Why are most Indian cricket supporters fans of Stephen Waugh?

Question

Why I ask this question is an answer on a previous question from an Indian user (I belive) stating Stephen used his mind and not harsh words to conquer oponets.

Stephen Waugh didnt invent sledging ,but he and his Australian team pretty much prefected it. He got inside the minds of many opponets and alot came undone before they even strapped a pad on. There was also fierce competition on the field and PLENTY of sleding ( I prefer gamesmanship or banter) and Stephen would never give an inch and if they could not get a wicket he would psycolocicaly strangle opponets till they came undone. (PLEASE dont think this is a go at Stephen, he is my favourite player and always will be, and I think this is the way cricket should be played, and if you dont, dont ever complain that test cricket is boring, cause this adds excitment to the game)

So with these points, why is Punter so hated on the Sub Continet and Stephen admired so.

Answer 1

better gentleman i guess , unlike others

Answer 2

Sounds to me like you answered your own question.

Answer 3

I think he suddenly became popular after the SCG test! lol, but he was no different than Ricky, did his fair share of sledging etc. He is being made into a God by those who didn't know him well. He's just an ordinary man.

Answer 4

Yes, We like Steve Waugh..

Because, he is such a nice batsman..

Not only that..

He is so great Gentle man in Cricket....!

Answer 5

I think Steve Waugh is the better captain and Ponting the better batsman.I like both but prefer Steve Waugh,that is probably cause he worked hard to get to the top and he was very fair.Sure he perfected sledging at that time but he appeared very gracious in defeat.

Ponting on the other hand has a misunderstanding when it comes to playing hard and spirit of the game.He will stand his ground when a ball is nicked(fair) and also insists that the fielders' word should be accepted.There was a column on Cricinfo by K.Sangakkara  addressing these things and I'm pretty sure worldwide most would have a similar veiew of him.He seems very ungracious in defeat as well,I know you are upset when you lose but still..

If Steve Waugh was arrogant,that was acceptable he earned the right to be at the top whereas Ponting is overly aggressive and arrogant and most will feel like he only had to polish what Steve Waugh started.

I like Ponting and he is an awesome batsman but Steve Waugh will always  be in a different level.I'm Sri Lankan btw and our fight was with Mark Taylor and Alex Stewart but it was only in the field and we had a great sledger who could annoy any in the game in Arjuna Ranatunga.He already has fired major salvos at the Indian team and 20/20 cricket after the first test.

Answer 6

He is a very good CRICKETER & GENTLEMAN.

Answer 7

S.Waugh - gracious in defeat

R.Ponting - arrogant and a sore loser

S. Waugh - Lead by example, learns from experiences

R. Ponting - Blames umpires, rules, opposition, crowd etc

S. Waugh - lots of time and effort working with the Indian people, set up charities etc. Has a real interest in the Indian community.

R. Ponting - god knows?? too busy racing his greyhounds?

Answer 8

May be because he is rtd. and didnt play the Sydney test.  Ponting wasn't hated here But all this changed after the Sydney match.

Answer 9

true gentleman.

Answer 10

Steve Waugh is a tough competitor but a great human being. he knows the value of humanity. the way he attached himself to causes in Kolkata endeared him to Indians. Steve is a humble person inspite of his greatest achievements. The record of 168 test matches did not come to him as fluke but it came to him through the dint of hard work and sacrifice of personal comforts in favour of his team. Indians admire these qualities in Steve. Ponting looks arrogant, sounds arrogant, behaves arrogant and talks arrogant. There is no comparision between these two players.

Answer 11

It's mainly because

a. he's a great sport and

b. he's done so much for charity over in India. He's always doing clinics and things over there. He likes India so India likes him.

That's really it. You give India a bit of attention and they appreciate it. It's a bit like ABBA in Australia - if they didn't promote themselves over here so much back in the day, we wouldn't be so crazy about them.

Answer 12

My two cents

I think Waugh is better liked for two reasons.

1) Regardless of his position on the field, off it he kept a quiet and cool demeanour. (which ponting doesn't).  

2) He did/does quite a bit of social work in India and that gives him extra points.

Ponting is disliked for what is perceived as cheating and this is exacerbated by the fact that he went on endlessly about taking the fielder's word for a catch until he was caught on tape dropping one and claiming it.  I think Ponting's measure started going down after that incident.