We know that there are a number of English readers out there who are having trouble picking sides for this series, so we thought we’d help you out.
Normally this would be an easy one. You never want to support Australia, whoever they’re playing, because they’re the best. You usually want to support India because they’ve got Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
However, there’s more to it these days. India aren’t just India any more – they’re market-led commercialism as well. If a Test team can stand for big business, then it’s India. Big silent boo at big business, everybody.
So what to do? It’s a quandary and no mistake.
Well here’s what we’re doing. We’re supporting India when they play Tests against Australia, but supporting Australia in other forms of the game.
Test cricket can only benefit from everyone in India thinking its ace. Test cricket may well suffer if India loses interest in it because they prefer the shorter forms. Although Twenty20’s fun and one-day cricket can be half-decent, Test cricket’s actually mankind’s finest creation and that’s where our priorities lie.
It goes without saying that who we’re thinking we want to win inside our mind will have an enormous bearing on the future of the game as a whole.
October 9, 2008 at 12:48 pm
That is a sterling idea!
India for the test series it is, CHAK DE INDIA!!
There are no ODI’s so we don’t have to support Australia at all, which is an added bonus.
October 9, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I like that plan. A lot.
October 9, 2008 at 2:01 pm
India! Zindabad!
Australia! Zindabad!
I’m so confused….
Hey, another reason to support India in the tests is because this is an unofficial world championship bout!
October 9, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Good wheeze there King – have been forced into the cheer/boo for the individual approach so far –
Hayden (BOO!!!!) c Dhoni (hurrah) b Khan (boo!) 0 (HURRAHAHAHAHAHA!)
Ponting (BOO!) lbw b Bhaji (boo!) 123 (BOO!!)
October 10, 2008 at 4:36 am
Can I say I support India but secretly support Australia ?
October 10, 2008 at 7:09 am
Your piece is a victory for common sense, KC.
October 10, 2008 at 7:49 am
Hey, why blame the Indian cricket team for the BCCI’s shows of strength and arrogance? Just keep supporting whoever plays against ‘straya!
October 10, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I must say that I was undecided until I saw Ishant Sharma’s hair.