This Indian team was harshly (and rightly) given some thick stick by this writer for a lack of effort in Melbourne. Australia's superior intensity fired them up to a level where some of them almost played out of their hearts in Sydney. At Perth, almost all of them stretched their temperament beyond limits.

For me, it was a memorable occasion as I watched the 4th day's play at a sports bar in Los Angeles with fellow Indians and a fairly likeable bunch of Aussie blokes.  Steve Waugh was there for a while with Mike Whitney. Waugh looked all greyed out and reserved.  Whitney looked like he had just come out of the WACA grounds in 1999, smiled like newly polished floor and quaffed mugs of Fosters. As the grey-haired Waugh passed by, I greeted him with a solid yet casual "Hi Steve, good to see you mate." Waugh acknowledged with a nod and a "thanks mate" on his way to the restroom. Both the former Aussie internationals are here to play an exhibition 'England Vs Australia match' at the Woodley grounds this Sunday.  They are to be joined by 'the' Simon Jones from England and a few first class cricketers who now play in the Los Angeles league.

I guess it's not often one gets to see two of the greatest matches going on at the same time on two television screens siting on a couch with a beautiful woman by your side, your best friends for company and a delightful Aussie contingent. Obviously, one was the Perth Test match. The other was the 3rd round of the Australian Open where Federer was playing the unusually named unknown, Tipsarevic. The two games of Cricket and Tennis  complimented and competed with each other in a glorious display of sporting ability for over 6 hours. I think, towards the end, those who were watching were drained out a lot more than the athletes themselves.  By the way, Federer won 10-8 in the fifth. What a triumph for tennis. And what a player Tipsarevic is! And alas for him and others of his kind, what a greater player Federer is.

Back to the cricket.  I found the Aussie fans to be very knowledgable, lighthearted and fun to be with. They hugely admired Kumble and Sachin, were impressed with Ishant Sharma ("He bowled like a cracker all day, mate!") and renamed Bhajji, 'Hanuman Singh.' with much amusement. Some of them had just returned from watching the Sydney test and said that they were disgusted by the way the Australian Team had behaved (Ponting in particular) As one of them said "They were like a bunch of Pr@##$ on the field."

 That behind them and us, the watchers present marveled at the irony of the victory procured by India. Indeed, who would have thought that India would beat Australia?And that too at Perth. Who would have thought that such a strong tail-end resistance was possible or that a part time spinner would find such success as much as a nightwatchman who batted like a specialist? Who indeed would have thought that three fast bowlers none of them even 23 in years, would outbowl their largely fancied Aussie counterparts?

Who would have thought that all these questions and more would together be the biggest slap on the face of the media that reported otherwise in their laughable  ignorance..

At the WACA, for a while after the 7th wicket fell to Sehwag ( or was it Kumble?) my jubilation at an Indian win was run over by a concern caused by noted Australian tenacity. Even as Clark and Johnston swatted India's hopes over the boundary ropes, my Aussie friends had already accepted that the resistance was typical before the inevitable fall. After RP sent Tait's timber rolling, just about every Aussie stretched out his hand to me in congratulations They weren't sad or miserable. If anything, they enjoyed every bit of the game and of course, their beer.  I can only wish that the test in Adelaide will continue the professionalism spirit and intensity that was seen by millions of delighted connoisseurs in Perth. In the end, that is what makes Cricket, the winner.

So good luck Australia and India, and very well played. Now, on to Adelaide…  

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes