Cricket: SAfs win first test.

South African cruised to a very comprehensive innings victory against under prepared India. This match will be remember more for Tendulkar 50the hundred rather than South African victory, another Tendulkar century in vain and when all seemed lost. I had thought a lot worst and was pretty convinced that India would loose by at least innings and 150 runs. Tendulkar has other plans, Indians lost crucial wicket at indifferent times ib the second innings, Sehwag, Laxman and Raina were out when least expected.

All was lost in a day. 136 all out

Indian came into the test match without a practice match, Zaheer lost the race to fitness, Sehwag got out for a duck. All bad omens one may say. The most telling of these omens was no practice match, long time back between 97 and 99 seasons India toured Zimbabwe for a test match, they didn’t have a practice match and we lost there as well. A lesson not learnt or learnt the hard way. This time we weren’t touring Zimbabwe we are touring a place where we haven’t done all that well, the combined average of our top four bats is 36. They are the main threats to our number one position. It would be a great boost for us as a cricket team if we play SAfs with more conviction. Wasn’t to be. The question if we had survived that dreaded first session hold little value. A practice match would have done a lot of good things. The preparation would have been better, Zaheer fitness would be no mystery, there would be match sense, playing a test match would have been a fine tune rather than a crude shock.

India selection was a bit bemusing, I thought Yadav who bowls in 140s would have made the cut, but then there would have been something more about Undakant that I don’t know. Raina now has 84 runs in his last 8 innings; if he deserves a place in the side he must be demoted. Dhoni, who has more conviction and common sense, should come ahead of Raina. Bhajji has done little with his bowling efforts and should be dropped. SAfs have, Petersen, DeVilliers, Amla and Kalis, all right handers and have a liking for Bhajji’s off spin and would continue to hoick him over mid wicket. Ojha, spinning it away from the bat becomes a more threatening option. Laxman would want to think about hitting across the line not before he is over 150 runs. Dravid seemed unlucky with bad bounce. But we can expect a better fight in the next match considering most batsman spend decent time at the crease.
It is something SAf batsmen capitalize on. I am also wondering how pitch changed its nature. The second question then is if the pitch really changed its nature at all. Did Indian batsman come with poor mindset, weather already had played a spoil sport.

Kallis - A big match player.

Kallis has scored big runs and taken big wickets, last genuine breed of now nearly extinct species of cricketers called all rounders,more than 250 wickets more runs than any other SAf hundred catches but still finds himself a bit of a loner. He out weighs much of SAf team by his performances, this time around, SAf were in hunt for this massive lead. Kallis looked good especially against a very ordinary Indian bowling. He wanted a big one, he did get a massive double hundred. I think if you match the team player for player, Tendulkar is matched by Kallis, his bowling on seeming bouncing pitches is an asset.
DeVillers just hammered it all over and ensure that Indians would bat for a longer time then would like, they had to bat out seven sessions, but since we lost the plot before the first evening itself, result was just a matter of time. When the SAfs declared there was only one result possible, pending Indian defeat.

The difference is in the bowling.

If you look beyond Steyn and Morkel there isn’t much that South Africa has to threaten a batting side. The problem is Steyn and Morkel are so damn good. I mean they would easily cream couple of wickets every time they bowl together. India I thought would come out with a very conservative way to just weather the storm and pick runs when Steyn and Morkel have been tired out. The casualness of Indians has invited this defeat. South Africa must meanwhile look for a bowler who can complement Morkel and Steyn, there can be no easy reprieve if Steyn or Morkel has a bad day.
But it is tough challenge for our batsman to negate Steyn and Morkel let alone tie both of them and score of other bowlers. They claimed 14 wickets in between them in the whole game, Ishant claimed two of the four wickets. Bhajji claimed the other two& two is the number of maiden overs he bowled in his marathon like 36 overs that leaked runs close five runs an over. Bhajji is a different kinda off spinner, who relishes on variable bounce and whizz of the wicket, unlike conventional off spinner, Randiv and Swann who invite the batmen forward with the loop and flight. Bhajji needs to look at Mendis and R Ashwin and other off spinner going around. Bhajji Pa invite them to drive, speed and bounce and spin will all come into play.

Sachin the man keeps them churning on and on

There have been many a child prodigies, some withered away, some never made it, some self consumed. Sachin Tendulkar I think is the only child prodigy after Mozart to fulfil (and exceed) the God gifted promises. The person who goes past him or even close to him will be the only one who would know what immense pressure, scrutiny, glamour and hype. Indian cricket has had a rich history but the rich treasure and coffers of BCCI have grown in Sachin’s Era. I am not sure if it is just coincidence. Actually, it is too true for being coincidence.

There have been many a great batsmen, there would be some more. All of them put together would have not lived in as much scrutiny, praise adulations and criticisms as Tendulkar, certainly not many bought as much smiles to millions. Personally for me he remains a super achiever on the field and supreme achiever off it. It is this intense and unrelenting electron microscope like life that he has lived makes it more special. It is not easy what he has done on the field, records are meant to be broken, Sachin records too may be broken someday. There are things that we do and then there is a way we do them. Sachin keeps us all glued to the game. Every time he has risen and every time his form has waned his humility increased, he got more dignified. He remains in the headlines for right reasons. I wonder if they would retire the No.10 jersey. He deserves a Bharat Ratna,if doesn’t who does?

Back to the game.

We were out played and out smarted.Raina deserves a demotion if not a drop from the eleven, Dhoni must come ahead of Raina no mater what the situation of the game, I think it would have been a bit different had Dhoni come up the order before Raina and the may have had a similar partnership with Tendulkar. It would have changed the complexion of the game. Bhajji needs to bag lick a dozen wickets every time,don’t think he is a stupendous form,Bhajji the batsmen will be of little consequence, Okjha, Yadav should be in, Zaheer would be definitely come in. I don’t think there would be so many changes. At this point in t ime 1-1 seems a long way away. But second innings batting by Indians give me lot of hope and is something positive to be taken at the end of this game.

Cricket: Indians tour of South Africa

Indians begin a tour of South Africa in a couple of day’s time. The facts that the no 1 ranked team (Indian Team) are not the favourites for the series. I may be corrected on this but I think this is our first tour away from the sub continent after being crowned number one cricket team. I am not taking into account tour of Bangladesh. It tells you so many things. Indians haven’t played much in South Africa. Our top batsmen and bowlers don’t have much to say about their exploits in South Africa. The batsmen are scoring between 35 to 38 runs compared to mid 50s in their careers. The bowlers haven’t had much fun. It is one place where we haven’t done all that great.

There was a chance to prepare well, but then BCCI acted a bit naive(?). Indians go into the series without any first class match. I think ICC is the custodian and marketer of the game. It must serious look into how tours are scheduled and planned. It is responsible for the way game is playerd, develops and spread. The present Indian tour to South Africa sets a very BAD example. But then ICC is as meek as Indian cricket fans. I wonder why there isn’t something seriously done about it. A decent tour match could be so vital in setting the right tone.

Bowling and batting are the only two weak links.

There seems to be just two weak links, batting and bowling. The fielding hasn’t been our forte so not write much on that front. While bowling rests on Zaheer who’s fitness isn’t being 100% if we are to “believe” the latest reports. Sreesanth bowled a magical spell and SAfs were gasping for breath. It was so rare that not many performances by Indian bowlers on foreign pitches can come to reckoning. I am still wondering if we have the bowlers to take 20 wickets in the match. Srinath and Prasad did their couple of bowling performances but not to be but it was in the past.

I don’t think we have a good and a settled combination of bowlers sent there I am not sure of this time either. I was wondering if Irfan Pathan (yes, Irfan ) could be added in the mix. He is been in wilderness for some time. His presence would provide an interesting combination. My line up would be – Sehwag, Gambhir,Laxman, Tendulkar, Dravid, Dhoni, Raina,Irfan, Zaheer, Ishant, and Ojha. Is it just three and a half bowlers there or keep Irfan, drop Raina for a bowler?

Sehwag has to blast and negate Steyn and Morkel. Gambhir is playing there for the first time. Laxman has to come ahead at one down to keep the scoring going, although Dravid is scoring runs but looks a touch out of rhythm and may not be able to take the momentum ahead. Tendulkar is in prime form but it is some place he hasn’t done his best. He will score. Dhoni as a batsman hasn’t been going great guns, his lack of runs doesn’t catch the eyes in the background of good (not great) performances. Zaheer kept Smith in check for most of the tour, but Smith had hit back smashing a century to win the series. Bhajji has played just one match there, I don’t know if he would make it to the playing XI. Raina (if playing) and Sehwag would make up for Bhajji. They could together bowler 15 to 18 overs (together) and would be luck to get couple of wickets (maximum). Ojha will have to keep it tight, Ishants testing Test match waters again, so remains a bit uncertain. The whole team seems to be tredging this uncertain line, there is more hope than belief that the team would do well.

It is probably last tour for the Big three, at least together.

The trick is to start with conservative strategy of playing a least 100 to 120 overs, see the new ball out, make a foundation for a decent score. The bowlers should look to bowl to conservative lengths and lines but attacking fields. The fielding has to be as good as SAfs if not better.

SAfs have lot to prove as well.

SAfs would be busy setting traps but they do have to consider Indian bowling as a possible threat or else it may spiral downwards for them. I hope Smith is injury free and fit to play. Amla and DeVilliers are in very good form, Kallis is genuine class. Boucher has always been a tough nut to crack. Steyn will lead the charge. He is an awesome bowler, mean and menacing and a big threat to Indian batting line up.
If the series would be drawn 1-1 I would be really happy. SAfs will go all guns blazing in their own backyard, Indians have a lot to prove. This is top of the line clash so hoping for very gruelling and a tough series.

Blog: Unwinding unthoughts

A sense of resentment bounds mind and body to reclusive and uncharacteristic often to thoughts vitriolic and vicious kind. The need to disown and denounce should arise as a response to stimuli but, then it is something that doesn’t happen. I wonder why I don’t feel bad. It is often what is nearest to the eye never catches attention or something we search aimless realizing after a futile attempt what was it you were trying to search or that song which we hum in the write tune, tone and rhythm but never get the words.

I want so many things to happen. 

I saw this movie after a long time, movie was “Phas gaye Obama” nice movie, movie are a great way to unwind, unwind I must. It was a nice ensemble of casts, plots, characters and sub plots. It was incredulous but then not many of us watch movies willing, carry the message (if any) and apply it in our lives. If at all we carry anything out of the movie hall is a shopping list of things-to-buy (read apparel). I am not being critical of the movie, it was nice fun. I think for a long time that the support casts in Hindi movie are the real actors, others are just stars. The support casts have the finesse and (most) stars are gloss. I found the connection humorous between sub prime market/recession/biggest scam after Y2K and the story. It’s like nothing happens and you are doomed and then you keep jumping into different trouble only to find yourself lucky that you are alive. Once could have fret over the dialogues but then I don’t speak a chaste civilised type of vocabulary. I am not giving an excuse for me using the language that I do.

If life is cause and effect it should be predictable. If life gets too predictable (it never does) would it be too boring. The biggest risk on highway of life is to be too confident, boorishly crude and brash and find yourself stranded mid road with no help for any quarter. All this may happen even before you done with blinking your eye. It is simple advice (my advice, to me) to stay away from Over Confidence Avenue, there are no U turns.

It is amazing these things come to mind on a Sunday night rather than Friday evening. I don’t know if a Monday feels a hangover to everyone, at most times it feels a hangover to me. I wish all evenings feel like Friday evenings, wouldn’t life be a bit relaxed but then…

About: Unpaved roads of Bihar.

What was Bihar?

Bihar has been a karma bhoomi to many, Janak, Buddha, Chanakya, Mahatma Gandhi, and JP Narayan. The great empires of Guptas and Magadha eastablish there; Patliputra was then capital of the entire Indian subcontinent. Rabri Devi, no connection to names mentioned before also ruled the state for a while. Laloo did all he could to decimate his lineage, the history of this great land, but now he finds himself out of the Samosa, rather discarded. Bihar was fast becoming ignominy and disenchanted and embarrassing. Kidnapping and extortion had graduated from cottage industry to a thriving business proposition, right suffered at the hands of might. Laloo had, been there and done that. Absolute power corrupted absolutely.

Tipping point?

But this is not about him. It’s about the people it’s about the Man who did the right things. They claim sweeping poll victories, but this particular Bihar election was truly something else. I haven’t seen such one side (for the good results). I mean going by purely numbers no one is worthy to be called an opposition coz they haven’t got even 1/10 of seats. This is a compulsive mandate.
Bihar was fast becoming everything that was ugly, feudal, and criminal. The political scenario was so dire that political satire was becoming vengeance. The tipping point was hit and everything changed for good. There are statistics, damn lies and poll arithmetic. But I wonder if Nitish Kumar, the leader who led the party back to the power again would have actually believe that he would get such numbers. It is a crown of thorns, Nitish Kumar must not falter.

The longest hour before dusk.

Bihar finds itself bottom of the table of every just account. It been pushed back into feudal time in a lost decade. Nitish may not turn Bihar into Japan in next five years, but would do well to stem the rot and get the system to move, give, there is scope there for sure, and some of the brightest minds come from Bihar. It would be interesting at what pace Bihar returns to normalcy i.e. come at par with national average w.r.t. to per Capita income, education health, etc.

The time is right to focus on nayi kahani, (new story). The system has started to work for the better. It is a long (and unpaved) road in Bihar; Nitish Kumar has to restore faith and hope. The people have showed their belief in him. He will pay in the long run. His intentions remain clean and clear and leadership founded on robust principle and virtues.

Of mandates and poll arithmetic.

Congress party of India remains master of poll arithmetics, amazing work for them. I know they last more than half the seats they held last time; they are down to four seats from nine. No it’s not the Rahul effect. It is something they do to their allies, frienmies is term used by one of a magazines. Laloo Prasad was one of the kingmakers of third front, and then a minister in the Congress led UPA. Congress seems to be mastering this poll arithmetic concept.
The did it in UP to Mulayam Singh Yadav, left parties in the last Lok Sabha polls, in Maharashtra to their ruling partners the NCP and to the opposition BJP and Shiv Sena. There are more examples, National Conference in Kashmir there are so many examples. Laloo did lose, but it would be interesting what would have been the results in the following scenarios
a. Laloo Prasad and Congress going forward with some seat sharing.
b. A swing of say 1% for argument sake from Congress to Laloo.

I must confess I don’t have the numbers. But I think Laloo would have between few seats richer and Congress would have got more seats. But fighting polls from all the 243 seats meant Congress would split votes away from Laloo, one vote less in elections means you are behind by two votes. This is a sample of how poll arithmetic works. Yes Congress did lose more than what they had but this has ensured Laloo would not much to fool about other than his poll result. This would make Laloo go back to the drawing board. Old dog new tricks kind of scenario.
This for Congress means one less nuisance creating coalition partner, Mulayam, Sharad Pawar, Left Parties have already been subdued.

I am not sure it is a trend but all indications are there, but increasingly where ever voting takes place hung mandate post poll alliances (read opportunities) would increasingly be a thing of the past. I find most of the state governments in India a pure majority at least the major ones, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, MP, Bengal,AP, TN, I am sure these aren’t the only ones.

The nest state elections would be really fun.

Blog: Learning curve.

If you are on a learning curve and racing ahead faster and fester and even leaving the curve behind, is there a possibility that you hit a bump or just fall of the cliff off the learning curve and fall towards the nadir? The problem with hitting (or likely to hit) a nadir is you are never likely to hit it but keep going towards it. It can be painful or misleading or you could never ever realize it before everybody you ever knew is light years away from you physically and emotionally. But then it’s just a thought, a thought worth the blog. You are as good as you deeds and vice versa, every one will acknowledge and share your achievements and success but not many will acknowledge the pain of the efforts and hardships. I guess everyone is emotionally vulnerable, at least emotionally insecure. I say that without bringing in a sense of bargaining.

If you leave that behind and come to next point you may ponder about leading a balanced life. But there are so many things in the balance and so many things carving to be balanced. Priorities? Can you compartmentalize or segregate your life, into self, family, friends, other, career, duties etc. How does one ensure one doesn’t effect/impacts other compartment, so many things come to my mind, where do I start?I want to read, read a lot, haven’t been reading, watching and following cricket but then it is once too often. I hard to crawl out of the burden of self pity and stand up and decide to change back to the time that once was in ascendancy. It is so tough to live in present, can’t even find anyone to blame. It is definitely not as murkier as we think, a simple smile, a simply apology will resolve hosts of complex situation. Believe, Dream, Act.

I don’t know what am I waiting for in life, but some sense of reflection soothes a bit. There is not a lot of reason behind what you and I do; impulse doesn’t carry you long or far enough.

About: Kashmir dreads fire

Jammu and Kashmir is the land of beauty beyond comprehension and compare, it becomes very easy to keep thinking of apt adjective to match the beauty and come up with nothing to describe the beauty that lays behold. Whoever said the wars are only for barren bits of land must eat his own words with gumption; if they were to pay a visit to this delightful haven. Jammu & Kashmir dismiss that notion with an absolute charm. J&K has been betrayed and conned by last century. I must confess I haven’t ever been there, I don’t have any relatives from there or someone from the kin posted there. It is the tense state of life that people seem to live there and thats something that bothers me to no end. The problem gets complex every day, and the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be diminshing everyday, perhaps hope is what you lose after you have to lose all that you can.

Are we losing hope on J&K?

There are so many stake holders, minority stake holders, plots, sub-plots,(political) party's plots, far cries and war cries in the whole J&K. The stake holders slug and wrestle, while the mere spectator, the common people is the one who is surely being victimized. It is sad. I truly believe that none of the stake holders , the local governments of Indian and Pakistan or the International Community (all permanent occupants of United Nations Organization) want a solution or if they are able to get one by God’s willing grace, it would be made sure it is not a long standing one. The will of the people wont ever be accepted.

Like it or hate it.

I would like to imagine things from a purely personal perspective. The fragile and eerie sense of tension and guilt is something that I must confess I don’t like but something I cannot disown or turn a blind eye to, at least not anymore. While there is a Muslim majority in the local state, hence a Pakistani claim, but they must surely know that religion alone cannot be basis on which they want to claim ownership of the land, if that’s honestly the case and valid even in some strange circumstance then the erstwhile East Pakistan would never be Bangladesh today. They just had a religion as a common bond. Moreover, the liberal and secular Kashmiri society and their will of pursuing values of Kashmiriyat (harmony, peace etc.) may not want to align itself with the factional, feudal and fundamentalist Pakistani setup a nexus of ISI-Army-Puppet Governments. I think the onus and ownership of these Pakistani setups have been rallied between different players, Pakistani and non Pakistani in origin. I imagine the Pakistani society ought to have minor elements of secular and liberal folks who wish well for Pakistan beyond filling their coffers, pockets and socks with loot. I dare cant say much about aspiration and will of society at large on Kashmir issue and Pakistan bent of morally supporting the valiant cause of Kashmir. Pakistan and the morality of nation is nothing more than a crude joke. Food, clothing and shelter still remains a dream still to be realized may be (just slight, may be) more than in India. The facts based on neutral accounts and studies rather than what is cooked here and we are made to believe.

Instrument of Accession,access denied?

The Indian claim largely is based on legal instrument the Instrument of Accession. I wonder if Pakistan would have backed sentiments even if Maharaja of Kashmir would have signed the Instrument of Accession earlier,would history have taken another course? The provision of temporary article in Indian constitution has led to a permanent and irreversible damage in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Yes we made a temporary provision in the book, but we have done little do dilute the resentment resulting out of alienation due to this temporary provision in the Constitution. It has alienated the people and kept them in the dark,instead of protecting their rights have make them inept to do their daily duties. It is for the people of Jammu & Kashmir to figure it out. I mean nobody will give up on them simple because it is too precious to be left alone. I mean they do have the option of being sacked by Pakistan of get Talibanized or see Chinese starting a new sugar factory there.

Line of Control that joins and distorts geographies and separates hearts

The Kashmiris too enjoyed the fruits but cursed the soil, did little to win the famed azadi and kept crying. All get rose with thorns that’s the beauty of roses. We too have not helped their cause,forced them to sit on wheelchairs saying it is a throne of privilege. Not suggesting to just shoo anyone away, but people must be inspired and motivate the truth. At least ask your brethren across the fences of Line of Control, what kind of Azadi they truly enjoy in the so called Azad Kashmir or Pak Occupied Kashmir or whatever.
 
As the situation presently stands and demands due to Talbanisation of Afghanistan and a possible re-Talibanization there, much more rabid, morbid and potent Ultra-Talbinzation of Northern Pakistan. The Kashmiri’s have less reduced choices. China too brings different set of worries to the table. It is will to bleed us out. They are the third neighbour enjoyed (may be fanning) the dispute. It seems thanking one neighbour for the shade in the day and thanking the other neighbour for the fruits in the evening while the two neighbouring farmers fight for the land. China has already has its presence in all our neighbours territories, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mynamar, and may be Maldives.


Misconstituted - misintented

The Indian Constitution is increasingly become something we swear at rather than swear by. There is no wonder that in High Schools, chapters in History text books, end abruptly on 26 January 1950. So as to say there is nothing historic after a specific date in 1950? The socio-political turmoil has never stopped. I think we have made many mistakes after that and the lesson have not be learnt, yet. We have sat far too long sat on laurels of history and keep proclaiming what was an idea. We were the golden bird a millennium back but that wont feed, shelter or clothe me for a day. The present along with the near past is a long list of embarrassing truths and blunders we need to understand accept and resolve never ever to repeat.
Indian Governments in first few decades of Independence ruled with tight fists in the guise of democracy and with people not having much choice were forced to choose only one option at least for first half a dozen General elections. As there was not much to hear in the name of opposition fractured policies and rigid stances have led to people to channelize their discontent in the form of violence, running parallel governments, defying states, spreading corruption.


Divided and misruled.

There have been various cases of divides, caste, language, religion, territorial, regional sub-regional,local and to the point of an electricity pole in a municipal ward. There is a little bit of Kahsmir in all our minds and hope that the problems the end come soon. We as a nation need to stand up,swallow bitter pills and do whats good for all instead of trying to appease somebody and by doing that ensuring, peace and prosperity is either locked away in hands of few or tied in a red tape and dumped in a dark corner of room piled up stack marked documents under review.

The right time is now,enough time has passed;streams full of blood and tears of agony and enough skeletons of misery and dismay have flown under the bridge of reluctance.I know I am far away Jammu & Kashmir to understand anyone agony,but I fear that even peace is afraid of a misadventure there.

Blog: Blog day greetings

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)

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.

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.

Cricket: India surrender at Galle fort.

The champion bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan claimed a record number of 800 wickets, won Lanka the first test match and called it a day. There will always be a question mark lurking over his action, bend arm etc, but no one can stand up to question the number of overs that he used to bowl in a Test match. It is hard to imagine a bowler bowling 40 to 50 overs or may be more each test match, in sweaty, sapping and humid conditions of Sri Lanka. Yes, spinners love bowling long spells, but the amount of overs he sent down day in and ay out was something else.

He had lot of variety in his armoury and use to turn it square. Murali in last few years started to bowl round the wicket, with the amount of turn he would get many scoring options like an off drive, a hoick over midwicket, a sweep, most scoring options against a conventional spinner would of no use for the batsmen against Murali. It wasn’t just the amount of spin, it was the bounce, the pace, and bowling two different kind of deliveries with no visible change in action was a treat to watch. It is often called the bite of the spinner. Yes, after having said all that he had a penchant of getting wickets both in terms of quality and quantity. If one wishes to see the difference between Sri Lankan attacks, just have a look at bowling figures in the next match, provided another maverick in Mendis, could be blunted. Mendis is a sniper in the Lankan Army he aims, locks, and fires with sniper’s accuracy. I think Harbhajan should watch Mendis very very closely, so that he can pick up what he does and then Bhajji could improve upon his own bowling or at least fine-tune it to make it sharper. He has a more palable delivery proves much more acceptable nothing to do with the arm or the wrist just the fingers. Bhaaji if u read this ... :P

Murali like most people on top seems to be always gracious and humble, something, which I am amazed and I am in total awe of this particular achievement of his. I think what he did best was to take wickets and win it for his team. Murali did that till his lat match,when he won it for Lanka and claimed his 800th wicket. I think his record his here to stay for a little while. It is one of those record that will stay in the game of cricket, just like Don Bradman’s average, Jim Laker’s and Anil Kumble’s ten out of ten, Tendulkar runs & centuries and may be Sehwag’s strike rate especially against Lanka.

I am not ever deeply looked into someone’s class, creed, race or religion or some other background or whatever, merit should be based on ability alone rest of the things must not be considered. But In Lanka there has been a long ethnic conflict and Murali being a Tamil stood for defiant among things when war ragged in Lanka. He turned the attitude of his people, stamped his authority because of ability, and did far better then he ever imagined when he started playing the game. He has been there and done that, long after the dust will settle we would take our hats off to a wizard who was unique; imagine being one of a rare type of bowler, a right arm wrist off spinner. He has just raised the bar and let’s raise a toast to Murali. Thank you Murali, for the entertainment.

Now to the review of the Galle Test match

Sri Lankans pump it up to 520/8 dec.

Dilshan was looking like palest shadow lurking in a dark alley of a dead ended street. His batting abilities seem to have ditched him and he is not quiet the scene when he was in rich form a couple of season back, when he could do no wrong on a cricket field,smashing run, taking blinding catches, chipping in with wickets. The times change and changes faster than a blink of an eye. He tried hitting out of form, but it seems that its not only out of form, he needs to rethink he game a bit. Mithun making debut for India claimed him off a short ball.

After the initial out burst, the truth surfaced about the half-baked Indian bowling. Lankans relished and devoured the half-cooked Indian bowling attack, with Ishant Sharma not having any form of competitive match practice except a few sides games in his home's side lanes. He is looking just like Dilshan if you compare their performances. But obviously, I hope to see him doing well and I guess he would do well on this tour, there are a couple of test matches left along with a tri-series tournament featuring Kiwis. I hope it is the lack of match practice for Ishant than anything else. A long spell in the middle would do him a world of good. Mithun did ok in the opportunities he had, losing Zaheer through injury resulted in Indians losing their premier bowler.

Sanga the Lankan captain and opener Parnavitarna kept helping themselves and layered a meaty partnership that laid a foundation to a huge competitive score, both score centuries. Parnavitarna looked good solid opening bat, with shades of Tamim Iqbal,but Tamim is young and Parnavitarna looked good and has been scoring run in provisional Lankan cricket.Sanga is such a class player a treat to watch, seemed no fuss what so ever and played it like his cool self, guiding Parnavitarna on his way to a very impressive century, he holed out to Bhajji, who looked every bit jaded and seemed to be still fighting flu. I was wondering why Yuvraj and Tendulkar were not used. Sehwag did roll his arm but not much for him either. The close in fielding when spinners are bowling need to be relooked into I am not sure if Gambhir is serious to stand in bat pad positions.

A very interesting comparison of how teams fared would be to compare the score that the lower half of the batting ladder has contributed. It tells the whole story. Herath and Malinga contributed some useful runs and took the Lankan the score to a position, where only two unique possible results were possible, theoretically, by the way Indians losing a test match or not winning is always a unique possibility and must never be ruled out.

Indian bowling needs a quick beef up because the strike bowlers are woefully out of form and may be down on match fitness. I was of the opinion that Bhajji should be dropped but since then he has marginal improved but the fact is not many spinners are on view, Ojha is a good one, Murali Karthik fails to impress the selection committee R Ashvin remains untried and untested. The fast bowling cupboard never looked so empty.


Before the follow on.

Sehwag should try playing Lankan attack in the night in total darkness I am sure he can score at least fifty run without even breaking into sweat. He devours their attack. Sehwag has now made scoring rate in tests his won indulgence. He is already scoring 80 runs for every 100 balls faced in all test that he has player. Sehwag against, Lankans is scoring 100 for every 100 balls faced. If elephants could dance then Sehwag has to be the choreographer.

Gambhir had a poor test, Rahul Dravid is on the fag end, there is a big hole the size of a crater which will appear if and when the big three retire, that could be as soon as this year or may be by the end of this season, who knows. Dravid was run out not scoring much, Tendulkar paid rich tributes to Murali only to be gone leg before to Murali, Yuvraj Dhoti had a partnership growing but then the Indian innings folded and last five wickets contributed just 25 runs. But when it comes to Dravid, class is permanent and form is temporary, its the start of season so lets see.


Follow on – which followed the same usual script.

In this age of high octane fuelled T20s, the art brick laying and long batting innings playing a session out seems as archaic as a relic. I think Collingwood is only example who can hold fort and grind the opposition in a la test match style, Dravid or Tendulkar and Laxman. We have often seen great Indian batting collapse rather than watch them fight tooth and nail literally every ball every session until the ship is bought into the harbour of safety and the test match is drawn.

The last fighting inning I remember when Gambhir was in a middle of a Royal Purple patch and batted out a draw with Laxman,Dravid had scored then as well, it was a test match in Napier against the Kiwis, when Indian had last toured there. Tendulkar did create a sparkle but since the top order didn’t fire things didn’t exactly transpired towards a draw. I guess Murali was just looking for a toehold in the door. Malinga just sent down thunderbolt after thunderbolt and had Indian jumping on the hot Galle pitch. He claimed 5 wickets close to nothing but then this match being Murali's swan song Malinga contribution would be a touch under stated.

Indians b Malinga c Murali

The story of the match can be simple explained by in a cricketing jargon “India b Malinga c Murali.” The Indian were bamboozled by Malinga and confused by Murali, capitulated to a tame defeat, and will now play catch up in every session of remaining of this test series. Then invariably toss is so vital for visiting teams especially in Lanka. It will be interesting to see that say in last ten years how the visiting teams have fared when they won the toss .

Blog: High Fives and more

This week, my blog turned Five, I am so glad, although there is a question mark on frequency of late, but I am happy to stick around. I wonder if the question mark on the blog is a bit sterner because of missing out blogs on India’s recent ODI campaign in Asia cup. But don’t you worry the blog will be back as soon as the Tests starts.

There are blogs that just wither away like a tired breath or an ephemeral thought that came by just to go away but looking back makes me happy and it makes me wonder, for me blog for a great sense of relief and reprieve; not against anyone or someone or something, it was just a nice feeling to write what I thought was right at least in my point of view of writing the blog. It gave me a sense of purpose direction and a meaning. At times writing blog has a major challenge, conveying what you feel in the write words is a nerve racking, ground breaking exercise, but then the most simplest things to do are the ones which are the most tough to do and end up shaking and challenging your own core beliefs. My blog did that to me, often. I have had that repetitive feeling that I started, travelled far and wide within my thoughts and felt as if I have still to take the first step and still to make a proper beginning.

I could never imagine me ever doing anything creative, till now a blog is the most creative thing I can do. I don’t sing, dance, sketch, sculpt or paint, write poetry and various other things. But I am amazed how people do take pains and interest to do what they do. I am amazed with the talent and the thought that goes into doing what they do; I could never imagine doing these things with such gusto and fervor. All though the blog writing and blog itself is going stoic by each passing post, it’s the best time to reinvigorate it, change the course, and add some more interest to the topic that I want to cover. But I don’t wanna post anything for the semblance of it or creating furor in someone mind or spread malaise, court controversies for the sake of it. I write so that my empty mind does not become the Devil’s haunt.

It amazing when you sit and write something and then fingers ease into motion and something vivid came into being. Yes often it has been an escape route to get my bearings right or almost reset of not restart. At times it also been a perfect mask or an incognito as words dressed up unwanted, unwarranted situations, not the nicest things I should have said but never did or something which tickled my wits all found path in the words of my blog. I don’t think all of it was understood in the very perspective I tried to put it but that’s the advantage I took of helping me cope up with not so good times.

Twitter & Facebook updates now grab more of my attention, but nothing like sitting and writing a blog, posting it and then waiting for the first comment to appear on it. There are friends and then there are blog friends, there are a few who you always saw but never connected and then their blog friends most of whom I never saw but always seem to connect, to the point of asking opinions from them, on possibly important issues, e.g buying a cellphone. :P It could be whatever,I won’t call it blind faith. You think that’s the magic of words. The more blogs I wrote the more I understood of it and the more I wanted to write.

I think I have enough reasons in the head for me wanting to blog more and more regularly probably on diverse subjects.You know, I follow couple of more things besides Cricket. :D

Blog: Claim your own space

We are all part of the crowd what’s easier, to find your own space or to make your own space? All of us have an idea about the world, how the world is and how it ought to be. There are so many things left to be learnt about the world, about our own being, about own self. I wish to cultivate my own space; you know carve out my own niche. My focus shall remain on carving and the niche. I want to call this place my own, decorate it as my own and work their and rest their and let everyone now that I belong to this niche of mine and the niche belongs to me.

Ponds got bigger

People do hop skip and jump some just move along; some take their own time, some lose the way and leave a trail for others to follow. It is hard not to be stoic. Napoleon said “A man who knows where he is going will never go too far.” I want to travel too far and I don’t know if I direction I chose is the correct one. I always feel the choices for us have already been made and we are just living the moment when the time comes. The time is such a crucial factor. It changes every second and bends with it our very notion of our lives at times the whole phase of life and at other moment it just changes us from alive to was once alive.

The ponds got bigger, the challenge though remain the same have become steeper slope. There are new challenges, new tricks in the game have to be learnt, new games have to be learnt plus remembering everything that one had learnt needs to be relooked into at every point in time, it feel like a juggler who was just juggling with couple of tennis balls a few more juggling objects have been added and the tempo of the music playing in the background has changed. I have just scratched surface of the niche, lot many a times till the seasons change for good and for bad. I have just started with a job the road is long and winding.

What eating into my blogs?

I chose to blame facebook & twitter updates for this, an idea or an emotion use to germinate into a blog now its just a thing I would say to myself that finds its way on the twitter or the facebook and the blog remains a some other activity that I could postponed for one another day. But perhaps the day arrived today. I feel emotionally buoyant if and when I do blog. It for an emotionally enrichment that I shall always come back to write a blog post. I love to play around with words and it’s for the simple joys like these I shall let the words enthral my world.

Blog: Inner voices humming

“Why is it always me?” Did you ever ask yourself that in eternal honesty? There comes a point in everyone’s lives when we have to look back and see what has happened to people who we associated with our lives. These people were the ones, who added dimensions and facets to my and your lives. They saw what we couldn’t simply because they shared belief when mind was filled with indecisions and trepidations of what was to come, obviously which never happened. When we do give a look behind at the past, you would always wonder if you could paint your life on larger canvas. The burden of expectations is always hard to carry, you may not carry it far enough or long enough. But one cannot take a breather to decide whether expectations were realistic and appropriate.

The long winding road of life will take you to least expected places and least expected. The great Napoleon once said “A man who knows where he is going will never go far enough.” But giving your best every time, time and again, again and again seems to be this big challenge for me at this point in time. The questions shall always remain pertinent and in the gusto to take up the challenge but one must also use their judgement to know if the challenges thrown at you were thrown to simply divert you from the goal.

They say same thing about true calling and all that. I wonder if being impetuous is my true calling or the true calling would be giving up all that you have for other to blossom, doing that is surely a big call to have. Its not esy to sacrifice everything you have or know for the sake of others. One in a million would stand up to that and one in millions would do that.

Blog: Jumbled cynicism

I think it’s the climes I have withdrawal symptoms ingrained in my body language and the same symptoms and swirling and surfacing in the mind as well. I wonder if the plate is too full and I wont be all able to stuff everything on it and the glass is half empty and wont quench the thirst that's clouding my senses. I don’t think its nice spot to be standing upon.

The mind seems cocked and some cool breeze will help in recuperate senses. Is everyone fussy of signs, indications, hint, call them what you will!!! I am. The rough translation of a Hindi idiom which suggests the smart should work with the (subtle) hints. No there is nothing unsubtle about hints, if it’s a hint it’s subtle. One more deliberation, I mean the previous sentence. At this point in time, I wonder what signs truly are. I am not much into omen and witch-hunt or any other forms of occult. I may choose not to believe it. I know everything that we believe can be questioned. There are times when we look at ourselves question are self belief? 

How important is it to separate out thoughts and actions and judge them ourselves; without bias? Is there time for all this, especially when you are sitting perched right on top of a House of Cards? The world so seamlessly seems to coming, tumbling down, rebuilding seems such an uphill task. They say all men were born free meaning all humans were born free. Yes they are, till the point they realize they are living someone else dreams, they believed in some elses' believes, we search for reasons in someone else pretext. Individuality seems to have gone archaic. The challenge is to prove you worthy of living those dreams, when this happens, it for collective good that we must strive for better efforts. One small step and a giant leap for mankind. Giant leaps are function of wanting to go forward and take the little step without falling in love with your ideas and then just never stray away from the path of action.

We all are bound by something, may be with or ideas, compassion, thoughts, claims or we are bound having to cry hoarse over everything that we deserve and didn’t get shoving away everything we ought to have done. If faith can move mountains, faith can also help climb over mountains and look beyond, if the mountains don’t seem to move at first.

At times blowing your own brains isn’t the best we can do, I have been wondering for quite some time, I mean before I update my last blog that shouldn’t we just assimilate whatever we face and some how manage to use it to our good or to our advantage. I mean instead of being impulsive and quick-silver if you like I must find way to make myself a better at what I do. I feel sad when circumstances decide my response. I can do better, I know; I can.

Cricket: First Semis MI RCB IPL

I had gone to see the first IPL semi-final between Mumbai Indians. A day before the final I was told that my tickets were booked, all heads that were suppose to be heading towards DY Patil Stadium Vashi got together and all deliberations about how where what and why were done. The storm of excitement started to brew and it was all a huge wave of excitement and unaccountable hysteria that was practically the order of the day.
It was a guys day out, among many phones calls and utter confusion till the last moment add to the fun. The journey was from uptown Mumbai to DY Patil Stadium,Nerul. A set of two distant points on the local map. The hot wheels rolled and seven guys in two cars along with a bike and one more car headed towards DY Patil. I wondered if everyone along the way was headed to DY Patil Stadium. Since it was afternoon the drive was smooth and fast except for minor hiccups of an odd left or right turn. The afternoon heat got on to us. Oh! yes guys in cars have to have loud music played,a few songs were hummed and others were sung in the loudest glory possible. After almost two hours we had just the tip of the iceberg as parking slots were filling rapidly with every breath one drew. Then there was more swearing because you couldn’t take the cellphones. The great Indian juggad was the answer,the guy who got us tickets had already reached earlier and there was a minor panic attack as we didn’t have tickets and we were at the wrong gate. After many deliberations exact point of meeting (latitude and longitude) was decided after 15 minutes of convincing and sweetest swearing were exchanged on borrowed cellphones from cops, shopkeepers whoever.
The moment when we entered the stadium a sense of relief and achievement filled all of us. A few hi fives and pulling each other leg expressed the intense longing everyone had. The tickets were re-sorted and it was first come first served kinda arrangement. After changing bases for couple of times the seats were occupied and the party was just about to start.
We could see a few players warming up, bowling, just gearing up for the game. It was amazing that even Sachin’s practice shot were exclaimed with the loudest cheer. All of us were busy spotting players from the second tier. I did spot quiet a few from both the teams, among al the DJ thing, cacophony, jeering and whole ruckus it was announced Mumbai Indians were to bat first.
Sachin hit couple of boundaries and got out early, we though what a bumer, couple of more wickets and then after that every boundary was cheered and every six called for DJ to add to the heart beats. The coverage within the stadium ensured that everyone knew what was happening, the bowlers batsmen on strike, fours and sixes and in between whenever there was a break or something there was an attempt to set the Mexican wave going but there was hardly a ripple. DJ kept mixing songs, I had never ever heard Summer of 69, Byran Adams being played in a louder tone.
The last five overs u couldn’t keep a track of runs scored. Pollard is a colossus. I mean he looks huge even from 100 meters away. He has amazing reflexes and runs like a man possessed. It was great fun seeing Tiwary bat as well. We were discussing a score of like 150 odd for MI but Polard just changed the scoring rate and ensure RCB had a tough total to fetch.
RCB challenge was void of any partnerships,come of the flicks and cut and drives from Rahul Dravid was stamped with class all over. Uthappa blasted 18 runs of Bhajji over. But besides that it was all Mumbai Indians. Malinga was cheered and he would be surprised if he gets the same cheer anywhere he plays.
The drive after midnite was greeted with empty roads something people of this city can’t imagine in the day. It was fast again and somewhere in Andheri,bhurji,pav bhajji and pulav was the order for a buffet style dinner. It took me almost 12 hours to get back home. A late night early morning shower was the last the last thing I remember of that hysteric day.

Blog: The last yard

The last yard is always the hardest to cover.Often our failures or unsuccessful accomplishment happen are simply not because we traveled so far but not making it far enough. It’s amazing how an inch can make the difference between bitter of pain and agony of failure from sweet gentle taste of victory to savour. It might not always happen for a chance but should for a reason.

Perfection is surely not a destination but a journey, I wonder what happens if you achieve perfection very early in life. Is there any thing which is early in life? What makes it too late? The journey or the path and the courage, the motivation, the determination and the hope counts for more,for these will chose your destination. It’s amazing how the answers of the outside (read materialistic) world dwell inside the heart and mind. I think one has to have standards of perfection,one which is imbibing and add positivity to thoughts, words and actions.

I want to see myself shifting from idly speaking to ideally speaking. It is so tough to disengage yourself from your own thoughts. The process is so dissuading to ones ego. The heart and Mind understand and know. It may be ridiculous but I never fathom the idea of understanding. I prefer the novel idea of knowing.

I need to get a grip of what’s happening and focus on myself doing right things. At times the pain of mental suffocation is all too much to bear. It is further complicated with other factors, burden of expectations, dreams of self; nothing unjustified but, let time be the best judge. All of us need to find peace within ourselves. The other day I had a jerk in the foot and the routine function of walking down stairs and crossing the road became the task of the day. I wonder if the same thing happens if the mind gets a hiccup, I fear the worst of effects and imagine the burden of doing the task of the day will surely increase if the mind gets a little deflated for some reason. All of us should know it from our varied experiences we all might have had previously. I think sorting out the daily routine may help.

It’s not entirely sheepish to believe the success to road is hard and it gets harder with every success. Yet the last yard is the most challenging one and the last yard is hardest to cover.

Blog: March went marching by

Listening to songs of Teesri Manzil, one of the many yesteryears with some awesome songs,some of the songs are still called for when dance parties happen. No party is completed Aaaajaaaa… Aaaajaaa and O’Haseena zulfowaali. I loved all Shammir kapoor movies, I always sound his movies with great verve and he one of the finest leading comedians of his time. Before there were fairness cream for men was even thought off, he was one of the more dashin leading man of his time.
India Hckey team lost in worl cup,I think for this fiasco everyone besides the team members and coaching staff are responsible. I wonder if Gvernment servants involved with sports reaped there laurels and helped themselves to a great career on the cost of Countrys pride and performance would ever give up hunger. KPS Gills single handedly pulverised the confidence of players fans and pride of the nation which once Hockey really was. There is no dearth of talent from what the novice eye saw. There is also no dearth of red tape. I mean why cant we have Rs 1000 Crores spent on sports. I watched Hockey couple of times in school. I was blessed to go to a school which had these huge grounds and great incentive to play hockey and football. I didn’t play any,perhaps always been attached to cricket. I clearly remember my school doing well regularly in hockey and football. The Indian bureaucracy one of the most entrenched horror of our horrid and unjust colonial past. The other is our Police Laws which were formed more than 150 years back that seems to be so long ago that code of Hammurabi seems belonging to a close era. Why isn’t it be redone is one of the most intriguing puzzle of the Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty first centuries!!! I don’t know of anymore contemporary mysteries that have spilled across three centuries and has a direct impact on people of this country.
Talking of Rs 1000 crores. In a recent auction of teams for IPL,couple of franchises bought team for a combined figure of more than 3200 crores. It is a stagerring amout considering it is only for right to own a team. Everyone cries hoarse saying that Cricket gets unwanted and exclusive media attention and no one even cares to know how other sports are doing. Cricket in India is doing well simply because it is no under direct control of Government. Yes there are politicians and others who are somehow associated with cricket administration. Indian Cricket board has come a long way in terms of money. It was in loss just a few days back. But for now lets just say it is doing well.
As a long weekend is around, hoping to post a long blog post after a long time,so long ….

Hockey: India drag flick Pak

Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Indian hockey may not be in ascendency but the plight and hue and cry makes sure Indian hockey has it won following. India’s national sport is hockey or field hockey. I think all those guys pursuing hockey are winners, the results don’t matter to me. I don’t think there is a lack of talent in here for any sport let alone hockey. Why government is running sports? The question is to be asked. It is amazing that all sports bodies are headed by some politicians. It is appalling. Only the Babu and Neta get something. We send huge contingent to Asian and Olympic Games and yeah a small fraction of the group also actually takes part in the respective game. It has to stop.

There is nothing wrong with the talent or other things. I grew up in a school in Mumbai that had a rich tradition of hockey. Nothing comes close to India Pakistan matches, but when it came to hockey and football rivalries our school and the arch rivals were not far off. It uses to be such a high. I never tried my hand at hockey. But then there are many things I have not tried and for some there is deep sense o regret.

Let’s focus back on the issue. I am proud of writing this post and salute every player who put in sweat and tears for the country. I think the wanting to play make them winner for me. I am cricket fan, I am an India. I love hockey too.

Virender Sehwag or no Virender Sehwag I would have watched the match anyways. India and Pakistan slug it out for the first match. India and Pakistan will create hysteria and push up the decibels even if they were to play a game of chess. Hockey has been one of the bitter rivalries in sport. India hadn’t won against Pak in last three encounters. The nerve started to jangle as soon as Indian National Anthem started playing. I just felt the sense of purpose on their faces.

First half

I switched it on a little late, had to attend Holi celebrations. I think a goal had already been scored; Shivendra tied it up nicely as Sandeep had flicked one penalty corner, Shivendra kept his nerve to hit the back of the net, Indians draw first blood. Then at the stoke f first half, India claimed a penalty corner as the ball struck on of the Pak players on his foot. The captain flicked one in and Sandeep whacked a full blooded stroke in the net, Indian 2-0 up in the first half. There were a few chances missed, I hoped the Indian coach sees that again, because often in case of victory lots many things are swept under the carpet.


Indian gain control in second half

Goals continued to be poured, at the start of the second half, Prabhjot not wanting to lose out, claimed another hit as India seemed to take control at the start of second half. Indian 3-0 up. India was to score one more Goal as Sandeep Singh flicked in one more goals to set an unassailable lead to the Indians. Pakis meanwhile scored a consoling goal through the enigmatic and drag flick specialist Zaheer Abbas.

Just focusing on Indian hockey, they looked good, had purpose and plan and I know I don’t watch much of hockey but I think they were incredibly fast, off course they have to keep up the tempo against other teams. India’s next match is on Tuesday. I hope they give there best and hopefully luck would favour them

I feel really proud and honoured to have written this post. I can say it a million times, well done guys, I salute you.

Cricket: India won, Sachin shone

 

India won the match, but for every once in a while in a team game someone comes along, who almost seemed like the one for whom prophecies are voiced and then one prophecy fulfilled leading him to another and a protégé metamorphised into a marvellous genius capturing amazement unlike previously imagined. It's a road not all willingly take, the some who do willingly take up the gauntlet,face a lonely climb up, hide there tears in pain and misery while lighting warm candles of affection and spreading the cheer and joy for others who follow. The Pantheon of Cricket won’t be complete without Sachin and yes, when the Pantheon is assembled Sachin’s statue would be humble and selfless and would continue to shine with an aura that no eye would afford to miss.

Sachin is a great genius and outstanding champion cricketer. His feats will make you wanting to know more about his ways,mannerisms etc. I think his humility, his respect for the game, his attitude towards the game and life that pleases and amazes me the most. I mean I don’t think I have seen/known many people who have achieved even close to the quantum of what Sachin has seemingly achieved so easily and be equally humble while he did what he did on teh cricketing field. His achievements and his humility add to his never wavering aura. There are many champions, who have come and gone, not many have achieved so much and at the same time lasted so long without being seduced by charms of fickle flame of fame. Sachin has lived more than half his life, more than two decades in public life, yet remained practically aloof, never was anywhere near controversy or did anything that would make u raise your eye brow. I think this makes his achievements more special. I don’t know if any book on cricket records would ever mention the pressure, the emotion and tears of joy when Tendulkar scored (centuries).

Even in this particular innings, he batted and scored half the runs of the team, yet not many who saw would realize that when he was nearing his double century, he was just pushing himself on will. He ran and sashayed down the pitch he pulled, swilled, ran for his partners apart from himself, a tremendous physical effort. In the end he came to field, and at the end of the game he said he would like to bat for another 50 overs and see how his body copes up. I don’t think his body matters anymore, he is walked away from the physical to the metaphysical will mind, body soul are in sync and things happen the way he want them to happen. I may be painting eloquence but then in last 12 months or so what Tendulkar has done over so many years cannot simply be done on the basis on healthy body alone.

Sachin’s in supreme form physically and seem to be winding the clock back dozen of years ago. While a few years ago people imagine his body not being able to bear the brunt of the rigours of the game, he restricted himself of the strokes that carried his signature but now in the present he has reinvented himself and looks more solid, capable of changing years and controlling the direction and flow of the game.

All things said and done, yesterday I would have loved to see him bowl and take couple of wickets just for fun. I guess 200 not out wasn’t enough. But then he over compensated and made up when he was stranded run out. He more than made up with a 200 not out, something that was never ever done in history of ODI cricket. Perhaps it may be done in times to come, but he would always remain the first to do it.

Yes a few more men played the innings, perhaps helped Tendulkar as booster rockets put satellites in space. Karthick if fast putting up weight of runs for a selection in the team with some splendid performances He batted well and just got well along with Tendulkar and kept the score to tick along. He was looking for more than a 79, yeah it wasn’t to be. His wicket saw entry of Yusuf Pathan, shrewed Dhoni’s hand in that is hard to miss in that decision. Pathan played himself in and was soon raced along to a good 30 odd runs; Tendulkar kept smashing it all over. Dhoni came to fore and just up the ante in double quick time; Tendulkar by now was looking ever more patient and focus to get to a coveted double century.

South Africans overawed with what they say just wilted under weight of expectation of scoring over 8 an over before even a ball was bowled. Devilliers put up his hand to score a good hundred but then he was a lone ranger. Tendulkar etched out a special innings. I hope the dust of adulation and admiration never settles. All I wish to say in the end that I wish I too was as humble as Tendulkar, the most worshipped cricketer the game of cricket has seen.

Cricket: India square series

India came back from behind to square series one each. I am still to be convinced of two test and four test and six Odis. I think Odis should be restricted to maximum of three, included more test. I mean would it have mattered to BCCI in terms of revenue if this were to be only a test series? But then seldom what BCCI does has anything to do with something called as rationale.

Storm in the tea cup

Greame Smith was the only joy for first couple of sessions. SAfs won the toss and elected to bat. It was a conscious decision to bat first in order to avoid facing the spinning ball on the last day. Alviro Petersen made a century on debut. He was doing pretty good and not only rose to the occasion, but did very well, obviously helped by what look a wayward Ishant especially in first innings. A big partnership between Amla and Alviro saw them cruising and made Indian bowlers look like someone without plan and imagination. There was a storm to come in the session following tea.
I guess when Indians went back they sensed a storm in the tea cup. The whole scenario changed when Bhajji wrecked the SAfs batting line up and sweet memories of 2001 the Eden test flickered in front of many a cricket fans. In the hindsight that very test marked in some subtle ways how India team went to become a very professional, albeit a touch inconsistent but good test team. The balance is in favour of batsman but bench strength seems good but untested.
The buzz of the match changed soon after tea and out of nowhere things start to happen as if sequence of events waited for a hint of the trigger. One wicket let to another and what seemed like a picture perfect scenario in the second session looked so ominous, Kallis, Devilliers, Duminy, Prince along with Petersen and Amla came and went what seemed innocuous deliveries and unthought-of shots. The shots were inexplicable needless to say unwarranted and before the dust settled and sunset, eight wickets had fallen and India came out of back jail. Zaheer, Ishant, Misra and forget me not Bhajji claimed wickets and shared to onus. The cake was baked and the dressing was about to be added.


Sustained batting effort

Indians sustained the pressure. SAfs assisted the Indian batting effort, but bowling little less the good and fielding as worst as any you would imagine from SAfs. It was by far the worst fielding display I have seen from SAfs in quiet some time. Sehwag kept on smashing them all over. There is a method to his madness. See ball hit ball. His style is so simplistic on the lines of being almost minimalistic, but one of the more profound batsmen of his time if not in the history. His numbers say it all. He is for sure the corner stone of batting and other rally around him. Yes, he does keep you n the edge of the seat and will always give the other side a chance, yes he may make you want to pull your hair but when he does hammer scores those score are big loud and brash.
Tendulkar on the while seems to be batting like a Zen master, its almost serene, through out his innings; you could see the glimpses of various phases of Tendulkar through out his illustrious career. You could almost sense him holding fort and then come out with a brilliant stroke that would just steal your breath away. But the bowl he got out to deserves praise for Harris. He deserved it. Tendulkar smacked fourth century in as many matches. His tally is know like 47 test centuries and opened a considerable gap of eight centuries in test versus Ponting.
Laxman and Dhoni then prolonged the agony of foes as they built up a considerable partnership, each getting to their hundred meanwhile Laxman was the stabilising factor and gave support, Dhoni kept nibbling away. Laxman and Dhoni scored not out centuries and closing the door on SAfs.


Second time up hill

After tea on first SAfs seemed just very pedestrian, although this time they did get starts. I am leg side Smith always up for LBW didn’t have to face Zaheer's menace was claimed LBW by Mishra what looked a plumb decision. Kallis got ball of the series from an Indian bowler. Kallis must be proud to get on that delivery and Mishra would sing the swan song of this delivery even to his grandchildren. It pitched middle middle-off ripped across Kallis’s bat took the edge and Dhoni made on mistake. Badrinath added something to the scorecard and audiences memories when he kept the nerve to catch Petersen what ended up as a simple catch. Prince played an ordinary shot Devilliers foxed by a googly, Duminy beaten for pace, some moments of uneasiness for Indian audiences came when Harris and Parnell and Morkel stitched some useful partnerships Ishant bowled a line and length which bemused everyone except the batsmen he was wayward and looked distraught at missed catches. Fielding was quiet ordinary by Indians as well. There were so many missed catches. In the end before the close of play Bhajji claimed the honours and also the end wicket to help India square the series. It is so sad there were only two matches.

The focus on shifts to ODIs. I am hooting for Gibbs, Bootsman & Co while the Kohli and Raina need to redefine there role and a certain Yusuf Pathan needs to dish out some hearty performance. Tendulkar would want to hit a century in at least one of the ODIs.