Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Harbhajan episode

The editorial “All’s not well that ends well” (Jan. 31) on the Harbhajan Singh episode is timely. In sports, the question is not whether one wins or loses but how one plays the game. Cricketer Don Bradman and tennis players such as Ramanathan Krishnan, Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer will always be remembered for their excellent behaviour on field and court. Harbhajan should learn a lesson or two from the unpleasant episode in Australia and correct himself in his own interest.

C.P. Chandradass,

Coimbatore

That a Test cricketer could get away with an abuse like ‘teri maa ki’ (whatever the rest of the words) in an international match shows the depths to which some players have sunk. What is more insulting and revolting is that the Aussies could accept the abuse to “monkey.” The BCCI should start functioning with some responsibility and decorum expected from an organisation of such standing. It would do well to discipline its players lest we have a series of incidents and it is forced to adopt the stand “we will go home if you ...”

Karan Khanna,

Chandigarh

Why play at all now? The BCCI has been accused of using money power. Everyone is aware of how money has diminished the status of cricket through match-fixing in the past. More allegations of misuse of money power are certainly damaging the glorious game. It is time to recall Team India. The Aussies will certainly be relieved.

Now we know that maa ki in one language can be heard as ‘monkey’ in another. Hasn’t cricket taught us a lesson?

Sqn Ldr B.G. Prakash,

Bangalore

What finally decided the matter was the BCCI’s enormous financial clout. A threat that an adverse judgment in the Harbhajan case would mean withdrawal of the tour brought the Australian and ICC authorities to their knees. The BCCI tasted blood earlier when it got rid of umpire Steve Bucknor. There is no doubt that it has started dictating terms to other cricketing countries.

K. Venkataraman,

Mumbai

The lesson to be learnt by cricketers from the Harbhajan fiasco is that deplorable behaviour on field will incur nothing but shame. They cannot sledge or abuse one another in the name of aggressive and competitive cricket. They should understand that many children look up to them as role models.

Indira Venkataraman,

Secunderabad

The BCCI only stood by the decision of the team management to discontinue the tour unless the three-Test ban on Harbhajan was lifted. It was the only thing that could be done to preserve India’s self-esteem.

The BCCI should be praised for its diplomatic efforts to ensure justice to an Indian player.

M.P. Premchand,

Thiruvananthapuram

What invective did Symonds utter and if he indeed did utter something, why has he been let off? If Bhajji can be punished for an alleged misdemeanour, why not Symonds? And what has the BCCI done to ensure that the Australians do not indulge in offensive on-field behaviour again?

Ananth Seth,

Secunderabad

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