Today is blog,a day to celebrate for everyone who claim to be not chained by by limitations that life seem to have have set us into. One of the more therapeutic things to do. I have some blog friends who are so close to me,I bet they would give me what is correct for me. There is lot of empathy for all you bloggers. There are few who have broken the grass ceiling and now real good friends. I feel a tad sad when a few (erst while) regular bloggers dont blog anymore,but then there is a hope which suggest perhaps they would turn back the time and may be start blogging again.
Happy Blog Day every one.
(Second edit a must)
31.8.10
20.8.10
Cricket: Bowlers bake it Sehwag takes it.
India won the match but that didn’t quiet made it to the headlines, Sehwag played a controlled and most infamous 99s in the recent history, as recent as a test inning in which he was duped and stumped on 99 and that day Randiv was the victor and Sehwag was foxed. It is not the revenged that he sought.
They actually set it up.
Poor Indian bowlers have drawn a lot of flak, much of it would have been unnecessary and in much excess. Praveen Kumar has a happy knack of picking wickets early in the innings. He looks innocuous when he runs in to bowl. It is the after effect of his deliveries that the batsman feels sheepish and Praveen Kumar knows he has got one more wicket. Praveen rocked the Lankan top order and literally set the tone for whole match right from the first ball of the match. He claimed Upul Tharanga’s off stump and any worthy left hand batsman would have found himself failing to guard against that particular delivery. It is one delivery any batsman would have nightmare facing. It swung away late, opened up Tharanga beat him for pace, bounce, swing and crashed into his off stump, all of this is in a split second, marvellous.
Nehra too has a knack of picking wickets right at the top,this meant Lankans had to work very hard to post a decent total, with Jayawardene and Sanga not coming to party, Indian bolwers kept tightening the noose, as wickets kept falling from a poor start to an ordinary finish.
Dilshan did his bit, but definitely, his aura is not as daunting as it use to be. He scratched and tried to hold on the innings together, but he looked patchy at best. He scrapped along but kept scoring and fell to Ojha. There was this partnership but with much loss of early wickets and indifferent batting display, Lankans were out for less than impressive 170. Ravindra Jadeja took wickets, so I assume it was a bowler friendly pitch. Jadeja has to be there in the playing XI for some unknown, reason, don’t want to see him screwing up any more, I dope selectors would give Indian team a breather if Jadeja is dropped.
Indian batsmen - almost did it again.
The absence of Gambhir, Tendulkar & Yuvraj can obviously been there must be seen by all opposing teams. I still believe there is scope for Dravid at number four or five. But I don’t think he would be back in the ODI fold anymore. It was amazing how well he use to partner along with the likes of Yuvraj and Kaif and finish so many tight matches. He may not have scored big, but his calming influence in grooming a few youngsters simply cannot be denied. His influence seems to be missing especially if you look at the great absurd aka Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli and Raina would only improve if they have a mentor like Dravid to bat along with while they are in the middle of the pitch scoring runs, taking matches to a favourable result. The wickets seems to be falling like nine pins, Karthik who should be keeping was out, nothing against him though, Virat Kohil and the great absurd soon came in and came out only to make sure that what would be a cruise seemed to be low scoring edge of the seat thriller. The scorecard read, India 30 something for three wickets.
There is some more on great absurd aka Rohit Sharma.
I wonder if he has realized that talent and panache more often then not would keep him out of the playing XI especially if he has ambitions to play test matches. He can hit long shots, he is a good finisher and looks really good while he last, which is generally for a short span. But he seems to have restricted himself to perform in IPL only. It is sad not to see him score runs with the kind of start he had got in 2007 T20 world cup and couple of IPLs. Raina wasn’t even in contention then and Rohit Shrama had all for his taking and make the most of opportunities, times have moved on Raina has a century on debut in a test and consistent performances in other formats has cemented his place while the great absurd is busy pondering if when would he earn a test cap. He was a major screw up in the last T20 world cup earlier this year in the match against Aussies. He seems to be as foolish as talented a player. I hope to see him score soon or he would be an excellent laughing stock besides rocking IPL.
Captain Cool and Sehwag the sedated.
This particular innings was akin to one he played in an Adelaide test when Indian toured Down under last, he scored, batted on and on and steered the ship to the harbour and got India a draw. Sehwag restrained and batted out the tough times and when wickets were falling around him, Sehwag would have seen the opportunity to score big runs. He had not scored a fifty in his last 11 innings. It was his time, almost. Raina and Sehwag had a decent partnership that would have calmed a few nerves of the Indian fans. Raina departed and Dhoni the captain cool played himself in and saw Sehwag go ballistic from the other end, as Indian marched on with so many numbers of overs left and a few freebies in the form of bonus points.
The fuss about 99 not out.
Yes, it is near yet so far. Sehwag was stumped of Randiv for 99 in one innings in the test series preceding this Tri Nations ODI series. With 5 runs to go and Sehwag on 99 not out and facing Randiv on 99, anything could have happened. Randiv around the wicket Sanga missed one and saw four byes, one more run with the match in the pocket, Randiv over stepped not with a small margin and Sehwag smashed him for six, but since it was match over before he actually smashed him, robbed him of a century. On the whole so called controversy, Sehwag knows 99 to 100 is one run, he wouldn’t make fuss about 100. I wont rule out, Sehwag tearing into Lankan bowling attack when we meet them in the next match or in the finals. Randiv can hood wink Sehwag and tell Sehwag that he foxed him for two international centuries in two weeks by keeping him stranded on 99.
In sports, love and war, business you get an easy inch nor you would don’t offer an inch, so what is the fuss about Randiv and Sehwag and Sanga and the wisest men and women (News Channels) exorcising the ghost called the spirit of cricket. It is pretty misleading controversy. It will only give more masala to hype up the next match India plays, then it will die its unnatural death.
This witch-hunt by the media has done a great deal of damage to the game of cricket and the spirit of the game.
They actually set it up.
Poor Indian bowlers have drawn a lot of flak, much of it would have been unnecessary and in much excess. Praveen Kumar has a happy knack of picking wickets early in the innings. He looks innocuous when he runs in to bowl. It is the after effect of his deliveries that the batsman feels sheepish and Praveen Kumar knows he has got one more wicket. Praveen rocked the Lankan top order and literally set the tone for whole match right from the first ball of the match. He claimed Upul Tharanga’s off stump and any worthy left hand batsman would have found himself failing to guard against that particular delivery. It is one delivery any batsman would have nightmare facing. It swung away late, opened up Tharanga beat him for pace, bounce, swing and crashed into his off stump, all of this is in a split second, marvellous.
Nehra too has a knack of picking wickets right at the top,this meant Lankans had to work very hard to post a decent total, with Jayawardene and Sanga not coming to party, Indian bolwers kept tightening the noose, as wickets kept falling from a poor start to an ordinary finish.
Dilshan did his bit, but definitely, his aura is not as daunting as it use to be. He scratched and tried to hold on the innings together, but he looked patchy at best. He scrapped along but kept scoring and fell to Ojha. There was this partnership but with much loss of early wickets and indifferent batting display, Lankans were out for less than impressive 170. Ravindra Jadeja took wickets, so I assume it was a bowler friendly pitch. Jadeja has to be there in the playing XI for some unknown, reason, don’t want to see him screwing up any more, I dope selectors would give Indian team a breather if Jadeja is dropped.
Indian batsmen - almost did it again.
The absence of Gambhir, Tendulkar & Yuvraj can obviously been there must be seen by all opposing teams. I still believe there is scope for Dravid at number four or five. But I don’t think he would be back in the ODI fold anymore. It was amazing how well he use to partner along with the likes of Yuvraj and Kaif and finish so many tight matches. He may not have scored big, but his calming influence in grooming a few youngsters simply cannot be denied. His influence seems to be missing especially if you look at the great absurd aka Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli and Raina would only improve if they have a mentor like Dravid to bat along with while they are in the middle of the pitch scoring runs, taking matches to a favourable result. The wickets seems to be falling like nine pins, Karthik who should be keeping was out, nothing against him though, Virat Kohil and the great absurd soon came in and came out only to make sure that what would be a cruise seemed to be low scoring edge of the seat thriller. The scorecard read, India 30 something for three wickets.
There is some more on great absurd aka Rohit Sharma.
I wonder if he has realized that talent and panache more often then not would keep him out of the playing XI especially if he has ambitions to play test matches. He can hit long shots, he is a good finisher and looks really good while he last, which is generally for a short span. But he seems to have restricted himself to perform in IPL only. It is sad not to see him score runs with the kind of start he had got in 2007 T20 world cup and couple of IPLs. Raina wasn’t even in contention then and Rohit Shrama had all for his taking and make the most of opportunities, times have moved on Raina has a century on debut in a test and consistent performances in other formats has cemented his place while the great absurd is busy pondering if when would he earn a test cap. He was a major screw up in the last T20 world cup earlier this year in the match against Aussies. He seems to be as foolish as talented a player. I hope to see him score soon or he would be an excellent laughing stock besides rocking IPL.
Captain Cool and Sehwag the sedated.
This particular innings was akin to one he played in an Adelaide test when Indian toured Down under last, he scored, batted on and on and steered the ship to the harbour and got India a draw. Sehwag restrained and batted out the tough times and when wickets were falling around him, Sehwag would have seen the opportunity to score big runs. He had not scored a fifty in his last 11 innings. It was his time, almost. Raina and Sehwag had a decent partnership that would have calmed a few nerves of the Indian fans. Raina departed and Dhoni the captain cool played himself in and saw Sehwag go ballistic from the other end, as Indian marched on with so many numbers of overs left and a few freebies in the form of bonus points.
The fuss about 99 not out.
Yes, it is near yet so far. Sehwag was stumped of Randiv for 99 in one innings in the test series preceding this Tri Nations ODI series. With 5 runs to go and Sehwag on 99 not out and facing Randiv on 99, anything could have happened. Randiv around the wicket Sanga missed one and saw four byes, one more run with the match in the pocket, Randiv over stepped not with a small margin and Sehwag smashed him for six, but since it was match over before he actually smashed him, robbed him of a century. On the whole so called controversy, Sehwag knows 99 to 100 is one run, he wouldn’t make fuss about 100. I wont rule out, Sehwag tearing into Lankan bowling attack when we meet them in the next match or in the finals. Randiv can hood wink Sehwag and tell Sehwag that he foxed him for two international centuries in two weeks by keeping him stranded on 99.
In sports, love and war, business you get an easy inch nor you would don’t offer an inch, so what is the fuss about Randiv and Sehwag and Sanga and the wisest men and women (News Channels) exorcising the ghost called the spirit of cricket. It is pretty misleading controversy. It will only give more masala to hype up the next match India plays, then it will die its unnatural death.
This witch-hunt by the media has done a great deal of damage to the game of cricket and the spirit of the game.
8.8.10
Cricket: Lankans cornered in P Sara Oval.
It seems sports can be unforgiving. The bowlers bake the cake and batsman takes it away with both their hands. The bowlers set it up and so those batsmen have the crowning glory. I mean lets first pay the due to the bolwers before we may start praising the batsmen. I don’t suggest that batsmen didn’t do much but Indian bowling has drawn a lot of flak for this series and to win a Test you need 20 wickets, for which bowlers have to create chances and the team members have to execute their plans and skills. It is only fair to say, bowlers took 20 wickets, set it up for batsmen to pick up the gauntlet. Imagine Lankans making something 350 in the second innings, Indian would have drawn the match, and it was a lost series. I know Sehwag factor could turn it around but then he could turn it could back fire as well. It almost did in the fourth inning of this test. But then equally accomplished players did well to sail the boat into the dock.
Bowlers started to get in the groove.
Mithun has impressed no doubt; only worry is when Zak & Co resume duties, Mithun may face a little oblivion. But that’s for a little later. Ishant started finally hitting the straps, Dhoni kept him bowling, best way to get wickets and get into rhythm is to keep bowling. He did well in first innings of the third test. Yes Lankans did score but they didn’t run away with it. Samaraveera scoring an important ton for Lankans to set up this Test match. It is fair to say that Lankan middle order in their backyard is like Indian middle order in our backyard. It is equally impregnable. The batsmen use to score big runs, Murali use to take wickets at other end and Lankans would win, and things changed just a span of just one test when Murali retired. Lankan batsmen scored and bowlers struggled to capitalise.
The Lankan batting card was a decent reply considering there was a marginal assistance to bowlers. India reply was to be based on how Sehwag would take it.
Sehwag swings between incredulous and incredible.
He sees it she hits it. A very very simple (and not crude) form of batting, he thinks only of scoring runs on every ball. His career strike rate is 80 per 100 balls faced and against Lanka it is 101 for 100 runs. He is phenomenal. Sehwag deservingly got the man of the series. I think he is one reason Test Matches remain dear to me. He has scored against all opponents in all conditions so he isn’t just a sub-continental wonder. Sehwag may have not scored big but he surely scored quickly. I wonder if even the pitch knows when Sehwag is playing because when he gets out the nature of the pitch changes and becomes more grounded.
Wall need to be rebuffed.
Rahul Dravid is on the last lap of his career if not the fag end. He was virtually coming in Test cricket with no match practice, hope he sees lot more runs. He tried to hit out bad form with a few quick boundaries and match Sehwag stroke for stroke only to snick it back to the wickets. There is something more left in him.
Some tales have similar twists.
Indian had the momentum with them when the claimed couple of Lankan wickets late on the third day, Lankan where reduced to 99/7 and Ojha was making it bounce and turn. It was then Samaraweera and Mendis struck a crucial partnership and deflated the Indian fans, but patience was required. Lankans got what was a defendable 260 odd runs. Lankans were left off the hook by Dhoni who had the last laugh when Sanga returned with the favours. It was a gutsy Mendis’ innings and made a Test match an exciting finish.
Why will we remember the Aussies?
One can say whatever they want, we all have loved to hate Aussies (cricket team) but the played and there players performances and fitness was cut above the rest and they played to ensure a result. They often faltered but they played to win. It is no so with other teams, Sanga repeated Dhoni‘s mistake and paid. When Sanga would have got up on the fifth morning when Indians were 50 something three down. He should have asked himself which two bowlers would Indians not like facing, answer was would be Mendis and Malinga. Sanga bought them in too late, Malinga should have been bought as soon as Ishant got out and Laxman walked in. Mendis has had an upper hand over Laxman. Malinga could have kept it tight at other end there was a chance to be taken, series was at stake, not to be. Walgedera and Randiv was on, Walegedera was probably used to rough up the pitch, bought how much wear and tear was done is a matter on another cricket blog.
Sachin played a curtailed, chance-less one.
We all know best chance of India winning a match is Sachin playing till the last run scored, Sachin tried doing that, he held one end up, stroke singles, playing strokes which involved no risk. Laxman meanwhile, kept scoring, so much so to outscore Sachin, in a way it was a perfect Test match partnership, Sachin got out on brink of a victory. The Indian victory was sealed in first hour of play when Indian batsmen were allowed to be settled. It was confirmed when Dilshan dropped Tendulkar of what seemed a regular short leg’s catch
Laxman and the proverbial Damocles sword.
Laxman has to perform or the proverbial Democles sword is always on their head. He fought hard and scored a vital century to get India over the hilt. Sachin had plugged one end up so Laxman was free to display his wristy stokes which were all along the grass. Lankans were thoughtless, but Laxman was mindful. Laxman is very very special when he bats the way he did.
Indian won the third test and levelled the series. Lankans should consider they lost a golden opportunity.
One more series featuring Lanka and India starts on Tuesday.
Bowlers started to get in the groove.
Mithun has impressed no doubt; only worry is when Zak & Co resume duties, Mithun may face a little oblivion. But that’s for a little later. Ishant started finally hitting the straps, Dhoni kept him bowling, best way to get wickets and get into rhythm is to keep bowling. He did well in first innings of the third test. Yes Lankans did score but they didn’t run away with it. Samaraveera scoring an important ton for Lankans to set up this Test match. It is fair to say that Lankan middle order in their backyard is like Indian middle order in our backyard. It is equally impregnable. The batsmen use to score big runs, Murali use to take wickets at other end and Lankans would win, and things changed just a span of just one test when Murali retired. Lankan batsmen scored and bowlers struggled to capitalise.
The Lankan batting card was a decent reply considering there was a marginal assistance to bowlers. India reply was to be based on how Sehwag would take it.
Sehwag swings between incredulous and incredible.
He sees it she hits it. A very very simple (and not crude) form of batting, he thinks only of scoring runs on every ball. His career strike rate is 80 per 100 balls faced and against Lanka it is 101 for 100 runs. He is phenomenal. Sehwag deservingly got the man of the series. I think he is one reason Test Matches remain dear to me. He has scored against all opponents in all conditions so he isn’t just a sub-continental wonder. Sehwag may have not scored big but he surely scored quickly. I wonder if even the pitch knows when Sehwag is playing because when he gets out the nature of the pitch changes and becomes more grounded.
Wall need to be rebuffed.
Rahul Dravid is on the last lap of his career if not the fag end. He was virtually coming in Test cricket with no match practice, hope he sees lot more runs. He tried to hit out bad form with a few quick boundaries and match Sehwag stroke for stroke only to snick it back to the wickets. There is something more left in him.
Some tales have similar twists.
Indian had the momentum with them when the claimed couple of Lankan wickets late on the third day, Lankan where reduced to 99/7 and Ojha was making it bounce and turn. It was then Samaraweera and Mendis struck a crucial partnership and deflated the Indian fans, but patience was required. Lankans got what was a defendable 260 odd runs. Lankans were left off the hook by Dhoni who had the last laugh when Sanga returned with the favours. It was a gutsy Mendis’ innings and made a Test match an exciting finish.
Why will we remember the Aussies?
One can say whatever they want, we all have loved to hate Aussies (cricket team) but the played and there players performances and fitness was cut above the rest and they played to ensure a result. They often faltered but they played to win. It is no so with other teams, Sanga repeated Dhoni‘s mistake and paid. When Sanga would have got up on the fifth morning when Indians were 50 something three down. He should have asked himself which two bowlers would Indians not like facing, answer was would be Mendis and Malinga. Sanga bought them in too late, Malinga should have been bought as soon as Ishant got out and Laxman walked in. Mendis has had an upper hand over Laxman. Malinga could have kept it tight at other end there was a chance to be taken, series was at stake, not to be. Walgedera and Randiv was on, Walegedera was probably used to rough up the pitch, bought how much wear and tear was done is a matter on another cricket blog.
Sachin played a curtailed, chance-less one.
We all know best chance of India winning a match is Sachin playing till the last run scored, Sachin tried doing that, he held one end up, stroke singles, playing strokes which involved no risk. Laxman meanwhile, kept scoring, so much so to outscore Sachin, in a way it was a perfect Test match partnership, Sachin got out on brink of a victory. The Indian victory was sealed in first hour of play when Indian batsmen were allowed to be settled. It was confirmed when Dilshan dropped Tendulkar of what seemed a regular short leg’s catch
Laxman and the proverbial Damocles sword.
Laxman has to perform or the proverbial Democles sword is always on their head. He fought hard and scored a vital century to get India over the hilt. Sachin had plugged one end up so Laxman was free to display his wristy stokes which were all along the grass. Lankans were thoughtless, but Laxman was mindful. Laxman is very very special when he bats the way he did.
Indian won the third test and levelled the series. Lankans should consider they lost a golden opportunity.
One more series featuring Lanka and India starts on Tuesday.
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