Bhajji ‘colossal clown’: Aus media
NEW DELHI: Australia went from ‘underdogs’ to slayers of world No 1 India in the space of three days at the first Test in Pune, setting off delirious celebration among their supporters.
The Aussie media hasn’t missed any spin, putting down everyone who had written off Steve Smith’s side.
The favourite target though is the man Aussies love to hate --Harbhajan Singh. The former spinner, whose 32-wicket haul sparked India’s grand comeback series win at home in 2001, had declared the Aussies will be routed 4-0.
Now, Australian news website news.com.au has dubbed Bhajji “The Colossal Clown” in a take on all those who had predicted doom ahead of the tour.
There is no love lost between the Aussies and Harbhajan, who was at the centre of the ‘Monkeygate’ row on the 2007-8 tour and almost led to India abandoning the series midway after he was NEWDELHI: Mitchell Starc may have won the opening duel against Indian skipper Virat Kohli by getting the star batsman out for a duck in the first Test, but the Australian fast bowler insists the battle has just begun.
Starc triggered India’s downfall in last week’s first Test in Pune by claiming the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli in quick succession in the first innings before leftarm spinner Steve O’Keefe took charge. Australia bowled out initially slapped a ban for ‘racial slur’. India completed the tour after the punishment was reduced to fine for ‘abusive language’ on appeal.
The article revisiting the predictions quotes Harbhajan’s combative comments: “If Australia play well, India will win 3-0. That is if Australia play well. Otherwise, 4-0. Looking at the composition, this is the weakest Australian side to tour India.”
Former skipper Sourav Ganguly, who captained Harbhajan in that 2001 series and another India player the Aussies love to hate, is “The Sheepish Shocker”. Ganguly’s reminded of his prediction: “It will be very difficult for Australia. I predicted before the England series that it would be 5-0. It became 4-0. Australia will go the 4-0 way against India. I will be very surprised if India don’t win 4-0.” But Indians need not feel alone. Aussie spin legend Shane Warne may be the country’s highest wicket-taker, but he is “The Flipping Failure”.
The colourful Warne had expressed surprise when Steve O’Keefe was brought on after lunch on Day 2, backing Nathan Lyon to do the job.
“When you first start a session you want to set the tone and put pressure on the Indian batsmen and, without trying to be too harsh on Steve O’Keefe, this is the weakest of the Australian bowlers.
You can understand Steve Smith trying to give him confidence, but there is a time and a place for Steve O’Keefe to get his confidence, right now is the time for Australia to ram home the advantage with Nathan Lyon I believe at that end. I think Steve O’Keefe might get a wicket and that would be great, but I think Nathan Lyon is a better chance of taking a wicket.”