The Best Cricketer

IPL 2009 KKR's Multiple Captains !!! ???

2009-03-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

This is really frustrating. John Buchanan retaliated to Sourav's claim that he wasn't informed before hand about the multiple-captains concept by saying that Sourav knew about such plans. Both these guys were one time at the pinnacle of their professions, Buchanan was the most successful coach for the Australians and Sourav the most successful captain for team India. Buchanan has a track record of being innovative, always coming up with new ideas and such. Not that these idea's were well received always; his idea's failed miserably while he coached Middlesex. Sourav has a track record of being daring and strong, a proven leader. He has been accused of being too head strong many a time in his career.

One thing I see which is against Buchanan is that he stated that he had extensively discussed having alternative captains, with Sourav during the last IPL season. It seems incredible that Buchanan discussed this with Sourav a year back and announces it now (if Buchanan had discussed this with Sourav when planning for IPL-2009, it would have been more appropriate).

Frankly both Sourav and Buchanan have been through so much rough-stuff in their careers that I see no point in trying to think who is speaking the truth. Much more of concern to me is the concept it self. It's interesting for sure. But leadership means to be in command; and with sportsmen with (often) big ego's will this really work? Now Chris Gayle might agree to this concept as its Sourav's roost that he will rule; but will he agree if similar thing were to be suggested by WI board to Gayle? Real hard to say. Gayle is known for his big-heart, but this might mean stretching things a bit far.

Look at current Indian team. Its performing famously under Dhoni; but all seniors are actively involved in on field strategy making (not just off field meetings). We often get to see a Sachin or a Sehwag advising Dhoni (remember the famous moment last year in Aus, when Sehwag asked Dhoni to continue with Ishant for a over more against Ponting?). Even though seniors all participate, its finally up to Dhoni, he calls the shots. This is vital for accountability.

Let us suppose Buchanan implements his concept and are in the semis; semi finals they play under Sourav and they win then in finals they play under Gayle and they lose. Now does this mean that they would have had a better chance if they would have played finals under Sourav? Is just Gayle to be held accountable? Who decides? Let us look at another scenario, first 4 matches they play under Sourav and they win, next three they play under Gayle and win; 8th match again under Sourav and they lose - now can't Sourav claim that part of the reason for the loss was because the command line got shaken or his captains instincts subdued due to Gayle captaining previous 3 matches?

And all the above I said doesn't even take into account the most strange aspect of the concept - during batting, there will be no captain and batting coach will call the shots; during bowling, well you can have a bowling captain, a fielding captain etc. Imagine how much confusion that is going to create - Sourav selects the bowler and now Gayle has to communicate with the bowler for field settings. We often see captains like Dhoni walk up to their bowlers to boost their confidence (remember Joginder Sharma's final over in the final of ICC World Twenty20 2007?); it really helps that the captain believes in you. Given Buchanan's concept who will do this? Will there be a boost-confidence captain as well? How about a captain for appealing and one for referrals?

All this is hypothetical. But it seems strange that a coach of Buchanan history doesn't understand that for any captain 'his boys' need to be 'his' and he needs to be in that 'captains space' always - physically and mentally and emotionally.

Buchanan is grossly mistaken if he wants to 'manufacture' four automatons who jump into 'captain role' when a switch is thrown and rest recognise them as such without a iota of confusion. In doing so Buchanan is under estimating the emotional part of sport. And this part is vital for winning. Does Buchanan ever wonder why armed forces follow a rigid line of command? Such rigidness is out of place in cricket, but having multiple-captains sound as a child's dream of yet another gadget. I have no doubt about Buchanan's sincerity, but this idea is will not make much difference at the best and will affect the team drastically at the worst.

Security; ICL vs IPL

2008-11-21T08:28:00.001-08:00

Consider this, an Indian official gave a statement saying that India's tour of Pakistan scheduled for 2009 Jan might be scrapped because of the security situation. He went on to say that not a scratch can be tolerated on a player like Sachin Tendulkar. So what about the rest of the squad question people of our eminent press? A very irresponsible comment if you ask them. Well it is a irresponsible comment, but not as irresponsible as what our press has become.

Also to be noted is that this statement comes a day after Javed Miandad, PCB's newly appointed director-general expressed desire about ICL and IPL settling their differences and ICL players being allowed into national teams. I am not advocating that we send Indian team to Pakisthan - infact I would prefer if we don't send a team in January, given the situation. I am just saying that ICL issue shouldn't influence BCCI in taking cricketing decisions which will affect the game in the longer run. I am not a fan of ICL - one Indian league is enough and the one which has the cream of the world is what I will follow.

Get complete take of this at:
http://world-i-see.blogspot.com/2008/11/theoretically-officially.html

BOOM BOOM INDIA!

2008-11-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

India completed a dominating victory against England in the 1st ODI of the ongoing 7 ODI series. India out performed England by far in batting and bowling. Put into bat on a pitch the promised bowlers early swing, Indian openers, Sehwag and Gambhir put up 127 for first wicket. While that was phenomenal, what followed was incredible - Yuvi blasted out 138 runs in just 78 balls. Owing to the efforts of Sehwag, Gambhir and Yuvi, India posted the highest ever target against England of 388 runs in 50 overs.

Indian opening bowlers then managed to find all the accuracy and swing that English seamer's were missing. Both Zaheer and Munaf bowled miserly spell's and also bagged 4 wicket's even before the spinners were introduced. After that there was no real hope for England and they folded up for a meagre total of 229 runs in the 38th over - giving India a victory margin of 158 runs.

For me an Indian win was almost a certainty, still the margin of victory was incredible. Reading England's writers before the match and listening to English commentator's before Sehwag and Gambir got the show on the road, one were lead to believe that we are up for a very stiff and competitive series.

David Loyld in particular predicted a almost Australia-India like contest, drawing parallels which were funny at best. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/talk/content/multimedia/377984.html?view=transcript In a obvious effort to bring interest in the series and perhaps to dream out aloud, he came up with real good stuff like - Sehwag will be found wanting against England's pace attack (after he has proven himself against likes of Lee in Australia), Zahreer and Bajji can be out focused by playing mind games (last time England tried that with 'jellygate' incident in England, Zaheer came up with a match winning performance), India is vulnerable without Ganguly and Dravid in its ODI team (when was the last time Loyld watched India in a ODI?) etc etc.

Even the commentators during the start of Indian inning's sounded not pleased when Gavaskar or Shiv tried to talk about India's strengths - made one wonder if the English caught up in the 90's or worse the 80's? When Gavaskar tried telling them and the viewers how Gambhir unsettles the bowlers by shuffling across and forward, there was just this silence from his fellow commentator Ian Botham. Botham just said that Freddie (Flintoff) is one of the strongest arms in world cricket. Compare that to the acumen and grace of Ian Chappel - feels like English lack not just on field.

End of the day, if you ask me to select players from this England's side who have the hunger, the edge, the attitude, fit for current Indian side, only two qualify - Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

While this attitude of under estimating India was clearly seen in English writers and commentators, it is only the result of the inferiority complex affecting English cricket. Only when you can see your self as you truly are, can you acknowledge others as they are. In ECB's quest to undermine India's financial superiority, they have forgotten that ultimately all that matters is cricket. In today's world, financial excellence is key to achievement and confidence - you keep your players off IPL, you send them on a gold diggers quest which is more a statement of one millionaire's ego. How do you expect to do all this and have it not affect the confidence of your cricketer's?

Wake up and realise that IPL is not just about money, IPL is a opportunity which will let you recognise your own faceless champions and to see your best tested in the hardest grind of cricket on earth. All cricketing nations who participated in IPL have benefited from it - not just the players, the selectors found more talent pool than was visible previously. And England, you manage to keep your players from such promising and productive venture - hats off! Till you realise your mistake and are able to admit it boldly and without ego, you will always be ridden with self doubts and small satisfactions.

The drum roll started in Rajkot and will continue till Dec 23rd in Mumbai. This is BooM BooM India.

Is Singh the King?

Is problematic prince, finally the King? He has the power, he has the style, he has the eye, the hand and the coordination, he has the rhythm and he has us with him. But naah .. one ingredient missing is consistency. Yuvi once again mesmerized us with what he is, just hope he does it more often. This was emphatic return to the side. 138 from 78 balls is not a child's dream, its a man's destiny. But so has inconsistency been his destiny. This match Yuvi had a platform provided by Sehwag and Gambhir, he had a pitch which warms his heart, the attack lacked decent spin and it has been a while since he blasted - I think all this went to make this knock a bit less special than it deserved to be.

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly : Indian Victory

2008-11-10T13:22:00.001-08:00

Dada walked off the field at Nagpur today with his head held high after India's comprehensive victory against Australia. It is so appropriate that Dada decided to call curtains after this Aussie tour and more fitting so because of the victory. Sourav will be ever remembered by how challenging he was as a captain and how shrewd he was - all owing to India's historic wins against the toughest opponent by far - the Australia of Steve Waugh.

If not for Sourav The Brave, our cricket would have been still looking for reasons to explain why it failed overseas.
If not for Sourav The Brave, Indian cricket would not have learnt how to face up to intimidation and return the favour.
If not for Sourav The Brave, Indian cricket would still be groping in darkness of politics.
If not for Sourav The Brave, Indian cricket would not have know how to charge ahead fearlessly.
If not for Sourav The Brave, Indian cricket would not have known what strength of leadership is.
If not for Sourav the Brave, Indian cricket would not have become the formidable force that it is now.

Dada's greatest contribution as every one will agree, is as a captain of Indian cricket team. Azhar got gobbled in match fixing controversy, Tendulkar in spite being individually great wasn't able to handle the pressure. Then came along Sourav. Dada not only led the team without showing pressure, he lead the team in to frontiers never before explored by Indian cricket & the team won where they never have done so before.

Indian cricket has seen many brave and valiant cricketer's, Sunil Gavaskar's bravery in facing West Indian pace attack was great. Kapil Dev's exploits at 1983 world cup were a legend in themselves. Dada is different from them - Dada not only did great things, but the team under him did great things. Yes, he had a great team in Sachin, Anil, Laxman, Dravid and Bajji, but it is very true to say that without Sourav's captaincy, we could have seen great feat's, not great victories.

Sourav's magical batting almost fades away before his captaincy. Who of us can recall who the King of the Offside is? What divine timing? What effortless execution? What astonishing placement? He is the fourth highest run getter in history of Indian cricket.

Still Sourav will live on in Indian cricket memory as the greatest of captains ever to lead Indian cricket team. That is what he has contributed to Indian cricket. Many of the current star's can recall proudly that it was Sourav who backed them in earlier stages of their careers. Sourav showed the world that Indian's are not minnows, importantly still, Sourav showed it to Indian's themselves.It is almost unnecessary to state the win-loss stat's of Sourav as a captain, the impact of his captaincy resonates after he was stripped of it and will keep resonating long after his retirement.

Still, its a pleasure to look at the numbers -49-21-13-15 (captained-won-lost-draw) for his test captaincy. Exceeding all other Indian captains by far, Sourav's numbers reflect his mettle as a captain.

Anil retired and I will recall his great feats whenever another leggie does something magical for India. Sourav retired and I will remember him every time India wins - especially overseas.

That's what Sourav Chandidas Ganguly means to me : an Indian Victory.

Welcome Captain :)

2008-11-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

I like MS Dhoni. He brings Indian cricket from the level of demigods to the level I can identify with. Dhoni's presence on field, even in tight situations doesn't make any happening look surreal. There I see a ever calm cricketer who gives his 100% and goes about this "day at office" in a efficient manner.

I have been fortunate to follow Indian cricket at a stage where the fab-4 and Anil Kumble played; all five are very unassuming cricketers. MS Dhoni might not be as gifted as the fab-4, but he has something which they don't, he treats cricket as what it truly is, a game. He doesn't get carried away when situation is tense. This shows me that while he is satisfied at a job well done and that he is immensely happy, he doesn't show that he has done anything extraordinary.

I am pretty sure that if Dhoni were to hop and jump about, he would have even greater fan following than he currently has (if that were possible). The reason for this is, simply put we Indians are hero worshippers. We need hero's to get us out of the mundane and let us dream. Our gods, our politicians (meant freedom fighters), our sportsmen are all hero's. I too am one of them, I too am a hero worshipper; but sometimes it becomes too much. Look at other nations, look at Australian cricket for example, don't they have great achievers like our cricket? Still although Shane Warne is appreciated immensely, he is not hero worshipped. Nor would a fan of Ponting and a fan of Gilchrist come to blows to prove who is better.

Therein for me lies the charm of Dhoni, he is so unassuming that I don't feel the need to hero worship him, in fact it helps me to identify with him. It also keeps me level headed and makes me think about the sweat and struggle behind him reaching where he is. It makes me feel that Dhoni was a commoner, a person like me and he got to where he is, so what got him there? This is a question I have rarely put to myself in regards to any other Indian cricketer, in my lack of thoughts about their initial struggles (although I know them through media), I, very Indian like assume that they got where they are because they are who they are. And this 'who' is not what I feel was once a commoner like me. It's not to their fault that I feel this way, it my hero worshipping nature, just accepting greatness and never questioning how it came about. But because I can identify with Dhoni, I question myself as to how Dhoni got where he got to - this question opens a positive aspect of my watching cricket, it leads way to thoughts and actions that are constructive; it also lets me understand when Dhoni fails and it teaches me things when he bounces back.

I don't think Dhoni is 'professional' as professional is; he is a emotional cricketer, but by maintaining his calm demeanor he has brought Indian cricket and cricketer's from the sky high reaches of unreachable greatness to thoughts and actions about becoming personally successful.

With these thoughts, I would like to welcome MS Dhoni as India's new test captain. May he and India team achieve many milestones in years to come and I, as ever will be a eager watcher, albeit less dewy eyed and more thoughtful. Welcome Captain :)

Jumbo Take's Off

2008-11-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Anil Kumble announced his retirement from test cricket today. Over a career spanning 18 years and multiple generations of cricketers, Kumble has been India's greatest match winner. 18 years, 132 test matches, 40,850 deliveries and 619 wickets sums his efforts.

Always a gentleman, always giving 100%, a never-say-die warrior, a bowler with immense penetration with an incredible ability to fox the very best.

Over the years, the big man jumping in to his bowling stride and releasing the ball with a fire in his eyes and a determinedly set chin has been so much part of Indian cricket that now it seems as if an era is coming to a quick end. I am not even 30 years old, but somehow with the retirement of Kumble and Sourav's retirement coming up in next test in Nagpur, I feel much more older. I feel as if I am a grand dad who is going to miss all the glory days gone by and will always find fault with the 'new' in Indian cricket. In brief, I think I will be nostalgic. Perhaps the vacuum in my heart just reflects the vacuum in Indian cricket as a result of these greats going off into the dusk of their careers, one by one.

As a personal tribute to this gentle and devastating giants retirement I will try and put words which for me is Kumble: determined, clever, foxy, 100% cricketer, gentleman, delivers always.

Anil Kumble, Indian cricket, millions of Indian fans and world over will miss you. We will miss the assurance your name used to give us, that we have a chance at hitting at the core of the opposition, that we are sure to challenge the adversary, that no one can score against India in free domination, that we have Anil Kumble coming on: BEHOLD THE JUMBO!

A tribute to Anil Kumble: Jumbo

Classical Shining

2008-10-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Its time for the swingers and tweakers to get into act and going by recent past, it will be a fabulous act as well.

Two double hundreds in a mammoth first innings score of 613/7(dec); one from a youngster who has started showing his liking to Aussie cuisine and another a well established veteran whose exploits against the Aussies are legendary. This test shows us how well "India shining", the aggressive vibrant young India, moves hand in hand with the polite but classy India epitomised by the fab4.

Gutam's innings was well planned and aggressive at time's, as seen in the way he got from 99 to a century - by hitting a six; he also showed that he can hold his head still and get to double figures. Laxman's innings of 200 not out, was very dominant in effect but that dominance is almost unseen, you suddenly realise looking at the score card what a devastating bat Laxman is, no arrogance here, only the class of a batsman executing his art in peace with himself and sure in his joy.

Laxman's batting belies logic of the conventional but even purists would never term it unorthodox - Laxman just manages to play the most unbelievable strokes to ball's that have never been played in that manner. Brydon has a question that will better explain what I mean - http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/indvaus2008/content/current/story/375998.html

Aussies got to 50 without loss and comfortably so far. Going by common knowledge, Kotla pitch will behave erratically starting sometime tomorrow. What ever might be the pitch, this test every Aussie will be putting a price on his wicket and it will need something special (like they have been so far this series) from the Indian bowlers.This test will most probably end in a Indian win - not that the win will come easy.

A from here on will make Aussies really happy - not that they will acknowledge it though.

Foggy Kotla, Foggier Aussies

2008-10-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Reports of Aussies training hard and seeking advice about leg spin and reverse swing from the Indian past masters of these sublime arts are out in the media. Captain Ponting also claims that Aussies have trained as never before and to perfection and he says his views are backed by those of Steve Waugh. Both Border and Steve Waugh have out out saying that the leggie Krejza must be included in the squad to play in Kotla. Ponting seems to have asked Brett Lee to notch up his speed a bit, and as Brett is already clocking 145KM in nets, a notch up will mean 150KM. But again in Indian conditions without much bounce, just speed will not help the Aussies, they need to swing, both conventional and reverse.

While Bishen Bedi is openly seen coaching Krejza, it seems Manoj Prabhakar has been consulted to help in the reverse swing department. Aussies had special fielding practice aimed at adjusting to the morning and late morning smog that is seen to engulf Kotla, this will especially be critical as the match starts the day after Diwali. All in all it seems Aussies left no stone within reach, uncovered, to tackle the Indians.

This test is not just a series decider for both teams, but much more. If this test ends in a draw then both teams will be disappointed, with much more disappointment in the Indian camp. If India wins, Aussies will be truly disheartened and mostly will end up losing the 4th test. If Aussies win here in Kotla, it will not just be because of Aussies being supreme, but because of mistakes made by Indian players - this Aussie team, let what the preparation be, is just not strong enough to beat India in Kotla. An Aussie win will leave much disappointment in Indian camp; especially it will reflect badly on Kumble.
This test in a way will tell the world if Aussies can remain NO.1 test side for long. If Aussies lose here, with bad performances from Lee, Hayden and Ponting, then they will lose their crown for sure - how long that will remain the only question, given their great big lead in the points table.

While it is understandable that Lee is trying to pick his life back together after a divorce and it is reflecting on his game, the biggest disappointment so far, is from Hayden. Mathew Hayden's game has been built aorund, him dominating the bowlers early into a innings. Over past many years, with strong batting and best bowling to support and justify his recklessness, he has been able to take the fight to the other team. Now with the bowling attack a mere shadow of its past, with Ponting not having answers to Bhajji-Sharma, with Lee down in tatters, with Symmo missing, Hayden's game has been exposed. Hayden's strength always has been his ability to attack without doubt - he tried that in Mohali but became an easy prey. If Hayden needs to be seen as a great fighter and not just a good one, then he has to deliver now, under adversity. Some how I don't see that happening.

Coming to Pointing - its a different story, Ponting is a class act. He has to find his rhythm and get to 30 and then his wicket won't fall cheap. But to get to that 30, Ponting will not only have to counter Sharma and Bhajji, but also the demons of doubt that will be plaguing him. Saying that he is the greatest bat around is futile if he can't deliver when it matters; well he has done that in past, but always in the cosy company of equally gifted mates. Now he has a chance at greatness, if Ponting can win this series with his performances, then he has a chance of his name featuring among the best of the game.
About Lee - straight and simple, he will bounce back. He did not get wickets, but neither he was ever dominated. Ponting did a BIG BIG BIG mistake by not believing in Lee and handing over the ball to the likes of Michael Hussey ahead of Lee. Let what he may say after that, Ponting has disrespected and not supported his best bowler in the time of team's and Lee's personal need. I mean what did Lee do wrong? Not be the match winner he is for one I mean, ONE test? Gimme a break, if that has to be the case, let Ponting bat at 5 and let Clarke bat at 3 and Matt Hayden at hmmn.. 7?
Steve Waugh would have never done this to McGrath - not just because McGrath is McGrath but because pace bowlers are a breed apart and the likes of McGrath and Lee are still rare. On Lee's shoulders rest the fate of Aussie bowling for years to come and you manage to affect the self belief of such a guy for a single bad test? Man I thought Ponting would know better. Ponting should know that, recognising his teams personal needs and combining them into the game plan is the pinnacle of professionalism, well if you can't do that, at least don't slight your ace card.
Lee will come back and he will come back strong, but no thanks to Ponting for that.

Team India The Fearless

2008-10-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

We have gone and beaten the Aussies in style. India dominated in all area's of the game, including fielding. Aussie were just dominant during a single session and that did not last. The seniors in Aussie side failed to guide the youngsters. Whatever brave front they may put up post match, Indian's have managed to sow more than a seed of doubt in their minds.

In a way, the upcoming Delhi test will be seen as a touchstone for this Australian side's capability. If Australia lose in Feroz Shah Kotla, it will be certain that they have become a side which has finally come down among mortals; it will be known in the cricketing world that they can be dominated! The dominance shown by India was so complete because India played their cricket in a different style, India attacked, India drew the first blood.

Much can be said about MS Dhoni's knock in the first innings - the most significant of which is that it showed that India for once are playing their best cricket ever. Dhoni's innings was built on solid foundation laid down by Sourav & Sachin. Earlier days, the batsman in Dhoni's place would have seen to accumulate runs at a fast pace. Not so with Dhoni - he attacked mercilessly and fearlessly and that proved to Aussies that this team India is all about winning the match. This attack of Dhoni's showed that this team India is not satisfied by tame draw.

Let us take this approach forward, let us attack in Delhi. Let us be fearless. Let us remember that attack is the best form of defence and that Aussies will look to dominate. Maintaining a lead should be second in our mind, the first thought must and will be to extend the lead to 2-0.

One more blow to this Aussie side might be the very last that needs to be delivered to shatter their confidence. Aussies know this and they will come back hard, they will fight tooth and nail. If India continues to be fearless, then we are up for a very interesting contest.

Sachin : Perfection Personified

2008-10-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Have a look at the following link for Akash Chopra's thoughts on Sachin tendulkar. He provides some insight into the man himself. The more one knows about Sachin, the more one realises what perfection means: true greatness with true humility.

Hats Off to Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7676509.stm

Also gather Sachin's own thoughts on becoming the highest run scorer in test cricket below. Pray notice whom he remembers first while dedicating the record to.

Gurur-Brahma Gurur-Vishnu Gurur-Devo Maheshwarah.

Guru-sakshat Para-Brahma tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/indvaus2008/content/story/374396.html
Perfect.

Sachin's 12000 and Fab 5

2008-10-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

Sachin is now the highest run getter in test cricket and has passed a milestone which no one has so far done. He went past 12000 runs in test cricket today at Mohali playing Australia in the 2nd test of 2008 Border-Gavaskar trophy.

To say in his own words "Success is a process... During that journey sometimes there are stones thrown at you, and you convert them into milestones." This comment portrays how much injustice is being meted out to our seniors who have carried the weight out our aspirations with aplomb for so long. Be it Sachin, Sourav, Rahul, Anil or Laxman; our media has mercilessly targeted each set back they suffered in past 5 years and tried to virtually put an end to their careers. Well I understand that media doesn't hold a grudge against these greats; but they have targeted these fabulous five of Indian cricket for want of sensationalism. This in addition to the cricket politics would have been enough to keep any other player from fighting back as the fab-5 are doing. It is no wonder that media are so eager to act as scavengers (that being part of their trade) but the way the things are going about I would say the public is also to be blamed.

We Indian's often idolise fame and hero worship the famous. That is not a ideal thing to do. But here we are hacking away at any semblance of peace the fab-5 are entitled to enjoy in the evening of their careers. They do realize that they will have to call it a day in a year or three and none better than they realize that they need to be responsible. The fab-5 did not raise to fame and then succumb to it; in fact they have handled fame with much humility than is possible by many of our ex-cricketer's or even many of the youngsters around. It is quite evident that the fab-5 are playing test cricket as well as any other youngster "might" have played and in fact they are playing it better.

For a seasoned campaigner, a occasional set back is normal. We are just over reacting to set backs of these greatest of the greats of Indian cricket as we haven't seen many set back from them before. What Anil said is perfectly true: the fab-5 should retire on their own terms and not on others. The reason is not just that they have earned it but that they still are the best India has on offer. Sometimes putting faith in a persons sense of responsibility and believing their judgement is not just respecting them but also the correct thing to do.

If we can't trust that these icons of Indian cricket won't be responsible enough to with draw when they should, then who or what can you believe in Indian cricket?

Now is the Time

2008-10-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

As the Bengalooru curtain raiser ended, two things were proved to be correct - Aussies are no more the world beaters they were & India are not yet the world beaters they hope to be. As this scale is maintained we will witness more and more thrilling contests (hopefully). Ultimately a status quo can not be maintained indefinitely; one side or the other has to stake their claim for supremacy. It will be mighty interesting to see who that will be.

In the same vein of thought, it can be said that the current selection committee of BCCI has on it a job of immense proportions; one of a magnitude of which was never thrust up on it before. Hopefully Kris Srikanth and his men will prove up to the task. No, I am not merely referring to the retirement plans for Fab-4 and the Lone Raider (Anil Kumble). The task before the new selection committee is much more complex and multi faceted. BCCI is now for some years has been rolling in money that is also nothing new, albeit the scale has increased significantly. The major task is to take advantage of a vacuum that is about to form at the top of the international cricketing community - "Who fills Aussie shoes?" is the BIG question. India have a very realistic chance of being that country. And if India does manage to achieve even half of that - to become a formidable and feared foe in test arena, then this proud cricketing nation whose claim to fame was mostly borne by few shoulders can rejoice in its "team" supremacy.

May the seniors in their retirement plans and the juniors in their commitment-hard work and the selection committee in their acts of balance and the BCCI in its quest for coffers and the public in their continuing support, come together and strive to achieve that extra 100 yards (or half) to reach the pinnacle; let no IPL blind us into self congratulations. Amen!

Tail thunders! - Retain Fab-4!

2008-10-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

While half the top order of India did not put up a fight, the tail is showing some spirit. Most annoying was how Tendulkar, Laxman and Dhoni got out. Tendulkar and Laxman just followed the script Aussies wrote for them; wonder even if the "director" Ponting would have hoped for such a "Oscar worthy" performance! In fact the person who is being forced to play his last series was the best Indian batsman today; in spite of a nosebleed Ganguly played within himself and ultimately got out LBW to a faulty decision for 47. His innings almost had no bad shots. So again the question - does Sourav deserve this treatment? India's bravest and most successful captain by far, a fighter to the core. Sourav's fall can never be India's gain.

Dravid also is getting back to his old self. If a single tour is a fate decider for the seniors then will rest of the fab-4 receive same treatment as Ganguly if they fail the whole series. Naah .. that's not gonna happen, they all did bad in SriLanka .. but its just Dada who has to leave - others can congratulate their luck or PR skills.

I am not advocating that any of the fab-4 should leave. I believe they are all great cricketers who have a year or two in them. I am just sore an sorry for the treatment meted out for Ganguly. Why not have a rotation policy and keep benching one of the fab-4 for a test and let a junior take his place? Guys these people are called fab-4 for a reason - they had quality, they had the grit and they were consistent. I firmly believe that none of the Indian youngsters-in-wait have all this right now, as that fab-4 did when they took their place in Indian test side. Apart from that the fab-4 can and will still perform for at least a year or two if given opportunity. Does the selectors even know the meaning of the phrase "to phase out"?

Sourav : The Brave

2008-10-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

Ganguly is correct, he has been humiliated time and again. He is paying the price of being a straight talker in a nation whose cricket is always about false-ego's and behind the back talks. Yes Sourav has ego but its up to ur face and he has quality (even now) to back it up. Sourav was never one to hide in a closet or weep silently. It might be a wrong time to voice his views but again will the world even care this much if he vents his anger after he has retired? What the "we-know-best's" of Indian cricket have done is to use Sourav when they needed him (bowing to his straight talk) and then go for his head at the first oppurtunity available. Every great player goes through bad patches. If you just want to talk about current form, I would say Sourav is just one series bad. I don't understand this concept of age in test cricket. I know that Sourav is a sloppy fielder, but his presence in the batting line up fills one with bravery. He is the BRAVE ONE, a rarity in Indian cricket.