Published: Apr 01, 2013, 01:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 01, 2013, 01:00 AM (IST)
Shaun Tait with girlfriend Mashoom Singha © Getty Images
Mumbai: Apr 1, 2013
Indian cricket is on a roll! After the 4-0 victory over Australia, there is more good news coming from Down Under. Apparently, Australian paceman Shaun Tait is tying the knot with his long-time Indian girlfriend Mashoom Singha sometime during a break in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and opting for Indian citizenship.
Despite its disastrous showing in India, Australia have a long line of quality fast bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Jackson Bird, Ben Hilfenhaus, Pat Cummins and several more. Tait, who has played just three Tests since making his debut in 2005, does not think he will get a chance to break into this Australian side. He discussed the matter first with his to-be wife and subsequently to some key member in the Indian team and the BCCI.
The couple first met during 2010 Indian Premier League (IPL) when Tait was playing for Rajasthan Royals and Mashoom was doing a fashion parade at an IPL function. Once Tait marries his Indian girlfriend, the Indian citizenship matter will be expedited by the powerful political forces within the BCCI with the idea of getting him a berth in the Indian team to South Africa to fight the fire of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel with fire.
“We have been struggling in the fast bowling department with a number of our bowlers injured and Tait will give our pace attack much teeth on the pace-friendly tracks of South Africa,” said a BCCI official.
Both India and Australia have had players in their cricketing history who have gone on to play for other countries, so Tait playing for India should not raise eyebrows.
NB: The above story is pure fiction. Shaun Tait has no plans to play for India and the BCCI has no plans to get him on board. The story was in keeping with the April 1 spirit.
