Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. When the crown in question is for captaincy of the Indian cricket team, the magnitude of that proverbial uneasiness is magnified by a billion hopes. No wonder then that Sachin Tendulkar refused captaincy for the Test team. He knows what it's like to be in that position and to fail miserably so. With no other senior players ready to face this challenge, Anil Kumble stepped up and has been appointed the captain for India's Test team. An unconvincing choice really.
Anil Kumble is not one to shy away from adversity and he could potentially be a good leader for the team. His appointment as captain though, brings disappointment to the advocates of youth. Kumble's tenacity and commitment to the game is unparalleled. He has the experience and cricketing acumen necessary to wield the team out of tricky situations. Somewhere still, the general feeling lies that this was not the right time for him to be appointed captain, even if for a short period of time.
The other choice the selectors had was MS Dhoni, already leading the side in the other 2 forms of the game. Test series' against Pakistan and Australia would've been baptism by fire for MS Dhoni. The way he has been leading the team from the front in the ODI's, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't have been able to grow into this job too. Admittedly, Test cricket has it's own twists and turns by the session and experience is the only bankable factor, but Dhoni has the luxury of shepherding some of the finest cricketers in the country and he could have drawn from their collective experience in leading.
Stop gap arrangements never prove conducive and hence the selectors logic in appointing captain cannot be justified without actual results. No doubt Kumble will do a fine job, but therein lies a wasted chance for MS Dhoni. We'll wait and watch.
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Too late Too late
Timing is everything baby! It's what makes the difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary. It's what separates the could-have-been's from the has-been's. Think of a box of mangoes kept too long; wait too long and the sweetness is gone. You might eat the mangoes nevertheless, but where's the fun?
That's exactly what happened with our Men in Blue. Lost their sense of timing, lost the plot and the series. One look at the scorecard might suggest they gave it all they had, but to what good is such an effort when there is nothing left to fight for? If you don't play to win, it's not worth playing at all. Now they might, just might, go on to win the last match in Mumbai (although history isn't in favor of the Indian Cricket Team while playing in Mumbai) and try to 'salvage some lost pride'. Instead, I think, they should search for their pride in some rusty salvage yard near Nal Bazaar after the series is done and over with.
A classic case of too little, too late. Hope Team India get their act together in the next series and don't leave all the efforts to the last minute.
Post Title: Metallica - Too late Too late
That's exactly what happened with our Men in Blue. Lost their sense of timing, lost the plot and the series. One look at the scorecard might suggest they gave it all they had, but to what good is such an effort when there is nothing left to fight for? If you don't play to win, it's not worth playing at all. Now they might, just might, go on to win the last match in Mumbai (although history isn't in favor of the Indian Cricket Team while playing in Mumbai) and try to 'salvage some lost pride'. Instead, I think, they should search for their pride in some rusty salvage yard near Nal Bazaar after the series is done and over with.
A classic case of too little, too late. Hope Team India get their act together in the next series and don't leave all the efforts to the last minute.
Post Title: Metallica - Too late Too late
Monday, September 24, 2007
Gotta love these coach-less wonders
4:46 am - Got my wakeup call from Pune after India won the toss and elected to bat
4:48 am - Got my wakeup call from east coast after India won the toss and elected to bat
10 minutes later I sleep-walked into the living room, switched on the computer and started looking for a channel to watch the match. A few agonising moments and I found someplace which was broadcasting the game and I snuck up cosily with a blanket. It was coooold early in the morning! I struggled to stay awake as India struggled to force the pace early on. Caffeine ensured that I stayed awake and Gambhir played his part to make sure India did not lose the plot. At the close of innnings, India fell well short of the 180 odd they were hoping to get. It was clear that the bowlers had a job cut out for them. Fielding had to be right up there too. Over the past few games the fielding standards had been uncharacteristically high from this Indian side, lack of a penetrative 5th bowler was India's Achille's heel though and Pakistan knew well enough to exploit this weak link.
I was out of the shower in record time as India took to fielding. RP Singh had been impressive thus far and Sreesanth had a good last game (despite all the histrionics his performance was top class). RP got off to a great start with his 1st over wicket and India were right on. Sreesanth, however, looked like he had lost his mojo. His first over went for 21 runs and it brought back memories of that fateful 1st over from Zaheer Khan in the '03 World Cup final against Australia. India never got back into the game after that over and I bet every single soul who knew this piece was praying to God this wouldnt be a repeat performance. Luckily this wasn't a 50 over game and there were no Gilly and Hayden to send India on a leatherhunt. The Indian bowlers stuck to their job and Pakistan's batsmen played with overt eagerness to their own undoing. Ofcourse all of this did not end without the high voltage drama that can be expected from a India Pakistan match. Towards the end Harbhajan got clouted for sixes by that man once again, Misbah-ul-Haq, and it seemed like the match was slipping away as Sohail Tanveer got into his act too. Sreesanth and RP Singh got a wicket each and the last over was on to Joginder Sharma. Jogi had been sent to all parts of the park in his earlier games but had held his nerves to bowl a splendid last over against the Aussies in the semi-finals. The question was could he prove it wasnt about a single game. And prove he did, much thanks to the cheeky arrogance from Misbah who decided to play a fancy scoop behind the wicket. He was unable to get a single off the last ball to win the last game against India and this time failed to get 6 from 4 balls. Oh how this would give him nightmares for the next few years to come =))
Finally a young Indian team did what nobody had expected them to do. Win a 20-20 world cup. In a game relying heavily on power hitting, accurate bowling and spectacular fielding no one, including yours truly, had given this team a fighting chance. We were without the legendary star power that is an intimidating force for bowlers around the world and we had a first timer captain shepherding a bunch of relatively unknowns into uncharted territory. The relatively unkowns rose to the occassion and went all the way, each playing a significant part in one game or the other and gelling together to form a championship winning outfit. Who knew Rohit Sharma would bat as well as he did in his 1st game at the international level, who knew MS Dhoni would trust Joginder Sharma with last overs inspite of him being taken to the cleaners, who knew Joginder Sharma would justify MS Dhoni's faith in his abilities, who knew Freddie would get fingered so bad by Yuvraj Singh? But it all happened, and to good measure.
As the feeling sinks in, questions arise. India have been enjoying their cricket for the past few months and it shows in the results. They lost the one day series against England but it was one hell of a 7 match series. It could be argued that they played without the pressure of expectations and hence were able to perform. The most significant aspect, to me, is that India have done all of this without a coach. When was the last time any team won a major sporting event without a coach? Much has been written about India's earlier coaches and how there was always tension within the dressing room. The rifts between John Wright and Greg Chappel and the senior Indian players are now part of BCCI folklore. Whether it was due to a difference in idealogies or a difference in approach to the game or whatever other reason, the end result always failed to flatter. What it did was bring a lot of politics into play. After a hard day's fight out on the pitch the Indian team had to fight these internal battles off it. Was the no-coach a blessing in disguise for this team? Ganguly had mentioned not too long ago that at this level you do not need a coach. MS Dhoni and his boys proved Dada right. Dhoni did well to utilise his resources efficiently, all the players performed as was expected of them and well deserved success beckoned.
I don't think BCCI will be looking out for a coach sometime soon after this recent run. It's all good as long as the smiles continue and the victories keep coming. We got your back Men in Blue. Git 'er done!
4:48 am - Got my wakeup call from east coast after India won the toss and elected to bat
10 minutes later I sleep-walked into the living room, switched on the computer and started looking for a channel to watch the match. A few agonising moments and I found someplace which was broadcasting the game and I snuck up cosily with a blanket. It was coooold early in the morning! I struggled to stay awake as India struggled to force the pace early on. Caffeine ensured that I stayed awake and Gambhir played his part to make sure India did not lose the plot. At the close of innnings, India fell well short of the 180 odd they were hoping to get. It was clear that the bowlers had a job cut out for them. Fielding had to be right up there too. Over the past few games the fielding standards had been uncharacteristically high from this Indian side, lack of a penetrative 5th bowler was India's Achille's heel though and Pakistan knew well enough to exploit this weak link.
I was out of the shower in record time as India took to fielding. RP Singh had been impressive thus far and Sreesanth had a good last game (despite all the histrionics his performance was top class). RP got off to a great start with his 1st over wicket and India were right on. Sreesanth, however, looked like he had lost his mojo. His first over went for 21 runs and it brought back memories of that fateful 1st over from Zaheer Khan in the '03 World Cup final against Australia. India never got back into the game after that over and I bet every single soul who knew this piece was praying to God this wouldnt be a repeat performance. Luckily this wasn't a 50 over game and there were no Gilly and Hayden to send India on a leatherhunt. The Indian bowlers stuck to their job and Pakistan's batsmen played with overt eagerness to their own undoing. Ofcourse all of this did not end without the high voltage drama that can be expected from a India Pakistan match. Towards the end Harbhajan got clouted for sixes by that man once again, Misbah-ul-Haq, and it seemed like the match was slipping away as Sohail Tanveer got into his act too. Sreesanth and RP Singh got a wicket each and the last over was on to Joginder Sharma. Jogi had been sent to all parts of the park in his earlier games but had held his nerves to bowl a splendid last over against the Aussies in the semi-finals. The question was could he prove it wasnt about a single game. And prove he did, much thanks to the cheeky arrogance from Misbah who decided to play a fancy scoop behind the wicket. He was unable to get a single off the last ball to win the last game against India and this time failed to get 6 from 4 balls. Oh how this would give him nightmares for the next few years to come =))
Finally a young Indian team did what nobody had expected them to do. Win a 20-20 world cup. In a game relying heavily on power hitting, accurate bowling and spectacular fielding no one, including yours truly, had given this team a fighting chance. We were without the legendary star power that is an intimidating force for bowlers around the world and we had a first timer captain shepherding a bunch of relatively unknowns into uncharted territory. The relatively unkowns rose to the occassion and went all the way, each playing a significant part in one game or the other and gelling together to form a championship winning outfit. Who knew Rohit Sharma would bat as well as he did in his 1st game at the international level, who knew MS Dhoni would trust Joginder Sharma with last overs inspite of him being taken to the cleaners, who knew Joginder Sharma would justify MS Dhoni's faith in his abilities, who knew Freddie would get fingered so bad by Yuvraj Singh? But it all happened, and to good measure.
As the feeling sinks in, questions arise. India have been enjoying their cricket for the past few months and it shows in the results. They lost the one day series against England but it was one hell of a 7 match series. It could be argued that they played without the pressure of expectations and hence were able to perform. The most significant aspect, to me, is that India have done all of this without a coach. When was the last time any team won a major sporting event without a coach? Much has been written about India's earlier coaches and how there was always tension within the dressing room. The rifts between John Wright and Greg Chappel and the senior Indian players are now part of BCCI folklore. Whether it was due to a difference in idealogies or a difference in approach to the game or whatever other reason, the end result always failed to flatter. What it did was bring a lot of politics into play. After a hard day's fight out on the pitch the Indian team had to fight these internal battles off it. Was the no-coach a blessing in disguise for this team? Ganguly had mentioned not too long ago that at this level you do not need a coach. MS Dhoni and his boys proved Dada right. Dhoni did well to utilise his resources efficiently, all the players performed as was expected of them and well deserved success beckoned.
I don't think BCCI will be looking out for a coach sometime soon after this recent run. It's all good as long as the smiles continue and the victories keep coming. We got your back Men in Blue. Git 'er done!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Cricket WC '07
I could write and write and write but that would be just re-stating the obvious. Magnificent innings from Gilly, great allround cricket from Australia and a good fight from Sri Lanka. Go on and celebrate Australia, your 3peat has given the right to be cocky.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
More Cricketing Post-Mortem
I was browsing through Cricinfo this morning and came across some interesting lines in one of the articles. Funny how the author compares India and Pakistan to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Although they're not quite my thoughts and I don't endorse them, they're most definitely worth a post and present an interesting perspective.
Osman Saimuddin writes on Cricinfo:
'It's strange, in fact, how India and Pakistan resemble each other so. On the field, there has been a spooky sameness; results and performances in South Africa were nearly identical, the Champions Trophy and World Cup, both failures. Both batting line-ups struggle in alien conditions, as fielders both are poor and both leaders increasingly embattled and embittered. Both now rebuild.
Off it, they are cricket's Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. One, pure monied trash, influential for no other reason than having too much of it, the other straight-up trailer trash, cricket's true basket case. They are tabloid fodder, stumbling from one front page to another: religion, player factionalism, spats, coaching intrigues, politicking, doping and even possible murder. How much of the news that you have read about these two sides recently has been about their cricket?
In this world, how much could they have really enjoyed playing cricket when they know that failure, among other things, means hysterical reactions from fans and contract suspensions? Their love of the game shouldn't be questioned but they walk the field burdened, their cricket joyless. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka either have no burdens or they have managed to put them aside. They are floating in a rare time, in the midst of substantial development and progress and it shows.'
It is indeed noteworthy to see how everyone is talking about 'enjoying cricket' and you can almost see how important it is to enjoy something that you do to bring out the best performances. Jonty Rhodes mentioned that he ensures his fielding drills make the players enjoy fielding, Ravi Shastri recently said that he'd like the Indian team to enjoy their time in the middle in the next few matches. On a rather amusing note, Venkatesh Prasad being appointed as the bowling coach? Not quite a wise move for Indian 'pace' bowling, especially after our only genuine pace bowler, Kumble, has retired from one day cricket;) I can almost see Pathan bowling 6 slow balls per over now, if he can bowl any slower that is.
Osman Saimuddin writes on Cricinfo:
'It's strange, in fact, how India and Pakistan resemble each other so. On the field, there has been a spooky sameness; results and performances in South Africa were nearly identical, the Champions Trophy and World Cup, both failures. Both batting line-ups struggle in alien conditions, as fielders both are poor and both leaders increasingly embattled and embittered. Both now rebuild.
Off it, they are cricket's Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. One, pure monied trash, influential for no other reason than having too much of it, the other straight-up trailer trash, cricket's true basket case. They are tabloid fodder, stumbling from one front page to another: religion, player factionalism, spats, coaching intrigues, politicking, doping and even possible murder. How much of the news that you have read about these two sides recently has been about their cricket?
In this world, how much could they have really enjoyed playing cricket when they know that failure, among other things, means hysterical reactions from fans and contract suspensions? Their love of the game shouldn't be questioned but they walk the field burdened, their cricket joyless. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka either have no burdens or they have managed to put them aside. They are floating in a rare time, in the midst of substantial development and progress and it shows.'
It is indeed noteworthy to see how everyone is talking about 'enjoying cricket' and you can almost see how important it is to enjoy something that you do to bring out the best performances. Jonty Rhodes mentioned that he ensures his fielding drills make the players enjoy fielding, Ravi Shastri recently said that he'd like the Indian team to enjoy their time in the middle in the next few matches. On a rather amusing note, Venkatesh Prasad being appointed as the bowling coach? Not quite a wise move for Indian 'pace' bowling, especially after our only genuine pace bowler, Kumble, has retired from one day cricket;) I can almost see Pathan bowling 6 slow balls per over now, if he can bowl any slower that is.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
S'more 10dulkar bashing
That's right, it's Tendulkar bashing time once again. Almost every desi who has ever played cricket fancies taking a dig against Tendulkar blaming him for team India's dysfunctional performance in World Cup 2007. Such are times. Like I said in one of my earlier posts, this is going to be hard to get over so soon and sooner or later I had to write again on this topic. Alright, alright, I know cricket is a teamsport and it is unfair, almost idiotic, to blame an individual and it requires a collective effort for a team to win such a big tournament, but then blogging is all about freedom of expression, innit?
So what prompted me to write once again about this? Kobe Bryant! Yes, he of LA Lakers fame. Following the NBA on and off, I have always been a big fan of Kobe. Not so much of the Lakers as much as Kobe though. Infact a few years back while I was rooting for the Sacramento Kings I had a hard team keeping loyalties when the Lakers played the Kings. Years later, the Lakers are a different team but Kobe is still the same, if better. If anyone's been going through news you might have read that Kobe has been averaging 54 points per game over the last 5 games! That's what I call a team player, that's what I call a champion. One who takes the onus on himself to make things happen to take his team to victory no matter what the circumstances. Not one who walks off the pitch clean bowled the third ball he faces when his team is in dire straits. How many times have we seen Kobe rain jumpers and lead the Lakers to a victory? Endless. How many times have we seen Tendulkar play an innings of substance and lead India to victory when it was most needed? Can't really tell, can ya?
Now it is beyond doubt that Tendulkar has the numbers behind him to warrant a place in the team, but how long can Team India bank on a player who clearly appears to be past his prime? Everytime Sachin is written off he comes and scores a big hundred, adding to his humongous tally, piling on personal records and his critics go a hiding. But where does that leave the team? Does it get them back on the winning track? Does it make them feel good as an outfit? Does this one hundred warrant that Sachin is 'back' and that he will be firing on all cylinders in all the matches to come? NO! Some might say, such is the game of cricket, the game of glorious uncertainties (Note to self: Stop using cliches). But when Sachin is getting out cheaply, do we see any intent on his part to make things happen and lead his team to a better position? Cut back to Kobe man who dishes the ball around (more nowadays post-Shaq) when he realises his jumpers arent quite kissing the net. I have never seen a man more win-hungry than Kobe; except for a certain Schumi, that is. Everytime Kobe walks to the middle his eyes burn with intent, you can almost see in his eyes how much he hates to lose. A lot of times critics have blamed Kobe to be very selfish, not being a team player; but why complain as long as the team is winning? After all, its not really about how you play the game, it IS about whether you win or lose. That's what makes great players, champions of the game. The Dwyane Wade's and the LeBron James' may try but I don't think they can quite match Kobe in what he does.
And Sachin? I think I've made my point(s) already. I just hope he does not go through the ignominy of being forced to retire from the game, being dropped, 'cos that would be a huge shame.
I'd love to end this post with a hilarious fwd that I received this morning.
Two people to blame for India's world cup failure:
1. Indira Gandhi (for creating Bangladesh)
2. Hanuman ( Not destroying Lanka completely)
So what prompted me to write once again about this? Kobe Bryant! Yes, he of LA Lakers fame. Following the NBA on and off, I have always been a big fan of Kobe. Not so much of the Lakers as much as Kobe though. Infact a few years back while I was rooting for the Sacramento Kings I had a hard team keeping loyalties when the Lakers played the Kings. Years later, the Lakers are a different team but Kobe is still the same, if better. If anyone's been going through news you might have read that Kobe has been averaging 54 points per game over the last 5 games! That's what I call a team player, that's what I call a champion. One who takes the onus on himself to make things happen to take his team to victory no matter what the circumstances. Not one who walks off the pitch clean bowled the third ball he faces when his team is in dire straits. How many times have we seen Kobe rain jumpers and lead the Lakers to a victory? Endless. How many times have we seen Tendulkar play an innings of substance and lead India to victory when it was most needed? Can't really tell, can ya?
Now it is beyond doubt that Tendulkar has the numbers behind him to warrant a place in the team, but how long can Team India bank on a player who clearly appears to be past his prime? Everytime Sachin is written off he comes and scores a big hundred, adding to his humongous tally, piling on personal records and his critics go a hiding. But where does that leave the team? Does it get them back on the winning track? Does it make them feel good as an outfit? Does this one hundred warrant that Sachin is 'back' and that he will be firing on all cylinders in all the matches to come? NO! Some might say, such is the game of cricket, the game of glorious uncertainties (Note to self: Stop using cliches). But when Sachin is getting out cheaply, do we see any intent on his part to make things happen and lead his team to a better position? Cut back to Kobe man who dishes the ball around (more nowadays post-Shaq) when he realises his jumpers arent quite kissing the net. I have never seen a man more win-hungry than Kobe; except for a certain Schumi, that is. Everytime Kobe walks to the middle his eyes burn with intent, you can almost see in his eyes how much he hates to lose. A lot of times critics have blamed Kobe to be very selfish, not being a team player; but why complain as long as the team is winning? After all, its not really about how you play the game, it IS about whether you win or lose. That's what makes great players, champions of the game. The Dwyane Wade's and the LeBron James' may try but I don't think they can quite match Kobe in what he does.
And Sachin? I think I've made my point(s) already. I just hope he does not go through the ignominy of being forced to retire from the game, being dropped, 'cos that would be a huge shame.
I'd love to end this post with a hilarious fwd that I received this morning.
Two people to blame for India's world cup failure:
1. Indira Gandhi (for creating Bangladesh)
2. Hanuman ( Not destroying Lanka completely)
Friday, March 23, 2007
How I saved $60
Like countless of my desi brethren out there I sit dejected tonight. The feeling is still sinking in, India dropping out of the World Cup without even qualifying for the Super 8's is not an easy thought to digest. They had been labeled 'commercial favorites' (whatever that term means) to win the World Cup after all. I mean, I am one to call a spade a spade, so realistically speaking India was going to drop out sooner than later. Looking at the previous few games India had played, it would take a fool to bet his horses on this Indian team. But still, given India's on-paper strength, it would've been another audacious foo' to write them off so early in the tournament.
Pakistan had already ensured on their part that this would be a boring World Cup. They played themselves out of the competition way too early and denied us the privilege of whooping their a$ses out of the World Cup. For most, the best part of the World Cup had been lost. We know most times our team isn't in the capacity to actually win the World cup, so defeating Pakistan in a World Cup match serves as our comfort blanket. Most Indians would agree, that given our team strength, beating Pakistan is more important than winning a World Cup. This time this wasn't to be. Little did we know that the Indian team was going to put up a show that would make Pakistan look like the best team in the world. They got snapped up by Bangladesh and returned to spank poor hapless Bermuda to all parts of the ground. In another part of the Caribbeans, a spin wiz was smacking his fingers anticipating the contest to come. India were, again only on-paper, the best players of spin.
India had the privilege of playing 3 of the best one-day players of modern times in Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly (hats off for his great comeback). Uthappa was looking fairly comfortable and promising at the top along with the big three. They had a dependable middle order with the return of Yuvraj Singh and the big hitting Dhoni. The tail had shown in previous games that it could wag and do its bit. The bowling was as has always been (read, not that great). Given this, it is hard to analyse what really went wrong. First the capitulation against a bunch of teens and then this - making a mess in a do-or-die match. I'm sure reams and reams of paper will be wasted on this, experts making a comment and another, trying to express their POV; to no use nevertheless.
Due credit to Sri Lanka though. Murali has always been one of the best spinners and the way he made easy meat of some of our players only provides further evidence why the man commands respect no matter what kind of a pitch he plays on.
Unfortunately, I wasnt able to watch the match (and do NOT intend to watch the highlights) so I cannot comment on the quality of cricket that was played, but with a reputation at stake one would imagine that both teams would have gone and played their hearts out in the middle. Not true with one big man though, Tendulkar. I am too insignificant to talk in dishonor against the great man but I cannot help but express my discontent. Historically, Tendulkar has never stood up and counted for the team when it has mattered the most and today was no different. Getting out on the 3rd ball he faced in a do or die match is not taking responsibility. When so much is at stake one would expect the senior players to stand up and take charge. Here, our man walks in and out. I'm sorry, but that is just not becoming of a man who is regarded as the greatest Indian player to have picked up the cricket bat. What plays on his mind in such big games, only he can tell. I was at work following the match and when Tendulkar was out I was .. I was .. I cant really express in words what I felt .. that feeling was well beyond words. The only thing that came to my mind, after getting over that shock, that could come any close to what I experienced was Ramgopal Bajaj in AAA going "रवीना की माँ, मैं आ रहा हू!" Jokes apart, from then on, it was just a matter of completing the formalities for the Sri Lankan team. With the Murali threat looming large, none of the middle and lower order batsmen could have done much and thats exactly what happened. Oh well!
All said and done, I am not angry, nor am I the least bit frustrated. I feel sad. Sad for the 3 best players of the Indian team who took India to such glorious heights over the last decade and a half. For them to bow out of the game without a World Cup against their name is utter injustice. I will never say that the team did not try their best and this pic below speaks for itself.
My heart goes out to the big 3.
R.I.P Glory days of Indian cricket ...
Ohh, and I almost forgot! I'd promised myself earlier this week that I'd pay to watch the matches online after India advances into the Super 8's . Waiting for the outcome of today's game, I saved $60 ;)
Pakistan had already ensured on their part that this would be a boring World Cup. They played themselves out of the competition way too early and denied us the privilege of whooping their a$ses out of the World Cup. For most, the best part of the World Cup had been lost. We know most times our team isn't in the capacity to actually win the World cup, so defeating Pakistan in a World Cup match serves as our comfort blanket. Most Indians would agree, that given our team strength, beating Pakistan is more important than winning a World Cup. This time this wasn't to be. Little did we know that the Indian team was going to put up a show that would make Pakistan look like the best team in the world. They got snapped up by Bangladesh and returned to spank poor hapless Bermuda to all parts of the ground. In another part of the Caribbeans, a spin wiz was smacking his fingers anticipating the contest to come. India were, again only on-paper, the best players of spin.
India had the privilege of playing 3 of the best one-day players of modern times in Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly (hats off for his great comeback). Uthappa was looking fairly comfortable and promising at the top along with the big three. They had a dependable middle order with the return of Yuvraj Singh and the big hitting Dhoni. The tail had shown in previous games that it could wag and do its bit. The bowling was as has always been (read, not that great). Given this, it is hard to analyse what really went wrong. First the capitulation against a bunch of teens and then this - making a mess in a do-or-die match. I'm sure reams and reams of paper will be wasted on this, experts making a comment and another, trying to express their POV; to no use nevertheless.
Due credit to Sri Lanka though. Murali has always been one of the best spinners and the way he made easy meat of some of our players only provides further evidence why the man commands respect no matter what kind of a pitch he plays on.
Unfortunately, I wasnt able to watch the match (and do NOT intend to watch the highlights) so I cannot comment on the quality of cricket that was played, but with a reputation at stake one would imagine that both teams would have gone and played their hearts out in the middle. Not true with one big man though, Tendulkar. I am too insignificant to talk in dishonor against the great man but I cannot help but express my discontent. Historically, Tendulkar has never stood up and counted for the team when it has mattered the most and today was no different. Getting out on the 3rd ball he faced in a do or die match is not taking responsibility. When so much is at stake one would expect the senior players to stand up and take charge. Here, our man walks in and out. I'm sorry, but that is just not becoming of a man who is regarded as the greatest Indian player to have picked up the cricket bat. What plays on his mind in such big games, only he can tell. I was at work following the match and when Tendulkar was out I was .. I was .. I cant really express in words what I felt .. that feeling was well beyond words. The only thing that came to my mind, after getting over that shock, that could come any close to what I experienced was Ramgopal Bajaj in AAA going "रवीना की माँ, मैं आ रहा हू!" Jokes apart, from then on, it was just a matter of completing the formalities for the Sri Lankan team. With the Murali threat looming large, none of the middle and lower order batsmen could have done much and thats exactly what happened. Oh well!
All said and done, I am not angry, nor am I the least bit frustrated. I feel sad. Sad for the 3 best players of the Indian team who took India to such glorious heights over the last decade and a half. For them to bow out of the game without a World Cup against their name is utter injustice. I will never say that the team did not try their best and this pic below speaks for itself.
My heart goes out to the big 3.
R.I.P Glory days of Indian cricket ...
Ohh, and I almost forgot! I'd promised myself earlier this week that I'd pay to watch the matches online after India advances into the Super 8's . Waiting for the outcome of today's game, I saved $60 ;)
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