Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, May 5, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, April 25, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, April 4, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, March 28, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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