July 22^nd, 2007 would probably remain as a historic day in a few minds. When the clock ticked to 20 minutes past 4 in the afternoon the whole of Lords stood in unison. It was a moment when one of all time sound test player was leaving the arena while the other one was just entering. For the one final attempt.
India was reeling at 55/2 chasing an improbable target of 380 at Lords and in came the little master, or should I say, arguably the world’s best batsman of our era? The stage was set for him, to make a final attempt and evolve into a genius, to score that elusive century at Lords and save India.

But, as it has been in most of the cases, the expectations got better than his capabilities. After a tantalizing stay of 35 balls in the middle, the murderer of Shane Warne could not judge a simple arm ball from an upstart left arm spinner and the dreaded finger of Steve Bucknor sent him back on the long journey.The scoreboard showed for the statisticians –

SR Tendulkar lbw b Panesar 16 (42m 35b 3×4 0×6) SR: 45.71

Again, true to its legendary status, Lords applauded the superhero, albeit for a different reason. They acknowledged the contribution this man has made all over the world in the game, the entertainment he has provided to every spectator even though they happened to be those unlucky few who always remained thirsty.
So, in a career spanning over almost 1.6 decades (and still counting), Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has not been able to get a century at the Mecca of world cricket. Not a very big thing to loose your sleep over, ehh??

 So what?? Would thunder the billion followers. There are so many players who have not scored a century at Lords. And how on earth could I still breathe without remembering those magnificent innings at MCG, WACA, Old Trafford, Barbados or Johannesburg. How should I justify my love for the game without remembering his service to this poor India (not in economy, in sports, any sport you could think of)? The burden on him is heavier than Hercules’s, age is catching up with him and my connection of Lords with Mecca of cricket – it smells about old colonial hangover man.

And I am not supposed to react. Because you couldn’t fight against a billion with rational statistics.

 So what if he doesn’t have a match saving effort in second innings (isn’t it also the responsibility of 10 others in the team?), so what if he is kind enough to rookie spinners but not to Warne, so what if he doesn’t have a triple century to his name and so what if he is only doing a shadow fight in the middle?

In a sense, I find it perfectly justified that most of the present famous Indian cricketer don’t posses moments which every cricketer would love to. A world cup victory, a series win in Australia (against a full strength side) or South Africa, a brilliant match winning triple century at Perth, MCG or Barbados. There are so many of them.

 In my book they simply don’t deserve them. Not because they are not talented, not because they are not sincere and also not because they don’t love to win. It is just that we prefer flair against effective, percentage cricket. And it’s not only their fault. It’s a collective failure of the countrymen, of the billion fans and of the system. We could produce a few Sachins or Azhars but not a single Steve or Gilchrist. Because they are not entertaining, they are only winners.

And in sports, like in any sphere of life, to succeed you need people who could fight. They might not produce the magic wrists or godly off drives, but their ugly fight would bring laurels. We keep appreciating the entertaining brand of cricket and then hope that rain would save the day for us.

It’s a natural justice that the famous quartet of this generation (Sachin, Rahul, Sourav and Laxman) retires without winning a series in England or Australia. It’s only but natural that they produce billion fans, but not a single moment which they could cherish long after. I am happily justified in describing those accolades showered on them only because of volumes and market economics rather than pure cricketing jurisprudence.

No century at Lords for Sachin and Rahul? Somewhere somebody really knows the definition of silent justice.

Or should I call it “The Poetic Justice”?

I am undemocratic in some cases and support monopoly in certain areas. Sports being one of them. I see absolutely no reason why should I fight for equal share of glory when I have a king who is giving me more than what I want. And yes, I am talking of Rodger Federar.

And ladies and gentleman, the 2007 Wimbledon men’s singles champion is Mr. Rodger Federar. He has equaled the record for Bjon Borg’s 5 consecutive championships which even the best form of Pete Sampras could not achieve.

And I am so happy for him and sorry for all those who thought Nadal could beat him this time.

For the statistical record, Federar beat his challenger Nadal in a thrilling 3hr 44 mins 5 setter – score line in favour of Federar reads – 7/6 (9/7), 4/6, 7/6 (7/4), 2/6, 6/2. But the score line says nothing about the threat that the challenger gave to the throne. In this particular match, Nadal showed how close he has come to challenge Federar on grass and in Paris he was unbeatable even by Roger at his best. So, I am a bit scared about my reigning king at Wimbledon. Will he be able to hold Nadal off for 2 more years? That’s what I am praying on.

Make absolutely no mistake that I wanted to see Federar win and win it unchallenged. I don’t like people taking pot shots at the crown and have absolutely no mentality of sharing it with a new champion. People might have a different view but I like defending champions. Champions, who conquer all challenges to etch their mark in history,. I don’t have any sympathy for those one off winners.

But I respect Nadal and I fear him a lot. I fear him because he is a successful challenger. One who for the first time has been able to push Federar to the limits. All those incredible returns, unbelievable backhand cross court shots, down the line passing and most fearful, reaching the ball every time you think you have just put it beyond his reach. He is an athlete par excellence and make no mistake about his Wimbledon title being just a few years away. And that’s what I want to prolong.

2 more championships for Roger and he will be in the history book alone for 7 time Wimbledon crown. Unmatched and unheard of in the open history of tennis. I have never seen Bjon Borg playing those wonderful rallies and I was not there when Borg made history by becoming 6 time champion. But this time I want to see it with my eyes. And I won’t like Rafa spoiling my party.

Come on Federar, do that much for me. I know, you could do it.

But, I must admit that 2007 Wimbledon final produced brilliant tennis throughout for the spectators. In a gripping finale, with every passing shot Federar had to dig deeper and deeper to recollect his form, he had to rely on his devastating aces more than his placements (he made 29 unforced errors compared to Nadal’s 21), he had to produce more breath taking rallies from baseline to make it that much harder for Rafa. And Rafa matched it with point for point. In the 4th set he played devastating tennis which rocked the king so much that he asked to call off the technology of hawk eye once the ball was overruled long in favour of Rafa. He lost it 2/6 with 2 breaks down. Then in the decider he was down 15-40 twice and produced the brilliance of only his class (read aces after aces) to dig him out.

That’s what champions are made off. When they face more pressure they bring out more from their closet, when everybody thinks he is tired he produces wonderful winning rallies from baseline and when everybody doubts only he confides in himself.

Tennis over the years have produced players of the highest caliber and this has proven enough that we Indians are not cut out for modern day sports. We are better at deducing financial gains out of mediocre playing capabilities. Be it any sports we have only breed mediocrity in place of brilliance and blamed it conveniently on the system. Without a hunger of a tiger, no system could produce players like Graff, Navratilova or Federar. We have simply no genes to support our credentials in sports.

And ohh, I just remember some people told me a year back that even some Sania Mirza plays tennis. Being an Indian I would love to watch her, but every time before I start viewing championships I read she is out of the tourney. Someone please tell me if she was good enough to buy a GBP 66 ticket (FYI, Wimbledon tickets for ladies final is GBP 66, for men it’s GBP 72) for watching Mariom Bartoli. I heard that both Mirza and Bartoli started almost at the same time, but according to some reports only injury forced Mirza go down and down in the ranking.

I believe, injury free players are a rarity but not players with hunger, grit and determination.

Some people also say that there are enough ways to make money other than winning grand slams. Till such time when we start producing players who could be watched with pure enjoyment and entertainment, we continue to thrive on mediocrity while cherishing wonderful moments like what we got on 7th July 2007 at the Centre court of Wimbledon.

Ale Federar and all my wishes for Rafa in the post Federar era.

Its been a long hiatus and the great or not so great thing in being an amateur blogger is the idea of not updating the posts at a regular interval. However, there are people, far better equipped to do that for the audience in general, so I needn’t bother too much about my past time activities. In a sense, after India’s unthinkable yet justified early exit from the world cup, I thought its better not to write about something remotely related to cricket.
But, strange as it sounds, the BCCI activities do enrage and force you to vent out the anger within you. Being a small sport enthusiast (I have stopped calling myself a genuine cricket fan) I find the recent BCCI activities hard to digest. As usual, I would be a minority in believing that It would take a miracle for Indian cricket (and indian sports administration, in general) to be run professionally.

The recent fiasco, post Bangladesh series (billed as grudge series – though I seriously don’t know against whom the grudge is), is the selection of national coach. As predicted and assumed, there is a so called expert committee to finalize on the selection of the coach. We have people vouching for Desi coach, players united not to play under an Indian guide (never heard of impressive colonial supremacy like this before, that too from educated people) and then the BCCI to make things confusing as well as opaque to the billion audiences.
Ideal process would have been to properly advertise with required qualification, receive applications and then screen and take interviews or presentations to finally select. Like any big organization keeps its vision, even while going for mass recruitment, the idea behind any standard procedure has been to make things transparent to the stakeholders. The regular actions ensure sensitiveness to the outside audience and stakeholders from the management of the company.
However, that is too much to expect from a company (with billions in its revenue) which refuses to be professional for absolutely known reasons.

Examples of producing excellent results with professional methods are galore. And this is not only in cricket – same is the case with hockey, football or tennis. Sania Mirza finds it hard to get an approval for a foreign coach, no system in place to encourage her except advertisers (who, accidentally are more interested in her screen presence and personality rather than on court activities), footballers get entrapped between club transfer fiasco and hockey players move towards an untimely death.

And its not only the authorizing bodies who are to be blamed. I mean, with such exemplary and fantastic names on the coach selection committee, people would have naturally asked for a more unified and professional approach. Yet, it seems, people inside have different agenda for whatsoever reasons. We have bowling coach (on what basis Mr. Venkatesh Prasad was selected only he knows I guess – with due respect to him), one fielding coach and hopefully would also have a batting coach.
But, I can guarantee the result without going through the entire episode. I bet most of the readers would be able to do that.
We have mastered in creating and nurturing world class silos within teams and organizations, and have been extremely successful in diving society into innumerable castes and sub castes. So, to have a national team representing a private tamasha company with 11 different people having widely different agenda is not a difficult job to accomplish.
I only pray to finish this comedy as soon as it could get. Till then I am eagerly awaiting the final at French open between Federar and Nadal. They are what I called pure and unbridled entertainment.My vote is for Nadal though, on clay court, and obviously for Justin in the women’s singles. Best of luck to the original sports-persons.

Probably for the first time after 1979 both India and Pakistan would not be featuring in the 2nd stage in the mouthpiece quadrennial tournament of cricket. The debate will continue if this is a great loss for cricket or not, but as expected predictable reactions have started to pour in both the countries.

Heads and minds have started to roll already. From the BCCI president to the common men (those who are continuously fed by self groomed sports experts fuelled by TV channels) everybody is demanding some part of the players body as a justified punishment for the crime done by those 17 people to this great mad and crazy country. The system is talking suddenly of making a new team altogether (as if team could be cultivated and nurtured in the backyard of BCCI officials), the demigods have already turned into villains more notorious than “Gabbar”, everybody seems to be more angered about the endorsements done by cricketers and out of blue anything remotely related to cricket or cricketers is seeming to be sinful. All of a sudden, billion citizens are on the move and revolution or revolt is not something read only in books and papers. Everybody is out to cleanse the sins by killing – you know whom.

But, as I sit back and ponder with a heavy heart, trying to go through the postmortem of this expected debacle surprisingly I found a different answer. To my utter disbelief the rational justice is pointing fingers to all of us as accused in charges of abatement.

The system never made sure that, the product is good and capable of delivering on what is promised. They relied more on marketing gimmick and only succeeded in skimming. The brands had association more because of hype and less for the game. In any successful organization, even the novice would tell that the clue to achievement is not marketing or promotion but hard work and focused approach on delivering the promise. Once the supply is ensured and internal process in place with little or no variation, then the outcome is guaranteed. But, I doubt there is anyone in BCCI or in ex cricketers to bell this cat. Nobody is talking about the system as if these products could create history out of a blue.

Then comes the bigger part – the fans. We have maximum no of fans, uncountable followers and unfiltered judgements, hyper sensitive crowd and focus-less mad people. If our following is for the game then we need to ask ourselves a simple question – how much interest do we show in domestic cricket? If the answer is no then we can’t claim to be a fan. If we are a fan only for individual players then we have no moral ground whatsoever to put the nation on fire as we don’t bother about other players. If we give a look at the fans worldwide we would see how much love they have for the sport. A fan in Brazil or in South Africa is much more knowledgeable yet balanced in their approach. They follow the game from the streets to the podium. They are unaffected by the hype but affected only by the beauty and challenge of the game.  Indian fans have never bothered to go through a self realization process and fear the introspection most.

It’s the money and hype which is responsible for this situation. 15 other nations are playing the same game, yet nowhere would one find such craziness. They understand the difference between – being a true follower and behaving like a schizophrenic individual. Collectively they (read BCCI and fans) are the biggest challenge for the game. But, who is going to tame this demon?

In those sports where money and sponsors are not present there is no fan following. There is no infrstructure in swimming, chess or badminton. There is enough talent but they could not be groomed. A true lover of game couldn’t have given a cold face to these. We do because we are nothing but maniacs who lives by occasional shock treatment.

Why blame only players when everybody from administrators to film stars to the poorest beggars are responsible for what has happened? Lets sit back and relax as we all know this is an eternal cycle because a polluted river could only produce bacteria necessary for the insects, it neither has the capacity nor the intention to breathe fresh oxygen into living animals with pure soul.

May the Indian team return safely and rest in peace. Amen !!

This world cup already has it’s cup full with shocks and shames both on and off the field. If Bob’s unfortunate and now suspicious death combined with Inzamam’s resignation was not enough, India’s loss against Bangladesh has ensured great headache for sponsors and ICC marketing time alike. Left only to blame themselves for such a situation, the Indian team now faces the inspired islanders in a must win contest.

To my horror and chagrin when my predictions came true on 17th March, I was really upset to say the least. Even after giving full credit to our eastern neighbours we should admit that it was team India’s poor show, lack of application and overconfidence which did them in. They have restored a bit of those by a comfortable win against Bermuda and to their credit have managed to put the NRR almost out of equation now. Unless some miracle unfolds, a win against Lanka would put India into super 8, that too with 2 important points. However, this is easier said than done and could be improbable given Lanka’s current form.

Barring the skipper everyone is in golden touch and confident in the island team. Quite contrary to our liking, everyone of them has become a match winner on their day. Indian bowling looks too mediocre to make them all out and in case we have to chase then only god could save us. On recent form, it is almost improbable to think that we could defeat Srilanka, but given the uncertainty of the game and our performance still anything could happen. However, in my view, if India has to win then Utthapa, Shewag and Dravid would be the key players. This is because – by law of average Ganguly might fail, Yuvi is most uncomfortable against quality spin and sachin’s record in crunch situation is on the wane. That leaves Dravid as the key man with the two dashing and flashy right handers to demolish the bowling. Dhoni at best could do a filler or finisher’s job. If all the seniors fire that would be a bonus and plus for India. In such a serious match seniors should take up responsibility and share the burden. Harbhajan should play instead of Kumble (in case only one spinner plays) and Sreesanth should replace Agarkar.

Take the best shot and always remember that offence is the bets defence. If we manage to post around 275 on the board then we have a fight on hand. Else, the big three of Indian cricket would have the most unwanted farewell they could have bargained for.

The recent developments in Carribean has shocked and rocked whole world. If this is what is awaiting in future for coaches and support staffs then spare a thought for their helpless families. The pain that Woolmer’s family is going through could never be judged and compensated. The claws of non cricketing actions have completely taken the game to it’s nadir and future doesn’t look any better unless ICC does something drastic and bold. These years sponsors, marketeers and bookies are more in the news than the game and each and every match being played comes under suspicion. Sports have never been under such siege while sportsmen bear the brunt of public ire and ill founded vandalism. The problem is for ICC to come up with a plan to cleanse the game with immediate effect, provide a transparent body to monitor and implement tough measures and keep everything open for inquiry. Each and every move of ICC smells of foul – from creating a format to ensure smooth passage of big guns into later stages (the fact that still minnows have managed to upset a few is a credit to them) to the fact that unlike soccer the last group matches would not be played simultaneously giving bookies enough reasons to cheer. The real lovers and enthusiasts are getting sidelined and such incidents are shaking their heart in disbelief and shame.

Without doubt, sub-continent is the heaven for this betting racket but the others are also a part of this disease. Emotional and mindless supporters create enough problem for players, coaches and support staffs only to be compounded by such nexus with illegal identities. Whatever be the outcome of the reports on Bob’s suspicious death, cricket has already lost it’s glory and face in this tournament. From here on, there would be everything else but cricket in carribean – police, investigation, media hype, allegations and counter allegations and to top it all senseless comments from all types of self proclaimed experts.

Woolmer has only proved about the futility and darkness prevailing in the game, though the saddest part is that he had to pay the price with his life.

May his soul rest in peace and his family gets enough courage to overcome this grief.

Brief Scores:

West Indies – 241/9 (in 50 overs) – Samuels 63(70), D.Smith 32(15); 

 Pakistan – 187/10 (in 47 overs) – S.Malik 62(54), D.Smith 36-3;

MoM – Dwayne Smith.

——————————————————————————————

This is not a common run of the mill match report that normally appears in every national or regional dailies (not to mention the in-numerous Internet sites and news channels), but an attempt to look back what I thought characterized this opening salvo of WC 2007.

True to the best of my prediction, Pakistan produced a lacklustre performance in every department of the game to hand over the Windies what could be one of their most easy yet important wins. This would do more harm to Pakistan than putting the host in a better frame of mind. However, for the hosts the super eight would be the platform for challenging performances. At this point of time this win would definitely help them to regain their mental composure after their shabby performance in the warm up match. Inzamam was unimpressive as captain as ever, Lara didn’t have to face pressure and none of the teams tested each other. The biggest worry for Pakistan would be the sudden uncertainity found in the play of Md.Yousuf and Younis Khan. If Pakistan has to move forward then it has to be their batting and with Rana, Kaneria or Rao to share the bowling this could be the biggest uphill that Inzamam has to climb. On the other hand, windies had a perfect finish (horrible start) and they would be better off to remember that except Samuels none other looked confident in the middle.

From here onwards, the next few matches would be against non test playing nations which theoretically should be a cakewalk for all test teams. Even though this is a game of uncertainty, however, I don’t expect too much of a show from the minnows at the expense of bigger teams. With due respect to ICC, this format I don’t think support these weaker teams to come up the ladder. Having said these, I am really worried about India’s first match on 17th. Not because Bangladesh has the reputation of pulling up upsets, but the memory of 1999 WC match against Zimbabwe still haunts me.

If we leave the weaker teams with their practice and enjoyment through this carnival, we could safely come back here to discuss India’s start on 17th. Till then, like the billion counterparts, my frequent prayers continue.

For the next 47 days starting today a total of 240 players (coaches and supporting staff extra), representing 16 different countries would fight their sweat out on field with an eye to a ticket for the final frontier on 28th April, 2007 at Barbados. India, a self proclaimed conglomerate of more than a billion cricket pundits, would also take a shot again to fulfill the already fuelled dream of lifting the elusive cup. Hopes, prayers, heartbreaks, depressions and desperation would characterize this already frenzy sub continent for the next one and a half month. That doesn’t mean that in the most likely event of India not managing to claim the honors this madness would die down. This game has become a religion and its players more powerful than god. World cup or no cup it would still challenge the once colonized game to look at her in the awe of passion and marketing potential that it generates.

However, as most other illiterates (the non professionals/pseudo experts) I also do have certain things to say at the risk of being proven wrong at every possible challenge.

Australia – Still the most favourites to win the cup, doesn’t matter what damage a bunch of wingless birds did to it a few days back. If ever and on any-day the biggest challenge is thrown down under it has to be from sub continent. Ignore them at your own peril.

England – One of the dogs (Under/over whatever one may call) and on its day (which is expectantly rarest of rare occasion) could beat anybody except Australia. Even though accidentally Barmy army had a lot to cheer recently I don’t have very high expectations.

New Zeland – Unpredictable yet playable. Most over rated and under delivered team ever to play on field. With arguably the best playing captain and 10 other dibly dobly all-rounders this time they were on a high before Bangladesh cut into their already extinct wings. However, with proper motivation and support they are a potential semi finalist.

Pakistan – Predict the unpredictable. Super eight – ok but semifinal – nobody knows.  A depleted side, low on moral but high on everything else with world class batsman and Ranji standard bowling. Coach – expert on laptop but weak in Urdu so communication seems to be the problem.

West Indies – After what happened in the warm up match (they warmed up much more than required and hence couldn’t sustain the on field temperature) and the jinx associated with host nation (Srilanka – a lucky aberration) odds are stacked against them. However, one and only player could upset all these with a little help from others. Possible candidate for semifinal.

Sri Lanka – Ideal team for pitches where deliveries take a full day to travel 22 yards. Irritating and unplanned to say the least, they might find this Caribbean to their liking. However, considering their record on neutral venues and oppositions I am not very hopeful about them.

South Africa – The team to look out for. The unluckiest team from the time they stepped into the cup these players are a sure treat to watch on song. Pitch is not to their liking, one dimensional attack, too much reliance on technology and chocking tendency in big matches – all are predictable. But still for me they are one going to be of the last 4 teams.

India – If passion and population is the parameter then no comments. Based on pure cricketing funda (which surely I lack) this team has the potential to reach the last 4 depending on many ifs and buts. Batting – better than average, bowling – Ok in pace, best in spin. With a little bit of focus and free mind they can do wonders.

Rest of the world – Anybody from this could go anywhere. They could vanish, perish or shine in the unexpected glory. For the uplifting of the cricket, from ICC’s point of view, one of them should ideally repeat Kenya’s performance of 2003. If they can then nothing like it (just hope not at the expense of India) but even if they can’t the process should continue. cricket has a long long way to go before even think of being a truly global sport like soccer.

So, here we are. A few hours away from the most wasteful activity of watching a 8 hr game with disturbed night sleep making sure the dooms day of official work. However, as they say – play for the spirit and play for the enjoyment for it comes only once in 4 years.

Best of luck to all teams and let cricket come out the winner with an icing called India.

To be very honest, at the risk of sounding cliche this should be another in the millions of sports blog already been uploaded in multiple blog sites. However, unlike in most other countries, India posses 1 billion different opinions of the same sporting incident coming from the illiterate en mass to the most sophisticated sports enthusiast. The idea is not to give an experts view on sports across the world as there are many more efficient and graceful writers (from journalists to ex players to serious sports follower) ascross the world. Hence, don’t expect something extraordinary and out of the box to stimulate your intelligent quotient. But, this space cares for none, not for the players nor for the populist views on any subject related to sports across the world – so expect the most unexpected. I am not a journalist so regular updates would be a big exception, but would definitely find the events expressed in the most rudimentary ways which could be written by you as well. If any one of my reader (known or unknown) finds this space worth a salt my wastage of own precious time would be more than rewarded.

Off to the initiation of this journey on the auspicious occasion of the biggest extravaganza in the most popular sport of India. My best wishes to the “Team India” and hope that they recreate the magic of Lords, June 23rd for billions of fans, live or dead to cherish all along.

Voila !!! Hope this little experiment doesn’t get as unlucky as it’s starting date.