I am sorry, but I am not used to writing such scathing words - But this time I was hurt and hurt bad.
I was mighty disillusioned by what was so obvious but what has failed to register with so many illustrious sports writers.
At the very outset I say that Saurav Ganguly didn’t have the guts to take the bull by the horns. By all means we should have gone out and chosen to bat when we won this first stroke of fortune that was so benevolently gifted to us by Lord almighty.
I again state that Saurav Ganguly had pre-planned that he didn’t wish to be held responsible for failing to deliver, if he were unable to post a decent score (in a World Cup Final) with his over hyped batting strength against the piercing attack of the Aussie speedsters. He chose the easy way out - fielding. At least this way he wouldn’t have to prove himself and his other over hyped batting maestro was in cahoots with him to the hilt.
What was Saurav doing on the field with his four gold chains around his neck ( I counted four maybe there were three or maybe there were five ) All the time I could see them popping out and he was busy trying to keep them tucked inside his shirt. Why wear them in the first place ? Were you attending an Indian Marriage where the more Gold that is visible the more you are looked up to in awe ?
And didn’t you know that there were a dozen cameras focusing on you when you made that cheap show of glee at having scooped up a ’grounded’ catch ? I was surprised that none of the commentators ( I was watching Sony ) happened to comment on this very shameful act of the Indian Captain. And to top it all, he pretended as if he didn’t know ? Aw, come on Saurav, grow up.
It may seem too far-fetched and a case of sour grapes but then that’s what I saw and felt. And my gut feeling says that I am right. I know I will be castigated here for daring to question ’GOD’ himself but here goes.
I believe SACHIN TENDULKAR didn’t wish to be held responsible for failing his teammates when he knew that this one strong supporting Pillar held aloft this entire team. He knew that if he didn’t deliver when it actually mattered, his reputation as the ’World’s Greatest Batsman’ after Bradman would be tarnished and he was afraid of this blemish on his career full of achievements. By facing only 5 balls and playing half-heartedly he has convinced me.
I do not deny him the wonderful show against the Pakistanis(he was at his devastating best), but here he played selfishly and safe guarded his impeccable records. Man of the tournament ? Afraid to take risks ? You should have been the brains. Done your homework. Batted with a plan. Waited to get your eye in. You were the only one who could lead from the front. But no one can raise a question mark on you - No one wants to question God ! No One !
In the same vein, I do not deprive the Indian team from their moment of glory against the Pakistanis but on the whole I felt we were betrayed by commercialism and the selfishness of the two who mattered the most.
Every human being has the right to make his money and ensure his family’s future, but not when it’s playing for your country. Business is for business and sports is where you play your hearts out for being the best in the country. You don’t play safe - you take chances - you take calculated risks - you don’t take calculated safer options !
You were not selected for being great entertainers - you were selected for being exceptionally gifted and talented cricketers who would hold aloft the flag of our country and do us proud. I know its easy for me to sit on my chair and write in the comfy of my cocooned haven, but I didn’t like what I saw - and I can’t keep my MOUTHSHUT. Which is why I got here in the first place.
Otherwise, how did the other batsmen manage to fend off with great difficulty the Aussie duo of McGrath and Brett Lee. Bruised yes, but fought like men. That was the rest of the Indian team. All the way down to the last man, they came and fought like ’MEN’ they were the flame that flared and flickered but were ultimately extinguished by the hurricane called Australia and the water mixed in their fuel.
Virendra Sehwag managed to live bravely but dangerously and luck was on his side but then he ran a bit complacently (maybe he pushed luck a wee bit too far) and got run out by an ever present sharp Aussie fielding of repute.
Rahul Dravid ’the Wall’ also managed to stave off the opposition with his proverbial ’Wall’ tactics but he too perished to a well rehearsed twin pronged Aussie attack that had done their homework, and how ? Why didn’t we do our homework and work on statistics, we had a great record when batting first - so why choose to field ? Why ? Because you were afraid to face the opposition ?
Mhd. Kaif, didn’t have much of a choice. He had to swing his bat around. Yuvraj Singh also fell valiantly. Mongia too chipped in but by then it was asking for the impossible.
Even the rain God’s felt that with the defeatist attitude of the men who actually mattered, there was no way that the Gods would be party to a betrayal.
The Indian bowling was indeed stretched taut with tension. Zaheer Khan, otherwise a splendid bowler sprayed all over and lost his line and length. Srinath, otherwise very dependable, also went through the ignominy of full toss and over pitched deliveries. The Aussie juggernaut just shook up our bowlers and they didn’t know where to bowl. It was as if they were trying to bowl at some spot where the Aussie bat wouldn’t reach - ending up as wide deliveries.
Rahul Dravid should practice more at being a wicket keeper, if he wants to continue behind the stumps. His innumerous let go’s of the wide deliveries cost us many extra runs, which we could ill afford. He needs to brush up on his catching skills. He has floored many a simple collect behind. It’s a good wicket keeper who can stabilize and cajole the wayward bowling of the jittery Indian bowlers who needed all the confidence and support from behind the stumps. The goof ups only added to the cup of woe that overflowed.
Even the spinning track couldn’t help weave Harbhajan’s magic, because by then the Aussies were on a song and virtually unstoppable. They were on the rampage and the Indians were sent on a leather hunt.
Ok guys, I’ve let off my steam. Now you let go your brick-BATS at me.
Rajasagar(C)2003
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