MONKEYGATE TALE
Monkeygate continue to haunt Team India even after 5 years. The
closed kept secret is out. In his memoirs-titled "The Close of Play"
Ponting played down the line and described the Monkeygate episode as
the penalty imposed on Harbhajan Singh after the 2008 Sydney Test was
way less than what it should have been. Indian off-spinner was let
off time and again even after committing serious offences in the field
of play and in front of Television cameras. Monkeygate episode was
the worst on field spat in the cricketing history. Even during the
body line test series down under, Don Bradman, the most prolific runs
getter in the history of cricketing world did not misbehaved in such a
silly manner as the Sardar of Spin did in Sydney. Since Team India
was at the receiving end of that particular series and hence we could
not digest defeat and the slapgate famous Harbhajan Singh played
spoilsport once again. Nobody could deny unsporting Act of the
spinner and ICC could have axed him with a ban for life time. But
better council prevailed and BCCI used its clout to save the Sardar.
In the bargain, during the inquiry into the charges levelled against
the Turbanator, Sachin Tendulkar entered the record books once again
with a blatant lied to save his player from further humiliation. As
it was just a matter of saving a soul the matter was hushed up. But
in reality it was the worst lie ever told in an enquiry to save a
serial offender in the cricket field. monkeygate tale will be top
topic even after 100 years.
Recent attack on Harbhajan by Ponting and the earlier one by Adam
Ghilchrist all appear true now as he is always a controversial
personality in Indian side. Australian's remarks may look absurd from
the Indian point of view but in reality he was a trouble shooter in
the Indian side. Controversy is a part and parcel of Harbhajan Singh
from the moment he started his test career as an off-spinner. He was
called for Chucking and referred to ICC thrice. He could take over
400 plus test wickets thanks to his suspect action which fetched him
basketful of wickets in the initial stages of his career. The recent
controversy was a spat with the Mumbai crowd when he was struggling to
take wickets in the comeback trail. Earlier Harbhjan was on a
punchline on a TV cameraman at Bangalore before boarding a plane to
Sri Lanka. Such type of arrogant attitude was not in good taste and
not required in a gentleman's game of cricket. If his attitude towards
the game is bad and his off-field tantrums is still worse. While
driving a dream car, Harbhajan found himself on the wrong side of the
law driving his HAMMER in Punjab without a Number Plate. His vehicle
was challaned for violating MV Act (Motor Vehicle Act).
Any award given by President of India is highly prestigious.
Harbhajan Singh and his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni missed the
prestigious Padma Shri National Awards ceremony at Rashtrapathi Bhawan
inviting the ire of Union then Sports Minister MS.Gill. Later on he
gave a lame excuse for skipping the Award Function for Personal
Problems. MS. Gill can forgive him just like Sreesanth did after the
slapgate controversy. In the inaugural IPL season, HarbhajanSingh
slapped fellow paceman Sreesanth and was later suspended for the rest
of the tournament's 11 matches and the Board slapped a five-match ban
on his improper on-field misconduct. What a shame for Sardar of Spin?
He not only disappointed his cricket fans but went on to let his hair
down on the ramp and being featured in a liquor advertisement-both
prohibited by his religion. He did evoke religious sentiments as well
by doing a Ravana dance act on a TV show that got both Hindu and Sikh
Groups gunning for his blood. However, he got a reprieve from court.
The mother of all the controversies is the MONKEYGATE -
Maaki---------controversy. The infamous spat with the Australian
cricketer Andrew Symonds during the Sydney Test match in 2007-2008
season. Harbhajan could not last 12 balls at the end of Sydney match
as it slipped out of India's hand when a non regular bowler Michaels
Clerk caused the damage leading to all the controversies. Harbhajan
was at fault, still Sachin Tendulkar has to lie to save the skin of
Singh. Australian opener Matthew Hayden described him as an
OBNOXIOUS WEED, that Harbhajan still maintains with his foolish acts
on an off the field. Why this obnoxious weed is causing problems?
Ponting proved a point in his point in the bood titled The Close of
play- Monkey gate will haunt Indian cricket for ever.
