Symonds hits the Bigg time

India’s love-hate relationship with Andrew Symonds continues, with the former Australia allrounder becoming the latest participant in Bigg Boss, the Indian version of the reality show Big Brother. Symonds was vilified in India for his role in the ‘Monkeygate’ affair four years ago but redeemed himself somewhat by helping Deccan Chargers win the second season of the IPL. Now he puts it all on the line with his stint in Bigg Boss House, where his fellow inmates includes an American porn star.

There’s no talk (yet) of Harbhajan Singh, the other protagonist of Monkeygate, joining the fun but the spinner’s exclusion from the Australia tour offers hope of an intriguing alternative to the on-field action. Symonds, though, is upbeat about the state of their relations. “We are great friends,” he told rediff.com. “We party, we get sloshed.” The Indian cricketer he’d like to see in the house: Rohit Sharma. And his expectations of Bigg Boss? “An opportunity to showcase Australian culture, which involves fun activities like barbecues and throwing people into the pool.” Just as well many in India have already seen the other side of Australian culture, most recently via the Masterchef series.