It’s Kings XI Punjab Vs Mumbai Indians , the match is over and Punjab is celebrating victory and something happens that shocked the complete cricket world, Harbhajan slaps Sreesath instead of shaking hands and wishing luck. I don’t want to discuss why this happened or why Sreesanth cried, I just want to express that I am deeply hurt and ashamed to have witnessed something like this.
Definitely this is the problem with Harbhajan, but he can’t be held completely responsible for it. BCCI and our media are also to be blamed. Looking few months back, we see Harbhajan involved in same kind of aggression and alleged racism charges. But that time the context was different, we took that matter as of ‘National Pride’ and all backed Harbhajan, it was more like war against Australia, even I posted few blogs. Should we have taken it that seriously and supported Harbhajan? Shouldn’t BCCI have punished Bhajji from their side though ICC had cleared him on benefit of doubt. Why only if proven guilty of racism he was supposed to be punished, why don’t use of derogatory language and unwanted aggression be punished.
Why only monetary punishments are given to these players, when everyone knows that 20%-30% or full match fee also does not make any impact to these players? Banning from matches can be the best solution with no appeal. Or I would say make it like football, umpires have right to give yellow/red cards and can give 1/2 match match suspension for unsporting behavior. [Geo adds here that card system is only for 'contact sports' but I feel to tackle situations like Sydney Test we have to come up with a solution.]
Boards should also not favor players as in case of Shoaib Akhtar when he hit Mohd Asif with a bat, he was given a ‘calculated set’ of match ban. Boards should be more strict and should convey the message that any player or win is not bigger than the sport.
On a personal note, incidents like not appreciating players (Rahul Dravid against Mumbai Indians @ Mumbai and Sehwag against Deccan Chagers @ Hyderabad) and Bhajji slapping Sreesanth has diminished my interest in IPL. We are the worshippers of Cricket and would love to see some qauality cricket and appreciate it and want nothing more than quality cricket.
