Before you proceed with Kohli Rahul and Ashwin must be banned, read the previous blogs related to the South African tour here and here.
Utter nonsense
If the series humiliation wasn’t enough, certain Indian players were involved in an outrageous and most stupid behaviour on the field. For long I have written that Kohli’s on-field behaviour has become a nuisance. His over the top celebration, the verbal altercation that he constantly has with the opponents and towards the spectators, the rather belligerent and brash manner on the field.
Any child who is watching such sort of on-field nonsense is bound to be influenced by the actions of their hero. Kohli is aged enough and matured enough to understand that he has a moral right towards the wider audience and as such his actions, either good or bad is bound to be replicated by the children. No wonder the behaviour standards at the school matches level has gone down drastically. I want to reiterate that Kohli, Rahul and Ashwin must be banned
Kohli blurted, “Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball eh, not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.”
R Ashwin exclaimed, “You should find better ways to win, SuperSport.”
Rahul charged “It’s the whole country against 11 guys.”
Back in the school days, the boy who owns both the bat and the ball must never get out. If he does, that will be the end of the day because he will take them and go home. I was reminded of such schoolboy behaviour when I read these statements from 3 of the seniors in the squad.
Kohli failed to remain calm under pressure
It was clear that they were feeling the pressure. Kohli could sense that his team was about to suffer a humiliating defeat against an inexperienced South African team. He set out to make history but now he is in danger of not winning a single meaningful series. After losing the limited overs captaincy, after having lost the World T20 and exiting in the group stage itself, after having not won a single ICC tournament in 5 attempts, Kohli clearly felt the pressure of saving his legacy as captain.
However, he fell woefully short. All of these snowballed and eventually he blurted those words. He probably knew what he was doing and I am not prepared to sweep it under the carpet by convincing myself that it was because of the heat of the moment. Being the captain and that too an experienced one, he must have conducted himself better than that. He must have calmed the situation down. If the team members were angry and frustrated because the DRS went against the team, Kohli must have spoken words of encouragement to his players and must have egged them onto bowl better and win the game. Instead, his frustration and his own inability took over.
Ashwin and Rahul too experienced lot of pressure. Ashwin because till then in the series, he hasn’t had any meaningful contribution. He played in the series only because Jadeja was unavailable. Ashwin was desperate the make this chance count and he blew it. The 2nd innings at Cape Town was his very last chance and he was unable to make it count.
Rahul is thought to be the potential captain. However, he didn’t have the best possible start to his captaincy having lost the 2nd test at Johannesburg and his captaincy calibre being questioned.
Gilchrist gave a scathing comment
“Look, it is an interesting one, I am not sure that should be happening from a captain of an international team. But sometimes frustration overflows, you just get so frustrated and that’s why I said I wonder if that has happened three or four times through the series, and that was like okay that is enough now we can’t have it anymore,” he added.
Gambhir was equally scathing in his comment
“This is really bad,” he said. “What Kohli did: going near the stump mic and reacting in that manner that is really immature. This is not what you expect from an international captain; from an Indian captain.”
All the three players have brought the game into disrepute. There is absolutely no other way of looking at the matter on hand. It was plain and clear for all to see. The Indian players did not conduct themselves in the manner that is appropriate for a player who is representing the team at the highest level. All these players were levelling charges on the broadcaster that they are actually cheating. None of them had any proof.
The broadcaster replied “SuperSport notes comments made by certain members of the Indian cricket team. Hawk-Eye is an independent service provider, approved by the ICC and their technology has been accepted for many years as an integral part of DRS,” the broadcaster said in a statement, as per AFP.
Rajkumar Sharma, Kohli’s childhood coach has said
“Virat Kohli has taken the decision to relinquish the Test captaincy after a lot of thinking. He wants to enjoy his game and move on from here. He does not want to be in any controversy or indulge in any politics.”
This is utter nonsense. Controversy is Kohli’s middle name. This statement by Rajkumar makes one wonder whether he knew Kohli at all. Ever since Kohli became the captain, he has been involved in one controversy or the other. Just because he was never fined or banned does not mean that he is not controversial.
ICC is a spineless and incompetent body
The ICC as we all know is a spineless, toothless and incompetent body. They have cautioned the Indian players regarding the conduct. What nonsense was that? I want to see strict punishment meted out to all the 3 players. Do not fine them. It will not have any impact. Afterall, they have earned enough. Ban them from playing the game but not in terms of time but in terms of actual games. Kohli being the captain and the one who must have been an example for all to follow, must be banned for 10 tests, 15 ODIs and 15 T20s. Rahul the potential captain must be banned for 5 tests, 10 ODIs and 10 T20s. Ashwin must be banned for 5 tests and if he is considered for the limited overs squad, 10 ODIs and 5 T20s.
On the one hand, we have an Australian board who have barred Tim Paine from playing for Australia despite the fact that what Paine did was something outside the game itself. Whereas on the otherhand, we have 3 Indian players whose behaviour, on the field, was atrocious and downright stupid but the ICC have warned the players. This is utter nonsense.
ICC will not act because they are obviously scared about offending the BCCI and Kohli but the BCCI must act. They must ban these players and a lesson must be taught.
India have become the ugliest team
The boorish behaviour of the Indians have got out of hand. They are now perhaps the ugliest team to play the game. In the garb of aggression, they have become a bully and a much disliked team across the world. The Indian team may have even surpassed the worst of the Australian outfit. We have an Australian team led by Pat Cummins who does not want his players to waste vital energy in abusing and being aggressive towards their opponents and we have an Indian team which has become sore losers.
Perhaps things will change once Kohli resigns which he has. I want to see an Indian team that is aggressive and tough but in the right sense of those words.