This is a great opportunity for the Indian cricket team to gain a huge psychological advantage before the start of the Champions trophy. The Indian batting has yet to fire. It might make sense to play five bowlers and perhaps bring in Mongia in place of the struggling Yuvraj and maybe Kaif in place of Raina. After a decent tour of WI, Kaif suddenly finds himself out of the playing 11! The other possible change might be to drop RP Singh and bring in Powar. Given that Bhajji has been able to get some assistance from the pitch this might not be a bad bet.
Month: September 2006
Thailand: What after the Coup?
Now that there is a coup in Thailand what happens to Thaksin? Does he return or hang out here in the US or go to some other country. I would think that his assets back home are already frozen and he’d probably be arrested if he returned.
It is interesting that the guy is actually quite popular especially among the poor in Thailand. From press reports, it appears as though the “elite” in Thailand, the king and the army got together to boot him out. Return to democracy of any kind in the short term does not seem likely. Wonder where Thailand goes from here. Hopefully not another mess in the making. On second thoughts…they don’t have freedom or democracy, do they have oil in Thailand, btw? 🙂
Cricket: India’s “Seaming Pains”
Pathan is clearly struggling. His pace is dropping by the minute! He bowls at 120s these days! At this pace, Indiajust can’t open the bowling with him anymore. To make matters worse at second change he was belted all around the park! He managed just two overs in the previous match and 4 in the most recent. I suspect he will be dropped for the next match against WI despite his good knock in the first ODI. Without 10 decent overs from Pathan in the Champions trophy, India’s bowling reserves are going to be stressed. Viru, Sachin and Yuvra will have to be regular bowlers and not just backups. Might certainly prove to be better than relying on Pathan based on his current form.
Sreesanth must be having nightmares thinking of his World Cup chances, as this series progresses. He has been dumped for the Champions trophy and is unsure of a place in the team for the next two games! Is he another Tinu Yohanan in the making?
Cowboy vs. Combat boots!
Caught a bit of the Senate race debate on NBC last night. Republican Senator George Allen (wears Cowbow boots!) came across as a very seasoned politician (despite his macaca slip) unlike his opponent, James Webb (wears Combat boots!) who seems to be banking primarily on his anti-war stance. The Senator on the other hand seems to swear by anything the Bush administration does. (Wonder how he would react when Jeb Bush announces his Presidential bid!). It is surprising that the polls show that the race is competitive despite the campaign styles, the cash reserves of the incumbent etc. Sounds like opposition to the war in Iraq is finally worth a few extra votes!
Movie Review: Fanaa
Title: Fanaa
Starring: Amir Khan, Kajol, Rishi Kapoor
A tragic love story set in Kashmir. The Director attempts to blend terrorism and a love story and succeeds in delivering a watchable film despite its shortcomings (too many predictable circumstances). He definitely deserves credit for restrained acting and the avoidance of unnecessary melodrama despite plenty of opportunity throughout the film for the same. Instead he has stuck to subtlety throughout the film. Amir Khan in the lead role looks a lot older in the early part of the film. Kajol appears to have returned with minimal changes in her looks! Amir handles his role with ease as always. Two seasoned stars, a blend of love and present-day favorite topic (terrorism), good music, great visuals and tactful direction, together sums up the movie.
Jatin Lalit’s music is good. “Mere Haath Mein” attempts to re-create the “Sooraj hua Madham” look and feel and succeeds.
As a follow up to the highly successful Hum Tum, the Director delivers a serious film which also appears to have been a huge box office hit.
Pope: Unnecessary Provocation
Why make a already bad situation worse? First it was the “Islamic Fascists” and now its the Pope joining in on insulting Muslims. Sounds like there are no shortage of visible, powerful, respected people determined to divide the world further. Sad, but true.
India-WI ODI (Malaysia!)
Tendulkar announced his return with bang but India lost. Its unfair to find fault with the little master for a superlative performance. But one can’t miss the eerie stats that India loses whenever Sachin scores!
WI should consider themselves very lucky to have been granted the match. A couple of quick wickets and the WI team could have easily collapsed in the space of two overs.
For the next ODI it might make sense to play Mongia in place of Bhajji. There seems to be little in the pitch for spinners. Mongia, Viru and Sachin can easily account for the fifth bowler.
Movie Review: Walk the Line
Language: English
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon
Based on the life of Johnny Cash, the country music star, his rise from humble beginnings to stardom, followed by struggle with drugs etc. Joaquin Phoenix does a terrific job in the lead role. Reese Witherspoon handles her role with ease. I didn’t find her acting in this film anything out of the world or definitely not deserving of an Oscar. The movie as a whole is engaging and worth a watch. Personally, I was quite ignorant about Johnny Cash’s life, so the movie was informative for whatever its worth.
Cricket: Triangular in Malaysia!
Its crazy to hold a cricket tournament in Malaysia when the game is hardly popular there. Besides, I think the various boards should have given their second string players a chance. Australia seems to be doing that for the most part.
Btw, why does Australia have 18 players while the other two teams include only 15 players?
Check out this report which refers to 18 players in the Aussie team. ..”Hayden was chosen for his first one-day tour in more than a year on this trip, but he will have to wait for his chance in the large squad of 18, which will appear in four preliminary fixtures over the next two weeks….”
Buchanan wants Gore
Check out this interesting article from the SJ Mercury. Pat Buchanan (the author) suggests that Gore should run and announce his interest sooner rather than later. Sounds like the conservatives in the Republican party have given up already. Perhaps they are starting to make their choices from the Democratic party as a premptive strike, lest Hillary and Bill get back into the Whitehouse.
Pakora Korner 