Both the teams are currently busy practicing on Ferozeshah Kotla before the Third Test Match starts on October 29th. It was surprising, and shocking to some to see Bedi on the other side of the nets. He was present for around 40 minutes of the Australian practice session and dished out some “tips” to the distraught Jason Krejza and Cameron White. This has certainly started a round of loud whispers and Bedi has won a few more enemies. However, after the Indian media created a huge hue and cry over Greg Chappell joining the Australians as assistant coach and now with Bedi lending a helping hand to the visitors, Cricket360 fears that some “critics” might have permanently distorted eyebrows by now.

Bedi, on his part, is unfazed. He claims he is “least bothered about what others think”, when asked if he considered the Indian reactions to his kindly gesture. Bedi is very correct when he says that spin bowling is not a personal talent and feels glad that he was asked for help. Australian team manager Steve Bernard requested him to oversee and guide the Australian practice session at an embassy party. In true sportsman spirit, Bedi agreed and invited the controversy.

Australia lost the second test to India by a record margin, 12 out of 20 wickets which they lost to spinners. So not only are the Aussies plagued by the Harbhajan-Mishra-Kumble trio but also sorely missing Shane Warne on their side. Down by 1 and with tougher times ahead in this week, this desperate situation has led them to seek assistance from wherever possible. Bedi came in as their Good Samaritan and helped the visitors in restoring their confidence and believe in their abilities.

So what’s the bone here?

The media is furious that Bedi went on to help the opponent team while he should have limited his knowledge to himself, or better still, for the Indian team. They raised controversy when Chappell returned to India as an Australian coach fearing the visitors will have access to the Indian “secrets of the game.” But in a game which is overloaded with technology to assess every aspect, where reams have been written about players’ and teams’ tactics and hours are spent looking for finer points on recorded footage; is there really any place for “secrets”? Bedi might have given Aussies some pointers which are nuances of the trade and not some private knowledge and it’s up to them now to put them in effect.

There have been several instances where Indian players have received assistance from foreign players. Irfan Pathan is Wasim Akram’s blue-eyed boy and Akram surely doesn’t think helping our lad will be his team’s loss. On the Bedi issue, even former skipper Dravid is ok with it and insists that even Indian players seek help from experts from various teams.

Is Bedi really the criminal here? Cricket360 leaves the question open.

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

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