Slap, Tears, Ban & Cricket

The cricket has once again seen a TAMASHA (showbiz) which was not required. Harbhajan has just landed the most costly slap ever on Sreesanth (the talented but irreverant cricketer resorting to cheap antics to showcase himself). Harbhajan has been fined 100% of his IPL match fees (from the game between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI) plus has been handed 11 IPL matches ban. Sreesanth has been cautioned and reprimanded. Lalchand Rajput, coach of Mumbai Indians got 50% of his match fees deducted for being a silent spectator when the incident took place.

It might be interesting to find what the Australians are thinking of this whole issue. Was it not long back Harbhajan was involved with Symonds and Hayden and a big circus was enacted.

But Harbhajan, a highly talented player, should avoid getting involved in such incidents which take away the attention from his brilliant artistry with the ball and his fighting spirit.

It is good that Harbhajan has accepted his mistake and one hopes he comes out of this whole episode a much wiser man. But what about Sreesanth? I find it mysterious that he did not say anything to Harbhajan or to the players of Mumbai Indians. It is so unlike him. He will soon land in big trouble if he does not mend his ways and stop resorting to cheap publicity.

Interestingly BCCI is planning an Orientation Project under Ravi Shastri to teach the players (especially the younger lot) how to handle the large sums of money they are earning suddenly. Many of these cricketers come from poor or lower middle class families. Good move but one should know that Greed has its own way of seeking Compensation.

Good luck BCCI.