For India, war of words not over by a long shot

[Guest Hiten.]

CHANDIGARH, October 7: If one were to consider the words spoken by manager Lalchand Rajput and Ricky Ponting, it’s highly unlikely that on field chatter on Monday is going to be any less. Even the match referee had a word with both the captains after the Kochi game asking them to keep things in control. However, there was some exchange once again during India’s chase at Hyderabad in the 25th over that forced Indian captain MS Dhoni to bring it to the notice of on-field umpire Steve Bucknore. "We discussed with the referee about not using harsh words, but Ponting did, and a couple of their players did. What was said can’t be spoken in public," Dhoni said after the game. Over here, a day before the game, cricket manager Lalchand Rajput made it clear that the boys were not going to keep quiet if spoken to. "The team has taken a unanimous decision to talk back if spoken to. We are not going to sit back. But we are not going to initiate any verbal duel," Rajput said. In fact, Ricky Ponting conceded that aggressive behaviour of some of the Indian youngsters was a new thing for them. "This sort of a thing hasn’t happened in the past. Of course I have not played against a few of them so we don’t know much about them. But in this team there a few youngsters who are aggressive in terms of body language," he said. Elaborating further, the Australian captain tried to make the distinction between playing aggressively and aggressive language, largely a play of semantics. "Aggression for us is the way we play. Our cricket doesn’t change when we are under pressure, while in the past we have seen teams change the way they play cricket when under pressure. "Aggression at body language, staring or adding a few words doesn’t help. What is being said on the field also doesn’t count. It’s the approach to the game," he added. With both camps taking up pretty fixed positions on the contagious issue, a few things might be said on the field. ============================= Whats up with the On/Off aggressive mode amongst the Indian players

[Rahul Khan]

"The team has taken a unanimous decision to talk back if spoken to. We are not going to sit back. But we are not going to initiate any verbal duel," Rajput said.

good tit4tat verbally is possible...but what about the game?

[Ram]

How i wish we whoop Ponting's so badly that he is confined to standing and doing the "2" for the rest of his life. What is he thinking ? The Aussies are copyrighted owners of the art of sledging ? For him to pronounce judgments on how good/bad the Indians are at it ? Just STFU and play the game fella.

[veer]

good tit4tat verbally is possible...but what about the game?

what game? :hysterical::hysterical:

[Rahul Khan]

I meant...he should also concentrate on playing game in tit4tat with aussies...then only it will be fully tit4tat...isn't it?