Cricket: Melbourne test Day 3

Its end of day three and possible twelve wickets or 200 runs and more would decide a keenly contested test match. It looks at least for now that it is Indians match to loose. I would also add that Aussies have their noses in front. It wont be a cake walk for India. It is always tough when u have runs on the board. India looked really good at one stage with the score reading 214 for 2. They finished with 282 all out within the first session of day three. You can sing bravado about Indian bowling, but the fact is we are against the odds and Aus camp will be a bit more at ease. Indians have a tendency to collapse in a heap, ref: first innings of this test. The fans on the other end would feel the other team has the upper hand. The uncertain cricket to follow has just pumped up the nervous excitement.

Sachin and the magic number.

The hundredth hundred may be playing on his mind, it may not. One more century would make him superlative. He is the best of his generation. He is the best Indian batsman ever. He is a genuine gentlemen and there is very little that public has seen of him that they didn't like. He has lived under an undiluted spotlight for better part of his adult life. He got into cricket at an age when you and me seek freedom without responsibility. He gave up both. I have this amazing sense of gratitude towards guys humility. It is simply impossible for anyone else to pull it off when you have earned so much fame and praise, all deserving off course.

I have seen a few centuries of his and seen him play since I can remember. But I hardly remember any century in which he starts flourish, you string of boundaries, punches on the off side, blistering square drive and flicks and get his century. I long to see centuries, when he is a bit circumspect and builds on his innings. Tendulkar settling in first and then decimating the bowlers, collecting boundaries and growing in confidence. It almost seem unacceptable to me that he will get a century with gusto and flourish like the one which was on display on day two of the Melbourne Test. It was delighting never the less.

Deja Vu in Melbourne

The Indian fan is witness to a collapse of Indian batting previously at The MCG too. It was a nasty one, Sehwag was brutal that day. India all out when they look to drive the advantage home wasn't to be. Aus cruised to victory. Indian bowlers however are looking good. Umesh Yadav is taking wickets, Ishant Sharma will get paid for hard-work sooner rather than later. Indian bowlers riding on self destruct tendencies of Aus batsman capitalized. It was 24/4 at one point before Ponting & Hussey chose to perform rather than parish. The tide turned the runs flowed.

Three aces.

Yadav had claimed first three wickets to fall in the first innings, accounted for Aussie top order again in the second innings. Cowan, warner and Marsh came saw went. Ishant had Clarke. This bought the two people like to face axe (but shouldn't). Ponting and Hussey attacked and defended and restrained the Indian bowling and set course for a competitive fourth innings total for the Indians to chase. . The target is approaching 250. Aussies would like to add a bit more. Indians will look to restraint. It makes for a good Test series.

Sore thumb rule

If two innings have been completed by the end of the third day, you tend to get the direction in which test is likely to head. It is hard to decide those. Indian collapse followed by Aus collapse makes for a jittery viewing if you are an Indian fan. Sehwag will do everything to amplify these jitters. Aus will try to push it beyond 250 may be beyond three hundred. If it is 275 in last five sessions of play to remain. Its just the tendency of collapse that you need to guard again.

Reemphasizing the change in The Menu.

It can be easily concluded about what kind of life you have by the priorities we follow. One we set the goal it is easier to aim. If scoring runs is the goal for the team than batting order should be one of the priority, the right batting order should be one of the priorities. I would love to see Laxman at three, Dravid at four and Tendulkar at five, Dhoni at six and Kohli at seven. It guards against possible collapse, it covers Kohli fallibility it adds to Dhoni since he would have at least one experienced batsman to play with. Tendulkar and Dravid would provide solidity. It would challenge Laxman to add a bit of caution and tightening up his game.

I wish to see changes in Aus line up as well. Hussey is there best bat for sometime now. He like Dravid has a complete game, well suited to play of either foot against all kind of bowling under various condition and score runs competently. He should be batting at three, Clarke at four, Ponting at five. Marsh at six.

It is easy to say Indians will come all out blazing. They need to dismiss Aussies as soon as they can and then chart a course where each batsman should take responsibility to be at the crease when the time comes to finish the game. I hope Yadav gets five tomorrow. I hope its a good match and it sets the right tone for the new years. It will be a good test match to follow.

Cricket: Preview India vs Aus

India tour to Australia has kicked off with a couple of practice matches. Its was so magnanimous of BCCI to let a batch of our players leave early and gift them two matches, guess thats what early Xmas gifts resemble. I don't know if the Board thing or our players, but we don't consider practice matches much on to do list of a tour. India's previous tours to South Africa, West Indies and England being the latest one, have seen us in pretty embarrassing situations, in South Africa we lost the match in the first session, the pitch turned docile after Indian innings and every SAf batsman helped himself with runs and form. West Indies we were 5 wickets down for peanuts the then Man in form with th Bat, Harbhajan and guess who Suresh Raina bailed us out, if it was any other set of players in the opposition we would have been decimated. England saw us winning nothing except a couple of mini sessions between lunch and the following drinks break. I hope fortunes have changed.

Fit? Fine.

India vs Aus is no more the marquee series per se. But for an Indian fan (here, me :P) and players in the team there should be enough spice to compel me (read us) to follow. Its fitness rather than form on this tour that will be the key to the series. It is the key to any series but for us this is the one. You can go out of form and inform in the middle of the game but if you are down on fitness. You can go into a series with an indifferent form and pull of some magical performances but it would be difficult to go into a series with your fitness in the wrong direction of slope. Then Aus is a big country to travel with injuries. Sehwag, you don't know, before you get up on Boxing day he may already playing 50 of 30 balls. Gambhir next to stay put. Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar have all done well against Australia at home and away when Aussies were at peak of the game in the last decade or so. Laxman is just primed for runs. Sachin is a ton away from ton of tons, wonder if anyone has noticed it. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have to fight it out for now exclusive so bereft batting order. But Kohli may get a look in before Rohit Sharma. Dhonis batting may just be under a more stern observation. 

Zaheer is coming out of long injury lay off, Ishant seems to be jumping a skipping rope between Am-I-injured-or-Am-I-not. Umesh, Ashwin and Ojha are yet to play in Aus. Irfan Pathan is not selected for some reason. Praveen Kumar wont be there. He did well in West Indies and England and did enough to be considered a decent test bowler. If there is swing he will do it. Bhajji and Sreesanth have been sent home for a long family vacation. Ashwin should fancy a chance against Aussies who have traditionally felt the pinch from the off spinners from Laker, Jasu Patel, Bhajji, Murali, Swann have done well against Australia. I for one would have love to see, Ishant and Bhajji bowling in tandem to Ricky Ponting. Ishant beating the inside edge with Ponting on the back foot, Bhajji beats the outside edge with Ponting coming forward. But then we have to savour what we get. Zaheer Khan is the keep simply because he has played just three test match in Australia. He is has to last the whole tour and keep taking wickets. He is vital to the outcome of the series from Indian perspective

Down Under - getting out of the rot.

Aussies now find themselves thin on talent and aptitude. It is (obviously) hard to replace guess who have entered history of the game. I don't know for how long Haddin may play, there are a few injured players, not suggesting Indians don't have their share of worries. Aussies have worries of their own. Its only Bangladesh and West Indies who have lost more matches. Ponting seems to the punter who out of tricks, but then the harder you want to pray of Indians winning this tour, they more you got to hope that Ponting doesn't get into form. Hussey is another player who can keep ticking, best brains in Aussie line up Watson is not played so that is a dream bonus. Why wasn't Warner scripted couple of years back is the question? Phill Jacques is a joke. Hilfenhaus makes a come back. Siddle will look to sizzle again, rest of the Aussie bowling is something I don't know about. I must add though, I am looking forward to Lyon vs Dhoni.

There are some key duels you want to see, Sehwag vs the cover point or third-man fielder. Dravid & Tendulkar old (oldest) war horses vs greenhorn Aussie rookie bowlers. Gambhir vs bad luck and ill form. Zaheer vs fitness. Ricky Ponting vs Ashwin. Hussey vs Zaheer. Umesh Yadav needs to adapt quickly and be counted. I am just wondering is Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar should all swap places. It's an idea that has caught my fancy. I wonder if it would make sens to have Laxman at three, Dravid at four and Tendulkar at five. Dhoni vs Haddin. 

The contemplation.

I am contemplating either a daily blog or after at the end of each innings.for  this tour especially for the days test matches played. There is one thing that I pray for, is series to be free of any possible controversy. The most important question for me will they employ DRS?

Blog: Some of all parts

It has been a while since posted a blog posted, the archives suggest it was more than a couple of months back. I have never been too busy to blog but always too lazy to blog. India's impressive run in ODI and Test continues. Indias hocket team did well too. Its not a good time to be a well renown, artistic, creative exponent personality. Death is the lifes biggest game changer, so said Steve Jobs. Dev Anand (actor, producer), may his soul rest in peace, Bhupen Hazarika (singer , musician) Dr Hargobind Khurana (scientist), Mario Miranda (cartoonist) left us wanting a bit more of creativity, but I guess life will go on. It may go on even after particle we know has been annihilated into oblivion, whenever future takes birth as present.

What do you mean (to do) ?

Then there is at times a nagging feeling wondering if everything we experience or observe is a distraction from what we are really meant to do. Its ok to be poignant as we think of things whenever we do, after getting free from what we are paid to do. At times you wonder if there is ever a hell and heaven, not challenging anyone or any authority here. It is times when we do good,we feel good and a blanket of bliss wraps us and everything seems divine. It is when we do something stupid which may result in unfavourable occurances, may be in the mind and not physically and then we feel kicking yourself or aiming to punch our own nose ( painting a bulls eyes before that?) then we ill feeling, unease gripping us and stiffle us till all is resolved and you choose to move on with whatever it was before.

Just do it - kick yourself

The last thing I kicked myself was not to place enough money, here my meager savings in a provident fund or a postal account, I waited on opportune stock market condition, realizing albeit late that you have to work out a favourable condition at most times,e.g. getting up on time on a weekday and making sure you well prepared for a vendor meeting, other suitable examples warmly welcome here. Its not often the return which has to be taken account, its the will to invest that gives the best returns. Yes, I must confess I have deep interest in drawing parallels among many things in my life, I do it with introspection. I may have been chided often as being a philosopher, I wish I was one.

But then the kingdom of our own minds is so hard to to conquer, harder to administer (keep in check) and hardest to traverse (here master). Does it help if everything can be written down in black and white? It is hard to accept that life gets harder with ever passing second and one of a our endeavours is to make it simpler. Anyone who think this isn't a double whammy? You agree with yourself, with people, you disagree, you may less than willingly accept only to e proven right or wrong about notion. The secret is to keep learning and learn how to apply it next when similar set of choices, under similar circumstances appear.

Cheese dip & economy

They talked about double dip recession when we were just stepping into one, the recession ended so did the highs and we our in our second dip, the nearest flip may not be around for quiet some time. The stock market among many so things is reflection of confidence of investor in that particular market. The Indian Government with some marvellous efforts looks like running the biggest Ponzi scheme ever known to us. The Gov has taken us from feeling hopeful about the future to being hapless. about the present  I didn't vote for it, hence paying taxes while having pizza hurts the body and dents the mind. If the markets are to be believed and currency charts to be accepted,we being taken to a cliff, we may stabilize is sense prevails. If cometh the hour,cometh the men; then the time is just about right. The less said bout the government the better, when its the next time we all get an opportunity to vote, may God's good sense prevail on everybody. In India what we considered here as God given divine right are frugal privileges cherished by a few people in many parts of the world, dont have to far and beyond just look at our neighbouring countries.

The challenge as ever is to think fairly and do it correctly. The conscience is the best mattress and hunger is the best sauce. The damp squib which FB has done is to no more allow blog post to directly update as noes, precisely where syncing twitter with FB helps.

Cricket Sehwag the Audacious

The game of cricket is said to be one of golden uncertainities, Sehwag is embodiment of that saying. Its Sehwag audacity and bovine nonchalance  towards batting that makes his batting more captivating. He has been described as King of Entertainment (Never mind if Ramiz Raja). It is safe to safe sehwag been a big game changer in fortunes of Indian cricket since he has arrived on the scene. Yes he is audacious, its either none or all from Sehwag.

My Audacious XI

This wasn't an original part of the blog post. But let me suggest an all time audacious Eleven. The "audacity" would be see it to believe it performance. Its like they drag their feet to to this 4 mile replay race and end up doing it as good and easy as a walk in the park. So here is my audacious Test/ODI/T20 eleven, based on players I have seen playing in last 10 years or so, there could have been equally maverick player earlier too  but my team would consists of Sehwag, Gayle, Gibbs, Lara, Afridi, Gilchrist, Flintoff, Warne, Murali, Shoaib and  Bond

Sehwag the audacious.

Sehwag one of te most audacious batsman the game has scene in this generation. He would go on the record and say 200 in ODI is no big deal only to find himself in the worst slump of form (&fitness) to be dropped and then not even selected for the previous Aussie tour, only to come back from no where and just announce his arrival with commanding some may say decimating form. His stroke play is unique so is his mindset, he is always looking to score runs, preferable make those runs without running around too much. He prefers getting over the line with a boundary, he like to start his innings with a boundary. He greets every new bowler with a boundary if not hitting it over the boundary. In the world cup earlier this year, he face first delivery of the innings and dispatched it for a boundary, he did that in every match. Sehwag in this innings too greeted all the bowlers with the boundary. Sehwag either delights or dismay. The deal is if he is around for 40 overs or so,you wont return feeling bored, I am also talking about Test matches here.

There are so many factors/variables when a batsman goes out to bat, weather conditions, pitch, type of bowling, type of cricket ball, opposition, form and fitness, situation of the game, ya ba da ba doo; ya ba da ba doo, Sehwag just dusts these things away with his bat and if it is in his area, he will smash it and he will keep smashing and dispatching it away all day for good. Sehwag been a bit off the boil for ages now, since his surgery  following IPL. He missed couple of tours. His return in England saw him bag a pair. There wasnt much joy when Sehwag is not smashing it all over. There is tour to Australia which is coming up next, Sehwag's form with the bat may just prove vital to tilt the balance in our favour. It is good to get him run and a good match practice before the big tour.

The cast of Sehwag show.

Indian batsman werent reaping riches of runs as supply seem to have run dry. Sehwag often wanders into oor form only to hunt the treasure chest of runs back. The famed never mind depleted batting order came to the party in time. Sehwag and Gambhir got going. It seems to the untrainted eye, that sehwag provides the power, Gambhir the direction. Gambhir is no slouch with the bat, if you get thrilled seeing Sehwag, Gambhir dazzles with inspiring strokes. The two took India to 176, before run out claimed Gambhir. India kept a right left combnation going. Sehwag was on song, all Raina had to do was to keep Sehwag company, it the middle overs Indians seemed to be in cruise control. Sammy played his cards but Sehwag had the aces.

Raina got a much reprieved 50 giving Sehwag company. Sehwag scored a double, most by a captain. India registered their huge total. The game was sealed, only West Indies had to come forward and do the formalities.

The spinners picked wickets. The West Indies lost the match by 153 runs and lost the series 1-3. The next match is academic. The most seniors players should opt for an early flight to Australia.

About: National Shame Day

It is that day of the year,you know,National Day of Shame, antipathy and remorselessness. Its been three years since the shameful incident when terrorist had a walk in the park gunned down innocent on roads, pavements, stations,restaurants and homes, indiscriminately firing bullets on babies, patients, women and men, while inept were in glued to the  democratically elected Seats of Power, contemplating what to do. It will be three years now since that shameful day, soon it will be 5 years and then may be ten and then there will be a silver jubilee along with some memorial and we will tel our kith and kin with some passing details of how some can decide to kill while we still contemplating things to do.

There have been attacks after that too, but we remember dates, feel the pinch and move on till we meet the next disaster. Mumbai remains sensitive and vulnerable, administration remains indifferent insensitive and incorrigible. I mean how many of you are convinced that the terrorists just filled a pot with chits of cities, picked out Mumbai, hired some boats, landed in the city, asked for places and then played jack in box?Palpable.

The more the things change the more they remain the same. The many champions of local cause were glued to TV sets, they did later  when the damage was done only the carnage to be seen for all, they did to their credit crawl out and to salute a "selective few" while conveniently forgot those who laid their lives but belong to some non local heritage.Selective patronizing of bravado by a select few.My rights, your duties.

Anyways this is as naive as I can get and the posts is getting as cliche' as it could. I will save a few precious word still the next irony happens.

Happy B'day to Kasab. He is here to stay and live. I wish hearty congratulations to his local daddies apart from his many other daddies as well.

The attack was not on any identity or belief, the attack was on ethos of a nation.

PS - This who are interested in trivia would also like to know,that there was this book which was completed, binded and ratified on this very day 26 Nov 1949. It was later to be adopted as The Constitution of Republic of India couple of months later.

About: Iron Man & Iron Lady

It is amazing how history concocts and intertwines dates of epic proportions. 31 October has entries for two such persons. One a reputed Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India Sardar Vallabhai Patel and the other being the third Prime Minister of India, Ms. Indira Gandhi. Today’s date marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel and death anniversary of Indira Gandhi. A lot of all that is  good in India  as we see it today can be attributed to Sardar Patel and the other can be attributed to Indira Gandhi. There couldn’t be two such diverse personalities who have such impact on India in particular and Indian sub-continent as a whole.

The Iron Man

Sardar Patel, Iron man of India, cometh the hour cometh the man. The self made man, been there done that, the master mind visionary and statesman, Indians equivalent of Benjamin Franklin and Bismarck. He provided the shoulders of a giant on which many a dwarves stood. He accepted Gandhian philosophy but not always accepted the Gandhi topi. His role in Indian freedom struggle is exemplarary. His vision of India, especially after winning the freedom balanced Nehru’s idealistic beliefs. If his words were paid heed to, Kashmir would never be in a state of fix. Pakistan gained upper hand of simply because of naive Nehru. The auspicious date of 15 August saw multiple challenges, horrific one at those, there were riots is many place of the country, Punjab remained tense for sometime, the merger of states, the largest of its kind in the world, the Pakistan attack on Kashmir with Pak regular army soldier in guise of tribals etc. These massive violence and horrific events raged across the sub-continent from Lahore to Dhaka. The British contributed handsomely to these problems.

Sardar Patel, the man with virtues and integrity of steel, resolved and guided the young nation through tough times, as though a grandfather guiding a pram. The merger and amalgamation of Indian states and princely domains itself is a case study for disciples of management, statecraft, diplomacy. I think there were more than 500 states dominions, princely states that were merged into what we now call as Union of Republic India. Operation Polo, in which, the then State of Hyderabad was merged into India, a unique Police action of its kind in the world.

It had to be a resolve of steel and Iron man of India often got it right too. His differences with Pandit Nehru were increasingly more apparent. India could have done more if Sardar Patel could see a few more years. It feels sad to dearth of such leadership and values in today’s time. I hope the next Indian prime minister has intellect of Patel, the dare devil Bose and the vision of Gandhi.

The Iron lady

Indira Gandhi was killed on this day. The Iron man was Sardar the Iron lady has to be Indira Gandhi. She divided Congress and formed Congress-I. That wasn’t her claim to fame. Indira tenure as Prime Minister has many things to be proud off – Atom Bomb, Bangladesh War, and Green revolution. Then there are not so good things, Emergency, Blue star, Nationalization of companies, poor, short sighted almost stymied economic and domestic policies. These are to be discussed with few that too in hush tones. She induced the culture of sycophancy in the Judiciary, government establishment, and Congress I. The effects are pretty visible till today.

She didn’t lead the government, she ruled with Iron fists. I think lot of what good that she did in her life was short lived. The bad, she left behind has a more ever lasting effect. Shimla Agreement fiasco, Emergency, split in the congress, almost an exalted sycophancy that was breed and meritocracy was sacrificed ensuring bad prevails in Cong, for eternity. There was reports of mal practice in her election, there was the court case, the Honourable High Court of Allahabad declared her election null and void. India saw her first and hopefully last emergency. The corruption that we see today, especially at higher level of so-called government can traces it's root back to Indira Gandhi.

India politics will take a long while to give up bad effects of Indira reign as Prime Minister of India. There was a few things which I like though, the Bangladesh War, where she outwitted Americans and Pakistani establishment. It was the best of the best from Indira Gandhi, the peak of her achievements. If only she would have thought of more prudent economic policies.

It is safe to say though that Indira Gandhi held her own among her contemporaries. I say this for reasons good and bad that there may not be another Indira Gandhi.

About: Lamp of Diwali

It is hard to know when human civilization exactly began. Its not hard to imagine,that it would have coincided with human mastering the ability to ignite and control fire. It is on a momentous, auspicious festival like Diwali, it would make sense to look back to take stock of things that happened, both good and bad and for the good and bad. A reality check if you want to say that.

The world is changing rapidly as we seek, as it changes, more distance seeps in between me and myself. The world seems to spin that much faster and everything seems to get fuzzy as I loose touch with my being and soul. Everything around me seems to be a distraction to the actions I am destined to do. Yet, I tread on the same path everyday. I don’t know if Karma is a bitch but Maya can certainly make u fell like a dumb mule. All this comes from elaborate stories that I have been told or I have heard, all coming from grandparents and parents, other elders in the family and society as whole. There is one steadfast belief though, there is no heaven or hell, you pay for your deeds in this life itself. The situations get nastier as you more on in life, the consequences to seem to impact harder and vice versa.

I just thought it would be good to take a step back, take 10 deep breaths and dare to look how the past have been. The keys to future lies in making peace with the past. It could be something that we may have not realized at that point in time, or something we regret now, but one has to set some way to repent and make peace with both the bad and not so bad simply in order to move ahead.

The festival of Diwali is the festival of lights. It is light that dispels ignorance and illuminates the truth. The lamp of made of conscience of mind and soul, wick of vices, so that we give up bad in exchange of good, negativity if thought and action in exchange of positivity of action, oiled by courage and determination to strive hard that flames hope happiness & humility all roud,seeking blessing from Divine.

असतोमा सद्गमय। तमसोमा ज्योतिर् गमया।
मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय॥

read as follow

Asato mā sad gamaya
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Mṛtyormā amṛtam gamaya
Aum śānti śānti śānti

which means

From ignorance, lead me to truth;
From darkness, lead me to light;
From death, lead me to immortality
Aum peace, peace, peace

Let us all strive to let the Divine light keeps burning within. I take this opportunity, time and space and urge you to find the light within and share it with the world. Happy Diwali to everyone.

About: Review Immortals of Meluhas

I read the book written by Amish Tripathi - Immortals of Meluhas. I had seen is interview first and then later chose to read the book, it wasn’t that I did hear of the book earlier. A lazy weekend and a lazy Sunday after noon was an additional reason to tilt the balance in favour of buying the book. A good 40 minutes were spent reading it at Crosswords and then the book was bought, to be read in the confines of the bed.

I wonder of all bloggers aspire to be writers someday. At least I do. I have persisting doubts though, as to what I should write. Amish present the story of the One. When I read books, I am amazed by the effort goes in research about the contents, as well as the research of ones mind and soul, coz writing what ones think is just the start. The imagination the grey cells and the aspiration of the writer soon start to take toll on the creative abilities. The focus can waver and the creative fuel tank can go dry for no apparent reason. The pain staking research comes out as this very thought provoking book the Immortals of Meluha.

The book is as subtle and direct. The book is a courageous attempt to strike balance between creativity, mythic folklore, Holy Scriptures, and the present. Then plot itself at times present enough opportunity to extended and elaborate the narrative. The book is about a tribal leader Shiva dwelling near the Mansarovar Lake. He is invited to this fabled land, an empire and a society of Suryavanshi rigidly following rules and laws. The society is happy and prosperous but has its undercurrents. Lord Ram founded the fable land. Then there is this jealous and evil kingdom of the Chandravanshis. The Protagonist starts as someone and treads the path of self-discovery to becoming the destined one.

The protagonist, character is finely sketch so are the other characters. There fallibility is for all to read and experience. As someone who has read this book and writing the review of the book, one felt as is some character’s portrayal could have been more lucid. The Chandravanshi are thought to be evil and jealous but besides that, the empire of Chandravanshi is with perspective of Suryanvanshis and the characters of Suryavanshi. The narrative does not throw enough light of illustrates the Chandravanshis enough. I wonder if it had to be, the plot of subsequent books that Chandravanshis may be discussed in detail by the characters but not the writer. The same if for the protagpnist. There is not much narrative about his past. A lot in the book is about his development, and come to being so to speak. There is not much about the origins. I wonder if it is for the next book.

The book is welcome. It is amazing how creativity was research help simplify and present a unique interpretation. A society improves if one can introspect and present their interpretation provided there is no intention of injuring or undermining faith of the land.

About: Tough time and straw men

Does history repeat itself? There are many philosophies that believes time (read history) is cyclic, I mean everything in nature is cyclic. But it keep moving forward, dynamic like a bi-cycle rather than static like treadmill. I wonder what kind of parallels would one find if we were to compare Bahadur Shah Zafar and Dr Manmohan Singh as head of the governments. Bahadur Shah Zafar and Dr Singh both ascended the throne of Delhi. They both were excellent in what they did, Zafar as a poet & Dr Singh as an able Economist. There is very little in merit even after much contemplation about the days when they were in power. They did nothing and could do very nothing then merely being vassals. I find always interesting to interpolate what if, It gives very gruesome and often symptomatic solutions.

Zafar’s reign extended to a couple of by lanes beyond the four walls of the imposing Red fort, Delhi. This is still in dispute though. The poet Emperor died far away in alien land pretty much incognito after the First War of Independence in 1857. Zafar was defeated by an English Officer, his Seal and Sword were gifted to the Queen. The frail and out dated Emperor was sent off to Rangoon, Burma. He claimed himself to be a Sufi and all the glory of the Mughal Dynasty was a feeble self by the time Zafar ascended throne. The servants doubled up as courtiers and subjects. Zafar mean while remains a mere bookmark in the pages of history, the end of his reign official marks the end of Mughal Empire. After 1857, the English crown overtook the reigns of ruling the then India Sub-continent, from the British East India Company. He died in exile wailing for wanting to buried in his land. He was one of the leading poets of his time along with his contemporary, Ghalib.

कितना है बदनसीब “ज़फ़र″ दफ़्न के लिए, दो गज़ ज़मीन भी न मिली कू-ए-यार में

roughly translated to -

How unfortunate is Zafar! For his burial, Not even two yards of land were to be had, in the land of his beloved.

Dr Manmohan Singh reign as ( the longest care taker ) Prime Minister of India has been marred by political indecision and blunders. The ministers are as good as courtiers of a king who has lost it all. There is no doubt about Dr Singh the mid-wife of India Liberalization, Narsimha Rao was the father and compulsion of fractured mandate and politically fickle environment was the mother of first and till date only set of reforms that Congress had to take, if they had to be in Power. Dr Manmohan ascended to the throne of Delhi and before him the Prime Minister from Congress before him were either too idealistic (Pandit Nehru), too morbid (Indira Gandhi), too naive (Rajiv Gandhi) or too good (Narsimha Rao). The Congress itself underwent changes, the nationalist party which fought for freedom, increasingly saw their core getting precipitate to left wing communists to right wing groups. Indira Gandhi's morbid hunger for power saw doing some truly bizarre moves signs of desperate autocracy. Congress was dead as Indira went on to mould the faction of Congress just around Emergency that she led. It is just like Zafar the post, Dr Singh’s qualities as a economist seem to inspire confidence while his inability to lead and claiming helplessness as an alibi only generates more angst and disbelief.

Dr Singh tenure as Finance Minister was good thing that happened, just like Zafars poetry. Zafar’s poetry or most of his has been lost. It seems amazing now that in what kinda of economic environment we had to bear with. Dr Singh greatest qualification for which he was chosen to be a worthy Prime Minister, his qualities of being a genteel, unambitious demeanor and obedient. He didnt have any political heir to leave behind his legacy for, a perfect political pawn.There is little proof if any if Dr Singh has a grip of politics of the nations or the politicians in his cabinet.I for one thought, Indian population was a very big number a Billion and counting. The scams in last couple of UPA government have dwarfed that population count. I mean how easy it is to get convinced that the Government simply didn't knew. The governments don't run that way.

Between Zafar and Dr Singh, Zafar had no one to answer too, Dr Singh is not allowed to answer. It would be be too gullible to believe worst is over. Today Indian democracy must summon the its last breath - the will of the people for a decisive mandate.

Blog: A step back

There are few phases in life you always want to reminisce since these were pleasant phases of life. Its probably student/college/hostel life for most of us, or it could be the one when we felt on top of the game, and rode and drove or flew almost with no hurdles or worry of wilting down before a hurdle.

 

Its been 10 years and counting since I left for home after sneaking into an engineering seat, in a university of a neat town far away from home. I was absolutely blank of what was to come and what was I to become. I had enough tools of survival but many had to be learnt. Today’s is Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya's birthday, they doyen and epitome of Indian Engineers. He was an ace, combining principles of theory to innovation of creativity did things that seem beyond compare. These things seem to be beyond compare until date until the point you confess to his genius.

 

I know I was blank but staying away from home was one of things I was looking forward to, it was one of those dreams. The hostel was unlike home, the mess food from day one was one of the bare necessities, unlike lavish food at home. Money was worth the water drops in a desert, restrictions were there but there were always boundaries to be pushed and fences to jump and the guards to be coaxed.  

 

There are plots and there are characters in the story. Then  there were those lined up by hundreds, the dreaded seniors, the soporific lecturers, the howling winds off baking bone dry summer when 45 degrees in early morning and 47 by mid afternoon were spent contemplating preparation of exams. Then there were the power cut is over by dusk so that one can enjoy a sip of ale-o-royale (here, water) and a pompous Romanesque if not a Roman bath. It was worth the wait.

Then there were was this bizarre play of number. You sneak out on a weekend night, Monday or Tuesday having a damn practical or worst an exam, u want to have this meal at a dhaba and a few drinks, and when you reach your destined dhaba you already find a dozen or more there, down with food and you merrily get lost in the din. Then there were hours before just a university exam on a cold bizarre frigid morning when u trying to store every letter in the crevices of the memory and then a roomie comes in opens the window and decides to have a sunbath before exam. You could visit the near town to get a taste of city life again, go there with there with pals with – 23 (minus 23) in cash, hangout there, watch a movie, buy a few clothes (if REALLY required) eat some sumptuousest meal, obviously watch movies and connect with internet on a break neck dial up speed and come back cash rich Rs 325 in hand. When the college started, we use to be in town early and leave late for the hostel, when the college was ending we preferred being there late and reach back to the hostel early.
 

Then there was this unquenched desire to sleep and just dream of sleeping while asleep. At times when nothing happened, the sleep was the best option to do in 20 km radius. Then there was the trip to city down town, which consisted of  two stalls of pav bhaaji, a restaurant, three or four suns and shadow types barber shop, two tailors and a couple of places where you could pay and get your long dead outgoing services of the phone resumed.

Then there were stories, setbacks tragedies, which were shared with few confidantes, told only to be heard and forgotten forever. And never to be spoken. The other side of campus there were flames and in some other corners, there was ashes. I preferred playing volleyball sparingly, hardly ever cricket, and never knew why. 

 

You had to loathe the mess except for couple of dishes, the green-tomato chutney was a huge following along with anything sweet, and some breakfast where everyone lined up, break butter was one of the delicacies that I remember along with flavoured aloo parathas. At times, there was custard with food, which was, another must haves. At times onion rasam was to be had. I must confess I had one of the more moderate experiences of my engineering days, but I have heard em all, witness to a few too.

 

A big chunk of college life was studies other bug chunk is the people who I studied with, some of those chaps were destined geniuses some worked hard, my aim was to complete it in four years. There is lot of credit to friends and mates in hostel that helped me in every way and I have no doubt without them I wouldn’t have completed my studies for a long time. 

The world as I see it today, the way I perceive people and surrounding and events has lot to do with times spent while engineering. I tell you it was a bit weird if I look back,imagine seeing a person for tweny four hours. You get up, you see your roomie, you are in the same branch and same class you see him in the class as well, He is one off your good friends so you hang out with him, since you are in the same practical batch, you end up copying the same practical, same assignments, your mess is the same, or the mode of conveyance is the same. It strikes me know as I write but I didnt when I was living it. My achievement (marvel actually/miracle probably) of becoming owes big time to my friends and class mate, I just happen to be there.

In the end, we use to exchange Diaries - slam book type and isnt that one of my favourite possession. When I think nothings going write and if I think I am acting to smart for my own good, I step back and read that diary again. These are few of the many stories. Its hard to imagine to tell about a life of those fours years in a single life time. Life was fun when we yearned for everything and earned nothing,these days we earning something and yearn for many more things.

About: Steve Jobs and Apple

Steve Jobs is the modern day Leonardo Da Vinci. He has influenced technology world like no one else, I know there have been many a stalwarts in tech-world, but Steve Jobs has made an indelible mark on many different verticals of tech-space. The tech-world as we see it, computers, laptops, mobile phones, computer accessories/peripherals, media players, animation movies, multi media hardware and software, e-Commerce, Internet - all have had imprints of Steve Jobs. He is a milestone in technology world. The pace of innovation in digital world was never to be the same after Steve Jobs advent on the scene.He has taken competitors head on and thoser are big guys, Microsoft, Sony among many others.

He is a genius. He like most geniuses seems to be an absolute freak. He has had his tough times in life. He with Steve Wozniak revolutionized the world of computer only to fall out in later years. He was the youngest tech wizard to find himself in limelight. He at times has pulled the rabbit out of the hat and at times made himself a bunny, all in one life, He is a bible of marketing. He is a marketing genius like no one else and probably Kotler may agree. There have been so many mails floating around about his not so good times. He is the face, the brain and the shear pull of cult called Apple. He has made Apple delight of every ones eyes. The products from Apple have just spin out of this world. The mania  at every launch of a new apple product is amazing

He has been a rebel and stood out at most times in the crowd of his peers. He is one of the few who have influenced the electronic hardware and software in equal measure and set standards for both. Steve jobs made a niche for his company, products of the company, it shares and for himself. He is the king of geeks today. The products that apple make push the technology further and they are almost a benchmark for their competitors.

It is very difficult to simple love him or just hate him. The awe of Steve Jobs arouses contrasting emotions from individuals. There are so many things we have been told. I read his biography iCon and this aura of Steve Jobs increased manifold. The biography shed different lights on his persona as a shrewd, cunning executive, a tech visionary. He is an abrasive and sharp professional as a boss he would often push people deep into the corner. He has come a long way. He was shunted out of the company, Apple which he had found with another Steve, Steve Wozniak and after a boardroom coup he had to leave Apple. He went to setup NExt  a venture into electronic hardware, and then came Pixar, he bought from George Lucas, then those animated movies, Toy Story, and rest as they say is history. 

Steve Jobs was the come back kid of the Silicon Valley. He is someone who really had it in him to have a bold vision and the boldness to pull it off for real. He has seen all the ups and downs in personal and professional life and kept coming back when he was down.

He came he saw his conquered or perhaps as the iConic Jobs may say something like this -  iCame, iSaw, iWon.

Cricket: India England Tests

This is the review of England vs India test series

If anything can go wrong, it will.

About: Straw & Camels back

Anna Hazaare is the straw that broke the camel’s back. The camel is the Sonia led MMS Government (if you  can still call it one) and the other straws are plethora of corruption charges that caught the glimpse of the morning sun from the headlines of the newspaper. There are more corruption frauds waiting to be exposed (conditions of TRP apply). I wonder no news channel or investigative journalist explore one of the more bizarre corruption scandal. It could be NREGA, Sonia G dream project, it could be Rs 77,000 Crores highway project, there are so many schemes that Gov seem to be running so hallow and decadent to the naked eye. The CWG mess couldn’t be a fiasco if there wasn’t any tacit approval of sitting Delhi CM for all the mess. After being indicted in Shunglu report and wrapped on the knuckles by the CAG, she enjoys to rule the state with the blessings of the top brass. As a famous sms is going around, government may think of passing the Anna’s version of Lokpal Bill if someone pays the bribe for it.

The UPA government is headed by Dr MMS who fathered the deregulation and helped India unwind the rigid and rugged Nehruvian jacket, which withered away all hope between 1950 and 1990. As a result, only 1% hundreds of million people who are earning are paying taxes. I think economic reforms bought us where we are, now we need to do more. The Congress had CPI with them to keep the boat floating so that they can isolate power. The congress really doesn’t want to get us out of the straight jacket; they continue to induce a mindset where status quo should not be changed. The alliance with Communists was the excuse for not doing any reforms earlier, now the alliance with other members is the excuse. It seems that Congress seemingly doesn’t want to deregulate and reform because they think their political prowess will dwindle. The incapability of this UPA government to reform and lead the poorest people and uplift them to have a secure life and robust future is hampering India on the path of growth. The governments inclination of not wanting to reform has been a major setback for this government. The reforms in the last decade or so have gone no where. The money for public spending has gone everywhere except fot the benefit of the public.

The Cabinet ministers seem to squabble about something irrelevant or how innocent someone like Raja is when the writing is on the wall. The Congress wants a few to be rich by making sure most of us a poor. They have polluted and undermine all possible institutions CAG, CVC, CBI, Judiciary, various other departments  (the list is pristine and prestigious). There are scandals coming out from India's most revered institutions the Armed forces. 

There is corruption everywhere then why is government trying to hide something instead of fighting the problem and cleaning the system and punishing the guilty. I mean they did everything to cover up; Sibal the esteemed minister came out and said there is no loss in Government reveneues in the 2G case. I wonder then why the previous Telecom Minister is in jail. Didn’t the Prime Minister know what Raja was cooking? If he knew, then the PM (hence Congress) top brass (I mean Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel and others) are equally culpable. He should resign and give up his post. If on the other hand he didn’t know what was happening which means the Prime Minster was being led or kept in the dark then all the more reason for him to resign. Other cabinet ministers are equally corrupt in their practice and way beyond correction.

Its know value of money and the interest on principal rather than value and principles which formulates guidelines, policy making and Ponzi schemes that this government runs. The lazy unwillingness to address the issue and trying to misled the people repeatedly will hurt our society in the times to come. The means of livelihood and health are fast dwindling away.

This blog post is a patchy one as best. I think I would want to blog on this a little bit more.

About: Suave smiling Shammi

Shammi Kapoor breathe his last earlier today. He was my favourite hero. The songs from those movies which he starred are still remade ,redone and remixed again and again. He was perhaps the most handsome among all the movie actors across the ages who came to don the silver screen Hindi film world. He was suave and had lot of class, surely a gourmet if not a connoisseur. The songs from his movies were collector’s items. He was never to be choreographed, he was just told about the camera angles and he did his own stuff, did it pretty well. The characters he played were full of panache and gusto. He romanced the most glamorous heroines on the silver screen of his times from Vyjantimala, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Saira Bano, Geeta Bali and so many others. He was reputed not to feature with the same here heroine more than once. 

Junglee, Janwar, Budtameez, Professor, Boyfriend, Raj Kumar, Prince, China Town, Teesri Manzil, An evening in Paris, Kashmir ki kalli, Bluff Master, Brahmachari These were some of the movies which he starred,most of them were musical hits and popular movies. His movies were so good,so easy to watch in the sense, there was no sleaze and nothing loud and unsavoury. The stories consists, boy meets girl, pop corm love stories, but romance changed for good once Shammi Kapoor touched fame. He teamed up Rajendra Nath, Mehmood, Tun tun and other leading comedians and comedy was a permanent fixture of his movies. Rafi lend his voice to most of Shammi’s songs and there was magic on screen. Pran often played the villan in many of those movies. He did thrillers apart from romanctic movies. There was a sense of intergue in many of his movies, lot of drama and thrill. He often played a character wanting to make a mark of his own,often the rebel but those movie were sans chaotic action. His sense of style and persona was hard to miss. He would portray characters that stood out from the character that other actors played in their movies. The other actors were busy doing melodramatic, emotional roles, while Shammi was playing a flamboyant, yet sensitive comic-romantic hero. No other hero could match him for style, jackets, caps, t-shirts etc. 

When it comes to romance people go on roof tops to sing and yell their stories. He did it better and crazier. He did it on roof tops, mountain slops (Yahoo!! – Junglee ), river banks (Lal chadi maidan khadi - ), Lakes (Deewana hua badal – Kashmir Kalli ), waterfalls ( An evening in Paris), boats (Kashmir ki Kalli),elephant back (Yahan ke hum hai Raj kumar – Rajkumar), helicopters (Aasman se aaya farishta – An evening in Paris), cars,trucks (Kashmir Kalli) pubs( Teesri Manzil) , while trekking (Deewana mujhsa nahi – Teesri Manzil). He did it all and did it wish class and style. The few songs out of these were outright to woo some more just to flirt.

Shammi Kapoor will remain my favourite actor of all times.

Cricket: Preview of third test

There are a few possible reasons, which cause teams to lose test matches. It is the inability (a combination of form, fitness, or skill) to bowl out the opposition teams or to bat out sessions in order to collect runs (co-incidentally a combination form, fitness or skill).It is hard to pinpoint the possible reason or combination of reasons to justify the current performances of Indian team. The couple of tricks were missed in West Indies; a full team should have played there. Gambhir, Tendulkar, Zaheer. It would have given the team management a headache of plenty rather than dismay of dearth. The pace bowling looks a decent attack. Praveen Kumar and Ishant are in good touch. Praveen Kumar finds himself bowling on pitches to be cut out for him. He has bowled a lot of overs. The question over Zaheer still lingers. I don’t know if he will play the next test, if he plays will he bowl 100%, if he does bowl 100% will he last the entire duration of 5 days. Will he last the whole test? If he does last the whole test, will he be available for the next test? Only time will tell.

Men in form

The form of PK, Dravid, Laxman and Bhajii’s no more available for selection could be some of the few positives Indian team may wish to take forward. All eyes are surely on Sehwag. But Sehwag wont be 151 not out when he comes to bat. The rules of games are such that he would walk out with a big O against his name and he will have to come out and start his innings from there. He doesn’t come with assurance that he will score. At this point in time, we can all wish that he has recovered from his injury and has enough fitness to last a test match.

International sport is increasingly a function of fitness. A fit cricketer will prove to be more valuable than one with higher skill and a dodgy fitness. The Aussies ruled the roost because they were supremely fit team. SAfs may lack panache and skill of teams from the sub-continent but they have been a very good team since there re-admission. Rahul Dravid can give a run for the monies to all the youngsters in the India’s ODI XI. Rahul Dravid is the leading sun scorer for this series. It is too good to be just a coincidence.

The least likely scenario

There is a lot of intrigue lot of un-answered questions and lot of ordinary display of cricket we have seen in last couple of test matches, including the ones in West Indies. The excuses and alibis will be complex. The easier thing to do would be to just play the time. We must field our fittest XI and just play. The batsman should look to bat five sessions. If Dhoni and Raina are to come at say 450 for 4 or 500 for 4 after say 160 overs, next 20 overs can make up for the meagre run rate. I hope this tour dust turn out to be something like the tour of Australia in 98-99 when Sachin was the captain, the one in which he was given LBW when stuck on the shoulder.

Its been only once that a team was 2-0 down and came back to square and series and then won the fifth and final test to win the series. Don Bradman was the captain of that team. I was hopping for a 1-1 result. Shane Warne suggested 2-1 in favour of England. I hope things fall in place for Indian team, Sachin, Sehwag Scores, Dravid grinds out, Laxman flicks them along the ground, between the fielders, Dhoni tonk the bowling. Zaheer takes wicket virtually under stealth, Praveen Kumar keeps gliding in. Ishant makes a few batsmen hop and every one plays well to pull one back and make the final test a fitting finale.

I wonder when I last crossed the boundaries of optimism and step into utopia.

Spirits and Exorcism.

So this is what I happened. It was the last delivery before the tea interval, Eoin Morgan played a stern clip off his pads towards square leg, Praveen Kumar ran and dived to keep the ball in play, mean while the batsman, Morgan and Bell had ran three. The ball was hurled to the batsman end, the bails were dislodged when it was seen that batsman was not in the crease and defending his wicket. The appeal was made and the third umpire was consulted. He declared Bell out. A lot of it around that time is open to interpretation and sources. Bell was out. He has agreed to that. I think the spirit of cricket saw that and flew into haunt the fame while the game was in recess for the tea interval. Dhoni withdrew the appeal. The spirit was happy after that. I think he did the right thing. Anyways Bell early dismissal would have no bearing on the result of this game, considering the margin with which we were beaten. Boycott said that we looked like Bangladeshi’s in disguise.

Its time to get all things right and justify our abilities and our rankings.

Cricket: English overhaul Indians

India lost first match of another over sear test series. England coasted home with 196 runs. Indians has conceded a lead of more than 190 runs and since then they were just doing the catching up. The international sports scenario increasingly gives equal importance to fitness and skill i.e. physical and mental aptitude. England was the fitter team. Indian team was hamstrung (Zaheer), bugged (viral, Tendulkar) and bruised (Gambhir). Sehwag had already in the injured list. This further tilted the balance in favour of England. England seems to be in control for most of the match except for a session when Ishant Sharma set the cat among the pigeons taking 3 wickets in 16 balls.

Hindsight, foresight and the mental hide & seek.

The rules of leading a life are learnt in hindsight and life is led with a foresight. There is a clear deficiency of both when it comes to BCCI & Test match cricket. BCCI has been big and bold about their (monopolistic) business and given a lot of support to Indian players. If Gambhir, Zaheer, and Yuvraj were fit before the second test started in West Indies, shouldn’t they have boarded a plane to Caribbean and played the third test? Gambhir looked out of sorts for obvious reason; Zaheer broke down after taking two wickets. Gambhir’s injury was freakish and something, which one feels good if we avoid it. Sachin was down with a viral. Sehwag remains unavailable for first two tests. Dhoni needs to make better plans and take some tough decision about the composition of his bowling attack. There was enough rub off the green in this match especially in the second innings on the last day. May be things would change for the good. The best performers in this match for India, Ishant, PK, Dravid, Laxman, and Raina to an extent had a good but a gruesome tour of Caribbean and primed themselves to another fighting test series against the number one contenders. At least it wouldn’t have done any harm

Pietersen finds form.

The one thing Indian team has done is let the Poms get back to form. Indian bowlers bowled incoherent line and lengths and let the English batsman get into the groove, Strauss, Bell, Pietersen, Prior all had good knocks and got used to the conditions and Indian bowling. Indian batting on the other hand helped bowlers find their rhythm and expose the chinks in the batting order. Pietersen is not a batsman you will see and say that this guy will guts it out to find form. Pietersen is a compulsive stroke player who has been scratchy for a couple of seasons now. Zaheer broke down and with no bowling all rounder or Yuvraj Singh chucking pie at Pietersen. He helped himself to a big meaty double century and England posted a huge total that India couldn’t match. Pietersen was restrained for better part of the innings. He played the type responsible innings, where strokes were cut down on all that was flashy and trenched deep for survival. He played a very compelling innings under indifferent batting conditions. He will be the key to English fortunes for the rest of the series.
The other bowlers toiled hard most of the match on the other hand at times, it was toil to watch Harbhajan bowl.

Singh is King-pin

Bhajji needs to shrug it off and think the batsman out. The fizz is mellow, the lengths and lines are meek, timid, and defensive. I mean he can bowl all day round the wicket without getting a decent first class player out. He bowling round the wicket reduces his chances of a bat pad kind of dimissal. He should look to aim at the outside edge of the bat and invite the batsman to play forward on the off side around fifth stump. He should invite the left hand batsman to drive of the front foot with the turn. Dhoni can help him by keeping a short fine leg for a miscue sweep, a forward short leg. A short cover and midwicket for the mistime drive. He definitely seems to have lost it and just trudging around for a year. He lost of ideas and seems fixated bowling defensive trying to contain the batsman. He is neither controlling runs nor taking wickets. Indians were effectively bowling with little more than two bowlers. Ishant and PK looked good. Bhajji should make it large and look to do that soon.

Rahul Dravid is a professional and disciple of patience.

Rahul Dravid has numbers to show that would put any batsman in awe. He is technically perfect of this generation. Dravid holds one end up. We just choose to observe the magnificence of other stroke players around him. It is the comfort that Draivd provides and the partnership he strings with the other batsman that keeps the Indian ship sailing. I mean how many batsmen can score at the rate of Sehwag. How many are as impeccable as Tendulkar, Laxman over the years has become a very dependable bet. Raina is fast learning the tricks of the trade. Rahul Dravid form will continue to direct how performance of Indian team. He scored a century in tough conditions when the stroke makers were guilty of injudicious stroke play. It was Dravid's watertight technique. But his drive, off the front or back on off or legside, remains pristine and delight to watch. You can have photographs of his strokes and it will be a cricket handbook of batting.

Yes, he is orthodox batsman. The Russian orthodoxy would be impressed if anyone of those guys follow cricket. However, expecting him to play like a Sehwag would be like asking Sehwag to play like Dravid. It simple won’t happen. Yes, he was beaten and dropped but he did carry on providing a little bit of respectability to the score. He knows how to weather a storm and build an innings so crucial in Test matches to keep going. Dravid making runs was one of the few good points for the team from thsi match.

PK swing karo.

Praveen Kumar has the talent of get the ball to swing. He bowled tirelessly after Zaheer left hobbling. He seems to almost glide from a shortish run up. His ability to get the ball swing both ways makes him crucial bowlers in the English conditions. I wonder if he could get it to reverse swing. Zaheer and Ishant can get it to reverse with a good degree of control. Zaheer may not (should not) play in the second test. I wonder if PK and Ishant would open the bowling in the next innings. I hope PK claims more wickets because these would be one of the better bowling conditions that he is likely to get for a long time.

Indian cricket is some where in between the hype of a victory and hysteria of a defeat created by the traditional media. There will be tragic losses and exhilarating victory. The game is bigger, more important is to support the team through thick and thin that the game offers. One bad day doesn’t make a bad season. The second test starts at Trent Bridge starts on Friday.

Cricket: Preview India vs England

England hosts India for four tests five ODIs and a T20. It is billed as the series the number one team, India vs. the number one contenders, England. If you look at the official rankings, Indians are on the top. I think India South Africa, England are the top teams, each on their day capable of upsetting the other two, Indian have squared series with South Africa home and abroad. SAfs have lost of English in South Africa, while English haven’t won a series against India in England or anywhere for last ten years or so, the previous series played in England in 2002 series was drawn, Indian won in 2007.

This series see the teams’ line up and balance each other man for man. In the openers, Strauss and Cook square against Gambhir and Mukund. Gambhir is coming back after missing a few test, so he is likely to be edgy. Mukund looked good but may want to consider resetting himself for English conditions. Zaheer would get an opportunity to bowl at two left handers in Cook and Strauss. Sehwag not likely before the third test as I write this, Johanthan Trott has been collecting runs, playing sense and ticking the strike over. He may not have the aura of a big stroke player but he is least likely to step in the trap to prove his bravado. Rahul Dravid is perhaps an institution when it comes to batting at number three. Dravid’s form will make set the tone how the team performs. If Dravid is fluent and controls the tempo, then he would lay strong foundations and Indians would do well, if he doesn’t then Indians may struggle for just that bit. I am not adding Sehwag to this, coz he is injured. There is no point discussing what an injured player could have done. But it just shifts the favour of the balance towards the English.

Tendulkar, will score runs. It is the matter of time. Indian middle order of Tendulkar, Laxman, Raina and Dhoni will compete with Pietersen, Bell, Morgan. Bell seems to be in form, but Pietersen's form is a worry. I hope he has a good series. It would be fun seeing Morgan against Bhajji. Then Prior vs. Dhoni, both good, but Dhoni has aura and Prior has his gloves. The bowling is where this series gets very exciting. Laxman hasnt had a century there in England. Laxman may want to cash in on this series big time. He has had a decent workout in West Indies, his sublime touch in English conditions would be great to watch.

Zaheer, Praveen Kumar, Munaf, Ishant, Sreesanth are all available for selection (fingers crossed). I mean when was the last time, place for three seamers and five were available for selection? There is variety as well, Kumar and Sreesanth will swing it, Ishant will queue up to get use of any bounce, Munaf has control. Zaheer has everything. Sreesanth will also look to do something, it could be bowling as well. The team up against, Bresnan, Broad, Tremlett, Anderson. A very good attack. I have a feeling even the seam attack tends to balance it out. The key lies some where between the fingers you may guess. Swan vs. Bhajji is perhaps the one to watch. Swan and Bhajji are both off spinners, Swann has a bagful of wickets, Bhajji is struggling for rhythm. Swan clearly has an edge. The difference is Swann would be bowling to Indian batsmen who are comfortable facing spin bowling, especially off spin bowling. English batsmen have had a traditional weakness to collapse against any kind of bowling.

Strauss has been a reluctant captain, who has learnt the trade after he got the job. Dhoni it seems was destined to be this Captain Cool. Dhoni is still to lose a series. Dhoni will always have a few tricks up his sleeves. Strauss will be efficient and clinical and methodical, Dhoni will Strauss guessing. Dhoni would want to score here with the bat. 

It is unlike the series in West Indies, where India had field new players. Raina, Laxman and Ishant were the big plus from that series. Gambhir and other making comeback. I am also looking forward to English commentators for this series. They are fun to listen.

I think 1-1 may be a fair result for the series.

Blog: Another blasts another blog

Another set of blasts another blog. Its not the last sets of blasts that will ever be reported from Mumbai. The city being the center of finance, commerce, flash bulbs, fast moving trains and slow moving traffic. Big money and discarded coins find sleep in the same street. A blast in Mumbai serves more than one purpose, besides grabbing headlines. It underscores our lack of will and staying committed to not address the issue and keep it pending for one more time, till the next blasts. The countdown for next blasts has just begun.

This is all so very disgusting. It is a shameful actually, As a citizen of India we must accept that our live has worth less than that of fodder of equal weight. I mean people can dare to plan to execute us and then do what they want, knowing of repercussion, we carry this witch hunt, catch a few people, and keep the court cases running on Duracell batteries, which last forever. I am not sure of those cases running on Duracell batteries but Indian court cases especially criminal ones last longer then what Duracell into Durex can last. If we have to be a proud nation we have to be something to be proud of besides age old history, for now its vulnerability, anguish and disgust that I am proud of. I hope its temporary.

These kind of acts of terror should have stringent, potent and time bound deterrent. It should come from our law makers to stand up and make the punishment so harsh that people have to think twice before carrying out such cheap war mongering. There is no one who can predict such bizarre events. But could you say for sure that there is no support on the ground, and no one knew about it. It is too incredible to lie low and believe like an ostrich and bury ur heads in dust hoping that the troubles will just go away.

I increasingly believe that the foreign hand often blamed after every such attack has to have an Indian glove or an Indian mind. There are more than one sources of this terrorism with in the country and off course internationally. This synergy for this terror agenda is across time zones and socio-religious beliefs. The motive this time is not only to repulse.

The other facet of the story.

The Congress let government is increasingly under pressure due to all the corruption cases which bring to light the Congress Governments intention and ability to mislead and rule. The divide and rule policy seems to make a turn for the ugly. Its too early too take a call, but there are so many things that we may never know. One thing if for sure there would be a few cases that would be conveniently swept under the carpet in the din of these blasts.

I don’t think much will change. I would really turn skeptic is they do. The posts written on previous Bomb Blasts can be reviewed here on this link, provided you have the patience to read through. Its amazing how the same set of thoughts emerge and same kind of moods prevail when same unfourtunate events happen.

Cricket: Review third test.

If the second test was a damp squib, the third one was a touch incredulous one. The weather helped Windies escape to a draw in the second test and we made the chase a bit of hay in the last innings of the last test of this series. Then in hindsight, a series win was more important, considering the squad Indian team had. If we (cricket fans) were told before the World Cup that Indians would win series in West Indies (both 3-2 in ODIs and 1-0 in Tests) without, Sehwag, Gambhir, Tendulkar, Zaheer, and/or Yuvraj, we would have said yes.

What cost us the match?

I think we bowled well enough to restrict the Windies to a paltry score of around 200 and then followed it up with an indifferent batting performance in our first innings display, which really cost us the match. Indians should have score in excess of 450 or more but no one really stuck around to build an innings. Dravid got out to a superb incutter by Sammy, before he was set. The others played got in but seem to get out before then could get a big score.Mukund, Laxman, Raina, Dhoni all score gritty fifties, but no one could steer the ship home and seal the match. Laxman got out to a bizarre dismissal, Mukund got out to a freakish one. Kohli and Vijay have spent more hours chasing the leather in the field. Then the Windies were in the game and then bowlers stuck to their task kept plugging away, even Bhajji was amongst the wickets. A few dropped catches of Chanderpaul only helped the Windies cause. Powell and Chanderpaul made sure there was only one impending result, a DRAW. It was the ordinary first innings when we let an opportunity to pile a big lead to pass by; a mammoth score would always have kept Windies under pressure to survive and and play second fiddle. It wasn’t to be. Chanderpaul woke up to the fact that he was playing against India, he woke up and celebrated it with a signature century, against his favourite opposition. But then he was offered more than one life and to his credit, he did maximize it to the maximum good.

The score Indians were left to chase at 4.5 an over. It would have looked different if one had done a Sehwag. But I think anything over 160 is the last session at more than 4.5 is asking a bit too much when people batting are looking for survival at the shores rather than adventure of the high seas.

The gains from the series.

It was good series for Laxman and Dravid and Raina making runs, Dhoni got back after a couple of ordinary tests, Praveen Kumar and Ishant Sharma were a definite plus from this series. Mukund looked good. I wonder if there is a choice between Mukund and Raina if Sehwag is half-fit to play the first test in England.

This series would also be remembered for spat between Gayle and Windies board. I think the best playing 11 should have the following players Gayle Bharath, Samuels, Chanderpaul. Bravo, Baugh, Sammy, Edwards, Roach, Bishoo, Rampaul. The bowling looks good, tail can wag. If Gayle gives a decent start, Sammy and Bravo would want to carry it forward. There is pace in Roach and Edwards, Bishoo has done well and will scythe through a non-sub continental team. Bishoo has played in back-to-back Test series against Pakistan and India. He would have learned more about himself and his bowling in last two and half months than any other time while learning his trade. The insipid Windies betting must shrug themselves and getting back to being Calypso (jive and tango) from being Collapse (stumbling and bemusing).

Cricket: Third test preview & other things

Well, other things first. BCCI is now whipping boy of everybody. Any cricket writer or ex-cricketer associated with media come out only to spit venom about BCCI. There are many of ex-cricketers who were part of champion teams of their times now are champions who blame every wrong-doing in and around cricket on the BCCI. I mean is UDRS is panacea for all of cricket’s pathos? Dhoni latest dismissal in the on going test series off the Edward no ball was an embarrassment to all cricket watchers. Chanderpaul dismissal off Bhajji was the other extreme. I mean Indian cricket is doing well in present times; Indian cricketers are doing well on and off the field. The Indian team is the current World Champions in ODI cricket, they are the top few teams in crown of cricket, the Test matches, and they have won the inaugural T20 World Cup. Dhoni being centre of this success, figuratively and literally.

All this hoopla about UDRS/DRS seems to be headed in a wrong direction. I wonder if it is just to do with an Indian Cricket Board or success of India cricket or presence and support whether Indian team is playing in Jamaica, Durban, Adelaide, Wellington, Trent Bridge, or where ever. There is this huge Indian expats in cricket playing nations, so unlike previous years, where there was hardly any support for Indian while playing abroad, there is a good number if not equal crowds for venues abroad wherever Indian plays.

Those residing in shattered glass houses, cry of pain

Australia are on the descending curve, I mean three innings defeat in a five match test series that too at home against England, in during the previous Ashes says a lot. The Ashes in hindsight was a no contest, it was a shame to see Aussies whipping and crying in between matches, moan and finding excuses cursing everything. They did everything except to introspect and take hard calls; the present Aussie team beat previous English teams when it came to crying and complaining about everything rather than accept they were beaten fair and square. There is one thing for sure, Australia is one on the places, where Umpiring, is pretty poor, Indians have seen that repeatedly, Sydney Cricket ground being the latest incidence, certainly its not last by any chance.

A couple of things, other than the other things. West Indies are there is turmoil in the West Indies board and cricket played by West Indies is boring, it is amazing how turmoil with the Board, administration, management and selection committees affects cricket teams. Is it a good idea to rejig and reform the board and a settled Board and other assured stake holders would lead to a more commanding performance by the respective teams? The Colin Cowdrey lecture by Sangakkara calls for something similar when it comes to the Sri Lankan Board. I am not sure if Australian Cricket Board is functioning as well as it did when Aussies were by far the first team and distance with the other teams stood second.

BCCI is not holding DRS back, they have a few reservations. I think other boards are not at mercy of BCCI. They can decide pacts for including technology for improving the game. But then it is easier for an ex-international (sans nationality) to point at BCCI. But if I am not wrong, BCCI is more focused on issues, which is rank higher in their priority lists. If we don’t want to host Bangladesh or play five test in England and Australia then the other boards should mind their own business. BCCI generates majority of revenues, have a bigger fan base, and earn more revenues for the ICC than all other Test playing countries put together. The fan base is only growing. If pink was the colour of health then health of cricket is bright dark pink. It is easier to cry hoarse about BCCI rather than take a dig at their respective cricket boards. We know what happens when players turn against their own board, of all people the legendary Kapil; Dev faces wrath of Indian board.

The silly point is ... 

The other aspect is they all want to use technology, but everything comes at price, so does this DRS technology, so which means boards/administrations may have to share the costs. When it comes to costs, BCCI can take the calls. I hope that people are not crying hoarse because they simply want BCCI to be forced into the loop so that BCCI being the chief revenue engine bears the burden of DRS. If that happens, people may enjoy the advantages of technology while BCCI bears the costs. DRS or no DRS decisions in the cricketing field play even in most cases over the time.

Preview to third test.

Rain ensured there was no realistic chance to enforce a draw, good test teams must play out a day to ensure a match is drawn, and West Indies did play out the day riding behind the storm. Chanderpaul’s dismissal was as ordinary a decision as some other we have seen, Dhoni, Raina being the victim more than once. Laxman got among runs, Ishant bowled as well as he could, Samuels fought well, should be batting one down in the next test. Praveen Kumar was off the boil, Kohli looked to attacked but then Edwards peppered him up. Bhajji aka Harbi rode is luck, never threatened taking a wicket. Carlton Baugh did give him one. Bhajji is increasingly seems to tread like a stock which people get afraid of when the stocks starts climbing up. His wickets are more about batsman committing a mistake rather than he inducing a mistake. Its not the same thing, its poles apart. I was wondering is Gambhir and Yuvraj and Zaheer are free and available for selection why not play them in the third test, there is no practice like match practice.

India have everything to play for and West Indies would love to gate crash the series victory party. West Indies can force the issue with the ball, but its their batting which is too obvious at the moment, there are a couple of injury worries for Indian side. I wonder if all is well then Ishant, Munaf, Praveen and Mishra make up the best Indian bowling this Indian squad has to offer. Indians have a higher pedestal to step up to, rain may mar this test as well, but last time they won a series in West Indies they followed it up with a series win in England too. I hope the history repeats itself.

West Indies were a sorry 99/5 when this post was last updated.

This post is a second edit.