"Monkey & The Obnoxious Weed"
India's tour of Australia was kind of Jungle Safari for all the viewers. We, Indians are Tigers playing against Kangaroos with players named as "Monkey", "Weed" etc. At least for this series, I felt like organisers should have created award "Creature of the tournament" and believe me there would have been tough competition for the winner.
Even though both the teams played some unbelievable cricket, non-cricketing issues have stolen the limelight and many of the great on-field performances didn't get its due credit.
"Summer Australia" was very difficult period for Indians. They were facing verbal volleys on-field as well as off-field thru' ut the summer. Many a occasions they kept their cool but it seems like their patience, their temper was not enough which resulted in the "Monkey & The Obnoxious Weed". In this forgettable episode for all non-cricketing issues, there were two creatures Bhajji and Symmo who played key characters.
Bhajji has a mixed profile for on-field activities. He has earned a good name for his bowling, he is amongst the most prominent Off-spinners of this era but he has earned very bad name for his on-field behavior. He was reprimanded for his excessive appealing, his fight with police and his questionable on-field behavior had made him sit out of the team. But the racist allegation against him was not acceptable at all. There were obvious reasons behind BCCI not accepting that Bhajji has said "Monkey" or racist slur to Symmo because they know normal Indians don't feel like swearing if they say somebody "Monkey". Its something like "गाली देनी है तो सामनेवाले को लगे ऐसी गाली देना"....जैसे की " तेरे माँ की.....तेरे ....... की " and In India "Monkey" is a word used by parents, elderly persons towards brats।
The other culprits in the whole episode, Haydos and Symmo are the real obnoxious weeds in the world of cricket. On- field behavior of Symmonds or Haydon is also not very good either. It could be seen through their swearing at opposition bowlers after getting out and at batsman while fielding almost every time.
Optimistic person believes that whatever happens it happens for good only. Here also this "Monkey" issue had made a big difference, a big good to Indian cricket. It helped in making Indians play harder than ever with more passion and more dedication. It showed to the world that Indians are super economy and upcoming cricketing powerhouse. Thanks to "Monkey" and that "Little obnoxious weed" also as because of them only I have got to see some wonderful cricket.