Earlier we did not have IPL when these players played for their respective Nations - So Cricket was really a Fer0ci0us Sport involving a Country to Country W_ar like c1ash.
Spectators, Students of the game and Indian Public took Matches very Seri0us1y and pers0na11y.
Supporting a Particular team other than their own Country was Anti-Nati0na1 and Cricket was more than just a game.
We dis1iked 0pp0nent Star players performances against Loca1 1ads and used to be wary of the other team and their players.
Now cricket is no longer that H0sti1e a sport it once was, and we are seeing a Di1uted Mut_ant version of the past now.
Let the Thakerays and the Sadhvi Prachis and the Aditya Naths fret and fume and spit fire to their hearts' content. The two cricketing greats Sachin and Shoaib Akhtar, once great adversaries on the field have such genuine affection for each other that their essential humanity shines through. It is immaterial whether they belong to two countries that have gone to war. True greatness knows no boundaries, except, of course, the cricket kind.
Re: Hostility vs camaraderie
by habib mohiuddin on Nov 07, 2015 02:30 PM
Its true ..But the picture would have been different if Mohammad Azharuddin hugging Shoaib Akhter.. All BJP /Shiv Sena Comments would have started..
Re: Hostility vs camaraderie
by vinod dinnimani on Nov 07, 2015 10:15 PM
It would be interesting to see the reaction of Shivasena since Sachin is from Maharashtra(marathi maanoos)
Cricketers of the Gavas1kar, Vengsar1kar generation also tried it, and failed. Once out of limelight and that active age repeat age. It is impossible to relive that magic. It is as interesting to watch as a woman's cricket !! (I have overwhelming respect about women, but their cricket? a big no no) Watching old recordings of these giants is always preferable.