Re: South Africa in England 2012
IMO nothing wrong in having special celebration if one can identify more closely with a player. So yes - in this case desi and religion are those characteristics.
Growing up Pataudi represented south zone - that was one factor in him being my idol. Of course later I learnt he is from far north. Some of my favorites from that era - Vishwanath Prasanna Venkat Kirmani Chandra Abid Ali. Just had a soft corner.
Of course Madman Lal Mohinder Amarnath Bedi were also favorites. But the heart would automatically support Tamil Unadulterated against dominating Bombay in Ranjk trophy - just the way it was.
IMO your post was unfair to Waleed.