Energy, not excuses, will help Mumbai more

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/05/energy-not-excuses-will-help-mumbai.html

Why IPL Needs Dedicated Space in Cricket Calender

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-ipl-needs-dedicated-space-in.html

Bangalore are out of IPL!

It was extremely disappointing, almost annoying to see how Bangalore were committing hara-kiri yesterday.

A target of 130 in 16 overs was not very stiff by any stretch of imagination but they way they grafted and grafted, before letting loose when it was too late, finally confirmed one’s doubt that they never belonged to this format. Luckily for Charu, he was not there to take the blame this time round!

As of now, Dravid’s vanquished warriors will probably need to win all of their remaining six matches to have any hope of reaching the semis. But that will also mean setting some sort of tournament record as no team so far has managed to win that many in a row, though King’s eleven Punjab need one more today to accomplish this feat.

To be realistic, Bangalore look completely out of sorts and at the moment, the battle for semifinal looks to have been restricted to seven teams. Mallya can relax and concentrate on Formula one. IPL title is out of reach.
My First IPL Match
Meanwhile, watched my first match as ‘spectator from the stands’, and not as a journo covering a battle. It was between Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings at Ferozshah Kotla yesterday.What a match and what an ambience! One refreshing change from the past tests and ODIs at Kotla is that the families are coming in such big numbers to watch the 40-over carnival. It has well and truly become a family outing with one seeing some many groups of ‘girls only’, cheering and clapping after every ball.

Reasons:

-- Kotla is much cleaner now with functional toilets
-- No boring moments mean people have that much less time to pass comments and harass the fellow spectators
-- The format reduces the waste of time, allowing executives to pack up their office bags in time for the match. Female executives, so much concerned about their office work, can now do both the jobs on a given day.
-- Last but not the least, the music and the cheerleaders, including Bhangra troupes and bands, usher in the festivities never seen before on India’s cricket grounds. Families just love the feel and the colour splashed all around.

The arrangements for the match were impeccable and ladies were feeling much secure coming to these encounters. These are great times for cricket indeed

As Charu Packs his bags....

It is not surprising that the sack came. The more surprising thing is that it took nearly three weeks for the first KO blow to come!

Poor Charu. only if he had watched the telecast of few Bangalore matches, he would have seen the ‘clinched teeth smile (!)’ of owner Vijay Mallya with his team perennially occupying seventh or eighth place.

But he is not likely to be alone. Prasad is already in the line and the way this Premier League is shaping up, expect few more dismissals (from some other franchisees too) by the time the winners jump atop the podium.

From purely business point of view, the main reason for the success of top shots like Mallya and Mukesh Ambani is that they are much more concerned with the overall policy making and efficient delegation. They select top pros and expect them to deliver. Take as much resources as you want, but deliver: That is their mantra, time-tested and sureshot roadmap to success.

Charu (along with Dravid) failed to deliver a team which could succeed. It looked more suited to 120-120 format, than 20-20! That diluted the Brand Royal Challenge beyond permissible limit, which could never be acceptable to Mallya. Even the replacement choice, Brijesh Patel, shows the vengeance of a seething Mallya, than some well thought out plan. After all what can Brijesh Patel do as CEO, which Charu could not have done! If Royal Challengers start winning after this shocking change of guard, it will more be incidental!

Mumbai are in a smiliar state of dismay and despair. Now, if one of pre-tournament favourites lose few more, one can expect some similar turmoil among their ranks. After all, did not a big Reliance functionary on cricket controversies programme on NDTV, say that their target was at least reaching the final. As of now, even a semifinal spot looks woefully out of reach. The richest Indian in India will certainly not like it.

In fact, one can expect more and more bad blood between the owners and the players/management as tournament gets into the business end. As Shahrukh famously said a few days back ‘’failure is not an option for me, or my team.’’

Though the evergreen hero might still take it sportingly if Nightriders fail to deliver, same can not be said of many other franchises who have too much pride, or money at stake.

Hum Chloremint kyon Khate hain!

What is life without some humour. And a spectator did manage to find it in an encounter involving Mohali and Knight Riders few days ago.

The reason for the slap Sreesanth received (as shown in a banner held by him) was not related to cricket in anyway (Well, that is news!).

Actually, Sreesanth received the slap because, during the handshake, he had the audacity to ask Harbhajan ‘’Bhajji Bhai, hum chloremint kyon khatein hain (Dear Bhajji, why do we have chloremint).

Coming to that match, it also showed why Twenty20 will continue to capture the imagination of the nation for years to come. After losing their top-five for 50, KKR’s never looked part of the match up. Still, it could not be decided in favour of Kings Eleven Mohali until just two balls remained! That is the thrill of this instant cricket. So far, 24 matches have taken place (six involving each team) and there has been just one encounter where a team looked finished even before the second innings started. And that was the 24th match involving the Mohali outfit and Super King’s Chennai, where Tanvir’s brilliant spell on a batsman friendly track decided the match in the first innings itself. In all other encounters, things could have gone either way until the last few overs.

Even two-weeks into this format, boredom has not set in. Every thing is boisterous. Right from the first ball to the last strike. Batsmen chancing their arm at every opportunity, Cheering spectators, and cheer leaders – all have combined to make it a thrilling spectacle.

Meanwhile, the performance of Indians (as skipper) is along the predictable lines in this format. While Dhoni, Yuvraj and Sehwag are on top with some remarkable leadership and imaginative display, teams lead by Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly have been struggling. It clearly shows where our future should be headed!

God Bless Twenty20!

Despite the tremendous success of Twenty20 cricket – highlighted by the September World Cup, confirmed by the ICL, and then reconfirmed as a smashing hit by IPL, there are still people believing, and trying to force others into believing, that this version trivializes cricket!

They cry hoarse about the decline of their beloved cricket, played in traditional way. Suddenly, even ODI cricket has become a traditional fare, whose ’’imminent demise’’ has to be bemoaned in every possible way.

They decry that the like of Vijay Mallya and Mukesh Ambani, and their big corporations, are out to enslave this beautiful game.

Take a break mate. And use some common sense. Even before IPL came, big corporations were controlling cricketing stakes the World over. Wills, Sahara, Pepsi, Coke – these are not your neighbourhood kirana stores after all!

And when was cricket without its share of glamour Sir. Who were the subcontinent girls dying for in cricket heydays of 70s and 80s – Mudassar Nazar or Imran Khan, Bhagwat Chandrashekhar or Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi!

As Mandira Bedi said in one of the programmes, stars were always present in such big number at places like Sharjah to watch the ODIs, then called pyjama cricket. Only that they are paid much more now to be brand ambassadors, with few even mustering up the courage to buy teams.

Those who have witnessed their cricket from close quarters, understand that in course of time all forms will survive. Test Cricket did not die because of ODIs, and Tests and ODIs will not die because of Twenty20.Rather, Twenty20 will help batsmen discover and master few more strokes, which will enable increase in scoring rate in all the versions.

Besides, this version has created so much more employment opportunities for some promising cricketers. Gony is no longer a badly spelled Dhoni and God Bless twenty20 cricket for that!

Three Cheers for Cheer Ladies

In one of HT's supplements today, one saw Kareena Kapoor (hogging one full page) wearing nothing more than what some much more gorgeous Cheer Ladies have been wearing at most venues of the IPL.

Wonder what the Moral brigade, which is after the lives and livelihood of the IPL cheer ladies, has to say on the Tassan ad. Just seeing the juicy supplements of various newspapers (still considered the bastion of media conservatism and noble values) will provide with much more voyeuristic masala than all the antics strung together by the ladies flown in from many parts of the globe.

Hence, one can only describe as pathetic the attempt to take out cheer ladies from the IPL venues. Probably camera angles make them look vulgar at times, but how they are to be blamed for that. Having cameras focus more on their face, and some long shots will do the trick.

IPL is a combination of star power, glamour, and cricket, with cricket taking precedence but star power and glamour not too far behind. Those who do not like it, can simply switch off their TV sets and go for their routine Tests and ODIs. But first, they also need to instruct their newspaper wallah not to give daily supplements, which often has starlets wearing far less than what we have seen in various matches. As far as politicians are concerned, this moral conservatism looks nothing more than opportunism to settle some political scores.

Cricket's biggest revolution

Having watched the IPL for last one week, I am getting more and more convinced that future belongs to this version only. Reasons why IPL will be a hit in India, and further promote twenty20 worldwide are.

1) Slam bang is the approach in today’s modern life and the format slips in really well. Then, one does not have to miss office or school to make it to the ground in time.

2) A three-nation tournament (one match against each team followed by the final) can start on Saturday Morning and end on Sunday evening.

3) If TRPs for the initial part of the IPL are indeed what TAM is making us believe, it seems the men are finally getting control of the remote even when mega K serials are on. If ladies too are chiping in along with kids to see the matches, that shows the real triumph of the format.

4) It provides a unique level playing field. Countries like Holland, Scotland etc will have near equal chance of beating some of the middle level teams. Just one good knock can make such a big difference as shown by some of the IPL matches. It will help promote the game globally as time consumed will be less that two football matches one after another.

5) The Indians are mad only for fours and sixes. One glaring example is that they are not prepared to accept a pitch like the one at Eden, which produced one of the most thrilling low scoring matches. The format provides massive hits in abundance.

6) Like in movies where quintessential villain changing his profile and helping heros at times draws biggest applause (Amjad Khan in Love Story or Pran in Zanzeer), in cricket seeing the Pakistanis and the Australians helping out Indians, and celebrating along with them is a real boost to the sport, and the relationships.

So IPL has unleashed a monster for the other versions, and messiah for the have nots of cricket.

Existential Dilemma (From my blog spiritualsolace.blogspot.com)

To understand the nature of this world is really tough. So our response to it is often confused and varied. Sometimes it (the world) attracts us like a real magnet. And at times, one desires to renounce anything and everything.

dialectics between affinity and revulsion defines our very existence. Generally our moments of triumph mark our affinity, while revulsion usually comes after some really painful events. Though it is not a set rule, but generally this is the way it is. Only saints can enjoy a feeling of revulsion (renunciation) in their moments of triumphs. But they must surely be on the verge of extinction in today’s world.

The best way to live should be by enjoying both the states of existence. But there is nothing better then enjoying your moments of despair. That only can be done by counting one’s blessings. What’s a bloody life without its share of trials and tribulations. Is not that the reason why rich and famous often perish in pursuit of thrill and adventure? Too good is too bad at times.

If life is understood as one small stretch between two infinite existences which one is not yet aware of, it can be led in a much better way. Unfortunately, most people are too much obsessed with the present to lose the very sight of the pleasure that must come along with it. Intrigues for fast bucks and cozy life, as well as their insecurities, dominate their existence, which can spoil the very idea of a perfect life.

A lifetime of Ten Days!

Remember April three? It was just ten days ago, when everybody was gunning after the Indian cricketers, lambasting them for a meek surrender at the Ahmedabad greentop. http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/04/just-one-bad-day.html

Today, after a commendable show in the last two days when they fought against all odds – loss of toss, loss of Kumble, a very good start by the South Africans, and a very dismal start by their own openers – things have changed so much! In few minutes from now, they will be fighting a battle, which once seemed lost for all practical purposes. Just ten days, and four playing days was all it took to get them back to where they belong to – the very top.

If the visitors manage a reasonable batting score, South African can still win this match and the series. But if it is anybody’s game now, it is only thanks to some stupendous display by India. They would certainly have been out of the equation but for tremendous bowling by Harbhajan, Ishant and Chawla, and some gritty batting display by their middle order spearheaded by Sourav Ganguly.

In the process, India also showed the world that they can come back from any situation. They may not yet be the World's best team (they still need the winning consistency of South Africa and Australia), but for an average Indian fan who wants his team to fight till the very end without caring for result, they are a special bunch. Our sentimental number one.

Just one bad day in office.....

Each one of has one bad day in office once in a while, and this Indian team is no exception.

It is not that suddenly this bunch has become a gathering of cricketing novices. On the contrary, most of them are cricketing greats whose records and accomplishments will be fondly remembered decades after they are gone.

So it was amusing to see/read/hear so much, and so scathing, criticism of the team for just one bad session of batting. They were dubbed the greenhorns on a greentop while their Series victory in England on seaming tracks, commendable performance in Australia especially the win on Perth’s bouncy track, and authentic win over Pakistan was conveniently forgotten. The problem was not with criticism, but with the overdose of it.

To be fair, after the World Cup this team has lost just one test series (courtesy the likes of Bucknor and Benson) and won a rare tri-series and a twenty20 world cup. So one disastrous day was always in the offing and it came at Ahmedabad.

Today, a Harbhajan delivery hitting Kallis stumps without dislodging the bail symbolized India’s plight more glaringly than ever. A team, with all the greatness at its disposal also needs some luck, and a few umpiring decisions, to make it count. India never had that in this test and that is the crux of the matter. It is not just the pitch.

Approaching tea on day two, with South African leading by a good 300+ runs, only one result looks likely. Unless Weather intervenes in a big way.

Do not blame it on Sachin's absence

With just two wickets to go and lunch still 15 minutes away, it does look disastrous. But it will be most unkind to South Africa to suggest that the absence of Sachin Tendulkar has got anything to do with India’s massive collapse on the Indian Soil. He could have suffered the same fate as the rest of the specialist batsmen. After all, all the score that India had made at Chennai had come without a single run from the blade of this world’s premier batsmen. If’s and buts never solve the cricketing zigsaw.

Not only the South African bowlers looked to be in great rhythm today, but they were also helped by some misjudgments from the Indian batsmen. Of the first six batsmen, only Jaffer and Dravid were authentic dismissals. Laxman was a victim of his own poor judgment, Dhoni failed to keep his head, and bat, down, while Ganguly and Sehwag just played on to the outbound deliveries.As the situation stands now, there is a real danger that South Africa may bat India out of the match by tomorrow evening (if they survive that long). But looking at the positives, India have one additional bowler and with five-men attack, they might be able to restrict the visitors to a manageable lead.

As things stand now, India can only hope and pray that the South Africans too suffer from the same series of misjudgments, which plagued them today morning. They will certainly need some luck as bowling alone may not be sufficient to get them back into a match, where result looks a certainty after less than a session of play!

India Selection and Global Warming!

There was a very interesting item in the Times of India today, which talked about the potential of laughter towards increasing global warming. That’s a rather grim warning, especially to those who take interest in, and tend to give some serious thought to the BCCI selection policies.

One can still not stop laughing, and contributing to the global warming, when thinking about Kaif coming in place of Tendulkar in the Indian team (unless the idea is to promote the stock of Kaif and his team just before the prestigious IPL). He may have been doing well in the domestic cricket, but when you are looking forward, it appears to be a big step backward.

Leave aside a waiting Yuvraj (the natural replacement if India still go in with the same batsman-bowler combination), there have been batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, who have done wonders in the last few months in international cricket. They should have been rewarded first.

But more importantly, with talks already on about having five bowlers on Indian pitches, it would have been prudent to include a bowler to have more options just before the final selection. So that was an opportunity missed.The only positive of having Kaif as of now is that if India chose, they can afford to go in with an additional bowler without too many protests. Probably, the selection was also made keeping that in view.

A Bull Even in Bearish Phase!!!

What a pity. Sehwag deserved to break Brian Lara’s record for his sheer audacious stroke-play and remarkable confidence. Still, to be counted among the holy trinity – other two being Bradman and Lara – as the only cricketers to have surpassed 300 runs twice should be counted as a truly historic event in Indian cricket.

For last seven years, Sehwag has represented the breed of new Indians. Prepared to take career-threatening risks to promote that very career. He has been bullish all along – whatever be the stakes, whatever be his stock, and whichever be the opposition.

Strange that this man averages above 50 and still finds criticism coming his way after every few failures. Contrasts this with someone like Fleming, who finished his test career averaging just 40 and still gets more respect for his technique. Come on, technique is a very vague concept in modern day cricket, which has become all about scoring runs. Crowd come to watch Chauke, Chakke, and not one good leave after another. Dravid played his part yesterday, but was never appreciated. One only has to see three quick wickets falling today morning to assess his contribution. But that is today’s cricket, and Sehwag fits in perfectly.

Agreed that Sehwag has scored most of his runs in conditions tailor made for batsmen. But then one must also not lose of the fact he was almost pushed into opening just to break into a batting side which boasted of stars like Tendulkar, Dravid, Sourav and Laxman. And one must not forget his two great series in Australia including the one in 2003-04, when he opened with such distinction with Aakash Chopra.

One must acknowledge that Sehwag has done what even a great like Laxman could not do -- open with success. That will be the best way to appreciate what makes him what he is.

Just think of India in this match without Sehwag. Probably South Africa would have been batting this time, and thinking of what target to set for India on the fourth evening. He stole that satisfaction.

It's the moment that matters

Breathtaking assault by Virender Sehwag, a man who averages a remarkable 50 in tests despite not being a natural opener. He just plays his natural game, because he knows of no other way of surviving.

No amount of praise can be enough for this man for taking the fight back to the South African Camp. It speaks volumes about a player’s temperament and commitment, if he can play a knock like this after fielding for over five sessions in Chennai’s soul-sapping heat.

If the South Africans thought they could out-pace India, probably they had not seen the videos of India-Australia battle. Sheer pace no longer terrifies the Indians. Bouncers are contemptuously dispatched to the thirdman or fineleg. Only a nagging line and length with reasonable pace can numb their mindset, and here the visitors must be missing someone like Shaun Pollock.

Lack of quality spinners on Indian tracks is another major disadvantage. May be, the Proteas can also think of approaching the future contests with five specialist bowlers.

The pitch may be dead as dodo, and South African attack toothless, still facing a first innings target of 540 can be scary for any team. India, to their credit, never allowed the opposition to get to them – either yesterday evening, or today morning. There was no place for fear. That should gladden the hearts of their supporters. The Indian fans, as they are, want fireworks even in a dull draw. Else there is no point thronging the stadiums, or watching on telly. Players like Sehwag ensure just that and, in the process, take the game beyond the realm of results.

Amla ka Hamla!

It was a very calculative effort and Indians were well and truly floored by an amiable adversary who (unlike the Australians) chose to let his bat do all the talking.

Hashim Amla is somebody you never expect will explode into your face. And he did not. A grafter par excellence, he just waited for poor deliveries and on a non-receptive pitch with a tiring attack, there were enough of them.

This ‘Amla ka Hamla’ was something India least expected. They could never have anticipated before the 1st innings began, that their biggest scourge will be a soft-spoken South African, whom Sreesanth had, literally, shown the door during the last tour.

The Protea innings was a terrific tale of small little partnerships. It was remarkable that none of the first six wickets, as South Africa crossed the reasonably safe mark of 500 on any wicket, fell one after another. Even the fastest consecutive dismissals of McKenzie and Kallis were nearly 14 overs apart! None of their partnerships in reaching 500 was of less than 40 runs, and it showed in the final result.

India do have their task cut out for now. Last 10-15 overs today should be the key to survival. With South Africa bowlers all buoyed up, the contest is going to be mighty interesting. Indians are good enough to recover, but a lot will depend on how openers negotiate the might of the Proteas.

Openers Open what looked like a Shut Case Post-Australia

Remarkable first wicket partnership of 132 from South Africa. It may have done at least two things.First, it will have definitely settled the South African nerves for the rest of the series, and given them confidence that they can, once again, take on India in India (Remember the 2000 series loss which had ended India’s 13-year-undefeated streak at home!). The battle at hand is real. Now India will have to get past the Proteas before taking on Australia later this year, if they are to stake real claim to the number one ranking. They have the talent in all the departments, but, for now, also have a very gritty opposition in South Africans.

Second. It may have also shown the necessity of going in with five bowlers in conditions as testing as Chennai. In fact, in the subcontinent the team is better served with five batsmen-five bowler formula. The sixth batsman may or may not be able to score any runs, but an additional bowler will almost surely take some important load off the top-four choices.

To be fair to the Indians, it is not that their bowling was all at sea against the South African opening pair. The threat was very real in the first few overs and with little bit of luck, both the openers would have been back quite early. Somehow, even the best of deliveries simply failed to find the edge. But this very failure may have set the series beautifully. A crumbling South Africans in the very first session at Chennai would have surely found it very difficult to recover. But after such a great start, one can surely expect some electrifying contests in the days to come.

Cows, Cricket and Honesty

In a remarkably candid remark, recently retired Adam Gilchrist says he felt like a cow when he was auctioned in the Indian Premier League.The remark, made in mid-March, http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1156178 came up as a snippet in ToI again today. As link to a comment from ICL’s Inzamam, berating the auction.

IPL is all welcome. It is a tremendous initiative and remarkable financial success so far. Never has a domestic tournament with foreign participation galvanized the cricketing world so much. But one still feels nauseated, thinking of that auction which had reduced players to the status of commodities. It is not that they are not, but it was made so open, and glaringly evident!

Hopefully, some better way will be found out in future of distributing players with matching remuneration, but without the auction.

Meanwhile, a very interesting column appeared in papers today, where former skipper Sunil Gavaskar has talked about the recent ICC elections, hockey debacle, and hypocrisy in the cricket and hockey world. http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/sports/news/article?_EXT_5_articleId=1053332&_EXT_5_groupId=14

It is a must read for any sports lover.

Terrific Tendulkar

Whatever happens from now on -- and even if some brilliant Australian batting goes on to subdue the gallant visitors -- India have proved a point. The whole world now acknowledges that they are indeed serious contender to the Australian crown. What a turnaround after the World Cup disaster last year!

If some attributed their superlative show in the first final to law of averages (after all, losing eight out of eight finals would have been cruel mathematically!), they have been proven wrong.

While Youth has been a big factor in these triumphs in recent times, the exploits of Harbhajan and Tendulkar had a great deal to contribute to them. These two players took two major factors out of the equation. While Bhajji took anger out of the equation (by managing it well) and galvanized the whole team, Tendulkar took nervousness out of the Indian system with some audacious strokeplay.

On Sunday, it needed a great deal of character to bowl at Symonds and Hayden after what all had happened, and Bhajji did show the stuff he is made of, in the first ODI. But for his twin strikes, India would have still been ruing about the mountain they did not climb. But his strikes ensured a manageable chase, and then came Tendulkar!

While some authentic strokeplay has always been the hallmark of Tendulkar, it were his ariel exploits towards the point and thirdman regions (both on Sunday and Tuesday), which made a complete mockery of the Australian attack and gave heart, and much needed impetus, to the Indian batting.

Hopefully, all critics (including myself) have been silenced forever. We better be. Every time Tendulkar has been criticized (and he did deserve some of it in 2005 and 2006 for failing to measure up to his lofty standards), he has hit back in style.

It is not that criticism was always unjustified. But soon after, Tendulkar’s bat has made every critic eat crow. Be it Ian, Manjrekar, some monthly wage earning journalist, blogwriter, or free-lancer.

After today’s performance, whether it leads to an eventual series win or not, we must all shut up. Let Tendulkar retire as and when he wants to. Even if he wants to play till 58, he must be allowed. Men in blue seem to have become addicted to his presence and an electrifying knock from him has the potential to lift up everybody in the Indian team.

At the time of writing this post, Tendulkar is still few runs away from making his second consecutive century in Australia. If he makes it, it will be another remarkable feat from a remarkable man.

Links in Feb so far

One debate settled for now

We did not go for big bucks in the IPL, but we can...

Commodification is complete!

There is a limit to human need, but not to human g...

Today's result was a writer's delight

India must leave its obsession with World Cups

below are LINKS to stories posted in January beginning Sydney Test.

Mr Fix It, and Roebuck's Rebuke
Losers in Race Abuse Fiasco
From Gallows to Glory
BE POSTIVE
Pressure is a Privilege
With so many left handers in the Australian side.....
One wishes to see a happy India, not unhappy one o...
What an Indian fan/writer wishes to see by the en...
India were bold, but not bold enough
Possible combinations if India play five bowlers
The timing could not have been worse!
I STILL DO NOT HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE WIN...
After Bucknor, Benson's experience...
Prey Turns Predator
As Australia begin their reply...
Sehwag's terrible miss on day of Irfan's hits
Do not get despondent, we still lead by a whopping...
India lead the series by eight to seven
India have Australia by the scruff of the neck
Links to Day two posts of Perth (Four)
The best ever quote on Kumble
A sullen, forlorn Bhajji, whose bunny was stolen a...
How were you dismissed Dad!
As they go into day two, Points India must not los...
Muddai lakh bura chahe to kya hota hai!!!
WHAT I DID followed by WHAT NOT TO EXPECT FROM PER...
What not to expect from Perth's encounter
Kumble, and the essence of Indian spirit
They have come to watch my batting,not your umpiri...
'If India have to get in Sehwag, this is the time'...
India had to chose between dishonour and war
Time to Talk Cricket, and the opening combination
Wisdom prevails as Spirit of Cricket Wins -- ICC r...
Three ways to Save the Tour
Kumble is no angel, but.....
Unusual defence
See the link below on what we anticipated on Day ...
97 per cent in favour of tour being called off!
Were umpires acting under a brief
Bucknor is our man of the Match
The Wheel that squeaks!
What Bucknor Stands for!!!
Team for Perth should have Sehwag, Karthik, Pathan...
As anticipated, India grimly fight to 'live anothe...
India will fight to 'live another day' as Australi...
Latest four links on Day four of Sydney
Yuvraj scoring with Deepika is BAD publicity!
Latest THREE links for Day four of Sydney
Harbhajan has gone mad!
What did you do Bhajji!
Neutral umpires are fine but...
Latest Five Links for Day Three of Sydney
India leading by THREE HUNDRED RUNS at Sydney!
52 RUNS IN NINE INNINGS! ...
Latest THREE links to day three of Sydney Test
Tremendous run-rate, but honours even
The feminine side of Gilchrist!
Obeservations that VVS made
Latest FIVE links to Day two of Sydney Test
A hundred worth their weight in Gold
Rerouting Buch's advice.....
Tales of Blind men in Indian Print Media Today
Salim, Aur Tum kuch kar bhi kya sakte the! (Salim,...
Forget about an explosive start from india
Six links posted on Day one of Sydney Test
A series that ended in five days thanks to outrage...
Sensational Daylight robbery at Sydney....
Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor
Prophetic Ponting!
Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!
Sehwag Left out of India Team?
Buch's free advice to struggling India
Sehwag-Dravid Combo finds one more supporter

Post Today on final day of test series

From Gallows to Glory
BE POSTIVE

Post Today on final day of test series

From Gallows to Glory

BE POSTIVE

Preesure is a Privilege

That is what Billie Jean King had written to Maria Sharapova in a text message before the Australian Open final. May be, that helped Sharapova squeeze her large frame out of a tight corner, when she was trailing 4-5 0-30 in the first set.

And that is what India will need to remember when they get up tomorrow morning and gear up for the battle to save the test. A result not foreseen by many commentators. Dean Jones too, till yesterday, was only discussing the possibility of a draw or India’s win.

It may be a bit premature to discuss that possibility of survival right now at lunch time, but the possibility is real indeed considering the inability of the umpires to muster up the courage to give even the most glaring of leg before decisions. Nearing the business end of one of the most competitive of series, the umpires too seem to be playing safe, and why not! One can only say that they have decided to award LBWs only in the rarest of rare cases.

Australia, if they end up today day with a lead of around 125 to 150, may even declare overnight to put the top order of India under pressure.Scares of Sydney revisited? Well, they will if India try only to defend. They will have to fight with uncluttered mind as they go about the business of saving the test and hope that the umpires maintain the consistency, with which they have refused to give leg before decisions. Sehwag took a potshot at Australian slow scoring rate on Saturday saying ‘’they are scared.’’ Now, India will have to show Australia how to score on day five as a purely defensive approach could be suicidal.

The most disappointing factor has been, as Gavaskar said, the very very disappointing bowling. Strange things have happened in this test. India crossed 500 with six regular batsmen, and may have failed to put brakes on Australia reaching over 550-600 for the first time in the series. Though things could have been little different had RP not been ruled out little too early.

Meanwhile, Sania Mirza will be looking to create history in an hour or two from now. For once, tennis will upstage cricket with India’s chances looking much brighter in Melbourne, than at Adelaide!

With so many left handers in the Australian side...

…..and rough marks outside their off stump leading to unpredictable bounce, it makes sense to give Sachin Tendulkar much more bowling post lunch. He is definitely a big leg spinner, and a spinning delivery with disconcerting bounce from those marks can, at times, be more lethal than Harbhajan’s outgoing deliveries which a left hander can easily leave. Wasim Akram just now said that Harbhajan should go over the wicket to make batsmen play more. Meanwhile do read the post just below on what India should do on day three, posted yesterday. http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/one-wishes-to-see-happy-india-not.html

One wishes to see a happy India, not unhappy one on Day three

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/one-wishes-to-see-happy-india-not.html

Posts Today on day one of Adelaide

What an Indian fan/writer wishes to see by the en...

India were bold, but not bold enough

Some of my articles

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=9818421f-dde8-482f-a6a3-3312575f0961

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=178747b1-ae05-48f3-9071-8d81f44e1d68

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=760dec34-bfb3-4c91-ac0d-71effbdfd09f

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=694fd49f-feae-40e9-b8d5-e71c703e6abd

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c1775572-0f76-4573-b1d9-3cf37a509331

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=1730b16d-22a5-4942-bd60-b7acd06965b8

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=4ed9cd3f-a350-4c9a-8dcb-20c54d88e66f

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=15964348-fa63-4018-851b-5eeaec1b367f

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=17a844b8-f713-4cb5-9999-090167909da2

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=9f8bdb5a-87bf-41db-a6d6-29157a4b396f

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=7ae2d7bd-325a-4385-a20a-da1aed066a11

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=147173bb-d0d3-47fd-9e52-4bf1fafc4125


http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=71d96cad-a1fe-4a45-8a08-59b0de045a2b

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=17f206dc-5c67-4a7f-821a-5159f641e7af

http://www.htcricket.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=3a8ac025-661c-413d-b841-b702838270d2

http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=4674ce4a-984d-4798-9cdb-e40e6f170b9b

Wise men drop Dravid, Ganguly

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/timing-could-not-have-been-worse.html

I STILL DO NOT HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE WIN...

...SO I WON'T EVEN MAKE AN ATTEMPT.
THE ONLY REQUEST TODAY IS TO READ THE LINK BELOW IN RED.
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/prey-turns-predator.html

Prey turn Predator

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/prey-turns-predator.html

Perth Day three -- Links to posts so far

As Australia begin their reply...
Sehwag's terrible miss on day of Irfan's hits
India lead the series by eight to seven

India lead the series by eight to seven

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/india-lead-series-by-eight-to-seven.html

Links to day two posts

-- A sullen, forlorn Bhajji, whose bunny was stolen a...
-- How were you dismissed Dad!
-- As they go into day two, Points India must not los...

How were you dismissed Dad!

Poor Rogers. A brief story on an equally brief stay.
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-were-you-dismissed-dad.html

As they go into day two, Points India must not lose sight of...

Please see the link in Blue below
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/as-they-go-into-day-two-points-india.html

WHAT I DID followed by WHAT NOT TO EXPECT FROM PERTH TEST

Please read the link in red below.
WHAT I DID followed by WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PERTH TEST

What not to expect from Perth's encounter

There are many things that one can not hope to expect from Perth's encounter. Here are few of them in the link below.
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-not-to-expect-from-perths.html

We are generous to the core

Please do read the link below

Kumble, and the essence of Indian spirit

They have come to watch my batting, not your umpiring

It is always nice to see Tom Alter. His presence is so soothing in any programme. He was certainly a welcome inclusion in the episode of Cricket Controversies aired on NDTV on Sunday night.

Few interesting things that came out of the programme for general public, in the episode titled ‘Is cricket still a gentlemen’s game’', were.

-- It was never always a gentleman’s game. When given out, WG Grace once reprimanded an umpire, saying ''they (people) have come to watch my batting, not your umpiring!’’. So how can we blame today's players.

-- Instances of sledging and ungentlemanly behaviour also increase the TRP of Live programmes, Recoded Programmes, Web and Newspaper readership.

-- They help take the focus away from real issues. And the real issue today is that India is 0-2 down and in real danger of losing it badly (Though the initial ammunition here was provided by the umpires and the Australians, leaving the Indians with no option but to retaliate)

-- Even in sports like Chess and Tennis, where the intensity level is very high compared to relaxed time for some players (Especially for close-in cordon between two deliveries/overs), instances of bad behaviour are rampant.

Blog's conclusion: In Cricket, ugly behaviour and sledging will continue because no one wants to lose. Even though Cricketing Doves like Alter may remember Sidhu more for his sixes in the 1987 World Cup, than for his altercation with Aamir Sohail!

India had to chose between dishonour and war

Forgot to post this link prepared on my other site. Here it is
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/india-had-to-chose-between-dishonour.html

'If India have to get in Sehwag, this is the time'

Seeing a rampaging Sehwag in action, that was the opinion of Ian Chappell. Sehwag was on 46 then and, and just to vindicate the past master, reached his fifty in a most authentic way, with a four.

His half-century had come off just 37 deliveries.. Contrast this with Karthik’s sedate knock at this stage, when he had barely reached double figures.

But as part of the opening combination, he played his role to perfection, also laying a strong claim for the opener’s slot. The choice right now looks to be between Sehwag-Jaffer or Sehwag-Karthik Combo.

Ideally, considering the way he has performed against the real Australian attack in the first two tests, Jaffer may not be the best choice for Perth, and a fresh approach with new pair of openers could be the need of the hour.

Interestingly, when asked during the second day’s play about Sehwag, Chappell had said that despite Sehwag’s 24 to Jaffer’s 92 in the 1st innings, if he had to choose between the two, he would still love to go in with Sehwag.

This is because the Nawab of Nazafgarh has the potential to make the Australians ‘nervous. He can change the complexion of the game in no time, said Chappell.

At the time of writing this post, Sehwag had completed his hundred, with the next fifty coming in 36 balls – one less than his first. The partnership, at the time of his century, was 145 runs and still going strong.

But even if Sehwag had not made a hundred, he would still have been an automatic choice for Perth simply for the way he played today. He did appear at his very best.

Whether Sehwag will succeed there or not, that is another matter. But for now, he looks to be the one who will surely open at Perth.

Time to Talk Cricket, and the opening combination (Please see the link below)

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/time-to-talk-cricket-and-opening.html

Ways to Save the tour

Three ways out of the present mess. But India might need all three to be accepted.

-- As per a report in the HT, Law 3.1.7 of the playing handbook states that ‘’Neither team will have a right of objecting to an umpiring appointment.” Bucknor will go only if a majority in the ICC executive panel votes for his sacking.’’

So an emergency meeting of the ICC executive panel can take care of the situation. If the majority decides that Bucknor stays, then India must proceed with the tour and decide on the future course of action on such issues after the tour. ICC must convene this meeting before the third test. They must not be insensitive to the Indian demands considering how things went.

-- Ban on Harbhajan should be suspended and a more broad based hearing should decide if in the absence of an audio, video or umpires’ evidence, the acceptance of a player’s word against the other, is in conformity with the law of natural justice. It is because we are setting a new precedent and it should not be set just by one match referee. Tomorrow, a match referee should be able to penalise an Australian if the Pakistanis or the South Africans lodge complaints not audible or visible in broadcasters' studio, or heard by the umpires.

-- Set of Challenges must start on experimental basis from the third test itself. A decision can certainly be taken on this. That should not include LBWs, but certainly the nicks that go on on to hit the pads and the ones lapped up by the keeper or the slips, but not heard by the umpires. This will ensure fair play. Otherwise an Indian team, with the mentality of a victim, will not be able to slug it out at Perth.

The Perth test starts from the 16th. So the ICC, concerned boards, and two teams have a week to sort out the issue.

Kumble is no angel but......

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/kumble-is-no-angel-but.html

Very unusual defence. You will love to read this story of mine.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/unusual-defence.html

97 per cent in favour of tour being called off!

Kindly see the link below . It is on an SMS survey on the tour.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/97-per-cent-in-favour-of-tour-being.html

The wheel that squeaks!

I remember a recent interview by Rakhi Sawant with Prabhu Chawla in Aajtak titled ‘’Ulti baat’’ (Since it was Prabhu being interviewed) where Chawla said that once he feared for his job when he lost a tape containing an interview with Late Benazir Bhutto in a taxi!

The lady was kind enough to give me another the same day, he remarked.Imagine, a man like Prabhu, one of the most powerful men in TV Today Network, feared for his job for losing just one interview! (Though he may have said that in jest).

Many professionals face the same situation in their careers when just one mistake, even if not deliberate, can result in job threatening situations.

Then why international umpires, whose decisions have so much bearing on the careers of players as well as economics of cricket, should be immune to this.

People like Bucknor are such a shame. Despite technology showing them repeatedly in the wrong, they do not have little bit of remorse in repeating the same mistakes again and again.Full of mischief, they favour the teams whose officials hold the real power and it is not just an ‘opinion’.

It is high time for India to lodge a protest. As Sidhu said yesterday, ‘’My Dear, only the wheel that squeaks gets the grease!”

What Bucknor Stands for!!!

After Dravid c Gilchrist b Bucknor, it won’t be unfair to call him, though of course in Jest.

Biased to the core
Ungentlemanly in a gentleman’s game
Cancerous to fair play
Kill Joy of the Indian team
Nemesis of Indian revival
Oz’s biggest ally
Rogue act specialist

Team for Perth should have Sehwag, Karthik, Pathan

Why does India need three changes in the team. Please see the link below.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/team-for-perth-shoudl-have-sehwag.html

As anticipated, India grimly fight to 'live another day;

Below are the two links in this blog yesterday and on day three, and few of our predictions seem to be coming true.

On Friday evening (Day three), we had written in our piece ‘’India leading by THREE HUNDRED RUNS at Sydney’’ that despite a magnificent performance and a lead of 69, India could still be under pressure in the final two sessions of this test.

That precisely seems to be happening as India will be desperately fighting to save the test in the final two sessions.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/india-leading-by-three-hundred-runs-at.html

And then the second, soon after the match on Saturday, rebutted the notion that India still had a chance as Australia had shown by accepting light that they would like India to do all the chasing and leave a next to impossible target for them to chase.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/india-will-fight-to-live-another-day-as.html

At this stage, we can just hope that India will live to fight another day. Despite Jaffer's early dismissal once again, Mark Taylor believes that India should be able to save this test though Australia will certainly press hard.

No team in this series has collapsed in just two sessions and light could also be an issue later in the day. So, India have a good chance of survival and that will once again liven up the series.

Latest four links for day FOUR of Sydney

Yuvraj scoring with Deepika is BAD publicity!
Harbhajan has gone mad!
What did you do Bhajji!
Neutral umpires are fine but...

What did you do Bhajji!

(A report on a website in BLACK, with Blog's comments in RED and all in jest)

REPORT:
The Indian team management on Friday rejected (At times it becomes important to show guts) Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds's allegations (Sore Loser!) of racial abuse by Harbhajan Singh (The gritty warrior who got under the Aussie Skin) asserting the off-spinner did not say anything offensive (Actually they meant Harbhajan was aggressive but not offensive which the Aussie often confuse with, when they are down) .

Although Harbhajan has not made any statement on the matter (Wise thing to do), Indian media manager M V Sridhar said the spinner told the management that he did not taunt Symonds racially (though he may have taunted otherwise, and did not walk away!) during their spat (who started it!) on the third day of the ongoing second cricket Test in Sydney on Friday.

Sridhar also rubbished suggestions that Symonds' complaint against Harbhajan would have any bearing on the relationship between the BCCI and Cricket Australia (After all, the relationships based on money are the strongest in cricketing business)."The relationship between the BCCI and CA is excellent and this Test match has seen some very competitive cricket being played. We would not let allow a small incident to overshadow everything," he said.

The exact comments are not known but Sridhar confirmed that a "hearing" against Harbhajan is scheduled for Saturday (to deflate our man during these critical times) .

Umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor (the usual suspects) have laid the charge after consulting an agitated (thanks to Indian fightback) Ricky Ponting at the end of the day's play.

Neutral umpires are fine but...

Sunil Gavaskar, one of the most respected batsmen of yesteryears and a terrific commentator, has said that the system of neutral umpires will continue despite some questionable decisions as ''If a third country umpire makes a (questionable) decision, it won't be as acrimonious as if a home umpire made that decision.''

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/ICC_to_stick_to_neutral_umpires/articleshow/2674004.cms

Fair enough arguments made by Sunil Gavaskar in the article above. In fact, if India could draw the series in Australia in 2003-04, win in Pakistan in 2004, and Australia could beat India in India in 2004, it was also mainly due to the presence of neutral umpires.

But this system can be streamlined by having a system of CHALLENGES as in Tennis, and by ensuring that if one team has grievances against a particular umpire, he should not be standing in the series involving that team. That will ensure that some umpires are not blatantly biased.

Then the panel of neutral umpires supervising tests can also be doubled, and it should not be difficult considering there should be hundreds of umpires with better calibre/skills than the likes of Bucknor.

Unless these steps are taken, the very purpose of neutrality will be defeated and ugly instances of unfair behaviour continue to raise their head.

Latest Four links to day three of Sydney Test

52 RUNS IN NINE INNINGS! ...
Tremendous run-rate, but honours even
The feminine side of Gilchrist!
Obeservations that VVS made

Obeservations that VVS made

In a TV interview today, there were two important observations that VVS Laxman made about the track, and the situation at Sydney.

First, he felt that the pitch will have lots of spin on fourth and fifth days and, so, India will have to ensure a big score in their first innings. Already in Australia's first innings, Kumble and Harbhajan got lot many balls to turn and even Hogg turned quite a few, he said.

Second, unlike the pitch at Melbourne, the bounce at Sydney was relatively even because of which he (Laxman) was able to play pull shot so freely. So it should not be too difficult for the Indian batsmen, including Tendulkar and Ganguly – the seasoned batsmen on the crease.

Meanwhile, Australia coach Tim Nielson believes that the match is evenly poised and as the new ball is due after 18 overs on Friday, the first session will be extremely critical for both the teams.

Of course, it will be worth getting up seven hours from now, (Five AM IST) to watch how the 1st session unfolds.

Even if they are unable to take the lead, India will need at least 200 runs more in the 1st innings to put Australia under pressure on a spinning track and hope for the repeat of Adelaide four years ago. In that match, Australia had collapsed in the second innings after taking a small first innings lead of 33, leaving India with a target of 230, which they achieved with four wickets to spare.

With 270 overs still to go, it is anybody’s game. Unless, of course, there is an inspirational spell by someone from the Australian side tomorrow morning, resulting in over 100 lead for the Aussie. That could be a decisive lead on this track for a team batting third.

Latest FIVE links to Day two of Sydney Test

-- A hundred worth their weight in Gold
-- Rerouting Buch's advice.....
-- Tales of Blind men in Indian Print Media Today
-- Salim, Aur Tum kuch kar bhi kya sakte the! (Salim,...
-- Forget about an explosive start from india

Forget about an explosive start from india

When India start their innings , they will be in a defensive frame of mind, commented Gavaskar just after Australia crossed 400 runs.

That is understandable when you are chasing a total in excess of 400 runs because the first thought will be about saving the test.

Also, as going 0-2 down will curtail your ambition drastically to the thought of just saving the series.

That should be the only strategy available to India right now, and it will be a good one too unless they go ultra-defensive. Now in this test, if India are allowed a look in with nearly 50-70 overs left today, they will still have a possible 320-340 overs left for the last three innings. Australia, one fears, will not be required to face more than 50 in their second essay unless India put up a great total. That would mean negotiating 125 to 150 overs in each innings for India.

That should be a tough job, but it is not impossible by any standards as the wicket is playing very true. Shastri believes that it is easy. In fact, the avearge second innings score at Sydney is close to 400, and that should give heart to India.

But once again, India will need to score too and not just preserve their wickets. Australians did that beautifully under pressure by trading in singles and twos when boundaries were not coming. India may not be allowed too many boundaries if Ponting's approach, alternating between defense and offense, is any indication.

Meanwhile, I am awaiting morning papers to read what they have to say about the umpiring goof-ups, which allowed Australia to escape from the gallows. Did not Navjot Sidhu say in NDTV that if Sachin is allowed three innings in one innings, he (Sidhu) would bet on him scoring a century every time!

Australia have lost their eighth wicket just now. Hopefully, there will not be any big partnership anymore in this innings..

Six links posted on Day one of Sydney Test

This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!
Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
Prophetic Ponting!
Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor
Sensational Daylight robbery at Sydney....
A series that ended in five days thanks to outrage...

Sensational Daylight robbery at Sydney....

.....masterminded by Benson, Bucknor and the Third Umpire with millions watching.

And India can't do anything about that!

Below are links to other related posts today:
Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor

Prophetic Ponting!

Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology

This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!

Links to day one of Sydney Test

Just double click the links for brief stories on today's play. More should be there by the end of play

--Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor
-- Prophetic Ponting!
-- Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
-- This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!

Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology

One of the reasons why the visiting sides find it very difficult to have Australia on the back foot in Australia, is that critical decisions often tend to go in Australia’s favour. Even with neutral umpires. It is soooo tough to get a leg before against a top Australian batsman.

And the problem gets compounded by the fact that technology is not fully used. Had it been, Australia would have been reeling at 45 for three with Ponting following Jaques and Hayden back to pavilion.

A clear caught behind decision was not given by Mark Benson because judging a nick is entirely at the discretion of an on-field umpire. The use of snickometer is simply not on.

It is ridiculous. One can understand the failure to judge a leg before decision through Hawkeye, but a nick can clearly be judged from one of the angles in 90 per cent of the cases.

High time to increase the use of technology with so much at stake for both the teams. Just one such decision has the potential to close the series for a visiting side.

Pre match offering
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-sickening-cricket-addiction.html

This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!

It forces one to get up much before time even on such a cold January day.

It compels one to type furiously in dark, and in double the time, just to ensure that the family does not get disturbed.

If forces one to lower the volume of the TV set even though one wishes to hear the ambiance it its full glory.

And all this just to see the first day, first show of a brand new test (!) even though one gets a sinking feeling about the team’s chances even before the Sydney test has begun.

And here I should be representing the collective sentiments of the die-hard fans and cricket writers, who sacrifice all the family values (do not disturb others' sleep before six), put aside their own sleep and cast aside all urgent work, just to see their team in action. An addiction they have been living with for decades.

Meanwhile, in less than half-an-hour from now we will know the composition of the team for sure. That will partly decide if we need to go back to sleep again, or our sleep-deprived eyes will allow us to watch the tone-setting first two hours.

Sehwag Left out of India Team?

If this report in India Times is correct, and not a part of retaliatory media war by India, then one fears that India are already on the backfoot.

The report says that ''India batsman Virender Sehwag has been left out of the playing eleven whereas Zaheer Khan's fitness might make him sit out as well in the second Test against Australia in Sydney on Wednesday''.

The report adds ''In spite of constant advices by cricket legends, India skipper Anil Kumble chose to opt out Sehwag from playing eleven.''


Blog's take: The legends included Steve Waugh and Javagal Srinath. Though they had advocated Sehwag-Dravid Combo, Sehwag could have only come in Yuvraj's place, making it Sehwag-Jaffer Combo.

About the team's composition, we will know for sure in few hours from now as last minute changes do happen. But if Sehwag is not there, India will certainly be on the backfoot.

One, India will not have a regular opening pair for the second consecutive time.

Second, Dravid will be forced to play as opener, which makes him vulnerable once again.

Third, Laxman at number three on overseas pitches does not inspire much confidence.

Hopefully, there will be a rethink on Sehwag. With Zaheer gone, one believes there will not be much difference. After all, the first few wickets in both the innings were taken by the spinners at Melbourne!

Buch's free advice to struggling India

In this era of free advice though columns and blogs, here are a few tips from Former Australian Coach John Buchanan. Below are the suggestions (All in red with our notes in blue) in one of the News Websites on how India can arrest the Australian domination to ensure that the series remains at 1-0 or 1-1 after Sydney.

In an article on an Australian Website, he writes about the key points for India as:

Being able to score runs as well as occupy the crease (Dravid needs to do the first and the rest need to occupy it)

The Top four batting must dent the Australian attack (Not just weather it. Unless you take the bull by the horn in Australia, you will not succeed!)

Two or three big partnerships in top six, which means player or players registering 100-plus (Forties and fifties are not going to be enough and the likes of Sachin and Sourav must resist long enough)

Opening bowlers need support from another quick bowler (That would mean playing just one spinner even on supposedly spin friendly wickets. To get this Australian side out, you need three good quickies)

When an Australian batting pair begins to dominate, decide quickly on whether they employ wicket taking strategy or a strategy of defence to force an Australian error. (More huddles will be needed to change strategies from time to time as most Australian pair tend to flourish on home grounds)

Good points, But most things India by now must be aware of.

Sehwag-Dravid Combo finds one more supporter

With India gearing up for a do-or-die battle at Sydney which begins less than 24 hours from now, the call to have Sehwag partnering Dravid is gaining momentum.

After Steve Waugh (http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/steves-team-will-have-sehwag-partnering.html), Javagal Srinath has asked the team management to let Sehwag partner Dravid at the top in a match, which India simply can’t afford to lose.

‘’Given the nature of the surface at the SCG, Sehwag and Rahul should be opening the innings. Sehwag was not only a great hit with the bat on the last tour, but can be very handy with the ball, on a turner like SCG,’’ writes Srinath in his column by Hawkeye/Chivach Sports.

Srinath is convinced that ‘’At present, Rahul needs an aggressive opening partner to complement his style of batting.’’Sehwag should be happy indeed.

If he gets in and scores, there won’t be a better new year gift for him and the Indian Contingent. His selection in that case will turn out to be as inspirational as Ganguly’s inclusion in the Test team for South Africa at the fag end of 2006.

In between, there were two adverse developments for the Indian squad, gearing up to take on Australia.

India’s best batsman in the 1st Test, Ganguly is down with fever though the team management believes that he will be fit in time for the second test. One does recall seeing Ganguly in discomfort during India’s second innings.

Hopefully, he will have recovered sufficiently to bat for long if India are to bat first tomorrow. They simply can’t afford to lose a batsman in form.

The second bad piece of news has been the nature of the pitch. In a story titled ‘’Pacy strip confuses India,’’ the Times of India says ‘’the virgin wicket at the SCG is not quite a spinners’ paradise, but has a bit of grass no it and the ball will carry nicely to the wicketkeeper.’

However, the nature of the pitch should concern only the Indians who are banking heavily on their best attack, which comprises two spinners. The Australians will hardly be bothered, as they have form as well momentum going on their side.