Michael Clarke: Aussie stars ‘sucked up’ to Virat Kohli to protect million-dollar IPL deals

[Abdullah719]

Former Test captain Michael Clarke says Australian cricket stars “sucked up” to Virat Kohli and India to protect their million dollar IPL deals, causing our cricket to become “soft”.

Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, Clarke said Australian cricket went through a phase when players were too scared to sledge Indian stars for fear it could jeopardise their contracts in the lucrative T20 competition.

“Everybody knows how powerful India are in regards to the financial part of the game, internationally or domestically with the IPL,” Clarke said.

“I feel that Australian cricket, and probably every other team over a little period, went the opposite and actually sucked up to India.

“They were too scared to sledge Kohli or the other Indian players because they had to play with them in April.”

Clarke said a number of Indian superstars like Kohli and Rohit Sharma were captains of their IPL franchises and therefore part of the bidding process.

“Name a list of ten players and they are bidding for these Australian players to get into their IPL team,” he said.

“The players were like: “I’m not going to sledge Kohli, I want him to pick me for Bangalore so I can make my $1 million US for my six weeks”.”

According to Clarke, this behaviour eroded the ruthless nature that had characterised Australian cricket teams for decades.

“I feel like that's where Australia went through that little phase where our cricket become a little bit softer or not as hard as we’re accustomed to seeing.”

Kohli has had a rollercoaster relationship with our players ever since bursting onto the international scene in Australia in 2011.

Ahead of a fiery 2017 series in India, Kohli said he was “really good friends” with some of the Australian players having shared a dressing room during the IPL.

At the conclusion of the series, however, he declared: “No, it has changed. I thought that was the case, but it has changed for sure. As I said, in the heat of the battle you want to be competitive but I’ve been proven wrong.

“The thing I said before the first Test, that has certainly changed and you won’t hear me say that ever again.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/b4450f5a7f586a04e2986ddd926a4541

 

[princeuk]

Tell us something that we dont know, this became very apparent very soon.

 

[IndianHero]

India is a super power at least in cricket ! It will be in real world too in future !

 

[the Great Khan]

India is a super power at least in cricket ! It will be in real world too in future !

Everything has an end and so shall the indianification of world cricket.

coming onto this article, why is anybody surprised? shows how fickle the body politic in Indian cricket is and how much influence money has now.

 

[Pakhs]

India is a super power at least in cricket ! It will be in real world too in future !

Are they planning to kill half the population they cant feed? Forget about super power they will do well to match China in the next 100 years.

Back to cricket they are cricket super power due it a sport of only 8 nations out of which 4 dont have it as their number 1 sport lol.

 

[Bhaijaan]

That didn't make us multiple time world champions. So what use is sledging anyway?

Shoaib Akhtar was most aggressive player on field he still made a lot of money in India.

It's about being a professional.

Be aggressive as a sporstman should be.

If aggression means hurling racist slangs

 

[Smudger]

Rubbish logic. What happened in 2015 and 2019 WCs

 

[Kroll]

At the conclusion of the series, however, he declared: “No, it has changed. I thought that was the case, but it has changed for sure. As I said, in the heat of the battle you want to be competitive but I’ve been proven wrong.

“The thing I said before the first Test, that has certainly changed and you won’t hear me say that ever again.”

What's this bit about?

 

[Rana]

uh oh, this was not according to the BCCI ****** script

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Clarke is absolutely right.

 

[Bigboii]

Total baloney Aussie's were a terrible team at the time and after the scandal they wanted to be nicer he is reading too much into it and india was peaking too

 

[Rana]

Not a great day for Indian delusion.

First Trump and now Clarke. Looks like a globalPandemic can bring people to speak the truth instead of being politically correct

 

[Kroll]

I wonder if Clarke was still playing and managed to get IPL contracts himself, would he still be saying the same?

Seems like Clarke's bitter about missing out on the $$ himself.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

I wonder if Clarke was still playing and managed to get IPL contracts himself, would he still be saying the same?

Seems like Clarke's bitter about missing out on the $$ himself.

He commentates in the IPL since 2017.
He has even played in the IPL in 2012.

 

[Mesozoic]

Lol. Johnson , Faulkner, Warner, Smith , Maxwell etc have all given stick to kohli on the field. Don‘t know what Clarke in on about...

 

[Kroll]

He commentates in the IPL since 2017.
He has even played in the IPL in 2012.

Okay, I don't follow IPL so didn't know this but being a commentator and not being an actual player in it, he knows its easier for him to get away with those comments.

 

[Pakhs]

That didn't make us multiple time world champions. So what use is sledging anyway?

Shoaib Akhtar was most aggressive player on field he still made a lot of money in India.

It's about being a professional.

Be aggressive as a sporstman should be.

If aggression means hurling racist slangs

Shoaib was one in a generation talent in terms of his pace so come what may he would have made money - But other less fortunate or replaceable players would be more careful

 

[ahmedzee]

India is a super power at least in cricket ! It will be in real world too in future !

For india to be power in the world, they need to be the super power in india. Let me explain, a country can't succeed with so much disunity, protest and draconian laws being imposed. A country can't succeed with outdated mentality. I feel cows in India would become super power the way they are going.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

It took an IPL cancellation for Clark to say this. Better late than never.

 

[Slog]

the only time there was some sledging was the Aussie away tour to India where Indian won 2-1.

Kohli had a terrible series and threw his toys out of the pram at the end of the series saying he's no longer friends with Aussie cricketers lol

 

[Slog]

I wonder if Clarke was still playing and managed to get IPL contracts himself, would he still be saying the same?

Seems like Clarke's bitter about missing out on the $$ himself.

lol hes been heavily involved

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I am surprised nobody brought Michael Clarke's record against India in this thread to downplay his statement?

 

[Kroll]

lol hes been heavily involved

I don't watch it but I have just been enlightened to the fact he's a commentator. Coupled with the fact he doesn't actually play on the field and that its likely it will be cancelled/further postponed, he's taken an opportunity to disparage the Aussie players.

 

[Savak]

This is not just true about the Australian players but plenty of foreign players worldwide, they desperately want the $1-3 million paycheque and are willing to break their govt travel advisories, put others at risk to fill up their bank accounts. Absolutely zero morals and integrity to do the right thing even if it means taking a hit on your bank account for a year. Pathetic stuff. Makes you question whether these people even manage their money wisely if they can't take on a loss for a year

 

[Saj]

Once again.....money talks, player walks.

Money mad cricketers will do anything for money.

 

[Smudger]

Smith has given India plenty of stick in both odi and test cricket despite earning millions from IPL. Can clarke answer why is that the case. I think retired players are just jealous of the amount current players are earning

 

[sshakir411]

Pretty blunt. Agree that Australian cricketers got “soft”.

 

[Savak]

Lol, look at the foreign players from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa desperate for the IPL to take place and making statements that they will defy their government travel advisories to travel to India at this point. Everyone can see the blatant intentions of these players

 

[Kroll]

Once again.....money talks, player walks.

Money mad cricketers will do anything for money.

These cricketers should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[ManFan]

So where are our residential daily Indian defenders of the IPL?

Surely, a great of the game like Clarke who is well-off need not have made the statement unless there was a hint of truth in it.

India’s monopoly of cricket has ruined the game and everybody will realize this sooner than later. (And no, I’m not anti-India but anti-monopoly.)

 

[Bhaijaan]

Shoaib was one in a generation talent in terms of his pace so come what may he would have made money - But other less fortunate or replaceable players would be more careful

My point being, if you are aggressive within limits of professional conduct it doesn't matter rather it actually makes you more valuable.

Let me remind the world Andrew Symonds was the highest earning player in the inaugural year IPL just months after the monkeygate incident. That alone debunks the myth that India or IPL discriminates against Players being aggressive on field against Indians.

 

[Savak]

So where are our residential daily Indian defenders of the IPL?

Surely, a great of the game like Clarke who is well-off need not have made the statement unless there was a hint of truth in it.

India’s monopoly of cricket has ruined the game and everybody will realize this sooner than later. (And no, I’m not anti-India but anti-monopoly.)

To be fair to the Indians, they have every right to be rich and exhibit their wealth to the world. Its on the foreign players to show principles, morals and put aside money for a change. Sadly they these foreign players have failed in this regard.

 

[Nfc120]

Kohli’a response: but but but but v r friends with those white guys!

Looking damn pathetic on both sides. The western world coming in for a pay check, while kohli and his ilk are deluded in thinking they have an actual relationship with these people. If money is what you pride yourself on, people will use you.

 

[Savak]

Mathew Hayden in 2008 openly called India a third world country. Then came the IPL and everything changed from there

 

[MMHS]

I don't think Aussies would stop sledging or doing ugly things in cricket field from any considerations - it's like second nature to them; dog berks, snake hisses, Aussies sledge....... Warner was playing IPL before 2015 series when he had a go at everyone, just one example. I think, last winter two issues forced Aussies to behave sober than their usual standards-

1. The sand paper - after caught red handed while cheating, had Aussies acted on their usual second nature, I am sure Kohli would have taken out even their underwear, before hiding something in it .... Last summer’s Ashes, Aussies were surprisingly polite for that small piece of paper with rough sand at one side. Otherwise, a batsman should feel shamed and almost humiliated if he is batting well and Aussies are not calling his name (means, Aussies don't consider you as a threat....). Sledging is a well planned strategy, which sometimes they try to cover as ”mental disintegration” - that sand paper gave opponents an Ace of Spades when it comes to acting smart.

2. These Aussies are quite a bit looser in sledding - they can throw everything at you, but can't take it back. As said, they use it for their advantage in field - not everyone is groomed to keep cool head when some jerk is calling your mother, sister, WAG, even daughter from 6 metre - eventually the Aussies will win in that battle. But, it has a strategy as well - Aussies won't do it when it can back fire. I can recall the ugly Aussies, true ugly people on cricket field.... but, surprisingly they were well mannered to their standard when it came to facing Lloyd’s WIN. Even Dennis Lillee never had any major issues with one Viv Richards.

I heard from BA Richards somewhere - ”.... The Aussie team that toured SAF in 1969-70 was the best behaved Australian side that I have seen...” - one can check the score lines and should realize... there was a reason for that. Without their top two players, Aussies knew that India had the upper hand and any antics, Indians will rub it back twice - they were not ready to take that risk. On top of that, Kohli is a different beast - even Javed lost it and raised his bat to break it on Lillee’s *** (should have - I would have loved to see that), and then got out for Aussies to enjoy the last laugh ..... Kohli won't - you call his wife, he’ll tell you to bring yours one and exchange..... then put his focus to next ball as if exchanging wife is like having a beer together. Kohli is one crook that can match Aussies with words and antics, then can bash their *** with bat - Aussies won't target him, at least not before he starts to struggle with bat. Imran was similar (though never matched Aussies with words)..... and even this guy Ian Chappel still chooses words carefully when it comes to IK.

I grew up in Australia as a kid - it's an art there, kids are taught ”sledging” along with their first lesson on cricket - that baptism is too strong to forget even for IPL riches. If this CV19 nightmare is over, come winter, India will tour Australia and this time I expect Aussies to crash India with their full team against an aging Indian side - IPL will be there in next April again, but this time I am sure we will see the original Aussies - I'll take a bet on that. Old habit die hard.

Money talks for everyone at every level - even for us here, common people. In late 1970s several top players including few PAK players left International cricket for WSC, despite knowing that they won't represent their national team before a settlement; similarly almost entire PAK squad followed their ”pir” Ul Haq to ICL facing life ban and in 1997, Wasim/Waquar declined to represent PCT in Independence Cup (India, Saeed’s 194 tournament) as PCB declined to compensate their claw back clause on County contract, therefore I don't think we should blame any player if he follows money.

 

[Savak]

I have noticed and observed that the Australians don't sledge Pakistani players as much as they do the Indians tho. Its the same even for the Sri Lankans. Lol, must be because the competition is non existent, they are like no need to even sledge.

 

[wrongun]

Tell us something that we dont know, this became very apparent very soon.

He concludes himself in the very same article that he was wrong.

There is a documentary made which includes behind the scenes footage of the tour which includes a leadership discussion where the decision not to sledge Kohli (as he loved a fight) is made.

It is called "The Test" and available to view on Primevideo/Amazonprime.

So we have your opinion to believ...

Or Clarkes changed opinion + actual video evidence to believe...

 

[light]

Not a great day for Indian delusion.

First Trump and now Clarke. Looks like a globalPandemic can bring people to speak the truth instead of being politically correct

Curious to know what Trump said. Any links or article leading to it? Modi deserves some stick for the way things are going in the country.

 

[Rana]

I don't think Aussies would stop sledging or doing ugly things in cricket field from any considerations - it's like second nature to them; dog berks, snake hisses, Aussies sledge....... Warner was playing IPL before 2015 series when he had a go at everyone, just one example. I think, last winter two issues forced Aussies to behave sober than their usual standards-

1. The sand paper - after caught red handed while cheating, had Aussies acted on their usual second nature, I am sure Kohli would have taken out even their underwear, before hiding something in it .... Last summer’s Ashes, Aussies were surprisingly polite for that small piece of paper with rough sand at one side. Otherwise, a batsman should feel shamed and almost humiliated if he is batting well and Aussies are not calling his name (means, Aussies don't consider you as a threat....). Sledging is a well planned strategy, which sometimes they try to cover as ”mental disintegration” - that sand paper gave opponents an Ace of Spades when it comes to acting smart.

2. These Aussies are quite a bit looser in sledding - they can throw everything at you, but can't take it back. As said, they use it for their advantage in field - not everyone is groomed to keep cool head when some jerk is calling your mother, sister, WAG, even daughter from 6 metre - eventually the Aussies will win in that battle. But, it has a strategy as well - Aussies won't do it when it can back fire. I can recall the ugly Aussies, true ugly people on cricket field.... but, surprisingly they were well mannered to their standard when it came to facing Lloyd’s WIN. Even Dennis Lillee never had any major issues with one Viv Richards.

I heard from BA Richards somewhere - ”.... The Aussie team that toured SAF in 1969-70 was the best behaved Australian side that I have seen...” - one can check the score lines and should realize... there was a reason for that. Without their top two players, Aussies knew that India had the upper hand and any antics, Indians will rub it back twice - they were not ready to take that risk. On top of that, Kohli is a different beast - even Javed lost it and raised his bat to break it on Lillee’s *** (should have - I would have loved to see that), and then got out for Aussies to enjoy the last laugh ..... Kohli won't - you call his wife, he’ll tell you to bring yours one and exchange..... then put his focus to next ball as if exchanging wife is like having a beer together. Kohli is one crook that can match Aussies with words and antics, then can bash their *** with bat - Aussies won't target him, at least not before he starts to struggle with bat. Imran was similar (though never matched Aussies with words)..... and even this guy Ian Chappel still chooses words carefully when it comes to IK.

I grew up in Australia as a kid - it's an art there, kids are taught ”sledging” along with their first lesson on cricket - that baptism is too strong to forget even for IPL riches. If this CV19 nightmare is over, come winter, India will tour Australia and this time I expect Aussies to crash India with their full team against an aging Indian side - IPL will be there in next April again, but this time I am sure we will see the original Aussies - I'll take a bet on that. Old habit die hard.

Money talks for everyone at every level - even for us here, common people. In late 1970s several top players including few PAK players left International cricket for WSC, despite knowing that they won't represent their national team before a settlement; similarly almost entire PAK squad followed their ”pir” Ul Haq to ICL facing life ban and in 1997, Wasim/Waquar declined to represent PCT in Independence Cup (India, Saeed’s 194 tournament) as PCB declined to compensate their claw back clause on County contract, therefore I don't think we should blame any player if he follows money.

All you need to do is call Virat Kohli ugly and he won’t be returning it with a smart sledge rather an abusive, personal rant. He is too easily triggered. He’s not smart enough to match them like that in sledging. He is good enough to get riled up and score big runs, and give more abuse back causing altercations rather than smart sledging.

This is why I think the Aussies genuinely rate Shoaib Akhtar. The guy was looking to fight them with pace and aggression, and he stood his own ground, he stood out as an Asian against the Aussies tbf. Didn’t need to be smart with his words, just go in full steam and look to bounce them with real heat. Wahab showed glimpses of that in 2015 against Watson, he made a huge name for himself that day. Aussies tend to seem racist, but they rate anyone who is willing to step up and fight fire with fire. Afridi has a cult following amongst beer drinking, abusive Aussie fans.

 

[Forum363]

Let me be clear - I severely dislike the Indian cricket team and IPL because of their treatment of Pakistan.

However I do not understand the hate here.

The IPL is a well organised league where the players have access to the best coaches, the best facilities, rub shoulders with superstars from all over the world, play in packed stadiums, get crazy fan support and get paid sums which would have been unimaginable in cricket before the IPL came about.

Taking all this into context, of course every player in the world wants to play in the IPL. Of course every player in the world wants to get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is the same for every single industry, not even limiting it to just sport.
[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] you said ‘money mad cricketers will do anything etc’ but what makes them money mad?

As a journalist, If the BBC offered you 4/5 times your normal earnings to do the same thing you do now (write/ talk about cricket) for one month a year during the ashes, would you not accept? Would that make you money mad or just sensible?

 

[Savak]

Let me be clear - I severely dislike the Indian cricket team and IPL because of their treatment of Pakistan.

However I do not understand the hate here.

The IPL is a well organised league where the players have access to the best coaches, the best facilities, rub shoulders with superstars from all over the world, play in packed stadiums, get crazy fan support and get paid sums which would have been unimaginable in cricket before the IPL came about.

Taking all this into context, of course every player in the world wants to play in the IPL. Of course every player in the world wants to get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is the same for every single industry, not even limiting it to just sport.

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] you said ‘money mad cricketers will do anything etc’ but what makes them money mad?

As a journalist, If the BBC offered you 4/5 times your normal earnings to do the same thing you do now (write/ talk about cricket) for one month a year during the ashes, would you not accept? Would that make you money mad or just sensible?

I agree it is pretty natural for any normal person to run to any avenue ignoring everything else when they are being paid 5 times market rate they can get anywhere else. I agree IPL is the best T-20 league in the world right now and players who are part of it should enjoy themselves and the experience. However these are unprecedented circumstances where social distancing is vital to stop the spread of COVID 19, the fact these foreign players are willing to put lives at risk just because they can top up their bank accounts is what is sickening me in this case.

The PCB agreed to accept PSL losses and not hold the final 4 games because they ultimately decided that human lives, the health and safety of the players and everyone else will have to take precedence over any monetary matters

 

[Shazzam]

That didn't make us multiple time world champions. So what use is sledging anyway?

Shoaib Akhtar was most aggressive player on field he still made a lot of money in India.

It's about being a professional.

Be aggressive as a sporstman should be.

If aggression means hurling racist slangs

Shoaib still uses India till this day to make money. He is a smart man just like these Australian cricketers who never sledged.

 

[Hitman]

I agree it is pretty natural for any normal person to run to any avenue ignoring everything else when they are being paid 5 times market rate they can get anywhere else. I agree IPL is the best T-20 league in the world right now and players who are part of it should enjoy themselves and the experience. However these are unprecedented circumstances where social distancing is vital to stop the spread of COVID 19, the fact these foreign players are willing to put lives at risk just because they can top up their bank accounts is what is sickening me in this case.

The PCB agreed to accept PSL losses and not hold the final 4 games because they ultimately decided that human lives, the health and safety of the players and everyone else will have to take precedence over any monetary matters

The IPL has been cancelled as well.

 

[Savak]

The IPL has been cancelled as well.

No official announcement yet. But it should be cancelled given the global epidemic the world is facing. Sports should be the last thing on people's minds

 

[Pakistanian]

This is unacceptable, imagine EPL clubs not signing Colombian footballers for their aggressive behavior towards English players during the last world cup. FIFA would never let that slide.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Michael Clarke "Australia & probably every other team sucked up to India & were too scared to sledge Kohli & other Indian players as they had to play with them at IPL.The players were like I’m not going to sledge Kohli, I want him to pick me so I can make my $1 million" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1247575187651989505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[tyron_woodley]

rofl. Just a nice cute little excuse for not being able to produce proper talent.

Sledging shouldn't even exist anyway. If sledging is allowed then be prepared to take it back. Australia have been perennial cheaters and literally benefited by dominating in an era without drs, no ball umpires and unbiased umpires. Stop spouting rubbish clarkey boy.

 

[Pakhs]

My point being, if you are aggressive within limits of professional conduct it doesn't matter rather it actually makes you more valuable.

Let me remind the world Andrew Symonds was the highest earning player in the inaugural year IPL just months after the monkeygate incident. That alone debunks the myth that India or IPL discriminates against Players being aggressive on field against Indians.

Andrew Symonds also was one of the most important T20 player at that time. Your examples dont make sense - Australian teams of the recent past have very replaceable players.

 

[Saj]

I have noticed and observed that the Australians don't sledge Pakistani players as much as they do the Indians tho. Its the same even for the Sri Lankans. Lol, must be because the competition is non existent, they are like no need to even sledge.

They don't have to......as they know they will beat Pakistan with or without sledging.

 

[Kroll]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] you said ‘money mad cricketers will do anything etc’ but what makes them money mad?

As a journalist, If the BBC offered you 4/5 times your normal earnings to do the same thing you do now (write/ talk about cricket) for one month a year during the ashes, would you not accept? Would that make you money mad or just sensible?

The context is different here. We're talking about going against all official advice and protocol in place at the moment. Not to mention putting lives at risk.

 

[Rana]

I have noticed and observed that the Australians don't sledge Pakistani players as much as they do the Indians tho. Its the same even for the Sri Lankans. Lol, must be because the competition is non existent, they are like no need to even sledge.

Tbf Pakistanis are chilled out blokes and can handle banter without throwing mass tantrums. That’s why the Aussies are usually friendly with them on the field also. That’s why it’s so much more entertaining to sledge reactionary Indian players who are so easily triggered

Aussies are far more hilarious than they are mean as long as you can get their vibe. Not sure Indians can

 

[Itachi]

To be fair, the overall society in most countries have gone soft in the name of politically correct. So it will change your attitude to overall aspect of life including sports.

 

[big_gamer007]

The last series in India, Maxwell and other Aussies were sledging India and kohli left right and center. Making fun of Kohli's shoulder injury.

Is this going soft? What does Clarke expect, they should start hitting players with their bats?

India Vs Australia series is generally very rough. The last one in Australia which India won was soft for obvious reasons, Aussies were mentally messed up due to bans.

But this time around it will be as fierce as ever.

Clarke comes across as bitter here.

 

[Geil]

Australia not sledging and being nice to their opponents is not entertaining, I follow Australian cricket just for their ruthlessness, aggression, sledging and all the banter they do on the cricket fields

Australia should just be themselves which is what makes them hard to beat and more enjoyable to watch as a spectator

the Australia cricket behavior right after sandpaper incident was very unlike them, they tried being completely opposite of what their cricket is all about and failed miserably in the series they played following sandpaper incident

the current situation has more to do with sandpaper saga rather than sucking and licking to Kohli, before that they were still the same even against India

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Seems like Michael Clarke visits our forums regularly

Not surprising, at all!

 

[MMHS]

They don't have to......as they know they will beat Pakistan with or without sledging.

Language is also a barrier.....

 

[MenInG]

Think fact is you sledge out of fear - who would fear the current Pakistan side?

 

[Cricfan4eva]

The Test - documentary - made it quite clear that Australia were restraining themselves from sledging in the India series. I think for 2 reasons,

a) They were trying to regain the trust of their people. Who went overboard after sandpaper and wanted their cricketers to be "nice"

b) India series gets lot of eyeballs, 1 wrong incident like monkey-gate and there is no coming back from that.

Clarke is being a d... , he is Michael Vaughan of Australia. There is no wonder he doesn't have great relation with any of the past or current players.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The Test - documentary - made it quite clear that Australia were restraining themselves from sledging in the India series. I think for 2 reasons,

a) They were trying to regain the trust of their people. Who went overboard after sandpaper and wanted their cricketers to be "nice"

b) India series gets lot of eyeballs, 1 wrong incident like monkey-gate and there is no coming back from that.

Clarke is being a d... , he is Michael Vaughan of Australia. There is no wonder he doesn't have great relation with any of the past or current players.

I don't think it was like that. Langer said in the documentary to draw a line between sledging and abuse. He never told the guys to not sledge. But Australia were too soft in that series. Paine was literally making snarky remarks to Pant about babysitting. Like wth?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I remember during the 2017 series in India where there was alot of sledging. And at the end of the series Kohli literally said at the presser that he used to be friends with alot of the Australian players before the series but not anymore. So yeah, I believe Clarke.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Lol at those who take Clarke's word for it. When we toured in 14/15 ,even bloody Mitchell starc was slegding Ashwin and he got a big contract with RCB the next year. Even after the tampering scandal, Tim Paine, most mediocre captain probably in Aussie history , was having a go at pant non stop. Clarke probably wants them to take it to the next level and threaten Indian batsmen broken arms, legs, skulls etc.

 

[Indiafan]

Poor Clarke is feeling left out

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Ex player praises India/IPL for money
Some fans : he is genuine, he is my fav cricketer, he is an ATG, this is my fav inning look at this video lol
Examples : Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria

Ex player speaks against India/IPL
Same fans : he is feeling jealous, left out, he is an average player, look at his record against India
Examples : Michael Clarke, Michael Vaughan, Naseer Hussain, Michael Holding

There is a reason why India have the most number of hypocrite fans. They can't take truth and also can't even take sarcasm from some ex players like Michael Vaughan. It's not a secret that some ex players on twitter always make sure that they don't say anything bad about India otherwise they will have to deal with those jaahil fans who are giving bad name to other good indian fans.

 

[Indiafan]

Ex player praises India/IPL for money
Some fans : he is genuine, he is my fav cricketer, he is an ATG, this is my fav inning look at this video lol
Examples : Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria

Ex player speaks against India/IPL
Same fans : he is feeling jealous, left out, he is an average player, look at his record against India
Examples : Michael Clarke, Michael Vaughan, Naseer Hussain, Michael Holding

There is a reason why India have the most number of hypocrite fans. They can't take truth and also can't even take sarcasm from some ex players like Michael Vaughan. It's not a secret that some ex players on twitter always make sure that they don't say anything bad about India otherwise they will have to deal with those jaahil fans who are giving bad name to other good indian fans.

Lmao the absolute hypocrisy of you. You know on this forum it's the completely opposite which happens. And you know why this post was posted

One word of advice. No one likes someone who sucks up too others over their own and bends over too please them

They are the most taken for granted people with zero respect among their own or others. Usually people who do this have very low self respect and achievement in their own life which shows the need for seeking approval

 

[Rana]

Poor Clarke is feeling left out

Pakistanis have been left out for a decade you don’t see them running rants against the IPL.

He spoke the truth. You have to be very careful speaking about India as you may even get a blacklist ban for Shri Modi ji

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistanis have been left out for a decade you don’t see them running rants against the IPL.

He spoke the truth. You have to be very careful speaking about India as you may even get a blacklist ban for Shri Modi ji

Lol which cave were you living in all these years? Afridi was all praise for the IPL and so were many PAK cricketers - calling it discrimination to not have Pakistani cricketers only to backtrack and say IPL was not worth it now they gave PSL

 

[Titan24]

I guess most people already knew that unless they wanted to ignore it.

Ofcourse as a cricketer you will want to do good for your country but when that little bit of doubt comes in of not upsetting the opposition or doing something that gets you out of the good book of a player who leads or plays an important role in the franchise which is giving you million dollar or so checks, you are gonna be be a bit confused about how you want to go towards that opposition.

As I have said multiple times ICC is not a great sporting body and its pretty clear with big 3 tags, separate window for IPL, limited ICC tournament venues (Nobody knows when SA, WI, Srl etc will host an ICC tournament if ever). A better body would have regularized the systems in a much better way. Cant imagine football players playing international matches will think about whether they will upset the opposition player who is a captain of some big club.

There is an unintentional conflict of interest involved if we take into account international cricket and IPL contracts and Clarke who has been captain of Aus for quite a few years and knows all Australian players has just highlighted that.

 

[Minnowbasher]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Michael Clarke "Australia & probably every other team sucked up to India & were too scared to sledge Kohli & other Indian players as they had to play with them at IPL.The players were like I’m not going to sledge Kohli, I want him to pick me so I can make my $1 million" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1247575187651989505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Chalo atleast Pakistan don't need to suck up then

 

[MP2011]

https://m.rediff.com/cricket/report/not-sure-who-was-going-easy-on-kohli-paine-clarke/20200409.htm

Coming straight from horse's mouth....

 

[MP2011]

Clarke I know has always been a snake. Has screwed over a lot of Aussie cricketers during his time in Australian team.

PS: I don't feel animosity towards Clarke because he said something bad about, in fact I don't care about IPL but then I don't begrudge cricketers' right to earn decent amount of money from probably their only area of expertise.

Have always felt that Clarke has always been a toxic individual.

 

[MP2011]

Clarke probably wants them to take it to the next level and threaten Indian batsmen broken arms, legs, skulls etc.

If he had his way, Jimmy probably won't have bowled after '13, correct?

 

[Rana]

https://m.rediff.com/cricket/report/not-sure-who-was-going-easy-on-kohli-paine-clarke/20200409.htm

Coming straight from horse's mouth....

Tim Paine Cartoon statesmen.

Too soft for Aussie standards. Should apply for New Zealand citizenship

 

[MP2011]

Also what I noticed after hearing Clarke commentating in India matches, he sucked up to a lot of Indian cricketers and spoke of them in really glowing terms.

 

[Rajdeep]

I am actually surprised that it is coming from Clarke of all people. He is on a contract with star sports as commentator and sucks up to Indian players big time. Even as a Indian supporter, his irrational praise of mediocre Indian cricketers sounds cringy.

 

[The lone Ranger]

Michael Clarke named the seven best batsmen he played with or against

Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, Clarke named the seven best batsman he played with or against — and he could only find room for one Australian legend.

BRIAN LARA

“Probably my favourite batsman through my career,” Clarke said.

“You look at statstics and his average is probably not as high as others names on this list but it was the way he played, whether that it was against fast bowlers or spinners. It was the success he had against Australia. That’s the other thing about these batsmen I’ve picked is that they all dominated Australia. You think of an attack with McGrath, Gillespie, Brett Lee, Shane Warne — these guys bowling to these batsmen — and they all found a way to have success.”

SACHIN TENDULKAR

Clarke on Tendulkar: “The hardest batsman to get out”

“Probably technically the best batsman I ever saw.”

“The hardest batsman to get out. I think Sachin, technically, didn’t have a weakness. Part of you hoped that he made a mistake.”

VIRAT KOHLI

“I think right now the best batsman across all three formats.”

“His one day and twenty twenty records are phenomenal and he’s also found a way to dominate Test cricket. What Kohli and Tendulkar have in common is they love making big hundreds.”

AB De VILLIERS

“I’m hoping he comes back and plays for South Africa again. Superstar. Can bat anywhere in the order. Dominates T20 cricket. He can score runs anywhere around the ground.”

JACQUES KALLIS

“The greatest all-rounder that I played against.”

“The impact he had against Australia, the way he was able score runs against our attack was extraordinary.”

RICKY PONTING

“He’s probably the best Australian batsman I played with.”

“I was lucky enough to play with some great batsman — Matthew Hayden, Steve Smith, David Warner, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn who was a genius. What separates Ricky is the era that he played. Just about every attack had two or three top-line, world-class bowlers and he was able to dominate them.”

KUMAR SANGAKKARA

“He seems to be forgotten regularly.”

“Phenomenal. Batted at number three which I think is the toughest position. I think he scored three hundred in a row in a world cup. Sangakkara was a force and an absolute gentleman of the game.”

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Lmao the absolute hypocrisy of you. You know on this forum it's the completely opposite which happens. And you know why this post was posted

One word of advice. No one likes someone who sucks up too others over their own and bends over too please them

They are the most taken for granted people with zero respect among their own or others. Usually people who do this have very low self respect and achievement in their own life which shows the need for seeking approval

Looks like my post certainly hurt you pretty badly lol just like it always does.

See how you lost your mind and forgot that whatever you wrote(bolded part) also applies to foreign players, commentators and experts who suck up to India for money.

One word of advice. Don't talk about my achievement and self respect while responding to my posts. I don't get money from PakPassion either lol. It just shows you have nothing else left to say and just want to vent out your frustrations. And yeah those were My Two Cents.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

If he had his way, Jimmy probably won't have bowled after '13, correct?

Lol exactly.

 

[Hasan123]

Clarke says it how it is. That's why he is one of my all time favourites.

 

[Raja111]

Looks like It may create some pressure on the Aussies. Let's wait and see what happens when they face india at the end of this year. They'd be confused whether to sledge them or not!.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Also what I noticed after hearing Clarke commentating in India matches, he sucked up to a lot of Indian cricketers and spoke of them in really glowing terms.

Yep. During our last tour Down Under, Pup was sucking up to India big time . Ditto during the World Cup. And Australian players have been doing this since Clarke 's playing days as well