IT IS becoming increasingly obvious the Indian cricket team is full of spoilt brats.
The team’s performance in Australia has been nothing short of terrible and the attitude of some of the younger players suggests it won’t get better any time soon.
In India these players are worshipped.
The tour of Australia has proven they can’t handle pressure, hostile crowds or their temper.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say the Indians have become too soft.
All tour there have been calls for the older generation to be moved out and the younger players to be given a chance.
Why would you want some of these players in the team?
The behaviour of Virat Kolhi, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma in the last one-day match against Australia should have drawn closer attention.
Firstly, Kohli refused to accept the word of David Hussey when he claimed a catch.
That might be fair enough, it was a low catch and hard to tell on TV replays, however he appeared to reject the third umpire’s decision and remained on the ground for a couple of minutes afterwards.
How this didn’t result in some type of fine or ban it beyond me.
Kohli’s poor behaviour has been on show since the opening Test match at the MCG.
As they say “if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen” and a parochial Aussie crowd at the MCG on Boxing Day is unlike anything in world cricket.
In that one-dayer in Brisbane, Raina slammed the ball into the ground after catching Mike Hussey.
Add to that Ravi Ashwin’s attempted “Mankad” run-out against Sri Lanka.
It is becoming increasing obvious the team’s continued poor form is starting to take a toll on the players.
Not for a minute will I say the Australians are a well-mannered bunch.
Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting proved mental warfare was just as effective as a barrage of bouncers.
Ponting in particular could be accused of being bad-tempered, cranky and petulant when things weren’t going his way.
Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle can sledge with the best of them.
However, the Australian team has shown it can perform around the world and deal with hostile crowds and poor performances with a little more class than the Indians.
Perhaps this has something to do with the Australian mentality, call it tall poppy syndrome if you will.
Outside of Warne, Waugh and McGrath, very few cricketers are put on a pedestal in the same way the Indians are back home.
There are only two rounds until the Wagga cricket finals.
Unless there is a major surprise, the top four has been settled and Wagga RSL, Lake Albert, Wagga City and South Wagga will battle for the 2011-12 title.
Can anyone catch Wagga RSL?
It remains to be seen but Wagga City and South Wagga have achieved the feat so far this season.
This week’s clash between City and Lake Albert will probably determine second place, adding the extra incentive of a double chance.
South Wagga has been building quietly. It has a young, dangerous bowling attack and an experienced batting
line-up.
Yet, Wagga RSL will once again enter the finals as favourite in hot form.
It doesn’t get any easier for the chasing pack with Dan Oakley included this week to face St Michaels.
Premiership winners Jamie Pascoe and John Hoey will also come back into the team at some stage.
It hardly seems fair.
Three Star Selections
First Star: Todd Francis (Lake Albert) 80 not out
Second Star: Kane Bennett (St Michaels) 69
Third Star: Ethan Bartlett (Wagga RSL)
3-37
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