Former Australia cricketer Damien Martyn revealed a hilarious story about how Indian fans had his name painted on a donkey during protests in the aftermath of the Champions Trophy 2006 controversy.
The Australian team was at the peak of their powers in the 2000s and had won back-to-back World Cup titles in 1999 and 2003. The Champions Trophy tournament in 2006 was held in India and Australia won that as well in a dominating fashion. Australia, under Ponting, was often deemed arrogant on and off the field.
During the presentation ceremony, then BCCI chief Sharad Pawar handed over the trophy to Ricky Ponting, and Australians in their eagerness to celebrate and have their photos taken, seemingly hurried Pawar off the podium.
Damien Martyn was captured in photo seemingly trying to push Pawar off the stage. This resulted in massive protests by supporters of Pawar’s political party slamming the poor behavior of the Australian team.
Recently during an interaction with Damien Martyn, former teammate Adam Gilchrist recalled the incident that happened at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
"I think it was 2006 when we won the Champions Trophy in Mumbai. We got the trophy and there were huge celebrations and fireworks. An old buddy, the BCCI President (Sharad Pawar), was not backing off the stage to get out of our photo session. You (Damien Martyn) took the matters in your own hands mate," Gilchrist recalled on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.
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Martyn revealed that he gave a slight nudge to Pawar, who wasn't willing to get off the stage.
"I just pushed him a bit, like a nudge. We were getting in front of our photo, and made the big speech. Brad Hogg asked him politely, Ricky Ponting didn't say (anything), so I gave him an Aussie sledge. Obviously, it didn't turn into a nightmare. I got to the changing room and the team manager asked me to talk to Cricket Australia CEO," Martyn also recalled the incident.
Martyn further recalled that the Indian fans, angered by his gesture, named a donkey after him and also burnt his effigies.
"I said 'Geez, that moved quick, didn't it'. I had to write a letter as well. The next day, they were burning flags of me, and there was also a donkey with my name on it, with the mob around it. Not sure if the donkey survived that day. That was like one of the highlights of my career," he further revealed.
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Martyn played 67 Tests, scoring 4406 runs and 208 ODIs, making 5346 runs with a total of 18 centuries to his name. He made his debut in 1992 and retired from international cricket in 2006.
