Zaheer Khan and Ricky Ponting
When Ponting was going back after being declared run out and the Indian team was in a huddle, during the post lunch session, at Mohali in Punjab today, suddenly Zaheer Khan broke the huddle and passed some comments on Ponting. Ricky Ponting, who till that time was walking quietly to the dressing table, snapped back on his feet and returned to give Zaheer Khan Mouthful of his own. Billy Bowden, the Kiwi umpire officiating in the match had to interfere to allow the things to cool down.
Why was Ponting provoked to such an extent that he came back from his walk back to the stadium to come and confront Zaheer Khan. Well, the things have to be put in perspective. Ponting during the pre-test match press conference yesterday had tried to play mind games against the Indians through the press, and Zaheer took the opportunity to pay it back to him in the same coin and that too on the cricket field which is the arena where action unfolds.
Ricky Ponting has been in the habit of needling the players of the opposite teams and this time around the Indian team decided that it should take the bull by the horn not allow the Australians to seize the initiative and the ball has been set rolling. The occasion chosen by Zaheer Khan must have rubbed salts in the wounds of Ponting who otherwise was going steadily and was due for a century in the first test match.
At times one wonders, whether the Aussies have not taken the whole idea of nick pricking from the back of the wicket too far, as now they are getting the same repaid back more than they had ever bargained for. A comparative position between Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar could underline the point. Sachin is one of the most gentleman that game of cricket has seen so far, and just an year ago the difference of centuries between Ponting and Sachin was only of three centuries but now Sachin has increased the gap by nine centuries. While Ponting has been associated with all kind of sledging around the world Sachin Tendulkar has focused on his game and has allowed his game to do the talking. Result is that Sachin has gained in status around the world while Ponting has lost the respect from the cricketing fraternity. Would this season and this incident be the trigger for the world of cricket to see a new Ponting who would allow his game to define his persona? Time would only tell!
Tags: Banter, Billy Bowden, Cricket, Mohali, Punjab, Ricky Ponting, Sports, Test Cricket, Zaheer Khan
