The January Man

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Ambuj	India lost the test; Australians lost the honor and respect… Enough has been talked about umpiring. It was upsetting to say the least. I cannot recall a poorer show, it may has to do with the technology which has the capacity to dissect and hence expose more. Then why not to leverage it more, if every other sports has done that anyways. I am not sure but hopeful that it would be taken up at the appropriate level on at least two levels: a) We need to have a better pool of the umpires b) Leverage technology to an appropriate extent. However, more than umpiring I am hurt by the character (or lack of it) shown by a champion team. Being an ardent cricket fan sitting in a country that does not play cricket I get infuriated when cricket loose. Personally, I am a big fan of Australians’ will and resolve to win, their discipline, and the fighting character they show. But in this case I reckon you have exposed other side of the character quite remarkably. You are the best team in the world, that tag brings certain responsibility, the responsibility of being the role models for next generations, the ambassador of a wonderful game. For this test match I would put many of you in the dock for putting a blot on the sanctity of the game I love so much. As much as I would like to give benefit of the doubt to you I have to think of handful of instances which I would not have liked to do in my clear conscious. I do believe that these instances put a question mark on the sportsmanship and to an extent integrity of yours, the leading exponents of this game. Symonds for not walking when the edge was as blatant…I am wondering whether he will walk if he was bowled; Clarke for standing a nick that deviated close 45% after the impact; Ponting for his appeals and gestures when he clearly rubbed the ball on the grass before completing the catch; Gilly (whom I respect most) for appealing against Dravid, he was clearly in the best spot to see that bat or gloves was at least 4-6 inches away from the ball. True characters are tested when odds are unfavorable not necessarily when things are hunky dory. Think of what Courtney Walsh did in ’87 world cup, I want you to be a hero like him. You frittered it away, you may be the leaders of the pack but I am very hesitant to call you statesmen of the game. I would not teach my kid to learn from everything you did on the field. I argue that you guys failed and I don’t feel like saluting you. Guys! You have a huge responsibility, probably way more important than just winning. Please understand and honor. ( Posted: Sunday , January 06, 2008 at 21:27 )
I am sure there are thousands more who are really concerned and are in total disbelief over the blatant lack of respect for the game from the so called champion team. Far worse, Ricky is a not even close to one hundredth of what Tendulkar, Lara and Anil. They are great players not becuase of great records but they are great becuase they play and love cricket fairly. ( Posted by Dinakar on Monday , January 07, 2008 at 06:14 )   very true my friend....i cannot agree to disagree with you!!!!!!! ( Posted by Sethu on Monday , January 07, 2008 at 14:26 )   I am sure there are thousands more who are really concerned and are in total disbelief over the blatant lack of respect for the game from the so called champion team. Far worse, Ricky is a not even close to one hundredth of what Tendulkar, Lara and Anil. They are great players not becuase of great records but they are great becuase they play and love cricket fairly. ( Posted by Dinakar on Monday , January 07, 2008 at 06:14 )   very true my friend....i cannot agree to disagree with you!!!!!!! ( Posted by Sethu on Monday , January 07, 2008 at 14:26 )
Vijay	Jha, your Super rated Batsmen lost within 3 sessions, the Sydney test. What r u going to throw at us ? Another write up on how great Dada is ? or How great Sachin is ?? Great players take their side to safety (remember Atherton ) neither are ur pet players great or is ur team, even average. ( Posted: Sunday , January 06, 2008 at 14:16 )
Krishnan	BCCI should take immediate steps to change the existing flat pitches to a juicy bouncy fast track and train our cricketers in both batting & bowling. Till such time , it is done , Indian cricket will not come upto international level. Time & again this being discussed no efforts are being made . ( Posted: Sunday , January 06, 2008 at 12:40 )
Jaz	i totally agree with you Jha ... i am quite irritated with Ian''s commentary nowadays ...he seems to have something against the Indian players ...especially after the Guru Greg saga ...... Ian Chappell seems to be criticising Indians for no reason ... I seriously think that the Indian team is doing their best ..their body language seems positive and there is a very good chance that we may draw the series or maybe even win it .. I think we as fellow Indians show back the Indian team rather than criticising it ... Anil Kumble is doing a terrific job ..I only wish that he had been made captain a couple of years earlier!!! ( Posted: Sunday , January 06, 2008 at 01:39 )
Sethu	gr8...jha is the cricketing genius of this world....so why not make him the new coach of indian cricket team....he seems to know more about the game than anyone else....his tactics are sure to ensure that india will dominate world cricket for the nest 100 years or even more....jha u r simply superb and its a pity that a gr8 talent like yours is left unnoticed.... ( Posted: Saturday , January 05, 2008 at 14:56 )
s	congrats Sanjay, can anyone contradict sanjay about this test. the way Pointing was out.. great stuff. S ( Posted: Saturday , January 05, 2008 at 07:33 )
Bhaskar	Why blame Ian Chappel for Dravid''s poor form. He is stating the obvious. Dravid need to sort his mindset . He was the most dominating bat in the last tour. He is too good a player and his record proves it so skill is not the issue. He need to apply himself and be more positive on the crease. His defensive mindset is causing the problem and Chappel is right to point it out. Please don''t shoot the messenger. ( Posted: Saturday , January 05, 2008 at 03:52 )
Andybhai	Nicely written Jha - putting the chappell''s in their place, that is. Just go easy on the coaching and strategy, please. The Indian team is attempting to do its best out there. The Captain and team management are thinking through several scenarios and are in a better position to work out who fits what role, than millions of writers who jump in with Advice at the first sign of faliure. ( Posted: Thursday , January 03, 2008 at 22:42 )
Dinesh Bhagavth	Mr Jha,U state Ponting''s(way ahead of the Sachin Tendulkars and the Dravids)double failure as miserable and have conveniently never used the word miserable for either Sachin or Dravid since you started your columns.In fact since Sachin played this game he has never ever scored at crucial times but we are Indians and have this inherent qualiy of hero worship. You can make umpteen suggestions Mr Jha but cricket is a game which is played more on it than off it but In India the media seem to know more about the game than the palyers themselves. Have a nice day Mr Jha. Dinesh Bhagavth ( Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 14:29 )
Rajeev	superrbbb!! i was waiting for someone to write something like this against the chappel brothers for sometime now...you are true on all counts ( Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 14:18 )

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