The recent spat between Munaf Patel and Virender Sehwag has brought a very critical issue to light. The Indian players have grown more aggressive over the past few years. This new-found mean streak certainly helps in eliciting fear from the opponents but it is now causing rifts between the team. Instances where players show attitude and abusive behavior towards their fellow national teammates are commonplace these days.

Earlier this year, we saw Bhajji slapping Srisanth on field and the latter sobbing inconsolably in public. And now the face-off between Munaf and Sehwag leaves a lot of questions unanswered. It is reported that Munaf was having a verbal exchange with batsman Aakash Chopra when Sehwag intervened and bore the brunt of the pacer’s hot temper during an Irani Trophy match.

Munaf is said to have misbehaved with pacer Ishant Sharma as well. Sehwag brought the matter to the notice of the match referee RR Jadeja and Munaf was fined 70% match fee. Sehwag did not lodge a complaint but he walked out of the match after the incident owing to “family obligations”. The matter was closed there and then but has opened a torrent of issues to be resolved.

The growing friction within the team can be largely attributed to the surge of Twenty-20 game which is essentially about aggression and swashbuckling. IPL is the chief contributor since this tournament pits Indian players against their fellow national teammates in a neck-breaking competition. The feeling of acrimony and competition which breeds from a commercial series affects the integrity and harmony of the team on a larger scale. Moreover, the disrespectful treatment meted out to senior players like Laxman and Ganguly by the BCCI selectors also reduces their respect in the eyes of the younger players.

There is a section of critics which has welcomed this outburst from Munaf. Munaf has often been criticized for his cold and sober attitude on field, something which does not go at all with the image of a pacer. He is experienced, bowls above 140 kmph and is capable of delivering late swings and yorkers that can show the door to the best of the batsmen. This aggressive streak can put him in the league of bowlers like McGrath, opines this set of critics.

We at Cricket360 reiterate that aggression is an integral part of modern cricket. However, it should be reined in before it starts damaging the very essence of the Men in Blue.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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