The Bhajji, The Kiwis and The Peace of Mind of a Country !
New Zealand have always tormented India. Much worse than the South Africans, Steve Bucknor, Maoists and Pakistan sponsored Terrorists. India's records against Australia, Pakistan, England and West Indies have shown significant improvement over the past decade. But the Kiwis somehow have maintained a kind of enviable hold over the Indian psyche. Something like the Post-Miyandad Pakistan did for a long time.
This is true in spite of the fact that India managed to beat the Kiwis in Kiwi-land the last time they visited. But that win was a labored one. This can be explained by the fact that India always play at the level of opponents. Never crushing wins; almost always hard fought wins !
Chris Martin gave a glimmer of hope of an unbelievable win for the Kiwis last evening. But that perhaps was a ploy by the Indian top order to fool the visitors and then unleash Laxman once again on a day five pitch.
Laxman did what he is best at. He batted on and on and on till the frustrated Umpire Davies got him out. How can he remain not out for the third time in three tests on a day five wicket ? There should be some kind of respect for that dreaded entity !
But what the Kiwis have managed to do or rather not managed to do is what is going to hurt us Indians more and more in future.
No, it isn't Chris Martin's spell on day-4. We have seen and survived worse !
No, it isn't Kane Kane Williamson's maiden hundred on debut. We have seen that too !
No, it isn't Jesse Ryder either. Ryder somehow likes Indian bowling like Srisanth loves to make faces.
No, it isn't about denying Sachin Tendulkar his 50th test century. He will get that and we aren't worried.
No, it also isn't about Rahul Dravid managing to survive and thus keeping Pujara out for some more time.
It is about Harbhajan Singh's Century. For a long time now, he has threatened us with his 'All-round' abilities. The Aussies managed to keep him at bay. He has played some cameo knocks before and has saved some matches or helped in some wins.
But a Test Century had eluded him. It was this distinction that allowed us to sleep in peace. The peace assured by the fact that we can always ridicule Bhajji for his 'tall claims'. Alas, the peace of mind is decimated now.
Bhajji had declared himself as 'All-rounder' before the recent Australia series. And we all had a good laugh when he failed with the bat. Imagine a Century on a last day track for Bhajji. How will we survive the Centurion Harbhajan now ?
Oh They Know Not What They Have Done !
S-Pun Doctor
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