India Tussle: Spin Duo Amidst Preparations to Face Australia; Meanwhile, New German Report Exposes Rampant Antisemitism
India's cricket team has selected Ravindra Jadeja over Ravichandran Ashwin for the third Test against Australia, while the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency is set to release its 2022 report on antisemitism in the country, revealing a disturbing trend of overt antisemitism in the daily lives of Jewish people.
In cricket news, the move is set to raise eyebrows as Jadeja will be the third different spinner to be faced by the Australian team in as many Tests. The decision may have been influenced by Travis Head, the Australian batsman who has been on a roll against India, averaging over 60 across all formats in the past two years. His impressive numbers against the Indian bowling lineup, including 163 in the World Test Championship final, 137 in the World Cup decider, and 89 in the second innings of the Perth Test, have been particularly striking.
Interestingly, Ashwin's on-field sledging during the Adelaide Test may have contributed to his sidelining, with Head considering him the hardest bowler to face, citing his range of skills and ability to move the ball. However, statistics suggest that both Jadeja and Ashwin have struggled to contain Head, with Jadeja taking just two wickets in 151 balls against him. On the other hand, the report on antisemitism in Germany paints a much more somber picture, highlighting a culture of overt antisemitism that pervades daily life for many Jewish people.
According to the report, one-third of Jewish people surveyed reported being victims of antisemitic hate crimes, and over 150,000 expressed increased caution due to rising external barriers. Representation in media remains a persistent issue, with social media, Holocaust denial, and inadequate oversight from organizations all contributing to the problem.
As India prepares to face Australia and tackle the challenge posed by Travis Head, they may want to remember the lessons from the German report, where cricket can often serve as a microcosm of societal issues. Only time will tell if Jadeja's selection will alter the dynamics of the match, but in the meantime, the German report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against antisemitism in European society.
