Sreesanth antics are embarrassing
Indian cricket officials may be pushing for a complete ban on sledging and also asking captains to swear by the spirit of the game for the Indian Premier League (IPL), but they run the risk of being left red-faced in their own backyard.
The antics of S. Sreesanth, who started his career as a lovable character but is seen as a source of irritation by most nowadays, have all the trappings to embarrass the officials. The conduct of the Kerala pace bowler has been far from gentlemanly, his glares and run-ins during the ongoing Test against South Africa totally unwarranted.
Unlike the Australians, who enjoyed raising the bar for banter, the Springboks promised to abstain from sledging and largely stuck to it. So, when Sreesanth sprints on his fellow-through to a mild-mannered batsman like AB de Villiers and gives him the kind of stare only the Aussies deserve, it is time for him to be pulled up. The last thing Indian cricket would want is a replay of events ‘down under’, worst still, with roles reversed.
Sreesanth might find inspiration in his own famous jig against the South Africans when he hoisted an intimidating Andre Nel for a six, but should realise that being talked more about his conduct than his bowling is not what will take him places in the long run.
The manner in which he remained in the frame, waving the Indian flag, even as Gautam Gambhir was being interviewed after the tri-series finals ‘down under’, is another ugly attempt to get attention in recent months, that comes to mind.
Harbhajan Singh too needs to get rid of the hangover of Australia and not make a habit of kicking the ball in the air after getting a wicket. His five-wicket haul in the Chennai Test was nothing to gloat over when the opposition got a mammoth total. The off-spinner himself could not ebb the flow of runs on batsmen-friendly conditions. If the pitch is frustrating the bowlers, it is their own cricket Board that is to be blamed.
The BCCI needs to not only rein in its players but also ensure that individuals don’t get precedence over the team. The Indian cricket Board President Sharad Pawar may have scotched rumours about differences between seniors and juniors, but needs to take care that he and other top officials do not focus too much on individuals.
Pawar had recently said that it was on the suggestion of Sachin Tendulkar that Mahendra Dhoni was elevated to ODI and T20 captain. This need not have been revealed as it is likely to infuse bitterness among senior players. Also, does this mean that selectors get directions from top BCCI officials (in this case on a suggestion from a senior player) on a regular basis?
The IPL has increased the value of Indian players and there could be no better time for officials to put certain points across to players. The squad needs to grow above individuals if it has to become the top team in the world.