Akhtar Must Fire But.....

Media Watch -- Dec 6

Possibly the best captain Pakistan ever had, Imran Khan says in a column today that ‘’if Pakistan want to square this series, the man who simply must perform in Bangalore is Shoaib Akhtar.

’’With Pakistan taking just 13 wickets in last three Indian innings, Imran could not be more on target. Akhtar along with Yo-Yo are critical to Pakistan chances in the series.

In what promises to be his last Test series on the Indian soil, Akhtar will be eager to showcase his class but right now it looks that the speedster is toying more with the idea of bowling a maiden out (In a movie), than the Indian batsmen (on the field).

The glitch. Its money honey. As per a Hindustan Times report, he has been offered one crore, but Akhtar has been looking at a rather larger sum of 8 crore. This is something only the top five men command in Indian Movies!

The Times of India has come up with the name of the movie as well. Predictably, it is Main aur Meri Himmat!.

Selection Tangle

Meanwhile, the lead story in all the papers today was selection tangle with many media reports describing the selection of 24 probables, just about two weeks before the Australian tour takes off, as an absurdity.

However, injuries to pacers and the fact that selectors are not still convinced about the opening partners of Jaffer were described as a major reason for the delay. According to an Indian Express report, quoting a top Board official, ‘’it is felt that since Vengsarkar's future as chairman is not clear, the finalizing of the tour party was delayed’’.

Chappell liked VRV

It needs courage to say so today but VRV has said it. ‘’After he took over, we had a bowlers’ camp and somehow he (Chappell) liked me,’’ says VRV.‘’One thing is for sure, he did what he believed in. He believed in youth and we got a taste of international cricket,’’ says VRV in an interview to the Times of India, though he was sensible enough not to go into any controversial aspects of Chappell tenure.

Thanks Gary, Thanks Colonel!

Hats off to you two guys. You have indeed saved the Indian cricket by your timely, friendly, pronouncements.

Gary, you by formally consenting to become the coach of the Indian team to the Indian channels.

Vengsarkar, you by kindly consenting to be part of the selectors meeting.

Indeed, the Indian cricket many have won a World Cup without a foreign coach and lost one with him, they still needed one to get the respect of the cricketing world, and serve some Board insiders' interests. So what that the Test series against England, Bangladesh, and now possibly Pakistan, were won without a foreigner at the helm!

And why should we criticize Kirsten for joining the team after only March one. Is not it unprofessional, if not inhuman, to send a coaching novice on his first assignment with an Australia bound team. He will definitely prove his mettle against the lesser mortals.

And dear Vengsarkar. You have been kind enough to, should I say ‘rejoin’, the Indian Selection Committee in the interest of the Indian cricket. Though how the interests of the Indian cricket can be served is quite debatable and different people may have different opinion on it, still your kindness cannot be questioned.

Potentially sacrificing 40 lakh, which shows that the print media is not as poor as compared to its electronic counterparts, is a huge sacrifice, for which you deserve a big pat on the back.

Thanks again Gary. And Thanks so much Colonel. You are the true saviours.