Posted by We like R Ashwin. He seems… keen.
He’s talented too, but talented players are ten-a-penny. Who cares about them? No, what we like is a stony face when someone runs in to bowl; a face that says: ‘Shut up, I’m working. No, seriously, stop it. I’m trying to concentrate. I’ve got to get this finished otherwise I won’t be able to leave on time and I hate – absolutely HATE – staying late’ – that kind of face.
R Ashwin has replaced Harbhajan Singh in the side. We wouldn’t say Harbhajan became complacent exactly, but he did start to cling to his own record and past reputation a little too tightly.
Speaking to us in a fictional interview, Harbhajan reacted to Ashwin’s hundred and five-for against the Windies in Mumbai by saying:
“Obviously, as a senior player, I’m delighted for him. It’s great to see that I’ve mentored these youngsters so well and if they ever want more advice, they know they can count on me as a senior player.
“His performance in this match brings to mind my own in Cape Town earlier in the year. As a senior player, I made a whirlwind 40 and took 7-195 on a pitch that was tougher for both batting and bowling than this one.
“Hopefully, one day, Ashwin will become a senior player and will replicate such astonishing feats. Also, while we’re on this subject, I think it’s important to emphasise that I’m a senior player.”
seems habarjan also HATED staying late..
Keen is a word I have always associated with myself and cricket.
Sadly, in my case the word “keen” was invariably followed by the word “but” – “he’s talented too” never came into it.
So I don’t really associate the word “keen” with people of talent.
I just thought everyone might appreciate my slightly autistic thought-romp through the opening of this piece.
I bet Harbhajan is never caught thought-romping.
If either Ashwin or Ohja are not on the plane to Australia, the selectors are bonkers. Harbhajan has taken 2 wickets and scored 48 runs in 3 first-class games since being dropped. Srikant is obviously a little off his rocker, but he would have to be a raving lunatic to pick Bhaji.
The way Shastri (BCCI paid commentator) is singing Harbhajan’s praises during the match where he isn’t even playing, I guess his selection is all but confirmed for Australia.. He is bowling rubbish in domestic cricket at the moment though..
It is a big mistake to pick a player for his experience when his ability has long since gone AWOL.
And Shastri has just said Ashwin choked at the death.
I forgot that it was his job to take a five for, score a hundred AND guide a tricky run chase. In his third test.
See, he’s a failure.