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Predictably, the Indian media took it up amidst desperate attempts to find a sinister meaning to a go-carting excursion. And on Twitter, many people asked me “to give it back to them” thus raising the possibility of a second contest on tour. But surely our job is to report the only contest there should be — on the field of play, between two sets of players. Or do we fall into the trap of believing that we are part of the plan to dismantle the opposition? Do some of us run the risk of thinking we take a wicket or two as well?
In 2007-08, soon after the extremely ugly events of Sydney, I asked one of the reporters from the Australian, a newspaper that had routinely cast an acerbic, contemptuous look at Indian cricket, out to dinner. To be completely honest, I was very keen to know what kind of person he was and I almost expected to meet someone full of hatred. Instead I made a friend, found him very sensitive to different cultures, with a love for travel and history but also someone who talked about the compulsions of having to project a certain stance for the public.
I disagreed because I refused to believe that cricket followers who pay good money to follow sport are driven by this jingoistic nonsense; certainly I did not meet a single Australian in 2008 whose views echoed that of the newspaper. I found instead that the people of Australia, inevitably great sportslovers and admirers of a good contest, did not believe that the behaviour of their team and the stance of the media was representative of them as a country. You only have to see the extremely warm reception that India’s cricketers have got from crowds in Melbourne and Sydney as proof.
Sensationalism
I hear similar arguments from reporters of news channels; about the need to sensationalise, even to be vitriolic, because that is what the public wants. Every statement is an affront, a challenge, almost as if it is inspired by a politician addressing a rally. I was once at the other end of a telephone line awaiting my turn and I thought I was hearing a script that Salim-Javed might have written for Amitabh Bachchan in Deewaar.
Now I could be completely wrong and I could be rightly accused of not knowing how the rating wars work but what I do know is that the people in the media I looked up to and still do, those that are most widely respected, don’t feel the need to take sides, or deliver speeches on air, or take wickets in their columns. They don’t go to war every day. They describe, they inform, they paint a picture and they put things in perspective and the much maligned “public” seems to like them doing that.
And so, I wonder as I look ahead to a cricket match, not a media tussle, in Perth. Are we leaving the right legacy? Have we been custodians of the game as we expect others to be? Do we do in our profession what we lambast others for doing in theirs? And have we got this whole business of sport wrong? Do we, in spite of the posturing at press conferences, look for too much into what is essentially a contest on a field of play between two teams?
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I am wondering whether Bhogle is talking to himself or talking about himself.Or,has he suddenly seen the light and realising the hurt or harm that speculative writing can cause particularly when it is difficult to verify. Most of us readers are always baffled at the insights reporters/journalists seem to have or get. The ability to magnify the minutest of matter seems a quality vested in the keen minds of writers.sometimes even when there is no matter at all.
indian express is a good newspaper
I had Australian friends calling me to apologize for the way their team behaved in Sydney on the last tour. They think Ponting is disgusting and really were happy India won the ODI series. They love their sport and they love it much more than having to take sides with their side. I don't take jingoistic media seriously at all, no matter where it comes from. It is just like going to badly made C grade movies. Better to avoid.
Not to cast aspersions but it suddenly occured to me barring Sachin Kohli and Dravid how many in the Indian team were on the take. Was there series fixing this time instead of match or spot fixing. Somethingis fishy.
The whole country gets behind the Australian cricket team and everybody in the country including the P.M want to win at all costs. If that means you have to give few dodgy lbw then so be it. Media can also get behind the team because they can just go on and on for few weeks after the win. Saying how good the Australian team is and how bad is the visiting team. You have to be made of steel to win here. I think our batsmen and caption are lacking that. It is time for change Dhoni, and Luxman should be replaced. Sehwag, and Gambhir should be made alert to warn them that their place is not permanent and they have to perform.
Rajive, I agree with most of you comment but really, the umpires are international appointments and independant. Australia do not get the benefit of "dodgy" decisions. India get the same benefit. You should not confuse Australia's will to win and their success as being attributable to corruption. It sound smore like sour grapes to suggest so.
Agree with you Harsha. I have heard you on the ABC and I can say that you can thrash your Aussie counterparts in a debate. The Australian commentators were simply biased and talk garbage. For all their "English" speaking browhaha. Its beyond our control when a host wants to win at any cost, even if it means slinging mud on to the integrity of another country. They call it " competitive sports". Thats a tribute to their culture.
These are nice thoughts Harsha but did you express same opinion when other teams visited India and your media gave them a similar treatment?
Every four years, the Indian cricket circus caravan with the circus animals and ringmaster trundle along the Australian landscape at ease and only to be thrashed by the Australian team, I have been yearning for a long time to see the Indian team winning the test series and the Indian captain proudly holding the trophy for India. To my chagrin, it won%u2019t happen in my lifetime. My plea to the cricketing control body is please do not send a team to Australia unless it is well-balanced-in batting and bowling (both pace and spin). As an Indian Australian, it is too much to brook the Indian team getting thrashed. Moreover, it is opprobrium that the players%u2019 cavalier and careless bating style and they don%u2019t play as a well-knit side and to me; it is an ignominy to confront people with questions about Indian cricket.
Who is this "old friend" of yours Harsha? And what exactly have you yourself done to dispel your so called jingoistic nonsense? Have you attempted to use your good offices to perhaps have an interview with the players/manager/coach to try and dispel this "myth"? Winners are grinners and they walk tall. somtimes they can get cocky. Loosers, like your team India unfortunately, can only take the high moral ground, and keep prattling about "..its not winning that matters..bla bla bla..". They are left moping and sulking. Yes, cricket should be a contest between two teams. Unfortunately, only one of the teams is playing in this series. A real pity the stalwarts will have to bow out in this manner. We all love a contest. We all want a test match to be decided on the last session of day 5 not on the first session of day one! This leads to innuendo and gossip. You have the connections in the right places. Use them to keep the record straight.
How very well said. Hope it does dawn on our own TV Channels to refrain from from adopting cheap populist methods at the cost of further plunging the morale our cricketers, which is already at a low ebb. Off course our seasoned cricketers who have seen it all in their careers may well know the media menace and, hopefully, not succumb to pressure exerted by the latter.
Please shift to other sports and do the same advocacy. Indian sports will surely be much, much better for it. Please - cricket has had more than enough of you (not meant derogatorily). You need to diversify for the good of sports in our country. We know cricket has given you a lot - but then you have given more than enough back to the game too! Please be fair to yourself and to your country.
Mr. Bhogle's has been a sane voice. The media has been guilty of hyping the contest between ball and bat into a war of sorts which needs to be won through means, fair or foul ! Fortunately, most players too are sensible and have not succumbed to this noise; neither have the spectators. While it may be necessary for media houses to garner eyeballs, they simply fail to appreciate the viewers'/readers' sensisbilities. Ratings can be increased through better analysis, creative presentation etc - not through appealing to baser instincts.
Thank you Harsha, for your love of the game. To me you are always a sensible voice. I'm looking forward to a real contest with good performances on each side. While I hope for an Australian win, it would be best late on the last day.