Sachin Tendulkar - the fighter!

It all started with a bang at Wankhede and it is going to end at Wankhede - hopefully with a bang, last one from the master himself. What happened in between these two matches is what the world saw with an awe and that sums it all for him.

There are so many stories all around - newspaper and television interviews are all filled with good words for the little master but this piece is differently said.

Ever seen a mongoose fight a snake - that was what used to happen whenever he faced Shane Warne. Shane admits that he was tougher to bowl to than Brian Lara. According to him Sachin was at his best from 1994 to 2000. Shane has got Sachin quite a few times but it was Sachin who proved to be mongoose and clearly so.

Sir Don Bradman has himself admitted that Sachin bats much like him. These are not shallow words and will remain etched deep in the history of cricket.

Amitabh Bachchan has compared Sir Viv Richards with Sachin. Viv used to come onto the crease with lot of arrogance - arrogance  that came with the ability and confidence. It was as though he continued from where he had stopped earlier on. Whereas the little master, no matter how many runs were behind him, no matter how much experience was behind him used to start from zero. Yeah, Sachin's every innings started from scratch, he learnt from every ball bowled to him. He liked to bat long and make every chance he got count.

I remember the way he played in his initial part of his career. He was a flamboyant batsman then too. His first ODI century came only in the year 1994 - his 79th ODI and with five years after his debut. That is where he matured as a player. I think, that is where he realized that every chance counts - hit it or miss it. After this point there was no looking back - it was gradually from here on that he earned the title of "little master".

Years passed by - and during this phase India was Tendulkar or Tendulkar was India. Indian team was evolving and Australians were the mighty rulers. His batting was treat to watch and India turned Sachin crazy!

In 2000s, Tendulkar continued his slaughter. Tests were dominated by very very special Laxman and Dravid, but Tendulkar never stopped counting his centuries. In World Cup 2003, he was highest scorer with 523 runs. India reached the finals, but lost terribly against the Australians.

World cup 2011 was another ball game for Tendulkar. Kissing the World Cup was the only thing he dreamt of from childhood and this was his last chance. He was the inspiration, he was the reason, he was everything that India wanted at that time. No doubt Yuvraj was the Man of the Series and Gautam Gambhir Man of the Match in the finals, but it was Tendulkar who motivated Yuvraj Singh, who was out of form and from Indian side for sometime before the World Cup. World Cup 2011 was all Sachin's - the team performed - but it was all for and because of the little master!

Sachin knew exactly when he was going to retire. He has chosen the right time as many say it. Had he retired after poor performance in World Cup 2007 - most probably India wouldn't have won in 2011. Twenty-four years of tireless learning is what distinguishes the master from the rest. Every ball is different and Sachin tries to learn something from every ball bowled to him - no matter if it was smashed out of the ground or if it hit his wickets. Sachin means learning, continuous learning! I am sure he will learn something from the last test which he is yet to play! Waiting to watch ...

Sach is his colour!

Sach is his colour! Sachin Tendulkar showed his true colours the other day when he gave this - never before kind of - interview in Mumbai. Having dodged the question on his retirement for so long, Sachin Tendulkar finally kind of acknowledged his intentions to represent India in World Cup 2015!
It is selfish to retire when at the helm of things is what the so-called little-master says. Maybe he means it! He continues to say that he does not play for records, but playing naturally all the records came into existence. So called God of Cricket thinks so! Man Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, if only one person is to be blamed for India not reaching Asia Cup-2012 final, it is you and you alone. Nobody these days plays out maiden over in ODI, that too with so many wickets in hand - it is criminal!
Sach is his claim! Critics - a person who criticizes Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - hasn't brought him into cricket - Team India, so critics should not be the one who decides when he should quit! What kind of logic on earth is this, Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar? You are playing for India, India is my country, I am a proud citizen of India and on that basis I have all the rights to raise my concerns if nations pride is at stake! Inclusion or exclusion should be merit based, historic performance should not be the basis of current selection process (only current form and recent past should be considered) and no single person should be given outright freedom to do as he wishes!
I guess one record that Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar may be eying is to have father-son duo playing for India in one team! Other things does not matter as Sachin Tendulkar, says bad performances are forgotten by the crowd after one good performance - no matter the frequency of good performance!

I can focus on matches now : Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin, after his 100th ton, holding Indian flag high up!

Finally, another milestone is behind Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin, so called God of cricket, can focus on matches now! This is what he said after getting his 100th ton. Though I understand the pressure he might have been through, but had he not cared about milestones, that pressure would not have built!
Is that putting oneself before the nation? "I don't play for milestones. I play cricket. I want to enjoy cricket." said Sachin in an interview after he got his 100th ton. Sachin, you seriously mean it? I remember the controversy created by you, when you were at the crease with 194 not out, in 2004 Multan test against Pakistan after Rahul Dravid, then captain of India, declared the innings putting nation ahead of yourself. John Wright,  India's then coach, in his book India Summers has acknowledged the tense moments Indian camp had been through then. Sachin, you still say that you put nation ahead of milestones?
When is he going to vacate his place for the younger generation? Sachin says "I'll let you know when I decide to retire, please don't worry"! I am worried about about India, India's position in world cricket, India's readiness for next world cup to be played in 2015! For Sachin it is the last thing, because he is enjoying cricket, as if others do not! Will Sachin be fit at 42 to play for India in World Cup 2015, and will he be better than others who would have worn his shoes had he retired after WC 2011? I guess, he should have learnt something from Imran Khan.
He couldn't help India when India struggled in England and Australia. Come Bangladesh's flat pitches, he achieved the unachievable! Though India lost the match, Sachin's individual feat was far more greater than the nation, was it not Sachin? Thank you for all your services to mother India! Like you said, Sachin, it was the opposition who played well, sometimes we need to give opposition credit of their win! After your 100th ton, you can focus on matches now! Well said, Sachin!

What an idea.. sirji!

Today, after a normal day at work, I reached home. After changing over, I started browsing through TV channels. Browsing stopped at Star Cricket, where re-telecast of India-England ICC World Cup '11 match was on. While watching that for sometime, something struck me hard. There was silence all around, I heard nothing for some time. Instinctively, I touched my head. There was no blood on my hand, rather found nothing unusual. What was it that struck so hard! Then I realised it was a thought! Started digging into it, deeper. 
I was thinking about the world cup format. India won the world cup, but England drew the match against India, in that sense England is equal to India and so England also won the cup! Secondly, South Africa won against India, so with similar logic South Africa won the cup! But, South Africa lost to New Zealand, which in turn lost to Pakistan and Pakisatn lost to India, so India is a worthy winner! Haha...
Kuch aur kaam nahin hain kya, kuch bhi sochta rehta hain... bakwaas band kar!
Huh.. who said that!? Forget it, I thought, let me go deeper into my original thoughts!
Com'on this is so common. I have thought about it hundred times before!
Then, go over it one more time, hardly matters. Why not have a world cup, wherein all matches are knock out matches. Lose one, you are out! We can have best of three. Have groups made up of two teams, play each other until a team wins twice. So, if there are twelve teams to start with, we have six groups. Twelve will become six and six will become three. Three play each other twice, if there is a circle formation i.e. if B wins against C, A wins against B and A loses against C then sum all scored-for runs minus scored-against runs and decide the winner. No final will be played. If there is no circle formation, then play best-of-three finals.
Moron you are!
Well, let me continue. Groups will be formed based on matches played against each other in last four years. So, not only the world cup, but all the matches will be interesting.
Hmm, this seems to be a good idea!
So, unless a match is declared as a friendly match, all other matches will count for group formation. And teams will have to play certain minimum number of matches against each other in the four years between two world cups.
This seems to work!!!
I knew it! Something good comes out of garbage thoughts as well! :)

Sachin, Tusi Great Ho ...

India has been celebrating its world cup win for last more than twenty-four hours! And neither are the news channels tired of reporting stories related to the world cup win, nor are we Indians tired of watching it. Everyone just wants to follow the cricketers wherever they go and whatever they do; everyone wants to celebrate endlessly.

India is a country where cricket is passion, playing, watching or following the cricketers. After the win, it was all about dedicating the win, felicitation programs and reward time for our cricketers. The team was felicitated by the President of India, while rewards are pouring in from BCCI, various government bodies and large corporations. Our cricketers have made Indians proud and they certainly deserve it all. Along with this, there were discussions happening mainly comparing '83 vs. '11 ... win, captaincy, team and so on. But when it came to dedicating the win, all unanimously dedicated it to our great son of Mumbai, Sachin-paaji.

Yuvraj, Raina, Yousuf carrying Sachin on shoulders for the victory lap

Sachin's 21 years of service to Indian cricket may just be one reason for this unanimous dedication by team players. But this world cup probably being his last one of his career may just be another! Probably there may be more reasons to it. Possibly, his contribution in this world cup!?

Today, when I was watching one such television discussion, there was a question asked as to why there is so much of affection between Yuvraj and Sachin. Well, they may be friends, are together for so long, playing for India. But there is more to it than just this! When Yuvi was out of form and had been dropped from the team in 2007-08. It was Sachin who was in constant touch with him. Caring and ensuring to it that he practiced and kept himself fit to one day return to the one-day squad. But, I think, it wasn't just this as well. There is more to it!

I remember Sachin, in particular, was upset over India's early exit in 2007 World Cup. There was a movement going on against Sachin in the media, asking him to quit. This was something Sachin could not take. He had a dream of holding a World Cup in his hands. He had seen Kapil paaji do it, he wanted to do it himself. He wanted to win it for India! It was because of this dream that Sachin, in his childhood days, started playing cricket with season ball instead of a tennis ball. Sachin, in 2007, was seeing this dream being shattered.

Sachin's dream fulfilled.

Sachin decided to stick. He had made up his mind to play 2011 World Cup and win it. Cricket, being a team game, he wanted support. He wanted match winners in team India. Yuvi was one such match winner, he didn't want to lose. Sachin, as intelligent as he is, took personal interest in Yuvi, when the latter was dropped from the squad. Sachin used to call Yuvi daily; to ensure that Yuvi practiced, remained fit, made it to the team, get into form and win it for India, for Sachin. Little Master's off-field master stroke! From what was seen as a controversial selection before the world cup, Yuvi went on to became the man of the tournament! Had it not been for Sachin and his dream, we probably might not have won the cup ... who knows!

Sachin, tusi great ho ...

India Tastes Victory ...

Dhoni lead the way, in style, to another victory! This has given the nation, especially young India, joy like never before! Most of what young India heard about, and clips of Kapil with the cup in '83 that we saw on television was all second hand experience! This team has given us first hand experience, the real taste of victory! A much needed victory to prove to ourselves what we are capable of. We are the new champions! We are the world!

Team India did it for 1.21 billion people of India; for Sachin Tendulkar, who tried hard to achieve this feat for last 21 years in 5 previous world cups; for Guru Gary and for themselves. What started with an early exit from 2007 world cup, got us this title! Yeah, I believe, it was that spark that has now ignited in a flame, in each one of us, to achieve what team India collectively achieved. Immense talent, no doubt, is there in this team. But, moreover, India wanted to win very badly (tears of happiness just proves it). That urge got us through some of the toughest and challenging moments that team India faced during this world cup.

Wins against Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were all big, and Indians backed the team all through. Indians, including politicians, businessmen, actors, all came in large numbers to witness this historic win. Celebrations, after the win in finals, ran throughout the night! India was glowing on a new moon night! This was the glow from within each one of us. Just wondering what kind of positive vibes a win could possibly get. 

While watching India celebrate the victory on a news channel, I saw a person with Indian tricolour in hand, with all emotions right up on her face, saying "Mere India ne world cup jeeta. Yeh India ke liye hain". I think and hope that this "for India" urge, will soon show up in other fields too, especially in politics. This may just be the beginning of a new era. Era, which will change India forever, for good and show to the world its true potential.

What it is to be Afridi !

What it is to be Afridi!

I watched India-Pakistan play each other yesterday. The most awaited match of the tournament. Media had hyped the match, but when India-Pakistan play each other, especially in world cups, it is all part of the parcel. This is the tenth world cup and India played Pakistan the fifth time in world cup history. And as usual, I expected the players, specially Pakistani players, to sledge and there by create the atmosphere of true rivalry. On the contrary, they weren't the Pakistanis of old days. Javed Miandad's jumping on the pitch, Amir Sohail's aggressive remarks, Shoiab Akhtar's angry looks... were all missing. Pakistanis played like true gentlemen. Not that they weren't gentle enough earlier, but "that" edge was completely missing, in their batting, bowling and fielding. I didn't enjoy beating Pakistan as before.

Afridi was leading an inexperienced Pakistani side. Just before the world cup, quite a few players were axed for being involved in match fixing. A day before the match, players were warned by their interior minister not to get involved in match fixing. They were under vigil all through. I can just imagine, what they could have been through.

Pakistani politics, I think, is eating away it's cricket. We all know what the Sri Lankans faced when they last toured Pakistan. No other team now wishes to play in Pakistan. Whatever matches Pakistan plays, plays on neutral venues or opposition's home ground. Though the world cup is being played in the Indian sub-continent, Pakistan didn't get to host a single match. What a pity!

Economically, Pakistani players are poorer in comparison to other cricketers. All for obvious reasons. IPL also do not entertain Pakistani players.

With all this and more, there is no doubt whatsoever, that they are a talented lot. Just to mention - reverse swing was first noticed by Akram and famous doosra was Saqlain's invention. Pakistan has a long list of great cricketers. Wahab Riaz, a new find for Pakistan, proved that yesterday. His reverse swinging yorker to Yuvi said more than words could ever say. No wonder they topped their group and reached the semis.

One day after the loss, Zulqarnian Haider, Pakistan's former wicket keeper, has questioned the defeat and has asked higher authorities to probe the poor performance of the team. Wonder what Afridi will have in response to all these allegations.

Afridi, in the interview after the match, said sorry to his nation and I'm sorry for him. Not because he lost the game for Pakistan, but because talent is not getting it's worth.

Well, I am a true supporter of men in blue! Pakistan was just another hurdle, we got to get our hands on to our second world cup!


PS: Afridi, a day after I wrote this blog, has questioned Pakistani's openly as to why Pakistani's hate India? He said, Pakistani weddings are done in Indian style, Pakistan watches all Indian movies, dances to Indian music, has so many things in common... then why? It was just a game that Pakistan lost!
Well said Shahid Afridi! We certainly need more people like him on either side.

De ghuma ke ...

Another three days and we are through with the league phase and there is no world cup fever in India!?! Well... stop kidding and feel the heat!!! It's on ...

England has kinda fellas chosen for themselves - well, it is because of them that the atmosphere is all chilled up. Windies are blown out by bench-warmer Tredwell, and of course, Swann came is handy as usual. What started as a usual match, England as usual made it unusual! Having lost to weak teams (Ireland and Bangladesh) and drawn with India, they won against South Africa and Windies; all thrillers. Forget not Rusell's catch taken (well almost) by Jonathon Trott and thereafter the review for LBW appeal against Sarwan, would have really broken the team. With just 26 runs to defend and 4 wickets to take, Englishmen held their nerves when it mattered! Scrapping through a do-or-die situation like this, they had a lot of luck on their side today. It might just get them their first cup, if it favours them till the end.
With all this part of history, Bangladesh will now have to try their luck against the mighty South Africans. Life is not always that easy (Bangladesh gate crashed into the second round in CWC 2007)!
With only a few league matches still to be played, it is quarter-final time, and with top eight team almost certain now; get ready to knock off or get knocked off!

Terrific Tuesday for Indian Sports!

It had to be a very calm, cool, composed, a man with wonderful temperament, God of second-innings-on-day-five on with the job to sail India through and get an unassailable 1-0 lead against the once solid and unbeatable Australia. Yeah, it had to be our very own Very Very Special Laxman.
Aussies were on top of things and favorites for last one-and-a-half days of Mohali test. India finished day-four with 55-4 on board and with a target of 216. Though Tendulkar was at the crease with Zaheer, the top order including Gambhir, Sehwag, Dravid and Raina were in. I knew if India were to win the test from here, it had to be because of Laxman. It happened so, India lost Zaheer, Tendulkar, Dhoni and Bhajji much before lunch on day five, with a hurricane task of 92 runs still to get on Laxman, Ishant and Ojha. Laxman and Ishant put up a splendid 81 run 8th-wicket partnership, giving India a miraculous win. Not to forget, Laxman had a bad back all through this test, came in 8-down in the first innings and 6-down with Raina as runner in the second. But as Farooq Engineer said later during the day.. with bad back or with no back, Laxman was always going to be too much for the Aussies to handle!

I saw the final overs of this nail-bitting finish. Laxman was not only getting the runs, but also managing which singles to run for, which ones to let go and when and how long to expose the tail to the Aussie attack. One instance, when Ojha was trying to get a run not called by VVS, made our calm and cool guy lose his temper. This only showed how desperate he was to win the match for India.

VVS got unbeaten 73 off 79 balls (SR 92.4) with 8-boundaries and Ishant scored 31 off 92 balls, which happens to be the highest number of deliveries faced by an Indian in second innings of this test. With this win India proved they are number one test playing nation. Ponting also will now have to wait longer to register his first win as a test-captain against India in India, having played 6 games already and losing 4 off them.
For Laxman this wasn't the first time. He has done it time and again and that too against the mighty Australians. His 281-run memorable contribution with Dravid's 140-odd to win the Eden Garden test against the same opponent way back in 2001 was the greatest of all. India then were on a follow-on and Australia were on a winning streak, having won 16 tests before getting a beating from India in Kolkata. It is against Australia that he has got his top-four best scores; his average in the second innings is 50 - there's something very very special about him. Ponting also later during the day added that it was only Laxman that they were worried about.

This Tuesday hasn't been only about cricket! India won 5 gold medals in commonwealth games today! Two in shooting, one each for Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang, and three in wrestling for Ravinder Singh, Anil Kumar and Sanjay Kumar. All Indians are proud of their achievement and stand to salute their heroism.

B=C=B bond

IPL had a mega opening ceremony, Pathan scored a 37-ball-century, Sachin won the game for Mumbai Indians, Gilchrist is leading Deccan Chargers trying to defend their title, it is IPL fever all the way. Cricket sells in India... and that is good news!?!?! Anyways it doesn't matter. I am not a cricketer and I personally do not know a single person for whom cricket is his daily bread and butter. What matters is Indians have developed a lot of interest in cricket and it has a place very next (most probably on the higher side) to Bollywood. And so probably the line between Bollywood and cricket is thinning day-by-day. Cricketers who fail to go on all the way have tried their luck in movies and there are movies on cricket and now there is a third aspect to it which has come into play with IPL, hmm.. movie stars are now owning cricket teams. Wow.. this has developed into a covalent bond as in aromatic organic compounds, sharing more than what carbon and hydrogen (H=C=H) atoms do :). This aroma is attracting people and creating pools of wealth.

Another example wherein this aroma has come into play is in Ashutosh Govarikar's Lagaan and Nagesh Kukkunoor's Iqbal. On the other hand cricket has been played with a well defined script where the aroma turned into foul air; who doesn't remember our match fixer's. I can only say that nothing is impossible in India! But let the aroma hold on and let it spread all over India, entertaining the crowd the way it likes the most.