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Food for thought

Did you say the 24th? Of this month? First Test match? The South Africans have arrived?!

Oh!

But, no 'Donald versus Sachin'? Or 'Klusener versus Kumble'? Or any permutation and combination that you can think of to create the image of 'Barood'?

Refreshing. Or is it learning from past mistakes. Maybe it's not just the Indian team that has had lessons to learn from the disaster Down Under. Even the media has had to swallow some bitter pills.

You notice, don't you, how low we are on hype? Not that there isn't any cricket talk. That would be a bit much. But, what there isn't, is the usual heralding of a cricket tour on home turf, or otherwise.

Sure the newspapers and news channels have smallish segments on how the tour is about to begin, and some sort of interviews with the players, and ho hum....yawn, frankly. But, no controversy or sweeping statements on how they've discovered Sachin's Achilles heel, and that too on home turf. Or how Cronje's figured out how to play our spinners, and yes, on our wickets.

Honestly? I am quite perplexed. Sitting in Bombay, the big 'un not more than a week away, and no controversy to chew my teeth on. So, where's the catch?

Now, you'll say, she's lost it. Damned if we do, and damned if we don't.

When there is a ruckus, she asks me why, and when there ain't, she still asks me why. Hey, no way am I looking for a mad to do about anything. Just that it's sort of like a big mole on your face? When it's there you hate it, and when it's not there, you're wondering where it went, and when it's coming back, just like the proverbial bad penny!

Or, to be really up front, a controversy is also like the bad guy in a movie, especially a Hindi flick? The villain of the piece is always so much fun, and without him (or the sexy vamp for that matter!) there just ain't no spice! (Just kidding here, guys, don't want to hear a word about how maybe Sachin's stepping down, and making way for....for???)

All I wanted to say was that it's really quiet at the Gabba....oops....sorry, didn't want to trigger any bad memories! At the Wankhede? And in the newsrooms! Not too much action, yet, but if and when there is, we'll keep you posted!

Also, for a while now, I've been wanting to talk about the media. It's them that have given us enough fodder to talk about and write on, and for that, I'm duly appreciative. However, nonetheless, and having said all that and more, I have a bone to pick. Actually, quite a few of them, almost a skeleton to be honest.

But the word count's almost up to 500, and that's when I know you guys stop reading (if you've reached that far!). So, I'll save that for later. Unless, the headlines tomorrow read something like "Ganguly pleads royalty, and roars for the crown" or some such! Now, wouldn't that make for some juicy stories?!

The Spare Crib/Abhilasha Khaitan