Rapid response

Hmmm...an interesting interaction with the folks over at Cricinfo. A few days ago, I saw this photo in their linked galleries. The original caption read "Javagal Srinath watches a Kashmiri Muslim boy bowl prior to selection for the MRF Pace Foundation, Srinagar, May 2, 2006". I was genuinely puzzled: why mention the kid's religion? Was the caption trying to make the point that Indian cricketers interacted with Muslims in Kashmir? (thats its some kind of bridge-building?). But those kinds of claims, unless made in some explicit political context, come off as glib, and unnecessarily inject division into a moment that could just have been about all Kashmiris - no matter what their religion (there are plenty of Kashmiris that aren't Muslim, believe it or not). So, I wrote to Cricinfo (perhaps a little too archly?):

"Is there any particular reason why the caption for this photo mentions the young lad's religion? Do you ever publish photos with captions like "Brett Lee watches a Queenslander Episcopalian bowl in the nets"? Or say, "Flintoff gives a Yorkshire Protestant batting tips"?

Amazingly, someone wrote back:

Dear Sir,
Thank you for pointing that out. It has been rectified now. We fully appreciate any feedback/suggestions from you. We look forward to your continued support.

Best Regards,
Cricinfo Helpdesk

And, the caption indeed had been changed. Gee, that was quick. Somehow, I sense my correspondent was Indian. Please write in with your guesses on why I think thats the case.