The one day series between India and England, which starts tomorrow in Hyderabad, is being built up by the Indian press and sponsors as a grudge match that makes the most antagonistic of boxing bouts seem small fry in comparison.
According to Adam Mountford’s blog on BBC Sport, the Hyderabad Times contained a full page advert using the picture depicted above with the banner “Time for Vengeance – The war between India and England resumes on October 14th.”
If India’s recent tour to England was truly a war, then the visiting side were given the most royal of routings and didn’t even win one single battle – so billing the five matches as “the Payback series” is patently ridiculous.
In truth the series is at best wholly unnecessary and at worst utterly pointless coming as it does in the midst of a hectic schedule for both sides. We say as much in our column this week for All Out Cricket.
So is the series a “time for vengeance” or a waste of time? Go and read it now and offer up your opinion in the comments section.
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Oh yes! its being dubbed as the 'Revenge Series' and so much more! A real bore if you ask me getting a team to play some meaningless ODIs. How I wish we had some test matches now!
Plus with India trying their reserves again, England should be favored.
Posted by: Christopher Poshin David | Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 15:49
With England's record on the subcontinent, I'd still make an under-strength India favourites, although I doubt it will be 5-0 this time!
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 16:04
If you wish to be the best man, you must suffer the bitterest of the bitter.
Posted by: radii supra shoes | Monday, October 31, 2011 at 20:12
5-0 with 7 regulars missing.. hmm.. in what context does an ODI series become meaningful or meaningless anyway ? People in India care about ODIs and this isn't pointless to them.It's amusing to read these kind of posts that decide which series is significant and which isn't lol :)
Posted by: Hippo ! | Wednesday, November 02, 2011 at 18:17