Originally posted here on April 27, 2008.
Two days back Harbhajan Singh hit Sreesanth under the eye. Harbhajan was playing fro Mumbai Indians in the IPL and Sreesanth for Punjab Kings XI. Punjab had just won the match, and it seems Sreesanth went up to his senior in the national side and offered his condolences. Harbhajan, incensed by the defeat and Sreesanth’s on – field bahaviour, vented his anger in the wrong way.
Harbhajan has been temporarily suspended from IPL as he awaits action. Both the IPL and BCCI have come out very strongly against Bhajji’s behavior, and sever action might be in store for the prolific offie.
The question is, however, who is to be blamed for this. We can start with Bhajji, taking things on face value. Or Sreesanth. I mean he’s not exactly the gentleman on the field. His antics have had him in trouble before, and if not controlled, I won’t be surprised if he gets one or two jaw breakers more in his career.
In my opinion, neither are to be blamed. Cricket was always supposed to be a gentleman’s game. Strong sides like Australia, and South Africa to a lesser extent, started the active sledging strategy, at least in the modern game. They were tolerated for the fact that their game was impeccable. Beat us in cricket before you make any other claims, they said.
Indian cricket had alwas been one of the most well behaved in the cicket world. Then on the upswing, once they tasted success, Indians realised that to beat the top team you have to do everything like them. Sledginh became a regular feature of Indian cricket.
As it happens, Mr. Hyde started becoming the norm rather than Dr. Jeckyll. When Andre Nel was hit for a straight six followed by the hip dance, we applauded the dance rather than the six. The six was answer enough for Nel’s antics. By backing the repartee (if I may call it that) we have sent the wrong signals.
Today Mr. Hyde has struck. In my opinion both Bhajji and Sreesanth (and any of their followers in the team) should be looked at like patients. Their leashes were cut long time back, and now to expect them to be reigned in would be wrong.
How to do it, who’ll do it, remains to be seen. But to blame Bhajji completely for the action would be wrong.
