Fifteen years ago, the coach of the Italian football World Cup team, Arrigo Sacchi, created something of a sensation when he said his players were free to have sex on the day after each game they played. Sacchi replaced Azeglio Vicini, who had denied members of his squad the pleasure and Italy finished third.
Under Sacchi — and his freer regimen — the Azzurri went one better and finished runners-up in 1994 to Brazil, after Roberto Baggio famously skied his effort in the penalty shoot-out.
As a subject therefore, sex and sports have a long and chequered history and the "news" that Team India coach Gary Kirsten had followed in Sacchi’s footsteps is the latest chapter.
On the day here, all the former South Africa opener would say was some papers had been circulated among members of the squad, but he had no further comment on the matter. By then of course, more oppressing matters were on hand.
The news that Yuvraj Singh will be returning home with a broken finger is bound to hit India’s plans for the 2009 Champions Trophy hard. Already missing the ferocity of Virender Sehwag at the top of the order, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s squad has been robbed of a key component of the middle order, and one well capable of swinging a game all on his own — mostly with the bat, and on occasion with the ball.
Replacing the powerful left-hander is Virat Kohli, who by now must be familiar with being parachuted into such situations. It first happened with the Delhi middle-order batsman last year when he flew out to Sri Lanka to replace the injured Virender Sehwag in Sri Lanka. It was his first spell in India senior colours.
Earlier this year, Kohli was airdashed yet again, this time to replace the groin-affected Gautam Gambhir at the Compaq Cup, once again in Sri Lanka. And now, he flies in to fill the gap left by the departing vice-captain.
Little wonder therefore, a travelling WAG was overheard remarking, "the selectors may as well pick Kohli in advance from now on. Sooner or later he’s bound to be on his way to join the team anyway."
Rahul Banerji
