Hand over the Ashes to India
Just before the India- Australia series began, an English friend of mine commented that it would be great if the Indians could beat the Aussies. “It would damage their psyche and their confidence would be low, when we meet them in the Ashes”, he argued. He got his wish when India thumped the Australians 2-0.
But he forgot to account for the India-England series which was to follow. He feared the worst as India raced to a 5-0 lead in the one-dayers and was thankful that the series was called off prematurely. A 7-0 whitewash wouldn’t have helped the English confidence, obviously.
And then he was over the moon as England established a stranglehold over the first test. Beating the side that had just overpowered the old enemy was the best confidence boost ahead of the Ashes. But just before he could raise a toast, Sehwag and co changed everything. The Chennai test will continue to haunt the English side for a long time to come – up to the time of the Ashes series, at least. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the third-world country haters (Australia) have suddenly started liking one
India is suddenly the biggest factor in the Ashes battle – they just keep changing the balance of the series from one side to the other.
Watching the Ashes will be very different this time – like a winner watching the losers battling for a consolation prize. There will be no awe-inspiring moments, nothing to get too impressed by – how can you when you so recently kicked the same guy’s butt big time.
The two losers are more deserving of the pot on the right
How good are the hallowed Ashes with two losers battling it out? England and Australia might as well play for something else, lest they de-value the importance of something so prized – they could fight for an Indian earthen pot with filled with some sub-continental dust perhaps.
And while they are at it, they better hand over the Ashes urn to its rightful winners
There is too much being made on the Ashes series. At least in Australia, there is the needed excitement but there is a balance in the sense they are interested in other series rivalries.
In England, all their fans care is just this one series. To them it is the world cup, the alpha, the omega and the banana.
Now all the more reason to ignore it