Sport | Cricket
Even Don King would love India v Australia
It's a pity Don King doesn't take on clients from other sports.
- By David McMahon, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:27 October 10, 2008
It's a pity Don King doesn't take on clients from other sports.
The American promoter is one of the more recognisable figures in world boxing, his visage - and his hairstyle - easily distinguishable.
He's no mug. He knows that image is just as saleable as talent.
So here's the thing. If he ever wanted to diversify, all he has to do is give me a call. I'll tell him where he can get the most bang for his buck, in promotional terms.
Cricket. Yup, cricket. I'm betting he's never been to a cricket match in his life, but maybe he should get on a plane and book a ticket to India, for the current Test series against Australia.
As modern cricket goes, there has been some fierce rivalries.
But the greatest rivalry of all must surely be the India-Australia arm-wrestle. Forget the Ashes series. Forget the often rancorous India-Pakistan series.
Real battle
The real battle now, colossus versus colossus, is Ricky Ponting's men against Anil Kumble's team.
Before India arrived in Australia late last year, a couple of nay-sayers were talking down the series.
India had been in patchy form, mercurial to say the least.
I weighed into the debate and said that it was going to be one of the better contests in recent times.
Why? Because India lifts every time an Australian team is in the opposition dressing room.
I'm not just talking about the incredible rescue act in Calcutta when VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid turned defeat into one of the most stunning upsets in contemporary cricket.
I'm not talking about the way India always seems to be the team to stop the Australian juggernaut.
I'm talking about the way the game goes up several notches in quality.
And I'm sure even Don King would find that hair-raising.
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