Dragged IPL, revamped England

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.