Although support for India’s cricket team is overwhelming and it can drown out common sense about that nation’s team and players, occasionally critics raise their voices above the “Cry More” brigade. Take Indian National Congress MP Shama Mohamed, who posted on X during the Champions Trophy about the Indian team’s captain: “Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!” She, however, deleted the post.
What advantage?
Besides leading India, Rohit is also the chairman of India’s “Cry More” brigade — the vast group of online warriors who use the phrase as a response to any criticism of the Indian team. During the Champions Trophy, the main thrust of the criticism has been the advantage India gained from playing all of their matches in Dubai, for a tournament that is nominally being hosted in Pakistan. Former player and now TV commentator, Sunil Gavaskar, disagrees. He believes the rest of the world should be grateful, because “their salaries also come from what India brings to the world of cricket”. And then...
Indian truth
...well, Indian seam bowler Mohammed Shami said the quiet part out loud. “It has definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch. It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue,” Shami said.
Non-golfing hacks
Dylan Naidoo’s historic victory at the SA Open in Durban last weekend has attracted interest from media beyond the traditional golf corps of hacks. One journalist asked him a few days ago what he did for a living. Turns out he’s a professional golfer, with career earnings of more than R11m on the Sunshine Tour. Even without the R4.7m he won a week ago and the R2.38m he pocketed in Mauritius in December, he’s still averaged more than R650,000 a year since turning professional in 2019. And some people thought he still needed a second job.
Hop in the back
Fiji Drua’s trip last month to Napier where they played the Hurricanes has become an embarrassment for Super Rugby Pacific. After landing in Auckland near midnight, the Drua were surprised to find that the bus booked by Super Rugby organisers to transport them was nowhere to be found. Short of options, the Drua squad piled into the back of a truck booked to transport the team’s luggage and equipment.
Back in the days of Super Rugby we just don’t see the Bulls getting into the back of a truck — or a bakkie for that matter.
Preferential treatment
The Drua’s travel issues didn’t stop there, however. They shared a hotel in Napier with the Hurricanes, but were told they could not get a late check-out ahead of the 4pm game. The Drua later learned the Hurricanes did not have to check out at the same time and stayed at the hotel until just before kickoff.
Before we race to righteous indignation, SA teams have travel issues of their own in the URC and EPCR competitions.
Rooting for Willie
The URC’s origins initiative, which encourages players to wear their school socks, is proving popular. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson had this to offer after his team’s win at Loftus: “It’s really cool. You actually look at the socks. I saw Willie’s (Engelbrecht) white socks and then I remembered Die Wilgers Hoërskool. His school motto is Diep gewortel [Well-rooted]. I asked him: ‘Willie, is jy diep gewortel? [Willie, are you well-rooted?]” Mercifully, Dobson's comments went over the head of most in attendance.
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