Cricket: Virats Indian Rope Trick

Ever heard of The Great Indian Rope Trick?

Team India once again made one sided match exciting, after Dilshan smash a 150 and Lankans set 320 to win in 50 overs. Team India had to score those runs in less than 40 overs to stay in contention. There chances still lie in balance. The outcome of next match will decide the finalist. Kohli, the flag bearer of this chase led India to one of the truly memorable matches since the world cup 2011 finals.

Indians elected to field on what seem to be a batting mini paradise. Lankans are heavy on the top with Jayawrdene, Dilshan and Sanga coming upfront that seems to leave middle order just a little fragile. But what it does is adds lot of meat. Indian bowling is one of the toothless ones, the team relies on batsman making a mistake, which happens often in limited cricket. Est matches have shown that there is no armor among the chinks of Indian bowling.

Lankan batsman played safe while Indian bowling probed Lankans batsman inviting scoring shots at will, strike ticketed over in ones and twos and partnership swelled with well timed boundaries. The plot didn't work for first half of the innings. Lankans reached to over 190 for the loss of only one wicket that of Jayawardene. His shadow can still be seen kicking him. Sangakarra is left handed Dravid, pure class and elegance, he always has been such a touch player. He literally helped himself to a century, attacking at will, making clueless Indian bowling look stupid. It seems lot of International cricketers who have retired would want to bat against Jadeja, he seems to have some magical gift delivers that a batsman of pure crass and hit the most authentic classic cricket shots against Jadeja. Ashwin meanwhile did little to impress. Its too early to say he is going Harbhajan way but the fact remains he is not among the wickets, rotational policy is still in doubts.

Any ODI team must fancy scoring 100 runs in last 10 to 12 overs. Our bowling is not a weak link it seems to be the missing link of the team. The only person having nightmares from Indian bowling is perhaps the Indian Cricket Captain. Indian bowlers would do really well to save face in the next which could be the final of CB series or round robin match of the Asia Cup. Dilshan helped himself to another highest score against Indians.

Batting pitchs, casions and Indian batsman

You know there is lot said about Indian batsman struggling on live pitches, most of it you shouldnt pay heed to and just accept as the way life was meant to be. But if the pitch is anywhere near flat, then make sure one among the top 5 is good enough to shred the bowling apart. Sehwag who makes one of the most attacking 25s in the the game and Sachin Tendulkar even in wane is formidable enough to request the fielding captain to ask for 15 payers. Then there is Raina who can hit Dale Steyn and Bret Lee for consecutive sixes blindfolded, over deep extra cover. Kohli in last three seasons seems to have deciphered the code of chasing down runs, off course mastered by Dravid, Yuvraj and Dhoni.

Gambhir is probably the new Dravid in Indian team. Kohli sure deserves (almost) all the kudos. But Kohlis partners, Gautam and Raina do deserve some over flowing cheer for Kohli. Gambhir was playing well and built a good platform for Kohli and Raina to take the game to the end. Raina meanwhile got a tailor fit situation to get some form. But Kohli simply undid Malinga, the best death bowler playing International Limited overs cricket. Kohli was better than the best Malinga had to offer. One of Malinga's over read 2, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, Kohli was on strike for that over.

Jayawardene erred in not taking the bowling power play earlier. He should have taken it inside the 15 th over. Indians have a toe in the door. Its Aus vs Lanka and if Aussies win we will be playing the finals. But considering how flat Aussies have been in their previous match against Lanka, lets hope for the best.

About: Godhra & other shames

Benjamin Franklin said once “There never was a good war or a bad peace.”. Today is the day when some chose to remember Godhra riots, the most skewed coverage, misrepresented riots in the recent history. Its like judging the book by its cover. If one has to analyze an event or occurrence one must giver equal weight-age for both the cause and the effects. It is evident that, the effects are discussed while the causes remains brushed under the carpet. The power of TV is to project and image add to it the power of sound and precision of a script. Congress ridding on this piggy bank of media house and “excellent coverage” managed to create a political avalanche and come back to power. The Prime Minister who was bought to power served in the name of (Party) President, also played a regent to rather obliquely successful prince. This is also one of the reality of post Godhra riots. The rest is collection of bigotry and scams we have lost all account of whatever logic and pragmatism on which our political system was supposed to be envisaged.

Yes Godhara in its cause and effects horrendous The affected people deserve justice at the earliest in accordance to the law of this land. Its is innocence till proven guilty. Then painting someone as being guilty with the colours of ones own imagination must stop too. It is also worthwhile for all the stake holders do understand who benefiter with the riots. India has lackadaisical record of riots of all kinds. Godhra a was the last one played out to the media and the news of the event has kept the event itself, alive. We all know the inclinations of all those channels who like to call themselves as free, fair and balanced.

I dont think Godhra riots following the burning of the ill fated rail coaches should be looked in isolation. There is need for us to look into other various riots, like the ones in 1992 following demolition of Babri Masjd, which was obviously followed by Mumbai serial blasts, if you want to jog back there were riots in Bhagalpur, which doesn't finds its mention in the official records, there were anti Sikh riots following India Gandhi's death in 1984. These are the major ones,which are used to primarily whip up the dust storm during elections only to mislead the electorate, only to extend political gains. Its a scavengers ploy really.

On the ground how do the challenges of roti, kapda, makan - food clothing and sheldter for a poor indivial in one community differ from individual of any other community. Isn't it a shame that millions should aspire for a privilege of earning two square meals a day? Gujarat meanwhile is trying to move, the picture is for all to see and debate. The fact is it has highest per capita income for individuals of minority community is little to debate, the income continues to grow.

Godhra riots for many proponents of equality and political righteousness is an attempted diversion from their own pathetic performances and repeated deeds of mis-governance and denying the electors a right of decent fulfilling lives. I mean there have been worst riots than Godhra, then why does the humanity has to wake up on call of Godhra alone. The other riots I am convinced were for better ment of humanity and hence a just cause. There is no point listing the names fof other riots, after all it's not a hall of fame. It's our social ineptness and hollowness of will to bring social justice in general. No one is above law. You may love or hate Modi for whatever he has done or claimed by other to have done, the fact that he has won two assembly elections, with better majority and there is nothing that SIT has done justify his silence and underscores the claims who seek his blood. If there was some evidence, SIT formed by SC under aegis of a Congress government should have found it in 10 years. What SIT has done remains to be known, but the leaked reports doesn't find Modi guilty.

Now it brings to focus the intentions of people who painted him with colours of their imagination, if the people have voted him back to Government, if Supreme Court funds nothing against him, shouldn't they accept they made it up and move on. The Media are the powerful tool in the masters of power, its very easy to mould public opinion to your advantage using TV. Any case you keep repeating the same thing in different tones and you have a newly dressed truth shall step straight out of our closets. A deeper influence free introspection is called for. Muslim have for long been pushed and shoved and maimed and forced to believe they should be insecure here. I see them doing well and worthy of their success, shouldn't they send a stern message to politicians that they deserve better than just be a card in the pack of politics.

Godhara has been a tragic event, but why is it the only one which is discussed so extensively, should we remorse and looking back at other communal or other kind of sectarian form of violence which have shaken the foundations of our democratic republic. Todays if u look back at riot victims if any riots, their condition remains susceptible to future horrors. We all have learnt by now that, riots sow seeds of further dismay and horror while little is done to get them justice, further less is done to provide them opportunity to climb up the ladder of social well being. There is a huge interest of keeping poor people poor and make sure they remain oblivious to opportunities of social and economic growth. The victims of riot are never able to come out of that dark shadow. India should today look back at all the past riots, including Godhara to have a better social policy in place and a very independent Police and Judicial mechanism so that justice is neither denied or delayed.

Its time for people to give up a few tears and look at the benefactor and the beneficiary of these induced riots of mayhem. Politically influenced riots will be a major challenge for any country. But is a strong deterrent should be maintained and rule of law must be upheld at every instance at all costs. Its upto us to find the truth and not only relying on horror stories in print or television media as a “source” of truth to decide upon true and false. Why is there no equal condemnation of other riots that have or take place? Why are human misdeed in other state make it to news. Is Muslim “suffering” limited to state of Gujarat. Why is Modi being withc hunted? Which politician hasnt created some form of riot to consolidate his position? There are many more questions to be unanswered. There is a need of social awakening which ensures development of are society as whole.

Cricket: Punters last call

Ricky Ponting has literally been lead to ODI retirement, for any Indian cricket fan worth their throats, Ponting remains the most menacing batsman of the present generation. Ponting when peaking in his performances and abilities won everything every where. He was simply hard to get on top. He won three world cup medals, he lead Australia undefeated in one of those. His century in 2003 world cup final remains one of the worst nightmares for a true Indian cricket fan. He won the Ashes 5 nil, only captain after Warwick Armstrong to inflict a whitewash. When the Aussies were firmly on top, Ponting perhaps led a hall of fame dream team. Hayden, Langer, Gilchrist, Warne, Gilchrist, Bret Lee.

Ponting in fast seeming condition was peerless, he at times blasted attacks and tame wild attacks into submissions. He was one of the key batsman during Steve Waugh's superlative captaincy. He is the best captain the game his since his Bradman. He lead by example. He remains of one the formidable bats in test cricket. Ponting apart from a marvelous batsman and astute captain was a brilliant fielder.

The last phase of Pointing's career was woeful though. The Aussies looked quiet averages once the Hall of Fame players left, Ponting look a wonder less magician with nothing up his sleeve. He should have replaced a captain before he lost the Ashes against inform upsurging English team. I wont be surprised if Aussies win the next Ashes and Ponting raises his last toast.

He struggled in India at times though, for a long time he didn't have a century in India and at particular time he had taken more catches than scored runs here. Bhajji went on to say he was his bunny. Ponting against spinners in India looked a different batsman. He was a giant in the condition in most places apart from India, where Kumble and Bhajji tormented him. Ponting, Dravid and Kallis, all has pretty riveting similar careers, Kallis adds more value via his bowling, Ponting superbly led an amazing collection of players from the front and with the bat. Dravid remains the most stoic and looked more complete than Ponting till this Australian tour. These three gentlemen all have scored similar amounts of runs, started playing around the same time. All were rock solid and played some of the most memorable innings that test cricket has ever seen or will see. All three know form rock solid technique flair and classic shots. Ponting cut and pull shots were two of his signatures shots. He always looked ominous while playing those shots.

The fallacy of Ponting was perhaps he hung on to captaincy for a seaon too long. It was Pontings fixation that costed him the pervious Ashes. He looked pretty naieve as a captain. He didnt have the players but thats when cpataincy should come into count. He lost the Ashes thrice, tired hard in the previous World Cup.

Ponting seemed brute and brash to us, the forgettable Sydney test and other avoidable instances. You love him or hate you cant ignore him. One of this finest batsman to play the game wont be playing in ODIs again.

It is very interesting to know how he goes around in test matches. Ponting legacy as a batsman and captain will continue to shine for a long time to come.