I went to school in New Delhi a long time ago, and one of my enduring memories from that time in the mid-1970s is my encounter with a school bully.
I was in the 9th grade and no more than 5 feet 3 inches tall, perhaps smaller. Even by Indian standards I was a small kid. I was also very shy, and afraid of confrontation. In short, I was the perfect target for a bully, and not surprisingly, one of them found me.
This guy was younger than me, but a lot bigger in size. Our first encounter was when I accidentally pushed him while going down the stairs, and he turned around and gave me an earful, following which I shrunk about 30% and promptly withdrew into my shell, not unlike a turtle, when confronted with danger. I could see that the bully enjoyed the encounter, and over the next 3 months humiliated me at every opportunity he got. Fortunately for me I am blessed with a temper streak that makes its appearance very rarely, but when it does, I take the world on with no fear for my physical well being. This streak made its appearance one day, and my desperate physical grapple with the bully had to be dealt with by a bunch of onlookers after I bit this guy a few times during the encounter. There was some blood involved, but the bully got the message. He never messed with me again. I learnt a very valuable lesson in life - the best way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.
Australian cricketers have been bullies on the cricket field since the time I have followed cricket. I have watched some of our best cricketers get sledged and humiliated by the Aussies over the years, and I have wondered why our guys have not stood up to this nonsense. Starting in 2008, the Indian cricket team started giving it back to the Aussies.
Matthew Hayden is the latest commentator on TV talking about "not crossing the line" as far as on-field banter is concerned. Who the fuck drew this line? Is it part of the official cricket rule book? Has "the line" been published as part of the guidelines for cricket ethics? Not really. The bully has defined "the line", and it has been the final word on sledging since no one has ever challenged the bully.
That is why I am fascinated with the likes of Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and James Anderson. They have decided that enough is enough and the Aussies need to be dealt with in a language they understand.
David Warner is the quintessential Aussie cricketer - aggressive, in-your-face, and a bully. He wants both sides to "tone down the send-offs" in the Sydney Test. He is saying these things because he has got back what he used to dish out, and doesn't like it. He is also playing the Philip Hughes card to plead for better behaviour at the SCG. Fuck David Warner.
My hope is that Kohli and team give Warner a couple of send-offs at the SCG that he will remember for the rest of his life. That is why I want our guys to up the ante on sledging and on-field banter at the SCG. The only defence these guys have is the scoreline, which could have been 2-0 in India's favour if a few things had gone their way. There is no harm in reminding the Aussies of the scoreline when they visited India last. Screw the scoreline Virat, give the bully what he doesn't want - up the ante and stand up to them. They are cracking, and we will see them running to the authorities with their tails between their legs very soon!
Matthew Hayden is the latest commentator on TV talking about "not crossing the line" as far as on-field banter is concerned. Who the fuck drew this line? Is it part of the official cricket rule book? Has "the line" been published as part of the guidelines for cricket ethics? Not really. The bully has defined "the line", and it has been the final word on sledging since no one has ever challenged the bully.
That is why I am fascinated with the likes of Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and James Anderson. They have decided that enough is enough and the Aussies need to be dealt with in a language they understand.
David Warner is the quintessential Aussie cricketer - aggressive, in-your-face, and a bully. He wants both sides to "tone down the send-offs" in the Sydney Test. He is saying these things because he has got back what he used to dish out, and doesn't like it. He is also playing the Philip Hughes card to plead for better behaviour at the SCG. Fuck David Warner.
My hope is that Kohli and team give Warner a couple of send-offs at the SCG that he will remember for the rest of his life. That is why I want our guys to up the ante on sledging and on-field banter at the SCG. The only defence these guys have is the scoreline, which could have been 2-0 in India's favour if a few things had gone their way. There is no harm in reminding the Aussies of the scoreline when they visited India last. Screw the scoreline Virat, give the bully what he doesn't want - up the ante and stand up to them. They are cracking, and we will see them running to the authorities with their tails between their legs very soon!
