Sport | Cricket
Gambhir has wounded the game of cricket
Seemingly unaware of the sanctity of the game, Gautam Gambhir has elbowed the game of cricket and not Shane Watson. It is unfortunate that this budding youngster should indulge in such actions so early in his career.
- By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:58 November 1, 2008
Seemingly unaware of the sanctity of the game, Gautam Gambhir has elbowed the game of cricket and not Shane Watson. It is unfortunate that this budding youngster should indulge in such actions so early in his career.
Gambhir may well remember that what makes a complete cricketer is not his repertoire of strokes but the sportsmanship he displays as a player.
Although he is fast emerging as a fine opener for India, for him to clinch a place among the greats like his team-mates Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid, he must learn to control his anger.
No one becomes a hero by elbowing or retorting to a bowler who sledged. In fact, the true strength of one's character lies in his ability to ignore such provocations.
Gambhir is only 20 Tests old and should realise that neither Tendulkar nor Dravid, who have played over 100 Tests, have ever been pulled up for poor behaviour.
Australians thrive on sledging cricketers whom they believe are easy prey to provocations. And Gambhir easily fell into their trap.
Whether Gambhir deserved a one-match ban or should Watson have been fined only 10 per cent of his match fee is debatable.
But it is high time that match referees put an end to Australia's domination in the art of sledging. The game is being sullied due to these tactics series after series.
If Watson succeeds in getting the inform Gambhir out in the next Test, it may be hailed as a brilliant ploy, and that too for a meagre fine of ten per cent.
Sledging did not damage the game till a few years ago because no cricketer dared to hit back at the Australians. Today many have realised that sledging can be countered by being aggressive.
Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth showed how weak and vulnerable the Australians are when their sledging tactics were resisted through other means.
It even led to the infamous 'Monkeygate' incident in Australia. All in all, these have only tarnished the image of the game.
It is high time that a player found guilty of sledging be fined 100 per cent of his match fee. Then it is also justifiable that a player who turned physical due to the provocation is banned for a Test.
Match referees should make sure that the cause that leads to an unsporting incident is nipped in the bud before punishing the victim of a provocation.
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