#INDvAUS: Forget cricket, Australia tour will be remembered for toxicity, warns Harsha Bhogle – Even though Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, and the likes have put on an exhibition of human skill and determination, the headlines have largely been grabbed by the ‘Cheatgate’ and ‘Mockgate’.
(L – R) Virat Kohli, Harsha Bhogle and Steve Smith
Australia’s tour of India has produced some fascinating cricket. Steve Smith and his men have exceeded most people’s expectations and given the dominant Indian team a run for their money during the final stretch of their grand home season. While New Zealand, England, and Bangladesh proved to be no match for the No.1 team in the world, the Aussies have done remarkably well to take the on-going four-match Test series to a decider.
Having said that, this series will most-likely be remembered for reasons other than the riveting duels between bat and ball. Even though Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, and the likes have put on an exhibition of human skill and determination, the headlines have largely been grabbed by the ‘Cheatgate’ and ‘Mockgate’.
From India captain Virat Kohli claiming that the visitors were systematically indulging in unfair practises at the end of the second Test, to the entire Australian team hooting after each of his early dismissals during the series. From death stares on the field, to explosive statements off it. Bitter is what Australia’s Indian summer in 2017 will be remembered as.
This point was driven home by Harsha Bhogle on Tuesday when he made a poignant observation about the “toxicity” prevalent during the course of this series. “Friends in Australia tell me they are perturbed by the toxicity this series has generated. Cricket lovers in India saying so too,” said the seasoned commentator on Twitter. “If we have to use toxicity and divisiveness to spread our game, we are using a short-term approach that can only be harmful.”
In a series of candid tweets, Harsha – who’s contract was terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India before last year’s Indian Premier League – gave another glimpse of the immense passion he holds for the game. It was, perhaps, this candid approach by Harsha that allegedly rubbed some senior pros from Team India the wrong way, and led to his ouster from the commentary panel.
“I am particularly perturbed by the fact that some of us in the media are promoting this divisiveness and taking sides to spread ill-will,” he continued. “A lot of us entered this profession because we love sport and had the opportunity to talk/write about it. We didn’t enter to spread toxicity.”
Harsha does have a fair point there. The media from both the nations has been guilty of trying to sensationalise the fiery exchanges between the players. While the Indians have done their best to lend voice to Kohli’s tall claims, the Aussies haven’t held back their sarcasm either. FOX Sports Australia even ran a poll in which they asked their followers to vote for the vettel (sports villain) of the week, and shockingly, their four nominees were a panda, a kitten, a puppy, and Kohli.
“Creating a Big Brother/Big Boss kind of toxicity to gain eyeballs and generate headlines will prove harmful eventually,” concluded Harsha. “I also believe administrators need to ensure that while there will be passion at work, and frayed tempers, it cannot be a series of its own.”
With a mouthwatering, series-deciding final Test to look forward to in Dharamshala, here’s hoping the limelight remains on the game.
Here are Harsha’s tweets:
Friends in Australia tell me they are perturbed by the toxicity this series has generated. Cricket lovers in India saying so too.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
If we have to use toxicity and divisiveness to spread our game, we are using a short-term approach that can only be harmful.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
I am particularly perturbed by the fact that some of us in the media are promoting this divisiveness and taking sides to spread ill-will.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
A lot of us entered this profession because we love sport and had the opportunity to talk/write about it. We didn't enter to spread toxicity
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
Creating a Big Brother/Big Boss kind of toxicity to gain eyeballs and generate headlines will prove harmful eventually.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
I also believe administrators need to ensure that while there will be passion at work, and frayed tempers, it cannot be a series of its own.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
