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[subbu390]

I personally think this is a ploy to get into the good books of Indians before his IPL stint 

Hayden seeks talks with Harbhajan

Cricinfo staff

March 16, 2008

   
Matthew Hayden wants to see if he can patch things up with Harbhajan Singh © Getty Images
 

Matthew Hayden could meet with Harbhajan Singh, who has became Australia's least-favourite opponent, during the Indian Premier League next month in an effort to sort out their differences. Harbhajan reportedly called Hayden a "liar" when he returned home to India, which followed Hayden referring to Harbhajan as an "obnoxious little weed" in the lead-up to the CB Series finals defeat.

"I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great," Hayden said in the Sunday Mail. "I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it."

Hayden said he made an error with his choice of words and maintained he did not want to "disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan". "In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed," he said. "It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake."

The IPL tournament is a likely time for the two players to meet, but Australia will also tour India for a Test series in October. Hayden is keen to take part in the IPL to fine-tune for the trip to the West Indies starting in May.

"If anything, the IPL will help us," he said. "I've told Chennai I will be playing. I'm committed to going, if Cricket Australia allows me to go.

The tit-for-tat arguments between Australia and India were a feature of a long Test and one-day campaign, but Hayden said the relationship had not reached rock bottom. "There's definite tension, but if I was a spectator, that's what I'd want to see," he said. "If I was a fan and I went to a game that was far from contrived but didn't have a competitive edge, I'd be unimpressed straight away.

"There can be a sense of hypocrisy there. You know, I cross myself when I get 100, then I'm at first slip giving it to the Indians. At what point do you cross the line?"

The confrontations have not diminished Hayden's desire and the 36-year-old is targeting the 2009 Ashes tour. "I don't like speculating too far but if the ingredients are there there's no point stopping," he said. "I'd love to go to England. It's a tour that, yeah, the carrot's dangling.

"I've had great success in county cricket but every time I've gone there [for Australia] I've averaged around the mid-30s without really excelling. And it's a place I know I can excel."

For the full interview go here http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23379641-10389,00.html

[kban1]

Thanks subbu for the article -- full interview is below. -- I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

Peter Badel
March 16, 2008

MATTHEW Hayden wants to sit down and talk with Harbhajan Singh, and says he is still at the peak of his powers in this wide-ranging interview.

After another prolific summer are you at the peak of your powers?

From a performance point of view, at 36, everyone is kind of expecting me to fall over and I don't feel like that at all. I feel my drive, my passion, my knowledge of the game, my competitive instincts, they are almost unquenchable at this stage. I feel I'm hitting the ball as well as I ever have. To be honest, sometimes you build something up when it's not quite there and for me the Sri Lankan series was very much like that. For me it was a stop gap to where we really wanted to get to and that was India. They are an opposition we love to beat.

It was a highly-charged summer. Are relations between India and Australia at rock bottom?

No I don't think so. Look, there's definite tension, but if I was a spectator, that's what I'd want to see. Rodney Hogg said it best during the summer when he said it's not tiddlywinks. If I was a fan and I went to a game that was far from contrived but didn't have a competitive edge, I'd be unimpressed straight away. There can be a sense of hypocrisy there. You know, I cross myself when I get 100, then I'm at first slip giving it to the Indians. At what point do you cross the line?

Away from the field, how were the Indians?

They were reasonably pleasant. At the end of the day, two alpha dogs are never going to sit in a cage and not look at each other. It is what it is. The way I see my cricket, if you're the other alpha dog, you better not blink. I feel I'd be letting down my country if I was to blink. In terms of general human relations, I wouldn't say there was ill-feeling. India had four months out here. We rarely saw them other than at the ground. It's play and get back into the cage.

How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

How did you handle life without Justin Langer this summer?

It was definitely a different challenge for me. Justin and I went through 70-odd Tests together and when that's not there, it's a different dynamic. But it's a dynamic that I was looking forward to. I had been desensitised a bit to change because I opened with "Gilly" (Adam Gilchrist) in the one-day game. But I wanted to take another stride and I felt I did that. I thought Phil Jaques did a great job.

You're the last member of the so-called Dad's Army still standing. How long have you got left?

I've been getting that question for three or four years and it's a two-fold response. The first is about performance. Like anything in life, there is not a seamless, endless contract. My value and my currency is about runs. All I want to do is get runs. If I do that, the selectors will say: "Hayden, yep, he's still got it." I want to keep scoring runs. I need to keep scoring runs. Secondly, it's whether I'm enjoying the game. I'll know when the time is right.

It sounds like you're up for the challenge of going to England again next year.

I don't like speculating too far but if the ingredients are there there's no point stopping. I'd love to go to England. It's a tour that, yeah, the carrot's dangling. I've had great success in county cricket but every time I've gone there (for Australia) I've averaged around the mid-30s without really excelling. And it's a place I know I can excel.

How hard is it continually leaving your wife and kids behind?

One of the hardest things about cricket is the time away from your family. You have no idea what it means to me to be able to take my girl to school or a sports carnival. The life of a professional athlete can be a selfish one. You have to be driven. There is so much sacrifice involved and you need a family to enable you to grow.

Are you keen to play IPL?

Yeah, I do want to go and there are some key reasons why I want to go. Firstly, it's only going to be for about two weeks, so that takes away a lot of the revenue we could earn.
But right or wrong, I want to use it as a top-up before we go into the West Indian tour. We will still have time to come back from the Indian Premier League for a pre-tour camp, which I think is a great thing.
If anything, the IPL will help us. I've told Chennai I will be playing. I'm committed to going, if Cricket Australia allows me to go.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23379641-10389,00.html

[ramshorns]

I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

 
How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

I second what Kban1 said.  Those two responses above would do it for me.   

I always maintained Hayden is a good guy with respect for other cultures and people.

Once he was away from the heat of the battle he sat back and realised what he said and how his choice of words could be better.  The first step to come clean and better oneselves is acknowledge the problem which he did.  Good to see that.

Then he takes it a step further.  He offered to sit down with HS and clear up the air which is another significant move.

All and all a good gesture.

[dextrous]

I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

 
How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

I second what Kban1 said.  Those two responses above would do it for me.   

I always maintained Hayden is a good guy with respect for other cultures and people.

Once he was away from the heat of the battle he sat back and realised what he said and how his choice of words could be better.  The first step to come clean and better oneselves is acknowledge the problem which he did.  Good to see that.

Then he takes it a step further.  He offered to sit down with HS and clear up the air which is another significant move.

All and all a good gesture.

sure doesnt take much to convince you of something about things you already are convinced about.

[poondu]

I personally think this is a ploy to get into the good books of Indians before his IPL stint 

Subbu,
You are right on the mon(k)ey..

[subbu390]

I would really like to believe that Hayden meant what he said in the interview. He definitely hit all the right cords (and quite eloquently too!). But the bad blood between him and Bhajji, or for that matter others like Ishant, weren't in my opinion, heat of the battle stuff, as was palpably clear in the radio interview where he had all the time to think about what he was going to say. If anything the interview was evidence of his deep contempt for a fellow player who was giving it back as well as he was getting it. The fact that this attempt at broking a peace comes right before he is due to make a trip makes his sincere attempt a little suspect. I would have liked for his magnanimity, vis-a-vis his apology to Bhajji, to have come much earlier. Of course he does say all the right things in the interview and I would hold him to closer scrutiny before being convinced. But my opinion and a dollar might not even get you a cup of coffee here 

[Blwe_torch]

The best part is that the semi-literate thugs of the Aussie-land somehow manage to sound more eloquent and convincing  than us, the average Indians............and hence get the advantage with umpires/referees/ judges etc on most occasions. Even guys like Monkey tend to sound reasonable.........

[teamindia]

Soon you will see such quotes from Monkey and Cheater.. hhhmmm IPL is just a month away.

[ramshorns]

I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

 
How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

I second what Kban1 said.  Those two responses above would do it for me.   

I always maintained Hayden is a good guy with respect for other cultures and people.

Once he was away from the heat of the battle he sat back and realised what he said and how his choice of words could be better.  The first step to come clean and better oneselves is acknowledge the problem which he did.  Good to see that.

Then he takes it a step further.  He offered to sit down with HS and clear up the air which is another significant move.

All and all a good gesture.

sure doesnt take much to convince you of something about things you already are convinced about.

or sit here and speculate all day as most on this thread are doing with little sense and question the motives of one and all.

[Rocky]

I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

 
How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

I second what Kban1 said.  Those two responses above would do it for me.   

I always maintained Hayden is a good guy with respect for other cultures and people.

Once he was away from the heat of the battle he sat back and realised what he said and how his choice of words could be better.  The first step to come clean and better oneselves is acknowledge the problem which he did.  Good to see that.

Then he takes it a step further.  He offered to sit down with HS and clear up the air which is another significant move.

All and all a good gesture.

sure doesnt take much to convince you of something about things you already are convinced about.

or sit here and speculate all day as most on this thread are doing with little sense and question the motives of one and all.

Well, he has not said "Sorry", or that he was wrong in his opinion. He just says he "could have had a better choice of words". It does not make any difference to his outlook on HS or his overall attitude to the ethos of the game. He is just a thug and proud of it too!

[ramshorns]

I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

 
How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

I second what Kban1 said.  Those two responses above would do it for me.   

I always maintained Hayden is a good guy with respect for other cultures and people.

Once he was away from the heat of the battle he sat back and realised what he said and how his choice of words could be better.  The first step to come clean and better oneselves is acknowledge the problem which he did.  Good to see that.

Then he takes it a step further.  He offered to sit down with HS and clear up the air which is another significant move.

All and all a good gesture.

sure doesnt take much to convince you of something about things you already are convinced about.

or sit here and speculate all day as most on this thread are doing with little sense and question the motives of one and all.

Well, he has not said "Sorry", or that he was wrong in his opinion. He just says he "could have had a better choice of words". It does not make any difference to his outlook on HS or his overall attitude to the ethos of the game. He is just a thug and proud of it too!

OK if the name of the game is to just call people names, then I think HS is a thug too and a dumb one at that may I add.  I do not think it is that difficult to play this game.  All we need to do is throw out all reason and logic and each one can call anyone a thug.

Yeah right did not say "sorry".  Whatever..........

[pipsqueak]

seems like a case of sledging that went terribly wrong. now he's trying to make the most of it by playing the pious card to gain some goodwill. *yawn* i bet none of this would have been said if they had won.

[Blwe_torch]

seems like a case of sledging that went terribly wrong. now he's trying to make the most of it by playing the pious card to gain some goodwill. *yawn* i bet none of this would have been said if they had won.

This was an embarassing case of games-manship back-firing badly..............so naturally, they are doing all the talking, before or after the incident.
This is like the supposed 'heroes' of the movie getting beaten by the under-dogs( happens in comedies)

[WicketView]

Anyway, even if this is a case of mending bridges because of IPL, that is a step forward. Let us see what happens next.

[Rocky]

I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

 
How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

I second what Kban1 said.  Those two responses above would do it for me.   

I always maintained Hayden is a good guy with respect for other cultures and people.

Once he was away from the heat of the battle he sat back and realised what he said and how his choice of words could be better.  The first step to come clean and better oneselves is acknowledge the problem which he did.  Good to see that.

Then he takes it a step further.  He offered to sit down with HS and clear up the air which is another significant move.

All and all a good gesture.

sure doesnt take much to convince you of something about things you already are convinced about.

or sit here and speculate all day as most on this thread are doing with little sense and question the motives of one and all.

Well, he has not said "Sorry", or that he was wrong in his opinion. He just says he "could have had a better choice of words". It does not make any difference to his outlook on HS or his overall attitude to the ethos of the game. He is just a thug and proud of it too!

OK if the name of the game is to just call people names, then I think HS is a thug too and a dumb one at that may I add.  I do not think it is that difficult to play this game.  All we need to do is throw out all reason and logic and each one can call anyone a thug.

Yeah right did not say "sorry".  Whatever..........

Yeah! Unfotunately some of us do not use our butts for thinking. Whether HS is a thug or not is besides the point.
Hayden has just come out with this pious stuff only because he is * scared or copping it from the crowd like HS did in OZ land.
If anything a gora does is fine by you -- then all the more power to you mate!

[ramshorns]

I have to say this a very mature approach and I laud Hayden for taking the initiative here.

Matthew Hayden seeks closure on Harbhajan Singh   

 
How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

I second what Kban1 said.  Those two responses above would do it for me.   

I always maintained Hayden is a good guy with respect for other cultures and people.

Once he was away from the heat of the battle he sat back and realised what he said and how his choice of words could be better.  The first step to come clean and better oneselves is acknowledge the problem which he did.  Good to see that.

Then he takes it a step further.  He offered to sit down with HS and clear up the air which is another significant move.

All and all a good gesture.

sure doesnt take much to convince you of something about things you already are convinced about.

or sit here and speculate all day as most on this thread are doing with little sense and question the motives of one and all.

Well, he has not said "Sorry", or that he was wrong in his opinion. He just says he "could have had a better choice of words". It does not make any difference to his outlook on HS or his overall attitude to the ethos of the game. He is just a thug and proud of it too!

OK if the name of the game is to just call people names, then I think HS is a thug too and a dumb one at that may I add.  I do not think it is that difficult to play this game.  All we need to do is throw out all reason and logic and each one can call anyone a thug.

Yeah right did not say "sorry".  Whatever..........

Yeah! Unfotunately some of us do not use our butts for thinking. Whether HS is a thug or not is besides the point.
Hayden has just come out with this pious stuff only because he is * scared or copping it from the crowd like HS did in OZ land.
If anything a gora does is fine by you -- then all the more power to you mate!

I do not care what some of you use for thinking butts, balls whatever but all this motives attached behind one trying to come clean is truly a joke.

Now what is it about all this gora stuff.... A new spin when there is nothing better to say.

[teamindia]

An old incident involving Hayden...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/hayden-clash-flags-test-warfare/2005/06/29/1119724697045.html

Matthew Hayden, at the centre of two confrontations with England, has reacted furiously to allegations he swore at a young flagbearer as the Australians ran onto the Edgbaston field for their one-day match against England on Tuesday.

The allegations followed Hayden's angry response to Simon Jones' misfired run-out attempt during the washed-out tri-series encounter.

The incidents, along with a contentious catch, have set the scene for a stormy Ashes series during which England will "stick together" at all costs, according to captain Michael Vaughan.

Hayden has assured his skipper, Ricky Ponting, he did not verbally abuse or shove any of the children carrying England or sponsor NatWest's flags, although the Australian players have raised concerns about the flags being "in their faces" as they run through the guard of honour.

Cricket Australia is not convinced of the veracity of the claims against Hayden and does not intend to investigate further.

"It's really upsetting when you wake up in the morning and there's a story that's totally unsubstantiated and, in fact, incorrect," said Hayden. "Unfortunately, it's a case where mud sticks and forever there is that tag that you've got that within you, and it's just not true.
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"You've got to realise I have a young family. I'm a father of two; to me it's unacceptable behaviour and something I don't condone, never have done and never will do." Hayden, who is a practising Catholic, phoned his wife from Birmingham to say he did not know where the allegations had come from.

A source close to the England team claimed ground officials had been made aware of a problem involving Hayden, and that he had been accused of telling a child to "f--- off". Hayden and Adam Gilchrist avoided the guard of honour made for them when they ran out to bat.

"You've got to understand that when you're going out to bat you're in your own world, and to me that's a reason I like to get out and start in space," Hayden said.

It is believed Australian team management has asked that flag-wavers organised by the ECB sponsors to be moved back so the players have a clear path onto the ground. "I must admit I'm not a great fan of it. You've got things in your face and you're trying to run out on the ground," Ponting said.

The controversy diverted some of the attention from the on-field fracas started by England fast bowler Jones during the sixth over of the abandoned match.

While Ponting insisted the confrontation was just a flash of temper on Hayden's part, and Jones quickly apologised for the wild throw that bounced up and struck the Australian in the chest, Vaughan's remarks indicated his players would not walk away from volatile situations during the Test series, which begins on July 21.

Ponting, who was batting with Hayden, tried to defuse the situation, but by then Paul Collingwood had stepped towards Hayden after the Queenslander had rammed his bat into the ground and shouted at Jones.

"The incident that happened probably was a bit untoward, but it's good to see the England team were all together," said Vaughan. "Whether we've been batting, bowling, fielding, we stick together. We play it pretty tough and so do they. I wouldn't say it will be the last time that England and Australia, in the middle, have a few words. I'm sure it will happen throughout the summer.

"We haven't stepped over the line. We try and play it in the right spirit, but, England versus Australia, there's bound to be some moments out in the middle that get a bit heated."

Hayden did not add to his score of 14 before he was captured leg before wicket by Jones. "It's good to be aggressive but obviously I didn't mean to hit him," Jones said.

Match referee Jeff Crowe said he had not received any complaints about the incident from the umpires or the captains.

Ponting said: "I don't think he meant to hit Matty, but when the ball actually did strike him I think we can all expect there to be a bit of retaliation from the batsman's point of view."

[teamindia]

Matthew Hayden: doing Christ's f-cking work in flannels

http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20080229-Matthew-Hayden-and-the-F-word.html

"Religion has always been a tremendous reference point with me. When I’m in trouble it’s always something to think about. I ask myself what would Christ be doing in this situation?" So said the devout Catholic, Matthew Hayden, in an interview in 2004.

It is increasingly difficult to square the image of saintly Hayden with the batsman who represents Australia in the Test and one-day arena. The pious Christian and the potty-mouthed cricketer. No matter how hard you try, the two just don’t gel. The way his international opponents tell it, Hayden is about as godly as hell’s tearaway fast bowler, Beelzebub "The Demon" Mephistopheles. The way they tell it, the only time Hayden turns the other cheek is when he wants to ‘moon’ an opponent.

Now, he has called India’s off-spinner Harbhajan Singh – no angel himself – a "little obnoxious weed" and challenged the 19-year-old Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma to a fight, comments which threaten to turn a simmering series into open conflagration. Astonishingly, he has escaped punishment.

The Queenslander’s modus operandi is well known. It was brutally exposed by then South African rookie batsman (now Proteas captain) Graeme Smith in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine in May 2002. In abandoning the players’ unwritten code that whatever happens on the field, stays on the field, Smith revealed how Hayden had greeted him at the crease before his second Test innings in Cape Town earlier that year with a two-minute tirade.

Smith said Hayden had followed him to the crease and "stood on the crease for about two minutes telling me that I wasn't f-cking good enough".

Smith told the magazine: "You know, you're not f-cking good enough," he told me.

"How the f-ck are you going to handle Shane Warne when he's bowling in the rough? What the f-ck are you going to do?"

"And I hadn't even taken guard yet. He stood there right in my face, repeating it over and over. All I could manage was a shocked, nervous smile. I'd taken a bit of banter before but this was something else. Hayden had obviously been told that his job was to attack me."

Smith said he was then subjected to more of the same from a ring of close-in fieldsmen -- Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh and Shane Warne – as part of Steve Waugh’s brilliantly subtle and statesmanlike "mental disintegration" plan. But that’s another issue.

The English cricketers tired a long time ago of Hayden’s bullyboy tactics. During Australia’s Ashes tour of 2001, they took to calling him Buzz Lightyear, the chesty, musclebound, but slightly dim, hero of the animated film, Toy Story.

When this column happened to bump into a high-ranking Cricket Australia official during the Spring Carnival races at Flemington last November, the discussion inevitably turned to the behaviour of the Australian team. When Hayden’s name was raised, the official shook his head ruefully, and rolled his eyes, as if to say: what’s to be done about this blockhead?

"When I’m in trouble it’s always something to think about. I ask myself what would Christ be doing in this situation?" Well, Matt, your reputation is in trouble now. And if you’re asking the Big Bloke upstairs his advice on what to do to redeem yourself, he might possibly tell you: Pull your head in, shut up and see if you can play cricket with a sense of dignity and good grace. Otherwise, the cricket world will remember you not as a man of piety, but an overbearing bully.

[teamindia]

Watch this catch...

[youtube=425,350]6C418rwYAmU[/youtube]

[justforkix]

@ teamindia:

that is a great catch as per Aussie Rulez Cricket 

[ramshorns]

Again not condoing what Hayden did none of what is posted in those articles or the quotes from his bitter rivals are out of the field of play and the rest of it in the article is an opinion by the writer of the article. 

To me it just does not matter how one plays the game as long as they give it their all and plays within the rules of the game.

Being a huge Vishy, SRT(Yes I like him too) and VVS fan I know how Hayden plays his game is contrasting to the others I gave, but that means nothing since they are all there to compete and win.  Some being more demonstrative does not make them any worse than the other players I outlined.

Coming to the catch I again I do not see what the big deal is.  It is the umpire's job to sought it out.  Strangely I was watching the 2001 epic win at Calcutta against these very Aussie's couple of days back and I have seen a team that had Sachin, Ganguly, Laxman, Dravid in its ranks were going bersek with appeals for catches when fully knowing some of them are  off the pad, just to put pressure on the Umps. and also with eagerness to win.  So how is that different from this.

Look we can spin anything we want on any subject and post some two bit articles just to prove a point but that does not pass.

In this case and the keeping in mind the subject of the thread all this is irrelevant anyway. 

What is relevant here is a player talking offbase on another player his opponent on the field and coming back to show some remorse after some thought.  That is how I look at it than have strings attached to each and eveything one does or says.

[ruchir]

I guess, yet again Hayden asked himself what would Christ do in his situation and got the answer from heavens above.

Let us analyze his answers. After all he wants to build so-called bridges with HS.

It was a highly-charged summer. Are relations between India and Australia at rock bottom?

No I don't think so. Look, there's definite tension, but if I was a spectator, that's what I'd want to see. Rodney Hogg said it best during the summer when he said it's not tiddlywinks. If I was a fan and I went to a game that was far from contrived but didn't have a competitive edge, I'd be unimpressed straight away. There can be a sense of hypocrisy there. You know, I cross myself when I get 100, then I'm at first slip giving it to the Indians. At what point do you cross the line?

So, in his opinion, AUS spectators wanted to see tension. So, in his opinion, cricket is not just a game, it is a reality show on TV where audience have to see tension filled script play out in the field. Also, he confesses that he gives it to the Indians. What I get from this answer is that Hayden does everything in a very calculated way. He keeps in mind what audience wants (tension), he keeps in mind what his team wants him to do (sledging), and goes about doing it to the best of his ability. Now, he says he wants to talk to HS. Keeping this answer in mind, what exactly will he talk about? That what he did was a well planned scheme, nothing personal? That in future he would do it again if his captain wanted him to sledge? So, even if HS accepts his so-called apology, HS can expect same trash from MH later on.

Away from the field, how were the Indians?

They were reasonably pleasant. At the end of the day, two alpha dogs are never going to sit in a cage and not look at each other. It is what it is. The way I see my cricket, if you're the other alpha dog, you better not blink. I feel I'd be letting down my country if I was to blink. In terms of general human relations, I wouldn't say there was ill-feeling. India had four months out here. We rarely saw them other than at the ground. It's play and get back into the cage.

This answer yet again proves my point. The cage mentality. The mentality that you have to beat down on your opponent, no matter what. I want to ask why India had a problem with AUS but no issues with SL? Why didn't we see our players snarl as SL players? Why only at Aussies? I guess we know the answer. The issue is that AUS are going to repeat this behavior again, and again, and yet again. It's not like MH is going to be a changed man after he talks to HS. He is going to abuse HS again, next time he gets a chance. So, again, what's the point of HS talking to MH about anything? If HS talks to MH, it will be like HS accepting that "Yes, I know MH is abusive, and he is going to abuse me again in future, and I know it is not personal, so since it is not personal I am ready to be abused by MH if he choses to do so in future." Is that what we should be expecting from HS?

How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

Was it a slip or first slip in 15 years? Or is the issue that this slip became public because it happened on a radio show, so he needs to talk about it and all other slips remain hidden? So, he doesn't want to disgrace and denigrate HS. Yet, he says he could have used different words to make his point. Yes? It means that he still wanted to call HS an Obnoxious Weed because that's what his heart was telling him. He realized that he used the wrong words. So next time he will use different words to abuse HS. Effectively, that's what he is saying. And yet HS should talk to him about something (what is that something is beyond me). I am amazed.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

Talk to him about what? About why he called you a liar or something else? What are you going to tell him when you sit with him? That you did not want to denigrate him personally but still did it because it was part of a bigger plan and that you will do it again if another such plan is hatched? And what do you expect HS to do when he hears it? Grin and say Cool man, everything is fine?

Are you keen to play IPL?

Yeah, I do want to go and there are some key reasons why I want to go. Firstly, it's only going to be for about two weeks, so that takes away a lot of the revenue we could earn.
But right or wrong, I want to use it as a top-up before we go into the West Indian tour. We will still have time to come back from the Indian Premier League for a pre-tour camp, which I think is a great thing.
If anything, the IPL will help us. I've told Chennai I will be playing. I'm committed to going, if Cricket Australia allows me to go.

Err, did you not forget another reason? That you can use it to get a foothold in Indian sponsorship scene, something that Brett Lee is a master of.

[subbu390]

I guess, yet again Hayden asked himself what would Christ do in his situation and got the answer from heavens above.

Let us analyze his answers. After all he wants to build so-called bridges with HS.

It was a highly-charged summer. Are relations between India and Australia at rock bottom?

No I don't think so. Look, there's definite tension, but if I was a spectator, that's what I'd want to see. Rodney Hogg said it best during the summer when he said it's not tiddlywinks. If I was a fan and I went to a game that was far from contrived but didn't have a competitive edge, I'd be unimpressed straight away. There can be a sense of hypocrisy there. You know, I cross myself when I get 100, then I'm at first slip giving it to the Indians. At what point do you cross the line?

So, in his opinion, AUS spectators wanted to see tension. So, in his opinion, cricket is not just a game, it is a reality show on TV where audience have to see tension filled script play out in the field. Also, he confesses that he gives it to the Indians. What I get from this answer is that Hayden does everything in a very calculated way. He keeps in mind what audience wants (tension), he keeps in mind what his team wants him to do (sledging), and goes about doing it to the best of his ability. Now, he says he wants to talk to HS. Keeping this answer in mind, what exactly will he talk about? That what he did was a well planned scheme, nothing personal? That in future he would do it again if his captain wanted him to sledge? So, even if HS accepts his so-called apology, HS can expect same trash from MH later on.

Away from the field, how were the Indians?

They were reasonably pleasant. At the end of the day, two alpha dogs are never going to sit in a cage and not look at each other. It is what it is. The way I see my cricket, if you're the other alpha dog, you better not blink. I feel I'd be letting down my country if I was to blink. In terms of general human relations, I wouldn't say there was ill-feeling. India had four months out here. We rarely saw them other than at the ground. It's play and get back into the cage.

This answer yet again proves my point. The cage mentality. The mentality that you have to beat down on your opponent, no matter what. I want to ask why India had a problem with AUS but no issues with SL? Why didn't we see our players snarl as SL players? Why only at Aussies? I guess we know the answer. The issue is that AUS are going to repeat this behavior again, and again, and yet again. It's not like MH is going to be a changed man after he talks to HS. He is going to abuse HS again, next time he gets a chance. So, again, what's the point of HS talking to MH about anything? If HS talks to MH, it will be like HS accepting that "Yes, I know MH is abusive, and he is going to abuse me again in future, and I know it is not personal, so since it is not personal I am ready to be abused by MH if he choses to do so in future." Is that what we should be expecting from HS?

How is your relationship with Harbhajan?

I don't know how Harbhajan is feeling but he made it clear how he feels about our team. To put closure on my indiscretion (calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed"), I could have used a different choice of words. In 15 years of cricket, I had a slip. It wasn't to disgrace or denigrate Harbhajan. I could have gone for a different turn of phrase. In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed. It wasn't necessary. It was a mistake.

Was it a slip or first slip in 15 years? Or is the issue that this slip became public because it happened on a radio show, so he needs to talk about it and all other slips remain hidden? So, he doesn't want to disgrace and denigrate HS. Yet, he says he could have used different words to make his point. Yes? It means that he still wanted to call HS an Obnoxious Weed because that's what his heart was telling him. He realized that he used the wrong words. So next time he will use different words to abuse HS. Effectively, that's what he is saying. And yet HS should talk to him about something (what is that something is beyond me). I am amazed.

He called you a big liar and questioned your credibility. Were you stung by that?

What I'd like to is have a chat to Harbhajan when we get to India. I want to sit down with him and see if there is any way we can move forward with our relationship because it hasn't been great. I'd like to see where he's at and see if we can patch up our differences. Frankly, everyone is sick of it.

Talk to him about what? About why he called you a liar or something else? What are you going to tell him when you sit with him? That you did not want to denigrate him personally but still did it because it was part of a bigger plan and that you will do it again if another such plan is hatched? And what do you expect HS to do when he hears it? Grin and say Cool man, everything is fine?

Are you keen to play IPL?

Yeah, I do want to go and there are some key reasons why I want to go. Firstly, it's only going to be for about two weeks, so that takes away a lot of the revenue we could earn.
But right or wrong, I want to use it as a top-up before we go into the West Indian tour. We will still have time to come back from the Indian Premier League for a pre-tour camp, which I think is a great thing.
If anything, the IPL will help us. I've told Chennai I will be playing. I'm committed to going, if Cricket Australia allows me to go.

Err, did you not forget another reason? That you can use it to get a foothold in Indian sponsorship scene, something that Brett Lee is a master of.

Brilliant stuff, Ruchir! Very well articulated - I surely do not have the patience to post such a detailed response Rams, I know you are trying to be even-handed and are trying to call a spade as a spade as you see it. It seems to me that you want to believe in the "inherent" goodness in people particularly when they seem apologetic (or contrite even) about their actions. As TeamIndia pointed out earlier Hayden has a history of being obnoxious, even though it goes against his firmly held religious beliefs, if it might be help his team. And as Ruchir pointed out in the prior post what exactly is Hayden trying to get across to Bhajji and how will that help mend the bridges, if that is what he is trying to accomplish. And going back to an earlier post of mine: why now, when he had ample time to do it much earlier. Further, why did he put himself in this predicament of having to show that he is not the demon he is made out to be when he was never provoked in the heat of the battle. And when he apologizes, apparently to redeem himself, why should I not be extremely skeptical and question if the apology is not indeed a tad disingenuous - and trust me I am not emotionally, ergo irrationally, trying to condemn him simple because he has tormented us with his brilliant, almost savage, power hitting

[ramshorns]

Brilliant stuff, Ruchir! Very well articulated - I surely do not have the patience to post such a detailed response Rams, I know you are trying to be even-handed and are trying to call a spade as a spade as you see it. It seems to me that you want to believe in the "inherent" goodness in people particularly when they seem apologetic (or contrite even) about their actions. As TeamIndia pointed out earlier Hayden has a history of being obnoxious, even though it goes against his firmly held religious beliefs, if it might be help his team. And as Ruchir pointed out in the prior post what exactly is Hayden trying to get across to Bhajji and how will that help mend the bridges, if that is what he is trying to accomplish. And going back to an earlier post of mine: why now, when he had ample time to do it much earlier. Further, why did he put himself in this predicament of having to show that he is not the demon he is made out to be when he was never provoked in the heat of the battle. And when he apologizes, apparently to redeem himself, why should I not be extremely skeptical and question if the apology is not indeed a tad disingenuous - and trust me I am not emotionally, ergo irrationally, trying to condemn him simple because he has tormented us with his brilliant, almost savage, power hitting

Subbu:You need to post more here if time permits.  You have a good way of getting across your points rather than your takes sounding as mere rants. 

Getting back to the topic in hand when we are dealing with field of play I want to keep the religion and beliefs out of it.  It is used in most cases as a tool to persecute someone when one - the point in debate has nothing to do with the other - religion.  Even for a minute if I concede that Hayden did breach the rules of being a true christian peronsally it does not matter to me as long as he is playing hard which he does and off the field he never had a record of getting at players or fans.   Also we have to see who the other participant here is, Harbhajan who is not exactly a mind my business kind of a player.

Now it is upto an individual to believe in his apologies or see the genuinity in them and also the motives attached like the IPL being the reason or whatever.  For starters IPL is 40 odd days away and for most part people forget what Hayden did say now by then.  if I were playing to the audience I would have waited till April 10 or 12th to do so.  I am not sure if questioning one's motive is the right way to go as some here are doing.

Personally I do not have a problem with what he said to set the record straight and I am not into the business of dissecting every word he said in this interview and draw conclusions which again are meant by most to question his intent primarily because they hate the guy and I do not mean you.

If Harbhajan or his fans do not see Hayden's efforts as sincere then so be it but I for one do see remorse in his words and a person who want to put this behind which to me is a good start.

[ruchir]

If Harbhajan or his fans do not see Hayden's efforts as sincere then so be it but I for one do see remorse in his words and a person who want to put this behind which to me is a good start.

I will keep it short, Rams. Can you point out the phrase in MH's answers where you saw remorse?

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=remorse

re·morse      /rɪˈmɔrs/
–noun
1.   deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.
2.   Obsolete. pity; compassion.

[RicePlateReddy]

If Harbhajan or his fans do not see Hayden's efforts as sincere then so be it but I for one do see remorse in his words and a person who want to put this behind which to me is a good start.

I will keep it short, Rams. Can you point out the phrase in MH's answers where you saw remorse?

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=remorse

re·morse      /rɪˈmɔrs/
–noun
1.   deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.
2.   Obsolete. pity; compassion.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/short

short      /ʃɔrt/ Pronunciation Key
- adverb, noun, verb, adjective

14.   (of the head or skull) of less than ordinary length from front to back.
27.   that which is deficient or lacking.
38.   a deficiency or the amount of a deficiency.
41.   to cheat by giving less than is expected or deserved; shortchange.

    

[RicePlateReddy]

If Harbhajan or his fans do not see Hayden's efforts as sincere then so be it but I for one do see remorse in his words and a person who want to put this behind which to me is a good start.

I will keep it short, Rams. Can you point out the phrase in MH's answers where you saw remorse?

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=remorse

re·morse      /rɪˈmɔrs/
–noun
1.   deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.
2.   Obsolete. pity; compassion.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/short

short      /ʃɔrt/ Pronunciation Key
- adverb, noun, verb, adjective

14.   (of the head or skull) of less than ordinary length from front to back.
27.   that which is deficient or lacking.
38.   a deficiency or the amount of a deficiency.
41.   to cheat by giving less than is expected or deserved; shortchange.

    

I somewhat agree with you though. Hayden for all his overt uncalled for religious piety, does not know what an apology means. His retraction of words after CA reprimanded him for the weed comment was a text book lesson in fraudulence.

Hayden's reaction to the monkey episode where he blindly accepted his "mate's" word when it was clear through video and audio evidence that he did not hear squat, fully justifies Harbhajan calling him a liar.

I also do see Ram's point of putting this behind us and HS shaking hands with him. There is perhaps no need to talk about it, but shaking hands with him and saying this is behind us wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[ramshorns]

If Harbhajan or his fans do not see Hayden's efforts as sincere then so be it but I for one do see remorse in his words and a person who want to put this behind which to me is a good start.

I will keep it short, Rams. Can you point out the phrase in MH's answers where you saw remorse?

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=remorse

re·morse      /rɪˈmɔrs/
–noun
1.   deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.
2.   Obsolete. pity; compassion.

Ruchir:Probably apologetic is more apt usage here.  Wrong choice of word remorse on my side but nevertheless I stand by what I said in the rest of that post.

[ruchir]

If Harbhajan or his fans do not see Hayden's efforts as sincere then so be it but I for one do see remorse in his words and a person who want to put this behind which to me is a good start.

I will keep it short, Rams. Can you point out the phrase in MH's answers where you saw remorse?

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=remorse

re·morse      /rɪˈmɔrs/
–noun
1.   deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.
2.   Obsolete. pity; compassion.

Ruchir:Probably apologetic is more apt usage here.  Wrong choice of word remorse on my side but nevertheless I stand by what I said in the rest of that post.

Thanks Rams.

[inoc]

actions will speak better than the words. i will reserve my judgement till MH plays in a country vs country scenario before i take his words as true.

i am, as i said in another thread, not going to watch any match played by any of the aussies (live or televised) as a protest against this kind of behaviour. i know i will be in a minority but a happy minority.

IMO bullish behaviour like this is not playing the game hard but playing it unfairly.

example:

if this was just mindless banter and not a means of gaining advantage then why dont they engage in this kind of behaviour with say Sachin. they have realised it and some of them have acknowledged it in their autobiographies that doing so was detrimental since it only egged Sachin on. so mums the word when SRT is on strike.

however, it is free for all for others and specific players are targetted who they believe will succumb to such tactics.

it is definite ploy to gain advantage other than cricket itself.


furthermore, it is not a fair playing field (not that i want it to be one and a free for all ensues) since the problem with the indian and subcontinent players is that most are not proficient in the use of the english language to bite back.

some of them are now and are keen to negate the effect by doing the same (RU interview recently). the moment this has happened the aussies have been on the back foot.

when we have to win matches by describing the nether regions of a players wife, or her preference for the opponents proud edifice - count me out. this in my opinion is unwelcome in international cricket and hence the singular protest. maybe i am oldfashioned.

[Rocky]

Brilliant stuff, Ruchir! Very well articulated - I surely do not have the patience to post such a detailed response Rams, I know you are trying to be even-handed and are trying to call a spade as a spade as you see it. It seems to me that you want to believe in the "inherent" goodness in people particularly when they seem apologetic (or contrite even) about their actions. As TeamIndia pointed out earlier Hayden has a history of being obnoxious, even though it goes against his firmly held religious beliefs, if it might be help his team. And as Ruchir pointed out in the prior post what exactly is Hayden trying to get across to Bhajji and how will that help mend the bridges, if that is what he is trying to accomplish. And going back to an earlier post of mine: why now, when he had ample time to do it much earlier. Further, why did he put himself in this predicament of having to show that he is not the demon he is made out to be when he was never provoked in the heat of the battle. And when he apologizes, apparently to redeem himself, why should I not be extremely skeptical and question if the apology is not indeed a tad disingenuous - and trust me I am not emotionally, ergo irrationally, trying to condemn him simple because he has tormented us with his brilliant, almost savage, power hitting

Subbu:You need to post more here if time permits.  You have a good way of getting across your points rather than your takes sounding as mere rants. 

Getting back to the topic in hand when we are dealing with field of play I want to keep the religion and beliefs out of it.  It is used in most cases as a tool to persecute someone when one - the point in debate has nothing to do with the other - religion.  Even for a minute if I concede that Hayden did breach the rules of being a true christian peronsally it does not matter to me as long as he is playing hard which he does and off the field he never had a record of getting at players or fans.   Also we have to see who the other participant here is, Harbhajan who is not exactly a mind my business kind of a player.

Now it is upto an individual to believe in his apologies or see the genuinity in them and also the motives attached like the IPL being the reason or whatever.  For starters IPL is 40 odd days away and for most part people forget what Hayden did say now by then.  if I were playing to the audience I would have waited till April 10 or 12th to do so.  I am not sure if questioning one's motive is the right way to go as some here are doing.

Personally I do not have a problem with what he said to set the record straight and I am not into the business of dissecting every word he said in this interview and draw conclusions which again are meant by most to question his intent primarily because they hate the guy and I do not mean you.

If Harbhajan or his fans do not see Hayden's efforts as sincere then so be it but I for one do see remorse in his words and a person who want to put this behind which to me is a good start.

Ha! Ha!
Timeless negotiation trick to make someone listen to you!!! Rams falls for it!!!

First compliment the fellow:
I know you are trying to be even-handed and are trying to call a spade as a spade as you see it.
Add a bit of soap:
It seems to me that you want to believe in the "inherent" goodness in people particularly when they seem apologetic (or contrite even) about their actions.
Add a lot of rhetoric:
As TeamIndia pointed out earlier Hayden has a history of being obnoxious, even though it goes against his firmly held religious beliefs, if it might be help his team. And as Ruchir pointed out in the prior post what exactly is Hayden trying to get across to Bhajji and how will that help mend the bridges, if that is what he is trying to accomplish. And going back to an earlier post of mine: why now, when he had ample time to do it much earlier. Further, why did he put himself in this predicament of having to show that he is not the demon he is made out to be when he was never provoked in the heat of the battle.
Finally slip in the point your fellow refused to entertain earlier:
And when he apologizes, apparently to redeem himself, why should I not be extremely skeptical and question if the apology is not indeed a tad disingenuous - and trust me I am not emotionally, ergo irrationally, trying to condemn him simple because he has tormented us with his brilliant, almost savage, power hitting
Get results:
You need to post more here if time permits.  You have a good way of getting across your points rather than your takes sounding as mere rants.

You SHOULD post more!!

[RicePlateReddy]

Rams, a good Hindu, and rocky who called Rams some "Abnoxious"  names should talk and put this behind them.

[ruchir]

Posts edited to remove name-calling.

What did I miss? I would have loved to see what I have been called this time.  May be Dex can IM me the information.

How do you know you were called something? 

[justforkix]

Rams, a good Hindu, and rocky who called Rams some "Abnoxious"  names should talk and put this behind them.

   

[Rocky]

Rams, a good Hindu, and rocky who called Rams some "Abnoxious"  names should talk and put this behind them.

I would like to meet with Rams and talk things over. 
I guess I made a "wrong choice of words". 
In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed.
There's definite tension, but if I was a CV member, that's what I'd want to see. 
 

[Cover Point]

Rams, a good Hindu, and rocky who called Rams some "Abnoxious"  names should talk and put this behind them.

I would like to meet with Rams and talk things over. 
I guess I made a "wrong choice of words". 
In the end all I did was put fuel on a fire that already existed.
There's definite tension, but if I was a CV member, that's what I'd want to see. 
 

Actually Ramji is a very nice guy (unlike some others you may meet). And he knows his cricket too ... the slight bias for the Hyderabadis is all part of the game