Cricket Corner

Why this Down Under dream?

2012-01-06T23:27:00.001-08:00

I remember a thought that had lurked excitedly and disturbingly inside me, before the India-Aus World Cup Final, 2003. Nay, it was a question rather. What would have I preferred, World Cup 2003 Win or then-impending Australia Test Series, 2003-04 Win. As if God were to grant my wish really, I kept answering myself back, Down Under ….. It showed where my priorities lay and how flushed I was with the golden run of the team that World Cup had just become an add-on. I was enthused with the prospect of a golden-run of the Indian team in the near future. Alas! It didn’t happen; India lost the final and missed the golden opportunity to win the series in Australia next year.

The flashback was played yet again, before the World Cup final last year. And my answer remained the same, though it took longer, owing to the declined awe of Australian power and air-brushed euphoria of World Cup played at home. So, when India won the World Cup in heroic style, I beamed that the destiny might be completed this time, considering the portents are good. Then England happened …. It was consoled to be an unfortunate (injury-ridden) and momentary (World Cup win infused lethargy) incident.

The start of Australian tour thus was not just anticipated with excitement but sense of fulfillment . The repeated columns on how the current tour will be a nirvana for the much-vaunted trio of Indian middle-order batsmen added an also-truth to that. I hurriedly bought a Sony LED TV and Airtel Connection to soak in those early-morning quilt-laden rubbed-eyes moments of viewership of lush-green Australian grounds being stoked by our batsmen and bowlers.

The initial worry was the fitness of the bowlers. Post 10 days now after the Sydney test, how this discussion point has evaporated faster than camphor. In fact, the whole discussion is down and dusted now. If at all there is any, it is about avoiding a whitewash. Pity …. A big pity …. Dreams have to wait now …. perhaps there are no dreams either.

At the crossroads, again

2011-08-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

Seldom do your weaknesses remain hidden for a long time. Like the boxed spring, they erupt as soon as the lid is removed. Indian lid, the famed batting didn’t work this series, and it was all kibosh for the Indian team. English bowlers were exemplary on their wickets, and trumped the Indian batsmen. Our bowlers on the other hand couldn’t match them, so the defeat was inevitable. You can sum up comprehensively this English summer in these few words.

India was able to maintain its top ranking for the last 18 months because of their match-winners and not because of their team. Batting ensured that the team didn’t lose many matches, and a few exemplary bowling performances nicked one or two wins. Most of India’s last series wins or draws have been thus 1-0 or 1-1 or likewise. These were enough to sustain the hold. But the pattern couldn’t have been repeated when confronted with a better team. It was a long-drawn conclusion, so the recent drubbing doesn’t come as a surprise to me.

Instead I think it might give India the need and space to rethink its future. The series defeat could be an elixir of sorts, ala the World Cup first-round exit of 2007. No better time now to take Test Matches on priority and not by default, and groom both batsmen and bowlers for their demands. It won’t happen though. Wins back in home grounds will push these concerns back into the shed until we lose again overseas, and then again back into shed …. the ugly pattern which had been a theme in the 90s. This also retrospectively brings into perspective how great our batting had been during the last decade, who transcended the system to best the conditions overseas. Alas, we realize things when they are about to leave us.

It is not an official farewell to the team though. They can again climb back to the top, but the prospects look bleak. Live with it. And on the same note, also appreciate the newly crowned champions, the English cricket team. They deserve to be number one, as they have risen here by winning matches and not jugglery, as the Indian team had during their stay. They ought not to be compared and scrutinized like a flogged and crossed king. We will have time to judge their worth when they come to the subcontinent. But for the time being, rethink or rejoice, depending on which side of the planet you belong to.

India Wins the World Cup!!!

2011-04-03T08:27:00.001-07:00

Not the sense of method, but the sense of timing. It is true for all the historical moments, be they of love, war or sports. Indian Cricket team achieved a unique timing orchestration during this World Cup campaign. Never renowned for its ‘hitting the straps at the right time’, in fact, having never watched it ever do it in my entire viewership career, this World Cup win might prove to be a watershed moment.

Buoy! Brilliantly they played in Quarters, Semis and Finals. Before that, they were also-runs. In knockouts they played like champions. This team is still not in the league of dominant Aussies or Windies of yore. But their spirit indeed was. The chase against Australia in quarter-finals was one of the finest, the win against Pakistan in the Semis one of the scrappiest, and the heist against Sri Lanka in the Finals one of the bravest. Their championship thus can not be contested at any ground. Sometimes, a few things other than play of bat and ball define the stuff the legends are made of.

Sadly this aspect was never associated with India. Until now. 1983 World Cup win stirred the sleeping nation. This win will instill the champion mentality, in all aspects, that are known as India. Who knows? But world, we indeed are coming.

Barack Obama on Sachin

2011-03-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Mr. BARAK OBAMA :- "I dont know about Cricket,But Still I watch cricket to see Sachin's Play.Not becoz I love his play its becoz to know the reason Why my country's Production 5 % down when He's in Batting."

Many of us Wonder why did he commented this ... if you want to know the reason .. read below

When Sachin Tendulkar travelled to Pakistan to face one of the finest bowling attacks ever assembled in cricket,
Michael Schumacher was yet to race a F1 car,
Lance Armstrong had never been to the Tour de France,
Diego Maradona was still the captain of a world champion Argentina team,
Pete Sampras had never won a Grand Slam.

When Tendulkar embarked on a glorious career taming Imran and company,
Roger Federer was a name unheard of
; Lionel Messi was in his nappies,
Usain Bolt was an unknown kid in the Jamaican backwaters.

The Berlin Wall was still intact, USSR was one big, big country,
Dr Manmohan Singh was yet to “open” the Nehruvian economy.
It seems while Time was having his toll on every individual on the face of this planet, he excused one man. Time stands frozen in front of Sachin Tendulkar. We have had champions, we have had legends, but we have never had another Sachin Tendulkar and we never will.

India-South Africa Test Series 2010-11: A synopsis

2011-01-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

In acknowledging your shortcomings lies your catharsis, and also victory. That is how I will describe the recently concluded India-SA Test Series. India achieved or managed or inflicted, whichever suits your perception, a drawn Test Series for the first time on the South African soil.

It was a series, high on octane value and also turgid on triteness index. The first Test in Centurion, where India were brushed aside by an innings was the wont indictment of India’s much-maligned off-shore records. The Durban victory in the second Test then showcased the recently acquired steely resolve of fightback in the current team, which has propelled and maintained them at the numero uno spot. The third Test in Cape Town was what demonstrated the aforementioned brilliance and banality at the same time. The 3rd day epitomized the spirit and skill of Test cricket, when Dale Steyn charged with a mix of verve and venom was dishing out some of the most lethal deliveries ever seen, and Sachin Tendulkar, with a mix of fortitude and firmness, was countering them with aplomb. It was once-in-a-year show, and frankly speaking, will bedeck my memory for some time to come. But what followed in the next two days was a massive antithesis. I should have expected it, considering India’s still-poor record in crossing over the line. Having SA effectively down for 128 for 6 on the 4th day, what India needed was just one spell of inspired bowling from one of the fast bowlers to wrap up the innings. What followed was a trivial stuff, Ishant Sharma spraying the balls on the leg side letting Boucher to get into the groove. However well Kallis played, I believe it was Indian bowlers who pulled the South Africans out of the quagmire. Good that India managed a draw on the last day to bring some parity on the proceedings, highlighting some flaw in the much-hyped South African bowling too.

The bottomline remains that India is the number one team; no one should begrudge that, as they have achieved it through winning matches and not through sorcery. They are not a finished product though, amply highlighted by their inability to finish off the series. Their weakest link continues to be their bowling. But somehow, which is beyond me too, this bowling has contrived the energy and skill to win solitary or important matches to win or draw the series. This also shows how much scope there is for improvement, and if that potential comes to roost, even the earlierAustralian/West Indian type hegemony is not out of reach.

Some say it was the best chance for India to win in SA, as the stupendous set of senior batsmen may not be at their disposal the next time around. Agreed. But it is also a far before the time conjecture. As Rahul Dravid has commented, “If we can keep a core group of 4-5 fast bowlers going well in the next few years, we can definitely continue what we have started.” I concur, and hence implore the concerned authorities to heed to the cry for better bowling stock. I have harped on this in earlier blogs too. But does it make a difference? No.

The recently organized madness of mercenary auction of IPL-4 would have driven home the point for you.

The Centurion Loss

2010-12-20T07:37:00.000-08:00

India lost in Centurion, and by a big margin – an innings and 25 runs to be precise. But this time around, rather than being critical, I am a bit sympathetic towards them. No, I am not taking into account just the lost toss and the subsequent throw into the demon’s mouth like pitch, but the whole arrangement that had accompanied the Indian tour party.

How many times have we seen India faltering in the First Test on a foreign tour? Probably every time. But whenever they have been able to survive that test, they have done well in the subsequent matches, for example-the famous Lords survival on 2006 England tour, Ganguly-inspired Brisbane display in 2003-04 Australia tour, even the Wanderers win in South Africa in 2006 came after some experience gained during the horrendous one-day series (4-0 defeat for India) that preceded it. So, a bit of practice is a must. Am I saying anything unbeknown? This is something that has been preached to BCCI every time they schedule a tour. The management changes, but not the thinking. Alas! We don’t know why? And they keep on aggravating the situation- not even a single tour match before the Test Series this time around is nothing more than callousness of abominable order.

The first day capitulation still may not be drawn to the lack of practice match, as the pitch was the outcome of a prolonged weather play. It was just the nature of bowling and conditions that did India in. Any other batting line would have struggled too. Indian bowling could have resurrected things for India, but they were not suited for such bouncy pitches. They are trundles on lifeless pitches, and barely effective on bouncy ones. Their best showing comes on swinging ones. So, really can’t be too mystified by their sad performance here.

The biggest dose of condoning of their show though comes from some sort of belief in this team. It has displayed some amazing fight backs this year. Some of India’s best wins against the odds came this year-Against South Africa in Kolkata, Sri Lanka in Colombo, Australia in Mohali and Bangalore. Even the second innings batting, esp. by the openers, was a perfect retribution. So, I am hopeful that they will strike back when the situation suits them, and it will happen sometime sooner than later. I can’t expect them to win the next 2 matches. But I think this is gonna be a drawn series. That would still be a great result. With the current set of bowlers, we are still not ready for series wins in South Africa and Australia. May be the next decade will provide those moments. For the time being, though, hope for the best and relish whatever comes. Tendulkar’s 50th ton is a case in point.

A sabbatical of sorts

2010-07-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

There could be nothing more frustrating or annoying than giving up on your one-of-the-most likened things. For the last 5-6 months, my blogging had to endure a test of wait amidst all the frentic and sapping schedule of my life. Even after putting a resolve every now and then to get back to it, I was unable to devote much or rather any time to it. And sorrily, I won’t be able to give any time in future too, for at least 4-5 months.

It is all for a greater cause only; but I hope, I will come back more learned, energized and focused then.

So, it is an official sabbatical till then. Hope life continues to cherish all of us!

The Lordly Seated Performers

2010-02-28T07:14:00.000-08:00

How do we ‘hype’ the ‘hype’? Indian cricket is a worded example of this. I should actually say the Indian bowlers. I know the Indian bowlers had never been a highlighted commodity, as everyone has learned to live with their plight. But I am mentioning the over-the-top reactions of the players and media alike whenever they is a good, more importantly rare, performance by a bowler.

For instance, take the case of Sreeshanth. He was out of the team, and rightly so, on the grounds of his performance and health. Then he luckily returned to the side against Sri Lanka in the second test at Delhi in Dec, 2009. Somehow he found the energy and will to extract 5 wickets in the Sri Lankan innings to help India win the test match. Doubtlessly it was a grand performance, but was it enough to gather all the hype that ensued after that. Wasn’t he selected to get wickets in the first place? I was squirming, when I heard Sreesanth say on TV, “Yesterday was history (his story) and tomorrow is my story.” It has always been your story only, my dear. Nobody had dropped you, except yourself. And if you wanted to make tomorrow your story, then you should have done better. It has been a pretty poor ride by you since then. Not even an average, let alone good, performance after that. If you leak runs in plenty and hardly look threatening, then you are plotting a B-grade script. Yesterday’s match against South Africa in Ahmedabad was a nadir for him. Time to stop aggrandizing a player on the basis of one performance.

I noticed the similar thing with Ishant. After he took some wickets in the first innings against Bangladesh in the first test in Jan 2010, he commented,” Worst is over. I am glad I am back.” Really sir? Do I need to review your performance too after that singular performance? There was a good spell in Kolkata test against SA, but he is expected to do that more often.

That’s why I am more surprised when the bowlers are not talked tough; we instead present a resigned face towards them. If a batsman has a few low innings, the analyses start zeroing on his every aspect. Let me be clear, and everyone knows this, it is the Indian bowling which will always hamper India’s progress. Batting is supreme, and fielding OK. So, put our attention, resource, criticism, adulation etc all towards the bowling. We will need every bit of them to ameliorate this pathetic condition, called Indian bowling.

PS-
1. Congrats Sachin for achieving the first double-century in ODIs. Nobody deserved it more than you. I don’t need to add anything.
2. Good job done, Team India. It has been a good season, a few ordinary days notwithstanding. But a lot needs to be done still, as harder challenges lie ahead. For the time being, disperse into the comfy zone of IPL-3.

The road to acme

2009-12-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

Not the ODI World Cup 83' or the Twenty 20 World Cup 07' or the many ODI and Test series wins. This is the apotheosis of all the things that are revered as Cricket in India – Number One status in Tests.

Believe me, this is what is called tryst for a nation which joined the cricketing fraternity at Lord’s in 1932, and then assimilated the game as seamlessly as a leaf blends the falling dew. It has been a long walk, 77 years to be precise. But the road has witnessed each and every aspect of Indian life reflected in the simulacrum of Indian Cricket. We started under the captaincy of Lala Amarnath, rolled out the two fastest bowlers till date – Amar Singh and Mohd Nissar, cultured the batsman ship of CK Nayudu, brewed the Vijays – Merchant, Hazare and Manjrekar, moved to Pataudi and the quartet of spinners, sprung the geniuses of Gavaskar and Kapil, catapulted the might of Tendulkar, metamorphosed into the gall of Ganguly, serenaded the batting Fantastic Four, and then finally were crowned the diadem of Dhoni and company. It has indeed been a bloody long walk.

Not long ago, about a decade back, I was driven to tears on each falling performance of the team. How I yearned for them, how I watched them with belief in my eyes, how I hoped for them even then they were collared by each and every team of the world. Away wins were nil, the batsmen only home-pitches fowlers, the bowlers non-mentionables, the whole system in fact full of fancy but bereft of result. How I hankered then, could we be the Number One ever?

I again have grown misty-eyed. This time choked by the emotion of that cricket-crazy kid and teenager. Nothing can describe the moment for me. For many reasons, the Number One ranking may slip sooner than later, and may not even arrive again. The ranking itself may be farcical, but nothing can take away this moment of success. It is the moment of salvation of all those pleas and prayers for the better times to come. Sure they have come. And the times will only get even better. Believe you me!

The cricketing week's thoughts ....

2009-11-30T13:03:00.001-08:00

If everyone joins the praising chorus, you too need to see who the muse is - The exact reason why I had to watch the kid, Umar Akmal. It was a double delight that the Test match at Dunedin turned out to be a real gem too. Sambit Bal couldn’t have put it better in his article at Cricinfo.

To be frank, Umar Akmal doesn’t look a cut apart, from his stance or shuffle. But the appearance has never been a reflector of genius. What I liked about him was his audacity – the single most feature needed to succeed in the current cricketing world. His movement in the crease is ungainly, but his unfettered bat arc-movements are equally mesmerizing. His one pick shot off Vettori was a treat to the eyes. Certainly a player to look for in future, but let’s wait before anointing him another Miandad or Tendulkar. Imran Nazir too had evoked similar feelings when he had stroked his way into limelight.

I couldn’t watch another debutant, Adrian Barath’s century. I had watched him in the Champions League though. He too looked a marvelous player, another one of ‘the League of Stroke Makers’. No wonders, he succeeded in the first chance itself at the highest Test Level too.

So, what is this ‘Attacking Instinct’ that brings the riches? A puritanical heresy, but the need of time – I must say. I can’t imagine a player who plays defensively to succeed now-a-days. Not only now, but also in the recent history, Dravid, Kallis and Chanderpaul haven’t been given the same kudos and accolades as Tendulkar, Lara and Ponting. This only-Test-Match batsman ship –undoubtedly great though- is going to be less bankable commodity now for the players. No batsman can afford to be good only in Test Matches, and dispensable in Twenty20 or One-Dayers. It was really ridiculous to hear Simon Doull say once that Daniel Flynn should be given extra incentive, read money, to keep honing his skills only for Test Matches. Bullshit but ever more harmful for Flynn.

If you analyse the current decade for the best batsmen to come out trumps in all forms of the game, you would undoubtedly zero in on Sehwag and Pieterson. They have exceptional records, but more than that, a no-fear psychosis to grind the opposition. Harsha Bhogle recently observed Gambhir, along with Duminy and de Villiers, as the best crop of batsmen currently on form. But a few good years more are needed for them to be put into higher bracket.

So, while we celebrate some new batsmen coming along the way, let’s also pause, ponder and pray for similar kind of bowlers too to emerge. Ajantha Mendis was such a delight, and I hope he is not finished yet. But look at the rest. A litany of average performers. The drab pitches are culpable, but also is the inability of the bowlers to adapt, or more importantly, to attack as the batsmen have done to override them. What delight if we can again see the hurling bouncers of Garner, Ambrose and Thomson, or the spitting spinners of Warne, Qadir, and Kumble!

Why we love Sachin Tendulkar so much?

2009-11-15T02:40:00.000-08:00

Few people would understand why we love Sachin Tendulkar so much, sometimes to the point of incredulity and insensitivity. Many Aussies, Pakistanis, English, or any other person who follows cricket, consider him just a good batsman, and not a demigod which we revere every now and then. Peruse the Indian dailies and Cricinfo, and you will see series of digital space rolled out on him after his completion of 20 years in international cricket. There are all sorts of praise and perspectives given by some great luminaries of the media and the game. And not that this frenzy is happening for the first time.

Quite ironically, that frenzy remains the biggest aspect which pulls me too to him. India as a nation is quite enigmatic which for, even natives like me is difficult to fathom. He arrived in that India which was unsure of and diffident about its place in the world. He fought alone against that psyche. When India was just satisfied with drawn Tests and a few memorable one-day wins, he actually showed the urge to be dominant. Not that he succeeded fully, as you can see the team’s records in 90’s. But he showed us how to fight, and he fought for all of us. I could never understand why I grew wide-eyed with mist in my eyes whenever I saw him bat in those days. India lost many matches in spite of him, because of the rest 10 men, but there was a utopian ‘me and India’ playing out there. We just wanted him to excel, more for us than anybody else.

Things have changed dramatically since then. India as a nation has moved on considerably. That dream is getting changed into reality, even though there are lots of setbacks too encountered in between. The recent one-day series loss against Australia was one of those throwbacks to the old dark days. But believe me, there is a lot of hope about everything. It would be tough to comprehend for people who have been born in developed countries or those who have only seen their countries go down, what this hope means. Tendulkar remains one of those who gave us this frenzy of hope, the feeling that we too can succeed. That remains probably the single most reason why we love him more than the actual Gods which we have only read about.

Best Quotes on Sachin:-

"On a train from Shimla to Delhi, there was a halt in one of the stations. The train stopped by for few minutes as usual. Sachin was nearing century, batting on 98. The passengers, railway officials, everyone on the train waited for Sachin to complete the century. This Genius can stop time in India!!" - Peter Roebuck
I saw him playing on television and was struck by his technique, so I asked my wife to come look at him. Now I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play, and she looked at him on Television and said yes, there is a similarity between the two...hi compactness, technique, stroke production... it all seemed to gel! - Sir Donald Bradman
Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives. - BBC Sports
When Tendulkar goes out to bat, it is beyond chaos- it is a frantic appeal by a nation to one man - Matthew Hayden
When Tendulkar bats well, India sleeps well - Harsh Bhogle
Everyone wants Tendulkar's story to be a fairytale story, but if ever there can be a fairytale story, it would be of Tendulkar's only - Me :)

What the heck!

2009-11-08T11:31:00.001-08:00

How could they lose? I was cent percent certain that India are going to whack the Aussies in the one-day series. I was about to blog floridly on that, before the series had started. And I had my reasons and beliefs. Good that I didn’t write, for it doesn’t feel good to eat your words.

But I must vent out my anger, rather say, my frustration. Have no doubts, this Indian team is amongst the best, probably the best, on talent terms, in the current international circuit. Have a look at the top 7 batters, and it should send a shiver down the bowlers. Bowling and fielding are not of the commensurate standard, but they look so because they are not executed properly on field. Somehow this team doesn’t want to excel. They take one step forward, and then two backwards.

How could we lose the Mohali and Hyderabad one-dayers? I can’t fathom it yet. Ponting would have been smirking. These guys are the same chokers of the late 90’s. Sachin out – the rest of the team follows. Oh! I shouldn’t have mentioned that. Why it happens with Sachin? I was in my school, when Chennai 1999 had happened. I haven’t been able to get over that yet. How will I get over Hyderabad?

But as I say and write each time India underperforms, life goes on. But somebody please tell those buggers, they are only good if they improve; life circles and teaches in funny ways, even to the lordly Cricketers.

A painful death !

2009-09-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

What an excruciating moment! You have left any hope, but after a while you come and see Australia seven down for 176. Then Johnson too goes. Pakistan are favourites to seal the contest. India too in the meanwhile has rolled Windies out for 129. Is a miracle going to happen?

Alas! it doesn't happen with India. I knew this, and was petrified. But hope is another name for us followers of Indian Cricket team, however far-fetched it might seem. Second by second I was hitting the refresh button of cricinfo or cricbuzz to pray for the 9th wicket. It never came. But more than the defeat, I am angered by the sudden glimmer of hope that had taken over me. It was a painful death. Pakistan tried hard, but if they ever wanted to excoriate India, they couldn't have done any better.

Anyway, we shouldn't be looking that far. Fault lies with the Indian cricket team. They never looked like winning, and deserved to go. As I write, they are struggling even against West Indies. Phew! But as someone has said, "Life goes on. " So will mine.

A Tale of Two Captains

2009-09-25T13:27:00.001-07:00

Not for nothing do the courageous win. They win to reemphasize that courage always courts success. And courage is more often than not exhibited through the daily demeanours.

Watch any exhibit of Younis Khan or MS Dhoni. You will nod; they are men with difference, full of confidence and abreast with reality. Not brash but demanding, not comatose but cool, and not flaunting but florid. You can actually view the ideal man possessed in them.

No wonders they are successful captains too. MS started with the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007, when nobody had given his team a chance. But his real metamorphosis happened in the Australian tour of 2008, when he led the team to lift the one-day trophy there. His record has been nothing sort of sensational, compared to Indian records hitherto. Test victories against Australia, England, New Zealand are some indeed great feats within a short span of time. Add to that the phenomenal one-day victories streak, so much so that he will lead the world’s number one team tomorrow.

Younis too started his captaincy with the Twenty20 World Cup win in 2009. But I think he should have donned the role much earlier. Actually just after the One-Day World Cup in 2007, in the place of Shoaib Malik. Pakistan’s cricket went nowhere during Malik’s captaincy. Judge my confidence and success barometer with the droopy face and stunted utters of Malik. Younis is much more on-the-chin personality, never dithering to state the obvious, even if trifling. His ‘Twenty 20 is a fun’ remark drew a lot of flak, but he won the World Cup, to rub in the face of all those detractors. His subsequent retirement from Twenty20 only exhibited his ken of priorities in life and cricket.

Tomorrow these two duel it out in Centurion. Believe me, more than the match between the sides, this will also be a test between them. Come what may the result, I am sure they both will battle each sinew to win it for their county. A cricket connoisseur can’t ask for more. I hope and wish that MS wins, and don’t be surprised if he had to really slog it out to earn it, because of a similar character on the other side in the captain’s jersey.

Congrats England !!!

2009-08-25T20:32:00.001-07:00

Though I couldn't follow the last two days at the Oval, the result was good enough to make me happy. Now the world order is settled; a new war for world domination is on. Nothing could be more gratifying.
So, England rejoice for the moment, and please take the one-dayers seriously. New Zealand, start making some runs. India, concentrate on your bowling; you won't be able to make the semi-finals of Champions Trophy if the pacers don't perform well.

Under Cook' & Kat'ch

2009-08-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Why is nobody talking about Cook and Katich? People and Things are helter-skelter over Flintoff’s knee, Pietersen’s Achilles, Hughes’ ouster, Aussies pace-bowlers selection etc etc But they have gone surreptitiously quiet over these guys.

Only things I have heard about them this Ashes are, “Cook has a problem with his footwork, and hence more prone to LBWs. Katich is a sort of ungainly-nudger player who makes other batsmen look good.” The very oft-mentioned phrases about them.

Hello, aren’t they part of the team? Are they scoring runs? Apart from a crisp 95 at Lord’s, Cook has had a very average time in the middle. Katich too after his century in Cardiff has looked uninspiring. But they have just managed to escape the spotlight.

I believe it is time for England to haul up Cook. He is a fantastic player, no better demonstrated by his century in his first test against India. But he has hit mediocrity of late. His technical deficiency apart, he has also started looking awkward on the crease. He has fared no better in getting a start and squandering it than Bell or Bopara. But surprisingly he hasn’t even copped an earful.

Katich on the other hand has reeled off a lot of runs in his last few matches, but still have they been scored when they mattered? I don’t think that he has played well enough on sporting pitches. May be his unattractive play elicits more ungenerous response from everyone, including me, but his efficacy in times of need is open to question.

I hope they come good in the next test, not only for the sake of their teams but also for the spectators. The Oval nevertheless promises to be a mega-stage. What a delight it would be if the match dishes out a fairytale finish in the last over of the match, with England hopefully on the winning side.

The Ashes are here ! Woo..oo..ooh

2009-07-05T14:36:00.000-07:00

However distanced he might be, if he watches cricket, he can’t forget the Ashes series of 2005. Even though, it didn’t involve India, that series remains one of the big highlights of my entire cricket viewing career. It was a cricketing emancipator for England, built on the heroic metaphors of sporting gild. Actually, it wasn’t just for England, but for the whole cricket watching world.

Such had been the domination of Australia that it was pure pity to watch teams being flayed by them. Sorry for the Aussies, but if the word ‘schadenfreude’ was ever invented with something/someone in mind, it might have been for them only. Everyone’s second team thus becomes the opponent playing them.

It wasn’t the only reason why that series was so monumental; it was also because of the sheer quality of cricket. Following Mcgrath’s demolition of Poms at Lord’s, nobody could have guessed what was to follow. A badly taken step by the bowler, and things turned topsy-turvy at Edgbaston. England’s first-day total of 407 of only 80 overs was a grand statement, even if they won just by 2 runs, that too arguably by quirk of fate. Ponting’s heroics on the last day in Old Trafford saved the Aussies for later fight. But it was in Trent Bridge that things culminated for me. I was watching England chase just 129 in the fourth innings. But the master spinner, Warne, had gone straight into them. Lee too was generating some much needed speed (Flintoff’s wicket was a gem). But things somehow trudged on for England. When Giles clipped the ball for a couple to secure the victory, we all were jumping in joy at the college TV room. It was a fantastic carnival of sports. Though I couldn’t watch Pieterson’s heroics on the last day in the next Test match at the Oval, I knew it was destiny of triumph which was always written for the Englishmen.

It is so exciting to rewind those moments here. But alas, we get those types of fairytale series only once in a script. If only, that script is extended for this series too. It would be just awesome. Sorry Oz, even if they are much weakened now, England would again be the team to cheer for me and most of us, neutrals. I suspect England just might scrape through, on account of their better bowling attack. If Lee and Johnson don’t fire (ominously Lee has got some of his lethal speed and reverse-swing back), they can’t take 20 wickets soon enough even on a good wicket. But you never know the Poms too. Someone has to just scream, Adelaide, Adelaide, Adelaide. I hope they switch off their ears for this word for the next two months. Go England go, we are all English for the time being.

PS:-

1> Congrats India for winning the one-day series in West Indies, even if they were way off-colour. But leeway must be given to those fatigued souls. Go and have a rest, and blast the Champions Trophy.
2> Much excitement in Pak-SL series too. Mohammad Yousuf’s century was as smooth as the man himself. Low first-innings score, and you have a real interesting match on hand. Kudos to the pitch creator too, after those ultra-nonsensical pitches in Pak earlier this year. My guess: SL victors, again just by a whisker, on account of their better bowling attack.
3> WI- Bangladesh series have a serious threat of being washed away by both other high-profile cricket series and the unfriendly weather deities. Hope Bangladesh put up a good fight, but I expect Gayle-backed WI to outclass them.

Dil Dil Pakistan

2009-06-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

I feel like a Pakistani today. And it is quite strange. Such is the power of cricket, you can say. And also its ability to unfailingly align sorrow and joy in equal measure.

In the first edition of T20 World Cup, two teams – India and Pakistan, who had become ridicules after being eliminated from One-Day World Cup earlier in the year, contested a memorable final. This year too, the two finalists – Pakistan and SriLanka, were cases of immense aptness, just for their horrific encounter with wishers of death on that inglorious day. Take into account the ravages going around in the two countries, Pakistan in particular. And it looks purely angelical.

It is such a circumstantial, and in that respect, unfortunate time that we have to pronounce these human-spirit-raiser rhetorics, rather than actual cricket, to savour the game. But somehow now every aspect of life has become interlinked. So, right from the day, India got eliminated, and Pakistan got into the semi-finals, I became a tacit but virtuous supporter of Pakistan.

I missed most of the final match today, but could watch the defining last few overs. Afridi has never been rated as highly by outsiders as done by his countrymen, but today he was a limelight. In fact, he has been throughout the tournament. But the biggest credit should go to the bowlers- the quintessential Pakistani breed. Umar Gul looked like an incarnation of Wasim-Waqar era, and watching Ajmal bowl often generated a vicarious feeling about Saqlain. In short, it was awesome to watch the unpredictability of Pakistan, and that in itself, means Pakistan cricket is healthy. If only, they can carry on this mercurial ethos. Sometime later, sanity will return in Pakistan mainland too- I am sure, but they will have much to thank to this team and time to act as a beacon in this pallidness of gloom.

India - favourites for World T20 Cup?

2009-06-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

I don’t think so. No team can be favourite in a Twenty 20 Cup. Never mind their last unexpected victory in ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa; they will have to bring both luck and pluck to do an encore. They might run out of both in this edition.

The favourite tag doesn’t suit the Indians. There haven’t been many occasions either. The last one I remember is at Asia Cup, 2004, where they bungled big time. Also, the team doesn’t look to be in cohesive and full force. Somewhere there is a hollow. Captain has started losing his cool (first noticed in IPL). Veeru is rendered hors de combat. Gambhir seems to have slowed off. But the most noticeable loophole is the bowling. Never a great force, the bowling looks even weaker, read floggable, in this format. Irfan Pathan is an apple pie thrower to even the dunce. The fielding is OK, read better than Pakistan’s, but that too can explode on any big day. So, how can they win?

But if they do win, that will be a feat bravura. Australia’s three successive ODI World Cup triumphs too might look smaller then. But will it happen? Let me ponder more on it with the India-Ireland match that is due to start now after the rain-delay.

Dragged IPL, revamped England

2009-05-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

This IPL is so long that it has extracted boredom out of very cricket. Nothing about it excites me now. I just watch the final scorecard, analyzing which team won and which still has a chance to make the semi-finals.

The biggest distracting force has been the lack of association with any team. Out of forced volition, I have chosen Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings because of Sachin and Dhoni respectively. But still their win or loss doesn’t evoke any response worth moving. Club or franchise cricket doesn’t have the same mojo.

I liked the Test match between England and West Indies. The latter is everyone’s second team, but I was rooting for England this time around. They need to find some form to take on the Aussies. If only they become good enough to produce even half the magic of Ashes 2005, then this support will become worthwhile.

IPL moves abroad

2009-03-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Since the moment I read this news in the morning, I have had bouts of thinking going inside. This is indeed a big one, putting to dross the actual cricket news items - a convincing victory by South Africa over Australia, the one-dayer between England and West Indies after that farcical Duckworth Lewis drama in the first game, and even the generally high-falutin and lasting euphoria over any victory, especially abroad, by the Indians.

After many re-jigs of thoughts, I still don’t know or can’t gauge the reasons or impacts of it. In fact, nobody at the moment can. That’s why we have so many reactions coming. Some think it is a gimmick by the BCCI to bring the government to its drawing board, while some are giving the conciliatory or exploratory response.

My first reaction is indeed the very obvious and cynical one. This latest move is going to undermine India’s credibility a lot. However one may deny, IPL is or can become a showcase of India. It has the potential to rival the biggest of sporting leagues in the world. So, if it is not secure in its home country, how can it be trusted to prosper? The move will bring India’s security into focus that sharply now, and it is bound to impact the other aspects – tourism, economy, international opinion, and the most relevant of all, the future international sporting events. India will be hosting a lot of international credible competitions– the Champions League and World Cup in Cricket, World Cup in Hockey, and the Commonwealth Games in the next 24 months. A precedent has been laid, and soon it can become a pattern.

But on the same note, when I think the worst – some untoward incident happening during the course of the tournament in India, I find the decision reasonably and soundly chalked out. Nobody can deny, we have problems with security back home, and hence the attention should be on the bigger thing, the elections. Ideally we should have been able to pull off both, but alas, we don’t live in such a world. Moving on to the positive outlook, the move can actually be the biggest stroke to give the tournament the sought-after global reach and popularity. The stadiums abroad might remain empty, but the news and print media would certainly carry a mention of it to the otherwise oblivious people. The foreign, now local, player participation can bring in the staging nation’s interest. It is all the more reason to allow Pakistani players to participate and increase the number of foreign players’ representation in a team’s playing eleven to five. Similarly, the franchises can create a sub-related area for their base locations. How about linking Hove with Hyderabad or Durban with Delhi?

There are actually a plethora of possibilities and also ifs, buts, whats, whens etc. But buoy, hasn’t this always been the hallmark of the competition? The first one, as elucidated by me too, had a similar rough ride, but came out prized at the end. Hopefully the second edition too meets the same fate, unpredictable but successful.

Apropos Mr Sambit Bal

2009-03-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

The moment I read Sambit’s article, I knew he was in trouble. The article was a bit over the top, but never malicious. As feared, he was lambasted by some Pakistanis, citing it as a product of a jealous and prejudiced Indian.

So, that brings us to the point of the content of the article. We will discuss the manner of bringing it up later. What Mr Sambit criticized was the nature of pitches being dished out for Test Cricket. While his comparison of Sir Viv Richards Ground farce at St John’s with the Karachi pitch’s drabness was not exactly right, his intent or purpose to do so was. As a cricket fan, I know what cricket means to an aficionado – it is a lifter of spirits, a ray of hope and sometimes a lifeline. So, even if the game doesn’t involve the home team, and you are taken for a ride by someone, you feel aggrieved and riled. There is no meaning to a Test Match, if both the teams put on 600 without breaking a sweat, and the bowlers look like perfunctory motiveless operators. The stats too lose their meaning in that case. OK, I wouldn’t tell a lie. I didn’t like Younis scoring a triple-century. It was partly because of his being un-Indian (same may say Pakistani), but mostly because of the resistance of a fan towards anyone encroaching the hallowed land of super-greats. That was the reason I didn’t want Sarwan too to cross 300. These likes and dislikes – the passion- are prerogatives of a fan, and this is what drives the game. So, if someone- the ICC officials, the Home Cricket Boards, the Sponsors, the Pitch Makers, for that matter, anyone- breaks the spirit, that passion is attacked. I feel deadly saddened, when I see the plight of the bowlers now. There are hardly good fast bowlers left now; the spinners hardly turn the bowl; the famous or un-famous dibbly dobblers too are on a wane. Now what are left are just bowlers. I feel this imbalance between bat and bowl, and not T20 or Standford or Tight Schedule, is the biggest worry for cricket now. So, some fan, in some capacity, had to say something, even if it fell on deaf ears.

That brings us to the point of the manner of Mr Bal’s outpour. It was a bit stretched, but he too must have learnt by now that writing is not aloof from the realities. An Indian can’t comment on a Pakistani, a Western can’t criticize an Asian, a Hindu can’t question a Muslim or vice-versa, without getting his credentials being examined. It would be easier for him to tone down his writing for this fear, but I seriously believe if he does, it should be for the literary and logical reasons. On the same note, I can’t fault the whole group for the fault of some who abused him. Go to the comments section on rediff site; you will see the abominable over-toned reactions of some boneheads. I know the majority of Paki fans would have realized what he wanted to say.

As for me, I have immense respect for Mr Bal. First of all, he gave us Cricinfo, a site which he has always tried to make wholesome and appealing. Then he is such a down-to-earth and well-wishing guy (got from one of his interviews). Finally, he is a guy-to-emulate for me, for the fine job he is doing. Thus, in all, I never mind his new ‘From the Editor’ blog, even if he says he was shamed to start it.

The plight of history - Indian Hockey

2009-01-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

I can understand what West Indies cricket fans must be undergoing for the last few years. I feel the same about Indian Hockey. I am surprised I am writing this, because Hockey has or had never spurred any thing for me, except the oft-repeated pride of bringing Olympic Gold Medal 8 times for India.

I was going through the Sports News on a website. India had taken a 2-0 lead in a 4-match series against Argentina. I don’t know why but I felt pleasantly surprised. They at least were winning some matches, after failing even to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, 2008 (Seriously, how many of you knew this?). Then after a few days, I again read how they had lost the last two matches to leave the series squared. Naturally my enthusiasm was nipped in the bud. Why should I follow Indian Hockey when it doesn’t give me anything except pity? Nevertheless I opened the site for International Hockey Federation to see how deep the abyss has grown for Indian Hockey. The ABN-AMRO International rankings were a boot in the heart, but I should have expected it. Indian Men’s team ranking is 11th and Women’s team is 14th. Huh! Anyway, to relive the acclaimed past, I opened the Archives section.

Like a grown child flipping the yesteryears’ album, I started sailing through the days when the wins courted our head and feet. Each fact brought a flitting smile and then an unfailing poignance. The Black & White pictures of Indian Hockey Players flaunting their gold medals at various Olympics were too familial to distance. I was held spellbound, and also shamefaced for living in an age of denial. Peruse yourself:-

• The Indian men’s team has won a record number of 8 Olympic Gold Medals. They won six successive Olympic gold medals (1928 - 1956).

• India won all five matches played in Melbourne 1956 with a goal difference of 38 for and 0 against.

• India has scored a record 415 goals in 114 Olympic matches.

• In Los Angeles 1932, Roop Singh scored 10 goals in India's 24-1 victory over USA.

• India's Ajit Singh scored the fastest goal in Olympic history when he scored after only 15 seconds in the opening match in Montreal 1976 against Argentina.

• In Amsterdam 1928 (5 matches) and in Melbourne 1956 (5 matches), India won Olympic gold without conceding a single goal.

• India defeated USA 24-1 in Los Angeles 1932. This is the biggest victory in Olympic history.

• In Berlin 1936, Hitler was so impressed with the game of Dhyanchand that he offered him the post of General in his Army.

The list of indelible facts goes on …. But now all that is left from the seemingly pre-historic period is a dolmen, an enigma that stands like the words from a lost alphabet. No wonders, a few drops of tears have just rolled down my cheeks.

No soothsayer or a braggart

2009-01-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

I am no soothsayer or a braggart. But I will still give this reference here :-

Aus-SA 2nd Test, Melbourne, 26-30 Dec, 2008

Ready my previous post, if you still didn't get it.

A genius in making

2008-12-21T03:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you anoint greatness on someone too easily; I would take that luxury today. I would only say that I am not doing it easily but rather wisely. Watching South Africa chase the second-highest score in fourth-innings of a Test Match ever was exhilaration in itself. But my joy was amplified, watching some real talent on show.

While De Villiers was brilliant in his batting, aping his dynamic fielding in the match, JP Duminy was the stand-out performer for me. He has been long heralded as the next big thing from South Africa, and when given a chance today, replacing the injured Ashwell Prince, he did show his mettle. I had seen him bat in a few one-dayers. He had looked a decent player, but now he looks a complete one. I presage that he will become an all-time great ( SA ) batsman. This is too much to say, as the word genius gets bandied around every now and then on every Tom, Dick and Harry. But there were a few shots zooming out of his willow, which reminded me of Brian Lara’s. His perfect defense, calculated aggression and biggest of all, mental fortitude were on full exhibit today. He may not overhaul Kallis, but at least can trump Smith, Gibbs and other distinguished South African batsmen.

I remember Harsha Bhogle often saying that when he had watched Mahela Jayawardena score a century at Adelaide against England in a one-dayer in 1999, he had earmarked him as the candidate to join the Lara-Sachin bandwagon. Mahela has certainly lived something up to it, especially in the last few years, but he hasn’t reached that bar. Right now, Ponting has transcended that, and Pietersen and Sehwag look all set to reach that, or may be set a different standard altogether, a something new to be emulated in future. I don’t know how Duminy will move from here, but if he keeps performing like this, he can surely meet the destiny promulgated by me. I hope I don’t have to eat my words ten years later. But for now, he is on.

The perfectly arranged world

2008-12-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

Cricket world would not have seen better groupings ever before. This has got much to do with the dwindling status of Australia as the numero uno. But the falling levels of some erstwhile good playing nations too have made this adjustment more natural.

The first group consists of Australia, India and South Africa. While Australia continue to be at the top, it is open to much debate how long they will be able to hold on to that. South Africa are their closest challengers, and the impending series between them are going to be riveting. India has already drawn blood from Australia, and will take its own course to join this fight. India battles with England and Pakistan, if the series against them are given a go-ahead, in near future and with New Zealand later on. While it is not going to be easy, India should be able to best them, if they play to their potential. This will make the scramble between these three nations for the top position even more interesting. Watch out for some thrilling action by the triumvirate!

The second group again has three nations with immense potential, but having fallen from their best. England has always been a very good Test unit, and despite the constant lampooning hurled at them, they have been a consistent force. I expect them to be very good against West Indies and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is Pakistan. That’s the best way to describe this eccentric but mercurial team. Short of match practice, it is going to be very dangerous. It lacks the bowling aura of yore, but it has enough unpredictability to keep it afloat. Every team would have given an arm off for Mendis, and Sri Lanka are so fortunate to get him on top of Murali. This makes their bowling attack menacing, on suitable tracks, invincible. Their batting looks bereft of good newcomers, and that can bring them down a bit. The battle between these three nations is going to be fought with their strengths to overcome their weak points. Again I expect a tight scuffle here.

West Indies and New Zealand complete the third pool. New Zealand expectedly finished second best against Australia, despite giving the hosts a run for their money in the first Test. Their bowling is and has always been very effective, but their batting is so fragile as to be broken by a sneeze. West Indies had a great rake-off from the Standford’s game, and were very good in the series against Pakistan, until they decided not to win any of those three one-dayers. They still have a very fast, even though erratic, attacking unit and some tested batsmen in Chanderpaul, Sarwan and Gayle. I expect the game between New Zealand and West Indies to be full of flaws but deservingly competitive.

At the bottom of the rug lie Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Bangladesh should be disappointed with their lack of improvement since their admission into Test bracket. They have some good batsmen in Ashraful, Ahmed, Nafees etc but they have failed more often than succeeded. Further the erosion of some players by ICL is not going to help them. But it can also lend a refreshing touch, as can be seen in the rise of Shakib ul Hasan. Zimbabwe’s plight is more home-grown than by anything else. Going so smoothly and successfully, they fell off the track due to their government’s false pretensions about Blacks. They still have a competitive team, and I guess if nothing more sinister happens in their ranks, they can rise again to deservedly reclaim the Test status.

The above concocted groups don’t include the non-test playing nations, which themselves can be thought of being in a fifth group, because of their limited appeal. But these four paper-partitioned groups are very much justified, and the expected intra-fight between them is something to look forward to in the coming months.

Congratulation, you legend !

2008-10-17T23:50:00.000-07:00

Only one line should suffice - "Our lives would have been much different without you" Keep on this journey towards immortality.

An innings of belief

2008-10-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

The Indo-Aussie clash is almost here now, and cricket aficionados are already drooling over the prospect of another humdinger. I have been witness to some of the best of the best duels between the two. But really the clash would not have got the term ‘rivalry’, had it not been for that innings played in Edens on that day.

I distinctly remember that Test Match. How India had started poorly on Day 1 after the Gilchrisht-blitzkrieged Test in Mumbai, how Harbhajan had struck a hat-trick to bring them back, only to be denied by a Steve Waugh fighting century. India had then responded poorly, with VVS only holding the guard in 1st innings. When he stepped out to bat in 2nd innings, I was just thinking, can India pull it off? I always think some improbables whenever India is in absolute shambles. And I know that those are improbables not for nothing. So, what VVS did on that day was not magical, it was magic itself. He kept on playing shots, trickling the deficit down and finally, amounting a great lead too. Rahul and Harbhajan put supporting and final touches too, but it was this innings which metamorphosed a long-slumbered nation.

Really before that, India had been mediocre in cricket in terms of results. It was that innings which instilled belief that winning courts the warriors only. No wonder, India went on to win the series too. Later, India under Ganguly's leadership went on to achieve much more than ever in the past. It is really apt to remember the innings today when Ganguly has announced his retirement. All the accolades due to him, he too would concur that his captaincy was born on that day only when a cricketing surgeon was performing his acts with a nonesuch finesse and flair.

Why Tendulkar is the best?

2008-09-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article today:-
Tendulkar and Richards swap places as best ODI batsmen
More interesting were the comments underneath the article

Please don't do it

2008-07-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

Tell me, why don’t you want to go to Pakistan? Is it because you think you will be killed? Yes, I think you will say. Come on, mates. Get out of your living zones, and see the world. You walk on a playing field, but many live on a mine-field. No, no, I am not saying you too take the cudgel and fight the world. But I am just asking/imploring you to show some respect to the lives that fight it out every day.

You were born somewhere which luckily doesn’t face these problems very often. But just think, if you weren’t born there? OK, you are lucky. You aren’t crusaders either. But think seriously, do you actually help the world by not going there? In fact, do you help yourselves by not going there? There may not be anybody who wants to kill you now, but next time, there may be disgruntled souls wanting to bomb you off. Not everybody is strong, just as you are not.

Why don't you realize, that this whole nonsense of terrorism and counter-terrorism which you want to aid is the genesis of itself? There is no solution for it, save cutting off this very genesis of discrimination, hate, suspicion, fear, prejudice etc. See, I didn’t say that you are whites. Blacks, browns, pinks, yellows –all colours if they exist- are equally short-sighted.

So, as cricketers, please don’t exhibit this antipathy. You play cricket which is a wonderful game. It is wonderful for us, the spectators too. It energizes you, but it enlivens us. And what better to give lives to many dormant and distorted souls if you think they really are there? You will never feel better than that.

I will envy you then. Frankly speaking, I am not that strong either. And if confronted with a similar situation, I too will follow the same course as you. But as I say often-“That doesn’t make it right, and in fact, highlights more that only a few strong can follow the right”, the above will come to guide me too hopefully.

Best? My foot ...

2008-07-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

Being a passionate supporter of Indian Cricket Team, I don’t feel good when it doesn’t play to its potential. Watching them play in the Asia Cup was as dejecting and dismaying as reliving a spoilt child story. I call it dejecting because this team, despite being the best that India has produced for many many years, fails to win on a consistent basis. And it is dismaying, because if it is the standard of the best, I fear for the day when it will not be the best.

After the much-publicized high of Australian tour, Indian team seems to have struck the old note of mediocrity among the feigned aura. It failed to win the Test series against South Africa at home. The series leveling win in the 3^rd Test at the dusty pitch in Kanpur was hailed as a feat extraordinaire. But Graeme Smith put it in perspective after that, “We would have been disappointed if we had drawn the series at our home.” But this introspection was lost in the frenzy of IPL.

Post IPL showbiz, the team embarked on back-to-back one-day tournaments where it had a grand opportunity to decrease its loss ratio against its old-time nemesis, Pakistan. But it still managed to lose to them, more so in the tournament final at Dhaka in Kitply Cup. How could it? Against a team like Pakistan- a replica of the team of India of late 1990s. As if it was not enough, it lost again to them once in Asia Cup. The final was a Mendis show, which I grudgingly enjoyed, but the team had lost the match when it allowed SL to score 270. Same old story- below-par bowlers, sloppy fielding, occasion-lacking batsmen; and the same grieving spectators and followers.

I had decided not to vent my spleen in any way, after watching the debacle in Asia Cup final. Instead I had wanted to throw encomiums on Ajantha Mendis, who is indeed a breath of fresh air. But as another series against SL arrives, my simmering thoughts need to be outpoured. I want a clean performance from the team- Mendis or no Mendis. But what I can do if it again loses. Probably join the club of hacks who shamelessly conclude, “It is the fault of Indian Selectors who decided to select a coach for India. See yourself- the curse has struck. No win after Gary.”

All is lost

2008-06-16T15:10:00.001-07:00

So, they all lost. The teams that I was rooting for exploded at the end. As a cricket lover, I must learn to accept defeat. But it still hurts.

And it hurts more, when you lose to Pakistan and that too in a final, and more so, when you are the better team. It brought back the horrible memories of 90’s when Pakistan took India for caning everytime they clashed. India had done the same to Pakistan in the last few years, but it seems, still a lot is left to be done. Dhoni’s side is young and full of promise. So, let it play with fervour. Hopefully it can bring much-needed near-perfection in its game with time.

NZ were hapless in the last test. They had their moments initially but could not squeeze on the pressure. They allowed England to get to a more than decent total, and then imploded themselves when batting. I wonder how come their batsmen not score even 200 on a docile pitch. They need to get better batsmen; their bowling is OK.

West Indies were the best when it came to surpassing their own expectations. They played valiantly in the last innings but it was too late and monumental to carve out a victory. If only they had batted well in the first innings, after skittling out Aus for a small total. It is good that they are fighting better now, but promise can be measured only for a small time. The real count comes with victories only. They have more than a good chance to score some in the coming one-dayers.

Where does this leave me now? Definitely off from cricket for some time. I want to blend with ongoing Euro. But it has been some time since I followed soccer. May be I can garner enough energy to watch the business end which promises to be interesting.

C'mon, square it up

2008-06-04T02:11:00.001-07:00

It was very pleasing to see Windies earn a draw against the Aussies. I always support an underdog, except anyone playing against India, against the proverbial bull, but more often than not, I have to suffer disappointment. But that is understandable, underdogs are meant to spring surprises only once in a while.

Windies could have won the first test in Jamaica, if they would have wrapped the Aussies second innings under 100, or even 50, however monstrous a task it sounds. Remember they had Australia reeling at 17 for 5. Then they allowed Symonds and Co. to set up a score which was always going to be beyond their reach in the 4th innings. They lost valiantly though, and did bring some succour to their supporters. The 2nd test in Antigua seemed to be another losing prospect for Windies after the Kangaroos had notched up a big first innings score. But thanks to rain and gritty batting displays by Sarwan and Chanderpaul, they were able to salvage a respectable draw. I say more than respectable, even though Vaneisa Baksh completely disagrees with me.

I cannot say with the same respectabilty about the Kiwis show in England. They had a wonderful chance to win the 2nd Test at Old Trafford, but they muffed it up badly. They had done a similar losing exercise versus the same opponent during their home series in the early part of this year. Sometimes the prospect of winning doesn’t sit too well on the teams who don’t win too often. These losses are actually more demoralising than the big ones.

Anyway, my teams, perk yourselves up. Bring down the Goliaths in the 3rd Test. Even a squared series will do a world of good to you, and ultimately cricket. I will be supporting you as I will be supporting my team, India, which too will resume service on International Cricket very soon.

Brilliant !!! Rajasthan Royals

2008-06-02T02:05:00.001-07:00

Kudos to Rajasthan Royals! They were the deserving winners of the first edition of IPL. Even though I was supporting Chennai Super Kings during the final, I have to admit now that the better team won. And they were better throughout the whole tournament.

But the biggest victory was not achieved by them, but by the age-old sports aphorism of a sincere team, even though unrated, being capable of achieveing even the unthinkable. Everyone, including me, had not given them a smidgeon of chance to go all the distance, but the victory is now for everyone to see.

Somebody had said, a sport doesn’t make a character but reveal it. Such characters when revealed become the soul-inspirers for all self-doubters. IPL’s winning team story will definitely be told and retold in many sporting pep talks.

A share of that awe and adulation should also go for the the tournament, IPL, itself. No topic other than that debating the league’s success and impact has garnered as much limelight. After 44 days of extravaganza, eveyone would agree though, that it has been an unqualified success. Problems still are many: the long schedule, inadeqaute foreign representation, inconcomitant hysteria outside India, the overlapping international calendar etc just to name a few. But nobody should fight an idea whose time has come. Leave aside the ‘Doubting Thomases’, and bring in the ‘Charmed Romanticists’.

The right side of it

2008-05-18T02:34:00.000-07:00

I certainly don’t belong to the club of these two gentlemen supporting their team-mate in bad times. But I do identify with their feelings towards the plight of their man. Another person whom I rate very highly expounds this aspect in a very different way, and actually endorses the act of Vijay Mallya. But this time I don’t agree with him fully. And I have my reasons ….

Cricket, and for that matter, any form of sports is not something where one should put one’s life, or even an alternative to it. A sport runs on emotions, but ironically, prior to or after it, it is the emotions which one should fall into. For a victor, there is always a vanquished. For elation in one camp, there is always despair in the other. And that is the beauty of it, which every sports-fan must learn to appreciate. This has been my synopsis of watching sports over a period of time, and it has come handy in not only riding over tough times of watching my team lose, but also analyzing the reasons and finding the ways to improve.

Mr Mallya will do well to heed to at least a part of this, even if I am a trifling in front of him. It serves no purpose in publicly criticizing the captain, Rahul Dravid, for his seemingly poor team-selection. I don’t see much wrong in his firing of the CEO, Charu Sharma; for every failing employee must go. I again won’t raise an eyebrow if he fires even Rahul Dravid in the next edition, or may be even the current one. But by publicly stating that his advice and words were not adhered to, he is acting like a deserter of the party, when he is actually at the helm. No doubt, Bangalore Royal Challengers team looks like a Test Team pretending to be a Twenty20 one. But if team composition would have the only parameter of success, Rajasthan Royals would not have been in the lead and Deccan Chargers would not have foundered like a pack of cards. By saying, “It was I who brought Misbah in the team”, he is uttering in the public tone. What Misbah has done in the tournament (he too has actually failed) is not relevant. But above all, just consider how debilitating it would have been for the captain, Rahul Dravid.

I am not a fanatic supporter of Rahul. But I do appreciate what he has done for the country. When he became captain of the Indian team, I thought him to be at-par, if not better captain than Saurabh. He achieved the unique success of triumphs in West Indies and England in the same year in 2006, just as that achieved in 1971, still considered one of the finest moments of Indian cricket. My exalted view of his captaincy skills was nevertheless brought down by his inexplicable decision of not enforcing the follow-on in the Headingley Test. I consider this as his most ignominious captaincy moment, even worse than the World Cup debacle.

The above is not to put up a litany of Rahul’s captaincy records but to highlight it as a mere series of results seeing both success and failure. So, the current result in the IPL is not a contrived one on his part. There are several other reasons, the prime being the inability of the local Indian players to rise to the ranks, the lack of good openers and the lethargy on the field. Better work on these; and those who don’t adhere, liquidate them. But not by this subterfuge of blaming the others.

Mr Bhogle probably missed this point when he became overexcited with the accountability aspect of it. The idea is laudable, but the means is not. Mr Mallya, there is indeed a corporate side to it, but it has a cricket side too which still, in reality, is the most important side.

Here it comes!

2008-04-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Finally it came on the scene. After months of hype and hoopla, it was there for all of us to experience. I had a very busy day at the office (it sucks sometimes), but was able to sneak in periodically at the opening ceremony details at Cricinfo. The commentator had tried his best to put up as close a description as he could in words, but it only served to act as an appetizer for the real razzmatazz going out there at the stadium.

As soon as I returned home from office, I switched on, if that is a correct word, my YouTube. There was everything - frenzy and fireworks, drama and dance, cricketers and cheerleaders. Every single piece of writing on IPL has devoted a special mention of the ‘Washington Redskins Cheerleaders’. So, I wouldn’t buck the trend. T20 Cricket has brought the hitherto unrelated glamour, read sexuality, to cricket. It started with the World Championship last year in South Africa, and it seems this aspect is going to be inextricably associated with a T20 match henceforth. But the deliberate ballyhoo created over the arrival of seemingly jaw-dropping cheerleaders from Washington, on special invitation from Mr Vijay Mallya, did look a bit out-of-sorts to me. But only initially. After all, who doesn’t want an appeal for eyes, if the cricket gets exciting or boring. Only if the ever-fidgety gang of ShivShaniks suddenly don’t decide to resume their moral policing act.

After the cheerleaders, cricketers too must get some space. And buoy, didn’t McCullum decide to get his own at the most opportune time he could have. Even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn’t have thought to be the cynosure at such a grand stage in India, far away from his land. Ah! it was weird - just to see Ponting smiling after doing a good bit of fielding, Kallis fuming at his being taken apart and above all, SRK dancing live in and for a cricket match. We have indeed moved in a strange unknown zone.

I watched the matches live held today. I didn’t know whom to support. While it was boring at times during Mohali v Chennai match, the electrifying atmosphere in the stadium during Jaipur v Delhi match got me excited again. The cricket played has been nothing to write about. Only biffs, blips, blobs …., but it is the bling associated with this Business cum Bollywood that has made me bonded to it blithely. In my ‘B’ alliterative mood, I substituted Business for Cricket, but I can surely be forgiven for this blasphemy here by the purists. After all, isn’t IPL a Business? And see, I am not complaining, at least for the time being.

Sachin Tendulkar - The day you retire, what will I do !

2008-03-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

I know I shouldn’t be zeroing on a particular man, when the whole team played well to win the Commonwealth Bank series. But I admit I am unashamedly biased towards Sachin Tendulkar. There is no dearth of articles, analyses, panegyrics on Sachin, as every other Indian is the most ardent follower of his. So, I won’t paraphrase the obvious here. But I would just like to show my gratitude to the man who has shaped my wide-eyed dreams as no one else.

A child doesn’t know anything other than the distilled purism of this world. For me, cricket happened to be that joy which pervaded me before my dreams came and carried me into the hallowed world of cricket. I still remember the World Cup in 1992 when I woke up in the wee hours and ran to other homes to watch the matches. Rubbing my eyes, I used to seamlessly land up on the field through the television set and soak in all I could. There played a man - a short-stature genius – who had defied his age to brush his shoulders against the best. India had a very poor World Cup then. But my fascination with cricket and him was sown.

Cricket moved on, and so did my adoration. Running from the school as soon as it ended to know the scores, dashing to other homes to watch through the window whenever there was a power cut, visualizing how the next match will shape up in India’s win – these were some of the daily happenings of this awed child. Cricket percolated inside me in such a way that a distinct only-to-be-felt joy started relating to that.

My viewing career peaked and so did Sachin. He moved on to become the most premier batsman in the Indian setup. The defining moment came in 1996 World Cup when he carried the aspirations of the whole country with him. Each shot of his then drew oomphs of awe from us. My most vivid remembrance of his magnificence remains his innings of 90 against Australia in Mumbai in the league matches. The whole aura was electrifying; people perched on their seats with all their hopes of life resting on the gladiator fighting in the midst. India lost that match, but the whole set-up symbolized India of nineties that no other match, according to me, has done. I came to know later that that innings remains the favourite of many of the connoisseurs. That amazing was it!

Since then cricket and Sachin have moved forward synonymously tied to each other. And I have followed them like a religious saint. The winning touch came to Indian team after the ascendancy of Ganguly as the captain. Good professional players came who were/are more dedicated and yearning than the previous ones. As a result, the team started winning more often in this decade, and now under Dhoni’s captaincy, it looks well set to go all the distance. Sachin remains the overseeing Providence of the whole caravan.

Soon he will retire. It has to happen sooner than later. He will bequeath his cricket-bred country to the posterity. Probably India will win more. Also probably a better player will come. But never again will India watch cricket with those childlike misty eyes carrying hordes of dream, whenever a certain player walks on the turf with those small godly steps.

The terra incognita of cricket- IPL

2008-02-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

Cricket world never remained the same again after the IPL came into being. And it came into being even before a single ball was bowled in the competition. The craze and drama associated with it have been stupefying to say the least, and it shows no signs of abating, at least for the time being.

When IPL was announced by the BCCI officials on a very another day, it appeared to me as a blunt rejoinder to the ICL. Even the name, and hence the acronym chosen was remarkably similar to that of the rebel organization. But since then, it has been snowballing into something leviathan, bringing into its fold cinema, market, advertisement and most importantly, people too. It actually got on me only when the franchises were sold out for exalted amounts of money to even more illustrious personalities of business and Bollywood.

Since then I have been viewing IPL in a completely different light. Ironically and sadly, the view has got very less to do with cricket, for here the game has been thrown onto the backburner. It has got more to do with the showcase of India as a potential entrepot for money. Even though cricket is only seriously played by a dozen counties, it remains one of the dozen or so team games which have got such fan following. It is no match to soccer, or American football or baseball, but stll it remains credible enough with both money and coverage. And now with IPL coming on to the scene, it is going to make India the cynosure of the game even more. India will stand out as the country holding the biggest spectacle ever of the game. On this count only, Indian pomp and popularity should reach even the cricket-less countries. This will help other areas of Indian economy and society too. Name, fame and might draw everyone. It is too early to pass the verdict that it will generate the ripple effect, but it definitely provides a grand opportunity of global scale for other areas to be connected with and cash on it.

Reverting to its impact on the game, I think it will make the game poorer in quality, but wider in its reach. Slam-bang cricket is never going to test the skill levels as are required in Test Matches or even in the one-dayers. That remains the conjecture of most of the cricket pundits, but nobody including yours truly would mind been proven wrong in the long run. T20 cricket, in its wake, brings a lot of unprecedented excitement with it. Its short match-span provides just the time a common man can afford to recreate himself after a hard day's work, amidst an aura of frenzy spiced up by glamour of dancing girls or likewise.

For me, it also presents a long-dreamed lining up of quality players of different nationalities in a team against a similar group on the other side. It was tried in the ICC World XI versus Australia Test and one-day matches, but it virtually turned into a no-show with Australia dominating as ever before. IPL provides another opportunity with more purpose and time given to the players. Also people are talking about nationalistic feelings coming up for Indian players when they will be pitted against those from the rival countries. It will definitely be the case, and that's why it makes it even more interesting. Right now the whole story-to-be-unfolded borders on the unknown, and that is exactly the X-factor that might drive it into becoming a big big thing.

The Melbourne Win : CB Series, 4th Match

2008-02-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

It was sweet, wasn't it? A win against the Aussies, espescially in Australia, is always worth remembering. It took me by no surprise that the win was achieved in Melbourne after a long gap of 21 years. After all, India doesn't win, or better said, haven't won many matches abroad. But I was really surprised to know that the win-loss ratio of Aus against India at Melbourne stands at 6-5 only- very acceptable to the Indians- after this match. And I used to consider MCG to be amongst the worst venues as per the results for the Indians. During my viewing career, Indians have recieved a sound thrasing here in the Test and ODI matches, not to mention the recent drubbing in the T20 International. But they had excellent record here in the eighties. Hope today's match breaks the hoodoo of nineties.

Coming back to the match, I have rarely seen India's new ball bowlers operating at more than 140 kms/hr on a consistent basis. More importantly, they were consistent and always looked lethal. Most of India's misery in the past has been due to the lack of quality bowling. Though batting remains spectators' delight, it is the bowling which wins the game more often than not. The champion sides, viz. West Indies of yore, current Australian team, beacame a nearly unbeatable force due to their bowling alone. It also explains why India, despite having a great batting unit over the years, have been very ordinary with the wins. So, it was almost surreal and greatly satisfying to see the Indian bowlers being all over the Aussies today. Also, it was not a one-off good show. The Indian bowling has been doing really well in the last few years, bringing in more victories as a result.

I didn't have a very high opinion of Ishant Sharma. I had thought him to be another precocious talent thrown into the international arena after a few domestic matches only. Also the initial look of his play didn't inspire much confidence. But buoy...hasn't he learnt? He looks good to be counted amongst the best in future, provided he too doesn't fall the way many others before him fell into. Let his praise be an inspiring one, not an adulating one.

India's batting was once again centered on Sachin Tendulkar's show. It's surprising how often India has risen and fallen with Tendulkar. I am unshamedly biased towards Tendulkar, but two of his shots, the first lightning straight drive in particular, off Brett Lee will remain etched in my memory for long. It went away faster than it came. It came, by the way, at more than 150 kms/hr. Another batsman, Rohit Sharma, too deserves some space. I don't know why but he, so often, resembles Tendulkar in many ways. May be because of his easy stance or the copybook cover-drives. Also he is 20 years old only. Comaprisons with bigger names can be daunting, so he must be provided ample time and opportunities to fill their shoes.

To sum it up, today was Sharmas' day, one shining with the bat and another with the ball. I wonder how often if the balance between bat and ball is achieved, the result takes care of itself. So, I believe India should go with an extra bowler at the expense of a batsman in the subsequent matches, and more importantly, with the same winning attitude, for more than anything else, it is their desire which will guide their performance on any given day.