Let me start off by saying that if Andrew Symonds happens to read this & is mighty upset with the title then all I have to say is ‘I’m honored you took out time & read this’. I’m sorry but I could not stop myself from that. This absolutely means no disrespect to the incredible cricketing talent that Andrew Symonds happens to be. To put it in the simplest of senses it he was the difference between the recent series ending up 4-2 instead of 3-3 or even 4-2 in India’s favor. But really Andrew, do you think that all those taunts were really racist remarks?
Now the ICC has stepped in & issued stern warning to BCCI about the whole issue & the BCCI launching an inquiry into the matter is viewed by the ICC as a victory. Now there are plenty of things in this whole scenario that amuse me a lot. Firstly, a report that is out in Australian media the same day ICC has asked BCCI to take stringent actions. The report released by Australia’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) talks about prevalent racism in Australian sports. Now it must also be mentioned that Cricket Australia does implement a zero-tolerance policy in this regard. But what happened to that policy in case of the infamous McGrath-Sarwan banter is anybody’s guess. Secondly, an inquiry in India means ‘nothing’
But the more amusing fact is that ICC seems to be proud of the fact that it forced BCCI to launch an enquiry into the Symonds saga. I thought ICC was the boss & in control. So why are they so happy about what is supposed to be a natural sequence of events? Simple, ICC is not in control. BCCI provides fuel to world cricket with huge amount of funds flowing in from Indian market. So ICC is scared that a cricket crazy India might get angry. Now though this might appear as wonderful scenario for an Indian fan, it is a pathetic way of running an international sport.
Finally moving onto the main controversy itself; the ‘monkey chants‘ aimed at Mr. Symonds. Now I do not mean insult the intelligence of cricket fans, but I just don’t think Vadodara fans could come up with an idea so far-fetched. May I suggest with all modesty to Mr. Symonds that probably, just probably, the chants were more aimed at his fancy hair-do & overall looks? Now I’m not suggesting that the behavior is right & neither do I stating that an international star needs to groom himself in a restricted fashion. But if the same taunts were made against a Henry Olanga (who was a fine cricketer) or Lasith Malinga by Indians, would they still be racist taunts? I honestly believe that the taunts were not at all racist. But to show disrespect like that is also unwarranted & Indian fans should refrain from such behavior. Look, Mr. Symonds, you came & tormented our team with your stellar performances. Indian crowds hate you only for that. I wish we could ‘ape the brilliant Aussie all-rounder’s ability on the field.
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