India finally lost out in a major tournament in quite some time actually! Dhoni's magic run which started with the previous T20 World cup, ironically has turned a new leaf this time around. Only that the leaf is a thorn!
It had to be said, the Indian team started this tournament on the wrong foot. Be it accidental or incidental, Sehwag's so called fight with Dhoni - took the focus of the team to the wrong pedestal!
Cricket teams like most teams at work - never exist with all members agreeing. Its always hierarchical and if the Captain says - "its a great day to play today" - everyone in the team pretty much agrees - while standing under a big umbrella, protecting themselves from the fiercest of rains!
With this setup, and the "Indian team" being always an emotional passtime for the Indians - its not difficult to see - why every single drop of a hat - is taken as an "infight" Catch 22 situation! Dhoni was to be a level headed guy, but even he seemed very fired up at the press meetings. These out-of-the ground situations only tell the story of a team not prepared to focus. Focus on the right targets!
Complication 1: The IPL schedule with its innumerable games and energy-sapping schedule. Its as if the BCCI looks at the players like some greedy merchant running a circus. The more the number of shows, the better filled is my coffer! Hello the great "BCCI" - wake up. These are also human beings who are playing the game.
Complication 2: The new magic ball! The bouncer! How many times would these top players practised it in the nets! Is it really a mystery ball?! The pitches on which India played, cannot be termed as fast or furious. Purely run of the mill. It beats the sensibility of the average fan, why the entire Indian team went to UK - to swat flies instead of hitting the cricket ball!
Complication 3: This was existant from the day we won the T20 World Cup. The ability of Indians to handle success. Its quite a story in itself, how Indians at large, prefer to be the underdogs - rather than the favourites. This one is a topic for another blog!
Watching the game vs England, one amongst the many millions - that nite, it was just too difficult to come to terms with the eventual result. 80 runs and 45 balls - I sort of knew it was all but over! But then, as is common with the Indian psyche - greed or lets say - overambition - that India might just about pull it off. It was not to be as the English bowlers, learnt many lessons on bowling short, thanks to the chapter being introduced by the West Indians!
The night grew old too - as Dhoni and Yusuf walked off the field around 1:20 ish in the morning. Compare this to the feeling in 2007 - when in UK, we were congratulating fellow Indians at work - "Thank God, India has won a world cup in our lifetime". Umpteen brisk paces of anxiety, shock and disappointment - as the game progressed - between the hall and the dining room of my house - is what remains fresh of that night!
The party is over. Time for clean up!
Showing posts with label Cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricket. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
The Ghost and the Darkness!
Its not everyday that I decide to get up at 5 in the morning. The last time I did for some non-official reason was quite some time back. Cricket was back in my dreams. Mostly it would be India playing at some odd hour, in some odd place on earth. This time, it was South Africa.
Many seasons have passed, since Australia started on the decline. I hate Australia especially when they win, because they make the game look one sided and boring. When someone brings on the heat from the other end, it makes for justified watching, even if it meant odd hours. The South Africa - Australia series, was over in the first two games. South Africa beat Australia black, blue and grey - a margin of 2-0. Put it this way, the last match was all but destined to be "dead rubber", a mere formality, for the sake of statistics, records and television viewership.
However, one significant prize was at stake. Australia's Number ONE position at the Test Rankings. Its been like my mom's handbag. Always with her, all the time. Australia finally realised that if they lost this one, the bag was gone. They wanted to desperately hold on to it. South Africa on the other side, wanted to rub it in. They always had ended up losing to the Aussies in close encounters. Had an ill-famed "choker" monkey on their back and desperately needed to throw it out to sink on the Australian shores. They did just that with the series win, but wanted to ensure that they didnt lose the third test.
In modern times, test cricket resembles closely to "war". We dont get to fight the province next to us, no more invaders from other parts of the world. What would have ensued in such a war, would have been extraordinary strategies, starting from the decision to choose the place of war, the time of war and trying to gain advantage by using the best conditions available during the war. Once the fight begins, it would seem like one side is winning. The other side would immediately re-draw its strategy, try to attack another front.. and so on and so forth, till they get bored or they get killed.
Test cricket luckily has no blood to go with it. Its supposed to be some kind of "neatly pressed white shirted" war. Its all mind games and a lot of patience. Watching a test game needs a lot of patience too. Luckily no one got to see wars in real-time. It would have been long, intense and really tiring!
The third test started off poorly for South Africa. Their captain, Smith got hurt and really seemed like he couldnt move his hand, leave alone bat. The team was instantly reduced to 10 men. The rest of the days were like any other, ups and downs, twists and turns. What was going to transpire in the last day was beyond anyone's expectations. 300 odd to win when the umpire said "Play". Wickets started falling. The famed South African batting tumbled unexpectedly. It was left to Makhaya Ntini and Steyn to hold on to their forte and ensure a draw. As the final hour drew close, every one was counting the number of overs, some stated it with the balls to spare.. From nowhere, Steyn got out. Australia had finally got all the 9 wickets they needed. The Australian commentators had been saying the whole 5 days that Smith wont come back to bat and understandably happy saying it too. Now that the 9 needed wickets were taken, the crowd cheered like it was all over. The commentators were heard raising their voices in happiness. Then slowly the camera panned to the South African players room. A huge figure emerged.
Almost from nowhere, in typical poise and style, Smith emerged. The crowd was so stunned that it began to applaud the batsman. The Australian players couldnt believe it. One arm broken & in plaster and a finger injury later, a batsman emerges from the dark of the dressing room. Unconcerned about the fuss around Smith entered the ground to a standing ovation. Watching it from the television set was numbing, inspiring and worth every second. With one active hand, he managed to hold forte for nearly 7 overs before getting clean bowled. Australia did win. The series ended 2-1.
The Australian media, the people and cricet lovers worldwide will remember Smith's valor more than the victory. He emerged as a true "Ghost" out of nowhere and he shone amongst all the "darkness" of mundaness around him. The Australian players could hardly match the power of the spirit he displayed. They were dead dark. A true leader in his own right, Smith's name would become epitomized for the "utopian" leadership skill, which every leader should practice. The ability to lead, even when half dead. Quite similar to the moment when a South Indian hero enters the screen first time in the movie, there were cheers and cheers galore. A truly "legendary" moment for a "superman" bodied sportsman.
Though Smith lost the game, he won the accolades, more than Ponting. The Australian crowd, known for its lack of support to visiting teams, was spontaneous in their applause and appreciation. A single action has inspired a generation of cricket lovers, who will live to tell this tale in the many coming years. If South Africa punish Australia yet again in the upcoming home series, its all about one man inspiring an army. One man with one action will have changed the balance of world cricket forever. And Mom, start looking for a new handbag, will you!
Many seasons have passed, since Australia started on the decline. I hate Australia especially when they win, because they make the game look one sided and boring. When someone brings on the heat from the other end, it makes for justified watching, even if it meant odd hours. The South Africa - Australia series, was over in the first two games. South Africa beat Australia black, blue and grey - a margin of 2-0. Put it this way, the last match was all but destined to be "dead rubber", a mere formality, for the sake of statistics, records and television viewership.
However, one significant prize was at stake. Australia's Number ONE position at the Test Rankings. Its been like my mom's handbag. Always with her, all the time. Australia finally realised that if they lost this one, the bag was gone. They wanted to desperately hold on to it. South Africa on the other side, wanted to rub it in. They always had ended up losing to the Aussies in close encounters. Had an ill-famed "choker" monkey on their back and desperately needed to throw it out to sink on the Australian shores. They did just that with the series win, but wanted to ensure that they didnt lose the third test.
In modern times, test cricket resembles closely to "war". We dont get to fight the province next to us, no more invaders from other parts of the world. What would have ensued in such a war, would have been extraordinary strategies, starting from the decision to choose the place of war, the time of war and trying to gain advantage by using the best conditions available during the war. Once the fight begins, it would seem like one side is winning. The other side would immediately re-draw its strategy, try to attack another front.. and so on and so forth, till they get bored or they get killed.
Test cricket luckily has no blood to go with it. Its supposed to be some kind of "neatly pressed white shirted" war. Its all mind games and a lot of patience. Watching a test game needs a lot of patience too. Luckily no one got to see wars in real-time. It would have been long, intense and really tiring!
The third test started off poorly for South Africa. Their captain, Smith got hurt and really seemed like he couldnt move his hand, leave alone bat. The team was instantly reduced to 10 men. The rest of the days were like any other, ups and downs, twists and turns. What was going to transpire in the last day was beyond anyone's expectations. 300 odd to win when the umpire said "Play". Wickets started falling. The famed South African batting tumbled unexpectedly. It was left to Makhaya Ntini and Steyn to hold on to their forte and ensure a draw. As the final hour drew close, every one was counting the number of overs, some stated it with the balls to spare.. From nowhere, Steyn got out. Australia had finally got all the 9 wickets they needed. The Australian commentators had been saying the whole 5 days that Smith wont come back to bat and understandably happy saying it too. Now that the 9 needed wickets were taken, the crowd cheered like it was all over. The commentators were heard raising their voices in happiness. Then slowly the camera panned to the South African players room. A huge figure emerged.
Almost from nowhere, in typical poise and style, Smith emerged. The crowd was so stunned that it began to applaud the batsman. The Australian players couldnt believe it. One arm broken & in plaster and a finger injury later, a batsman emerges from the dark of the dressing room. Unconcerned about the fuss around Smith entered the ground to a standing ovation. Watching it from the television set was numbing, inspiring and worth every second. With one active hand, he managed to hold forte for nearly 7 overs before getting clean bowled. Australia did win. The series ended 2-1.
The Australian media, the people and cricet lovers worldwide will remember Smith's valor more than the victory. He emerged as a true "Ghost" out of nowhere and he shone amongst all the "darkness" of mundaness around him. The Australian players could hardly match the power of the spirit he displayed. They were dead dark. A true leader in his own right, Smith's name would become epitomized for the "utopian" leadership skill, which every leader should practice. The ability to lead, even when half dead. Quite similar to the moment when a South Indian hero enters the screen first time in the movie, there were cheers and cheers galore. A truly "legendary" moment for a "superman" bodied sportsman.
Though Smith lost the game, he won the accolades, more than Ponting. The Australian crowd, known for its lack of support to visiting teams, was spontaneous in their applause and appreciation. A single action has inspired a generation of cricket lovers, who will live to tell this tale in the many coming years. If South Africa punish Australia yet again in the upcoming home series, its all about one man inspiring an army. One man with one action will have changed the balance of world cricket forever. And Mom, start looking for a new handbag, will you!
Friday, May 09, 2008
The power of ONE!
The Indian Premier League started off some weeks back with a lot of frenzy, hype and hips. What with the media grabbing every single four, six and slap as part of the mainstream national news, the cheer gals doing the rest. In the middle of all this ruckus, the core element was to compete on a cricketing field and compete well.
The teams which were created were fairly distinct in their composition, some banked on the icon players, some on youngsters, and most others on foreign players. Before it all began, Hyderabad was considered as probably the strongest team, Chennai coming a good second. Mumbai, Bangalore were so-so and Rajasthan was even considered an 'also-ran'. Delhi, Kolkata and Punjab where neither great nor hopeless.
All this on paper.
'Start the music' and then comes into fore the reality of the matter. From paper to execution, the kind of distinct progress and failures, which the different teams have made, is monumental. Hyderabad for one, lost lost and only lost all the time. The who's who batsmen of the world couldnt really upswing their fortunes. Swing they did, top edging the ball into the hands of fielders. Rajasthan on the other hand, had players who were hardly known even to their next street families. Unknown names, totally invisible hype, just one good leader and a few good soldiers around.
Thats probably all that it takes to win a match, a competition or a challenge. One leader and a few good men. At school, I had learnt about Dalton's law of partial pressure. It went something like this - "the total pressure exerted by a gaseous mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of each individual component in a gas mixture". Scientifically proven, atleast thats what my science teacher made us believe!
Extrapolating Dalton's law to each and every IPL team, the total power exerted by a team should be equal to the sum of the strengths of the individual players, foreign or indian. Far from being the truth, its totally the contrary. Teams like Hyderabad have lost the plot, inspite of some extraordinary players, who can put pressure on most other international teams in the world, what with this only being an IPL tournament!
Rajasthan on the other hand is the elephant in hiding, coming out with twice the performance per person and doubling their success rate as many times. Blame it on Dalton for cheating millions of children and teachers at schools? - Not completely. What Dalton didnt compute is - not all gases can mix very well, at all times. Should we say its the same with humans as well. Team building cant just be added as sum of the individual performers - there is an invisible ether called leadership, thats the Fevicol which binds all of these potential humans and binds them almost inseparably.
In the coming days, there will be many more twists and turns in this tournament, but one should remember that winning and losing as a team doesnt happen by itself, be it on the cricket ground, in the corporate world, or amongst a band of fishermen weathering a storm in the Atlantic. Matters most as it should be, is the effective understanding of the purpose of channelising our efforts in one cohesive direction; to win a tournament, clinch a deal, or even gravely to save our own lives.
If we do that, we can disprove Dalton and his grandfather's law as well.
Only dont miss the enjoyment of the challenge as your boat plunges into the sea, but to arise with the next wave!
The power of ONE giving way to the wave of hope!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Its David vs Goliath!
Tendulkar. An awesome innings - some slog shots - but in all - for the first time in recent years - he has scored a century in a final - and that too chasing - and that too in Australia - against Australia - and most importantly carried his bat throughout the innings.
The odds in the above sentence are much bigger when put together. It was an unbelievably clean innings, no chances provided through out. Cometh the time, indeed the contribution. Treating Johnson and Hogg like 'bowlers at the nets', surely takes a lot of 'attitude'; something which can be a double edged sword, given the occasion.
Australia is increasingly becoming a 'cry baby' team, citing every single frown and scratch as a reason for racist behaviour. They are not used to getting rapped on their hands and their mouths taped match after match. Thats what happened this series and suddenly they just dont know how to play cricket. Their standards have sunk to a new low this series. Much has to be said about how India has dealt with all the controversies sprouting almost every day like the 'morning newspaper'.
Tendulkar often behaves like the true ambassador of the game - the beamer from Lee hitting him on the shoulder, when he was on 98 - well, it had all the ingredients for the next controversy in Sydney - only that this was Sir Sachin. Such moments will stay in the 'Indian cricket memory bank' for years to come.
The elephant in the room, thats what he was called before the match, Tendulkar came up with a 'once in a lifetime' batting display. If India goes on to win on Super Tuesday 2, then it will really be the icing of the cake for Tendulkar. Will it be the youthful Indian team or the aging and experienced Australians who will win this series?! Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, in a distant part of the world and a different game, Super Tuesday 2, is bringing with it, an equally intense competition. The land is America and the game is the Democratic primary elections in Texas and Ohio, the hot spots. Obama has emerged as 'the clean candidate' with a lot of charisma and style. His delivery and composure sure take the breath out of the viewer. I am absolutely in awe about the body language Obama portrays with such effectiveness.
Clinton, I dont have anything against her, but she seems a touch 'artificial' and thats probably going to cost her the nomination. As it stands, I dont have the issues of 'healthcare' and 'national security' high up in my brain cells, so the only thing that appeals to me is the way they go about talking, rather than what. She considers herself as the 'rightful' nominee and treats Obama as if he were a novice compared to her 'experience'.
2 battles, both entirely different, but the underlying tussle is the same - its David vs Goliath. On one side is the the fresh perspectived, hungry to win, young challenger and on the other, the 'experienced' and 'aged' competitor, banking on 'previous glories, to see it through.
Two days from now, the world can be a totally different place... the sun wont rise in the west though, not just yet!
The odds in the above sentence are much bigger when put together. It was an unbelievably clean innings, no chances provided through out. Cometh the time, indeed the contribution. Treating Johnson and Hogg like 'bowlers at the nets', surely takes a lot of 'attitude'; something which can be a double edged sword, given the occasion.
Australia is increasingly becoming a 'cry baby' team, citing every single frown and scratch as a reason for racist behaviour. They are not used to getting rapped on their hands and their mouths taped match after match. Thats what happened this series and suddenly they just dont know how to play cricket. Their standards have sunk to a new low this series. Much has to be said about how India has dealt with all the controversies sprouting almost every day like the 'morning newspaper'.
Tendulkar often behaves like the true ambassador of the game - the beamer from Lee hitting him on the shoulder, when he was on 98 - well, it had all the ingredients for the next controversy in Sydney - only that this was Sir Sachin. Such moments will stay in the 'Indian cricket memory bank' for years to come.
The elephant in the room, thats what he was called before the match, Tendulkar came up with a 'once in a lifetime' batting display. If India goes on to win on Super Tuesday 2, then it will really be the icing of the cake for Tendulkar. Will it be the youthful Indian team or the aging and experienced Australians who will win this series?! Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, in a distant part of the world and a different game, Super Tuesday 2, is bringing with it, an equally intense competition. The land is America and the game is the Democratic primary elections in Texas and Ohio, the hot spots. Obama has emerged as 'the clean candidate' with a lot of charisma and style. His delivery and composure sure take the breath out of the viewer. I am absolutely in awe about the body language Obama portrays with such effectiveness.
Clinton, I dont have anything against her, but she seems a touch 'artificial' and thats probably going to cost her the nomination. As it stands, I dont have the issues of 'healthcare' and 'national security' high up in my brain cells, so the only thing that appeals to me is the way they go about talking, rather than what. She considers herself as the 'rightful' nominee and treats Obama as if he were a novice compared to her 'experience'.
2 battles, both entirely different, but the underlying tussle is the same - its David vs Goliath. On one side is the the fresh perspectived, hungry to win, young challenger and on the other, the 'experienced' and 'aged' competitor, banking on 'previous glories, to see it through.
Two days from now, the world can be a totally different place... the sun wont rise in the west though, not just yet!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
'17 another time, mate'
Its finally over. A thrilling match in Perth, a pitch which was deemed the fastest in the world, ends with a convincing win for India. This match will go down as one of the turning points in the history of Australian cricket. Certainly its to do with the Sydney Saga, and the aftermath of playing with a lot of spirit and honor. Anil Kumble can stand for election in any constituency in India and can win hands down today.
Its not about just winning, but winning after taking the high moral ground. Indian players maintained a very good body language throughout the match with very few exceptions. That really speaks a lot for the mental frame of mind they were in. Its not every day that you get to play in Perth. So for the Indians to play in Perth, after a gap of 16 years, it was obviously fair that they had no idea of the pitch or the pace off it.
Having spent sleepless hours in the past few days, sincerely following 80% of the match live, I can feel very satisfied now that I can enjoy the moment even more!! Termed now as the 'greatest' test match victory ever by India - this is a moment of vindication for India, in more than one ways. Even before the series started, the Indians were venting the right vibes and were really focussed on getting the prized 'series' victory in Australia. It all ended up sourly in Sydney.
In many ways, the ghosts of Sydney have actually redeemed themselves in Perth. That the team was huddled in a hotel for two days became opportunistically a 'successful re-grouping activity' with the mission of proving a point on the cricket field. And thats the reason why Australia lost. The backing of every single fan in the moment of crisis, really helped the moral attitude of the team.
The decision to make Kumble the captain of the Australian series, has been the blessing of the year. Its fair to say, anyone else, would have handled the Sydney fiasco in either a too aggressive or soft manner. Kumble had the right percentage of both these traits and he knew how to balance it out. The forgiving of Hogg was the masterstroke ahead of the game.
Tendulkar and Dravid played vital roles in the 1st innings. That really created the backbone of the Indian success. The combination of this team is as good as it gets for India, in recent years. Its good in a way, that Pathan and Sehwag, the new entrants to the squad - made most of the difference between the two teams. The balance of the side at the moment looks excellent.
Ishant Vs Ponting's score of 2-0 speaks volumes of the talent of the young man. 4 years ago, Irfan Pathan had emerged as one such talent and he is today the 'Man of the Match'. Australian and British pitches indeed help the fast bowlers more than the Indian ones and its not suprising to see our bowlers do well in these conditions.
It has to be said that VVS Laxman played the 'character' role in this match. The kind of role, which in Indian cinema would relate to the 'silent good-doer' behind the hero, who pitched in whenever the hero was in trouble. Its not easy to play No.3 in one match and then No. 7 in the other. Both positions are totally different in terms of the way you approach it. Kumble is very lucky to have such flexible 'minded' batsmen in his squad, players who put the match situation in front of their personal targets and carve a place for themselves depending on the position of the match.
Sehwag is considered a very smart captain in the Indian cricket ciruit and his suggestion to Kumble to keep Ishant one for an additional over got the wicket and turned the tide today. Thats smart thinking for me! Kumble's thought process did the rest by bringing Sehwag on, showing Gilchrist and Lee - the door to defeat. Australians will swing and swing hard. Thats only fair to say. When one of my colleagues asked me today morning, what would be the margin of victory, I said '80-100' runs. I wasnt too far off the mark.
Perth has been conquered. The Indian flag is flying high. But not before the 'Indianness' of a billion people was put to test in Sydney, not before the 'sportsmanship' of the Australians was questioned all over the world and not before Kumble said - 'Only one team played in the spirit of the game'.
With that background, the battle was indeed lost but the war has been won. And that, for me, is the home run, the first of the many nails in the Australian coffin. There is definitely something to tell to Ponting's men though, sweet 16 but '17 another time, mate'!!!
Its not about just winning, but winning after taking the high moral ground. Indian players maintained a very good body language throughout the match with very few exceptions. That really speaks a lot for the mental frame of mind they were in. Its not every day that you get to play in Perth. So for the Indians to play in Perth, after a gap of 16 years, it was obviously fair that they had no idea of the pitch or the pace off it.
Having spent sleepless hours in the past few days, sincerely following 80% of the match live, I can feel very satisfied now that I can enjoy the moment even more!! Termed now as the 'greatest' test match victory ever by India - this is a moment of vindication for India, in more than one ways. Even before the series started, the Indians were venting the right vibes and were really focussed on getting the prized 'series' victory in Australia. It all ended up sourly in Sydney.
In many ways, the ghosts of Sydney have actually redeemed themselves in Perth. That the team was huddled in a hotel for two days became opportunistically a 'successful re-grouping activity' with the mission of proving a point on the cricket field. And thats the reason why Australia lost. The backing of every single fan in the moment of crisis, really helped the moral attitude of the team.
The decision to make Kumble the captain of the Australian series, has been the blessing of the year. Its fair to say, anyone else, would have handled the Sydney fiasco in either a too aggressive or soft manner. Kumble had the right percentage of both these traits and he knew how to balance it out. The forgiving of Hogg was the masterstroke ahead of the game.
Tendulkar and Dravid played vital roles in the 1st innings. That really created the backbone of the Indian success. The combination of this team is as good as it gets for India, in recent years. Its good in a way, that Pathan and Sehwag, the new entrants to the squad - made most of the difference between the two teams. The balance of the side at the moment looks excellent.
Ishant Vs Ponting's score of 2-0 speaks volumes of the talent of the young man. 4 years ago, Irfan Pathan had emerged as one such talent and he is today the 'Man of the Match'. Australian and British pitches indeed help the fast bowlers more than the Indian ones and its not suprising to see our bowlers do well in these conditions.
It has to be said that VVS Laxman played the 'character' role in this match. The kind of role, which in Indian cinema would relate to the 'silent good-doer' behind the hero, who pitched in whenever the hero was in trouble. Its not easy to play No.3 in one match and then No. 7 in the other. Both positions are totally different in terms of the way you approach it. Kumble is very lucky to have such flexible 'minded' batsmen in his squad, players who put the match situation in front of their personal targets and carve a place for themselves depending on the position of the match.
Sehwag is considered a very smart captain in the Indian cricket ciruit and his suggestion to Kumble to keep Ishant one for an additional over got the wicket and turned the tide today. Thats smart thinking for me! Kumble's thought process did the rest by bringing Sehwag on, showing Gilchrist and Lee - the door to defeat. Australians will swing and swing hard. Thats only fair to say. When one of my colleagues asked me today morning, what would be the margin of victory, I said '80-100' runs. I wasnt too far off the mark.
Perth has been conquered. The Indian flag is flying high. But not before the 'Indianness' of a billion people was put to test in Sydney, not before the 'sportsmanship' of the Australians was questioned all over the world and not before Kumble said - 'Only one team played in the spirit of the game'.
With that background, the battle was indeed lost but the war has been won. And that, for me, is the home run, the first of the many nails in the Australian coffin. There is definitely something to tell to Ponting's men though, sweet 16 but '17 another time, mate'!!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Rare Pair!
The past few days have been chaotic to put it mild. Odd hours according to my body clock, even odder according to my mind.... it has been a lot of testing 'hours' really. Getting back to London was good, but seeing the state of my home, when compared to the slick outlook of my hotel room in Singapore, has opened many a eye inside me.
Its a mammoth task to get things in order, let me remind you. You have got bills to pay and then its the cleaning, kitchen looks fungy, fridge even more... bedroom and hall have sort of become interchangeable... all the right motives to prove that I am living a bachelor life.. king size!
Somehow I have managed to keep the expectations between what is need at work and home - unlike the ideal 'Work-Life Balance' lingo which every company preaches but never practises. Wednesday was going to be special in some ways, because there is this cricket match between India and Australia and most of my generation heroes - Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid - will be playing their last season there. So it was important to ensure that I was 'alive and kicking' to watch the match live.
The only slight problem was the timing. 2 AM in the morning. With the energy balance being negative and the food consumption/burnout efficiency really high, on most occasions, I would have cursed myself if I had to get up at 2. But I did manage to sleep for around 5 hours. Got up at 4 AM. All my dreams were about the match and I was constantly getting some scores shown to me ... I finally managed to check how much reality matched my dreams.
Tendulkar. A person who has managed to sway the emotions of millions of people for well over 2 decades. I think if ever there is someone closer to God, in terms of being a mass attracter, it would be him. And to justify my getting up early, he was playing amazingly well. The odd cheeky shot off the slip cordon, and then the flick to the midwicket boundary. But when I was watching the game, he played a shot which really stood out, mainly because, its both a rare and difficult shot to play. Unbelievable was the reaction - seeing it live.
Its truly like a 'leave the ball first and then play it over the stumps above the slip cordon and into the boundary'. Man, this shot was enough to tell the devil inside me that I did the right thing getting up. The case was closed and the verdict delivered.
I have never seen anyone else play this shot as cleanly as Tendulkar did and this is not the kind of shot you can play in most other cricket pitches in the world.
A rare pitch brings out a rarer stroke. Now thats a rare pair!!
Its a mammoth task to get things in order, let me remind you. You have got bills to pay and then its the cleaning, kitchen looks fungy, fridge even more... bedroom and hall have sort of become interchangeable... all the right motives to prove that I am living a bachelor life.. king size!
Somehow I have managed to keep the expectations between what is need at work and home - unlike the ideal 'Work-Life Balance' lingo which every company preaches but never practises. Wednesday was going to be special in some ways, because there is this cricket match between India and Australia and most of my generation heroes - Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid - will be playing their last season there. So it was important to ensure that I was 'alive and kicking' to watch the match live.
The only slight problem was the timing. 2 AM in the morning. With the energy balance being negative and the food consumption/burnout efficiency really high, on most occasions, I would have cursed myself if I had to get up at 2. But I did manage to sleep for around 5 hours. Got up at 4 AM. All my dreams were about the match and I was constantly getting some scores shown to me ... I finally managed to check how much reality matched my dreams.
Tendulkar. A person who has managed to sway the emotions of millions of people for well over 2 decades. I think if ever there is someone closer to God, in terms of being a mass attracter, it would be him. And to justify my getting up early, he was playing amazingly well. The odd cheeky shot off the slip cordon, and then the flick to the midwicket boundary. But when I was watching the game, he played a shot which really stood out, mainly because, its both a rare and difficult shot to play. Unbelievable was the reaction - seeing it live.
Its truly like a 'leave the ball first and then play it over the stumps above the slip cordon and into the boundary'. Man, this shot was enough to tell the devil inside me that I did the right thing getting up. The case was closed and the verdict delivered.
I have never seen anyone else play this shot as cleanly as Tendulkar did and this is not the kind of shot you can play in most other cricket pitches in the world.
A rare pitch brings out a rarer stroke. Now thats a rare pair!!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Humour of the tumour!
Among editorial writers, The Asian Age says of the "monkey" comment by Harbhajan to Andrew Symonds: "Even assuming India's temperamental off-spinner did use the simian reference, as claimed by a section of the Australian team, the moot point is if the word is to be considered an insult to a player of black (Afro-Caribbean) racial origin, or is it a general insult to all of humanity who, according to Charles Darwin, are said to have descended from monkeys.
The Clock and the Compass!
My new found bunny, Ricky Ponting, has to learn how to think beyond his selfish record and his team's ruthless behaviour. Aussies play hard but fair. This seems to be the standard statement given by everyone from Cricket Australia's CEO to the toilet cleaner at SCG. I dont know if they actually know what they mean here.
In many ways, Ponting has become the man riding the donkey of arrogance, in indian parlance. He used to be regarded as a great captain until this match. Things will never be the same again. This is yet another situation after the Jade Goody-Shilpa Shetty incident, when an Indian has been at the receiving end. We all know what has happened to Jade after that show.
Ponting on the other hand, has a chance to redeem himself - if he resigns very quickly and quietly. He might be a good player, but certainly not a honest one. Cheats can come and go, but players at the international level and that too the captain, claiming a catch when he grounded it, is literally unheard of in the annals of world cricket.
Peter Roebuck has hit the nails on the head of Ponting and his pack of wild dogs. Its even perfect a statement as Peter is Australian as well. BCCI and his muscles have been put to test, yet again. This is one test which the BCCI can never lose as long as you and I follow the game as intenty as we do now. But lets not forget that till this point, no action has been taken by Cricket Australia on any of its players or indeed the arrogant captain.
I suspect it will be a matter of time before CA takes a quick action. Cricket Australia calling the Sydney match 'fantastic' is just PR stuff. BS you can say. If CA sticks to this line, the day is not far off, when Australia would be banned from international cricket for not adhering to international cricket standards of gamemanship. After all, abusing the oppositions' parents or wives is hardly the way to go about playing a game of cricket.
The buck of sledging will finally stop here. Ponting and his team wont be sleeping well. They have been disowned by their own fans. Some thing drastic will happen soon. Some very appreciable change will be put in by CA to rectify this image of the team. Maybe Ponting is counting his last few games as captain. One can never say!!
The honest hearts in CA should awake and once this incident has died down, lay the track for some fresh minds to run the team. Its going to be all about how quickly they react and which direction they are aligning themselves to.
The clock and the compass dont wait for anyone!
In many ways, Ponting has become the man riding the donkey of arrogance, in indian parlance. He used to be regarded as a great captain until this match. Things will never be the same again. This is yet another situation after the Jade Goody-Shilpa Shetty incident, when an Indian has been at the receiving end. We all know what has happened to Jade after that show.
Ponting on the other hand, has a chance to redeem himself - if he resigns very quickly and quietly. He might be a good player, but certainly not a honest one. Cheats can come and go, but players at the international level and that too the captain, claiming a catch when he grounded it, is literally unheard of in the annals of world cricket.
Peter Roebuck has hit the nails on the head of Ponting and his pack of wild dogs. Its even perfect a statement as Peter is Australian as well. BCCI and his muscles have been put to test, yet again. This is one test which the BCCI can never lose as long as you and I follow the game as intenty as we do now. But lets not forget that till this point, no action has been taken by Cricket Australia on any of its players or indeed the arrogant captain.
I suspect it will be a matter of time before CA takes a quick action. Cricket Australia calling the Sydney match 'fantastic' is just PR stuff. BS you can say. If CA sticks to this line, the day is not far off, when Australia would be banned from international cricket for not adhering to international cricket standards of gamemanship. After all, abusing the oppositions' parents or wives is hardly the way to go about playing a game of cricket.
The buck of sledging will finally stop here. Ponting and his team wont be sleeping well. They have been disowned by their own fans. Some thing drastic will happen soon. Some very appreciable change will be put in by CA to rectify this image of the team. Maybe Ponting is counting his last few games as captain. One can never say!!
The honest hearts in CA should awake and once this incident has died down, lay the track for some fresh minds to run the team. Its going to be all about how quickly they react and which direction they are aligning themselves to.
The clock and the compass dont wait for anyone!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Analysis of the Crime Scene.
Indians all over the world wake up to a hostile news which comes with their morning coffee. Its not like they expected the contrary, but they were not sure that this had actually happened. I have to say Anil Kumble and his team deserves a lot of credit for being professional - to the best of their abilities - during these relatively rare emotional situations.
The good thing about Kumble, apart from his cricketing skills, is his level-headedness. He knew that injustice was done to them from all corners but yet he maintained that elusive self-respecting attitude. That is the sign of a leader. A man who knows what it is to lead.
Ponting on the other hand, is being called all sorts of names, both by Indians, Australians and other nationals following the game. 'Fire him' is the mantra emerging!!
Step in Indian board and every step is taken with a lot of precaution. Whats at stake here is a lot more than what meets the eye. Its not just about maintaining the public posture of Indian pride, there are a lot of commercial interests which are below the covers. India has always been the money puller for the game of cricket and its because of each and every fan like you and me.
The players realise this more than anyone. If there is a totally blatant lie which has led to a ban, and no one from the BCCI is stepping up to protest, the players wont really sit there counting their stars of fate. Its good that the players have told BCCI - either you tell the world that the tour is on hold, or we will tell. The board duly came out with a strong statement.
Appeals and paperwork are happening. Lawyers are licking their lips over the case, this is easy money and a lot of free publicity to go with. But the main player in this controversy is 'ICC'. The ball is in their court.
Who will lose more in this battle? Morally, financially and emotionally? At the moment all roads lead to Australia on this one and the first one to get the axe will be Ricky Ponting. He claimed a catch which was grassed and backed his so called 'integrity' in an angry press conference. Any street kid playing cricket in the front verandah of his home, can understand and feel the difference between a catch taken freely or being grassed.
Its nothing to do with seeing how you land. You will know instinctly that you have taken it cleanly. If you dont, there is something wrong with your reflex setup and its called a 'medical' condition. To suit that medical condition only when you are to benefit shows the hollowness of one's character. Morally, Ricky Ponting is the big loser. He can be a technically good player, but cricket always had the upper edge over other games when it came to 'gentlemanliness'. Its not rugby or ice hockey!
Now again, no reaction from the match referee.. Why, because it is an Australian. It has to be said that racism indeed exists in world cricket. Not the 'monkey' abuse kind, but the step-motherly treatment for all the asian teams. Starting from Muralitharan to Pakistan's test fiasco in England, the Asian teams have always been the one who had been targetted.
Michael Slater created a ruccus once in a test match in India, McGrath reacted like an unstable man when shouting at Sarwan. Nothing happened. It was labelled 'mental disintegration' and many articles and books followed. But no one wanted to contain it from within the ICC. I think one should call it by the same standards one does to a 'Sreesanth'!
The reason is simple. Cricket in some quarters is still played with the colonial supremacy in mind. Its disappointing but this is truly the case. An Australian can get away with murder but an Indian can get banned even with no evidence. This is the actual racism which exists!!!
Umpires being incompetent can be for a couple of decisions in a match, but the packaging of this tour does indeed smack of some kind of match-fixing, whether intentionally planned or extensively executed. If I was aboard ICC, I would simply go all out and annull this test match and set the tone right for the game of cricket, its integrity and its credibility.
The good thing about Kumble, apart from his cricketing skills, is his level-headedness. He knew that injustice was done to them from all corners but yet he maintained that elusive self-respecting attitude. That is the sign of a leader. A man who knows what it is to lead.
Ponting on the other hand, is being called all sorts of names, both by Indians, Australians and other nationals following the game. 'Fire him' is the mantra emerging!!
Step in Indian board and every step is taken with a lot of precaution. Whats at stake here is a lot more than what meets the eye. Its not just about maintaining the public posture of Indian pride, there are a lot of commercial interests which are below the covers. India has always been the money puller for the game of cricket and its because of each and every fan like you and me.
The players realise this more than anyone. If there is a totally blatant lie which has led to a ban, and no one from the BCCI is stepping up to protest, the players wont really sit there counting their stars of fate. Its good that the players have told BCCI - either you tell the world that the tour is on hold, or we will tell. The board duly came out with a strong statement.
Appeals and paperwork are happening. Lawyers are licking their lips over the case, this is easy money and a lot of free publicity to go with. But the main player in this controversy is 'ICC'. The ball is in their court.
Who will lose more in this battle? Morally, financially and emotionally? At the moment all roads lead to Australia on this one and the first one to get the axe will be Ricky Ponting. He claimed a catch which was grassed and backed his so called 'integrity' in an angry press conference. Any street kid playing cricket in the front verandah of his home, can understand and feel the difference between a catch taken freely or being grassed.
Its nothing to do with seeing how you land. You will know instinctly that you have taken it cleanly. If you dont, there is something wrong with your reflex setup and its called a 'medical' condition. To suit that medical condition only when you are to benefit shows the hollowness of one's character. Morally, Ricky Ponting is the big loser. He can be a technically good player, but cricket always had the upper edge over other games when it came to 'gentlemanliness'. Its not rugby or ice hockey!
Now again, no reaction from the match referee.. Why, because it is an Australian. It has to be said that racism indeed exists in world cricket. Not the 'monkey' abuse kind, but the step-motherly treatment for all the asian teams. Starting from Muralitharan to Pakistan's test fiasco in England, the Asian teams have always been the one who had been targetted.
Michael Slater created a ruccus once in a test match in India, McGrath reacted like an unstable man when shouting at Sarwan. Nothing happened. It was labelled 'mental disintegration' and many articles and books followed. But no one wanted to contain it from within the ICC. I think one should call it by the same standards one does to a 'Sreesanth'!
The reason is simple. Cricket in some quarters is still played with the colonial supremacy in mind. Its disappointing but this is truly the case. An Australian can get away with murder but an Indian can get banned even with no evidence. This is the actual racism which exists!!!
Umpires being incompetent can be for a couple of decisions in a match, but the packaging of this tour does indeed smack of some kind of match-fixing, whether intentionally planned or extensively executed. If I was aboard ICC, I would simply go all out and annull this test match and set the tone right for the game of cricket, its integrity and its credibility.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
This is called Murder!
India lost one of its greatest chances of winning a series against Australia in Australia today. Denied, can be debated at length, but pre-decided it all seemed to be. The Indian players ate the conscience pills in every meal during the five days, whereas the Australians forgot those pills or rather ignored them cleverly in their diet schedule.
A series can be fought and lost. But the basic reason why you want to play such a series is to compete fairly and in simply put - 'unambiguous rules and procedures'.
Sports can be cruel at times. Loss is like digging a pit and burying yourself alive. Unfair loss can be so hurting that words cant describe them. The Indians certainly felt that they were playing against 13 players on the field and not 11. And truly so.
Never in the history of the game - in the recent years - have so many inconsistent decisions being made on the same occasion. This match was all about how not to enforce the rules of the game. The charm of a test match is dependent on how the decisions are taken by the human whistle-blowers. If they are incompetent or favouring one team, there is absolutely no need to travel all the way and play the game in Australia.
One can easily simulate this in a computer game and with a lot of precision too.
That the Indian team is still in Australia and lodging complaints against the umpiring and the spirit of the game is a brave thing to do. If the same thing had happened to the Australians, it wouldnt take much time for them to re-consider the whole tour.
If you ask me - did Australia deserve to win. I have one good word - Bullshit.
This is where the great captains like Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor come into play. They enforced a layer of 'gentlemanly' behaviour to the Australian team, something which the team learnt to spell only then. Now, with a man aptly named as punter, all that has been burnt and buried. Win even if you end up killing the opposition, but have that happy photo and raise the profile of the Australian team by stacking records. Thats all that matters to them.
History will not stop short of calling this team - cheaters! They cheat all the time, if it goes in their favour. Its like playing poker and cricket all together in one go.
No Indian captain, has so far, made a statement on inconsistent Australian behaviour when it comes to the spirit of the game, as has Kumble. That itself, is enough for negating the fact, that statistically, this game went to Australia, but then thats only on a piece of wood on the wall. Reality is that, they lost, because this game is not just about winning, its also about playing like a gentleman. A true gentleman!
A series can be fought and lost. But the basic reason why you want to play such a series is to compete fairly and in simply put - 'unambiguous rules and procedures'.
Sports can be cruel at times. Loss is like digging a pit and burying yourself alive. Unfair loss can be so hurting that words cant describe them. The Indians certainly felt that they were playing against 13 players on the field and not 11. And truly so.
Never in the history of the game - in the recent years - have so many inconsistent decisions being made on the same occasion. This match was all about how not to enforce the rules of the game. The charm of a test match is dependent on how the decisions are taken by the human whistle-blowers. If they are incompetent or favouring one team, there is absolutely no need to travel all the way and play the game in Australia.
One can easily simulate this in a computer game and with a lot of precision too.
That the Indian team is still in Australia and lodging complaints against the umpiring and the spirit of the game is a brave thing to do. If the same thing had happened to the Australians, it wouldnt take much time for them to re-consider the whole tour.
If you ask me - did Australia deserve to win. I have one good word - Bullshit.
This is where the great captains like Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor come into play. They enforced a layer of 'gentlemanly' behaviour to the Australian team, something which the team learnt to spell only then. Now, with a man aptly named as punter, all that has been burnt and buried. Win even if you end up killing the opposition, but have that happy photo and raise the profile of the Australian team by stacking records. Thats all that matters to them.
History will not stop short of calling this team - cheaters! They cheat all the time, if it goes in their favour. Its like playing poker and cricket all together in one go.
No Indian captain, has so far, made a statement on inconsistent Australian behaviour when it comes to the spirit of the game, as has Kumble. That itself, is enough for negating the fact, that statistically, this game went to Australia, but then thats only on a piece of wood on the wall. Reality is that, they lost, because this game is not just about winning, its also about playing like a gentleman. A true gentleman!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Heads you win, Tails you lose!
Indian cricket has always been full of hype and unmatching reality. To be fair, Indian cricket has had two glories to its credit. Once in the year 1983, when one catch changed the match in the finals. The other in the year 2007, when Misfortune-ul Haq played one of the most unbelievable mis-shots of his life.
Its not that I am not giving India due credit, but I think they really didnt know themselves they could win the tournaments. That to me, is enough reason to not really look at these achievements in the brighter light of things. Its not like I didnt enjoy the second win, I was one of the people jumping up and down in office, when I heard it first. (20/20 win)
A true win should be something which is already believed in the mind, of each team member and the group as a whole and its a matter of executing the right things to get the right result. At this point of time only two teams can do this. One ofcourse is Australia, which I hate to see, and the other West Indies - when they play Zimbabwe.
In this context, the Indian team has in the past few days, being talking a lot about their Oz trip. Interviews by almost most of the who's who in the team - talking about a lot of positiveness and a lot of confidence. Such words are always spoken of when the team is playing a home season and not an away season.
I have - to the best of my ability - not remembered any overseas trip, leave alone an Oz trip, when such brave words have been put forward by the team in as many words. Every key member of the squad from the captain (who normally speaks anyway!!), Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman have come out with statements of positivism.
How does this actually reflect the psyche of the series -behind the walls of the changing room and beyond the reach of the reporters' mike? My own two cents are as follows:
The senior 'band of brothers' in the Indian team are aware that this is their last chance to play in Australia. They have to make the most of it, in terms of attitude and approach. Normally Oz tours start off a couple of weeks earlier with a statement from McGrath or Warne - bowlers who are confident of their game - or from the lateral gang of the Australian wagon like Ian Chappell or Mark Waugh.
This time around, Warne and Chappell are hitting it out at their own goalie... John Buchanan. It sort of reflects, for once, that there is some infighting happening in Cricket Australia's power circles. This can have an impact on the australian players as well. Symonds came out and said that Australia would be aggressive but would not cross the line. After a long time, someone from the core Aussie squad has acknowledged the fact that there does exist a line and that they did cross it very much, atleast in the past.
If the series was totally rained off (hypothetically) and the series was played out in word games, India would win hands down. But cricket being largely a mind game, it wouldnt be suprising if players take this advantage to the gladiatorial arena. Weather permitting, it would all become clear in the first match - Boxing day. The side the needle swings, would be decided in the first few hours. If India manage to win the toss and bat, it would really mean that the first day total would sum up who is going to be on top of the series.
Win the first one and win the series... draw the first game and with a lot of positives and you can still win the series. If India lose the first match, then it would be yet again - heavy words, no action to match it.
Its not just the players who need to prepare for their game. Keen followers like myself also have to prepare mentally for watching it and appreciating it - in the way its played.
Really amazing how the flip of a coin can change the way the series is played. Good that ancient wars didnt have a coin to decide who attacked first. History wouldnt just have been the same!
Its not that I am not giving India due credit, but I think they really didnt know themselves they could win the tournaments. That to me, is enough reason to not really look at these achievements in the brighter light of things. Its not like I didnt enjoy the second win, I was one of the people jumping up and down in office, when I heard it first. (20/20 win)
A true win should be something which is already believed in the mind, of each team member and the group as a whole and its a matter of executing the right things to get the right result. At this point of time only two teams can do this. One ofcourse is Australia, which I hate to see, and the other West Indies - when they play Zimbabwe.
In this context, the Indian team has in the past few days, being talking a lot about their Oz trip. Interviews by almost most of the who's who in the team - talking about a lot of positiveness and a lot of confidence. Such words are always spoken of when the team is playing a home season and not an away season.
I have - to the best of my ability - not remembered any overseas trip, leave alone an Oz trip, when such brave words have been put forward by the team in as many words. Every key member of the squad from the captain (who normally speaks anyway!!), Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman have come out with statements of positivism.
How does this actually reflect the psyche of the series -behind the walls of the changing room and beyond the reach of the reporters' mike? My own two cents are as follows:
The senior 'band of brothers' in the Indian team are aware that this is their last chance to play in Australia. They have to make the most of it, in terms of attitude and approach. Normally Oz tours start off a couple of weeks earlier with a statement from McGrath or Warne - bowlers who are confident of their game - or from the lateral gang of the Australian wagon like Ian Chappell or Mark Waugh.
This time around, Warne and Chappell are hitting it out at their own goalie... John Buchanan. It sort of reflects, for once, that there is some infighting happening in Cricket Australia's power circles. This can have an impact on the australian players as well. Symonds came out and said that Australia would be aggressive but would not cross the line. After a long time, someone from the core Aussie squad has acknowledged the fact that there does exist a line and that they did cross it very much, atleast in the past.
If the series was totally rained off (hypothetically) and the series was played out in word games, India would win hands down. But cricket being largely a mind game, it wouldnt be suprising if players take this advantage to the gladiatorial arena. Weather permitting, it would all become clear in the first match - Boxing day. The side the needle swings, would be decided in the first few hours. If India manage to win the toss and bat, it would really mean that the first day total would sum up who is going to be on top of the series.
Win the first one and win the series... draw the first game and with a lot of positives and you can still win the series. If India lose the first match, then it would be yet again - heavy words, no action to match it.
Its not just the players who need to prepare for their game. Keen followers like myself also have to prepare mentally for watching it and appreciating it - in the way its played.
Really amazing how the flip of a coin can change the way the series is played. Good that ancient wars didnt have a coin to decide who attacked first. History wouldnt just have been the same!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Captain Report - MCCC - Sunday Team 2007.
Sunday Captain Report for the year 2007.
With the introduction of a league team on Saturday, most of the players from the Sunday team of 2006 made a switch, resulting in a vacuum in the core squad. Being a Captain during this transition phase was a challenge and an opportunity.
I have to give due credit to Jim Patel, Steve O’ Neil and Majid and Imran for their support during throughout the season. In the early part of the season, we were trying to get some structure created in the team, batting orders were being revised etc. With all the talent that was housed in the Sunday squad, I was able to try out different strategies, depending on the opposition, the toss and of course the conditions on the day.
Andy ‘Angry’ Allan was my trump card in the season and he delivered match after match, mostly with his pace and even on rare occasions, with some leg spin. Tush Wadhwa as my vice-captain was of great help on and off the field. Whenever I had a problem, Tush was always there to sort it out. Tush and Andy had great opening spells and would end up destroying the top order of the opposition under 10 overs. This really helped the other bowlers to build an attack and most of the times, we were on top of the game by the 15th over.
Sayeed Imran was the find of the season, for me. He started out as a keeper and worked very hard at his batting. Once he hit some form with the bat, it was literally a golden phase for him with the bat. Khalim had a good season with the bat and the ball. He was always there to spank the early boundaries and get the team score rolling. Ryan Lang came good as a lower order bat and made some very invaluable contributions in a number of games. The Patel bowlers (father and son) were another key contributors to the Sunday team.
Thanks to excellent performances from Steve O’Neil, Majid, Jadid Khan, Steve Herat. Graham Pinkney, the Cummins brothers, Gerry, Vivek, Brian Clifford, Hemant Patel, Raj and the ’20-20’ Craig Harper. Special credit is due to Craig’s six hitting ability.
As a team we always played to win and we won 14 out of the 16 matches. This surely matches the history of the Sunday team. As a skip, I tried my best to give every team member the best possible opportunity to enjoy the game, in their various roles and it gives me great satisfaction to look at their achievements, at the end of it all. Thank you all for the spirit and the passion you had for the game and for giving it your very best, even in very trying circumstances.
As a captain, I am extremely proud of our achievements and the effort each of you put in. Hope the spirit of the Sunday team stays the same in the years to come. Bring it On!
Satish Viswanathan.
With the introduction of a league team on Saturday, most of the players from the Sunday team of 2006 made a switch, resulting in a vacuum in the core squad. Being a Captain during this transition phase was a challenge and an opportunity.
I have to give due credit to Jim Patel, Steve O’ Neil and Majid and Imran for their support during throughout the season. In the early part of the season, we were trying to get some structure created in the team, batting orders were being revised etc. With all the talent that was housed in the Sunday squad, I was able to try out different strategies, depending on the opposition, the toss and of course the conditions on the day.
Andy ‘Angry’ Allan was my trump card in the season and he delivered match after match, mostly with his pace and even on rare occasions, with some leg spin. Tush Wadhwa as my vice-captain was of great help on and off the field. Whenever I had a problem, Tush was always there to sort it out. Tush and Andy had great opening spells and would end up destroying the top order of the opposition under 10 overs. This really helped the other bowlers to build an attack and most of the times, we were on top of the game by the 15th over.
Sayeed Imran was the find of the season, for me. He started out as a keeper and worked very hard at his batting. Once he hit some form with the bat, it was literally a golden phase for him with the bat. Khalim had a good season with the bat and the ball. He was always there to spank the early boundaries and get the team score rolling. Ryan Lang came good as a lower order bat and made some very invaluable contributions in a number of games. The Patel bowlers (father and son) were another key contributors to the Sunday team.
Thanks to excellent performances from Steve O’Neil, Majid, Jadid Khan, Steve Herat. Graham Pinkney, the Cummins brothers, Gerry, Vivek, Brian Clifford, Hemant Patel, Raj and the ’20-20’ Craig Harper. Special credit is due to Craig’s six hitting ability.
As a team we always played to win and we won 14 out of the 16 matches. This surely matches the history of the Sunday team. As a skip, I tried my best to give every team member the best possible opportunity to enjoy the game, in their various roles and it gives me great satisfaction to look at their achievements, at the end of it all. Thank you all for the spirit and the passion you had for the game and for giving it your very best, even in very trying circumstances.
As a captain, I am extremely proud of our achievements and the effort each of you put in. Hope the spirit of the Sunday team stays the same in the years to come. Bring it On!
Satish Viswanathan.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Durham Trip
The whole point of playing for Kensington and Chelsea cricket club was to focus on challenging myself. This trip organised to Newcastle/Durham was a very good opportunity for me to get myself challenged to the next level.
One game was played against Berwick Cricket Club on a Sunday. Berwick, for your info, is a ground just on the beach. You have the cricket ground and to the left you have the beach.
The ball was swinging a good deal because there was a lot of breeze around.
We batted first, and yeah, the wicket wasnt the best and it kept low a lot. Ultimately KCCC skitted for a decent score of 137 in 30 overs. It wasnt our best performance, but considering the itinerary we had, most players were a bit tired.
What happened next is something I will relish for quite some time. In came the Berwick batsmen. Both of them were from the 1st XI and were supposed to be very good. Rony and Kash started the bowling and it was going on well for the first couple of overs, but then we were giving a boundary every over. This coupled with the fact that the batsmen were patient, meant that we had to change things quick and had to be effective at it. I really saw Arun emerge as a great captain that day. He was really involved in the game, on top of every fielding position, every ball, every over.
Arun came in first change and I was second change. Initially, it had to be said, Arun was bowling a magic spell, and I was not getting it right. I gave 10 runs in the first over. Considering that it was low scoring game, this was nothing short of a cardinal crime. There was some wind cutting across from my right to my left and I was finding it difficult to get the line right. In between overs, I told this to Arun. He was encouraging me to bowl well - with all my experience behind me.
The next five overs, I really had to get it back on target. The first two balls of the second over went for boundaries. Come on Satish, get it right, I was thinking. Finally I trapped the opening bat LBW third ball. The umpire gave the correct decision, and it was very encouraging. From then on, the next 29 balls, I gave around 9 runs. I bowled with a good deal of accuracy, deceiving the wind cutting me and the batsmen trying to score off my spell.
I could have got a couple more wickets but then some catches were spilled and it was just one guy who was going for it. In the end, with one ball to spare, Berwick managed 140. It was such a valiant effort by everyone on the field, with Arun captaining very well.
In the dressing room, when I sat down with all the guys, I realised how much I was focussing on winning and how close we came to get it done. Yeah, it was a great day's game but then, in such narrow margins, when you end up losing, its as good a feeling as dying.
Anyway, I looked around and didnt see too many ppl as dejected as me. They were all cheering up and applauding the good effort put in the game. We left Berwick for home - a tedious drive - I have to say, I made a lot of friends on the way back - as we talked about different cultures - Kiwi - British - Saffer - Indian, our club indeed has a very good variety in it. I like it!
One game was played against Berwick Cricket Club on a Sunday. Berwick, for your info, is a ground just on the beach. You have the cricket ground and to the left you have the beach.
The ball was swinging a good deal because there was a lot of breeze around.
We batted first, and yeah, the wicket wasnt the best and it kept low a lot. Ultimately KCCC skitted for a decent score of 137 in 30 overs. It wasnt our best performance, but considering the itinerary we had, most players were a bit tired.
What happened next is something I will relish for quite some time. In came the Berwick batsmen. Both of them were from the 1st XI and were supposed to be very good. Rony and Kash started the bowling and it was going on well for the first couple of overs, but then we were giving a boundary every over. This coupled with the fact that the batsmen were patient, meant that we had to change things quick and had to be effective at it. I really saw Arun emerge as a great captain that day. He was really involved in the game, on top of every fielding position, every ball, every over.
Arun came in first change and I was second change. Initially, it had to be said, Arun was bowling a magic spell, and I was not getting it right. I gave 10 runs in the first over. Considering that it was low scoring game, this was nothing short of a cardinal crime. There was some wind cutting across from my right to my left and I was finding it difficult to get the line right. In between overs, I told this to Arun. He was encouraging me to bowl well - with all my experience behind me.
The next five overs, I really had to get it back on target. The first two balls of the second over went for boundaries. Come on Satish, get it right, I was thinking. Finally I trapped the opening bat LBW third ball. The umpire gave the correct decision, and it was very encouraging. From then on, the next 29 balls, I gave around 9 runs. I bowled with a good deal of accuracy, deceiving the wind cutting me and the batsmen trying to score off my spell.
I could have got a couple more wickets but then some catches were spilled and it was just one guy who was going for it. In the end, with one ball to spare, Berwick managed 140. It was such a valiant effort by everyone on the field, with Arun captaining very well.
In the dressing room, when I sat down with all the guys, I realised how much I was focussing on winning and how close we came to get it done. Yeah, it was a great day's game but then, in such narrow margins, when you end up losing, its as good a feeling as dying.
Anyway, I looked around and didnt see too many ppl as dejected as me. They were all cheering up and applauding the good effort put in the game. We left Berwick for home - a tedious drive - I have to say, I made a lot of friends on the way back - as we talked about different cultures - Kiwi - British - Saffer - Indian, our club indeed has a very good variety in it. I like it!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
A good day's cricket
August 13th was a very good day.. logith and shagun were supposed to come over to my place for the day.. and i had this cricket match lined up in the afternoon.
ofcourse cricket is my first priority.. so i was hoping that only rain could intervene and make it all work out well.
it was raining in the morning and jerry - my captain - called me and said the match was off.. i was so happy that my friends wouldnt have to be alone at my place..
then half hour later the match was on.. thanks to the 'on-off' london weather.
i was damn pissed off with the opposite team as they were keen to play even with the erratic weather and didnt want to call it off.
managed to eat some rice and channa masala which shagun made and rushed to play the match... it was damn raining in the bus and i was cursing myself!!
finally the match started half hour late and we batted first..
i was one down as usual... it was a wet pitch and i was struggling initially to get my eye in.. this was also the first day i had worn my spike shoes :!)
took around 8 balls to score my single. after one over, i was at 21. 3 fours a six and a double and a dot ball. that was some over!!!
i really took that bowler out and he was changed promptly. that day, i was really so focussed and in my zone. Kept on hitting fours and sixes. Scored my second 50 of the season and it was really a memorable one. Ended up at 71 - with 8 fours and 3 sixes.
I also had to open the bowling and by the third over, I had taken 2 wickets, both in-cutting clean bowled deliveries.
i was the man of the match for the 5th time of the season. i consider that a mini-achievement in itself.
the best shot i played was a spanking six over cover - i really enjoyed that shot and it is fresh in my mind.!!
won that match by a mile and then went early... and then had a good time with logith and shagun.
ofcourse cricket is my first priority.. so i was hoping that only rain could intervene and make it all work out well.
it was raining in the morning and jerry - my captain - called me and said the match was off.. i was so happy that my friends wouldnt have to be alone at my place..
then half hour later the match was on.. thanks to the 'on-off' london weather.
i was damn pissed off with the opposite team as they were keen to play even with the erratic weather and didnt want to call it off.
managed to eat some rice and channa masala which shagun made and rushed to play the match... it was damn raining in the bus and i was cursing myself!!
finally the match started half hour late and we batted first..
i was one down as usual... it was a wet pitch and i was struggling initially to get my eye in.. this was also the first day i had worn my spike shoes :!)
took around 8 balls to score my single. after one over, i was at 21. 3 fours a six and a double and a dot ball. that was some over!!!
i really took that bowler out and he was changed promptly. that day, i was really so focussed and in my zone. Kept on hitting fours and sixes. Scored my second 50 of the season and it was really a memorable one. Ended up at 71 - with 8 fours and 3 sixes.
I also had to open the bowling and by the third over, I had taken 2 wickets, both in-cutting clean bowled deliveries.
i was the man of the match for the 5th time of the season. i consider that a mini-achievement in itself.
the best shot i played was a spanking six over cover - i really enjoyed that shot and it is fresh in my mind.!!
won that match by a mile and then went early... and then had a good time with logith and shagun.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Thats a good score!!
This weekend, I was looking forward to the cricket games on saturday and sunday. Saturday - well there was some really poor captaincy and I didnt get a good chance to bat. I was sent in very very late in the order - and I managed to score 10 runs.
We ended up losing the match hands down - thanks to our hopeless captain.
Sunday on the other hand was a different day altogether. We lost the toss - nothing new in our club - and were asked to bowl.
We did put in some good bowling and restricted the opposition to 159 in 40 overs. It wasnt pretty hot today - unlike saturday or other weekends in the recent past. It was very pleasant when I went in to bat at number 3. The score was around 32/1. Myself and Brian kept our cool till 10 overs as we had late tea. Then we steadily began our onslaught. 4 runs per over was the required run rate. But it was initially a bit challenging to play the bowlers - some of whom were really doing well.
Patience is what was needed and I had lots of it in me. I scored boundaries very fluently and at the end of it made 41 odd when drinks were called. I was told that I was in my 40s. That gave me some glaring memories of last weekend when I was out at 48. I wanted to somehow keep it going and cross the mystic mark of 50.
The over after drinks - I hit a single and two balls later - got strike again and scored 2 consecutive boundaries. The cheer came up from my team mates. I had made it!
I lifted my bat with joy. There was a suttle applause from the fielders as well. The mystic mark was conquered. It was a great feeling of achievement and relief.
My first 50 in England. Thats something special I would say!
I went on to make the top score on either teams - 73 not out. It included around 14 boundaries, most of which were very good cricketing shots. My partner made 61. Our partnership was around 139.
We won the match in the 27th over by 9 wickets. A thumping win for the team. A landmark achieved for the batsman in me.
Satish Viswanathan.
We ended up losing the match hands down - thanks to our hopeless captain.
Sunday on the other hand was a different day altogether. We lost the toss - nothing new in our club - and were asked to bowl.
We did put in some good bowling and restricted the opposition to 159 in 40 overs. It wasnt pretty hot today - unlike saturday or other weekends in the recent past. It was very pleasant when I went in to bat at number 3. The score was around 32/1. Myself and Brian kept our cool till 10 overs as we had late tea. Then we steadily began our onslaught. 4 runs per over was the required run rate. But it was initially a bit challenging to play the bowlers - some of whom were really doing well.
Patience is what was needed and I had lots of it in me. I scored boundaries very fluently and at the end of it made 41 odd when drinks were called. I was told that I was in my 40s. That gave me some glaring memories of last weekend when I was out at 48. I wanted to somehow keep it going and cross the mystic mark of 50.
The over after drinks - I hit a single and two balls later - got strike again and scored 2 consecutive boundaries. The cheer came up from my team mates. I had made it!
I lifted my bat with joy. There was a suttle applause from the fielders as well. The mystic mark was conquered. It was a great feeling of achievement and relief.
My first 50 in England. Thats something special I would say!
I went on to make the top score on either teams - 73 not out. It included around 14 boundaries, most of which were very good cricketing shots. My partner made 61. Our partnership was around 139.
We won the match in the 27th over by 9 wickets. A thumping win for the team. A landmark achieved for the batsman in me.
Satish Viswanathan.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Photos from last Saturday match.
During the knock of 48.
In between overs - discussing abt strategy.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Hard work and Hard play
The past few weeks have been really hard work on the office front. Long hours and concentrated set of targets to achieve. Its really a challenge at time to consistently hit deadlines. but thats the advantage of it all. you get to start pushing yourself.
the more you push yourself, the more you realise new successes and new challenges as well.
last weekend was also good in a way for me. personally i was looking at proving myself in the club - as i had played a couple of games initially to get used to the conditions here and the people in the team.
decided to become a member of the club. the first match i got to play for the club as a member - its slightly special. we lost the toss and got to bowl first. got a chance to bowl second change. first ball was an inswinging yorker. the batsman was bowled. i got my first wicket of the match - the first ball. and then on was bowling quite well to end up at 7-1-25-3. I was the leading wicket taker. Gave me some satisfaction. Didnt get a chance to bat as the total was only 110 to win.
The next day was another match. I was very eager to get to bat. but this time too, we lost the toss and had to bowl first. came in to bowl second change as usual - got a good line and length. my first wicket was an inswinging yorker. and then went on to take 3 wickets bythe end of my third over. wanted to get more than 3. was working hard on getting it. finally my fifth over bore success as i took my 4th. the captain told me that he was going to change me to try out someone else. i had 4 more deliveries to take my 5th and i did it.
i ended up with a bowling performance of 5-1-10-5. the total to get was 53. we won comfortably.
was extremely satisfying for me. to be able to contribute in bigger pies in both the saturday and sunday matches.
need to buy a bat. lets see if i can get one here itself or maybe not get one until next season.
hard work and hard play. thats what it all is at the moment.
satish.
the more you push yourself, the more you realise new successes and new challenges as well.
last weekend was also good in a way for me. personally i was looking at proving myself in the club - as i had played a couple of games initially to get used to the conditions here and the people in the team.
decided to become a member of the club. the first match i got to play for the club as a member - its slightly special. we lost the toss and got to bowl first. got a chance to bowl second change. first ball was an inswinging yorker. the batsman was bowled. i got my first wicket of the match - the first ball. and then on was bowling quite well to end up at 7-1-25-3. I was the leading wicket taker. Gave me some satisfaction. Didnt get a chance to bat as the total was only 110 to win.
The next day was another match. I was very eager to get to bat. but this time too, we lost the toss and had to bowl first. came in to bowl second change as usual - got a good line and length. my first wicket was an inswinging yorker. and then went on to take 3 wickets bythe end of my third over. wanted to get more than 3. was working hard on getting it. finally my fifth over bore success as i took my 4th. the captain told me that he was going to change me to try out someone else. i had 4 more deliveries to take my 5th and i did it.
i ended up with a bowling performance of 5-1-10-5. the total to get was 53. we won comfortably.
was extremely satisfying for me. to be able to contribute in bigger pies in both the saturday and sunday matches.
need to buy a bat. lets see if i can get one here itself or maybe not get one until next season.
hard work and hard play. thats what it all is at the moment.
satish.
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