Summation Cricket

Where do we go now?

2012-01-16T05:12:00.000-08:00

I was absolutely appalled to read an inflammatory populist FB comment attributing surprise! Surprise! too much cricket for the Indian Test squad’s string of submissions.
How can one blame a 7 match losing streak on just the board? Surely that’s too simplistic. True they need to take a lot of the blame but a tonnage of it must be borne by the team itself. It’s not only about the losses, it’s the nature (need I go into the stats).Expecting an Indian cricketer to be competitive is totally justifiable, never mind how much they play (which is anyway grossly exaggerated).
If anything, the board and the selection committee have gone terribly wrong with succession planning. Not experimenting and gradually inducting changes when the team was doing well. The older lot has done well in patches but they've not been put under pressure by younger talent and that is a failure of the system of which those on the ground are very much a part of.

Where are our Amla and AB or Bell and Cook?
Murli Vijay, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Raina, Mukund have all got at least 5 innings but none have shown the consistency or the character to play at the top level leave alone dislodging the giants of the Indian batting. In addition, all the above players save maybe Mukund are made of the similar mould. Who are you replacing with whom? One of the reasons for Dravid’s success over the years has been that he has been an anchor in a side of pirates. Where are we finding an anchor? Gambhir so far looks the only eligible candidate.
At the end of the year one would notice that the top 3 Indian batsmen still have healthy averages but the team has not won enough. Which means that people aren’t playing situations as a team they’re playing their own little game. These batsmen are incidentally also the oldest in the squad. Such is the nature of Indian cricket, that even though we have won the limited over format not one young batsman has emerged.

On the question of Burn out:
Sachin has played 11 tests (did not go to WI) in the last 1 year (including the Perth game). He could have comfortably called it quits from ODIs post the WC. VVS & Dravid have played 14 tests with Dravid also playing the England ODIs. Dravid has had a stand out year and has earned himself a series purely on performance. VVS rightly came to Australia but is only going further down the trough. Question, who replaces him? Who’s knocking on the door? The quiet is chilling.
Sehwag has played 9 Tests and has been out of sorts this year but is too good a player to be axed, especially if you don’t have a replacement. Gambhir’s 10 Tests haven’t been great either but he has always looked to fight and he’s the only experienced left hander in sight.
Having played 5 Tests in the year can Zaheer Khan complain of fatigue. Except for Dhoni and Ishant Sharma who has been going through the motions since the Birmingham Test no key member should be using too much cricket as an excuse.

Management
What’s Fletcher doing? He’s a soft target some might say. I think he’s on a paid holiday and if he is a soft target he’s got himself to blame. Axe him quick to set an example. The role of a coach at the top level is to keep the team in right spirits and be the unbiased voice in the dressing room. He should compliment and support Dhoni the best he can. Decisions such as lack of genuine all rounder in the Test Squad and playing Vinay Kumar in the Perth Test lack serious imagination. Inducting Irfan Pathan, into the Test squad would have been just the kind of gamble one would enjoy see unfold.
All I’m saying is that it is too easy to fall back on the same rationales of failure when you suffer disaster after disaster.Dhoni is still a sane voice when he endorses a "process" for transition rather than an "event", except that its started late.

English Summer - Ishant's curry preparation

2011-07-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight what if you were Ishant Sharma, I don’t mean what if you were tall and gawky, mean what if you were a promising young Indian fast bowler on the eve of your first Test at the home of cricket.
I don’t know Ishant (thank god),, he might be making a mockery of this piece by being in a Soho pub right now but chances are he isn’t. Odds are he’s tossing in his bed thinking what areas will he be bowling, how would the famous Lord’s slope feel under his feet when he runs in from the Pavillion end striding into the chapters of test cricket history.
For whatever reason this series does not have the hype it deserves, also there isn’t the needle you’d expect before a high profile series. Its calm, not the one before a storm though, it’s more like the one before a bloody battle.
Both armies are near full strength, victorious, lead by tough generals and have amongst their ranks battle hardened soldiers and statesmen like mentors. Yes Sehwag’s absence is huge, but in professional sport that would not warrant as an excuse, especially with the envious middle order India boast’s off.
For almost all the bats in that middle order this is perhaps the last time they’d stride down to where it all began. Sachin’s 100th 100 is written about to death by Indian journalists when it is only a matter of time, an achievement waiting to happen. What is perhaps bigger is that Tendulkar has been paying the Mecca a visit for the past 20 years. Since the time Ishant Sharma was learning to say his first few words, actually he hasn’t come very far on that front still but as long as he can make that spitting cherry swear like it did in the Carribean no one’s saying nothing to him either. Then there’s the case of Dravid (there he goes again) who has been as devout as he has been fierce to make a mark when and where it really counts. Coming off a successful tour of the WI this is perhaps the last time he comes around to where he and Ganguly decided to take matters in their hands. More than Ishant really, I’d like to know what’s going on in Dravid’s head. It has to be a double, nothing less would suffice.
Cricket is a unique team sport with the most captivating personal battles. All said and done about the Somerset game being a warm up, Strauss has one over the Indians. It was a personal battle, he does start on naught only as far as the runs go. Tremlett has been touted as the one who might cause the damage with his steep bounce but in my book its Jimmy Anderson, a far improved outswing bowler from the days of the ridiculous red mohawk. Then there’s the case of Day 3 and 4 Swan. National biases apart Swan is perhaps the more intelligent of the 2 frontline off spiners featuring in the battle. The fact both are attacking makes for another wonderful viewing of their weaponry.
The English batting order seems more reliable than ever, its Trot really and has the streak of madness in KP that could light up the test, how they cope with Zaheer’s cunning and Ishant’s battery will probably determine the outcome of this contest.
Owing to the formidal balance of the 2 sides it could be as often is the case a few sessions that might decide the series, those will be the ones where there will also be an individual show of brilliance, I’m rooting for Ishant and a close encounter this English summer.

Bleeding Blue Profusely

2011-04-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

As a young kid I dreamt of playing cricket for India. I think it was while watching the world cup in 92’ that I experienced what it could be, being a part of a world cup playing India team. Few images endure… Jadeja taking that catch running in from the boundary, Kiran More – Miandad spat and Azha’s limp yet stylish walk thru the tournament. By the time the world cup came to India in 96’ the anticipation was at its peak. This breed of us, the generation born around 1983 was playing the game everywhere and all the time. Heroes were born, one man particularly was acquiring legendary status with every performance. Sachin Tendulkar scored the most no. of runs in this edition. I remember making a little diary with names of every participating player from every team for that tournament, and following up my research with those of top performers. I did not watch the final in 96’. Kambli’s wailing exit at the Eden Gardens was my last image of that tournament. It filled me with resolve that one day I will redeem this. Years passed World Cups came and went, my steely resolve to play slowly melted and reduced to sitting by myself as a knowledgeable cricket lover admiring all skill and every post match emotion when finally today India won the coveted trophy. I know it sounds preposterous, but there is a touch of disappointment.
Why was I not there? There in the middle a 28 year old young man steering India to victory articulately dedicating the win to all of India.

I know, because I have met and spoken to, that there are many such 1983 borns who knew only to bake in the sun aimlessly and live through disappointments of Indian collapses. The romance of being beaten so long the thirst grew bigger and bigger. For me personally it got quenched when while watching the team take a victory lap today, the camera focused on Tendulkar with the bottle of champagne. For a moment the conservative Indian in me wondered, what now…? As always the little master had an answer, he took a non chalant swig not noticing the camera. That indulgence seemed like a luxury he had reserved all these years, the bottle perhaps vintage 28 years. Must have been full bodied. When he passed it on to Gambhir I looked for myself. Then in this moment of exhilaration I thought of all the people who have brought about this success.
One name stood out, I have grown to admire Mahendra Singh Dhoni as much as he himself has grown. He is not to be led by an excited Shastri at the presentation nor any words be put in his mouth. Deliberate yet instinctive he speaks his heart off the field. On the field since his early days he plays a stone faced story teller. He reserved the most compelling image for himself. The six he hit to win the game and the way he looked at the ball for that moment extra was like he wasn’t the actor in the part but the director seeking perfection.

Today as we rejoice, I would also like to salute others who weren’t there but who’s contributions over years have culminated to this victory. Sourav Ganguly, the leader who bread talents such as Yuvraj and Bhajji. Rahul Dravid who showed the nation that no conditions are alien, no opposition too mighty to overcome if you have the sheer resolve. VVS Laxman who changed the meaning of how pressure was to be dealt with and Anil Kumble who knew not to give up. These ingredients apart from the genius of Tendulkar have rubbed onto this Indian side. We’ve been bleeding blue for 28 years, many a battle we’ve won, many a soldiers lost. World Cup 2011 win is another feather in our cap. RESPECT to the great game and our great team.

IPL Auction - Selling shockers since 2008

2011-01-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

My take on how things shaped on day 1 and where they should go on DAY 2

Speculating a Swing to the Hung

2010-10-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

I watched some test cricket non stop after a long time. It was as engrossing as ever.
Every time I watch a good session of test cricket I’m baffled as to how people cannot enjoy the battle. How can frivolity such as twenty20 gain such popularity and the original battleground itself be fighting for survival. But all it needs for me to wake up from my incredulous dream is a look around. That’s the shape of things today, distorted.

Anyways, the test hangs beautifully in balance and it’s the kind which should take a massive individual performance from a bowler to be won. The only 2 whom I think can come up with such a performance given the conditions are Bhaji and Zaheer. Since both of them are Indians I think this ones an 80-10-10 (Draw-Win for India-Win for Australia). I give Australia a 10% chance simply because India has to bat last. Even though we’ve been doing rather well in the fourth, a positive result will hugely depend on Sehwag’s longevity in the 2nd innings.
Australia struggled most of the day because they couldn’t get breakthroughs in quick succession something the commentary team rightly attributed to the absence of experience pressure building campaigners. Having said that I believe Australia is still struggling to find a replacement for McGrath. From the perspective of playing in India the loss of Warne isn’t that great. Infact Australian spinners in India best fill numbers. numbers. McGrath though, is being missed. A brilliant pressure bowler, aggressive yet thrifty. It’ll be very interesting to see how they approach the fourth day.
I’d like a total anywhere between 250-300 to watch India chase on the last day.

2 of my top individual performers in this test so far are Sehwag and Jhonson and they will both be mighty critical in the last innings of this game. Who's gonna swing this beautifully hung proposition?
Looking fwd to a super 1st test.

Long Live Test Cricket - ain an appeal, its a promise

2010-06-19T00:31:00.000-07:00

As the debate over marketability of cricket rages over and across with ODIs and ofcourse the blue eyed twenty20 I suggest to cease playing the gimmicks and deliver the real deal and market the real deal.

Test cricket, yea what happened to Tst Cricket I’d like to know? Is it an old man on pension and must survive the remainder of his life on subscription pills invented and bought by the ch ching ching of its youngest offspring. Is Twenty20 really the panacea that cricket was looking for?

The insights on which the concept has been developed and succeeded will change, this time only sooner than it took us to come from 50 to 20. So where are we headed? Does reducing the number of overs in line with reducing attention span of a generation work? Maybe. But then it ain cricket, atleast not the way I knew it. Does it mean that there aren’t enough takers of the Test Cricket? I’m not buyin that. Does it mean that Test Cricket ain gonna earn u a fast buck. That I can aknowledge. Profitable though it can be on its own.

So this is wher I’d like to go. Let Twenty20 be. Mint as much as you please, give 50 over cricket the so called desired boost. Serve the kids the junk if they wanna pay for it. Basically I couldn care less with any shit wher the proceedings start without atleast 3 catchin men behind the stumps and the batsmen cant afford to let a ball go if he cant negotiate it. I hate to see top class batsmen getting out trying to play extravagant shots to unplayable deliveries, few of which do come along once in a while. This just because he hasn discovered a fic to get over an IPL hangover.

Let’s look at Golf. Is it a fast sport? is it a fancy sport? Is it a popular sport? No!
So why is it dat wt a certain Tiger Woods does in his jungle scare the living bjeebies out of the Nikes and Accentures of the world? It’s because whoever is selling golf did a simple exercise –
What are the attributes of my sport?
- Mental strength
- Technique
- Class
- Accuracy
- Patience
- Adaptability
- Etc etc

Who will these attributes appeal to? Street kids in Rio de Janeiro? Of course not. It ain samba enough u know. It would appeal to a 40 something decision makers in the high echelons of Fortune numbers. And of course the other wannabe decision makers around the world. That was easy. So lets market to them. They’ll even help us brand our sport. Winner.

What if a similar exercise is done for Test Cricket?
Test Cricket has all the attributes of Golf and additional physicality which should make it one of the better sports properties across the world. I think the audience mapping would suggest sell it to the intelligent across all age groups.

Education is big thing. If tomorrow, Ravi Shastri uses Sehwag’s natural ability as an excuse for getting out foolishly at a crucial time in a Test match he should be banned from commenting in the next few games. If these so called brand ambassadors can be neutral yet interesting we have some serious education going. Bring back Boycs, Benaud and Grieg of Old. Lets find the right opinion leaders, romantics, businessmen.
The format has suffered. The metrics are wrong. An intelligent man does not necessarily need a favorable result to acknowledge a good game, in any sport.
Saving a test match sometimes is as crucial and as exciting as winning one. Defense can be as pretty as offence. Ask a certain Kobe Bryant post 2010 Nba finals victory how proud he was of his rebounds and assists in the game or an Algeria drawing against England in FIFA finals.

We need to slow it down position correct, market accordingly. We don’t need the kid in China to grow this game. He gets it good, he dun its cool. We need that kid in Bangladesh who @ 17 is as wily as Shane Warne was and is not afraid to give the ball the required flight. We need heroes. We certainly don’t need the money from Twenty20. Instead we need to estimate the loss due to depreciating standards of cricket in the West Indies, appreciate the reasons and account for them.

fav joint - http://www.cricinfo.com/

Ready for the scuffle

2010-02-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, its been a while, but I guess its time…
This moment chose me, I din choose it…I speak like I’ll be the first Indian taking guard at the Eden gardens tomorrow. I wish.
A defiant Indian team punched back when in dire straits and is now in a position where the match is theirs to lose. Remember, our opposition is not Australia. Despite all the cricketing prowess, South African teams have not been the strongest mentally. On the other hand India has improved significantly in that faculty. Eden gardens is the battlefield of many a resurrection. Will we be able to defend our own fort? It will need one big effort from the batting line up which suddenly looks solid again with the return of VVS. Even though there isn’t any substitute for Dravid’s master class, with a hungry Gambhir upfront and a modest South African total (assuming Parnel doesn grow a top order’s head overnight) in the first innings my moneys are evenly spread, unlike at the start of the game.
A potent South African bowling attack means that both teams must bat twice. This one has the makings of a classic. If India needs to win this they have to do it in their first innings.
Along with Siva Keshavan’s last two runs at the Luge event in Vancouver I would be watching the second day of this Test between the top two teams in the world very closely. Go Sport!!

When Hero Falls

2008-12-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

9:45AM, 15th Dec 08, 5th Day, 1st Test India Vs England.

After a spectacular start by Sehwag to the last innings chase India had still some doing to win/save the test. If I look at the men in the centre and those to follow I would say its not difficult, infact highly probable that India would come on top. The men in the middle are the inform Gambhir and Rahul Dravid the man whom we all would like to believe is on a mission. But yet again our belief is annulled, a cheap dismissal to a delivery described “good” by the commentators. Out side the off stump moving away a little bit. I don’t know anymore, it was Flintoff bowling early in the day, one wouldn expect anything but that kind of delivery from him. The Dravid of old would have comfortably let it go. “Letting it go” yes, I think, Dravid thronged by other Indian greats who hit good balls and the influence of some 20twenty is not allowing balls to let go, so much so that he looks anything but the “Wall”. Every player has his strengths; his was to be the best defensive player in the team. Somehow, people have stopped associating positivity with defense and this notion has found its way into Dravid’s head. For some one I have appreciated for so long it hurts to see his dry run continuing so long. People like him do not wear their confidence on their sleeves and are not very expressive, but I dare say they are not. That said there is no question that Dravid’s confidence is dented.
For some one who has been so consistent scoring runs, one would think there would be some consistency in dismissals, a weakness that has crept in that can be sorted out. However, the lack of such consistency is worrisome. Earlier I thought it was the incoming delivery jus short of the length that he would drag back or play across the line for LBWs when he was not in very good nick.

Dravid shouldn need pity, but that’s all he is drawing from all quarters. The opposition does not have to make much of an effort to get him out, his team mates will slowly come to accept the additional burden of his failure, if they have not already, his fans are running out of excuses and are reaching a point where they just want a last hurrah, his haters who grudgingly acknowledged his success are beyond the point where they’d make fun, even they want him to succeed for the sake of India. Today’s game for instance everyone would have hoped for Dravid to hold fort, because nobody has done it better than him over the years. Nevertheless, it so seems that in the last 2 years, the game has disruptively evolved and Dravid has been caught off beam trying to make sense of everything that he has accomplished. What is peculiar however, is his consistency in the domestic version. He has done well for Karnataka during the breaks. It gives me hope as I write, but at the same time, I know too well that cricket is so much about confidence that the damage Dravid suffers each time he gets out cheaply in a Test match is immeasurable. If India loses this game to England questions would rightfully be raised about Dravid’s role in the team. If India wins, he will get another opportunity in the 2nd Test.
There is super popular saying in sport, “form is temporary, class is permanent”.
At this point in time Dravid seems to be rewriting it, “Form is temporary, class is more enduring and confidence is decisive”.

That said Dravid has defied a few improbabilities in his career and I am confident that he would come on top of this one too. There is only one precondition, he should not look back before he is done, and done he is not. Thank you.

When Mallya embodied corporate double standards..

2008-05-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

IPL has past its halfway stage and as expected it has not let anyone down as far as the drama is concerned. Even the cricket for that matter has been of a decent standard.
I would however like to discuss the owner of an entity languishing at the bottom of the league table right now, Bangalore. Or is it called Bangalore Royal Challengers, sorry about the lack of attention to detail Mr. Mallya.

Played 9, Won 2 Lost 7, 3 of them close. Sacked a CEO midway through the tournament on frivolous grounds, arrogantly accepting that IPL is not about cricket after all.

Charu Sharma made too many excuses it seems and Mallya had to leave the team selection to Dravid. What an excuse! He is probably too rich to not be mincing words, but he isn’t beyond criticism you see.
Money can buy tacky team names (the trademarks for which would be hard sold forget about making people where the shit merchandise) but not arrogance, no one deserves it. Historically speaking it has led to the downfall and watching B’lore play against Punjab today the cogs in Mallya’s corporate machinery looked anything but buoyant.
Who’s to blame? Why ask Mr. Mallya? Why not accuse him?
How can you not be hands on when decisions are to be taken and then pass the buck.
If Mr. Mallya reckons this is as much a business venture as it is cricket I’d like a few answers if possible:

“Royal Challenger’s” name derived from their mid market whisky, what an effort on branding a top team… I mean is there any long-term idea of understanding sports as a business. The entity is being sold olright, but is it being protected and developed?

If, they could disclose the figures on merchandise sold or return on advertising and cheerleader spend? What are the efforts made on the corporate front to ensure that a fan base is developed? What’s the guarantee that u are in this for the long term? That you believe that this is truly going to be the biggest league and you aren’t just hedging by investing in a coupla sports mate?
When people come to watch B’lore it is not because it is Royal Challenge or those plastic cheer leaders, its Dravid, Boucher, Kumble?
You decided to abstain from the selection of players, and when your team is losing you have suddenly developed a deep understanding of the game and have the right to openly criticize the captain and a CEO you have already sacked?
Keep your pride and theirs, you might have paid loads of money but we’re talking legends.
As Kumble rightly points out, “What's unfortunate is that, invariably, everyone starts pointing fingers at the captain. So it stands all the more to reason that people within the camp then stand up and say 'we believe in you and your team'. That's what's most important in this kind of situation. I do understand that the IPL is different and there is a corporate look and feel to the whole concept. But having said that, at the end of the day, it is a cricket match - one that a cricketer does not want to lose."

I understand the disappointment at performances on the field but do you understand the game at levels even fraction of what Dravid and Kumble do? Even if they are TEST players? How could you possibly suggest that you would have made better decisions...?

No doubt Dravid did change the batting order too often, no doubt B’lore could have bought better top order batsmen, bigger hitters and allrounders, possibly symonds, gilchrist..yeah? the works u c… or was it SR Watson the man u were thinking of, or hold on Marsh, the Punjab opener? Even your captain and CEO could make those claims now, cuz its in hindsight mate..
I mean for heaven sake, it’s a sport at the end of the day that too cricket, B’lore could have easily been where KKR are, for better support and a bit of luck, and even if they aren’t Mr. Mallya you are as much to blame as anybody else, You are so fired!!

Dangers of crash boom bang and the barmy bullshit..

2008-04-18T05:18:00.000-07:00

Do you know who Rod Bransgrove is?
No even I didn’t till today…
He happens to be the chairman of Hampshire County.
Do you know what Hampshire is or County is?
Yes/No…doesn’t matter, you don’t have to…
All you need to know is that this man is a cry baby,
Why…? For this

“We invented this game, this is our game” - Rod Bransgrove
With reference to cricket, on the eve of the IPL launch.

With kind courtesy, due respect and the rest that he could stuff himself wit let us all give him a big combined FUCK OFF!

He might be one of the cranky kids on this Island nation, there are other smarter ones wit equally malicious intent though.
Explaining: ICL which is the reason for the conception of IPL lost money in its first edition and has other complex problems with lack of recognition etc.
At the end of the day it is a commercial enterprise and would like to make money this way or that. After, the legendary Kapil Dev’s pure intent of popuralising the game and making money for cricketers of this generation takes only media space, Subhash Chandra would like to work out how he can make money with this venture.
This is where another interesting comment becomes known:
"I would love to have a London team playing in the ICL or Birmingham or another city team,"- Kapil Dev

It is a very real possibility that the ECB might support ICL in some form or another, could be an International league played in India with no restrictions on No. of International Players etc. etc.
IPL on the other hand is a very Indian league. It is not hard to notice that even the franchisees are major Indian businesses.
The English know well that the IPL would be unruffled by any activity in UK.
IPL is too well grounded in India to be threatened by an alternate league elsewhere in the world. Simply because the biggest cricket market is in India. However, what could threaten IPL is a strong rival league in India.

I personally feel if India has to house the most popular cricket league in the world the ICL and IPL need to come together. It is clear that IPL is the bigger player.
Why can not ICL be the next division or the league for juniors?
At the end what draws attention in a sports competition is the idea of competition, personal heroics etc, and there is scope for that at multiple levels.

Besides, we don’t want any ‘divide and rule’ business no more.

Its Showtime !

2008-02-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

The IPL is up and away and there is no dearth of glamour and controversies attached to the event.
The globalization of sponsors policy of Cricket Australia, Sharukh Khan n the jing bang of Bollywood being stake holders will make sure that the pre match and post match sessions would be popular as helll!!
However, my real concerns lie in between those sessions.
The quality of cricket.
I understand that the BCCI with its enormous resources can stage even the inaugural event in a jiffy. However, it is no secret that IPL is almost a fall out of Subhash Chandra’s ICL. The BCCI was threatened by an alternative. Sadly, ICL’s 1st edition was not a super quality product.
The IPL stands the danger of making a lot of noises and ending with a whimper itself if Mr. Lalit Modi doesn’t focus on the product.
There are couple of things that might prevent that from happening.
1. Financial backing this event is getting.
Conglomerates involved would not appreciate a dodgy show/no show. $112 mn is a lot of money, and that’s what Mukesh Ambani has forked out for the Mumbai team.
With professionals at the helm of affairs, I am hoping attention is being paid to detail and contingency plans are being worked out.
2. BCCI has a well established domestic setup to ensure quality players participate without jeopardizing their chances of representing India. Also, they can easily put in place an EPL like relegation system. ICL just had drafted players that made the limited number of teams making it more of an exhibition tournament inspite of having players like Lara, Cairns etc, genuinely competing.

Another interesting bit that I read was Mr. Srinivasan, treasurer BCCI holding some stake in the Chennai team. Corporate governance woes or the stakes aren’t high enough. Enlighten.
Anyways, I’m glad there is a lot of domestic sports League action in India now. It is critical for the sporting development of any nation.

Hockey and Football had their leagues before cricket, but we all know this is the big one.
Wishing every one tons of entertainment. Make no mistake, that is what this is about.
And yeah, I reckon we’ll do well to remember what the game is really about.
I’ll still be watching a lot of Test Cricket and hoping for more Perth like test matches.
Cheers

PLAYING THE WRONG STORY

2008-01-07T02:18:00.000-08:00

I was unable to watch the proceedings on the final day of the Sydney test. But from newspapers, the internet and hearsay I found out that India was done in by bad umpiring decisions. The standards have been poor and they seek to remove Bucknor from officiating in the rest of the series.

Agreed that the standards have been poor and it might have cost us a win on Australian soil. At the same time this is a test match we’re talking about. Not winning is no excuse for losing. It should have been a Draw, even if Bucknor would have accounted for Yuvraj and Dhoni’s scalps.

As I mentioned earlier, I did not observe the proceedings first hand and so I thought the incredible penultimate over was bowled by Stuart Clark the tidy Australian pacer filling in McGrath’s boots. That however was only my logical deduction on hearing about a tail end collapse. The fact unfortunately is that the Clark(e) being referred to here was one Mr. Michael Clarke, the prodigal right hand bat who bowls his offies once in a while and is touted to be the next Australian captain. What better way to present his credentials? There were no bad decisions there, were there? So let the media not play the wrong story.

The appeal for ejection of Bucknor from proceedings is justified as improved standards of umpiring through use of technology and an established code for on field cannot be compromised with anymore.

Also, Bucknor, who has officiated in many an important tournaments has his best behind him. At the end of the day though, these things are not the real reasons for India’s feeble 2nd innings performance. The reasons simply are lack of application for the team goal and complacency.

The good part however is that this puts the coveted Indian team to the sternest test possible. Everybody knows that the series has been closer than the what the scorecard suggests. By now the Indians should have gotten used to the relentlessness of the Australians. They know they cannot win the series and players like Yuvraj can play for their future and Ganguly for reputation. Kumble has done well and his disappointment is understandable, though spoiling an Australian party would not mean them coming on any easier in the next Test. Self should be the focus. Changes are inevitable Sehwag, Karthik and Irfan might get a look in, which I feel is a good thing. It is not a player’s poor run of scores one must look at, it is the manner in which he gets out, his ability to gauge the situation, show respect, and counter appropriately are qualities that separate the good from the great.
At Perth, there will be a result! lets c which way it goes though, cuz if there is one team in world cricket that can make amazing happen its India.

The Plight of an Ardent India Fan (read fool)

2007-12-26T22:25:00.000-08:00

Just when we thought things were looking up for the Indian team, the Indian fan must be reminded of the country he roots for.
I woke up at 4: 20 am to ride 12kms in more like cold breeze to my cousin’s (…G) place where his dogs and of course my odd entry caused some commotion.

Indian bowlers do well to wrap up the Australian innings for a modest 343, only 6 added from the previous day.
Even such spirited performance could not lift the “in form” Indian batting line up.
Agreed, there has been some chopping and changing and the time to get used to Australian conditions has not been enough, but what the BCCI did not bestow upon the touring party, Cricket Australia did. A rather slow “sub-continentish” wicket was on offer for the Indians to make merry. However, we are not used to having it so easy.

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts Indian cricket and Drama go hand in hand. Rahul Dravid played the lead role this time round. His body language suggested 2 things; ONE, it seemed liked he was looking for daemons in the bowling and/or the wicket where they weren’t any; and TWO, he is probably trying to break the notion of him being the coveted “Wall” not by scoring faster but by putting on display his vulnerabilities and lack of confidence. Wasim Jaffer has almost made it a habit to give away his wicket cheaply in every alternate innings. I’d like to compliment Tendulkar for his face saving performance. At the same time I’m still not convinced he is the big picture man. He has an unnerving knack of getting out when the team needs him to carry on, in the process making himself look wonderful, but only in isolation.
Many congratulations to Saurav Ganguly too. He has made a superb comeback with stellar performances and has been able to carry that form and attitude to Australia. However, a 43 in circumstances might suffice to add equity to brand Ganguly (Bengal tiger, comeback kid...whatever) it isn’t enough to save test matches leave alone winning them.
Twin strikes by Clark discredited the entire shuffle in batting order and inclusion of Yuvraj Singh. I still feel he is a sweet timer of the ball and if he plays smartly he can do well anywhere in the world. He earned his place in the side and we’ll have to wait for the second innings to find out, what he is made of.
Ok, I missed out Mr. VV special Laxman who has suddenly grown a tongue and has been talking on how the Indians need to be aggressive on this tour. Someone has to show him the replay of his dismissal, lying back down on the pitch rather clumsily failing to avoid a Lee bouncer. Better luck next time mate we know you’re better than that.

This isn the first time when an effort to watch India during odd hours has gone a waste. I remember, on one of India’s numerous dismal tours to New Zealand Pandey (MIT, 2004) and I had gone early one morning to this guy Benny’s place in Manipal. The result wassun much different though. Some lack of sleep countless conversations on how things can be better and preparation for the next morning viewing.

I might have been harsh so far but I do concede that, this is what cricket is all about.
Especially in Test Cricket, the factors are innumerable; second innings, decisive sessions of play, individual or team brilliance, umpiring decisions to name a few.
“Glorious uncertainties” is not merely a fancy phrase it is fodder for a Cricket Fan.

Homecoming

2007-12-09T03:27:00.000-08:00

Ok so one fine morning while I was reading some sloppy blogs about nithin at all I decided to make a come back with my own, which is of course about cricket.
A lot has happened since I last wrote:
India din exactly do well in the ODI World Cup
Chappel Left
Dravid resigned
India won the 20-20 World cup and so 20-20 happened
Dravid dropped from the Indian ODI squad
Pakistan’s India tour
Upcoming Australia tour

I am not going to be writing about all of that, simply because some I don think worthy of an opinion and the others have been discussed too articulately for me to top.
My picks are Dravid's resgnation and the Tour Down under.

Was Dravid a good leader?

Theoretically speaking, there are different types of leaders. Dravid was the kind who led by example. Was his example understood, appreciated and followed. No. Why ? because of the context. He was an Indian captain very unlike one. He was too correct. A tactician who had a tough act to follow. That, of a performer. In all other terms but cricketing, Ganguly was demonstrative, selfish and proud. Not attributes one associates with an Indian captain either, but there is no doubting he built a well knit unit very representative of the Indian youth emerging or shining as you like. The Yuvraj’s and Bhajji’s must thank Ganguly a helluva lot for their respective International successes.
Even Sehwag was backed, both by Ganguly and then by Dravid. But he couldnt deliver, especially when asked of by Dravid. I believe that fortune favours the prepared mind. Dravid had it all covered when it came to the game of cricket. However, his concerns beyond the boundary were far from addressed. The point is that Indian Cricket is truly played beyond the boundaries. However the likes of Dravid are not adept at playing the game there. Was he to adapt ? It was not like extending his array of cricket strokes. It meant changing moral fibre, not something as a heavier cricket bat. Therefore, the resignation. A good England tour as Captain. He was keen to step down on his own terms, however modest they might seem to the third, they were his own. Very unlike an Indian Captain again, but an example that must be emulated.

Australia Tour

India goes to Oz land with a much improved overseas record in recent times.
One must not forget all the controversies that flew around during Australia’s India tour.
In Ausi territory they will be keen to give as good as they got. Whatever they might say to the press. These things can affect younger players. This is were the veterans Dravid, tendulkar,Ganguly,Laxman and Kumble with atleast 3 tour experiences would play an extremely important role. Not just on the field . It is important for younger players to understand that a good Australian series is a sure shot way of showing to the world what u’re made of. Dhoni and Yuvraj could assure all enthusiasts that the future of Indian cricket is in good hands.
Playing with the likes of Tendulkar and Dravid they should have learnt by now, nothing speaks louder than on-field performance. Arrogance has no place in sport. It is best left to politicians and movie-stars. The new crop must believe in the spirit of sport. As clichéd as it might sound there is nothing more true than the importance of having fun at what you do.
This explains why Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly do not want to hang up their boots just yet. They still derive something out of playing for India. The challenges change but don’t seize to exist. Sometimes I wonder, what more must a Tendulkar do to prove to deem himself a complete batsman. The answer is plenty. And that’s what makes the game so beautiful. I am still not convinced Tendulkar can finish an innings off, somewhere in his heart he would know that too.
From a strategic point of view the team to Australia must play 3 fast bowlers and Kumble. But if they decide to go with a 5th, bhajji must get a nod ahead of another fast bowler as Ganguly can double up with his out-swingers. I am a strong believer of variety, especially against the formidable Aussies.
The main worry however would be in the batting department. This time however it wouldn’t be a lack of resources but a case of plenty. The opening slot is the main worry. Wasim Jaffer with solid performances at the top selects himself. Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman are automatic selections. Karthik might miss the bus as his form and confidence have dipped a bit of late. He is a gritty customer though and I expect him to make a comeback. Also, I feel very strongly that he must board the plane as the 2nd keeper ahead of Parthiv. Yuvraj should also not be denied an opportunity to play in the 11 if India decide to go in for a 6 + 1 batsmen strategy. The question again though is who opens with Jaffer. It is important to note that these are Australian wickets and pacers we’re talking about. Also there is only a 2 day game that India would play before the first test. Even though Ganguly and Tendulkar have readily opened the batting in tests they have never been summoned to do so in tests! I have a strong feeling that Dravid would be the one who would be doing it again ,if required. Some might say he’s technically the strongest and would more often that not anyways be in when the ball is as good as new, I feel the no. 3 position is too vital to be compromised. But, then we have VVS Laxman, another no. 3 specialist and a prolific run getter against Australia. Therefore all fingers would again point towards Dravid. I think in his mind he must prepare to take up that role. It wouldn’t hurt if the team management communicates this to him early. Maybe
even starting the tour opener with him opening would be a progressive decision. I say progressive, because, even though it might not surprise Australia seeing him walking in at the start of Indian innings, it would instill him with the awareness and confidence that good communication brings about, and that is what winning teams do. Have clarity in their team strategy, not holding the cards too close.
Right, so I’m gonna post this hoping for a few reactions and a discussion on Australia.

Ain no Sunshine

2006-11-27T00:02:00.000-08:00

We observed it early as we often do, the downturn, and said 'well well its here ,but how long is it to stay?
The Indian cricket team is clearly out of steam right now. It happens when you’re not professional in your approach.
The easiest thing to do is to blame the Coach ,the captain. I dare say they are guilt free .Whatever happens tomorrow; too much experimentation has hurt us.
Experiments are good till the time they have a direction, not just for their own sake.
It is critical to observe Indian culture in this regard. The pounding that we are taking is because of our lack of ability to tackle change. Dravid and Greg are 2 great cricketing minds but are they ahead of their team? The process is gradual understood, the results therefore should be commiserate. Unfortunately there is no correlation visible.
Indian cricket is pure romance. Therefore we’re always looking for the heroic, the legend, intermittently produced but unfortunately sustained too long for its own good.
It usually occurs when the deserving are written off. I say write the Indian team(read deserving) off before the World Cup ,let there be no expectations of them. Let betting be speculative for a change.
All said and done, in their attempt to find the right combination, most ironically, Dravid seems to have forgotten some of the basics of team composition, batting order and bowling changes. How much sense does it make to have 3 left arm quicks playing in the side when all of them are just about average, this has happened. Anyways, most of our fast bowler come at the same pace. The captain would do well to infuse variety in the form of how much they swing the bowl, angles their bowling from and the points in the match at which they are introduced .This will be important when bowling at teams with strong and/or long batting line ups. Even a no. 7 in the New Zealand team could take a bowling attack apart that is up and down @ 130kph!
Another thing that I do not understand is the shuffle in batting order. Who plays 1,2,3,4 ? people who have time to play the ball will have time at the crease. Definitions be flawed, Dravid should know better that technique in batting is not overrated .Now, as clichéd as it may sound, batsmen with good technique always have a lot of time to play the ball, they rarely get into awkward shapes.. So Tendulkar and Dravid play 1 and 3 respectively, anybody else want a shot at those positions ,fight for them, you’ll still not get them, but in the process you might serve the team and yourself some position else. Sehwag has done too well for himself at the top of the order. He has not been consistent ,agreed, but we need people who single handedly win matches and put the fear in the opposition. Wasim Jaffer is never going to do that !! Sehwag will need management backing through out his career ,he cannot play in fear of failure.If anybody else knows any better a substitute lets talk about it. Yuvraj did well last year and looked hungry, but soon the misfortunes of the team rubbed off. He is all talent, he can be menacing if he comes in when the ball has done most of what it had to. Also, he has strokes all round the wicket, you’d fancy that in a no. 4. So he seals it.
Under normal circumstances Kaif should be next and Dhoni follows.Dhoni needs a platform to launch , expecting him to build one is an insult to the skills of Dravid and Tendulkar.
Presenting a new batting order every second match does not indicate flexibility, it’s more a sign of chaos. Every team has a stable state. Ability to temporarily deviate from that state to achieve a temporary objective successfully because the situation demands it ,is essentially flexibility. It is a state of mind. When Sehwag would be able to curb his instinct to attack a good delivery and Jaffer would hit a six over cover point ,that’s when the batting order would be truly flexible.
It is too late to go looking for a tearaway fast bowler or someone who naturally bowls well at the death.
What we have is this Zaheer, Irfan,Sreesanth,Agarkar,Munaf,RP,H arbhajan,Kumble.
My frontline 5 are Munaf, Irfan, Zaheer , Agarkar and Harbhajjan in that order of change.
Reasons:
Munaf: Right arm,Consistent, Hits the Deck,usually effective with the new ball; Role :bowl good length rising early in the innings, looking for a breakthrough with an eye on the economy rate
Irfan: Left arm, Confidence bowler: can change the game if he gets a wicket early in the game,attack, pitch up swing in, no short pitch.
Zaheer: Left arm,Experienced,control,Hit deck, an obvious replacement if Irfan goes for runs,has to be told what his role is and given a run with it till the World Cup
Agarkar: Right arm,Expected to keep it tight in the beginning with only a few slinging in, more overs at the death
Harbhajjan: Right arm off spin, allow him to attack, confidence player, weapons: bounce, dusra, critical in the second innings
*all of them need to vary their pace

Another issue, just when I thought Sharad Pawar had left cricket to the ones who knew it a tad bit better. Why on earth has Vengsarkar(with dew respect) been sent to SA? Tell me its just an alibi to please the attention seeking politicians and no one really expects something out of this move.

Take a bow

2006-11-15T10:37:00.000-08:00

SACHIN DEAL IS LARGEST IN INDIA
Source TNN
Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar’s 3-year deal with Singapore based talent management and sports marketing firm World Sports Group maybe the largest for an India brand ambassador. The impact is also likely to catapult him into the league of global sporting icons.
World Sports Group CEO (South Asia) Venu Nair said “In our research on Indian celebrity brands it clearly emerged that little master has gone beyond performance linked popularity. His clean image and integrity provides him a natural affiliation with several brands we are associated with.”

Will there ever be another Sachin? No.

Will there be someone better than him? There better be.

missin a trick or two

2006-10-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ajit Balchandra Agarkar debuted in 1998…, was the fastest to reach 50 wickets in ODIs ..blah blah blah..Cuz It doesn matter anymore. He has fucked it all up tonight by bowling the most horrendous 3rd ball in the history of last over cricket…short, slow, outside off stump inviting one Mr. Marion Samuels of the West Indies to play a sloggish cut in third man region to score a boundary and seal a famous victory in the 2006 Champions Trophy …
After 8 yrs of international cricket I expect a more mature performance, especially from a fast bowler who shows no other qualities except for bowling a few wicket taking deliveries over 135 kph ….
The win is a boost for the host nation of the World Cup 2007 ..
What about us though..Did anybody c the look on Dravidz face on every close call..
It just goes to show that intent alone is not enough. U need to be a winner, and winner’s have an indefinable quality about them. Dravid as a captain, unfortunately does not exhibit it on a consistent basis.
In the Game of cricket the role of the captain is critical. Simply because it is a relatively slower game. The decision making happens in a dynamic and noticeable environment.
Dravid needs to closely observe the tapes of himself and his team’s body language in the middle overs .Its disgusting to witness a talented bunch display helplessness at their own trade.
What can I say.I don know what Dravid had to say about our` teams performance, the fact remains that it is all good to be politically correct in media but it is more important to win matches for the country.
Two other glaring mistakes:
1.Not diving to save one’s own run out
2.R.P Singh why? When a bowler’s lacking rythym ,switch. Its only a 50 over match.
Captains need to be proactive.

P.S. : I am a huge Team India and Dravid faithful ,the defeat hurts ,thus the above post..

Amen

2006-10-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

'What do they know of cricket who only cricket know'-C L R James