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Could sledging destroy the spirit of the game? The increasing number of ugly incidents on the field could be an indication that these practices are snowballing to a dangerous degree.
So when the three legends of the game - Imran Khan, Sunil Gavaskar and Ian Chappell - got together, it was a topic of debate.
All of them agreed that if sledging was not controlled and soon, we could witness a fist fight on the field.
Khan said some of the remarks made today were so personal that he would not be surprised to see a cricketer headbutt an opponent like soccer star Zinedine Zidane did in the last World Cup final.
At this point it would be better if we admit that cricket is no longer played by gentlemen only and hence no longer a 'gentleman's game'.
Over the years, players have abused the spirit of the game. A clear indication of that was the introduction of match referees who monitor all proceedings during the game while the ICC has had to come up with a Code of Conduct.
Some believe that if sledging was banned, then cricket will look monotonous.
In that case, it would be better if these people also explain what is acceptable, and not acceptable, sledging.
Intervene immediately
Gavaskar was of the opinion that field umpires must intervene right away if a player sledges and should send him off the field.
Frankly, it is too ugly to watch a bowler swear at a batsman.
Budding cricketers should not grow up watching such acts.
They may go on to believe that a bowler should abuse a batsman if he gets hit for a six or boundary. In fact, this has already started happening in cricket in school.
Like Gavaskar, it is hard to be immune to provocations. He revealed that he did not even hear Javed Miandad's remarks during his fighting knock of 96 against Pakistan in the 1987 Bangalore Test match.
And when Miandad apologised after the match, he had to actually ask him what was he apologising for.
Batsmen who are able to concentrate more on the deliveries than the sledges are indeed a rarity today.
It is unfortunate that the Indian cricket board backed Gautam Gambhir in the elbowing incident and Australian board still refuses to warn their players against indulging in such unsporting tricks.
It's time they realised that they have a responsibility to protect the sanctity of the game.
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