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[Blwe_torch]

Don’t be cruel, support Sachin
 
Geoffrey Boycott
March 20, 2006

I’m delighted to say that we have the makings of a great Test, because we have found what is a rarity in the subcontinent - a proper pitch that offers something to both batsman and bowler and challenges everybody to give their best.

Unfortunately for India, their batsmen have just not done the job. And they are a batsman short so in no time at all, we see the likes Pathan and Dhoni because neither Sehwag nor Tendulkar are in form, and the tail can't wag every time.

So I come to the question that everyone's been asking: why bowl first? Dravid must have taken the decision in conjunction with Chappell but every person I meet, even young kids, can't believe that India actually opted to bat fourth on a pitch that has been known to turn square and crumble to dust during the latter stages of a Test.

I'll tell you what I think. At the start of the match, Dravid, Tendulkar and Kumble were all presented with those lovely silver salvers, and Dravid, being the good soul he is, thought England needed a present too, so what better way to give them one than to bowl first? I speak in jest, but seriously, Dravid threw England a lifeline, and they have grabbed it with both hands.

I think India simply got over-confident, and thought they could roll England over easy. Another factor could have been the fear of facing England's seamers on the slightly damp pitch that we saw on day one, but I think that's just stupid. No damp patch can outlast the Indian sun in March, and it would have dried up in an hour at best.

To England's credit, they have batted superbly. India's butter-fingered fielders have helped, and I can't help pointing out that Laxman would have been invaluable in these circumstances. So what now? India still have a slim chance of saving the match, but they have to get England out cheaply. However, England have a history of sudden collapses, so India shouldn't lose hope. All in all, it will be a great game, as I said.

What has marred it for me, however, is the booing of Tendulkar. It was disgusting, and when he most needed their support, his hometown crowd stabbed him in the back.

My mum would always tell me, "If you can't praise something, sit quietly." Booing and hissing is simply not on, not with Sachin, not with anybody. He's at a low ebb now - he needs support, not cruelty.

http://www.htcricket.com/htcricket/7947_1654804,001601190000.htm
 

[tombaan]

let him play ranjis

[sudzz]

I dont agree, all players big and small have been booed and Sachin should be thankful it has come now in his career and at his home ground. It is just that even if all can accept his downfall not the Mumbaikar..

[flute202020]

I am not sure, while booing is bad in itself, I think Boycott is making too much out of it and there is no need to take it so seriously. One stupid, good for nothing group jeered him, what's the big deal..simply ignore..no need to be quiet and downcast etc, I say.

[Cover Point]

Wonder what would have the reactions been if the Booing would have happened in any place but Mumbai?

[flute202020]

Wonder what would have the reactions been if the Booing would have happened in any place but Mumbai?

why is that relevant? crowd misbehaviour is bad, no matter where it happens. Of course some of them are more disconcerting say if they start supporting the opposition team or constantly heckle your own players at the boundary.

[RicePlateReddy]

My mum would always tell me, "If you can't praise something, sit quietly."

His mum again? She is in more places than even Sidhu.

[toney]

Dont overlook his take on Indian pitches and their lack of quality. From 2000, we had pretty decent pitches. Mumbai, but for 04 was always great. Ask the Aussies.
The pitches in India are dry because a reasonably green wicket will be skewed in favour of one team fielding first, unless you play in the more temperate climates like in Mohali.

I wonder what he has to say about some of the pitches that his home ground at Leeds offered.

What next? Baked beans are too spicy in India?

[dhruvdeepak]

his mum has a cult following

[j]

I am not sure, while booing is bad in itself, I think Boycott is making too much out of it and there is no need to take it so seriously. One stupid, good for nothing group jeered him, what's the big deal..simply ignore..no need to be quiet and downcast etc, I say.

Essentially all these players are enjoying themselves at is expense. yesterday Wadekar said " they can do it to player like me but to Gavaskar and SRT its a no no. Its not done". SImilar sentiments were displayed by Vengsarkar, Gavaskar and now Boycott. All of them are enjoying this and adding fuel to fire.

The fact remains that SRT has been failing us more often then not. To me he has more inconsequential and useless centuries then  50's and 70's that others ( read Inzamam, Ponting) etc made to win matches for their countries. Unfortunately I need my fellow bloggers help to find out exactly how many centuries SRT made that won/saved game for us.

[cardus]

Why restrict to centuries j. ANY matchwinning/saving knock should count. And no, I do believe there will be a fair number of them, though nowhere near Inzi/Punter/Waugh's percentages. Point is, I can't recall any in Tests, offhand. And I'm sure that will be the case with most of you. Which is a bad sign, for I know that my base min expectation for SRT has plummetted over the years.

[justforkix]

I don't think the crowd's booing was targeted only at SRT. They booed and chanted against Dhoni, Yuvi etc., basically any desi player who misfielded, dropped a catch etc.

[cardus]

I don't think the crowd's booing was targeted only at SRT. They booed and chanted against Dhoni, Yuvi etc., basically any desi player who misfielded, dropped a catch etc.

Are you sure? Then we should declare a state of emergency in Mumbai for anti nationalistic activities, I guess!

[ramshorns]

I don't think the crowd's booing was targeted only at SRT. They booed and chanted against Dhoni, Yuvi etc., basically any desi player who misfielded, dropped a catch etc.

And there is nothing wrong with it.  This is pro sports and it happens every where.  They should stop being cry babies and learn to deal with it.  Comes with the territory.

[justforkix]

Of course there is nothing wrong. Since the crowd was consistent and showed their displeasure towards any player who dropped a catch and cheered anyone who fielded well / caught well, it is perfectly fine. they did not target any particular player.

[bala]

Yeah...when Dhoni fluffed the stumping it was "Dhoni beepa"

[feverpitch]

Yeah...when Dhoni fluffed the stumping it was "Dhoni beepa"

Really, Bala, don't tell me you heard that!
This is atrocious!

[j]

Yeah...when Dhoni fluffed the stumping it was "Dhoni beepa"

Really, Bala, don't tell me you heard that!
This is atrocious!

What is atrocious dost? What else would one say if you miss a simple stumping of flintoff when he was at 14? We would have had the match in our pocket. Sensible ones like many of us would use much more severe adjectives and expletives while watching live.

[feverpitch]

No, j, I agree with the feeling. But not the expression.

[j]

No, j, I agree with the feeling. But not the expression.

Well it depends. I am much more emotionally involved while wacthing cricket and hockey. I remember watching an India-Pak hockey match 12 years back when going into extra time with 3-3 scoreline and our forward missed a simple pass in our D that resulted in a goal against us and I went like "bhen..d" with my whole family around, still and shocked that I knew such expletives even existed. I had to save face for next whole month later on is a different story.

[justforkix]

Yeah...when Dhoni fluffed the stumping it was "Dhoni beepa"

Really, Bala, don't tell me you heard that!
This is atrocious!

Yup. I heard that too. Not only Dhoni, the crowd gave the same treatment to Yuvi when he dropped a sitter at short leg. The crowd spared no one for their mistakes in this test

[achutank]

has the final goodbye happened for SRT just like it happened for sunny ? no hurrahs, no lap of honours, no gaurd of honour, no final taps? sad. just a press conference at cci and a well-read note.

somehow i get the feeling srt has played his last match, he has become like jacki chan, injuries from head to toe. oh why did it have to end this way.