it says more about you and your culture than it does for anyone else. All this moral high ground from the cricketing nation that gave us and no doubt still does match fixing.

"I wish Rameez Raja asked him that after Ponting's side (once again) wilted under pressure."

Hahahaha, once again? Remined me again who has won 3 world cups straight, gone 2 straight undefeated and has been world test champions for how many years... Ohh wait, maybe they are good under pressure after all, to keep such a record intact. Meanwhile the Indian team, despite a wealth of talent and promise has lost World Cup finals and failed to make the Super 8's. Who is it that was "once again" wilting under pressure?

Very weighty, and poetry, comparable to 'Charge of The Light Brigade'. In some other era, separate, from the present, a Knighthood, would have been due. Could we have some more, poetry, which is uplifting? Looking forward to the next piece. Regards.

Mukul,

Aussies and their Pommy buddies are quite justifiably angry with Indians these days:

i) If Indians win T20 tournament, it is a very insignificant achievement. However, if Aussies win the most boring word-cup final in the most boring world cup ever, its a great achievement.

ii) England, of course, is a great cricket team. Never mind that they have not won even a single world cup in any form of game.

iii) If England, after winning the ashes once in a blue moon, award Order of British Empire on all the players of the team (coach included), and have a big parade, its OK. But, if Indians celebrate victory, it becomes over the top!

iv)If G. McGrath insults and abuses Ram Naresh Sarwan, it is wonderful behavior (now don't make me repeat what McGrath said to Sarwan, and what he said back to him), but if Sreesanth does anything to these perfect gentlement called Aussies/Pommies, he should be banned.

v) If Tendulkar gets benefit of the doubt in the hands of the Umpire in one game, all hell breaks lose. But when English umpires, and their South African first cousins, were declaring him out even though the ball was 1 meter away from bat, we are supposed to accept it without protest.

vi) Let's accept it that in the recent Test and one-day series in England, English team played with thirteen players (11+2). But still they lost the test series, and won the one-day series barely (4-3). These were their achievements after their umpires gave Tendulkar out wrongly at least on four occasions.

Re: A history of transportation, Explains our gift for confrontation,

No wonder Hair sued the ICC for racism. I am an Asian (Sri Lankan) but I am digusted by the use of the new power of the Asian domination of cricket (on the field and off it). I thought we'd do better with our 3000+ years of culture.

Always the case isnt it?Ricky Ponting now cannot handle a rookie thumping his chest when he gets a wicket. Too bad for him, Ricky now looks like a wuss. Oooops, he always has been one. But we have to give it to Ricky for one thing. He is the best "hooker" to have ever walked the planet. Anyways, besides my obvious loathing of the australian captain, I have to mention that sreesanths antics are not backed up by his bowling. But then again, we need characters like him in cricket. The only muck up here being, it just does not suit him. That run out attempt of Symonds was appalling. That is not character mister. Probably, he just over does it and it doesnt look good on television. He probably has to go back and look at replays of his antics. His over appealing in the 20-20 world cup was immaturish. Fast bowlers dont beg. Havent you ever noticed sree? Sighh...gone are those days, when we could see a donald fuming or an ambrose giving the spine chilling stare half way down the wicket or a walshy twitching his brows looking at the batsmen. Best antic show award for this generation of cricketers has to be given to Andre Nel. The guy just jumped out of a Hitchcock movie.

I found the verse very appropriate and had the right blend of satire and humour. People who havecriticise this verse on its metre and tone better get a course in poetics.
I do think that the behaviour in this series has been abominable by both sides. The Indian aggression is fake, of course it is to some extent, this behaviour is just alien to Indians culturally. However, I am also astounded by the boot licking tendencies of Indians. The Aussies sledge, they also abuse. There is a fine line between sledging and abuse and it should be seen that none of the teams cross the line. In 2001, I was surprised when the entire Indian press went after Sourav along with the Aussie press, calling him names and insulting him for daring to stare the Aussies in the eye. It was left to none other than Gavaskar to first defend him. The same thing is happening with Sreesanth and the other members of the Indian team now. They are making a hue and cry over how Sree clapped at Symonds' face, but are remaining silent at Symonds' sledging of Tendulkar.
People may say the Australians are not at fault, this is an effect of the great outside culture. I say bollocks. I have seen many Australians who were extremely polite. They were forthright and honest but never abusive, so do not give the fig leaf of Australian culture to defend their boorishness. At the same time the Indians should be cautioned too. The best thing would be to ban the offenders on both sides (Ponting, Symonds, Clarke, Harbhajan, Sreesanth) for a few matches.

You have a point to prove Mukul. I should appreciate your poetic knowledge. But I really doubt how you are getting away with all your non-cricketing posting. No wonder hair accused asian blog influence. Is cricinfo owned by an asian? Are you too ? Just stick to cricket brain and use it wisely.. brain is terrible thing to waste.. so do yours..

Australians have always been well behaved an obeyed the rules of the game... of the few incidents that really show their sincerity one would be when Michael slater took a fake catch of Dravid... hmm.... one can see Mcgrath's statement about sledging on you tube... and no need to go to far..even in their home series they bully each other...all is on you tube... One more thing..Ponting can be a good politician...he should try in politics as hi next career he will do well......he really masters the art of making exotic statements...so that the other person needs to respond to them and make himself look ugly...
well done ponting....

You are in a free fall. Your last few articles have been very disappointing. You made a big deal of Salim Mallick's comments in stead of talking about the wonderful cricket that was played in the world cup. Then out of blue an article about why Laxman should be captain. And now this nonsense. Couldn't you write something about the first competitive match of the series and how Dhoni and the team have managed to maintain their composure amidst all this nonsense.

What a childish immature post. Quite like the behaviour recently on the cricket pitch.

I'd just like to say to all posters enjoying Sreesanth's "agression" , the rest of the world is too. We're having a great laugh, at him!

Mr. Kevasan, this is an ugly post.

Being the world champions - convincingly so, on the last three ocassions, not to mention being the one cricket team that consistently wins abroad ( although I am not convinced about their record in India) gives the Australians bragging rights. There are a lot of things where it is acknowledged by one and all that they set the benchmarks and they need to be emulated. It is only for the betterment of cricket in general. The mental side of the Australian game - and when I say mental, I mean the ability to plan for all situations and for each member of the team to implement that plan - is also something which the Indians need to learn.

But when it comes to sledging, there simply has to be a distinction made. Sledging, or whatever name it is called by - is merely a way to distract the opponent with words - unkind or otherwise. I have always failed to understand why this has been admitted in cricket. I wodul assume that the advent of match referees, which basically happened only in the last decade, was to make sure that the rules of cricket are followed. I will be interested to know if there is any rule in ICC's books that says - it is allowed for the fielding team to distract the batsmen. If this is indeed true, then cricket is really poorer by such rules.

It is interesting to draw a parallel with what is happening today and what used to happen in the 80's and early 90's of West Indies domination. Back then, "fighting fire with fire" purely meant - playing good cricket and being aggressive in intent and planning. Sunil Gavaskar did this. Kapil Dev did this. Dennis Lillee did this and so did Imran Khan. I do not recollect reading too many incidents where words were needed to exert pressure on each other. Now, "fighting fire with fire" means something else. I for one, feel that this is happening only because the rest of the teams feel that sledging is an integral part of the Aussie game. What's more, by not being impartial in the implementation of its rules, the ICC is giving out a message that indeed the Australian way of playing the game, inclusive of sledging is the correct way to play it. There have been far too many incidents where the ICC has been caught napping when it comes to implementing its own rules. Saurav Ganguly was once docked a match because he stayed at the crease, bewildered about a wrongly given LBW decision. Michael Slater abused rahul Dravid in protest, the umpire in-charge S Venkataraghavan even complained about it - but no action was taken. The McGrath-Sarwan incident is the sickest example that ICC can set for people like Gilchrist's son. Nothing was done. Ponting has said a lot, but I am not sure that the ICC allows captains to talk of what the match referee tells them. This is not supposed to be discussed. But he has got away with it again.

As long as the ICC maintains double standards, this will continue. Sledging in all forms needs to be stopped/banned immediately. Simply put, the Australians are good enough to win a match with their skills. And that is what we woudl want the other teams to learn. The focus cannot be on sledging - but it will continue to be so, as long as the Aussies set this pathetic standard

Lastly, Ricky Ponting is the last person in the cricket arena whose behaviour can be an example to the cricket-following kids. His career is replete with abuse and the fact that he has got away with it only encourages him and his team to carry on the way they do. In fact, save Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn, the entire Australian team of the past decade - even the legends like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath have been embarassments on this front. No wonder sledging is legitimate today. How can something so detrimental to the game be legitimate?

Now, if there is an argument that a little bit of banter does not harm to the game - this argument is basically flawed. Are the umpires capable of hearing everything that is being said - to decide what is "little bit of banter" and what is "abusive behaviour"? Also most umpires are used to it anyway so they have individual definitions of what is "permissible". The only solution is to do away with this totally.

Mukul Kesavan will say many things. But Sree, you keep at it. You've getting under their skin. Now you've to head for the liver like a Plasmodium Falciparum and stall the juggernaut. And for that don't forget to work on the accuracy - on the off stump or thereabouts. Just get the biggies out - Gilchrist, Hayden, Symonds. (Let Ponting hang around a bit. He's not as good as he thinks)Thump the mother earth all you want. Let's see which cricket rule Mr Broad and Co will hold against you. (He must be still seeing 6 sixers in his dreams)

India Watcher: nothing "in your face" about it? I believe that the clapping and the jeering were. Warne, Lillee and McGrath, however misanthropic their on-field personae, reserved their boorish worst for people who were about to face them (with an occasional "send-off" to a departed batsman). SS's serving of the cold dish was to a man who was leaving the field. Why stop there? Why not pursue the Australians to their hotel rooms and make faces at them? Nothing more mentally disintegrating than piping pulsating bhangara music to their sleeping quarters at 3.30am? Surely you see the difference?

"You Aussies?" Where did you get that from? Kindly refrain from making such scurrilous imputations, or I shall be compelled to retaliate in kind:-).

Its a simple equation. Aussies only respect those whom they can bully not the ones who bully them. thats why then cant stand it when they are sledged upon. Classic example Mac Grath vs Sarwan.

To Tugger!

Sometimes you haveto watch what you say. Looks like all Aussies behave in the same way. You have mentioned about match fixing. This is your notion that India gave it to the world and indeed just an atrocity that you say it still continues. Just for the record, in India, South Africa and Pakistan - cricketers of very high calibre were accorded various punishments ranging from life bans to multiple-year bans. Do you wish to reminded what the Australian Cricket Board did to Mr. Mark Waugh and Mr.Shane Warne, even after they were caught red-handed?I have never supported the notion that Australia is a nation of convicts. But that one incident tells me that the people who are part of Australian Cricket had, still have and looks like will continue to have - a totally misplaced notion of what is right and wrong. YOur comment only confirms this. Lastly you say you do not know of any player before Sreesanth who intentionally made contact with a player. Probably you are suffering from selective amnesia or you are just too immature. So ket me remind you of the Dennis Lillee- Javed Miandad incident which started off with that fantastic bowler and pathetically mannered man - KICKING the batsman.

The reason why the australians aren't disciplined for sledging is that what they are doing does not break the rules. That is the point of most of this. Doing what Sreesanth does is not what the aussies are doing. You don't see the aussies carrying on in such an over the top manner. Sure they have plenty to say, even swear. Most sides do. It only ever seems to be a problem on the subcontinent. As to Sree having an effect on the aussies. Well I am looking forward to him coming down under and keeping it up. It will go a long way to the aussies flogging the Indians. Check his stats. He is ordinary at best.

This piece clearly proves that Mukul belongs to the category of anti Asutralian Indian cricket writers who like cricket because they like to watch India win, not because they like the sport. For if you liked the sport you wouldn't be anti-Australian, would you? How many soccer fans hate Brazil - not many, well apart from the Argentines.

Tugger, youre right, we Indians just do not know how to appreciate sport. Instead of applauding the Aussies for their incredible domination for decades, we have a breed of anti-Aussie writers who can't stand the fact that the Aussies beat us match after match. As far as match fixing is concerned, clearly proves we are corrupt people , perhaps the most corrupt in the world.

yes your comment on transportation may show that the Aussies descended from prisoners, but you've totally missed the fact that we invnted matchfixing, so we are criminals NOW

Untouchable Convict, youre hilarious, and unlike Mukul, you make a good point or two

I think Aussies (Cryroos) are pissed off and that is where they should be. How come their bad behavior is acceptable but if Sree does anything it is wrong. Sree give them hell. Indian media should realize that they are falling in Cryroo's trap.
What is good for the geese is good for the gander. No more pontification from cryroos. Now they are running to match refs. Bunch of bozos.

ricky ponting has been winning.. after all he is an aussie woos. I was reading his comments in Sydney herald yesterday and the way he laments.. (its mind boggling).. girls, no offence, but you need to take some lesson from his guy.. he is a master of excuses.. we cant even tell him that he is fined and warned so many times that even aussie people of lost count of it..such is his beahviour on field.. but we cant say this to him.. he will start crying as he is doing these days.. poor ricky..you need a Hig from ur mum..

Before touching on the Australian team, a word on Aussie crowds.
Now Aussie crowds are infinitely rasict - remember in 2004, Indian fans were pelted with food (at Adelaide) when they danced around the ground with the Tricolour. You'll never see the same low-life idiots subject fans of the so called auld enemy - 'the Poms' to the same despicable treatment during an Ashes series. And the way fans and players of sub-continental teams are treated when they tour down under is blantantly rasict - no two ways about it. Such attitudes and behaviour speak volumes, let me tell you, of the Australian psyche.

As for the team itself, yes they can be annoying on the field, but they are only intimidating if you allow them to be so.
Some of their tactics are sly, laughably schoolboyish and mostly harmless but sides the world over continue - and curiously so - to fall for it.

I think Ponting made a few valid points in his comments the other day - and anyway, India needs to be a bit more original when it comes to ruffling up the opposition. The Aussies know India's - and most other sides' - weak spots, so now it's up to the Indians to figure out how to unnerve and irritate these guys.

And by the way Romit...Ponting and co. were very kind to Sharad Pawar (who, mind you, hogged the limelight, yet again, at the Wankhede recently during India's 20/20 felicitation ceremony) - I would have battered the sorry fatso before throwing him off the stage. After that episode I kinda liked Ponting a bit more.