About: Being Tagged, Part B.

This is the Part B of getting tagged by RPM.

Seven things I plan to do before I die.
* Establish a company of my own.

* See the seven wonders.

* Work hard to climb to a position which I can call my own.

* Earn a name for myself.

* Enjoy an evening of drinks with Bryan Adams.

* Write a book.

* Develop something path breaking.

Seven Things I can do.

* Read.

* Sleep all day.

* Watch Cricket.

* Go sight seeing.

* Arrange any sort of function.

* Talk, talk, talk and some more talk between that talk.

* Make a bubble inside a bubble blown from a chewing gum, I can do that all day.

Seven Things I can’t do.
* Cook any kind of food.

* Drive a two vehicle.

* Play video/computer games.

* Live in harmony with mosquitoes.

* Get up early in the morning.

* Go to sleep early in the night.

* Dream of Living Alone.

Seven Things that attract me to the opposite sex.

* Eyes.

* Smile.
* Charm.
* Voice.

* Punctuality.

* Dressing Sense.

* Quick take filled with humor.

Seven Things I say most.

* Who the hell cares?

* Hello?

* Yaar.

* Screw it.

* Arrey.

* Who me?

* I am fine.

Seven Celebrity Crushes.

* Catherine Zeta Jones.

* Sushmita Sen.

* Meg Ryan.

* Julia Roberts.

* Shania Twain.

* Kylie Minouge.

* Ritu Beri.

Cricket: Ganguly and Team Selection.

I need to clear the air before readers of this post begin to assume things. Please don’t. This post isn’t about Ganguly not being selected and selection committee being parochial or partial. The issue of this post are quiet different.

Indian selectors aren’t exactly looking at performances.
Ganguly is not helping himself.

1. Indian selectors aren’t exactly looking at performances: The team selection is not the biggest issue although I am now baffled about Ganguly's exclusion. But I wish to cover that later. The team was announced last evening and I am stupefied and not happy with the timing of the selection. The team could have been announced after the tour match was wrapped up and we would have seen the performances of both batsmen and bowlers. I will put up the case of some players.

V.R.V. Singh: The big burly fast bowler, dubbed medium pacer on Indiatimes.com, did not do too much in the first innings and is slated to be in the squad. He will be lucky to be start in playing eleven. I don’t think this time around Nagpur pitch will be green in colour.
Wassim Jaffer: This is a characteristic of most Indian batsmen, getting out when ready to move on. He played a breeze knock of 48, got a start and then at the end of the day got out to last delivery of the day. I guess we have seen that. It isn’t a sign of things to come I hope. He will probably star in the playing eleven.
Piyush Chawla: Did not play this match. He might get a look in if the pitch is labelled “for spinners only”. He is a good talent though.The following are the players, which were left out of squad for first test.Munaf Patel: A counter balance to VRV Singh blasted the English and rattled them on a lively pitch and offering a decent bounce. His tally is six English wickets out of eleven, which have, fell until now.
Gautam Gambhir: He being an Indian batsman also has a seed of the characteristic already discussed. I think Gautam got real Gambhir after not being picked. He struck a strokeful 108.I think they both have done well. I think it would have hurt the selectors much if the team announcement with held for 48 hours. If they had done so the squad formed would have been, much more “performance” oriented. The players who did well with either bat or ball have not been rewarded with a test birth at least for the first test. They would be right if they feel let down.This is the end of my first argument.

2. Ganguly is not helping himself. : The maestro Sunil “Sunny” Gavaskar said to Ganguly not to think of retirement at 33. This would have been some words of solace, which would have been music to Ganguly’s ears. If Gavaskar thinks he still has enough to play for India again; which I am sure he will, then he shouldn’t be opting for a second opinion. The matter is not is Ganguly scores or not. I think it is the attitude thing. The players are not exactly appreciative of Ganguly’s behaviour or attitude off the arena. At least Freddie Flintoff isn’t. I read a point somewhere that he doesn’t have to be goody goody to everyone he meets. I think there is correction required here. One cannot be bad to people because no one is indispensable. Be good do good. Two, is it very hard to be good to people? This good bad is just his behaviour. He should be credited for giving opportunity to many of the players, which are the part of the team.He is not participating in the first class matches. What is the reason? Is it due to some “hidden” injury? If this is so, the selector did well not to select an injured player. Or is he too big a player? I hope this is not reason. Nobody is bigger then the game.
Sourav is not doing himself any good by not playing. If he plays, he has a chance of scoring some runs and compiles some creditable performances, which can pave the path for a comeback. If he doesn’t play much to the joy of his critics he has no chance to make a come back. I bet his detractors and critics will not be the one who will be complaining. If there is some sort of end of road for Ganguly, it is the captaincy. I don’t see him captaining the side for 2007 World Cup for which he has to be sure of his place in the side. A bitter pill is no more bitter, once it has been swallowed. It is a suggestion for people who still consider Ganguly to be the captain and see his stellar-now-archived records as a reason to be the part of the team. I think Dravid has done a fair job so far. I think he has enough in him to be at the helm of affairs as long as he remains consistent. He is in some sort of consistency in both forms for the past couple of seasons if not longer.

Blog: Once he was Invincible.

He was once Invincible. His posts were long but never sedate as things around him were written with vivid description and the snaps were nothing short of breath taking. I truly remember his snaps, which are buried somewhere in his “Archives”. It was joy to all to click on Invincible and see what was new. There often something new to read be it comments or post. There was a certain competition for being the “first” one to comment on his post. I remember having this pleasure just once long time back but those days when I hadn’t too many clues about working of blog-o-sphere.
His page was a directory of other people. Many of them are also amazing bloggers in their own right. But, Invincibile remains one of the dear blogger to all those who have ever been to his page. His comments, always worth reading and taught many a things about how to blog. His views on IIPM whipped up quiet some buzz around the blogging world. His thoughts on your post were unambiguous and often humorous. He was the first blogger I added to my YM. It was good to know we share similar views on cricket.
His page was updated last on the 12 of February 2006. There has been no trace of him in the blog-o-sphere for some time now. I hope the reason for his sudden disappearance are just trivial and unalmaring. At least we can hope it is this way.
Once he was Invincible but at least for now & hopefully not for long, he remains Inconsequential.

Cricket: Cricket everywhere.

There are ten cricket-playing nations out of which eight will be in display in upcoming series. Pakistan and Zimbabwe would be the only two teams not are playing any cricket. But all that glitters is no gold. There will be fixtures will be keenly fought. Then there few which wouldn’t be that exciting. One does know from previous experiences where the series of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would be heading. The same is true for West Indies tour of New Zealand.

English tour of India.
England vs. India is about to begin within a weeks time. The last time they played, they tied Tendulkar down and he was stumped for the first time. There was a huge cry over the tactics used by Nasser Hussein the then English captain. The B.C.C.I. twisted I.C.C.’s arm and made sure there were some menial changes in the game. The series ended in favour of the Indians but England fought back well in the series and posed threats to India many a times during the series. The India went to England, lost the first test. Tendulkar was again under pressure to perform. He did that again. India managed to level the third test played at Headingley. There were runs galore. Dravid after being bruised and battered hit a defiant 148. Ganguly (yes, I do remember) hit a fluent 120 something and tore Ashley Giles. Tendulkar blasted the bowling and hit a 170 odd. Then it was all Kumble show and India won that watch with an innings to spare. The also played well to draw the second and the fourth test. It was then Dravid started churning on hundreds and double hundreds. He hit a double century at the Oval, which was the highest record overseas for an Indian then.
It is now a new series. England won back the Ashes, which seems a long time ago now. They were beaten comprehensively on the Tour of Pakistan. There are statements flying all over the place. India should back there strengths and make a spinner friendly pitch. Then play three spinners. I am queuing up to see Kevin Pietersen and Vaughan. Trescothick is expected to score some runs. Andrew Strauss looks not to be the greatest player who has ever played the spinners. Collingwood should get a look in. The English have a tendency to collapse. There has always been this type of tendency. I mean imagine yourself watch England, they would be cruising and all of a sudden a brilliant bowling spell see England collapsing. This kind of situation is always on the cards. This time would be no different. There are six innings in three matches were England would be fighting to keep likes of Kumble and Harbhajan at bay let see how the series would unfold. The English bowlers are not particularly enjoying the Indian tour. The only things on their hands are tissue paper & antibiotics.
They may just be in to give Indians a few surprises.

Sri Lankan tour of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh won a match against Sri Lanka. It has equalized the series 1-1 and final match is yet to be played. I wonder if I will be surprised if Bangladesh will lose the series. Bangladesh was granted Test status by the I.C.C. It was not the best decision that they took. There is no fuss about it because I.C.C. is not known to take many wise decisions on its part. If Bangladesh keep winning as many times, as Tricolour is hoisted on the Red Fort I don’t see the game going anywhere. I hope there is a system is there in place where we get quality players who perform under the load of performances and things that go with it.The test series result is not a mystery to many. The like of Murali, Vaas and Jayasuriya are good enough to tilt the scale in favour of Sri Lanka. If Bangladesh is to win this series, I see Jayasuriya hanging his gloves.
Bangladesh is perhaps one of the greatest place to play but I am not sure if they are the greatest team to ever have played cricket.
Sri Lanka won the One Day series 2-1
They also lead the Test series 1-0

West Indies tour of New Zealand.
West Indies batsmen other then a certain Brian Lara look like Alice in Wonderland. The last time West Indies toured, they had an opening partnership of 285 to see West Indies collapse to 365 all out. There bowlers not have enough firepower to dislodge the Kiwi batting to win the series. The bowling doesn’t look threatening. I fail to recall West Indian bowlers apart from Mervyn Dillon and Correy Collymore. The Kiwi batting line up has some really good batsmen with like of Vincent, Flemming, Astle and all rounder like Brendon McCullum, Vettori and Styris. The bowling will rally around a Bond, Shane Bond. There could be some form of resistance from Sarwan and Gayle but one may not bet there life on them. They seem to “ready steady go and come back.”
To no ones suprise they have not won anything yet and have seen 4 defeats.

Australia’s tour of South Africa.
This is a return leg of Australia and South Africa. The Aussies won 2-0 against the Proteas in the last series when South Africa toured Australia. Ricky Ponting is in the form of his life. Is he a batsmen who will score or is it the bat? One thing Graeme smith can do is to borrow graphite-lined bat of Ricky Ponting may be Smith will start scoring again. The lack of variety in bowling as well as batting and a traditional vulnerability to the spinning ball poses the Proteas a major threat of a whitewash at home. If McGrath tours with the Aussies, then the series could be one side affair. The Aussies struggle to take wickets in absence of Warne and McGrath. There winning ratio is not the best in absence of McGrath or Warne.
There is no quality spinner in South Africa to test the Aussies. The seam bowling is good but in patches. Shaun Pollock should not be assumed to win this series alone. There is marked difference in the team led by Hansie Cronje. He led them brilliantly only to be caught up with match fixing scandal. The poor man had to pay for it with his life. The team has also new faces but are they good enough to stamp authority over Australia.
They will struggle in absence of McGarth.

* Edit on 2 March 2006

About: Getting Tagged Part A

R.P.M. tagged me. So here his Part-A of being tagged ,

Ten Years Ago.
- Studied in school.
- played all sorts of games.
- wondered about the internet.
- Began loving cricket.
- Entered “teens”.

Five Years Ago.
- was giving my twelfth board.
- watched every ball of Australia vs India at the Eden Gardens.
- Did not know where I would be heading.
- wondered about the internet.
- Had a long vacation.

Last One Year.
- Completed Engineering.
- Hooked on to blogging.
- Bid Adieu to friends of a life time.
- Spent lots of time, introspecting.
- Missed lots of people.

Yesterday.
- still don’t know where I would be heading.
- went shopping.
-Sat and completed this tag.
- Opened my book on Vedic Maths.
- Slept in the afternoon.

Five Things Planned for next 5 Years.
- Do a PG Course.
- get into a job.
- stick to blogging.
- Stand tall on my feet.
- May get married.

Five Yummy Things.
- Cold Coffee.
- Parathas.
- Swiss Miss (A Pastry).
- Chocolates.
- Ice Creams.

Five Songs I know by heart.
- When you are Gone – Bryan Adams.
- Raat ke ham-safar – Rafi and Asha.
- Mere Meheboob Qayamat – Kishore.
- Main Zindagi ka Saath - Rafi.
- Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams.

Five Things I'd do If I had Money.
- Invest.
- Donate.
- Start a radio station.
- Buy books.
- Travel.

Places I Escape To.
- blogging.
- sleep.
- books.
- garden.
- songs.

TV Shows.
- Click - BBC.
- Biography – History Channel.
- Discover Showcase.
- Drew Carrey Show.
- Imagination - BBC.

Five Things I Can't Live Without.
- My Family.
- Oxygen.
- Cricket.
- tv.
- Laughter.

Five Things I Can Live Without.
- Hypocrites.
- Inequality.
- jealousy.
- backbiters/manipulators.
- Bad Memories.

Five Favourite Ethnic Cuisines.
- Desi Fast food (Chaat, Samosas etc)
- Italian.
- Chinese.
- Mongolian.
- Ethiopian.

Five best places to visit.
- Spiti.
- Prague.
- Mauritius.
- Arctic Circle.
- Leh.

About: Murder suspects & acquittals.

There are institutions in India, which makes feel proud as an Indian. However, there is a gradual decrease in these institutions. Our country’s judiciary today is included to the every growing list of Institutions, which we will frown upon, look down upon with suspicion and fear. It is a sad to know Manu Sharma prime accused of Jessica Lal’s murder case was acquitted today. I guess, “It happens only in India” well if it does then, I have started feeling for my life and a fear for those who are like me as well.
It was some seven years back. It was a some odd party night. A drunkard a.k.a. Manu Sharma, a son of a man who’s a big shot in political circles,( namely a former Union Minister) was out having a nice time. He partied hard some where was seemingly high on spirits. He goes to a bar. It was about midnight. He asks the bartender for a drink. The bartender late Ms Jessica Lal politely says “Man times up, no more drinks” She couldn’t have imagines that these words would have to be said at the cost of here life. Manu Sharma cool calm and collected take out some gun and shoots Jessica Lal at point blank range. There were hundreds of people there socialites models press people etc present there. In seven years time many of them turned hostile. The law was twisted and tweaked to give justice to a man accused of murder.
Circa 20 February 2006, Manu Sharma is acquitted of all charges. There is no doubt that there was Manu Sharma on the spot. There is no doubt that he fired the shot. There is no doubt Jessica Lal was murdered. Who killed her, if Manu Sharma didn’t? The formerly prime accused is out there again probably high on spirits and probably a gun in his possession.

Moral of the story: If you have the money and power, then you don’t have to fear the law.

Blog: Help Emotions

This is a post to help a member of Blog'Sphere.I am very much obliged to help Emotions. Emotion's blog page is not opening. The proable reason could be not saving the template.
Emotions don't worry. Just do as follows and try to see if your blog page is up and running.

1. Go to Blogger.com login to your Dashborad.
2. You have two blogs, so select the blog which is not working.
3. Check to see if you have previous posts there.
4. Next, go to templates, Select a new Template (You could use the same template if u wish to).
5. Click on "Save Template" and "Republish" the whole thing.
6. View Blog to see your blog page again.

:-)

Also try help at Blogger

Second Edition:
Emotions has got its page up and running now.Welcome back.

Cricket:Pakistan Blue washed

This was as comprehensive series win, as any one will wish to see. The one against Sri Lanka was a bit one sided. Pakistan in Pakistan is a different story. The Pakistan team toured India in 2005; they managed to drawn the test series. In the O.D.I.s India won the first two matches and Pakistan came back from behind to clinch the series. We know Pakistanis are good host. India after losing the Karachi Test and first ODI came back from behind to clinch the series 4-1.
It was a weird day of cricket. I thought India did miss a few tricks by starting with Zaheer and Agarkar. I don’t thing Agarkar prefers the white new ball much. He is a very good first change bowler and I have seen him controlling the scoring rate whenever he is bought on as a first change. Zaheer looks out of thoughts and out of sorts. I would like to seem him charge towards the crease and attack stumps. He has the uncanny ability to generate bounce from seemingly nowhere. I think he has to borrow a leaf from Tendulkar. He asked ESPN STAR after the Karachi Test to give him tapes of the innings he played between 1996 and 1998. We all know what happened in the innings that followed. I think he also do the same and get tapes when he was at his best. I think that will help a lot. He seems very cautious while coming into bowl. I think he was a bit unlucky today. Sree Santh did well to cleanup the top order. Ramesh Powar did well to nip Inzamam. He looks threatening even he doesn’t has a bat in his hand. Younis Khan and Mohd. Younis did well to strike a chord and make some runs. Better late then never. There is a very good use of the short ball which cleaned up Razzaq and other Pakistani batsmen. India fielded brilliantly and took whatever came there way. India for know seem to be have specialist fielders like Yuvraj, Kaif, Raina, Agarkar. These guys are very swift and very good.
I must say that the start of Indian innings was as soporific as any one would imagine. But what it did was to provide a very good platform to attack a daunting total like 287. No, mean task this. India was neck to neck with Pakistanis score at most junctures. How successful is, Dravid as a captain is shall be seen but he is a very brave captain. I think people should not only learn from own mistake but they should take lessons from others mistake too. Ganguly seemed wanting here often. Dravid is different though. He did put on a valiant effort on opening in all the test series as well as the last O.D.I. It is a decisive statement which makes it clear that who is the captain. He is not only leading the front by leading the front from the front. This is a striking feature.
In absence of Tendulkar and Sehwag both very attacking players, Dravid opted to open. He stood there like a wall blunted Pakistani bowling. He along with Gambhir also played some scintillating shots. Gambhir still has to be more Gambhir about his shot selection. The shot on which he was dismissed was a very forgettable one. India managed to cross the hundred-run mark some where between the 22nd and 24th over. Then Dravid was dismissed with more than half the runs still required to be score. The Dhoni show was still to start. The Indians where never too bothered to keep a tab on the required run rate. When the Indians entered into slog overs, the wickets in hand were 8 so was the required run rate. Then the Dhoni show started. There was some brilliant hitting. They also took on the fielders by virtually placing shots straight into their hands and stealing singles and twos on will. The Pakistani fielding was deplorable and seemed to have slipped into chaos mode. There were miss fields for fours, over throws and catches were spilled. India wasn’t complaing as the required run rate began descending after Dhoni and Yuvraj put the Pakistan bowling to sword. The inexperience showed and India never ever looked out of contention. There was only one way this match was going. It was nice to seeing some attacking fielding and running. I think the only bone of contention is quality in the fast bowling department. Which might be under a hammer if and when we have to defend a target?
India managed a run chase successfully for 13th time on a row. Impressive I must say. It was fun to see Tendulkar getting drinks for Dhoni and Yuvraj. Rameez Raja dubbed him as the most successful twelfth man. Pakistan was BLUE washed. The friendship series ended with Pakistan winning the Test series and India winning the O.D.I.s.

Cricket: Indians are chasing the goose, again.

India wins the toss and elects to field first. A good toss to win, I hope. The just into it’s 13 over and I am up again trying to compile my thoughts on which may the game may go. Pathan managed a customary break through. This time it wasn’t Butt, it was Kamran Akmal, was gobbled up by Suresh Raina. I think it was a blinder. Then I saw a very neat catch by Rahul Dravid. He being consistent in his stroke play as well as scoring run is also consistent with his slip catching. I think Azhar was a very superlative slip fielder but Dravid is as good as a slip fielder as any. One can add Stephen Fleming, Brian Lara, Shane Warne, in that list of current cricketers. Not all of these play both form of the game. It is after a very long time that I have seen just 26 runs scored after the first 10 overs. I am however interested to see how many runs do Pakistan plunders in the last 10.
They have the most prolific finisher in the form of Abdur Razzaq. He is very big hitter and has penchant for fast bowling at the death. I am sure he will make it count today as well. There are other like him though Kevin Pietersen (England), Justin Kemp and Mark Boucher (South Africa), Yuvraj, Dhoni and Kaif (India), Russel Arnold (Sri Lanka), Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey (Australia) and Brendon McCullum (New Zealand).They are all power hitters but they are also supremely good runners (except Razzaq I think). This makes actually look forward to the 2007 World Cup.
Indians, will they be 12 time lucky? At this moment no one is complaining about India is chasing. They have done well in the last 11 games. They need to do it again. At present from 24-1 to 39-4 not exactly, a dream start. The problem with Pakistan seems to be that their specialist batsmen are still in heady dreams if their Test performances. They played and played and played sometimes as boring (for me) as the Duracell Ad. I think they have to realize that this is the One Day. I hope they do it now as the series is about to wrap up. I think it is not over yet. In one-day games, things happen before anyone knows. India is playing to the gallery of Pakistan, by bowling excessive wides and no balls. Not a good sign. There can suddenly be a partnership or a bowling spell, which suddenly turns around things. Dhoni along with Yuvraj did it in the last match India played. Inzamam is a very good player and come soon good anytime. He can pile up huge amounts of agony in double quick time. At least Rameez Raja seems to be content with the way Pakistan is playing in this match.
Indians know they have to get this match in the kitty. But it isn’t going to be that way. Indians are poor finishers of the game and Pakistan being mercurial can just turn on the things unexpectedly. The end of Pakistani innings will be a thing to watch out. The onus is again in the experienced hands of Tendulkar and Dravid. It is one of those matches where the mind vacillates between hope and reality. When hope and reality are on the same side it is celebration. Is this match a celebration or will it be a Pakistani comeback?
I am not sure I will be surprised if Pakistanis win this one.
(This post will be edited tomorrow afternoon. The result will be know already.).

Part II Was it really a goose chase?

Pakistan meekly surrenderedto India in the fourth game.It was sad because India vs Pakisatan have tended to be a life or death affair. The heads of the losing captains have often been axed when they lose a series. It is always said "Be sure of what you want, you might just get it" thats the case. Everyone wanted more Indo-Pak matches and now matches have lost any zing there ever was.
India played well to beat Pakistan on Pakistan. Pakistanis have a very "good" team on paper. The problem here is the game of cricket is not played on paper.There is something called as "performance" which needs to be ploughed in so that your mettle comes out shining. This has not been the case with Pakistan. I feel sorry for them. On the brighter note India won them fare and square in Pakistan own backyard and turn the tables after a disimal performance in a the first innings of the third test which cost them the test series. They fought back hard played some really resourceful and enterprising cricket to set up the series win.
It was a brilliant bowling performance to clinch the series along with the match. Sree Santh looked really jubliant after being rewarded for some tidy bowling since the last match. He is a good prospect but we as cricket fans are looking forward to having a bowler which can attack the batsmen for the period on next five years. There is a strong case for bringing on the Srinath as a bowling coach. I think he was brilliant when he retired. I think it might just help.
So it was Sree Santh and Pathan who opened the bowling and did well top rattle the top order. It was all down hill then. They only threatening partenership was nipped in the bud by R.P. Singh with ther batsmen already under the hammer he bowled on onside of the wicket and was rewarded with a four wicket hall. Irfan came back to mop up the tail. Tendulkar is the bowler who Inzamam fears the most. Tendulkar has dismissed Inzamam seven times now.
From Inzamam to Tendulkar. It is amazing how Tendulkar follows a string of not-so-good scores with a huge score and a string of huge scores folowed poor score. He has done it all the time in his international career. We praise him when it is the first case and he is deemed (T)Endulkar for the second. We will leave Tendulakar here. Gautam Gambhir has to think about his batting in a Gambhir way. Dravid has been so consistent. He made sure that there were no cats among the pigeons and pilled up a half century.He is close to 9000 runs in ODI can you believe it?Yuvraj was an able comapnion in the partnership. Yuvraj cannot put a foot wrong at this point in time.
The player of concern of Kaif. I think he should be placed up the order prefarably one down. It is imperative for a batsmen to have scores behind him to get a selection. While every one seems to be scoring runs Kaif just has 13 runs against his name in four matches. It is not a good sign for an important series coming up against England.

Winning is the only thing. I realised this last night when I was watching the telly last night even the weather desk was discussing the win over Paksitan rather then tell us what will the sunshine look like today. The Indian team has the Greatest Coach* the Greatest Captain* and the Greatest Player.Nothing succeeds like success and nothing fails like failure.
Other than that "Nothing else matters."
* Scenario may change in course of time.

About: Whats in & Whats out?

In. (read this list first) 1. Appreciative Attitude. 2. Birthday Parties. 3. Bread Toast and Butter. 4. Broad Band. 5. Caps. 6. Casual Shoes. 7. Clear and Crisp Mornings.* 8. Comedy Shows. 9. Dean Jones. 10. Decisiveness. 11. Doing Duties. 12. February 2006. 13. Freedom of Speech. 14. iPod/MP 3 Player. 15. Jeans with Patches. 16. Just do it. 17. Long Hair. 18. Nitish Kumar. 19. Orange Juice. 20. Programmes on BBC. 21. Martina Hingis. 22. Radio. 23. Rahul Dravid. 24. Rang De Basanti. 25. Rediff.com 26. Retro sexual. 27. Sachin Tendulkar’s form. 28. Social Humour. 29. Summer.* 30. Sun Glasses. 31. Star One. 32. Swami Ramdev. 33. Year on Year Reports. 34. Yoga.

Out. 1. Bitter Pills. 2. Brinda Karat 3. Casual Attitude. 4. Circumspection. 5. Cheese Sandwhich. 6. December 2005. 7. Dial Up. 8. Dry Skin. 9. ESPN-STAR. 10. Formal Shoes. 11. Fundamentalism. 12. Hazy Mornings.* 13. Hot Coffee. 14. Indifferent Attitude. 15. Indiatimes.com 16. Laloo Prasad Yadav. 17. Quilts. 18. Saas Bahu Series. 19. Saurav Ganguly. 20. Sensationalism. 21. Short Hair Cut. 22. Shouting for Rights. 23. Mangal Pandey The Rising. 24. Maria Sharapova. 25. Metro sexual. 26. Mufflers. 27. Sachin Tendulkar’s critics 28. Television. 29. Torn Jeans near Ankles. 30. Vindictive Humour 31. Walkman. 32. Wedding Dinner Parties 33. Winters.* 34. Yearly Projections.

* Local Conditions.

About: St Valentine's Day

If ever one wished to see how love looked like, it would not have looked any diffrent from this.

A solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time.

Wishing a very Happy St. Valentine's Day to one and all.

Cricket: India in a wild goose chase.

Pakistan 288 / 8
Abdur Razzaq just battered my wishes on an easy Indian victory in Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore. He played a good hand of over run a ball and dashed the bowling figures of all the bowlers. Shoaib Mallik having come close to hitting a century no the last two innings managed to cross the “nervous nineties” syndrome. Sachin called in to bowl did a good job. Zaheer Khan provided much required impetus to the Pakistani inning with last ten overs yielding 93 runs. Pakistani team have been traditionally flayed all type of bowling in the “slog” overs. It was turn of Indian bowling today. The ground fielding was brilliant same cannot be said about the catching.
The famed Indian batting line up will be under pressure. Sehwag is out with a shoulder injury. Gautam Gambhir is a competent opening bat. The might of Tendulkar and perseverance of Dravid need to over-come the never-ending respite of Pakistani bowling.
The onus is now with the famed Indian batting line up. I hope they come good. There are few other players who, are very good at this format of the game. They all need to pull up their socks. The toss, which Dravid won took my memories two weeks back when he won the toss on a bowling wicket and then lost the match. I hope it is not the same this time.
There will be a full update if the watch. The Indian inning is to begin as I write off this post.

Part II. India chase the wild goose.

The match is now over as I sit to write this. I did not “see” the match but followed it on Rediff. Gautam Gambhir sadly missed out. He played onto the stumps. It was a fulfilled stuff. The Indian innings wasn’t the best start one will ever see.After Gambhir was sent packing, in walked Pathan at Gadaffi Stadium Lahore.Pathan got a “stinger” bouncer. He gloved it and showed he is a decent batsman.One has to be a decent batsman to edge those. The walk out of the park looked sad and called for some cautious defensive batsmanship.He and Tendulkar put their heads down and got a solid partnership going. Dravid misjudged a run and saw his stumps being broken followed by a red signal from the third umpire declaring his innigs over.The innings played by Dravid did not show much in terms of runs score but he got a partnership going. He has now been run-out for thirtieth time.Tendulkar meanwhile looked in no hurry as he weaved, ducked, and left some deliveries and made sure that there is a good chance. The Pakistani bowled well at the start but when things eased out Indians looked in control. Shoaib Akhtar was dearly missed.I think those who said Endulkar need to some out say a big sorry and swear never to write off people like Tendulkar. This innings wasn’t as flashy as he played one in 2003 World Cup against Pakistan with India chasing a score of nearly equal magnitude. The quality is strokes never the less pristine. He looked sure to get his fortieth hundred before being dismissed for 95. It is sad but it is end of stories of Endulkar. I don’t think that person won’t be enjoying seeing Tendulkar in good form.
Yuvraj Singh entered when Dravid had to exit. He never looked out of touch. He really played well and reduced pressure on Tendulkar. I saw a few Pakistani bowlers getting under Tendulkar’s skin. I am very glad they did it and made sure he played a determined innings. Yuvraj is very good under the situation in which he came in. He is a very good runner and a brilliant striker. There was a chance when Pakistan got Tendulkar and Kaif in a matter of an eyewink. In walked Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He is super cool at the moment and cannot put a foot wrong. He smashed them all over Gaddaffi Stadium 72* (46 b 13 fours). He made sure that he finished the game. President Pervez Mushraff was also impressed.
There is a cause of concern however. It is the form of Kaif. He has been not amongst the runs in International cricket. I think he should be the one down batsman in the next two O.D.I.s His form is crucial. He is a decent enough batsman to cover the specialist one down position. It will be good to see him among runs.
The curtains of this match came down with applause for Mahendra Singh Dhoni show. He deservedly got the man of the match. India came home with 5 wickets and couple of overs still to be bowled. The series is still not over and Pakistan will make it sure that it wont be over in the next match. They would want to make sure the test Indians thoroughly before the series is over. I think India should continue to play in the same vein and play to win the series in the next match.

Cricket: Moin haunts the spirit.

The batsman Inzi stops the ball hurled his way with he being out of crease. He violated a law of cricket, the fielders appealed; the umpires consulted and gave him out. Where is the question of hurting the spirit of the game? They did not push Inzi put of the ground nor did they bashed the two umpires and made sure they upheld the appeal. There was a violation of a rule and Inzi paid the price for it by getting dismissed, simple. After all, everything had been done in accordance with the rules, regulations and laws already laid down. I see nothing that violates the spirit of the game. Would he have raised the same question if a Tendulkar, a Dravid, or any Indian batsmen were to be given out in that way? The one and the obvious answer is, No. I thought this is India vs. Pakistan. Not a quarter asked neither a quarter is given.
Moin Khan said that the Indian’s appeal against Inzi’s run out was against the spirit of the game of cricket. Then my mind tried to trace back a few synonyms for the word spirit. I also consulted a dictionary. I found the words that could replace the word spirit, courage, guts, moral fibre, chi, soul, ghosts, phantom and lastly alcohol. Did he intend to talk about the spirit linked to spiritualism or was it more intent to ghost, ghouls and phantoms or towards alcohol or something similar. I thought he would be last person talking about the “spirit” of the game in the spiritual sense. Mr Moin Khan, those who live in a glasshouse should make sure that they change their clothes behind curtains. I am still eager to know what he thought of Shoaib Malik kicking the ball away, on intent in order to avoid a run out that was to me against the spirit of the game. I think he is still mum on this issue. I am sure that he wasn’t watching cricket when Akhtar was hurling beamers and abuses on Indian batsmen after being pulled hooked and driven all over the cricket park. There are lot many issues and I am sure there are many skeletons and spirits (here, ghosts) locked in memories of Moin Khan when he played against India. I remember just one thing of when it comes to Moin Khan. It was the way Tendulkar bowled him between his legs in the last test he played. I wish I could find a clip of that it is an amazing piece of cricket dismissal.
Moin Khan you are still not on that pedestal where people talk about ethics, principles, spirit (here moral fibre) so cool it and watch the game.
I am sure Moin Khan was under the influence of some sort of spirit (here alcohol or ghosts whichever applicable) when he questioned Dravid’s intent over his dismissal. I love the way Dravid bats. He is amazingly consistent. He has been the scriptwriter for saving and winning many a Test matches. He is no longer in a shadow of Tendulkar. I love the way he keeps his head high and makes sure his integrity never stumbles. I am not saying that Dravid has been free of controversies. I do remember he declaring Tendulkar at 198* but I would stick to him on that.

About: Chicken Manchurian or Chicken Tandoori?

Courtesy: The Hindu.

The competition is as hot as the next wild MMS or the television screen when Mallika Sherawat dressed in bits and pieces is aired. The bulls scaled the peak of magical 10 K on the B.S.E. Sensex, which seems to be of same chronological importance as that of Hillary (not Clinton) and Tenzing scaling the Everest. There is India - China everywhere you turn your head. It is on the corner Chinese thela selling chicken fried rice or Szechwan rice giving run for the money to the next vendor selling zaffrani chicken biryani. The competition is between the latest Chinese spring dosa versus the traditional masala dosa along with coconut chutney and onion rasam. However, the Tandoori Chicken and Aloo Paratha beat the shit out of chicken lollypop and spring roll. There are more tea, fruits and vegetables grown then number of pencil cells made in China. We have more engineers being educated but the literacy rate is more there. The building in which you live is built on principles of Vaastu Shastra and your workplace is designed by keeping in mind laws of Feng Shui.
This is just a common day scenario. There will be more and more of this as we (India-China) gets more and more attention. The oldest civilizations are shining in the new light and coming fore on the world stage. There is a demand for UNSC here while a WTO membership to China is recently granted. There will be more things to consider when Chinese and Indian companies venture in world for bid to take over companies in Europe and Americas. There was one when Chinese company took over Kazakh oil with Indian company not given a chance to re-bid the tender. It was then CNOOC (Chinese National Oil Company) being rejected to take over UNOCAL (an American Company). There is similar scene with L.N. Mittal bidding for Arcelor. There is a huge debate over debt relief and subsidy in WTO. There are few articles on the site Project Syndicate. The world is until date is certainly not as flat as Thomas Friedman suggested in “The World is Flat”. It is an amazing book if you want to know.

What it is about India and China?
What is Apache?
How does Dell work?
Who is Linus Torvalds?

It also tells you everything about the Internet you ever wanted to know.
It is deemed an Asian century. The USA making sure they pull all the strings at the right time with calling for more human rights in China and a better environment for investment in India, using both as counter weight to each other. When they do this, they make sure the Dollar never looses its lustre. The “Tiger” economies are licking their wounds. They seem to be in awe of the Asian Elephants.
Then imagine a GDP groth of 9% to that of may be a 4.5% pver the period of tweny year I think it may count. They started there process of reforms way back in seventies. There is a clear head start. When they started reforms Indira Gandhi was busy nationalising banks. We still have strikes all over the place when airports are privatized. There was a strike called even assurances over no job loss. Why was there was a strike called in Kolkatta airport when only Delhi and Mumbai airport were privatized? There are no chapters in history text books in primary schools, which throw light on events after 15 August 1947.
There is opposition to anything that is to be done here. The rights are emphasised while the duties are pass to the person standing behind. Jana Gana Mana is the National anthem and people are surprised to know that Vande Matram (soon to be replaced by Kajra Re) is the national song. The Made in Foreign tag is being replaced by a better quality and cheaper “Made in India” brand. There is however one upper hand we still have. We have produced more Ms. Universe and Ms. World then Chinese women. However, I think these beauty pageants are going to take place in China for the period of next 5 years.
The question in my mind is, “Is China a threat” or is it just in my head? I see a lot of these similarities.I wish to know more. Do you mind taking dig at the following?

Chicken Tikka vs Chicken Manchurian.
Chicken Biryani vs Chicken Fried Rice.
Chinese Spring Dosa vs Masala Dosa.
Vaastu Shastra vs Feng Shui .
Services vs Manufacturing.
Vedic Maths vs Abacus.
Mumbai vs Shanghai.
Subash Ghai vs John Woo.

Sunny Deol vs Jackie Chan. *
Made in India vs Made in China.

Multi Party Democracy vs Single Party Communism.

* Sebia's suggestion.

Cricket: Searching a Bowling Talent

The cause of worry is bowlers. The current Indian team lacks a top notch bowler. The MRF "Pace" foundation has been drawing criticisms too.I think bring on supers-sub was like going on the back to a full pitch half volley. I think not using Tendulkar as a part time spinner is hurting India. I think of him as a genuine leg spinner. There is such a variety in him.The game of cricket is so unpredictable, often it is a question of one wicket only. There was a collapse with Tendulkar try to reverse sweep an off-break bowler. Then all the momentum was with Pakistan and luckily they managed to pull this one off.
There should be an urgency to fing a genuine tear away fast bowler.Then a spinner who has some control. These two bowlers should have in them what it takes to keeruns runs to minimum against best batsmen in bussiness.
Keep Tendulkar on the field. He is very vital.

Cricket: Humble Pie served from Peshawar.

It is not Endulkar it is TENDULKAR. The T stands for Tonnes he has scored, 39 in all next best being 23. It is Endulkar of certain bullshit in the minds of experts, writers, and spectators who had made sure that it is over for Tendulkar. I just have two things to say which is what cricket or that matter anything in life is all about.
It is never over until it is over.
The class is permanent and form is temporary.
He started cautiously and Pathan again. He scored 65 at run a ball. It was good going as Asif gave away hardly anything. Then Dhoni too struggle it out in the middle. Yuvraj Singh is a very good finisher. I prefer Kaif at three down followed by Dravid and then Yuvraj. The reason being Kaif has better technique and needs time to settle down. The new role of Dravid following down the order is a sensible one as it provides solidity in the middle and Yuvraj is a very good finisher in the ODI.
I think Pakistan pulled it back at the death Indians did not quiet manage to bat Pakistan out of the match. I think it is going to be leather chase for long. Indians have to manage a long Pakistani batting line up. My cause of concern is Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal. Inzamam not being in best of health might struggle. There is always a chance with Mohammed Yousuf who either gets LBW or causes a run out.
Indians have scored runs so will the Pakistani. It is a run-filled carnival with bowling being battered to all parts of the ground.
There was a lot of dissension on Tendulkar. I hope people enjoy the humble pie served from Peshawar. He has baked his critics from a century and I hope he has enjoyed the meal.

About: Rang De Basanti

This weekend threw up an opportunity to see a movie. I had the good fortune of getting the tickets to Rang De Basanti. This movie was far better than last Aamir movie namely Mangal Pandey, The Rising which I thought was more about low neck blouses in the background of Indian Mutiny of 1857. This movie once again underlined the acting prowess of an Aamir Khan. All the other actors supported the movie wonderfully. Madhvan had a guest appearance along with Waheeda Rehman, Anupam and Kirron Kher and Om Puri. Ok Kirron Kher was a supporting actor.
The first half of the movie was all about care free, what I call funky-groovy-jazzy stuff. Aamir Khan was looking closer to 25 at the age of 40 than I do at 23. All the hoop-halla was covered well. I think people (include me also) do need to wake up. The few scenes which stood out of a propose by Madhvan to Soha the antics of Aamir, Sharmaan Joshi. The other guy was busy throwing away cigarette stub in disgust. Then there was an interview scene of people in a college. Vaande Mataram in a squeaky voice was the one which stood out. Gautam Kapoor’s get up is the get up to be in. Long hair and a stylish beard, cool I m must say. The song to play to were the title track Rang De Basanti and Rubaru not to forget Maasti ki Paathshaala. The movie then is headed so an obvious turn. There is again a death in the “Flying Coffin” also known as MiGs on the Indian Air Force.
The second half of the movie is all about making a baboon realize a mistake of calling a professional Indian Air Force pilot as careless and mean. It is then that cast of movie decided to do that something is done and something is really done. Then they decide that whatever had been done; had to be acknowledged as well. Then the movie goes into an emotional mode after that. The heroes were slain. The victory claimed. Should the fact that end is pretty parallel to Gladiator must be considered as a ‘coincidence’ only?    
There was some technical stuff in the movie some C.G.I. † (Computer Generated Images) the flying Jets and Jet stream looked neat along with blast of a plane.  The most thrilling seen was collage of flash back and real story in real time. Man that was some doing. The music is very good, neatly done by A.R. Rahman. He is always up to something. The songs are good and in harmony with the pace and mood of the movie. This movie is in the same league as Dil Chahta Hai, Yuva, very youthful very energetic.
The movie made me think as to what happen first the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre or the train loot at Kakori Station. I think it was Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre first then the train loot.
Bryan Adams played in the city of Mumbai. I hope there were bloggers there to cover the maestro live. I hope I too get a chance too see him playing live. I know I will because like him I too will be 18 Till I Die……..

About: The last novel that I read.

Name: “The ODESSA File”
Author: Frederick Forsyth.

Forsyth known for writing novels based on espionage and spies and the background is often the era of cold war. The stories are gripping and the list of characters often very long. This one for me was very interesting, as the novel kept on moving forward in a straight line. There were twists in the tale but the phenomenon of beating round the bush was absent.
The acronym ODESSA stands for Organisation Der Ehemaligen SS-Angehorigen the English translation for this is Organization of the former member of SS. The plot is based on holocaust. The protagonist is Peter Miller. Peter is a swanky, freelance journalist based in a Hamburg. The plot moves on and the hero gets a diary of a holocaust survivor.
He holocaust survivor painful wrote whatever he had to go through in an endeavour to find the man in charge of his concentration camp. Then Peter decides to bring people to justice. He meets people all over Europe and then forges himself to be a former SS guard.
The ODESSA helps former Nazi officials to change identities in order to escape from the hands of Justice Department set up by the Allies. This department looks into clues and where about of Nazi officials who were guilty of Holocaust atrocities. The ODESSA meanwhile is hell bent on destroying the state of Israel by helping countries like Egypt in gathering nuclear warheads. It has recruited some scientist that will help Egypt. The ODESSA is impregnable and Peter vows to break through it. He is indirectly helped by Israeli authority.
The tale then goes on describing the world of Espionage. Then how the hero wages a lone battle and brings people to justice. The end of the novel is what I loved the most. I would rate it 4 on 5.

Cricket: Blame Game. Find your scapegoats.

Thee, a former cricketer? Then thou shalt criticise. There is a tremendous influx of expert cricketers on news channels quizzing Tendulkar form, Ganguly’s mental make up Dravid’s defensive captaincy. God, nothing as fickle as comments made in media. They hardly make a difference to anything worthwhile. The blame game started as soon as Indian Team meekly surrendered to Pakistani team. Pakis have won a series at home against Indian for the first time in nineteen years. It was another overseas series defeat for Indians. The chief reason was India has not toured there for seventeen years.
I would like to cite a recent history. There is a player in the Indian team by the name of Virender Sehwag. Every cricket reporter as after him saying that he hasn’t played a long inning for a long while. I don’t think Sehwag said much about it. He went to Pakistan. The Pakistani welcomed Indians by posting 679 in the first inning of the first Test. Sehwag still did not say a thing about his form. He went and smashed 254 runs and flayed the Pakistani attack along with Captain Rahul Dravid. Television channels said thank you very much and suddenly there was a new batting star that by the way he hadn’t made much runs last year. “Sehwag slams double century” a cheerful red lipstick loaded face said on the Prime Time “news” channel.
The match ended in a draw. The pitch was a dead one. The pitch for the second Test was too a dead one. The batsmen queued up and tonked bowlers all over the ground. The Indians were in a spot of bother before Dhoni and Pathan rescued Indians who batted to enforce a draw.
Then came the third test and pitch reports said it was a lively pitch. Who knew this lively pitch would be the reason of the undoing? Dravid would not have believed his luck when he won the toss for once. Pakistan forced to bat and within an over into the match the scoreboard read three down for no runs. I am sure some daggers would be out for Woolmer but then a tremendous century by Kamran Akmal. He is an awesome player and never looked worried. Neither the bowlers looked threatening.
Pakistan managed a decent score of 245. It was then that Indian Team had a chance for once to show their mettle but they were reduced at 74-4. There was a little hope then too. But when I saw the score at 169-7 I knew where this match was headed. Pakistanis hammered 599 with all there batsmen having a gala time at what had turned into a batsmen paradise.
I had a hearty laugh when Invincible (a very good blogger) wrote something to the similar effect to “why Indian batsmen struggle on a batting pitch and Indian bowlers on a bowling pitch?”
The world of sport is not always about winning. It is always about competing, giving a challenge, holding fort and catching the bull by its horns. I think there were a few things which could have been done.

• We should stop playing three left hand bowlers at the same time. I think one is good enough other two are not quiet there. No matter what.


• The sense of patience is lost among players.


• There is too much predictability and too little a pace to unsettle any batsmen.


• Find FAST bowlers. They should make the batsmen sweat and hurry the opposition’s batsmen into a false stroke or weave under a surprise bouncer.


• Spinners never looked like taking wickets.


• There were players like Sehwag, Tendulkar and Yuvraj who, for some reason were not bowled long enough.


• The selectors would select a squad of 14 only. Jaffer, Gambhir, Prathiv were also members of touring party I believe. I am sure that the enjoyed Pakistani hospitality completely.


• The rotating policy of rotating only a certain players is a head spinner itself. There should be directive as to the player who would have to sit out.


• The out of form player should be given rest to come back to form.

There is only one thing I that as an avid cricket fan I would like to quote.
“The form is temporary and class is permanent.”
This is true for Ganguly who would not play much before English tour of India. This episode is now posing threat to Saas-Bahu and K-series serials as a non-ending episode.
Tendulkar and certainly not Endulkar.
I pray that he batters Pakistani bowlers. I just wish he plays, like the way he did in 2003 World Cup. He shredded their bowling attack to pieces. He can do so again. I would prefer see him cut loose and play as if he has never ever played before. Then I would like to note what does the news channel say Endulkar or Tendulkar? The same was said for Lara and check out Lara’s record for last few seasons he has but to sword each bowler that he has faced.
It is now Tendulkar’s time to turn on a similar page in his career. He has nothing to loose.
The One Day Internationals are yet to start. India will do well to fight that out.