It was shocking to hear the comments of some of the so called sports journalists on some national private channels who could see issues only with Bhajji and not a single issue in Shreesanth. No doubt Bhajji did a grave mistake by slapping Shreesanth but everyone knows that Shreesanth is no saint. In fact one Dravidian sports journalist in the discussions only criticized & criticized Bhajji, wanted even more severe punishments for Bhajji and his strong childish biases towards fellow Dravidian Shreesanth were too evident. Sledging & use of excessive personal abusive language does as much disturb human minds as much as any physical abuse. Sometimes, sledging & personalized abusive language can hurt more than physical abuse, We all know as to how Zidane, the ace football player of France was verbally abused in the world cup and finally when he could not take anymore, he hit the opponent player. The other player was as much as at fault as much Zidane who had hit him. Australians and Pakistanis cricketers are known to indulge in severe personalized sledging, which in realty does affect opponent team. If we have to really address the issues of indiscipline or physical abuse on the field, we have to also strongly address the issues of sledging which has taken it%u2019s ugliest form in the last decade. Otherwise, we can continue to have mindless mallu vs Punjabi vs marathi vs bihari vs Dravidian vs Aryan etc discussions which would lead no where. At least after 60 years of independence an
RE:Biased Media & Divided Population!
by Bob Singh on May 06, 2008 10:46 PM
Otherwise, we can continue to have mindless mallu vs Punjabi vs marathi vs bihari vs Dravidian vs Aryan etc discussions which would lead no where. At least after 60 years of independence and at least for sports we must develop the intellectual levels to see the things objectively and improve situations instead of remaining biased & divided based on our region, religion, caste, race, creed etc.
Guess what? Bhajji is now the lowest earner in IPL. He will be paid for only 2 matches. And according to some inside sources he is also being asked to pay the fine imposed on Lalchand Rajput(Mumbai Indians coach).
So the equation is : Bhajji's income from IPL = Bhajji's 2 match fee - 50% of coach's fee.
It is disgraceful that we are not supporting Harbhajan and Sreesanth in what has been an unfortunate and unexpected turn of events for both of them. Let's not forget that Harbhajan has been one of the greatest bowlers ever and that he gave us so much joy with his performances when he won matches for India. Similarly Sreesanth has been instrumental our FIRST SERIES win in South Africa and had a commendable performance in West Indies. In the Twenty 20 world cup, he took the crucial wickets of Gilchrist and Hayden and helped us beat the Aussies in the semifinal. And the final catch of Misbah ul Haq in what was perhaps the tensest moment in Indian cricket history. And now, in a moment of weakness for both these players, disaster struck in the form of an impulsive angry slap. Harbhajan's reaction cannot be condoned but is UNDERSTANDABLE GIVEN HIS SHORT TEMPERED PERSONALITY and the situation of 3 consecutive losses of the team he was captaining. Sreesanth understood Harbhajan and forgave him - and this SPEAKS VOLUMES for his good nature and basic character. Harbhajan also had an immediate talk with him and they patched up between themselves. But by then ALL HELL had broken lose. We, the grateful Indians and our carnivorous media are now having a BALL baiting these two hapless cricketers who has done such great services and given us great pride and joy on several occasisons. Will we ever improve?
RE:SHAME on us INDIANS - for not supporting our boys during a crisis
by sg on Apr 30, 2008 01:17 AM
Dude, The patch up thing and younger brother - elder brother drama is b.s.
Get a reality check. They did that:
1. To avoid more severe penalities by IPL, BCCI 2. To save their public image among cricket fans. 3. Avoid not being picked in the team in the future.
RE:SHAME on us INDIANS - for not supporting our boys during a crisis
by Ramesh Kumar on Apr 30, 2008 07:07 AM
Sg, fair enough.. those may be the reasons behind their patching up... and the issue of setting a bad example to kids may be a valid one.. and Harbhajan has been punished fair and square for his impulsive act... but he should still be supported. He should be helped with his problem... impulse control and a short temper have their genetic reasons beyond ones control. Therefore as Indians, we ought to support our players through the problems they undergo. Great players like Maradona and McEnroe had their problems.. I'm sure they don't get treated in their countries the way we treat our players. We Indians including media and the bulk of readers who respond to articles in the media go to extremes.. if the players do well, we pamper them.. if they don't and if they make mistakes, the reaction is extreme in the other way. Sreesanth has been theatrical and immature; he has been a nice guy off field... but the ABUSES against individuals in forums like this set a WORSE EXAMPLE to kids and youngsters.. they grow up thinking that it is allright to ABUSE people they don't like.... READERS AND NETIZENS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE for what they write... there should be BALANCE AND REASON in their response - to encourage ABUSE and HATRED in forums like this equally culpable and one can't ride the moral high ground and abuse individuals if one doesn't exercise restraint and balance in one's views.
RE:RE:SHAME on us INDIANS - for not supporting our boys during a crisis
by pranam on Apr 30, 2008 05:02 AM
Well said Mrsg Rowdies street fighters in national team sets a bad example and kids pick up this trait and will justify later by quoting these rowdies
RE:SHAME on us INDIANS - for not supporting our boys during a crisis
by sg on Apr 30, 2008 01:26 AM
Probably Bhajji should have slapped you! Then what would you say?? Would you still want us all to support Bhajji???
Yeah sure... SHAME ON "INDIANS" like you, who support rowdies!!!
RE:SHAME on us INDIANS - for not supporting our boys during a crisis
by lucky y on Apr 30, 2008 04:53 PM
Open your eyes, Mr Ramesh. The whole nation stood by his side when Bhajji had a problem in Australia. Being SHORT TEMPERED doesn't give you a right to misbehave in a shameless fashion, time and again. Slaping someone in any sport is unforgiveable. You are very stupid to say "SHAME on us INDIANS". Its not the freedom fight that we are not participating.
RE:RE:SHAME on us INDIANS - for not supporting our boys during a crisis
by Bob Singh on May 06, 2008 10:43 PM
It is amazing that we see rowdiness only in Bhajji. Shreesanth is probably a great saint!
Secular India - How many times Harbhajan has physically assaulted a fellow player? This is the first time that he has done it. He is just a hot headed Punjabi who has a little impulse control problem. This does not make him a pscyhotic - a psychotic is someone who behaves like this continuously and unpredictably - Bhajji was in turmoil as his team which was the fancied champions had lost 3 consecutive matches under his captaincy. This, of course, does not justify his reaction, but we know lot of people who might lose control in situations like this. This is certainly not psychosis or psychopathy but just a case of extreme hot-headedness. Sreesanth who knows Bhajji was able to understand him and therefore decided to forgive him. He was, of course, very upset at the unexpected response from Bhajji and so was emotionally overwhelmed. Now, HOW DOES ALL THIS make Sreesanth a psychotic? No, Sreesanth's behaviour is that of an emotional sensitive young man off field while on field he is a trifle eccentric and immature.. That's all... it's no big deal and all this behaviour has NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR CRICKET. There have been worse characters among great cricketers. Ranjit Sinji, the player after whom the Ranji Trophy is named, it is said, refused to play for India as he thought it was below his dignity as he played for his majesty the king of England. So let's not go overboard and start calling normal people psychotic and great cricketers are useless and national disgrace
RE:Hot headedness is not PSYCHOSIS or psychopathy - Harbhajan is a normal hot headed young man and a great cricketer
by on Apr 30, 2008 04:43 AM
Go hit your colleague at your work if said something provocative. You will lose your job no matter how productive you are to the company. It is simple code of conduct. Bhajji is lucky that he is still employed by BCCI.
RE:Hot headedness is not PSYCHOSIS or psychopathy - Harbhajan is a normal hot headed young man and a great cricketer
by Jaisimha Viswanathan on Apr 30, 2008 12:19 PM
Yes Ranjitsinji might have thought that way. Nobody knows to attain moksham (Mukthi) one has to go to India. The former PM of India had reincarnated as dog in Sweden. This was predicted by jyotish experts at that time (1960's) as king, President or PM will take 1/6th of karma
RE:RE:Hot headedness is not PSYCHOSIS or psychopathy - Harbhajan is a normal hot headed young man and a great cricketer
by ben hur on Apr 30, 2008 12:12 AM
both bhajji n sreesanth shud b given nobel peace prize. they r the best behaved players from india.
one thing that many might have not noticed in the article above - when harbhajan sledged SA, it went to referree and when sreesanth sledged it did not go - even in this case of slapping its harbhajan who was caught.
Point to be noted - Aussies and SA have perfected sledging to such an extend that they also know how to get away from punishment. Sreesanth also is mastering this art quite well now a days. Who knows even his crying seemed an act to me to make sure that every one notices this incident.
I have seen players like Ponting, Mcgrath, warne, nel, flintoff etc sledge a lot. Ponting is particularly awful considering the fact that he is also the Aussie captain.
Sreesanth and Harbhajan are nothing when compared to these guys.. then why should we cry foul against them...
Sree and Bhaji sledge as well as you can.... but without getting caught ofcourse
they picked up the non-whites of South african team to sledge. Ntini would have thrashed them so they did not bother. shameless fellows. Now Sreesanth is also playing the Malyali card based on his interviews.
