The Langer episode accentuates the generational gap and the culture clash that seems to have been turned up to a fever pitch before the Test summer ©Getty
"RESPECT YOUR ELDERS"
Sometime in the early 2000s, Bollywood witnessed a spate of movies that focused on the rapidly burgeoning generational divide in Indian society. They all loosely seemed to be based on the same theme, the alleged regression of the family value system in India. And how the youth in the country at the turn of the century had moved on from its most primary diktat, of 'respecting your elders'.
One movie in particular, Baghban, which had multi-generational superstar Amitabh Bachchan in the lead as a wronged but highly idealistic parent, highlighted this particular aspect of early 21st century India more than any other. It was a box office hit too, not surprisingly, considering it catered to the rapidly growing narrative about this apparent erosion of Indianness in Indian society at that point. The clever use of an actor who the generation mainly consuming the product could relate with only guaranteed the success of the movie further.
Now, it's not every day that you would draw parallels between Indian cinema and Australian cricket. Or speak of Amitabh Bachchan and Justin Langer in the same breath. But looking in from the outside, it's difficult not to do so with the culture clash saga that's engulfed the cricket summer leading up to the first Test in Perth.
Yes, right at the centre of the issue is a disgruntled coach still seething from the unceremonious nature of his exit. Yes, all around him are a bunch of former teammates and lifelong mates sticking up for him. Yes, facing the flak are the lot of current players about to play their first Test on home soil since Langer's departure.
Take a step back though and you realise it's only a small reflection of a larger narrative that's built on a generational gap that's threatening the very fabric of Australian cricket. Or so you'd think based on some of the commentary around the matter, what with fears of a mass exodus of fans at the Optus Stadium or even Pat Cummins and his team being booed and jeered during the opening Test of the summer.
But just like in those Bollywood movies from 20 years ago, there are no heroes or villains here either. There shouldn't be anyway. This after all is more just a clash of eras. It's if anything more, just a clash of realities. The kind of generational divide that we've seen play out so many times in every other aspect of life, even if not always as publicly as it has
