When an institution completes 50 years, the landmark is called Golden Jubilee. An institution called Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has reached a landmark today ! 50 Test Hundreds in his 175th Test. The man simply continues to get better ! There is only one way we can describe this Century at Centurion; "Golden Hundred" !
Golden Hundred it indeed is ! At 277 / 6 with Raina departing for yet another Catch Practice shots, India had the last recognized batting pair at the crease with over 50 overs to survive the day-4. Thanks to the refreshing attitude of Dhoni to play attacking game and the Mastery of the Master; India now stand a chance of saving the first test if the nature continues to favor them on the last day !
This isn't a wish for a rain to save India. They had the worst of the batting conditions and Saffers had the best of both bowling and batting conditions. So some help from the nature shouldn't hurt India. Even if they go on to lose this test, we can be sure of a fight back. Day-1 was just an aberration, not a rule. That is for sure.
Whatever happens from here, this series will be remembered for the one and only thing and that is Sachin's feat ! He faced chin music and survived. There were a barrage of short stuff. A lot of sledging was going on too. But in the end, he stood tall to see another day !
Here is a 'Salute' to the Man who has warmed the cockles of so many millions over the years !
Cricket was just a game before You arrived !
It became a Religion for this Country since You !
It will never be the same once You decide to call it a day !
Cricket Calenders will thenceforth be marked BT and AT
[Before Tendulkar and After Tendulkar] !
The middle period of 'During Tendulkar' will be known as the Golden Period !
Dedicated to the Greatest Ever to Play the Game of Cricket !
S-Pun Doctor
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Super Sub to be Back ?
BCCI have requested the ICC to bring back the Super-Sub into ODI Cricket with immediate effect. It is believed the ICC too is keen on this. Here are the reasons for this sudden decision...
Look at the embarrassing situation the 'Poor Indian Selectors' are facing while they sit to select the Indian 11 for any of the World Cup Matches !
1] Sachin Tendulkar - My God ! He IS there !
2] Virendar Sehwag - Naam toh t-suna-mi hoga !
3] Gautam Gambhir - He is Seriously there - No Choice !
4] Virat Kohli - How can India afford to drop their Top Scorer of 2010 ?
5] Yuveraj Singh - Even a half fit Yuvi is better than many fully fit players !
6] Suresh Raina - Fielding and his floating nature make him inevitable !
7] Mahendra Dhoni - Captain and Wicket-Keeper can't drop him !
8] Harbhajan Singh - How can they drop a Bowling All-rounder ?
9] Zaheer Khan - He is India's Premier Bowler and Can bat a bit too !
10] Praveen Kumar - The Street Smart Pahelwan will be an asset once match-fit !
11] Sreesanth - We all know he is a wicket taking bowler !
12] Ashish Nehra - Has done enough to merit a place here !
Vijay, Parthiv Patel, Munaf Patel, Rohit Sharma, Saurabh Tiwari, Che Pujara, Robin Uthappa, Ishant Sharma, Jadeja, Ojha and many more are in contention too. Unfortunately they can't play Two Indian Teams !
So where does this leave our You-super Pathan ?
Imagine the Crowd support he can bring in after what he has done tonight !
Can they afford to miss out on one of the Biggest Potential Match Winner and Crowd Puller ?
NO...
So what is the solution ?
The Top half can win us 'Won' matches; I mean the well played matches !
Yusuf can win us the 'Lost' matches; those are the not so well played matches !
Bring in Yusuf Pathan for whoever is having an 'Off-Day' !
Even better, we can bring in any one for anyone not doing well on that day.
Make You-super Sub Pathan our Match Winner !
S-Pun Doctor
Look at the embarrassing situation the 'Poor Indian Selectors' are facing while they sit to select the Indian 11 for any of the World Cup Matches !
1] Sachin Tendulkar - My God ! He IS there !
2] Virendar Sehwag - Naam toh t-suna-mi hoga !
3] Gautam Gambhir - He is Seriously there - No Choice !
4] Virat Kohli - How can India afford to drop their Top Scorer of 2010 ?
5] Yuveraj Singh - Even a half fit Yuvi is better than many fully fit players !
6] Suresh Raina - Fielding and his floating nature make him inevitable !
7] Mahendra Dhoni - Captain and Wicket-Keeper can't drop him !
8] Harbhajan Singh - How can they drop a Bowling All-rounder ?
9] Zaheer Khan - He is India's Premier Bowler and Can bat a bit too !
10] Praveen Kumar - The Street Smart Pahelwan will be an asset once match-fit !
11] Sreesanth - We all know he is a wicket taking bowler !
12] Ashish Nehra - Has done enough to merit a place here !
Vijay, Parthiv Patel, Munaf Patel, Rohit Sharma, Saurabh Tiwari, Che Pujara, Robin Uthappa, Ishant Sharma, Jadeja, Ojha and many more are in contention too. Unfortunately they can't play Two Indian Teams !
So where does this leave our You-super Pathan ?
Imagine the Crowd support he can bring in after what he has done tonight !
Can they afford to miss out on one of the Biggest Potential Match Winner and Crowd Puller ?
NO...
So what is the solution ?
The Top half can win us 'Won' matches; I mean the well played matches !
Yusuf can win us the 'Lost' matches; those are the not so well played matches !
Bring in Yusuf Pathan for whoever is having an 'Off-Day' !
Even better, we can bring in any one for anyone not doing well on that day.
Make You-super Sub Pathan our Match Winner !
S-Pun Doctor
Friday, December 3, 2010
Operation Blue Star !
As much as I admire Yuveraj Singh and his match-winning exploits in the past; I am really depressed by his lack of fitness now.
If anyone doubts this fact, this picture down here should create alarms.
What am I trying to convey ?
Just take a look...
Gautam Gambhir batted all the 43 overs and ran so many incredible singles with Virat. Look at his shirt, it is Sky-blue.
And then take a look at Yuvi's shirt. It is Deep-blue soaked in sweat.
Yuvi was there for such a short period, and hardly ran any runs because both he and Gautam dealt in boundaries.
Even if someone wants to defend Yuvi by saying Gautam changed his shirt in between, it couldn't be after Yuvi came to bat.
And Yuvi's paunch looks awful in side views. At 40, I can claim to be in a little better shape. And I don't even play Gully-Cricket with Mandira.
Let us not forget Yuvi isn't all that older compared to Gautam.
Let us also not forget he was our best fielder by light years until two years ago.
India can't really win the World Cup without the Prince being at his best.
Not many Match-winners can Match Yuvi when he is at his best.
We still have time. So Gary and Team, please bring Yuvi back to his best
Let us call this 'Operation Blue-Star !
S-Pun Doctor
If anyone doubts this fact, this picture down here should create alarms.
What am I trying to convey ?
Just take a look...
Gautam Gambhir batted all the 43 overs and ran so many incredible singles with Virat. Look at his shirt, it is Sky-blue.
And then take a look at Yuvi's shirt. It is Deep-blue soaked in sweat.
Yuvi was there for such a short period, and hardly ran any runs because both he and Gautam dealt in boundaries.
Even if someone wants to defend Yuvi by saying Gautam changed his shirt in between, it couldn't be after Yuvi came to bat.
And Yuvi's paunch looks awful in side views. At 40, I can claim to be in a little better shape. And I don't even play Gully-Cricket with Mandira.
Let us not forget Yuvi isn't all that older compared to Gautam.
Let us also not forget he was our best fielder by light years until two years ago.
India can't really win the World Cup without the Prince being at his best.
Not many Match-winners can Match Yuvi when he is at his best.
We still have time. So Gary and Team, please bring Yuvi back to his best
Let us call this 'Operation Blue-Star !
S-Pun Doctor
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
India, The Deserving No. 1 Test team !
By hammering the hapless Kiwis by an innings and a lot, India have sealed their place at the Top of Test Rankings for some more time. Unless they get humiliated in South Africa, they might stay there. Do India deserve to be No. 1 Ranked Test Team ?
Let us take a look at our Assets and Liabilities first...
The Assets
India has on paper the strongest batting line up and perhaps one of the all time best.
Just two Guys have scored more than 26000 Test runs. Another two take the tally up to nearly 40000. Awesome, Right ?
One Opener has created the fear of God in the minds of atheists.
And the God after all comes to bat after the Wall !
Every time there is a crisis, the Man stands up and there is nothing Lax about him.
A young Tyro who has played more ODIs than any 23 year old bats at No.6 for India. If not battered by good short stuff and not bettered by his own impetuousness, is a damn good No. 6.
The Captain Cool is indeed Cool. He will face his sternest test next month.
Not many teams can boast of a No. 8 with back to back test centuries and 300 runs in a 3-Test Series. India do !
Zaheer Can get Smith and rattle any batsman in the world with new ball. If the new ball doesn't get you, the old will !
Ishant has rattled Ponting before. He has rattled Chris Martin now. If his hair doesn't obscure his vision, he should be able to pitch the ball in right areas.
Sreesanth is India's Best test Bowler on pacy pitches. If he makes batsmen dance to his tunes rather than dance himself, he should be India's Triumph Card.
Ojha can smother the run rate and frustrate any batsman. No reason why he should not be able to do it to Amla and Co.
If a Team can keep Pujara and Vijay on the bench, that speaks of the Bench Strength ! Not to forget Yuveraj Singh who is not even on the Bench.
But are these the reasons for India's Supremacy ? As much as I would like to believe, there is more to it than meets the eyes. So here we go...
The Liabilities
This team has only one bowler who can be called World Class today; Zaheer Khan. And he is 32 years old and is unlikely to improve from here.
Bhajji is hardly a bowler now. Sreesanth and Ishant are too erratic. Ojha at best is a restrictive spinner.
A Team that has a No. 3 batsman who scores at 35 - 40% strike rate is not a great asset in modern day Cricket. He actually brings the scoring to a grinding halt and there by undoing all the gains of Sehwagging.
Gambhir and Raina will be tested severely with short stuff and will find out how different is the life of a Test Cricketer outside India. Hope they will be wiser for that.
Sachin doesn't boast of a great record in South Africa. He too has had problems on those pitches.
Laxman has to make sure he doesn't leave big gaps through his stance. It looked as big as the margin with which New Zealand lost. Dale Steyn must have seen his dismissal in the Nagpur test.
Question: Can we trust Bhajji to bat to win or at least save a test for us ?
Anwer: No.
Question: Why is he in the team ?
Answer: To Take wickets.
Question: Is he doing that regularly ?
Answer: No.
Question: So what do we do with him ?
Answer: Replace him... Err Wait !
Question: But with Whom ?
Answer: Ojha...
Question: Oh Really ? Can he take wickets ?
Weren't we talking about Bench Strength ?
So how do they manage to stay at the top in spite of this ?
Answers:
1] Australia: In serious decline after the retirement of the Great Bunch. The current lot would not have qualified to carry drinks during the 1999 - 2007 Period.
2] South Africa: Great batting and the world's best fast bowler. But a bit too one dimensional team. Somehow falter when everything looks great. And Smith can author a book titled, "1001 ways to break your fingers". Take out Steyn and the bowling isn't way much better than the Kiwis.
3] England: The Best equipped Test Team now. But some loopholes still not plugged. Batting can crumble against good spin. And that has restricted their progress too often.
4] Sri Lanka: There are more than 800 reasons to believe that with Murali is gone, they will find it tough to win away from home. Malinga, please forgive me. But the ICC rules don't allow you to bowl from both sides. Even Anil Kumble wasn't allowed. Their batting can come unstuck against good quick bowling.
5] Pakistan: If anybody can inspire Pakistan Cricket, Younis Khan. But they have a Butt as the Head of the PCB. So what do you expect other than serious shit ? Send this man to Afghanistan to live with Taliban. They might surrender thanks to this Pain in the Butt of a guy.
6] West Indies: Gayle storm can engulf opponents once in a while. But overall they suffer from Sreesanth Syndrome. Absolute Brilliance one moment and Nadir of Mediocrity the very next.
7] Bangladesh: One season doesn't make a Champion team. They have done well in shorter formats of late. But the Lions are an Ordinary Team in Test Cricket. Apologies due to Sehwag !
8] I am Happy Zimbabwe aren't playing tests. Else Chris Martin would have scored a Test Century and Ishant Sharma would have batted all 5 days of a test without getting out, why without even getting beaten once.
So this reminds me of an old Hindi adage:
Andhon ke Gaon mein Kana Rajah !
In the land of the blind, one eyed man is King !
India Deserve to be the No. 1 Ranked Test Team !
I rest my Case.
S-Pun Doctor
Let us take a look at our Assets and Liabilities first...
The Assets
India has on paper the strongest batting line up and perhaps one of the all time best.
Just two Guys have scored more than 26000 Test runs. Another two take the tally up to nearly 40000. Awesome, Right ?
One Opener has created the fear of God in the minds of atheists.
And the God after all comes to bat after the Wall !
Every time there is a crisis, the Man stands up and there is nothing Lax about him.
A young Tyro who has played more ODIs than any 23 year old bats at No.6 for India. If not battered by good short stuff and not bettered by his own impetuousness, is a damn good No. 6.
The Captain Cool is indeed Cool. He will face his sternest test next month.
Not many teams can boast of a No. 8 with back to back test centuries and 300 runs in a 3-Test Series. India do !
Zaheer Can get Smith and rattle any batsman in the world with new ball. If the new ball doesn't get you, the old will !
Ishant has rattled Ponting before. He has rattled Chris Martin now. If his hair doesn't obscure his vision, he should be able to pitch the ball in right areas.
Sreesanth is India's Best test Bowler on pacy pitches. If he makes batsmen dance to his tunes rather than dance himself, he should be India's Triumph Card.
Ojha can smother the run rate and frustrate any batsman. No reason why he should not be able to do it to Amla and Co.
If a Team can keep Pujara and Vijay on the bench, that speaks of the Bench Strength ! Not to forget Yuveraj Singh who is not even on the Bench.
But are these the reasons for India's Supremacy ? As much as I would like to believe, there is more to it than meets the eyes. So here we go...
The Liabilities
This team has only one bowler who can be called World Class today; Zaheer Khan. And he is 32 years old and is unlikely to improve from here.
Bhajji is hardly a bowler now. Sreesanth and Ishant are too erratic. Ojha at best is a restrictive spinner.
A Team that has a No. 3 batsman who scores at 35 - 40% strike rate is not a great asset in modern day Cricket. He actually brings the scoring to a grinding halt and there by undoing all the gains of Sehwagging.
Gambhir and Raina will be tested severely with short stuff and will find out how different is the life of a Test Cricketer outside India. Hope they will be wiser for that.
Sachin doesn't boast of a great record in South Africa. He too has had problems on those pitches.
Laxman has to make sure he doesn't leave big gaps through his stance. It looked as big as the margin with which New Zealand lost. Dale Steyn must have seen his dismissal in the Nagpur test.
Question: Can we trust Bhajji to bat to win or at least save a test for us ?
Anwer: No.
Question: Why is he in the team ?
Answer: To Take wickets.
Question: Is he doing that regularly ?
Answer: No.
Question: So what do we do with him ?
Answer: Replace him... Err Wait !
Question: But with Whom ?
Answer: Ojha...
Question: Oh Really ? Can he take wickets ?
Weren't we talking about Bench Strength ?
So how do they manage to stay at the top in spite of this ?
Answers:
1] Australia: In serious decline after the retirement of the Great Bunch. The current lot would not have qualified to carry drinks during the 1999 - 2007 Period.
2] South Africa: Great batting and the world's best fast bowler. But a bit too one dimensional team. Somehow falter when everything looks great. And Smith can author a book titled, "1001 ways to break your fingers". Take out Steyn and the bowling isn't way much better than the Kiwis.
3] England: The Best equipped Test Team now. But some loopholes still not plugged. Batting can crumble against good spin. And that has restricted their progress too often.
4] Sri Lanka: There are more than 800 reasons to believe that with Murali is gone, they will find it tough to win away from home. Malinga, please forgive me. But the ICC rules don't allow you to bowl from both sides. Even Anil Kumble wasn't allowed. Their batting can come unstuck against good quick bowling.
5] Pakistan: If anybody can inspire Pakistan Cricket, Younis Khan. But they have a Butt as the Head of the PCB. So what do you expect other than serious shit ? Send this man to Afghanistan to live with Taliban. They might surrender thanks to this Pain in the Butt of a guy.
6] West Indies: Gayle storm can engulf opponents once in a while. But overall they suffer from Sreesanth Syndrome. Absolute Brilliance one moment and Nadir of Mediocrity the very next.
7] Bangladesh: One season doesn't make a Champion team. They have done well in shorter formats of late. But the Lions are an Ordinary Team in Test Cricket. Apologies due to Sehwag !
8] I am Happy Zimbabwe aren't playing tests. Else Chris Martin would have scored a Test Century and Ishant Sharma would have batted all 5 days of a test without getting out, why without even getting beaten once.
So this reminds me of an old Hindi adage:
Andhon ke Gaon mein Kana Rajah !
In the land of the blind, one eyed man is King !
India Deserve to be the No. 1 Ranked Test Team !
I rest my Case.
S-Pun Doctor
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Team India after Nagpur: Where do they stand?
India finally managed to offload the Kiwi monkey off their backs at Nagpur. Over a decade without a home test win against the No. 8 ranked test team is not something any No. 1 team would like to boast of. So when they won, they did that with considerable style and some help from the Umpires.
What are the Positives from this series ?
Mahendra Singh Dhoni said a lot of things. He was happy about Dravid, Sehwag, Ishant, Bhajji and so many things. He found there was a need to show some more character in the field and wanted the fielding to improve. But is that all ?
When you win, all your follies will be glossed. Let us not get carried away. I prefer to look at what are we lacking when Team India embark upon a journey to the land where Gandhi became Gandhi !
Sehwag: Come rain, shine or swine flu, Sehwag is Sehwag and he will continue Sehwagging. Leave him alone to do that. Let us not complicate the matter.
Gambhir: He tried some wagging of his own type and fell flat. A gestational period without a Test Fifty must have taught him to tighten his technique and his vocabulary. He will still have some work to do on the short stuff.
Dravid: New Zealand are easy meat in spite of Martin and Vettori. Dale Steyn is something else. I doubt if RD still has all the answers to the late swinging quicker ones. I hope he will prove me wrong.
Sachin: Doesn't boast of a great record in South Africa. Perhaps his last chance to set it right. Can he in the process get his 100 No. 50 ? Wait and watch !
Laxman: He will have lot more batting to do than he did in the recent past. The Saffers might be struggling to bowl out Pakistan right now. But they will be different in home conditions. And Steyn when fully loaded has more ammunition than entire bowling armies of most of the other teams.
Raina: Unless he learns to leave the short ball alone or duck properly, he will score many more ducks and will have to swap places with Bhajji as Specialist Off-spinner.
Dhoni: Dhoni finally has started taking the toll on Captaincy or vice versa. The much needed break should load him again. He is much better a batsman than his records say. India will require the Captain to fire more often than not.
Bhajji: The Born again Batting All-rounder will do well to remember Irfan Pathan was a better batsman and actually was dropped after scoring a Century in a tour match during India's last visit to South Africa. In spite of the wickets today, he still is far away from his best. Has he lost his Nip ?
Zaheer: Fitness problems and Zaheer have been co-passengers ever since he burst upon the scene by bowling out Steve Waugh. If anyone can manage to help India beat Saffers in Saffer-land, only Zaheer Can !
Ishant: Looking better and better since the Laxman - Ishant Houdini act. If he manages to keep it going, that will be a great news for India.
Ojha: A restrictive bowler at best may not get to play any tests in South Africa. Sreesanth will be the second bowler and Bhajji will probably play through the series thanks to his batting exploits.
Sreesanth: We have to remember it was he who won India the first ever test on South African soil. He will be a handful if things work out well for him.
Vijay: Ideally he should walk into the team ahead of Raina on account of his technique. But with Raina's popularity with Dhoni and his wicket taking acts, he is the Bhajji's opposite version and will be tough to be replaced before the third test.
Pujara: His time will come sooner than later. As of now, he will have to hold on to all those catches at the short-leg.
Yadav and Unadkat: will be traveling without much to do unless Zaheer fails to recover or any other Pacer gets injured. Let us hope Sree-Is-hant manage to hold well.
Saha: Is a Reservation candidate. I wouldn't like to comment on him because on form and on talent, he doesn't deserve a place in the first 28 of Indian Team.
Let us hope Team India manage to break another barrier and come out winners from the Springbok Land !
S-Pun Doctor
What are the Positives from this series ?
Mahendra Singh Dhoni said a lot of things. He was happy about Dravid, Sehwag, Ishant, Bhajji and so many things. He found there was a need to show some more character in the field and wanted the fielding to improve. But is that all ?
When you win, all your follies will be glossed. Let us not get carried away. I prefer to look at what are we lacking when Team India embark upon a journey to the land where Gandhi became Gandhi !
Sehwag: Come rain, shine or swine flu, Sehwag is Sehwag and he will continue Sehwagging. Leave him alone to do that. Let us not complicate the matter.
Gambhir: He tried some wagging of his own type and fell flat. A gestational period without a Test Fifty must have taught him to tighten his technique and his vocabulary. He will still have some work to do on the short stuff.
Dravid: New Zealand are easy meat in spite of Martin and Vettori. Dale Steyn is something else. I doubt if RD still has all the answers to the late swinging quicker ones. I hope he will prove me wrong.
Sachin: Doesn't boast of a great record in South Africa. Perhaps his last chance to set it right. Can he in the process get his 100 No. 50 ? Wait and watch !
Laxman: He will have lot more batting to do than he did in the recent past. The Saffers might be struggling to bowl out Pakistan right now. But they will be different in home conditions. And Steyn when fully loaded has more ammunition than entire bowling armies of most of the other teams.
Raina: Unless he learns to leave the short ball alone or duck properly, he will score many more ducks and will have to swap places with Bhajji as Specialist Off-spinner.
Dhoni: Dhoni finally has started taking the toll on Captaincy or vice versa. The much needed break should load him again. He is much better a batsman than his records say. India will require the Captain to fire more often than not.
Bhajji: The Born again Batting All-rounder will do well to remember Irfan Pathan was a better batsman and actually was dropped after scoring a Century in a tour match during India's last visit to South Africa. In spite of the wickets today, he still is far away from his best. Has he lost his Nip ?
Zaheer: Fitness problems and Zaheer have been co-passengers ever since he burst upon the scene by bowling out Steve Waugh. If anyone can manage to help India beat Saffers in Saffer-land, only Zaheer Can !
Ishant: Looking better and better since the Laxman - Ishant Houdini act. If he manages to keep it going, that will be a great news for India.
Ojha: A restrictive bowler at best may not get to play any tests in South Africa. Sreesanth will be the second bowler and Bhajji will probably play through the series thanks to his batting exploits.
Sreesanth: We have to remember it was he who won India the first ever test on South African soil. He will be a handful if things work out well for him.
Vijay: Ideally he should walk into the team ahead of Raina on account of his technique. But with Raina's popularity with Dhoni and his wicket taking acts, he is the Bhajji's opposite version and will be tough to be replaced before the third test.
Pujara: His time will come sooner than later. As of now, he will have to hold on to all those catches at the short-leg.
Yadav and Unadkat: will be traveling without much to do unless Zaheer fails to recover or any other Pacer gets injured. Let us hope Sree-Is-hant manage to hold well.
Saha: Is a Reservation candidate. I wouldn't like to comment on him because on form and on talent, he doesn't deserve a place in the first 28 of Indian Team.
Let us hope Team India manage to break another barrier and come out winners from the Springbok Land !
S-Pun Doctor
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Random musings after two Murdered Tests !
After two immensely forgettable Tests with New Zealand, what have we got to remember, learn and carry home ?
Indian Cricket is so very complex: Quite like Harbhajan Singh's Technique. You can never say Bhajji lacks technique. But neither can you you say he has it. Just like Team India. You can't say they are No. 1 Test Team. You can't say they aren't No. 1 either !
They always play on level ground: They play every opponent at their level; that is the opponent's level. Never expect Team India to crush weaklings. Never expect them to capitulate easily against the best. There will be a fight. Nothing less, nothing more.
Why is the Indian middle order confused ? Answer is simple. First Jatman Viru Sehwag goes out and bashes everything in sight as if he were Dharmendra and the bowlers, the baddies. And then Rahul Dravid comes out with his brand of Gandhigiri and refuses to hit anything ! No wonder Dhoni, Raina and even Sachin look lost in the middle.
The Great Indian Run Rate: India have over the past 3 years maintained a better run rate compared to all other teams in Tests. What is the secret ? This has been partly explained above. Sehwag wags to attain a strike rate of 100% or an average of 6 RPO. Dravid lags and attains a strike rate of 25% or about 1.5 RPO. The other confused lot fall in between at 42% or 2.5 RPO. Thus India manage to keep the total scoring rate above 3.3 RPO.
The All Rounders problem solved: Bhajji is the answer to India's long standing prayers for a Batting All-rounder. Sending him to bat at No. 8 is a master-stroke. India's middle order actually starts here with very competent batsmen like Zaheer, Ojha and Sreesanth to follow. And just think of it, Ishant Sharma is not even playing. What an embarrassment of riches.
Suresh Raina finally has arrived as the Bowling All-rounder. So what if he has got more wickets than the runs he has scored of late ? Anyway we now have two genuine All-rounders !
Taking responsibility, Indian style: Whenever Team India are in trouble, someone or the other stands up to be counted. The 'Someone' is Laxman and the 'Other' is Harbhajan Singh !
This series is not about the 50th Century: Whom are they trying to fool ? Every member of the Team is so preoccupied with this number, they have actually forgotten there is a Test series going on. Anything else happening out there is an irritant. No wonder the Kiwis have taken flight after being grounded by Bangladesh !
Bhajji: People threw brick-bats at me and I used the bricks to construct Milestones in Mohali and the bats to score two centuries !
Gambhir: I owe my performance in this test to Viru and Rahul. While Viru went on like Viru, nobody noticed me. Those who did notice, thought Rahul batted left handed at the other end.
Dravid: I am relieved now because there is someone to take over my mantle now. I was totally confused while I watched Gambhir bat. I often felt I was out there in the middle and batting left handed.
Sehwag: New Zealand is an ordinary team. It is just that some of us are wasting too many four balls. I have to make up for everyone including Sreesanth. I would prefer if Bhajji comes out to bat at No. 3 and Rahul comes out only if we have to face follow on.
Raina: I play my natural game as Dhoni has asked me to. What if they keep three men on the boundary ? I can always come back and play the next innings or the next or the next...
Laxman: I enjoy playing under pressure. I am forever indebted to my team-mates for providing me with ample opportunities to do so. It is such a pleasure, almost like sitting inside the pressure cooker used by my Mom to prepare idlees. What if you are steam cooked practically every test ? Idlees do taste Delicious !
Dhoni: We have to accept we have not batted well and our bowlers have tried their level best to match the batsmen. Our fielding can be better and the wicket-keeping particularly needs some improvement. Overall though I am satisfied with our performance. You win some, you draw some and you can always drop some catches.
McCullum: Bhajji inspired me to go for the Double Ton. If he can score two hundreds in two innings, I can score two hundred in one innings. Impossible is nothing !
Vettori: We have come back strongly after the Bangladesh debacle. Aussies lost 2-0 in 2 Tests in India. So we are better than them now. I believe my new born baby deserves all the credit for this.
And last but not the Least !
Curator: I hoped I will be remembered as the man who prepared the pitch on which Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th Hundred. Alas, Everyone else scored here except Sachin !
S-Pun Doctor
Indian Cricket is so very complex: Quite like Harbhajan Singh's Technique. You can never say Bhajji lacks technique. But neither can you you say he has it. Just like Team India. You can't say they are No. 1 Test Team. You can't say they aren't No. 1 either !
They always play on level ground: They play every opponent at their level; that is the opponent's level. Never expect Team India to crush weaklings. Never expect them to capitulate easily against the best. There will be a fight. Nothing less, nothing more.
Why is the Indian middle order confused ? Answer is simple. First Jatman Viru Sehwag goes out and bashes everything in sight as if he were Dharmendra and the bowlers, the baddies. And then Rahul Dravid comes out with his brand of Gandhigiri and refuses to hit anything ! No wonder Dhoni, Raina and even Sachin look lost in the middle.
The Great Indian Run Rate: India have over the past 3 years maintained a better run rate compared to all other teams in Tests. What is the secret ? This has been partly explained above. Sehwag wags to attain a strike rate of 100% or an average of 6 RPO. Dravid lags and attains a strike rate of 25% or about 1.5 RPO. The other confused lot fall in between at 42% or 2.5 RPO. Thus India manage to keep the total scoring rate above 3.3 RPO.
The All Rounders problem solved: Bhajji is the answer to India's long standing prayers for a Batting All-rounder. Sending him to bat at No. 8 is a master-stroke. India's middle order actually starts here with very competent batsmen like Zaheer, Ojha and Sreesanth to follow. And just think of it, Ishant Sharma is not even playing. What an embarrassment of riches.
Suresh Raina finally has arrived as the Bowling All-rounder. So what if he has got more wickets than the runs he has scored of late ? Anyway we now have two genuine All-rounders !
Taking responsibility, Indian style: Whenever Team India are in trouble, someone or the other stands up to be counted. The 'Someone' is Laxman and the 'Other' is Harbhajan Singh !
This series is not about the 50th Century: Whom are they trying to fool ? Every member of the Team is so preoccupied with this number, they have actually forgotten there is a Test series going on. Anything else happening out there is an irritant. No wonder the Kiwis have taken flight after being grounded by Bangladesh !
Then some 'Random' acceptance Speeches...
Bhajji: People threw brick-bats at me and I used the bricks to construct Milestones in Mohali and the bats to score two centuries !
Gambhir: I owe my performance in this test to Viru and Rahul. While Viru went on like Viru, nobody noticed me. Those who did notice, thought Rahul batted left handed at the other end.
Dravid: I am relieved now because there is someone to take over my mantle now. I was totally confused while I watched Gambhir bat. I often felt I was out there in the middle and batting left handed.
Sehwag: New Zealand is an ordinary team. It is just that some of us are wasting too many four balls. I have to make up for everyone including Sreesanth. I would prefer if Bhajji comes out to bat at No. 3 and Rahul comes out only if we have to face follow on.
Raina: I play my natural game as Dhoni has asked me to. What if they keep three men on the boundary ? I can always come back and play the next innings or the next or the next...
Laxman: I enjoy playing under pressure. I am forever indebted to my team-mates for providing me with ample opportunities to do so. It is such a pleasure, almost like sitting inside the pressure cooker used by my Mom to prepare idlees. What if you are steam cooked practically every test ? Idlees do taste Delicious !
Dhoni: We have to accept we have not batted well and our bowlers have tried their level best to match the batsmen. Our fielding can be better and the wicket-keeping particularly needs some improvement. Overall though I am satisfied with our performance. You win some, you draw some and you can always drop some catches.
McCullum: Bhajji inspired me to go for the Double Ton. If he can score two hundreds in two innings, I can score two hundred in one innings. Impossible is nothing !
Vettori: We have come back strongly after the Bangladesh debacle. Aussies lost 2-0 in 2 Tests in India. So we are better than them now. I believe my new born baby deserves all the credit for this.
And last but not the Least !
Curator: I hoped I will be remembered as the man who prepared the pitch on which Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th Hundred. Alas, Everyone else scored here except Sachin !
S-Pun Doctor
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Zulaqrnain Hyder goes into Hiding; The Real Story !
Five unrelated headlines that perhaps are closely related !
Now let us see if and how they are related...
1] I was Rubbish 5 years ago: Swann !
Swann says he 'was' rubbish 5 years ago. Which should mean he doesn't think he is rubbish now. That definitely is a great or ominous sign before the Ashes depending upon which side you are supporting !
2] Best Still to Come: Strauss !
Strauss believes 'their best' is yet to come. Which means the progress from rubbish to Swann is not the end of progress ! And that implies Aussies have a job on hand.
3] My Teammates respect my Captaincy: Clarke !
Clarke in the meanwhile doesn't want to sound intimidated. But he isn't confident about his own Teammates. So he says his 'Aussie Teammates' respect him. So are there 'Non-Aussie Teammates' in the Aussie Team now ? People from the other world believe this team is full of them !
4] Tendulkar Better than Bradman: Zaheer Abbas !
Zaheer Abbas for one is one such chap. He has no respect for the current Aussies including Mike Hussey and Marcus North. So much so, he has gone on record and declared 'The God' to be better than 'The Don' ! Last heard that Obama is planning to hire Zaheer Abbas to solve all the outstanding Indo-Pak issues !
5] PCB Send Legal Notice to Arthur !
And as a clear indicator of Pakistan softening its stand towards long-standing enemy India, PCB has warned Mickey Arthur with dire consequences. There is no mention of India, BCCI or any Indian in any part of their latest salvo. That is such a big relief !
As a further goodwill gesture, PCB has offered to play India in a home series to be played in Sri Lanka. The team will be lead by both Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan. MoYo will lead from one end and Y2K from the other. As usual, Afridi will be the Captain !
The PCB's Arthur threat package includes bombarding Arthur with Bigg no balls courtesy Dolly of Bigg Boss with Veena Malik for expert help. They also plan to fix him in a match with Rakhi Sawant on next edition of Rakhi ka Swayam-war ! Appointing him as the next Pakistan Coach too has been mooted as one of the harsher punishments.
No wonder the poor guy got scared beyond words. If anyone talking against 'Match Fixing' has to face all this, it isn't worth it. If Mickey Arthur can be subjected to such unbelievable torture, what will a puny little substitute of Kamran Akmal do ? He has to 'Hide' because his name says so...
So...
Zulaqrnain Hyder goes into Hiding !
S-Pun Doctor
Now let us see if and how they are related...
1] I was Rubbish 5 years ago: Swann !
Swann says he 'was' rubbish 5 years ago. Which should mean he doesn't think he is rubbish now. That definitely is a great or ominous sign before the Ashes depending upon which side you are supporting !
2] Best Still to Come: Strauss !
Strauss believes 'their best' is yet to come. Which means the progress from rubbish to Swann is not the end of progress ! And that implies Aussies have a job on hand.
3] My Teammates respect my Captaincy: Clarke !
Clarke in the meanwhile doesn't want to sound intimidated. But he isn't confident about his own Teammates. So he says his 'Aussie Teammates' respect him. So are there 'Non-Aussie Teammates' in the Aussie Team now ? People from the other world believe this team is full of them !
4] Tendulkar Better than Bradman: Zaheer Abbas !
Zaheer Abbas for one is one such chap. He has no respect for the current Aussies including Mike Hussey and Marcus North. So much so, he has gone on record and declared 'The God' to be better than 'The Don' ! Last heard that Obama is planning to hire Zaheer Abbas to solve all the outstanding Indo-Pak issues !
5] PCB Send Legal Notice to Arthur !
And as a clear indicator of Pakistan softening its stand towards long-standing enemy India, PCB has warned Mickey Arthur with dire consequences. There is no mention of India, BCCI or any Indian in any part of their latest salvo. That is such a big relief !
As a further goodwill gesture, PCB has offered to play India in a home series to be played in Sri Lanka. The team will be lead by both Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan. MoYo will lead from one end and Y2K from the other. As usual, Afridi will be the Captain !
The PCB's Arthur threat package includes bombarding Arthur with Bigg no balls courtesy Dolly of Bigg Boss with Veena Malik for expert help. They also plan to fix him in a match with Rakhi Sawant on next edition of Rakhi ka Swayam-war ! Appointing him as the next Pakistan Coach too has been mooted as one of the harsher punishments.
No wonder the poor guy got scared beyond words. If anyone talking against 'Match Fixing' has to face all this, it isn't worth it. If Mickey Arthur can be subjected to such unbelievable torture, what will a puny little substitute of Kamran Akmal do ? He has to 'Hide' because his name says so...
So...
Zulaqrnain Hyder goes into Hiding !
S-Pun Doctor
Monday, November 8, 2010
Oh Kiwis, They Know Not What They've done !
The Bhajji, The Kiwis and The Peace of Mind of a Country !
New Zealand have always tormented India. Much worse than the South Africans, Steve Bucknor, Maoists and Pakistan sponsored Terrorists. India's records against Australia, Pakistan, England and West Indies have shown significant improvement over the past decade. But the Kiwis somehow have maintained a kind of enviable hold over the Indian psyche. Something like the Post-Miyandad Pakistan did for a long time.
This is true in spite of the fact that India managed to beat the Kiwis in Kiwi-land the last time they visited. But that win was a labored one. This can be explained by the fact that India always play at the level of opponents. Never crushing wins; almost always hard fought wins !
Chris Martin gave a glimmer of hope of an unbelievable win for the Kiwis last evening. But that perhaps was a ploy by the Indian top order to fool the visitors and then unleash Laxman once again on a day five pitch.
Laxman did what he is best at. He batted on and on and on till the frustrated Umpire Davies got him out. How can he remain not out for the third time in three tests on a day five wicket ? There should be some kind of respect for that dreaded entity !
But what the Kiwis have managed to do or rather not managed to do is what is going to hurt us Indians more and more in future.
No, it isn't Chris Martin's spell on day-4. We have seen and survived worse !
No, it isn't Kane Kane Williamson's maiden hundred on debut. We have seen that too !
No, it isn't Jesse Ryder either. Ryder somehow likes Indian bowling like Srisanth loves to make faces.
No, it isn't about denying Sachin Tendulkar his 50th test century. He will get that and we aren't worried.
No, it also isn't about Rahul Dravid managing to survive and thus keeping Pujara out for some more time.
It is about Harbhajan Singh's Century. For a long time now, he has threatened us with his 'All-round' abilities. The Aussies managed to keep him at bay. He has played some cameo knocks before and has saved some matches or helped in some wins.
But a Test Century had eluded him. It was this distinction that allowed us to sleep in peace. The peace assured by the fact that we can always ridicule Bhajji for his 'tall claims'. Alas, the peace of mind is decimated now.
Bhajji had declared himself as 'All-rounder' before the recent Australia series. And we all had a good laugh when he failed with the bat. Imagine a Century on a last day track for Bhajji. How will we survive the Centurion Harbhajan now ?
Oh They Know Not What They Have Done !
S-Pun Doctor
New Zealand have always tormented India. Much worse than the South Africans, Steve Bucknor, Maoists and Pakistan sponsored Terrorists. India's records against Australia, Pakistan, England and West Indies have shown significant improvement over the past decade. But the Kiwis somehow have maintained a kind of enviable hold over the Indian psyche. Something like the Post-Miyandad Pakistan did for a long time.
This is true in spite of the fact that India managed to beat the Kiwis in Kiwi-land the last time they visited. But that win was a labored one. This can be explained by the fact that India always play at the level of opponents. Never crushing wins; almost always hard fought wins !
Chris Martin gave a glimmer of hope of an unbelievable win for the Kiwis last evening. But that perhaps was a ploy by the Indian top order to fool the visitors and then unleash Laxman once again on a day five pitch.
Laxman did what he is best at. He batted on and on and on till the frustrated Umpire Davies got him out. How can he remain not out for the third time in three tests on a day five wicket ? There should be some kind of respect for that dreaded entity !
But what the Kiwis have managed to do or rather not managed to do is what is going to hurt us Indians more and more in future.
No, it isn't Chris Martin's spell on day-4. We have seen and survived worse !
No, it isn't Kane Kane Williamson's maiden hundred on debut. We have seen that too !
No, it isn't Jesse Ryder either. Ryder somehow likes Indian bowling like Srisanth loves to make faces.
No, it isn't about denying Sachin Tendulkar his 50th test century. He will get that and we aren't worried.
No, it also isn't about Rahul Dravid managing to survive and thus keeping Pujara out for some more time.
It is about Harbhajan Singh's Century. For a long time now, he has threatened us with his 'All-round' abilities. The Aussies managed to keep him at bay. He has played some cameo knocks before and has saved some matches or helped in some wins.
But a Test Century had eluded him. It was this distinction that allowed us to sleep in peace. The peace assured by the fact that we can always ridicule Bhajji for his 'tall claims'. Alas, the peace of mind is decimated now.
Bhajji had declared himself as 'All-rounder' before the recent Australia series. And we all had a good laugh when he failed with the bat. Imagine a Century on a last day track for Bhajji. How will we survive the Centurion Harbhajan now ?
Oh They Know Not What They Have Done !
S-Pun Doctor
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Collapsistan Lost and Nobody Blamed !
Pakistan lost badly to South Africa at Abu Dhabi.
Collapsistan Lost and Nobody Blamed !
Kevin Peitersen calls John Buchanan [JB] a 'Nobody' [NB]. Does that mean Bhooka Nan was blamed ?
Usually Cricket reports contain so many details about balls and no-ball calls, wickets and tickets and runs and ruins !
And This was reported as a matter of fact rather than as a matter of act !
Beats me, just take a look at what all weird things happened...
From 140 / 1 after 30 overs, Pakistan were bundled out for 203 in the penultimate over.
Collapses aren't new to Pakistan Cricket. They can definitely be renamed 'Collapsistan'. But even by their own exalted standards, this was ridiculous because they weren't even properly hitting out !
After the departure of Younis Khan, from Misbah-ul-Haq down; 8 Pakistan batsmen just could not hit a single boundary if we leave out the lone sixer by Shoaib Actor.
In fact the last boundary of Pakistan innings was a mishit of the last ball of 26th over. Actor managed the lone sixer of the third ball of 49th over.
Younis Khan once again proved, "Clash is Temporary, Class is Permanent". Why is he such a recluse ?
Zulkarnain Haider made his ODI debut and played a classic test innings. Has he 'booked' his berth ?
Pakistan deployed 7 bowlers and they managed only 2 no-balls and both were bowled by Actor Miyan. They just are not ready to cross the line !
Hashim Amla is playing like Virendar Sehwag. Who gave him the liberty ?
Graeme Smith hurt his fingers again for the 739th time. 'Poppadam Fingers' !
Pakistan batsmen must have been intimidated by the name Lonwabo Tsotsobe. They probably thought it was some mosquito causing Dengue Fever. It's rumored that Afridi called Yuveraj Singh to find out about it !
AB de Villiers scored only 51. Can't believe that. When was the last time he got out so cheaply ?
Graeme Smith retired hurt. Kallis didn't want to be left behind and he too cramped !
South Africa are called Saffers or SA. But Pakistan team has three SAs in their 11. Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Shoaib Actor. This was 3 SAs vs SA !
Saffers are shuffling their batting order like nobody's business. Is Greg Chappelle around there ?
Billy Bowden wasn't there, but A-sad Rauf more than made up for that by getting the prized wicket of Younis Khan !
So much happened and absolutely no noise pollution ! Why ?
Here are the reasons...
Pakistan Parliament hasn't constituted an inquiry commission and all the donkeys in Pakistan are reported to be safe.
Ejaz Butt is silent. Someone was heard gossiping he was attending an intensive course on 'Fart of Living' !
Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif are in Dubai; away from their herd, busy being heard.
Miyandad is playing 'Grand-Dad' and is getting ready to welcome his daughter's fifth child. He wants 11 children from her so that he can have a team of his own. He hopes to become the Undisputed Coach of Pakistan.
And Mohsin Khan is busy seeking no objection certificates for the As-ifs and Butts and is talking to Dawn !
S-Pun Doctor
Collapsistan Lost and Nobody Blamed !
Kevin Peitersen calls John Buchanan [JB] a 'Nobody' [NB]. Does that mean Bhooka Nan was blamed ?
Usually Cricket reports contain so many details about balls and no-ball calls, wickets and tickets and runs and ruins !
And This was reported as a matter of fact rather than as a matter of act !
Beats me, just take a look at what all weird things happened...
From 140 / 1 after 30 overs, Pakistan were bundled out for 203 in the penultimate over.
Collapses aren't new to Pakistan Cricket. They can definitely be renamed 'Collapsistan'. But even by their own exalted standards, this was ridiculous because they weren't even properly hitting out !
After the departure of Younis Khan, from Misbah-ul-Haq down; 8 Pakistan batsmen just could not hit a single boundary if we leave out the lone sixer by Shoaib Actor.
In fact the last boundary of Pakistan innings was a mishit of the last ball of 26th over. Actor managed the lone sixer of the third ball of 49th over.
Younis Khan once again proved, "Clash is Temporary, Class is Permanent". Why is he such a recluse ?
Zulkarnain Haider made his ODI debut and played a classic test innings. Has he 'booked' his berth ?
Pakistan deployed 7 bowlers and they managed only 2 no-balls and both were bowled by Actor Miyan. They just are not ready to cross the line !
Hashim Amla is playing like Virendar Sehwag. Who gave him the liberty ?
Graeme Smith hurt his fingers again for the 739th time. 'Poppadam Fingers' !
Pakistan batsmen must have been intimidated by the name Lonwabo Tsotsobe. They probably thought it was some mosquito causing Dengue Fever. It's rumored that Afridi called Yuveraj Singh to find out about it !
AB de Villiers scored only 51. Can't believe that. When was the last time he got out so cheaply ?
Graeme Smith retired hurt. Kallis didn't want to be left behind and he too cramped !
South Africa are called Saffers or SA. But Pakistan team has three SAs in their 11. Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Shoaib Actor. This was 3 SAs vs SA !
Saffers are shuffling their batting order like nobody's business. Is Greg Chappelle around there ?
Billy Bowden wasn't there, but A-sad Rauf more than made up for that by getting the prized wicket of Younis Khan !
So much happened and absolutely no noise pollution ! Why ?
Here are the reasons...
Pakistan Parliament hasn't constituted an inquiry commission and all the donkeys in Pakistan are reported to be safe.
Ejaz Butt is silent. Someone was heard gossiping he was attending an intensive course on 'Fart of Living' !
Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif are in Dubai; away from their herd, busy being heard.
Miyandad is playing 'Grand-Dad' and is getting ready to welcome his daughter's fifth child. He wants 11 children from her so that he can have a team of his own. He hopes to become the Undisputed Coach of Pakistan.
And Mohsin Khan is busy seeking no objection certificates for the As-ifs and Butts and is talking to Dawn !
S-Pun Doctor
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
India Won !
India drubbed Australia by 7 wickets and saved the Indian fans a lot of stress and heartache !
If Mohali was won on an Oxygen cylinder, Bengaluru was a 'Smoother Delivery' !
2-0 is better than 1-0 and certainly much better than 1-1. Thanks Laxman !
"I don't like to count. I score and let others count": Sachin Tendulkar continues to grow up and nobody can help it !
Vijay finally has arrived. Gautam Gambhir should watch his steps !
Sehwag failed to cross 50 in a Test for the first time after 11 tests.
Incidentally this coincides with his tongue wagging more than the bat !
Pujara has arrived. Che is here to stay !
Thanks Rahul for being 'The Wall' for all these years !
But I think it is time to say Dravid RIP [Retire In Peace] !
Raina needs to rein in his ODI and T-20 shots in Test Cricket !
Dhoni can do nothing wrong, including promoting Che today !
Bhajji the Batsman failed. Bhajji the bowler fared better !
Ojha is not Bedi, but we will settle for Ojha because he doesn't call Bhajji a Chucker !
Zaheer is an 'Old ball' and is better with the Old Ball ! Dhoni revers him !
Sreesanth still has the fire in the belly. But not much in the new ball !
Laxman was smiling like a sage at the post match celebrations, and why not ?
Ishant Sharma gets his confidence back when he sees a certain Mr. Ponting in the opposition.
He deserves an applause too !
Kudos to Gary Kirsten, his support staff and his wards !
A wholesome Victory for a Team that looks more like a Number-1 Test Team now !
If Mohali was won on an Oxygen cylinder, Bengaluru was a 'Smoother Delivery' !
2-0 is better than 1-0 and certainly much better than 1-1. Thanks Laxman !
"I don't like to count. I score and let others count": Sachin Tendulkar continues to grow up and nobody can help it !
Vijay finally has arrived. Gautam Gambhir should watch his steps !
Sehwag failed to cross 50 in a Test for the first time after 11 tests.
Incidentally this coincides with his tongue wagging more than the bat !
Pujara has arrived. Che is here to stay !
Thanks Rahul for being 'The Wall' for all these years !
But I think it is time to say Dravid RIP [Retire In Peace] !
Raina needs to rein in his ODI and T-20 shots in Test Cricket !
Dhoni can do nothing wrong, including promoting Che today !
Bhajji the Batsman failed. Bhajji the bowler fared better !
Ojha is not Bedi, but we will settle for Ojha because he doesn't call Bhajji a Chucker !
Zaheer is an 'Old ball' and is better with the Old Ball ! Dhoni revers him !
Sreesanth still has the fire in the belly. But not much in the new ball !
Laxman was smiling like a sage at the post match celebrations, and why not ?
Ishant Sharma gets his confidence back when he sees a certain Mr. Ponting in the opposition.
He deserves an applause too !
Kudos to Gary Kirsten, his support staff and his wards !
A wholesome Victory for a Team that looks more like a Number-1 Test Team now !
S-Pun Doctor
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
5 Non-Cricketing Reasons for the Mohali Win !
India won by a millimeter, a test they could have won by miles. Did Australia fight tooth and nail ? Or did the Indian batsmen play shots that deserved tooth and nail extraction without local anesthesia ? We will leave it there !
As is our habit, we woke up to Crisis Man Laxman's brilliance and then returned quickly to debate on Sachin Tendulkar missing out on yet another hundred. I know many people would have been happier if Tendulkar were to get his century even if India had lost the match. We are Indians, Sachin comes first. Perhaps soon after Rajnikant !
But Sachin missed out and India won ! And we had a god-damned exciting match that would have killed many on either side of the border if the opponent were to be Pakistan.
Why did India win in spite of...
* Atrocious shots by Virendar Sehwag in both innings ?
* Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal at most inopportune moments in both innings ?
* Dravid's problem with leg-cutters ?
* Sanjay Hazare's magnanimity ?
* Super All-rounder Bhajji's failure to fire with the bat in both knocks ?
* Ishant Sharma's Dirty Dozen No-balls ?
* Dhoni's shoddy work behind and in front of the stumps ?
India deserved to win because they made lesser mistakes in spite of having Sehwag, Bhajji, Ishant and Dhoni on their side. Aussies were beaten by Medical Maladies and not Cricketing Dandies !
Here are the 'Actual Reasons'
1] Rheumatoid Arthritis: Brent Fraser Bowden's peculiar condition that mostly affects the small joints of hands and legs. When Johnson struck Ojha plumb in front of middle stump, 'Poor Billy' just couldn't move his hands in time to show Ojha the 'Crooked Finger'.
By the time he managed to lift his hand, the over-throw by Smith had reached the boundary. Bowden was s--t scared of Jrod going on the rampage again dissecting Billy's Late Out Decision !
2] Lumbago: With a Doctor for father, Laxman knows how to get injured conveniently. For second Test running, he did very little running and managed to keep India in the running till end. Don't be fooled by his 'Nice Guy' looks. He even manipulates the day five pitch. It stops misbehaving when Laxman's wrists start behaving !
3] Gigantism: With a height of nearly 8 feet Ishant Sharma intimidates everyone on ground and even in your drawing rooms. Any length becomes either too short or too long for him. In both knocks he proved 'Size Does Matter'. His second innings bravado was terminated by Gould rather than Hilfenhaus.
4] Delhi Belly: Aussies were obviously affected by Delhi Belly thanks to 'Butter Chicken' of Punjab. This meant they had their hands full of butter and pants full of potty. No wonder they dropped so many catches they would have held on in grade-3 Coma Down under.
5] Amnesia: The pollution in India affects the memory cells of Captain Ponting. He develops Amnesia time and again and he bowls Hussey and bats North. He forgot Philip Hughes existed on this planet.
Many Australians including Jrod want to assassinate Marcus North. I don't blame them. Australian batting goes down South with North ! Any amount of Paine afflicted by later order doesn't compensate for this middle - middle order dud; even the fluke wicket of Tendulkar !
So... Ponting continues the hunt for 'First Frontier' and we can say... Jai Ho !
S-Pun Doctor
As is our habit, we woke up to Crisis Man Laxman's brilliance and then returned quickly to debate on Sachin Tendulkar missing out on yet another hundred. I know many people would have been happier if Tendulkar were to get his century even if India had lost the match. We are Indians, Sachin comes first. Perhaps soon after Rajnikant !
But Sachin missed out and India won ! And we had a god-damned exciting match that would have killed many on either side of the border if the opponent were to be Pakistan.
Why did India win in spite of...
* Atrocious shots by Virendar Sehwag in both innings ?
* Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal at most inopportune moments in both innings ?
* Dravid's problem with leg-cutters ?
* Sanjay Hazare's magnanimity ?
* Super All-rounder Bhajji's failure to fire with the bat in both knocks ?
* Ishant Sharma's Dirty Dozen No-balls ?
* Dhoni's shoddy work behind and in front of the stumps ?
India deserved to win because they made lesser mistakes in spite of having Sehwag, Bhajji, Ishant and Dhoni on their side. Aussies were beaten by Medical Maladies and not Cricketing Dandies !
Here are the 'Actual Reasons'
1] Rheumatoid Arthritis: Brent Fraser Bowden's peculiar condition that mostly affects the small joints of hands and legs. When Johnson struck Ojha plumb in front of middle stump, 'Poor Billy' just couldn't move his hands in time to show Ojha the 'Crooked Finger'.
By the time he managed to lift his hand, the over-throw by Smith had reached the boundary. Bowden was s--t scared of Jrod going on the rampage again dissecting Billy's Late Out Decision !
2] Lumbago: With a Doctor for father, Laxman knows how to get injured conveniently. For second Test running, he did very little running and managed to keep India in the running till end. Don't be fooled by his 'Nice Guy' looks. He even manipulates the day five pitch. It stops misbehaving when Laxman's wrists start behaving !
3] Gigantism: With a height of nearly 8 feet Ishant Sharma intimidates everyone on ground and even in your drawing rooms. Any length becomes either too short or too long for him. In both knocks he proved 'Size Does Matter'. His second innings bravado was terminated by Gould rather than Hilfenhaus.
4] Delhi Belly: Aussies were obviously affected by Delhi Belly thanks to 'Butter Chicken' of Punjab. This meant they had their hands full of butter and pants full of potty. No wonder they dropped so many catches they would have held on in grade-3 Coma Down under.
5] Amnesia: The pollution in India affects the memory cells of Captain Ponting. He develops Amnesia time and again and he bowls Hussey and bats North. He forgot Philip Hughes existed on this planet.
Many Australians including Jrod want to assassinate Marcus North. I don't blame them. Australian batting goes down South with North ! Any amount of Paine afflicted by later order doesn't compensate for this middle - middle order dud; even the fluke wicket of Tendulkar !
So... Ponting continues the hunt for 'First Frontier' and we can say... Jai Ho !
S-Pun Doctor
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Athithi Devo Bhavah !
Athithi Devo Bhavah !
Treat the Guest like God !
Sanjay Hazare for Nobel Peace Prize !
Whatever your enemy did to you, forgive them. This is what Jesus Christ said and then still be nice to them said Mahatma Gandhi.
Even though Australia aren't exactly enemies, Indians can't possibly forget what happened Down under two winters ago. Though Symonds and Hayden are happy playing IPL and would be happy if Indians develop amnesia for such a thing; Clarke, Ponting and almost whole list of India batting order remains barring Dada.
What happened at Mohali this evening can be explained thanks only to this. Captain Dhoni edged an outgoing one from Johnson. Watson picked up one about which he was not sure. It was given to Third Umpire.
Mr. Sanjay Hazare had promptly ruled Hussey not out on day one, when Rahul Dravid was not so sure. What we saw on Television and what the Commentators saw was that Watson picked it up on the bounce. We have yet to ascertain if Mr. Hazare was provided some other footage by Neo Cricket. Only he declared Dhoni out. Harbhajan fell to very next ball.
In one stroke the Test has been declared 'Open' even as India threw the Commonwealth Games Open with grand splendor. This probably is how Mr. Hazare wants to prove to those forever cribbing Aussies, "Look you nincompoops, this is how we treat our Guests; like Gods".
For all the bad press India got from Australia thanks to Suresh Kalmadi, Sanjay Hazare has restored our faith in Christ and in Gandhi !
Thank You Mr. Hazare !
We strongly recommend you for Nobel Peace Prize and also for the post of the Headman of Indian Tourism Industry. At least this way, Indian Cricket Lovers will not have to suffer you any more !
S-Pun Doctor
Treat the Guest like God !
Sanjay Hazare for Nobel Peace Prize !
Whatever your enemy did to you, forgive them. This is what Jesus Christ said and then still be nice to them said Mahatma Gandhi.
Even though Australia aren't exactly enemies, Indians can't possibly forget what happened Down under two winters ago. Though Symonds and Hayden are happy playing IPL and would be happy if Indians develop amnesia for such a thing; Clarke, Ponting and almost whole list of India batting order remains barring Dada.
What happened at Mohali this evening can be explained thanks only to this. Captain Dhoni edged an outgoing one from Johnson. Watson picked up one about which he was not sure. It was given to Third Umpire.
Mr. Sanjay Hazare had promptly ruled Hussey not out on day one, when Rahul Dravid was not so sure. What we saw on Television and what the Commentators saw was that Watson picked it up on the bounce. We have yet to ascertain if Mr. Hazare was provided some other footage by Neo Cricket. Only he declared Dhoni out. Harbhajan fell to very next ball.
In one stroke the Test has been declared 'Open' even as India threw the Commonwealth Games Open with grand splendor. This probably is how Mr. Hazare wants to prove to those forever cribbing Aussies, "Look you nincompoops, this is how we treat our Guests; like Gods".
For all the bad press India got from Australia thanks to Suresh Kalmadi, Sanjay Hazare has restored our faith in Christ and in Gandhi !
Thank You Mr. Hazare !
We strongly recommend you for Nobel Peace Prize and also for the post of the Headman of Indian Tourism Industry. At least this way, Indian Cricket Lovers will not have to suffer you any more !
S-Pun Doctor
Monday, September 20, 2010
Ejaz Butt's Enema for Enemies !
More Breaking Views...
Pakistan Cricket's Head Butting !
Ejaz Butt, the Head of Pakistan Cricket is a man with a vision and a mission. In fact he also has a machine; to administer 'Enema' to purge all the fecal matter in Cricket created by his enemy, that is India. He is out to cleanse the dirty world of Cricket. Hope what he has done has finally managed to open the eyes of the ICC Bosses.
Mr. Butt was planning to come out in the open with these 'findings' soon. But S-Pun Doctor has managed to catch hold of this valuable information and you are reading it here first, even before Butt could open the enema can.
All the ignoramuses wait. He might come out with more Trumors [True Rumors]. At the end of it all, the Bosses of ICC certainly will say "I See See". Other than the already burgeoning 'Evidences' provided by Mr. Butt, here is a peek into some of the more scandalous findings of Butt's University of Trumor Theories [BUTT].
1] India wants to hide the CWG failure: Whole world knows what a mess India have landed in with the Common Wealth Games. They just want to deflect the attention of the world press from the CWG fiasco. What better way can India devise other than vilify Pakistan ? It is such a shame the world media is targeting the undereducated and underpaid Pakistan players instead of 'Fixing' India, the real culprit.
2] RAW fomenting problems in Pakistan Cricket: Not satisfied with creating anarchy and engineering floods in Pakistan, India have always tried to undermine Pakistan Cricket since the days of Chatrapathi Shivaji. That is why the poor Pakistani boys lead by the honorable Mohammad Ajmal Kasab decided to attack the CST.
India was responsible for the fights between Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad in the 80s. India also created rift between Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the 90s. A certain Ravi Shastri and his 'Shaz and Waz show' is a proof for this. RAW actually stands for Ravi And Wasim. But only Ejaz Butt knows this highly secretive Trumor. The recent spat between Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan in the new millennium too was sponsored by India. Who was responsible for this ? Refer to Theory No. 3.
3] Sania Mirza is a Mole: A shocking truth is that Sania Mirza is an Indian Mole. She dumped her childhood friend on orders from New Delhi. She enticed an innocent Shoib Malik to get privy to first hand information of Pakistan Cricket. This Match too was Fixed by India.
India had earlier tried the same dirty trick rather unsuccessfully using Maha Apa aka Ayesha Siddiqui and even Sayali Bhagat. Just see how Shoib Malik tried to divide and rule Pakistan Cricket. India have a track record of this kind of 'Reverse Love Jihad'.
We also have to remember Reena Roy who seduced Mohsin Khan and Jemima who did the same to Imran Khan. Never forget the truth that both ladies ditched the gullible Pakistani men once they retired from Cricket. Shoib Malik beware, your turn next !
4] England hosted Pakistan just to defame them: England had just one agenda when they decided to play host to Pakistan's home and away matches; to defame, defile and destroy the beautiful flower that Pakistan Cricket is.
Jealousy thy name is ECB. But why is it ? Simple, England could not digest the fact that Pakistan had won Cricket World Cup and T-20 World Cup long before England. And England wanted to be in the good books of the International Cricket Bully that is India. BCCI actually means Bullying Cricket Countries Internationally.
And the most Sensational Finding...
5] Sachin Tendulkar's birth was fixed: We know there was a confusion with Sunny Gavaskar's birth. But according to some extremely reliable Trumors, Sachin Tendulkar was actually born of Pakistani parents when they were on a holiday 'Once Upon a time in Mumbai'. The baby was switched by a devious Malayalee Nurse who saw the halo behind the baby's head and a miniature bat in his hands. Thus India had once again robbed poor Pakistan.
That an Indian Blogger has managed to leak even such a top secret matter itself shows how much Pakistan Cricket has been "Fixed" by India !
S-Pun Doctor
Pakistan Cricket's Head Butting !
Ejaz Butt, the Head of Pakistan Cricket is a man with a vision and a mission. In fact he also has a machine; to administer 'Enema' to purge all the fecal matter in Cricket created by his enemy, that is India. He is out to cleanse the dirty world of Cricket. Hope what he has done has finally managed to open the eyes of the ICC Bosses.
Mr. Butt was planning to come out in the open with these 'findings' soon. But S-Pun Doctor has managed to catch hold of this valuable information and you are reading it here first, even before Butt could open the enema can.
All the ignoramuses wait. He might come out with more Trumors [True Rumors]. At the end of it all, the Bosses of ICC certainly will say "I See See". Other than the already burgeoning 'Evidences' provided by Mr. Butt, here is a peek into some of the more scandalous findings of Butt's University of Trumor Theories [BUTT].
1] India wants to hide the CWG failure: Whole world knows what a mess India have landed in with the Common Wealth Games. They just want to deflect the attention of the world press from the CWG fiasco. What better way can India devise other than vilify Pakistan ? It is such a shame the world media is targeting the undereducated and underpaid Pakistan players instead of 'Fixing' India, the real culprit.
2] RAW fomenting problems in Pakistan Cricket: Not satisfied with creating anarchy and engineering floods in Pakistan, India have always tried to undermine Pakistan Cricket since the days of Chatrapathi Shivaji. That is why the poor Pakistani boys lead by the honorable Mohammad Ajmal Kasab decided to attack the CST.
India was responsible for the fights between Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad in the 80s. India also created rift between Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the 90s. A certain Ravi Shastri and his 'Shaz and Waz show' is a proof for this. RAW actually stands for Ravi And Wasim. But only Ejaz Butt knows this highly secretive Trumor. The recent spat between Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan in the new millennium too was sponsored by India. Who was responsible for this ? Refer to Theory No. 3.
3] Sania Mirza is a Mole: A shocking truth is that Sania Mirza is an Indian Mole. She dumped her childhood friend on orders from New Delhi. She enticed an innocent Shoib Malik to get privy to first hand information of Pakistan Cricket. This Match too was Fixed by India.
India had earlier tried the same dirty trick rather unsuccessfully using Maha Apa aka Ayesha Siddiqui and even Sayali Bhagat. Just see how Shoib Malik tried to divide and rule Pakistan Cricket. India have a track record of this kind of 'Reverse Love Jihad'.
We also have to remember Reena Roy who seduced Mohsin Khan and Jemima who did the same to Imran Khan. Never forget the truth that both ladies ditched the gullible Pakistani men once they retired from Cricket. Shoib Malik beware, your turn next !
4] England hosted Pakistan just to defame them: England had just one agenda when they decided to play host to Pakistan's home and away matches; to defame, defile and destroy the beautiful flower that Pakistan Cricket is.
Jealousy thy name is ECB. But why is it ? Simple, England could not digest the fact that Pakistan had won Cricket World Cup and T-20 World Cup long before England. And England wanted to be in the good books of the International Cricket Bully that is India. BCCI actually means Bullying Cricket Countries Internationally.
And the most Sensational Finding...
5] Sachin Tendulkar's birth was fixed: We know there was a confusion with Sunny Gavaskar's birth. But according to some extremely reliable Trumors, Sachin Tendulkar was actually born of Pakistani parents when they were on a holiday 'Once Upon a time in Mumbai'. The baby was switched by a devious Malayalee Nurse who saw the halo behind the baby's head and a miniature bat in his hands. Thus India had once again robbed poor Pakistan.
That an Indian Blogger has managed to leak even such a top secret matter itself shows how much Pakistan Cricket has been "Fixed" by India !
S-Pun Doctor
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Bicycle Repairer's Shirt Philosophy !
A Bicycle Repairer's take on why Cricketers do what they do !
My Father completed 76 years in June. He wasn't lucky enough to be well educated and retired from his job of repairing bicycles about 13 years ago after some fervent persuasion.
He loves to watch Cricket, like 91.6% of Indians do. He believes Sachin Tendulkar is a Great Player. He knows that Anil Kumble hails from Kumble, a small town on our way from Kochi to Mangalore. Dravid, Ganguly and Sehwag too are his favorites. During the last IPL he had developed a special liking for Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa.
Every white player is a foreigner for him and every black, an African. He hates Pakistan simply because he doesn't have anything or anyone else to hate. He has a tendency to believe Mpofu, Zimbabwe and Mbangwa are some animals from the African continent, but refuses to buy the fact that Cricket is an insect !
When India bat, he keeps asking when is 'That Giant' coming to bat. Giant is Yusuf Pathan for him. He calls Uthappa 'Onion Dosa'. His nickname for Dravid is 'Humble boy'. Kumble is 'Our boy'. Sachin is 'Short boy'. Yuveraj is 'Handsome boy'. But Sehwag has the best nick name, 'Waag'. That is Tiger in our language, Konkani.
He is very fond of Srisanth because he is from our neighborhood. He even went in search of Srisanth's house and returned disappointed because Sri had moved to a different locality. But Srisanth still is a favorite and is called, "Thammanam Express"
Though he does manage to read sports headlines on Indian Express, he waits for the Kannada daily, Udayavani to arrive by post to get 'Authentic' information on everything. And he very faithfully does the 'Breaking News' to me and my mother that India went on to win the match; 3 days after the match.
Virendar Sehwag's quotes after the Randiv no-ball was a hot topic for him while the whole world was busy with some other no-balls bowled elsewhere. He is talking of spot-fixing these days and wants to know how can someone pay so much of money just to bowl a no-ball.
His words have left me shaken, "Don't you think there is a danger of a lot of unscrupulous characters choosing to play Cricket just to be rich in quick time ? There is no way they are going to monitor every ball that is going to be bowled, is there ?". Isn't that scary ?
My father has as much regard for Cricket history as Sehwag has. He just loves to watch Cricket. The bat hitting the ball or the stumps going cartwheeling or the catches being pouched.
The hook or the upper cut look the same to him. He isn't bothered about which way the ball swung as long as the stumps get dislodged when 'Foreigners' or Pakistan bat. Sri Lanka are not an honest team as we believed them to be; he found this out thanks to Udayavani.
He even pronounced a special punishment to Randiv. Someone should bowl a 'no-ball' when Randiv is on 99 and see to it that he misses century. Will Randiv ever manage to reach thus far ? Don't bother !
Third Man is a Man. What is he doing on Cricket field ? And how different is he from Third Umpire ? How does Ganguly's Off-side become On-side for Dravid ? On the field, they are there to your left or right, Right ? So why don't they simply call left side or right side ?
Square leg, fine leg, mid on and mid off are some stupid inanities the commentary people utter. There is a sinister design to all this. They all want to confuse Indian players, nothing more nothing less ! Black, white and brown; all the Umpires are biased and want to declare Sachin out LBW. The damned TV channels show those blue line just to confuse Umpires.
Every other country and all Pakistanis and foreigners are jealous of Indians because India have Sachin Tendulkar and Dr. Vijay Mallya and Mukesh Ambani are very rich. Everyone wants to defeat India by all kind of foul means.
In the background of this knowledge, he joined me to watch the CLT-20 match between Bangalore and Guyana last night. The Bangalore team is owned by one of our own community, Dr. Vijay Mallya. That is an added qualification to root for RCB.
Bored by the poor quality of Cricket by Ramnaresh Sarwan's insipid team, I flipped channels to watch England - Pakistan ODI. What my father noticed during a short period had me stumped. It never occurred to me, he could come out with such wisdom.
After watching the match for about 4 overs, he queried innocently: "Everyone in the 'Foreign' team is 'England' and Pakistan team has K Akmal, Akhter, Umar and many others. Why is that ?". I showed him the English players too had their names lower down on their shirts and said, "England have their country name at the top and player name at the bottom".
My Class 8 learned father persisted with, "But there is no Pakistan on those green shirts; only player names. Why is it ?". Before retiring to his room for the night, he gave a parting shot, "Do you think the 'Foreigners' have more respect for England than the Green Grasshoppers have for Pakistan ? Is it why these guys are sold so easily ?"
My Father completed 76 years in June. He wasn't lucky enough to be well educated and retired from his job of repairing bicycles about 13 years ago after some fervent persuasion.
He loves to watch Cricket, like 91.6% of Indians do. He believes Sachin Tendulkar is a Great Player. He knows that Anil Kumble hails from Kumble, a small town on our way from Kochi to Mangalore. Dravid, Ganguly and Sehwag too are his favorites. During the last IPL he had developed a special liking for Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa.
Every white player is a foreigner for him and every black, an African. He hates Pakistan simply because he doesn't have anything or anyone else to hate. He has a tendency to believe Mpofu, Zimbabwe and Mbangwa are some animals from the African continent, but refuses to buy the fact that Cricket is an insect !
When India bat, he keeps asking when is 'That Giant' coming to bat. Giant is Yusuf Pathan for him. He calls Uthappa 'Onion Dosa'. His nickname for Dravid is 'Humble boy'. Kumble is 'Our boy'. Sachin is 'Short boy'. Yuveraj is 'Handsome boy'. But Sehwag has the best nick name, 'Waag'. That is Tiger in our language, Konkani.
He is very fond of Srisanth because he is from our neighborhood. He even went in search of Srisanth's house and returned disappointed because Sri had moved to a different locality. But Srisanth still is a favorite and is called, "Thammanam Express"
Though he does manage to read sports headlines on Indian Express, he waits for the Kannada daily, Udayavani to arrive by post to get 'Authentic' information on everything. And he very faithfully does the 'Breaking News' to me and my mother that India went on to win the match; 3 days after the match.
Virendar Sehwag's quotes after the Randiv no-ball was a hot topic for him while the whole world was busy with some other no-balls bowled elsewhere. He is talking of spot-fixing these days and wants to know how can someone pay so much of money just to bowl a no-ball.
His words have left me shaken, "Don't you think there is a danger of a lot of unscrupulous characters choosing to play Cricket just to be rich in quick time ? There is no way they are going to monitor every ball that is going to be bowled, is there ?". Isn't that scary ?
My father has as much regard for Cricket history as Sehwag has. He just loves to watch Cricket. The bat hitting the ball or the stumps going cartwheeling or the catches being pouched.
The hook or the upper cut look the same to him. He isn't bothered about which way the ball swung as long as the stumps get dislodged when 'Foreigners' or Pakistan bat. Sri Lanka are not an honest team as we believed them to be; he found this out thanks to Udayavani.
He even pronounced a special punishment to Randiv. Someone should bowl a 'no-ball' when Randiv is on 99 and see to it that he misses century. Will Randiv ever manage to reach thus far ? Don't bother !
Third Man is a Man. What is he doing on Cricket field ? And how different is he from Third Umpire ? How does Ganguly's Off-side become On-side for Dravid ? On the field, they are there to your left or right, Right ? So why don't they simply call left side or right side ?
Square leg, fine leg, mid on and mid off are some stupid inanities the commentary people utter. There is a sinister design to all this. They all want to confuse Indian players, nothing more nothing less ! Black, white and brown; all the Umpires are biased and want to declare Sachin out LBW. The damned TV channels show those blue line just to confuse Umpires.
Every other country and all Pakistanis and foreigners are jealous of Indians because India have Sachin Tendulkar and Dr. Vijay Mallya and Mukesh Ambani are very rich. Everyone wants to defeat India by all kind of foul means.
In the background of this knowledge, he joined me to watch the CLT-20 match between Bangalore and Guyana last night. The Bangalore team is owned by one of our own community, Dr. Vijay Mallya. That is an added qualification to root for RCB.
Bored by the poor quality of Cricket by Ramnaresh Sarwan's insipid team, I flipped channels to watch England - Pakistan ODI. What my father noticed during a short period had me stumped. It never occurred to me, he could come out with such wisdom.
After watching the match for about 4 overs, he queried innocently: "Everyone in the 'Foreign' team is 'England' and Pakistan team has K Akmal, Akhter, Umar and many others. Why is that ?". I showed him the English players too had their names lower down on their shirts and said, "England have their country name at the top and player name at the bottom".
My Class 8 learned father persisted with, "But there is no Pakistan on those green shirts; only player names. Why is it ?". Before retiring to his room for the night, he gave a parting shot, "Do you think the 'Foreigners' have more respect for England than the Green Grasshoppers have for Pakistan ? Is it why these guys are sold so easily ?"
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sehwag's Sixer of Aesthetics and Prosthetics !
When most Indians talk Cricket, they talk Sachin. Some wise man once told that there are two kind of batsmen in Cricket; Sachin Tendulkar and Others.
But at the beginning of the new millennium, a new Phenomenon appeared on the scene. With the helmet on, he looked like Sachin. He walked like Sachin, though marginally taller and played many shots like Sachin. Some people even branded him, "Poor Man's Sachin".
Today some other people armed with obnoxiously surplus information about Cricket, its aerodynamics and damned statistics have branded this phenomenon greater than the original. I believe it is an unfair comparison.
This phenomenon is quite like Sachin in some methods, but there is a kind of madness to the methods that is unlike Sachin. It can be spicy. It's damn tasty. When on song, it is lilting. But it's crazy and can drive you nuts too. Like the Maggi Tomato Sauce,"It's Different". And that is ... The Phenomenon called Sehwagging !
This Phenomenon has inspired hell of a lot of research and lot more literature. The venerable foul mouth of the Blog-world, Jrod has done an exhaustive study of it and dedicated to the Cricket World, a super hit bestseller [S-Hit in his own language] Sehwagology ! Jrod, like Sehwag, plays 'Cricket with balls' and calls a good ball a bad ball !
The BCCI blog went a step further and Naked Cricket actually enlightened us about Sehwag's Origins. BCCI also presented the Cricket fraternity the first ever Comic book character, the 'Jatman'.
My favorite [but now absconding Som] blogger gave us a view of Sehwag's aesthetic sense. And then he also balanced it with his 'Doosra' view about Sehwag's lack of prosthetic sense. You can't prevent Sehwagging when he isn't sleeping !
His fellow Delhi mate and one time Indian opening partner Akash Chopra can actually see 'Beyond the Blues' and explain why Sehwag is not so hot in the shorter formats of the game compared to his sensational exploits in Test Cricket.
So what does this post want to say other than giving links to some delicious information on Sehwag ? It actually wants to probe into hitherto uncharted territory, probably the Mars ! This wants to know 'What is Sehwag's contribution to Cricket?' Apart from inspiring so much of literature that is.
And here is a random list of Sehwag's Contribution to Cricket: Henceforth to be known as 'Principles of Sehwagging'.
1] Play in the 'V': His name starts with 'V' and he loves to play in the 'V'. Since the Cricket field is a round shaped oval, there are so many 'V's there. Too many of them in fact. He chooses to play in any 'V' depending upon which 'V' is more likely to save him the dirty job of running between the wickets. The 'V' between Third man and Cover Point is his favorite. This V renders other 'V's less bothered.
2] See Ball - Hit Ball: "I am not playing the bowler, but the ball". How true ! His motto can be realigned as 'No See ball - No Hit Ball'. This explains why he does better in Sunny Asian conditions and on bouncy Australian pitches compared to the gloomy English conditions. Another extension of this Philosophy is "See No Ball - Hit No Ball". This can get bowlers suspended !
3] Men don't need a Hook: Hook is a link used to connect two halves of the inner garment used by women to avoid excessive bounce of balls. It has no role in Gent's Cricket. We are wiser today with this knowledge thanks only to Viru-S.
4] History is for books: Cricket History or any history is detrimental to progress. You read them, you'll develop doubts; not to forget the precious time lost in reading. If you don't know history, you will make your own history. Those who make history, don't have time to read history. Too many books and bookies have spoiled Cricket, hence we have to banish them along with Mazar Majeed and if possible Randiv.
5] Listen to your Mother: No Mother other than that of Andrew Symonds [Thanks to Bhajji] has ever been as famous in Cricket Circles as "Sehwag ki Maa". After Amitabh Bachchan of Deewar, Virender Sehwag is the only Man in India whose Mother has inspired a nation on prime-time television.
6] Philosophy is like balls: You need balls to hit balls, because we have to remember everyone has balls ! Viru's tweets for his followers, fans and friends are the flavor of this festive season. Just wonder from where he quotes those quotes from !
Since Viru loves the Sixer, he has forced me to stop here and not bowl a no-ball. As and when he grants me more wisdom, I shall come back with the next 'DLF Maximum'. Till then, just remember this...
V always feel that Life of others is Better than us..!But,v always Forget that v r also ''others'' for someone else...
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Bhajji's Quick-Fix Solution for Match-Fixing Malady !
What a relief, Dhoni has reassured the Indian fans that 'Indians will never fix matches'. And his ace off-spinner has gone a step further and issued a mortal threat to anyone who dares to approach him to Fix.
I always believed Bhajji was an innocent chap always sinned against by one and all. The picture is getting clearer now. Here are some of the incidents from the past.
First it was Murali Kartik who asked him at the National Cricket Academy if Bhajji could 'Fix' a leaking tap. The young Sardar heard only the word 'Fix' and slapped Kartik. Both were thrown out of the Academy for no fault of Bhajji's.
The journalist asked him, "Can we Fix an appointment?". Bhajji didn't here the last word and thought here is a fixer in the guise of a journo asking him to Fix a match and took a 'Jab' at him. But the insensitive Electronic media castigated him for this.
The Sreesanth episode too was nothing but a misunderstanding. Sree asked Bhajji, "Sorry Paaji, your team is in a Fix now. Better luck for next match". In the hullabaloo of post-match situation, Bhajji heard only the word 'Fix'. Can't blame him, Mallus have a Fixed accent problem.They distort every single word in English language except the word Fix.
But why did Sreesanth, the aggressive man cry? Was the slap the reason ? No, he cried because he felt let down by his owner. Bret Lee got all the hugs from the Cutie Zinta and all our boy got was bear-hugs from VRV Singh, Karan Goel, Sunny Sohal and so on. And THAT was the reason for his crying !
But it was too late and IPL Bosses suspended poor Bhajji. His fate for that season was thus Fixed. He somehow has received the worst at the hands of Administrators, Umpires, Referees, Journalists and Bishen Singh Bedi. How else can we explain the Senior Sardar branding Bhajji a 'Chucker'?
Bhajji like Muralidharan has a Fixed elbow deformity and a more severe Fixed forearm deformity. He has lived with this handicap and added all those wickets into his Fixed Deposit. Why does Bedi have this 'Fixation' for the angles ? Isn't it enough that Bhajji has his goal firmly Fixed on picking up wickets ?
If not for Sachin the Savior, he would have faced 'Life Ban' in the 'Teri Maanki' scandal. All that was started by Symonds. He began by taunting Bhajji at the behest of Ponting. He said, "Hey bloke, I'll slam you all sixes".
Not yet comfortable with the Aussie accent; Bhajji heard it as, "Hey black, all shame you all Fixers". And he called Symonds' mother to complain about the obnoxious behavior of her son. That Mat Hayden had the temerity to call Bhajji 'An Obnoxious little weed'.
But in spite of all injustices meted out to the innocent, the truth will win at the end. And now we have seen the 'Real Bhajji' standing up and 'Fixing' the Match-Fixing and Spot-Fixing problem forever. If only ICC were to take cue, we have a 'Quick-Fix' solution here ! Are they listening ?
I always believed Bhajji was an innocent chap always sinned against by one and all. The picture is getting clearer now. Here are some of the incidents from the past.
First it was Murali Kartik who asked him at the National Cricket Academy if Bhajji could 'Fix' a leaking tap. The young Sardar heard only the word 'Fix' and slapped Kartik. Both were thrown out of the Academy for no fault of Bhajji's.
The journalist asked him, "Can we Fix an appointment?". Bhajji didn't here the last word and thought here is a fixer in the guise of a journo asking him to Fix a match and took a 'Jab' at him. But the insensitive Electronic media castigated him for this.
The Sreesanth episode too was nothing but a misunderstanding. Sree asked Bhajji, "Sorry Paaji, your team is in a Fix now. Better luck for next match". In the hullabaloo of post-match situation, Bhajji heard only the word 'Fix'. Can't blame him, Mallus have a Fixed accent problem.They distort every single word in English language except the word Fix.
But why did Sreesanth, the aggressive man cry? Was the slap the reason ? No, he cried because he felt let down by his owner. Bret Lee got all the hugs from the Cutie Zinta and all our boy got was bear-hugs from VRV Singh, Karan Goel, Sunny Sohal and so on. And THAT was the reason for his crying !
But it was too late and IPL Bosses suspended poor Bhajji. His fate for that season was thus Fixed. He somehow has received the worst at the hands of Administrators, Umpires, Referees, Journalists and Bishen Singh Bedi. How else can we explain the Senior Sardar branding Bhajji a 'Chucker'?
Bhajji like Muralidharan has a Fixed elbow deformity and a more severe Fixed forearm deformity. He has lived with this handicap and added all those wickets into his Fixed Deposit. Why does Bedi have this 'Fixation' for the angles ? Isn't it enough that Bhajji has his goal firmly Fixed on picking up wickets ?
If not for Sachin the Savior, he would have faced 'Life Ban' in the 'Teri Maanki' scandal. All that was started by Symonds. He began by taunting Bhajji at the behest of Ponting. He said, "Hey bloke, I'll slam you all sixes".
Not yet comfortable with the Aussie accent; Bhajji heard it as, "Hey black, all shame you all Fixers". And he called Symonds' mother to complain about the obnoxious behavior of her son. That Mat Hayden had the temerity to call Bhajji 'An Obnoxious little weed'.
But in spite of all injustices meted out to the innocent, the truth will win at the end. And now we have seen the 'Real Bhajji' standing up and 'Fixing' the Match-Fixing and Spot-Fixing problem forever. If only ICC were to take cue, we have a 'Quick-Fix' solution here ! Are they listening ?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Betrayal is an understatement !
Mohammad or Muhammad is the most common name in the world. It is also the most sacred name for an entire religion. We have had some really great and famous people with this name; the Prophet being the most celebrated.
Mohammad Ali the Boxing Legend, Mohammad Rafi the Indian music Maestro, Qaid-E-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Bin Tughlaq the Maniacal Genius, Mohammad Ghauri and Mohammad of Ghazni are / were some hugely famous names.
In a country that perhaps hosts the largest number of Mohammads, Two Mohammads who could have been the stars of a brave new world; have instead brought a country and a game to disrepute beyond dispute.
When the reports first came, I wasn't surprised. Every time their brittle batting collapses, we are forced to listen to these "Fixing" stories. It was like listening to an old broken record. But as more skeletons started to tumble out, I was devastated.
Mohammad Aamer is such a precocious and precious talent, I had almost started to adore him. Mohammad Asif in spite of his inglorious behavior in the past was an exceptionally talented pacer.
Both these guys could have forged a long term and deadly pace combination to take Pakistan Cricket to new heights. And then they did this !
Mohammad Ali the Boxing Legend, Mohammad Rafi the Indian music Maestro, Qaid-E-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Bin Tughlaq the Maniacal Genius, Mohammad Ghauri and Mohammad of Ghazni are / were some hugely famous names.
In a country that perhaps hosts the largest number of Mohammads, Two Mohammads who could have been the stars of a brave new world; have instead brought a country and a game to disrepute beyond dispute.
When the reports first came, I wasn't surprised. Every time their brittle batting collapses, we are forced to listen to these "Fixing" stories. It was like listening to an old broken record. But as more skeletons started to tumble out, I was devastated.
Mohammad Aamer is such a precocious and precious talent, I had almost started to adore him. Mohammad Asif in spite of his inglorious behavior in the past was an exceptionally talented pacer.
Both these guys could have forged a long term and deadly pace combination to take Pakistan Cricket to new heights. And then they did this !
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Ravindra Jadeja for President !
Looking at the selection policies of Indian Selectors lead by Sri-Can't, I am tempted to make this suggestion. We should select and elect Ravindra Jadeja for the post of President of India.
Why ?
Here are the 5 points in support of Jadeja for President !
1] Ornamental to the Core: The post of President of India is an ornamental one. But for the great A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, they have been mostly rubber stamps. Shane Warne's Rock Star is of ornamental use to Team India. If any doubts persist, just click on the links and see how Yusuf Pathan, the man dropped for inconsistency fares when it comes to team's needs. Compare that with Ravindra Jadeja who has played mostly self serving Cricket all through !
2] Pathan is too straight: Like his lofted shots, Pathan is too simple and too straight. Only those with the ability to scheme and with right connections get to become President of India. Jadeja at the tender age of 21 showed he can swallow for breakfast, the entire gigantic figure of Yusuf Pathan who just can't scheme to save his life or that of his half brother.
3] Strike rate vs Average: BCCI Selectors go by Cricket Ratings which give higher points to averages than strike rates. An average of 22 with a strike rate of 103 is inconsistent. An average of 31 with strike rate of 77 runs per 100 balls is what the ODI Team needs; according to our Selectors. Dhoni has consistently underestimated and underutilized Yusuf. Shane Warne's dark-horse unfortunately has become Dhoni's darned ass !
4] Long Rope and Tight Rope: Let me admit Jadeja has better credentials in the bowling department. Has better economy, average and strike rate. But then he has bowled lot more than the poor Yusuf who has often been used in the power plays and then confined to the third man boundary. Players like Jadeja, Nohit Sharma and I shan't Sharma get the long rope while Yusuf always has to do the tight rope walking.
5] Selectors think Pathans are from Afghanistan: The Selectors perhaps think the Pathans are from Afghanistan. How else can we explain a guy like Irfan Pathan not even getting a chance in second string or third string teams when we see rank new comers making merry ? That only means one thing. In spite of very ordinary performances and self-serving Cricket, Jaddu will continue to rule.
He continues to rule without accountability. Is it not the greatest quality required for an Indian Politician ? So His Excellency Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja deserves to serve India as the President ! Period !
Why ?
Here are the 5 points in support of Jadeja for President !
1] Ornamental to the Core: The post of President of India is an ornamental one. But for the great A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, they have been mostly rubber stamps. Shane Warne's Rock Star is of ornamental use to Team India. If any doubts persist, just click on the links and see how Yusuf Pathan, the man dropped for inconsistency fares when it comes to team's needs. Compare that with Ravindra Jadeja who has played mostly self serving Cricket all through !
2] Pathan is too straight: Like his lofted shots, Pathan is too simple and too straight. Only those with the ability to scheme and with right connections get to become President of India. Jadeja at the tender age of 21 showed he can swallow for breakfast, the entire gigantic figure of Yusuf Pathan who just can't scheme to save his life or that of his half brother.
3] Strike rate vs Average: BCCI Selectors go by Cricket Ratings which give higher points to averages than strike rates. An average of 22 with a strike rate of 103 is inconsistent. An average of 31 with strike rate of 77 runs per 100 balls is what the ODI Team needs; according to our Selectors. Dhoni has consistently underestimated and underutilized Yusuf. Shane Warne's dark-horse unfortunately has become Dhoni's darned ass !
4] Long Rope and Tight Rope: Let me admit Jadeja has better credentials in the bowling department. Has better economy, average and strike rate. But then he has bowled lot more than the poor Yusuf who has often been used in the power plays and then confined to the third man boundary. Players like Jadeja, Nohit Sharma and I shan't Sharma get the long rope while Yusuf always has to do the tight rope walking.
5] Selectors think Pathans are from Afghanistan: The Selectors perhaps think the Pathans are from Afghanistan. How else can we explain a guy like Irfan Pathan not even getting a chance in second string or third string teams when we see rank new comers making merry ? That only means one thing. In spite of very ordinary performances and self-serving Cricket, Jaddu will continue to rule.
He continues to rule without accountability. Is it not the greatest quality required for an Indian Politician ? So His Excellency Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja deserves to serve India as the President ! Period !
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Randiv isn't the first !
After expressing my anger against Suraj Randiv on Facebook and Gmail buzz, I went through many a blogs and articles. I now feel all of us have over-reacted; Viru, his favorite Captain Dada, Bedi as usual and most of us Indians have !
Yes, it wasn't exactly a sporting act by Randiv. But he isn't the first to do so. Sri Lankans have a proven track record here. Hence targeting a young bowler is unacceptable. If someone has to answer, it has to be the man at the helm. We very well know he is not very fond of seeing India at the top the Test Championship table.
Amidst all the cacophony, one former Indian Star has talked some sense. Randiv or Sri Lankans are not the only culprits. India too have done this before ! I am surprised but also admire the courage and integrity shown by Mr. Chandu Borde.
I remember an incident from South Indian filmdom. Malayalee girl Nayan Tara made her debut as a girl next door in Malayalam. But once she crossed over to Chennai and started acting in Tamil movies, she shed quite a few pounds and a lot of cloths too. She got rid of her middle class inhibitions and did a few bold scenes with her friend Chimbu.
Men like me didn't mind a bit ! But the Malayalee crowd over-reacted to this and she was castigated by the prudish Mallu middle class. A hurt Nayan came out with a statement, "I haven't done anything that wasn't done by anyone in the past". She was right !
Instead of offering an apology to Sehwag, Randiv too could have told, "I haven't done anything that wasn't done by anyone in the past". He hasn't done that and we should admire that.
A famous statement of Manoj Prabhakar comes back to haunt me, "Is Hamam me saare nange hain". Those who live in glass houses don't throw stones ! India should forget and get over this incident. Let us move on !
Yes, it wasn't exactly a sporting act by Randiv. But he isn't the first to do so. Sri Lankans have a proven track record here. Hence targeting a young bowler is unacceptable. If someone has to answer, it has to be the man at the helm. We very well know he is not very fond of seeing India at the top the Test Championship table.
Amidst all the cacophony, one former Indian Star has talked some sense. Randiv or Sri Lankans are not the only culprits. India too have done this before ! I am surprised but also admire the courage and integrity shown by Mr. Chandu Borde.
What he said is this: "No team wants to allow a batsman to cross the century mark and all the teams in the world have succeeded on number of occasions in denying the batsman of a century. Even we Indians have followed this and never gave a freedom for the batsman to set a mark. It was a brilliant knock by Sehwag, he deserves all accolades," he said.
"I would not say it as 'not cricket'. Some people are generous to a fault but others, like the Australians, won't give you an easy hundred to take. There can be two opinions on this; whether Sri Lanka were unsporting or not.
"I remember (In Delhi in 1958-59 series) against the West Indies I had scored a century (109) in the first innings and was 96 batting in the second with fast bowler Roy Gilchrist repeatedly bowling bouncers at me. When two balls remained non-striker Vijay Manjrekar came and told me you have to get to the century. I hooked the next ball, it went for a four but I disturbed my wicket and was hit-wicket," he recalled.
"In the same match, we didn't allow Gary Sobers to get to his double hundred when he was on 199. It's part of the game. We Indians have also adopted such strategies. Even local cricket in India is played in that manner," he said.
Men like me didn't mind a bit ! But the Malayalee crowd over-reacted to this and she was castigated by the prudish Mallu middle class. A hurt Nayan came out with a statement, "I haven't done anything that wasn't done by anyone in the past". She was right !
Instead of offering an apology to Sehwag, Randiv too could have told, "I haven't done anything that wasn't done by anyone in the past". He hasn't done that and we should admire that.
A famous statement of Manoj Prabhakar comes back to haunt me, "Is Hamam me saare nange hain". Those who live in glass houses don't throw stones ! India should forget and get over this incident. Let us move on !
Sunday, August 8, 2010
A Story of the Silent Savior !
'Ramayan', the Indian Epic has always been about 'Ram' the Prince who spent 14 years in the wilderness to honor his father's words. So glorified has been Ram in Ramayan, an equally phenomenal character was completely sidelined as a sidekick. That was his unbelievably loyal younger brother who followed him throughout the travails, minus the wife !
There are many Heroes in real life. There indeed are many Heroes in most of the stories in 'Real' and 'Reel' Life. But somehow, we have a penchant for making 'One' an absolute Hero and all others the sidekicks. This has been the story of Indian Cricket for the past two decades. Ever since the 'Eleventh Incarnation of God' made his debut, this has been the case.
But Team India perched at the Top of Test Cricket Table has many Heroes. It is the collective effort of many men that has catapulted India to number 1 position.
This in no way should be seen as an effort to minimize the greatness of the most admired Indian Sportsman of all times. This is just my sincere tribute to the most stylish batsman since Mohammad Ahzaruddin.
In spite of a quite prolonged ongoing poor run of form, Rahul Dravid's determination at the batting crease has won us many a battles away from home.
One session of madness with a method is all Virendar Sehwag needs to change the fortunes of the team and demoralize opponents.
In the aftermath of the match-fixing scandals and amidst the ruins of away from home disasters, one man taught Team India to stand up and be counted among the best. And he was rightly called 'Dada' !
In a game dominated by batsmen in a country obsessed with batting records, there was a man with an elephantine appetite for wickets and success. He rightly was nicknamed 'Jumbo' !
Then there is the perennial 'Trouble-shooter' of Indian Cricket. Very few people remember he has played 116 tests. Still very few people remember he has scored over 7000 runs and 16 hundreds batting mostly with the lower order and tail for company.
In Ramayan, the invincible Indrajit could be slain by only a man who had practiced 14 years of celibacy. It was rightly the most dedicated man who could fell the most demanding of the villains. Laxman made Ram's job of conquering Lanka possible by getting Ravan's proud son out of the way.
Rewinding to circa 2010, Team India were not favored to beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka once Zaheer Khan was not available. Murali and the Lankan batsmen made India look ordinary in the first test. Second test was all about Batathons. In an evenly contested Third Test, in spite of Sangakkara's assertion, India showed why they still were the top dogs.
And then the man who has remained a silent achiever for most part of 14 years and done his bat do the talking; had to come to the rescue again. Veeru was gone for another of second innings failures. Dravid's defense had let him down and India were staring at a 2-0 series loss. Of course there was Sachin, but it was the absolutely subtle handling of spinners by Laxman which made the chase possible on the fifth day wicket.
India didn't exactly conquer Lanka. They haven't done it for over fifteen years now. But this series was believed to be lost once they were walloped in the first test and it needed a 'Laxman' to save the honor. Rightly so, who else could have done it in the land of Ravan but for Laxman !
The day his story is written, they can name it, Laxmanaayan; A Story of the Silent Savior !
There are many Heroes in real life. There indeed are many Heroes in most of the stories in 'Real' and 'Reel' Life. But somehow, we have a penchant for making 'One' an absolute Hero and all others the sidekicks. This has been the story of Indian Cricket for the past two decades. Ever since the 'Eleventh Incarnation of God' made his debut, this has been the case.
But Team India perched at the Top of Test Cricket Table has many Heroes. It is the collective effort of many men that has catapulted India to number 1 position.
This in no way should be seen as an effort to minimize the greatness of the most admired Indian Sportsman of all times. This is just my sincere tribute to the most stylish batsman since Mohammad Ahzaruddin.
In spite of a quite prolonged ongoing poor run of form, Rahul Dravid's determination at the batting crease has won us many a battles away from home.
One session of madness with a method is all Virendar Sehwag needs to change the fortunes of the team and demoralize opponents.
In the aftermath of the match-fixing scandals and amidst the ruins of away from home disasters, one man taught Team India to stand up and be counted among the best. And he was rightly called 'Dada' !
In a game dominated by batsmen in a country obsessed with batting records, there was a man with an elephantine appetite for wickets and success. He rightly was nicknamed 'Jumbo' !
Then there is the perennial 'Trouble-shooter' of Indian Cricket. Very few people remember he has played 116 tests. Still very few people remember he has scored over 7000 runs and 16 hundreds batting mostly with the lower order and tail for company.
In Ramayan, the invincible Indrajit could be slain by only a man who had practiced 14 years of celibacy. It was rightly the most dedicated man who could fell the most demanding of the villains. Laxman made Ram's job of conquering Lanka possible by getting Ravan's proud son out of the way.
Rewinding to circa 2010, Team India were not favored to beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka once Zaheer Khan was not available. Murali and the Lankan batsmen made India look ordinary in the first test. Second test was all about Batathons. In an evenly contested Third Test, in spite of Sangakkara's assertion, India showed why they still were the top dogs.
And then the man who has remained a silent achiever for most part of 14 years and done his bat do the talking; had to come to the rescue again. Veeru was gone for another of second innings failures. Dravid's defense had let him down and India were staring at a 2-0 series loss. Of course there was Sachin, but it was the absolutely subtle handling of spinners by Laxman which made the chase possible on the fifth day wicket.
India didn't exactly conquer Lanka. They haven't done it for over fifteen years now. But this series was believed to be lost once they were walloped in the first test and it needed a 'Laxman' to save the honor. Rightly so, who else could have done it in the land of Ravan but for Laxman !
The day his story is written, they can name it, Laxmanaayan; A Story of the Silent Savior !
Thursday, July 29, 2010
India - Sri Lanka Test Cricket; Paul Predicts !
I went to Facebook to ask Paul the Octopus about future of Indian Cricket and he gave me this report !
India Sri Lanka third test drawn. Sri Lanka retain the Rubber they won in 2010.
Colombo, 1 April 2013: Third Test between India and Sri Lanka drawn. Replying to India's first innings score of 1002 / 4 Declared, Sri Lanka made 1278 / 3 at Tea on Day-5. This is the 14th successive drawn test between the two countries since the Candy Test win for Sri Lanka in 2010.
Play was called off because all the Indian bowlers were exhausted. Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha were admitted to a Colombo Hospital for saline infusions. Harbhajan Singh, who went wicket-less in the series announced his decision to retire from Test Cricket from the hospital bed.
Virendar Sehwag set a new record for bowling maximum number of overs in an innings by a non-regular bowler. His figures of 57-0-209-0 were the most economical in the test.
Mahela Jayavardene broke his own record for the highest score in a test innings. He had made 416 in the previous drawn test at Candy. Here he scored 432 not out with the help of 57 fours and 7 sixes.
This is the first occasion when three batsmen scored over 300 runs in a test. Earlier Sehwag had scored 307 and Kumar Sangakkara had made 301 before he was run out by India's fifteenth man Amit Mishra. India had 4 substitute fielders on field for most part of day-5.
India made a request to the Umpires to allow anyone from the galleries to field for them. Umpires did not allow this request. But they allowed Coach Gary Kirsten to substitute for substitute fielder Murali Vijay who collapsed at the long-leg boundary.
Sri Lanka Captain wanted the Umpires to allow India to use their substitute bowlers to bowl so that Mahela could complete his 500. But the Umpires refused citing the ICC guidelines which allowed only the first 11 players to bowl.
Jayavardene won the Man of the Match award. He was also declared the Man of the Series for scoring a monumental 1013 runs in the 3 test series. This is an all-time record. He also held three catches that were offered by Indian batsmen in the whole series and was declared the Best Fielder.
Sachin Tendulkar added 2 more centuries to his kitty to record 63 Test hundreds. His tally of runs now stands at 17683 runs form 198 Tests. Cricket enthusiasts are now waiting eagerly for his 200th test. He is expected to reach the milestone against Sri Lanka later this year at Kanpur on 9 May 2013.
Suraj Randiv won the Best Bowler of the series for picking up 6 wickets in the series. This is the first time a bowler has managed to take more than 5 wickets in a 3 test series between India and Sri Lanka since Muralidharan retired in July 2010.
Zaheer Khan who missed the entire series due to a groin injury, announced his retirement from his home in Mumbai. He made a passionate plea to the ICC to allow substitute bowlers to bowl in Test matches to prevent further bowler burnouts.
He cited the premature retirements of Srisanth, R. P. Singh, Munaf Patel and R Ashwin after the previous India - Sri Lanka series. He also pointed out Lasith Malinga's decision to play only T-20 Cricket in future; which was due to repeated injuries suffered playing Test Cricket on subcontinental pitches.
Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Gary Kirsten and Arjuna Ranatunga have extended strong support to Zaheer Khan's suggestion. But Bishen Singh Bedi pooh poohed this suggestion and said bowlers were getting lazy these days. He said Harbhajan' s retirement was good riddance of a Chucker. He wanted the ICC to order bowlers to bowl without bending arms, legs or any part of their anatomy in future.
Sanath Jayasuriya made it clear that he was not going to retire any time soon and will play on till his body permitted. He said he was hopeful of making a comeback during the next series to be played in India. He expected his experience to come handy on a tough tour of India.
Who will retire first? Rahul, Sachin or Sanath ? Log onto our website and cast your votes. Or Type (RAH) for Dravid or (SAC) for Tendulkar or for (SAN) Jayasuriya on your mobile and send to 01042013 !
India Sri Lanka third test drawn. Sri Lanka retain the Rubber they won in 2010.
Colombo, 1 April 2013: Third Test between India and Sri Lanka drawn. Replying to India's first innings score of 1002 / 4 Declared, Sri Lanka made 1278 / 3 at Tea on Day-5. This is the 14th successive drawn test between the two countries since the Candy Test win for Sri Lanka in 2010.
Play was called off because all the Indian bowlers were exhausted. Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha were admitted to a Colombo Hospital for saline infusions. Harbhajan Singh, who went wicket-less in the series announced his decision to retire from Test Cricket from the hospital bed.
Virendar Sehwag set a new record for bowling maximum number of overs in an innings by a non-regular bowler. His figures of 57-0-209-0 were the most economical in the test.
Mahela Jayavardene broke his own record for the highest score in a test innings. He had made 416 in the previous drawn test at Candy. Here he scored 432 not out with the help of 57 fours and 7 sixes.
This is the first occasion when three batsmen scored over 300 runs in a test. Earlier Sehwag had scored 307 and Kumar Sangakkara had made 301 before he was run out by India's fifteenth man Amit Mishra. India had 4 substitute fielders on field for most part of day-5.
India made a request to the Umpires to allow anyone from the galleries to field for them. Umpires did not allow this request. But they allowed Coach Gary Kirsten to substitute for substitute fielder Murali Vijay who collapsed at the long-leg boundary.
Sri Lanka Captain wanted the Umpires to allow India to use their substitute bowlers to bowl so that Mahela could complete his 500. But the Umpires refused citing the ICC guidelines which allowed only the first 11 players to bowl.
Jayavardene won the Man of the Match award. He was also declared the Man of the Series for scoring a monumental 1013 runs in the 3 test series. This is an all-time record. He also held three catches that were offered by Indian batsmen in the whole series and was declared the Best Fielder.
Sachin Tendulkar added 2 more centuries to his kitty to record 63 Test hundreds. His tally of runs now stands at 17683 runs form 198 Tests. Cricket enthusiasts are now waiting eagerly for his 200th test. He is expected to reach the milestone against Sri Lanka later this year at Kanpur on 9 May 2013.
Suraj Randiv won the Best Bowler of the series for picking up 6 wickets in the series. This is the first time a bowler has managed to take more than 5 wickets in a 3 test series between India and Sri Lanka since Muralidharan retired in July 2010.
Zaheer Khan who missed the entire series due to a groin injury, announced his retirement from his home in Mumbai. He made a passionate plea to the ICC to allow substitute bowlers to bowl in Test matches to prevent further bowler burnouts.
He cited the premature retirements of Srisanth, R. P. Singh, Munaf Patel and R Ashwin after the previous India - Sri Lanka series. He also pointed out Lasith Malinga's decision to play only T-20 Cricket in future; which was due to repeated injuries suffered playing Test Cricket on subcontinental pitches.
Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Gary Kirsten and Arjuna Ranatunga have extended strong support to Zaheer Khan's suggestion. But Bishen Singh Bedi pooh poohed this suggestion and said bowlers were getting lazy these days. He said Harbhajan' s retirement was good riddance of a Chucker. He wanted the ICC to order bowlers to bowl without bending arms, legs or any part of their anatomy in future.
Sanath Jayasuriya made it clear that he was not going to retire any time soon and will play on till his body permitted. He said he was hopeful of making a comeback during the next series to be played in India. He expected his experience to come handy on a tough tour of India.
Who will retire first? Rahul, Sachin or Sanath ? Log onto our website and cast your votes. Or Type (RAH)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Revolutionary Idea for the Revival of Pakistan Cricket!
As the Indian cookie is crumbling in Galle, Pakistan players are basking in the glory of the support they received in England during their T-20 Series win. Clearly the Aussies are more unpopular than we ever imagined. We know almost 99% of Indians and 100% of Sri Lankans hate them. But even the Poms? Who says there is 'Racism' in Cricket?
There was an interesting suggestion to Pakistan Selectors on BCCI blog that I have come to enjoy these days. This inspired me for a further innovated suggestion. The question is will the PCB buy this?
There is a system in my daughter's school. Every single student in the class will be made the monitor for a fixed period. They will give the schedule in advance and the kids are a happy lot. Thus the brilliant and the bullies can't take others for a ride. Absolute democracy. Hope the forever budding democracy that Pakistan is; they will like this idea!
Everyone in Pakistan team deserves to get Captaincy. It is such a shame the Greatest Show Pony of Pakistan Cricket has not got his due. Shoib Actor, I mean Aqthar should get the Captaincy once Salman Butt decides to retire after the next series.
So Pakistan Selectors should try Captaincy by rotation. One Captain for every month of a year. The twelfth man can become Captain in December. More number of players can be accommodated in the next Calender year.
Getting a second or third chance at Captaincy depends upon your talent, performance, consistency, longevity and of course the clout with PCB. This will encourage and even force every player to play well under every Captain. You always know the guy under whom you are playing today will play under you some day. Thus Pakistan Cricket will get better and better.
And most importantly, this will help us break the sequence of Pakistan Captains going into premature retirement; one after the other. Shoib Malik got married and has started to work as a 'Ball Boy' to Sania. Mohammad Yusuf has retired for the time being. Yunis Khan doesn't even know if and when he retired. Afridi has retired at a tender age of 24 years. Right now, we are waiting for Salman Butt to retire!
Please, Please and Please, Mr. Ijaz Butt; consider this suggestion and save Pakistan Cricket. I believe in the 'Love thy Neighbor' principle. We all love Pakistan Cricket, Shoib Aqthar, Sania Mirza and even Shoib Malik! I am not even asking for Intellectual Property Rights of this idea. We want Pakistan Cricket to flourish, otherwise where will we have Characters like Afridi and Actor Miyan?
There was an interesting suggestion to Pakistan Selectors on BCCI blog that I have come to enjoy these days. This inspired me for a further innovated suggestion. The question is will the PCB buy this?
There is a system in my daughter's school. Every single student in the class will be made the monitor for a fixed period. They will give the schedule in advance and the kids are a happy lot. Thus the brilliant and the bullies can't take others for a ride. Absolute democracy. Hope the forever budding democracy that Pakistan is; they will like this idea!
Everyone in Pakistan team deserves to get Captaincy. It is such a shame the Greatest Show Pony of Pakistan Cricket has not got his due. Shoib Actor, I mean Aqthar should get the Captaincy once Salman Butt decides to retire after the next series.
So Pakistan Selectors should try Captaincy by rotation. One Captain for every month of a year. The twelfth man can become Captain in December. More number of players can be accommodated in the next Calender year.
Getting a second or third chance at Captaincy depends upon your talent, performance, consistency, longevity and of course the clout with PCB. This will encourage and even force every player to play well under every Captain. You always know the guy under whom you are playing today will play under you some day. Thus Pakistan Cricket will get better and better.
And most importantly, this will help us break the sequence of Pakistan Captains going into premature retirement; one after the other. Shoib Malik got married and has started to work as a 'Ball Boy' to Sania. Mohammad Yusuf has retired for the time being. Yunis Khan doesn't even know if and when he retired. Afridi has retired at a tender age of 24 years. Right now, we are waiting for Salman Butt to retire!
Please, Please and Please, Mr. Ijaz Butt; consider this suggestion and save Pakistan Cricket. I believe in the 'Love thy Neighbor' principle. We all love Pakistan Cricket, Shoib Aqthar, Sania Mirza and even Shoib Malik! I am not even asking for Intellectual Property Rights of this idea. We want Pakistan Cricket to flourish, otherwise where will we have Characters like Afridi and Actor Miyan?
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Pakistan; A Team of Ex-Captains !
Pakistan will play the 2011 World Cup with the unbeatable record of having 11 Ex-Captains in their playing 11. Any team in future can only equal this record, never be able to break it !
Well, unless the ICC decides to bring back the Super Sub. Even in that event, only Pakistan stands with a chance to break their own record. No other team in the world of Cricket can manage to muster so many Captains !
How will this happen ?
The story unfolds thus...
Shahid Afridi has resigned and has tipped Salman Butt to succeed him.
Salman Butt will lead in next two matches. As is a recent convention with Pakistan Cricket, he has to retire and then come back just before the World Cup, simply because it is played in India. Butt loves Indian pitches.
Shoib Aqthar will be the next Captain. He will demand for the Captain's Cap because every other player has had one. But he will be banned for 2 weeks and 6 days by PCB for misbehavior with team-mates. He will be recalled before the WC.
Umar Gul will replace Aqthar for one ODI and will suffer a hairline fracture somewhere in his body.
PCB will then support a Wicket Keeper Captain in Kamran Akmal since other two Asian teams have one. Akmal will drop all the catches due to distraction of Captaincy. He is dropping them even without it. He will be forced resign from Captaincy halfway through a match due to rebellion by 9 other players.
As a compromise formula, his little brother Umar Akmal will take over for the rest of the match.
Imran Farhat will accept Captaincy because PCB will tell him he can be accommodated in the playing 11 only as a Captain. As is his wont, he will goof up his chance and will be sacked after the first match.
India - Pakistan talks are failing and both sides are hurling verbal missiles at each other. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari wants to show how fair they are to the Minority Hindus in Pakistan. So he asks PCB to appoint Danesh Kaneria as Captain. His tenure as Captain will be cut short due to serious riots in Rawalpindi, rumored to have been triggered by intemperate comments by the 'Rawalpindi Express'.
When the going gets tough, the puff gets going. Mohammad Asif is the best fast-bowler in the subcontinent today. Nobody doubts his action. The problem is with his actions, away from the oval. He will Captain for one match and then take a break to attend to court cases regarding the Narcotics case.
Since there will be no one else willing to take up Captaincy, Mohammad Amer will be made the Pakistan Captain for the 2011 World Cup. Wasim Akram believes Amer is smarter than Wasim himself was at 18. Isn't it good enough reason for him to be made the Captain ?
Since the batting cupboard is so empty, all the usual suspects will make a comeback. They all will join hands to save the prestige of their Country !
Thus the playing 11 will be...
1] Salman Butt [Ex-Captain by Chance]
2] Shahid Afridi [Ex-Captain by Choice]
3] Yunis Khan [Ex-Reluctant Captain]
4] Shoib Malik [Ex-Unpopular Captain]
5] Umar Akmal [Ex-Compromise Captain]
6] Mohammad Yusuf [Ex-Retired Captain]
7] Kamran Akmal [Ex-Dropped Captain]
8] Mohammad Asif [Ex-Doped Captain]
9] Shoib Aqthar [Ex-Doomed Captain]
10] Mohammad Amer [Ex-Captain in waiting]
11] Danesh Kaneria [Ex-Rioted Captain]
The 15 member team will be completed by Umar Gul [Ex-Injured Captain], Imran Farhat [Ex-Captain forever] and two more 'Future Ex-Captains'!
Now beat this if you can !
Well, unless the ICC decides to bring back the Super Sub. Even in that event, only Pakistan stands with a chance to break their own record. No other team in the world of Cricket can manage to muster so many Captains !
How will this happen ?
The story unfolds thus...
Shahid Afridi has resigned and has tipped Salman Butt to succeed him.
Salman Butt will lead in next two matches. As is a recent convention with Pakistan Cricket, he has to retire and then come back just before the World Cup, simply because it is played in India. Butt loves Indian pitches.
Shoib Aqthar will be the next Captain. He will demand for the Captain's Cap because every other player has had one. But he will be banned for 2 weeks and 6 days by PCB for misbehavior with team-mates. He will be recalled before the WC.
Umar Gul will replace Aqthar for one ODI and will suffer a hairline fracture somewhere in his body.
PCB will then support a Wicket Keeper Captain in Kamran Akmal since other two Asian teams have one. Akmal will drop all the catches due to distraction of Captaincy. He is dropping them even without it. He will be forced resign from Captaincy halfway through a match due to rebellion by 9 other players.
As a compromise formula, his little brother Umar Akmal will take over for the rest of the match.
Imran Farhat will accept Captaincy because PCB will tell him he can be accommodated in the playing 11 only as a Captain. As is his wont, he will goof up his chance and will be sacked after the first match.
India - Pakistan talks are failing and both sides are hurling verbal missiles at each other. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari wants to show how fair they are to the Minority Hindus in Pakistan. So he asks PCB to appoint Danesh Kaneria as Captain. His tenure as Captain will be cut short due to serious riots in Rawalpindi, rumored to have been triggered by intemperate comments by the 'Rawalpindi Express'.
When the going gets tough, the puff gets going. Mohammad Asif is the best fast-bowler in the subcontinent today. Nobody doubts his action. The problem is with his actions, away from the oval. He will Captain for one match and then take a break to attend to court cases regarding the Narcotics case.
Since there will be no one else willing to take up Captaincy, Mohammad Amer will be made the Pakistan Captain for the 2011 World Cup. Wasim Akram believes Amer is smarter than Wasim himself was at 18. Isn't it good enough reason for him to be made the Captain ?
Since the batting cupboard is so empty, all the usual suspects will make a comeback. They all will join hands to save the prestige of their Country !
Thus the playing 11 will be...
1] Salman Butt [Ex-Captain by Chance]
2] Shahid Afridi [Ex-Captain by Choice]
3] Yunis Khan [Ex-Reluctant Captain]
4] Shoib Malik [Ex-Unpopular Captain]
5] Umar Akmal [Ex-Compromise Captain]
6] Mohammad Yusuf [Ex-Retired Captain]
7] Kamran Akmal [Ex-Dropped Captain]
8] Mohammad Asif [Ex-Doped Captain]
9] Shoib Aqthar [Ex-Doomed Captain]
10] Mohammad Amer [Ex-Captain in waiting]
11] Danesh Kaneria [Ex-Rioted Captain]
The 15 member team will be completed by Umar Gul [Ex-Injured Captain], Imran Farhat [Ex-Captain forever] and two more 'Future Ex-Captains'!
Now beat this if you can !
Sunday, July 4, 2010
High Fives: Cricket World Cup vs FIFA World Cup!
With the artistry of the South American teams yielding ground to the dominant football of the European teams for the second episode running, the FIFA World Cup has run out of steam in India. 95% Indians supported either Brazil or Argentina. The other half, like me don't know Soccer!
Looking at the devastated looks of surrogate fans in India, I am convinced Cricket World Cup is infinitely better! Even though there are a million reasons, I will enumerate the best 5.
1] One size doesn't suit All: FIFA World Cup is a four yearly event with the highest viewership of all sporting events. But it is too monotonous. We know there will be 90 minutes of kicking around; often not only the ball. Then an extra-time and then the shoot out. It just hasn't evolved sufficiently over the years.
Cricket World Cup on the other hand has evolved from 60 overs a side to 50 overs a side. We also have the T-20 World Cup to add to the already burgeoning itinerary. There is a justified demand for a Test-World Championship too! Such a cafeteria choice for the fans.
FIFA World Cup is like a small road side shop that serves same stuff to millions of its customers. Cricket on the other hand is like a Super Market waiting to offer variety entertainment to millions. You can watch the same match for 5 days at a stretch or get it done in one day or even in 3 hours. The choice is clear!
2] Fair for the not so fair skinned: FIFA World Cup is being played since 1930 and they have 32 teams contesting in every event now. But just 7 teams have managed to win the Trophy in 80 years as we are watching the 19th episode.
South American teams have won it 9 times and an equal number of times by European teams. In spite of such wide-spread popularity, it is dominated by a handful of Countries. No Asian or African team has won it. Not even Russia or China! Even Australia never came anywhere near the Cup!
Cricket World Cup was born in 1975. We have had 9 Cricket World Cup events so far. At the most 12 teams qualify to play this game at the top level. We already have 5 nations winning the Championships. West Indies, Australia, India, Pakistan and even the tiny Sri Lanka have won this Cup.
ICC World Cup is a lot more fair to the brown color than Soccer. We have England, New Zealand and South Africa who are capable of winning the Cup sooner than later in future. I don't see any team out of the top 5-6 winning the FIFA Cup. Forget about winning, South Asian teams don't even qualify for the main event.
3] Changing with times: Complaints against the mandarins of the ICC apart, Cricket World Cup has embraced change much better than any game, especially the recalcitrant FIFA. Use of Technology has taken the game to another level.
There still are mistakes committed in Cricket, but not blunders like what happened at the current episode of the FIFA Cup. England and Mexico will vouch for this. Sepp Blatter is apologizing to England after giving the match on a platter to Germany who have never looked back after that Phantom Goal of Lampard!
4] The Australian Angle: Australia have hated the Poms ever since they remember. They always wanted to prove their supremacy over the English. Soccer is the only game where the Poms have consistently done better than Aussies. England have won a Soccer World Cup which Australia haven't and that hurts.
But the Poms have yet to win the Cricket World Cup if you discount the T-20 Cup they won this year. Some solace for the exiled people down under! And what is worse is there is no Steve Buckner to officiate at FIFA World Cup!
5] Fan Mania: Boris Becker once famously declared, "I just lost a match, nobody died". I remember Andres Escobar with utmost sadness. He paid with his life for a matter as trivial as a self goal. Soccer World Cup isn't just a game for many manic fans.
If Cricket fans were to be as mindlessly mad; Chetan Sharma, Mike Gatting, Hershelle Gibbs and Abdul Razzack wouldn't be alive today. Thanks to the middle class values, Cricket still is a Gentleman's Game in spite of Andre Nel, Shoib Aqtar, Sreesanth and most of the Aussies!
I would prefer to be a Cricket fan and live with a lesser popular game than be a Soccer maniac and be a mercenary!
Looking at the devastated looks of surrogate fans in India, I am convinced Cricket World Cup is infinitely better! Even though there are a million reasons, I will enumerate the best 5.
1] One size doesn't suit All: FIFA World Cup is a four yearly event with the highest viewership of all sporting events. But it is too monotonous. We know there will be 90 minutes of kicking around; often not only the ball. Then an extra-time and then the shoot out. It just hasn't evolved sufficiently over the years.
Cricket World Cup on the other hand has evolved from 60 overs a side to 50 overs a side. We also have the T-20 World Cup to add to the already burgeoning itinerary. There is a justified demand for a Test-World Championship too! Such a cafeteria choice for the fans.
FIFA World Cup is like a small road side shop that serves same stuff to millions of its customers. Cricket on the other hand is like a Super Market waiting to offer variety entertainment to millions. You can watch the same match for 5 days at a stretch or get it done in one day or even in 3 hours. The choice is clear!
2] Fair for the not so fair skinned: FIFA World Cup is being played since 1930 and they have 32 teams contesting in every event now. But just 7 teams have managed to win the Trophy in 80 years as we are watching the 19th episode.
South American teams have won it 9 times and an equal number of times by European teams. In spite of such wide-spread popularity, it is dominated by a handful of Countries. No Asian or African team has won it. Not even Russia or China! Even Australia never came anywhere near the Cup!
Cricket World Cup was born in 1975. We have had 9 Cricket World Cup events so far. At the most 12 teams qualify to play this game at the top level. We already have 5 nations winning the Championships. West Indies, Australia, India, Pakistan and even the tiny Sri Lanka have won this Cup.
ICC World Cup is a lot more fair to the brown color than Soccer. We have England, New Zealand and South Africa who are capable of winning the Cup sooner than later in future. I don't see any team out of the top 5-6 winning the FIFA Cup. Forget about winning, South Asian teams don't even qualify for the main event.
3] Changing with times: Complaints against the mandarins of the ICC apart, Cricket World Cup has embraced change much better than any game, especially the recalcitrant FIFA. Use of Technology has taken the game to another level.
There still are mistakes committed in Cricket, but not blunders like what happened at the current episode of the FIFA Cup. England and Mexico will vouch for this. Sepp Blatter is apologizing to England after giving the match on a platter to Germany who have never looked back after that Phantom Goal of Lampard!
4] The Australian Angle: Australia have hated the Poms ever since they remember. They always wanted to prove their supremacy over the English. Soccer is the only game where the Poms have consistently done better than Aussies. England have won a Soccer World Cup which Australia haven't and that hurts.
But the Poms have yet to win the Cricket World Cup if you discount the T-20 Cup they won this year. Some solace for the exiled people down under! And what is worse is there is no Steve Buckner to officiate at FIFA World Cup!
5] Fan Mania: Boris Becker once famously declared, "I just lost a match, nobody died". I remember Andres Escobar with utmost sadness. He paid with his life for a matter as trivial as a self goal. Soccer World Cup isn't just a game for many manic fans.
If Cricket fans were to be as mindlessly mad; Chetan Sharma, Mike Gatting, Hershelle Gibbs and Abdul Razzack wouldn't be alive today. Thanks to the middle class values, Cricket still is a Gentleman's Game in spite of Andre Nel, Shoib Aqtar, Sreesanth and most of the Aussies!
I would prefer to be a Cricket fan and live with a lesser popular game than be a Soccer maniac and be a mercenary!
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Especially sickened by the overdose of India – Sri Lanka Cricket, I was looking at Pakistan – England series as the tonic for my Cricketing brains !
The Cricketing World would have been at their feet in no time. Name, Fame, Fortune and big bucks would have followed them without any delay.
Why ? Why did they do it ? When it looked as if we were witnessing a resurgence of Pakistan Cricket in general and fast bowling of unbridled passion in particular. WHY ?
Both these guys have now joined in ignominy another Mohammad, who confessed, "Maine Match Banaaya".
It hurts to be an Indian who supports Pakistan Cricket. It lacerates when something like this happens. I can't even imagine how the flood hit and devastated Pakistani supporters must be feeling.
Betrayal is an understatement !