Cricket: Riders feel the Charge

As I said Cricket and T20 are like two subjects too be prepared from the text book, but the maxims of the two games remains the same. I think even the punters know this fact. I didn’t see the curtailed match as I opted for the siesta instead. But yeah Sehwag did fire, he has had one of the most interesting last 18 months and his opening partner too seem to have a run full time. I think Delhi and Chennai have the most potent bowling attack hence favourites to win. Others are good but remain untest.

I saw the Knight Riders vs Decaan Chargers match. So here are 20 point blog from the match Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers.

1. Fidel Edwards 6 in four overs, brilliant, gearing up to see Edwards vs Malinga.
2. All hype of Gayle, McCullum and Ganguly was settled in first 20 minutes of the game, all three in the hut and KKR reeling soon.
3. The variety of reasons may have taken IPL away from India but lots many things in terms of must-do-basics-of-cricket have between bought closer.
4. Did I see turn on SAf pitches? Ojha and Karthik would be still rubbing there eyes in some disbelief.
5. Scott Styris was saved from the blushes by two brilliant catches by Gibbs and Sharma.
6. Gibbs the swash-buckler he is tuned it on big time, scored a meaty 53 not out, made sure the driver advantage is bought all the way to deliver point.
7. The onus is on Rohit Sharma tough, he need to prove both fitness and form and temperament and technique, there is no doubt over the quality of talent.
8. RP rips apart Kolkatta Knight Riders with four wickets.
9. Ganguly missing Eden gardens and tailor made pitches there.
10. There is a case of going back to the basics and have specialist openers for this IPL-2.
11. Agarkar, the question his can he bowl without embarrassing his captain?
12. Laxmi Ratan Shukla, well, he smacked a couple but was deceived by stupid and turning orthodox left arm spin.
13. Laxman should read “For Dummies - How to run between the wickets?”
14. But he need no master class in batting, the six off Ishant was very very special.
15. Deccan Chargers are really in some different colour altogether.
16. It is matter of time before Dada comes good atleast once, though he needs some soul searching to do, something he looked to be doing when facing Fidel.
17. I think almost all team needs to fine tune their batting order, almost all have screwed up, but it is just one match.
18. I think Harmeet Singh bowled well and impressed, look sgood but would do good to add pace.
19. Where was Mushraffe Mortaza for Kolkatta Knight Riders?
20. I think all of us viewers should enjoy what is happening rather than reminiscence on what has happened last year, this IPL is on, with a difference.

Cricket: India one up.

MSD lead India to one nil up with two more matches to go. The Aussies never looked as to put up a fight as India tightened their grip as the game moved forward. India won the match by a record margin as many records and personal milestones were conquered. Indians are firm favourites at this point in time to win the series. Can the Aussies come back?

Problems of a different kind.

India has had superlative performances with bat, ball, and gloves and in the field as well. Zaheer and Ishant are bowling superbly. Their fitness is supreme, their control amazing and are doing everything with high degree of finesse. Zaheer has marked Hayden as his man, while Ponting will be daunted by Ishant. Zaheer mean while has penchant for top order left handers, Strauss and Cook (England), Smith (South Africa), and now Hayden. He is so good that at point the blue eyes Irfan Pathan is struggling to break into the side. The old ball is working well for both Ishant and Zaheer. If Aussies thought they would only be facing Kumble, Bhajji & Co, then they would have got a big jolt in the very first over of this sries when Hayden fished out side off stump (Symo no pun intended) and edged to keeper Dhoni.
Amit Mishra, mean while was ridiculed for his selection instead of Piyush Chawla. I believe Mishra has better control, Chawla has ages on his side, National selectors are happy. Batsmen are a worry though, although there is time but the planned should be made well in advance. My chief concern Gambhir, scored well and now has cemented his place for at least till the end of this season. Sehwag when he will score India will win, not that he didn’t score this time. Laxman may face the axe. Dada Ganguly will be looking to add a few more runs before he decides to call quits. It would have been so good if Tendulkar had got the century. Meanwhile Bhajji has ensured he is saving from the axe by taking wickets in no time and turned tables on Australia. I hope they spare no quarter and drub Aussies three nil.

Pontings headache.

Big guns are not firing. I wonder why Pomersbach and Shaun Marsh were not included in the squad. Lee has failed to come to terms and now Ponting is claiming back to back Test matches are tough to play. But that’s not enough of excuse when Australia holds Boxing Day (26 Dec to 30 Dec) and New Year (2 Jan to 6 Jan) match within 48 hours. I think this back to back test match is no excuse. I also think they are over balanced. Off course they neither have a quality spinner and nor the pace battery is charged enough to impose any threats. I think he should look to shuffle the batting order also. It should be Hayden, Katich, Clarke, Hussey, Ponting, Haddin and Watson. Also if he is looking to bowl, why has he not pressed for Katich to bowl? We all know he can bowl. It is one of the many nebulous decisions that Ponting has taken. They all have back fired and Ponting seem to be confused. I think Katich will do better then White and Clarke. I was happy with Siddle and Mitchell Johnson is really good. He is consistent with is pace, but he should be seriously looking at Zaheer and what he does there is a lot to learn. It will be interesting to see, if some heads roll if Aussies lose this.

Milestones on the same road.

This is India’s biggest win in term of margin. Tendulkar has most runs and establish 12k runs club and Ganguly got a doggy 16 century and entered 7k runs club going past Don Bradman, got into the record books, meanwhile Dravid (highest Catches) and Bhajji (300 wickets) await their turns to doff their hats. Mishra meanwhile got a Pfeiffer on debut, which is something good. Gambhir got his second ton.

The next test match is in Ferozeshah Kotla Delhi. It is home ground for Sehwag, Gambhir, Ishant and Mishra. I am confused whether to add Kumble in this list. He got his perfect ten here.

Also check ot this link Aussie online newspaper The Australian, check out this blog.

Cricket: Prime Crises and a drawn Test.

Second edit …

Blog Action Day caught my eye.Please check out the site and do something if you can.



You what, people like to follow different trends … I follow them too. I see everything around and try to connect all the dos and see what kind of pictures emerge. For once just imagine what Happens when markets rocket skywards, i.e. the BSE gained more than 7% today, it was an 800 point rally, there is more to come tomorrow. Indians and Aussies battled for a draw. A reminiscent of the last test series between India and Australia in Australia, the match at Adelaide earlier this in January which also ended in a tame draw. No team looked to force the issue to victory. Here were subtle hints to these facts when Aussies could get even near 300 on the first day and then India not only avoided the follow on but looked to marginalize the Aussies lead. I wonder if couple of Indian tail enders make couple of fifties then the match may end up in a draw. The following is purely a cricketing post.

Prime Crises.

We all know by know exactly what is sub prime crises? But India cricket is undergoing Prime Crises. Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman Ganguly and Kumble not firing at all or not firing enough. The wizardry is no where to be seen. There was a time when Tendulkar would score others would bet and late in the third day or by fourth day lunch the writing was pretty much on the wall, and the language was Hindi. Well it is not to be perhaps. While the sub primes are doing well, Sehwag, Bhajji and Zaheer along with Ishant Sharma, who looks to do what Srinath, did for Kumble. He perhaps does a job few notches better. He not only ties one end up but also takes wicket. Alas Kumble isn’t in his Prime (obvious reference to the Prime Crises). Gambhir remains a cause of worry though; he bats but doesn’t score enough. He may be hard found all of a sudden when his good form deserts him. There are a few more openers in the fray namely Akash Chopra and Wassim Jaffer who by the way has a penchant for scoring big runs big time.

Mean while Dravid has shown some performances, is a tad better that way so is Laxman. Ganguly meanwhile is way past his best. It remains distant, like a myth really. Don’t come back to me saying he just hit a 239 against Pakistan. The ball scooted to ankle height when Sami was bowling, Yuvraj hit one too, put couldn’t even put bat to ball against second grade Aussie spinners in Australia and has been dropped ever since from the test side. I think Ganguly should have struck the deal long time back hung up his test boots and concentrated on ODI. There are two things, first he has been a fabulous ODI player and won more matches with his batting. He was perhaps the best finishers of the ODI game.

Laxman will come into his own for at least one more time, while Tendulkar will limp to break Lara’s record only to be taken over by Ponting in times to come. Dravid is slowly headed into the sunset until and unless he hits three centuries on a trot. He may bow out in this series but I hope to see him bow out in the very next away series. I want to see is magic on away tours for one last time. I don’t know what’s with Tendulkar it gets a bit embarrassing as he busy give more interviews explain his injuries, recovery exercises and probable date of resuming again. He played well though, he is a bit sombre about his fourth innings, but salvaged at least this one.

Kumble, well carrying on age on his shoulder proving to be a hot and heavy burden to carry. He is still to take a Pfeiffer this year; his last Pfeiffer was against Australia when he rocked them in the first test when India toured Australia late last year. I don’t know perhaps it is the advent of new fast bowling talents or Zaheer coming into his own or purely due to the burden of captaincy.
Dhoni is missing from this prime crisis. I think he has couple of season or yeas more before he truly blossoms as Test batsmen, but I think he should rethink his batting strategy in Tests. He is a better keeper to other keepers available on the scene purely in ‘keeping skills, proficiency and performance.

Cricket: Aussies tour India.

Aussies tour to India is all ready under way. The test series gets uner in Banglore starting this Thrusday The battle lines are already drawn. A major change of guard is under way on both sides. Aussies bowling look not so much in control as they are minus Wane-McGrath. This was the case in the last series as well, but since there are always some major umpiring blunders I personally saw it coming. India did well in the series though. Aussies bowling may look weak and one would automatically give the edge to India, as India spinners against Australia have very impressive record. Kumble and Bhajji both have very good records against Aussies.

The teams and players.

I see this series as a windfall series, some old guards have already hung their boots, while India look to bring down their average age from 35 to say 30. Kumble, Dravid, Tendulkar already looking weary. I agree with Geoffrey Boycotts remark, but I am hopeful that Lankan series of a thing of the past. Ganguly meanwhile has called it quits after Aussie series. I wonder with few runs behind his back would his bat talk.
Matthew Hayden look definitely over the hill, he is a class act a complete batsmen. A reason for his success is when spinners start to operate in the sub-continent he already has his eyes set in and some runs on the score board. It helps the current batch of India Great middle order will tell. All, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly, hadn’t had a great score behind them, all four had a very mediocre IPL. Murali and Mendis just never let them settled. These four exemplify why batsmen from other corners of the world struggle against the spinners in India.

Zak first in command

Zaheer has his hat in the ring. He is known for getting among the openers. I wonder though if he could improve upon just being the opening bowler. He looked a bit bemused if he is asked to bowl between overs 40-60 of a test match. He is very prudent at least in the opening spell. India will look to him for decent start is they have to win the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Ishant did well down under and may be he has his hand up when people look forward to bowling to take on Ponting. Ishant and Bhajji both would be egging on each other to take on Ponting. I would love to see Ponting facing Bhajji on one end and Ishant on the other.

Kumble comes, bowls, strikes.

Not quiet considered in the fab four but all four of the fabulous have time and again vouched for the fact that Kumble is a match winner in his own right. He may have won more matches then either of the Fab Four. I am speculating that this could be his last series. Everyone wishes to bow out on a high and current series win (f they win) would be some high. Kumble is lethal in third and fourth innings of a test. He has turned around many games for India. The spell that’s currently is coming to my mind is the first test of the last series. He and Zak plucked out Aussies on the ‘Gabba. It was an ill fated series but then Kumble knows what it takes. He along with Bhajji would already loom large on them. The Aussies have a few more ghosts to confront, Laxman, Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. I am not sure how Ganguly may fare but don’t see him on current form as a batsman leading the charge against the Aussies. Did I miss Sehwag?

Mad monk Sehwag and Fab four.

Sehwag has into his won. I would mark him for next test captain. He has it in him, would he deliver is the thing to be seen. I would love to see him in the helm of affairs for two year and then take it from there after two years you could always give it to Dhoni, but it is worth the gamble. Sehwag has hit a century (150) and double century and a triple century so he knows what he has to do and not thinking too much apart from scoring runs. E bats well along with Rahuld Dravid. Tendulkar and Laxman “shall always” score runs. It would be interesting to see how Ganguly and Dhoni take the measure of Aussie Spinners.
A couple of line is serious laziness for Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly. I think I have a lot to write about and perhaps this series will in some way present the opportunities to blog on them.

Aussies have their tusks cuts out.

Aussie without a decent spinner look a decent cake walk but I wish not o under estimates them. They may go in with four fast bowler and Micheal Clarke. Clarke has an amazing record against India. He is likely to bowl a few everyday. Aussie batting isn’t looking to eager either. Like Sehwag is for India Hayden is for the Aussies. I thin run scoring capabilities would rest on Hayden, Jacques, Clarke Hussey and Ponting. I think Ponting should look to bat three down rather than one down. I feel it is a better position for him. While the bowling seems to lacking resources but Lee is looking very good to perform. India should offer him low and docile pitches and make sure those aren’t conducive to reverse swing or Indian would be in trouble like they were when England came a few seasons back. Stuart Clark would also want to have a look in while Mitchell Johnson would be the work horse. I wonder if Bracken is there for the tour. I haven’t much to write on Aussie Spinners except that Indian batsmen would have already bought Diwali sweets for them.

I hope Tendulkar hits a century if India bats first in the first test. A couple of edits for this small post. Aussie perspective and a post on Ganguly which may be on the day he actually calls it the day

Cricket: Ganguly and Team Selection.

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

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

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

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

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

Cricket: Back to Square Won.

I don’t know which shoe company does Sourav Ganguly endorses but I surely don’t want to step into his shoes. I also dare say that very few people will line up to step into his shoe. The crown of captaincy of is not for light hearted.
Well done India? Could they have done better? May be yes. One thing amazes me that why the intensity does so often not there .Why do they tend to play a very unfamiliar, unpopular, unbranded form of the game. Do we as fans expect too much out of the team.
May be Media is cooking up stories for our own hungry bellies. The stories which we wish are never there and when its there we relish it to no ends? There may be a lot of criticisms but should we not question ourselves. Media I think has to take a fair share of the blame. One good innings by a player take him to the moon. The rocket obviously driven by expert men/women of the blood hounding media. If someone misses out, at some point of time one will, then he is made to bite the bullet.
I remember a football coach from a cricket club called East Bengal commenting on the should not’s of the Indian team. The ex-players and self proclaimed “experts” suddenly mushroomed on the TV screens and presented their “honest” opinion on the matter.
There were almost words put into the people mouth to get an “Exclusive” bite. The real experts, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri kept saying that things happen and then they are dealt with. Alas! Media. It’s never good when the media starts presenting their stories.
Does freedom brings resposibilty? I hope we all learn something from this.
Now coming back to the “action” packed series in Zimbabwe. This Indian team won an overseas series after a gap of 19 years. A coincidence that England, also won the Ashes after the same number of years.
What does Ganguly take from the series? India won!! It had to win. Zimbabwe is on the bottom of all the 10 test playing nations. So a clean sweeps was the script even before the series got under way. Dada batted with lots of pains to compile a crawling century. If one sees his dismissal in first innings of the second test, one will express dismay. The captain’s form is so dismal that a wicket before him ensures the opposition one for one offer. The question remains why is there in the team? Yuvraj not doing justice ether to himself or his partner in covers Kaif.
When will magic return to Indian team? When does the Maestro show again why is he a teenage protégée’ turned an institution of positive attacking batsman ship. He is like a warship that just makes his presence felt in enemy waters with much awe and pure respect. He brings out every positive there is about the game.
The cricket team to do the hard work of just putting the media in the TV sets and newspaper and ensure that cricket is on the front pages for joyous reasons. The winter is long for Indians.