#INDvsAUS #Thread
So far, algebra & geometry were clearly missing from Test cricket.
But looks like even that's been taken care of since so much is being spoken about India being "unfair" hosts and watering only 3/4th of the questionable 1/3rd of the Nagpur pitch.
🤦🏾
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So far, algebra & geometry were clearly missing from Test cricket.
But looks like even that's been taken care of since so much is being spoken about India being "unfair" hosts and watering only 3/4th of the questionable 1/3rd of the Nagpur pitch.
🤦🏾
+
Anyway, 3 things stand out right now:
* Wondering what brainwave caused Aussies to travel with 6 left-handers. 🤔
* India's global status as "good Test cricket hosts" being under risk for not watering remaining 0.75% of the pitch. 😆
&
* What does being a "good host" mean?
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* Wondering what brainwave caused Aussies to travel with 6 left-handers. 🤔
* India's global status as "good Test cricket hosts" being under risk for not watering remaining 0.75% of the pitch. 😆
&
* What does being a "good host" mean?
+
The third is what refuses to leave my mind.
Being a "good host" means, helping your guest in time of need, apropos the game. Not preparing a pitch to let them feel like touring India will be a cakewalk.
And since we're on the subject of "helping the guest", here's a story.
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Being a "good host" means, helping your guest in time of need, apropos the game. Not preparing a pitch to let them feel like touring India will be a cakewalk.
And since we're on the subject of "helping the guest", here's a story.
+
The last time India toured Australia, we know what happened.
Or, do we?
Oh yes, India conquered an Oz tour back-to-back. They conquered Gabba like a dream. They won one of the greatest Test series of all time.
But there are also things we don't know.
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Or, do we?
Oh yes, India conquered an Oz tour back-to-back. They conquered Gabba like a dream. They won one of the greatest Test series of all time.
But there are also things we don't know.
+
For instance, this story of Washington Sundar... 👇🏾
Washy flew to Australia as a net bowler. Which means, when he flew, the possibility of playing a Test match was the last thing on his mind.
So, naturally, he didn't carry a pair of white pads.
But look how things turned!
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Washy flew to Australia as a net bowler. Which means, when he flew, the possibility of playing a Test match was the last thing on his mind.
So, naturally, he didn't carry a pair of white pads.
But look how things turned!
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Team India was quite literally on the hospital bed or simply out of action and assembling the Playing XI was now only about figuring who is available.
Washington was. There wasn't much choice -- he was going to play.
The young man never flinched. But what about white pads?
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Washington was. There wasn't much choice -- he was going to play.
The young man never flinched. But what about white pads?
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He hadn't carried a pair.
For those who might find this story familiar, it's part of the Kutty stories that R Ashwin did post the series. Do listen.
Team India staff got into action mode trying to arrange a pair of pads for Washy.
Remember, they were in a lock down.
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For those who might find this story familiar, it's part of the Kutty stories that R Ashwin did post the series. Do listen.
Team India staff got into action mode trying to arrange a pair of pads for Washy.
Remember, they were in a lock down.
+
An SOS was sent across to the Australian camp and a request was made to an Australian tailender batsman -- a lefthander -- if he could lend a pair of white pads.
What do you think was the reply? 🙂
The request was flatly denied. Nope, nobody was going to oblige Washy.
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What do you think was the reply? 🙂
The request was flatly denied. Nope, nobody was going to oblige Washy.
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Athithi devo bhava? Haha, not quite.
A senior member of Team India support staff went running around trying to arrange what Washy needed.
Nothing worked.
Eventually Team India manager Girish Dongre went looking for options & managed to find an "ill-fitting" pair of pads.
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A senior member of Team India support staff went running around trying to arrange what Washy needed.
Nothing worked.
Eventually Team India manager Girish Dongre went looking for options & managed to find an "ill-fitting" pair of pads.
+
Did Team India complain?
Ask Washington. He wore a pair of ill-fitting pads and played that historic Test match.
--
Stories like these are endless.
When Team India arrived in Brisbane, food was so bad -- they made a simple request. Just serve us dal-rice and that'll do!
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Ask Washington. He wore a pair of ill-fitting pads and played that historic Test match.
--
Stories like these are endless.
When Team India arrived in Brisbane, food was so bad -- they made a simple request. Just serve us dal-rice and that'll do!
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I remember a member of the Indian contingent fuming on phone that day. "In their entire lifetime, the Aussie cooks (at the team hotel) want to learn how to make "dal" just today. The players just can't gulp it. It's tasteless!"
There were Indian restaurants around. Open too!
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There were Indian restaurants around. Open too!
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But Cricket Australia and local authorities' protocols didn't allow ordering of restaurant food or players stepping out to a nearby restaurant.
Is it rocket science to understand food is as important as it gets ahead of any game for any sportsperson?
But no!
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Is it rocket science to understand food is as important as it gets ahead of any game for any sportsperson?
But no!
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Eventually, then coach Ravi Shastri had to put his foot down and go out of the hotel with Ishant Sharma. He sat down with Ishant as the bowler had his fill of simple rice and dal.
Ask Ishant -- he'll tell it all.
But when teams visit India, it's a wholly different story!
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Ask Ishant -- he'll tell it all.
But when teams visit India, it's a wholly different story!
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If these visitors need their steak, two cars will head to the Taj, or the finest, to ensure they have it.
They need an Ashwin-lookalike to be made to fly from Baroda to Alur, they have it.
(Mind you -- India were only given local club bowlers on tour of Oz).
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They need an Ashwin-lookalike to be made to fly from Baroda to Alur, they have it.
(Mind you -- India were only given local club bowlers on tour of Oz).
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If someone wants to deny any of this, I'm happy to have a lovely little argument. Be my guest.
There's more. But what's the point being petty and all?
How quickly they forget what Siraj suffered
Here, in India, any visiting Team gets same privileges as Team India.
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There's more. But what's the point being petty and all?
How quickly they forget what Siraj suffered
Here, in India, any visiting Team gets same privileges as Team India.
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And when it comes to Team India, I don't need to remind what "privileges" mean.
It's not like media that covered that series doesn't know these stories. 🤦🏾
--
Anyways --
So, Aussies can stop cribbing, and concentrate on the Test match & series. Play on whatever is given.
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It's not like media that covered that series doesn't know these stories. 🤦🏾
--
Anyways --
So, Aussies can stop cribbing, and concentrate on the Test match & series. Play on whatever is given.
+
All hospitality happens off the field, and there, BCCI is far better than anywhere else.
If you've not experienced that in IPL, then where exactly anywhere else in this world of cricket?
On the field, you'll be tested.
That's why it's called a "Test". Stop cribbing & play.
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If you've not experienced that in IPL, then where exactly anywhere else in this world of cricket?
On the field, you'll be tested.
That's why it's called a "Test". Stop cribbing & play.
##
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