I first saw Dhoni in a first class match. I can't remember anything about that match but Dhoni. There was a lot of buzz about him in the media. He was thought to become our Gilchrist. He had a great tour of Africa with India 'A' team. He was about to break into the Indian team. If you think I remember him in that match for his great performance then you are on wrong boat. He made first ball duck in that match. The man, with coloured locks flowing, pulled his first ball right at the throat of square leg. Worse he walked as if nothing happened. No emotion not even a shake of head, nothing. He looked so arrogant. I was shocked to say the least. I thought he was over rated. He will become Gilchrist!!! No way!!!!
Now I look back & think how deceptive first impression can be. Since then he has achieved whatever a person can dream of. What is it which fetches him so much success? After all he is not the most talented player around. I find Dinesh Karthik far more accomplished but he is not even in frame now. Is Dhoni really that much lucky that nothing can go wrong with him. Absolutely not. Only luck can't take you where he is right now.
I don't claim to be a psychologist, body language reader or to know Dhoni closely. But if you dig deeper you will find a certain approach. He has some method right from the start. He lives in the moment & backs himself. The man who looked to me arrogant was actually moved on the moment he was out. There was no point in regretting it. He lives in the moment & moves on when it is passed. This is his biggest strength. I was amazed how he was not reacting to a world cup win. When everybody around him (in fact entire nation) was screaming or crying he was just smiling. World Cup win must have relieved him & he must be proud of his achievement but the moment he hit that six he was done. He moved on. So no screaming or crying like everybody. Every person has his way of dealing with pressure Dhoni has his own.
Yes, he takes gambles too but the smart ones. Do you remember 2007 World T20 final's legendary last over? Dhoni gave the last over to Joginder Sharma. Was it a gamble? There was some logic to it. It was not a blind decision. It was a calculated risk. Quota of all the main bowlers except Harbhajan were finished. He could have given ball to four players at that time. Harbhajan, Yuvraj, Yusuf Pathan & Joginder Sharma. Harbhajan already went for quite a few runs in his last over. Misbah had clear edge over Harbhajan at that time. Yusuf was playing his first international match. That left Dhoni with Yuvraj & Joginder. Yuvraj had not bowled a single bowl in that match till then & his bowling was not as flourshing as it is now. Now take the case of Joginder. Before the final over he had bowling figure of 3 overs/ 12 runs and a wicket. Now who would you choose to bowl the last over.
When you hear about Dhoni you will come to know about his love for bikes, war stories, action flicks, guns etc. All his likes indicates that he is a reckless young man. But have you ever heard about him being found in late night parties or seen in a night club!!! So is there some kind of disciplined & dedicated person. I hope you got my point.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
It's Open For All...
In the last two world cups everyone knew that only an upset can deny Australians the cup. Such was Australian dominance over world cricket that even Australian fans would have got bored with lack of competition. The 2007 world cup was a disaster on all counts and everything possible has been written about it. But this world cup is going to be different. After many years as many as five teams have realistic chance of winning the coveted cup. India, Austarlia, South Africa, SriLanka and England are my pick. Has anyone taken the name of Pakistan! It is going to be a memorable world cup. It will hold imagination of far more fans than earlier. You rarely find such an open tournament in any sport.
Indians are leading the pack. They are favourites to win the trophy & no one should doubt it. India has a batting line-up which any team will envy. At the top they have Sachin, Sehwag & Gambhir, in middle order Yuvraj, Raina/Kohli & in lower middle order they have Dhoni & Yusuf. God! in subcontinent's conditions these are some batsmen. Any line-up, in which talents like Raina & Kohli are fighting to get a place in starting eleven, has to have some of the greatest talents around. India's pace bowling is a bit of concern. Its the weak link of the team. Apart from Zaheer there's no one you can count on. Nehra, Munaf & Sreeshanth they all can be great on a given day but there is an equal chance of everything going all wrong for them. Thankfully spin department is well covered for India. There is nothing to say about Harbhajan. We all know what he can do with the ball & his batting form has been big bonus for India in recent times. Ashwin is a very good limited over cricketer. He has great variations & bowls really well in crunch times like power plays & death overs. Chawal was a surprise pick for me. I thought Pragyan Ojha was a better bet. Perhaps Chawla's batting has tilted the balance in his favour. He bowled well in the practice game against Australia. Anyways I don't think he will get a chance in the playing eleven unless someone gets injured. This superbly talented team will be led by, most calm & assured captain playing in this world cup, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Not just talent, this team has the belief that it can come out of any situation & this mental approach make them a team which can go all the way.
Next on my list is Australian team. Many of you would not agree with me. Some will say South Africa, some others will say SriLanka. Austarlians may have lost some of their greatest players over the years but they are still the number one team in One day International. They know how to win big matches & this gives them some edge over other teams. On paper their batting looks really good. But apart from Shane Watson, at the top, everyone is on the look out for form. Their best batman, Ponting, had an awful Ashes & is coming out of an injury. Their vice captain Clarke is also short on confidence. Loss of Mike Hussey due to injury has added to their batting woes. Their bowling selection is quite interesting. They have picked five fast bowlers when other teams are packing their sides with spinners. Lee, Tait, Bolinger, Johnson & Hasting are the five fast bowlers. They have lone specialist spinner in Jason Careza. Picking five quick bowlers seems sound decision when you look at their spin talent pool. They are calling it aggressive move but for me they had no other option but to go for faster men. This team may have lost their aura of invincibility but they still are able beat a side like England 6-1. Is any one out there to discard this Australian team!
At number three on my list is co host SriLanka. On slow low turf this team can suffocate the opposition with it's spinners. They have an explosive opener in Dilshan. In middle order they have two really gifted players Sangakara & Jaywardhane. In lower middle order they have an able allrounder Mahroof. Pace bowling will be led by Malinga. He is an asset for the team. He can get you back in a match from nowhere. In spin department legend Murali will get support from Herath & Mendis. With some great talent aided by home advantage can take this team through.
At number four comes South Africa. It can be surprising to all of you that I placed this team at number four. This team is hugely talented.It has all the areas covered to make them the champions. It has a batting line-up which can match the best in the business. The batting line-up includes Smith, Amla, Kalis, Deviliers & Duminiy. This team has best pace attack in the world which includes Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe & Parnel. Their spin attack includes Botha & rookie Imran Tahir. This team has one of the greatest allrounders ever, Kalis, who provides great balance to the team. With such talents why have I placed this team at number four! The only reason is that this team lacks big match temperament. We have seen on so many occasions how this team has chocked & lost some crucial games. If this team performs to its potential on those crunch moments it will go all the way.
I placed England at number five. Of the five teams I think England would not make it to the semis. The main reason is that it lacks impact players. When I say impact player I mean a player who can change complexion of a match in a span of few overs. In English team only Peterson has this ability. England is a great test team but when it comes to shorter version it lacks the X factor. But this is the world champion side in twenty20 format. So you never know.
With these five teams I would like to add the name of Pakistani team for their ability to surprise even themselves. Unpredictability is nature of this team. So you can never write this team off.
With so many teams in fray we can hope for a cracking world cup this time.
Indians are leading the pack. They are favourites to win the trophy & no one should doubt it. India has a batting line-up which any team will envy. At the top they have Sachin, Sehwag & Gambhir, in middle order Yuvraj, Raina/Kohli & in lower middle order they have Dhoni & Yusuf. God! in subcontinent's conditions these are some batsmen. Any line-up, in which talents like Raina & Kohli are fighting to get a place in starting eleven, has to have some of the greatest talents around. India's pace bowling is a bit of concern. Its the weak link of the team. Apart from Zaheer there's no one you can count on. Nehra, Munaf & Sreeshanth they all can be great on a given day but there is an equal chance of everything going all wrong for them. Thankfully spin department is well covered for India. There is nothing to say about Harbhajan. We all know what he can do with the ball & his batting form has been big bonus for India in recent times. Ashwin is a very good limited over cricketer. He has great variations & bowls really well in crunch times like power plays & death overs. Chawal was a surprise pick for me. I thought Pragyan Ojha was a better bet. Perhaps Chawla's batting has tilted the balance in his favour. He bowled well in the practice game against Australia. Anyways I don't think he will get a chance in the playing eleven unless someone gets injured. This superbly talented team will be led by, most calm & assured captain playing in this world cup, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Not just talent, this team has the belief that it can come out of any situation & this mental approach make them a team which can go all the way.
Next on my list is Australian team. Many of you would not agree with me. Some will say South Africa, some others will say SriLanka. Austarlians may have lost some of their greatest players over the years but they are still the number one team in One day International. They know how to win big matches & this gives them some edge over other teams. On paper their batting looks really good. But apart from Shane Watson, at the top, everyone is on the look out for form. Their best batman, Ponting, had an awful Ashes & is coming out of an injury. Their vice captain Clarke is also short on confidence. Loss of Mike Hussey due to injury has added to their batting woes. Their bowling selection is quite interesting. They have picked five fast bowlers when other teams are packing their sides with spinners. Lee, Tait, Bolinger, Johnson & Hasting are the five fast bowlers. They have lone specialist spinner in Jason Careza. Picking five quick bowlers seems sound decision when you look at their spin talent pool. They are calling it aggressive move but for me they had no other option but to go for faster men. This team may have lost their aura of invincibility but they still are able beat a side like England 6-1. Is any one out there to discard this Australian team!
At number three on my list is co host SriLanka. On slow low turf this team can suffocate the opposition with it's spinners. They have an explosive opener in Dilshan. In middle order they have two really gifted players Sangakara & Jaywardhane. In lower middle order they have an able allrounder Mahroof. Pace bowling will be led by Malinga. He is an asset for the team. He can get you back in a match from nowhere. In spin department legend Murali will get support from Herath & Mendis. With some great talent aided by home advantage can take this team through.
At number four comes South Africa. It can be surprising to all of you that I placed this team at number four. This team is hugely talented.It has all the areas covered to make them the champions. It has a batting line-up which can match the best in the business. The batting line-up includes Smith, Amla, Kalis, Deviliers & Duminiy. This team has best pace attack in the world which includes Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe & Parnel. Their spin attack includes Botha & rookie Imran Tahir. This team has one of the greatest allrounders ever, Kalis, who provides great balance to the team. With such talents why have I placed this team at number four! The only reason is that this team lacks big match temperament. We have seen on so many occasions how this team has chocked & lost some crucial games. If this team performs to its potential on those crunch moments it will go all the way.
I placed England at number five. Of the five teams I think England would not make it to the semis. The main reason is that it lacks impact players. When I say impact player I mean a player who can change complexion of a match in a span of few overs. In English team only Peterson has this ability. England is a great test team but when it comes to shorter version it lacks the X factor. But this is the world champion side in twenty20 format. So you never know.
With these five teams I would like to add the name of Pakistani team for their ability to surprise even themselves. Unpredictability is nature of this team. So you can never write this team off.
With so many teams in fray we can hope for a cracking world cup this time.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Crazy Cricket
So we are just 11 days away from one of the biggest sporting event in the Indian subcontinent to get started. Come February 19 & entire subcontinent will be submerged in cricket. what makes cricket such a huge sport in our part of the world? Why Indians, Pakistanis, SriLankans, Bangladeshis are crazy about this sport? Why not soccer, hockey or any other sport! Above all cricket is not an easy sport to understand. Its Lbws, powerplays, silly points, forward shortlegs, UDRS & endless other things make it one of the toughest sport to understand. Then how billions of people, many of whom are illiterate, get hold of this sport?
The answer is simple. Why do kids follow any sport? Kids see someone making a name for him/herself & they want to be like him/her. Has any sport, apart from cricket, produced that someone in the subcontinent. Apart from few exceptions you wont find that someone in a sport other than cricket. Yes, there have been Bhutia, Saina, Paes, Bhupati, Vijendra & others who have exceptional talents. They made our country proud. But have they done what Sachin Tendulkar has done in the past two decades! Can anyone inspire a generation to take up a particular sport like Sachin did! In simple words any sport needs legends & victories to catch the attention of a nation. Cricket is the only sport which has consistently produced legends & victories in the subcontinent.
India, Pakistan & Srilanka are highly rated cricket teams in the world. Bangladesh too has shown improvement. All the subcontinent teams have some of the worlds best players. Sachin, Akaram, Imran khan, Jaisurya, Murali are just few names who have graced these teams. These teams have given their people numerous occasions of joy which other sports have failed to do. This keeps cricket heads & shoulders above other sports in subcontinent.
The answer is simple. Why do kids follow any sport? Kids see someone making a name for him/herself & they want to be like him/her. Has any sport, apart from cricket, produced that someone in the subcontinent. Apart from few exceptions you wont find that someone in a sport other than cricket. Yes, there have been Bhutia, Saina, Paes, Bhupati, Vijendra & others who have exceptional talents. They made our country proud. But have they done what Sachin Tendulkar has done in the past two decades! Can anyone inspire a generation to take up a particular sport like Sachin did! In simple words any sport needs legends & victories to catch the attention of a nation. Cricket is the only sport which has consistently produced legends & victories in the subcontinent.
India, Pakistan & Srilanka are highly rated cricket teams in the world. Bangladesh too has shown improvement. All the subcontinent teams have some of the worlds best players. Sachin, Akaram, Imran khan, Jaisurya, Murali are just few names who have graced these teams. These teams have given their people numerous occasions of joy which other sports have failed to do. This keeps cricket heads & shoulders above other sports in subcontinent.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Best Yet To Come
Last month we rejoiced the double hundred by Sachin Tendulkar. For the last two decades we have been celebrating his achievements. He gave us numerous moments to have smiles on our faces. We came together as a nation in those moments. We as a nation know very well that these moments of togetherness are very few for us. So the value of his achievements are much greater.
But this super hero is also a human after all. He went through some rough times between 2002 to 2007. A series of injuries and poor performances gave voice to his critics. He is booed even at his home ground. Tendulkar was aged 29 and 34 between this lean period. Traditionally in cricket age between 29 to 34 is said to be flourishing years for a batsman. But Tendulkar's performances went down exactly in that period. If we don't count his performaces against Bangaladesh he averaged around 38 in 35 tests in that period. It's not impressive by any stretch of imagination. Brian Lara, one of Tendulkar's contemporary great, has similar career trough. When Lara was aged 26 to 32 he averaged just above 40. But after that he blossomed again. He was at his best against Murli, Mcgarath, Warne, Kumble and all other greats after that. Looking at the current form of Tendulkar, he seems to be heading for many more glories.
So, friends we have not witnessed the best of Tendulkar. His best is yet to come.
But this super hero is also a human after all. He went through some rough times between 2002 to 2007. A series of injuries and poor performances gave voice to his critics. He is booed even at his home ground. Tendulkar was aged 29 and 34 between this lean period. Traditionally in cricket age between 29 to 34 is said to be flourishing years for a batsman. But Tendulkar's performances went down exactly in that period. If we don't count his performaces against Bangaladesh he averaged around 38 in 35 tests in that period. It's not impressive by any stretch of imagination. Brian Lara, one of Tendulkar's contemporary great, has similar career trough. When Lara was aged 26 to 32 he averaged just above 40. But after that he blossomed again. He was at his best against Murli, Mcgarath, Warne, Kumble and all other greats after that. Looking at the current form of Tendulkar, he seems to be heading for many more glories.
So, friends we have not witnessed the best of Tendulkar. His best is yet to come.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A Billion Wish Came True Tonight
As a kid I always wished for it. In fact every Indian across generations has wished for it. Sachin Tendulkar scoring a double ton is the ultimate dream of a cricket lover in India. Let me pinch myself, ouch!! Oh my God!! its true. Sachin achieved the ultimate milestone of Oneday cricket. What else this super human will achieve? Virtually every record of cricket has written Sachin against it. We are privileged to have born in this era to witness greatness of such a legend.
Now coming back to today's match, Sachin was all over it. What else could you expect when a man scores a double ton? But there were Karthik, Pathan and Dhoni, all of them tore apart the South African bowling attack. Karthik and Sachin prepared the base for a mammoth total, Pathan provided the momentum and Dhoni finished it in style. Final result a mammoth 401.
Once India had 401 on score card it was always going to be a huge ask for SA. But SA have already chased down 434 against Australia and recently Sri Lanka almost chased 414 against India. So there was hope for SA provided they had a good start. But they could not manage that. They lost half their side at 102 and finally reached 248. A.B. Deviliars scored a century to lessen the South African embarrassment.
Indian bowling showed improvement. It may have been motivated by the Sachin's double ton. India have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. India will retain their number two position at the ICC lader.
Time to celebrate Sachin's amazing achievement guys............
Now coming back to today's match, Sachin was all over it. What else could you expect when a man scores a double ton? But there were Karthik, Pathan and Dhoni, all of them tore apart the South African bowling attack. Karthik and Sachin prepared the base for a mammoth total, Pathan provided the momentum and Dhoni finished it in style. Final result a mammoth 401.
Once India had 401 on score card it was always going to be a huge ask for SA. But SA have already chased down 434 against Australia and recently Sri Lanka almost chased 414 against India. So there was hope for SA provided they had a good start. But they could not manage that. They lost half their side at 102 and finally reached 248. A.B. Deviliars scored a century to lessen the South African embarrassment.
Indian bowling showed improvement. It may have been motivated by the Sachin's double ton. India have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. India will retain their number two position at the ICC lader.
Time to celebrate Sachin's amazing achievement guys............
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thrilling Begining
Three match ODI series between India and South Africa began on a thrilling note. A last ball finish. Steyn and Parnnel almost clinched an improbable victory. When Kallis got out in 42nd over SA needed 74 of 43 balls with 2 wickets left. At that moment India was all set to register an easy win. But in the final overs Indian bowlers almost chocked to the assault by Steyn and Parnell. The runs started to flow like water and it came down to last over. SA needed 10 from this one. Praveen Kumar was asked to bowl the final over by Dhoni. Praveen kept his cool and managed one run victory for India.
India managed one run victory but there are many questions they will have to answer. Almost every Indian batsman got start but no one converted starts to big score. Its a crime to get a start and not convert those starts. More often than not younger batsmen of Indian team get a start but through it away in 30s and 40s. Karthik, Raina, Kohli have committed this mistake several times. What about Sehwag!!!!! He is a batsman who converts his starts in tests so regularly that we are counting him one of the best opener in the test history of India. When it comes to ODI he starts as stunningly as anybody can but these starts are not converted into big hundreds as in tests. It has reduced this extraordinary test batsman to an ordinary oneday batsman.
Bowling in death overs is getting worse. I am wondering when these bowlers will learn to bowl yorkers. There are countless matches which India lost due to their poor death bowling.
If India wants to win big tournaments like world cup then above questions must be answered quickly. For now we are 1-0 up in this three match series.
India managed one run victory but there are many questions they will have to answer. Almost every Indian batsman got start but no one converted starts to big score. Its a crime to get a start and not convert those starts. More often than not younger batsmen of Indian team get a start but through it away in 30s and 40s. Karthik, Raina, Kohli have committed this mistake several times. What about Sehwag!!!!! He is a batsman who converts his starts in tests so regularly that we are counting him one of the best opener in the test history of India. When it comes to ODI he starts as stunningly as anybody can but these starts are not converted into big hundreds as in tests. It has reduced this extraordinary test batsman to an ordinary oneday batsman.
Bowling in death overs is getting worse. I am wondering when these bowlers will learn to bowl yorkers. There are countless matches which India lost due to their poor death bowling.
If India wants to win big tournaments like world cup then above questions must be answered quickly. For now we are 1-0 up in this three match series.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Preparations For Big Event Begins
In less than a years time 2011 world cup will be inaugurated. In wake of the next world cup the series between India and South Africa has gained much more importance. Every series from here on should be a preparation opportunity for the Indian team. Three players from the Indian side are unavailable for the series. So it is a great opportunity for Team India to check their bench strength against one of the best side in the world.
The series also promises to be an interesting one. As both the teams fought hard for the number one slot in Test, it will be for the second position in ODI. So another great series on the cards guys.
The series also promises to be an interesting one. As both the teams fought hard for the number one slot in Test, it will be for the second position in ODI. So another great series on the cards guys.
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