Category: Cricket

ICC World Series: A little too much Johnnie Walker?

The recently concluded World Series cricket between Australia and the Rest of the World was quite aptly called Johnnie Walker Super Series. Whoever came up with the idea for this series certainly had lots of Johnnie Walker before coming up with the idea and forgot to setup a few practice games for the World XI. Overall it was a pathetic show. The World XI was like a bunch of individuals hangin out because they were told to and paid to do so. No motivation whatsoever was evident on the part of the World team players. How else can you explain such a dismal show?

The Aussies on the other hand had plenty to play for after having lost the coveted Ashes. Warne was at his best. Brilliant to say the least. Muralitharan was superb. Barring a suspect action, this guy is a real genius. No one but he seems to know which way the ball will turn. His control, variation etc was simply phenomenal. His one over to Katich in the Australian second innings was truly legendary. The only one who could really read his bowling was Ponting. Though Hayden scored so many runs, he hardly looked comfortable against Murali. Boucher was a mistake, when Sangakkara, a good batsman and a perfect keeper for Murali was available. Inzy slept through the test. I never saw him speak to anyone of his team mates or to the opposition. He was always on the boundary line! Kallis’ batting reminded me of Yashpal Sharma (remember this guy?) — far from graceful, but very effective.

Aussies vs World XI

The Aussies thrashed the World XI yet again. It just shows that putting the best players in the world together doesn’t necessarily make a winning team, at least not in ODI.

Lets see what the Test match has in store. Perhaps some of Graeme Smith’s magic might turn things around for the World XI?

Australia thulp World XI, again

The Aussies are back in full form! Chasing 300+ was a tough to start with. Plus many of the World XI big names are struggling for form. Viru continues with his 20s and 30s. Dravid, what has happened to him? Sangakkara and Chris Gayle were simply awesome! As for the Aussies, there batting lead by Gilchrist was simply too good for the World XI.

The World XI can avoid a hat trick of losses?

Gilchrist is back!

Man, this guy is back at his best and see what a diff it makes to Aus! His poor form was the BIG reason for the Ashes loss. He has just shown with this innings (and the prev ODI against the World XI) that he is far from over and is still any bowlers worst nightmare. Just look at how badly Shoaib Akthar is getting mauled!

It appears as though the World XI is going to have a hard time winning this one either!

The Indian Cricket Committee Meeting: What Really happened?

Jaggu (Dalmiya): Namaste, hello everybody.

Mahendra: Dalmiya-ji! Kya karen itna controversy….

Jaggu interrupting: Mahendra aap zara chup rahiye!….

Venkat: But Dalmiya-Sir Mr. Mahendra is correct, we need to do…..

Shastri: Its a controversy no doubt but……

Jaggu: Ravi, your commentary contract is ok? Sunny, appka PMG, commentary contract vagaira sub teek tak? Any problem?

Sunny: Yes. All fine.

Jaggu: Venkat, aap itna juldi kyoon retire hogaya? Aur do teen saal umpiring karna tha…anyway koi baat nahin. Selection committee ko dissolve kar degene. Phir 3 member selection committe banatein. Venkat upko hum zaroor selector banayenge.

Ok, hum abhi Chappell ko bulayenge. Sunny aur Ravi, tum log usko bol dena ki India me ye email-shemail chalta nahin hai. Aisa bukwas hum ko nahin pasand hai. Kuch bolna hai tho meeting me karna chahiye.

Aur uske baad hum Ganguly ko bulayenge. Mahendra tum chup raina. Kuch bolne ka nahin hai.
Venkat, please tell Ganguly that he needs to perform better and learn to work with Chappell. Tell the same thing to Chappell.

Both are brought in one after another and asked to spill their guts. Dalmiya interrupts both with abrupt Thank yous.

Jaggu then turns to Mahendra and hands him a small sheet of paper, “Please read this. Jo isme likha hai, seedha press ko bol dena”. Aur Sunny, Ravi, ek, do din ke baad tum log bhi press ko yehi baat bol de na, which I know you will do very well. But please, please train this guy Mahendra.. before he talks to the press about this issue……aur Venkat, don’t worry, aap ka selector post guranteed.

Then Jaggu says “Ok Meeting over. Thank you everybody”.

Ganguly-Chappell saga continues

As the battle unfolds, Dungarpur, Bhajji, Pawar, Bindra and others have thrown their views into the muddle. In short, it stinks.

As media reports continue to trickle in, it has becoming increasingly clear that it was a case of plain battle for control. Ganguly is used to his Dada status while Greg Chappell considers himself a Daad in his own right. But the fact is that a Daad doesn’t make a Dada! And so the clash. Oh well..

Here is my list of top 10 things the special committee should do:

10. Scream at Ganguly for discussing the issue in public.
09. Give both Ganguly and Chappell a chance to comment and respond.
08. Ask Ganguly to take a break.
07. Inform Chappell that his performance and his rapport with the team will be reviewed in six months time with the same committee.
06. Name a new captain: Rahul Dravid, Kumble, or Kaif (wild card).
05. Warn Bhajji and ask him to shut up.
04. Investigate and nail the guy who leaked the email to the press.
03. Invite Chappell to the selection meeting and ask him for his choice of captain and his 18 best players.
02. Talk to the team about the issue to gauge where each of them stands on the issue. (will come in handy when its time to fire Dada’s chelas).
01. Ask Jaggu-bhai (Dalmiya) what he is doing in the meeting!

Ganguly-Chappell saga

Enough is enough! I think Saurav Ganguly should go. The performance of the team has been on a sharp decline for the last few years now and someone has to be held accountable. Indian sportsmen with all their sponsorship and media glare, never want to leave the limelight. So chances are Ganguly will never leave until he’s replaced. Its sad to see that Indian cricketers have to be dragged off the stage. Just look at the Australians. Damian Martyn is a classic example. One series slump and he is out the door, possibly never to return and just look at how gracious the guy is. He says he’s hurt and that’s about it, no name calling, no nothing. That’s class. That’s why the Aussies have been consistently good for so long. Having Chappell around will help Indian players imbibe some of that class and professionalism, hopefully.

Ganguly’s time has come in my opinion to take a break from the game and try and fight his way back if he so desires. A professional coach like Chappell has made his comments as an intimate observer of the team over the last few months and its critical that the powers that be (whoever they might be) take his advice seriously. I hope Dalmiya (Jaggubhai) doesn’t play his magic and dump Chappell in favor of Dada (his Calcutta bandhu!). But the party ain’t over yet, wonder whose email is next….

Flintoff’s claim

Flintoff claims that he was shot at while playing a ODI in Delhi. What a completely ridiculous claim! I am glad the Delhi cricket officials trashed the claim right away. I am sure he lost a few million fans in India with that one claim of his! I guess “Being Freddie” means making ridiculous claims, sometimes!