Reflecting back!!!

4 years back in the runup to the world cup 2007 I had started writing cricket blog and most of those posts were related to the cricket watching experience from 1986 till date (2007). I had covered the world cup till the halfway stage and then India had exited in the first round itself. The days to follow were like being in the state of numbness and shock as none of us expected to lose so early. 

Greg Chappell was the most hated man in the country then and entire cricketing fraternity was shocked on Mar 18, 2007 when world learnt that Bob Woolmer died the night Pakistan lost to Ireland. Perhaps that was the start of decline of the Pakistan cricket which is still ongoing till today.

There was still a hope that India could still qualify to go to the super 6 by virtue of beating Lankans but it did not happen and I hated Dilhara Fernando more than I hate Jaywardhene and Sangakara now for dismissing Tendulkar on 0. Many thought that was the end of the Tendulkar saga in the World Cup.

And then one day writing from Kanbay office for that blog,I accidentally ended up deleting that blog which was more of a innocent blog with no digs at anyone, no hatred, no rants and no criticisicm of anybody. I rued that loss as i had already posted 45 posts by then. 

I got started with the other blog and the most memorable experience of blogging came with that when I blogged about the 2007 World T20 win, England series win and of course the victory over Pakistan in the last series played till date.

And then 2008 Sydney happened. It was heartbreaking, it was disgusting to see India lose to Ricky Ponting’s antics. I was so anguished by teh happenings that I quit blogging and did not blog for another 8 months. Even IPL-1 came and gone, I did not blog. 

And then at the end of SL ODI series, I came back to the world of cricket blog yet again and this blog took the birth. 28 months of blogging and over 1200 posts. Drilling down Lankans, standing by the fab five of the Indian cricket and of course shredding apart the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Sangakara, Jayawardhena, M Vijay and Srikanth have been the features of this blog. 

I dont receive comments any more. I fretted initially about it, I cribbed and wrote about it, but in the end I adjusted to it not letting it affect me and my writing. I might not be the most popular blogger around, neither do I have penchant for laws of the game, neither do I have the ability to draw humorous cartoons, neither do I have ability to praise anything Sri Lankan. But passion for the game and standing by the team I like the best keep me going and I shall keep going for as long as I can. 

Dubious 15th member selection

The Indian world cup squad is announced and there are a few eye brows being raised over selection of few guys who have not played ODIs in 2 years time and none in home conditions. 

The most of the team chose itself and as expected there was a tussle for 2-3 spots only. 

The selection of Chawla and Ashvin would raise eyebrows. Pragyan Ojha played most of the ODIs before he was dumped for no good reason. He was not expected to play in SA where only one spinner plays and that luxury lies with Harbhajan Singh. But Ojha did a decent job in the run up to the SA tour and now he suddenly finds himself out of the favor from the selectors and the team management. 

Piyush Chawla’s selection is equally baffling. He has not played an ODI in 2 years and is not expected to play in remaining 3 games before World Cup, so he is looking  to go to the World Cup with no match fitness and match practice.

There are just 7 batsmen and most of them will play in all games. There is no reserve keeper who also could have doubled up as a batsman.

What if injury happens to one of the 7 main batsmen? Who is the backup then? Rohit Sharma ? M Vijay? I am sure Srikanth has some plans for M Vijay, he must have told him something in Tamil that dude I shall get you in the team, let one of the batsmen get injured. 

What if MSD gets injured? Sehwag would be the captain in that case, but who would keep? Again Srikanth has a replacement ready. Dinesh BossDK Karthik.

Srikanth’s croonies are well placed to be replacements for any one of the batsmen / keeper getting injured. 

Ashvin’s case is debatable. It seems he might be benefited on the cost of Ojha. He has played 7 ODIs for India in 2010 and taken 14 wkts.  How much would he add up to the tally in the world cup remains to be seen.

Chawla has 28 from 21 games. There are plenty of part timers in the spin department namely Sehwag, Yuvraj, Raina and perhaps even Tendulkar. Not to forget Yusuf Pathan too. So why 3 spinners? Ideally Parthiv Patel should have been the part of the lineup in place of Chawla, so that he could have been a reserve batsman too and would double up as a backup to MS as well. 

But if Srikanth had mind and logic. He is roaming around all TV channels and cricket  websites saying this is the best Indian team and balanced to win a world cup in 28 years. Only time would tell.

Vijay is a quota selection

Murali Vijay is needlessly playing ODIs when he is not fit for it. Fit in the sense in the terms of temparament and attitude. Its disgusting to see this guy play quick form of cricket in IPL and flop in ODIs. 

He is a quota selection in the team. He is in the team cos first choice 3 openers are back home due to injury and the selection head is a headless chicken. And the next BCCI president is the boring pan eating Srinivasan from Chennai.

Now that Tendulkar has also returned home, he would play remaining 3 games and most probably Kohli or Sharma would open with him and Pathan would play at 7.

It could still be a back door entry for Vijay in the world cup. Who knows. One quick 40 and he would be fit in the team.

Vijay is one real lucky guy. The next Dinesh Karthik of course.

Madras Brigade out to destroy Indian cricket

Sachin Tendulkar’s decision to rest for the ODI series is not welcome and its time he plays some ODI cricket to get match practice before the World Cup begins. He has not played single ODI in 2010 after he scored 200*. Who rested Sachin is a question. Did he ask for it or did Srini/Cheeka combo pushed him aside to accomodate Vijay. Having an opening combo of Dhawan and Vijay is absurd. Its like havig Devang Gandhi and Vikram Rathore / Pankaj Dharmani / Sujith Somsundar open the batting in wretched 1990s.

Neither of the 2 players are going to be around for the world cup. Whats the use of having such players?

The run up to the 2007 world cup was better than this one even if india performed disastrous. They had a series in Malayasia in Sep 2006, series in Feb 2007 against SL, WI.  The final call was between GG and Uthappa with later emerging victorious.

Same players are not around this time.

We have just ST, VS, MS, ZK, Harbhajan from that side playing 2007 world cup.

There is no vision, no plan, no strategy to world cup 2011. All we have is a foolish and f**k agenda to promote regionalism and quota system in Indian cricket. I fear the 2-3 years when Srini would be at helm of BCCI would be worst for Indian cricket. Just like Ijaz Butt is for Pak, Srini is for India.

Somebody sue Srini and Cheeka to have a well laid plan to destroy Indian cricket. Charge them on severest of the count and jail them in Chennai jail may be in Jayalalitha’s house and have them wear her sarees and bangles.

Lets kiss our world cup chances bye

Cheeka is at it again.  He has declared a virtual D class ODI team to  take on the mighty Aussies in the ODIs. Australia is number 1 in the ODIs and the world cup is just 4 months away. 

There are no openers in the team who would play the World Cup.

Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gambhir are out.

Sehwag has an injury? Gambhir is going to have a surgery. Tendulkar as usual is pick and choose. Surprising he has not played a ODI since 200. So is he willing to play the world cup ?

So in absence of this 3 lads Dhawan and Vijay are the openers.

Cheeka has pure regionalistic mindset. He replaced a Delhi guy with another Delhi guy. Whaddyaloser.

Middle Order: Raina, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Kohli

# 7 is as usual reserved for Sir Ravinder Jadeja and the great fact is he is going to be second specialist spinner.

A spinner who chokes, strangles and checks but does not take wickets.

Ashvin is other one.  No IPL Ojha and Bhajan.

Fast bowlers:  Munafa, Nehra, Vinay and Praveen

Where does Munaf come from? He was not even in the Challengers.

This selection proves that the this selection panel is no good than what Pak has. Ijaz Butt has an say there, Srini has a say here.

How many of this players are going to make it to the world cup team? Dhawan? Vijay? Munaf?

Jadeja still continues to be in the team.  No other player has been given so much chances. Bhaiya wo khelta nahi he, to kyu team me bana hua he?

Damn. This is a 3-0 win to Australia gifted on platter.

Lets kiss our world cup dreams good bye.  Whaddaunfortunatestuffdataworldcupwinningbuggerisruiningteamsworldcupchances.

Curious case of Vijay

Vijay scored a 100. First at international level. Ok congrats da.

I’d stop right here.

He is not going to be a permanent fixture in the side. For now. Whenever Gautam Gambhir gets fit, Vijay would be dropped.  Yes even after making a 100.  And that could be as early as first Test against NZ.

Vijay has been a fixed slot as reserve opener ever since his debut in 2008. That coincided with the dropping of Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik as openers and return of Gambhir to form in 2008 SL tour. The drop happened in 2008 Aus tour when Sehwag returned in style. That also coincided with the change in the helm of selection committee. DBV went out and Cheekanth came in. So did Vijay after he was in an epic opening partnership with Mukund.

Vijay has since then played T20s and ODIs for India too in 2010 with no success. He flashed in IPL and CLT20 this year. His temparament was monumental in whatever success and opportunities he had thus far. He has been decent in the Tests thus far.

Though he has got opportunities right now just cos he is from Tamil Nadu and Srini, Sreekanth hail from same state. Going on, he would need to exhibit similar patience and commitment as he did today to rightfully earn front door place and not a back door entry just cos he can blabber in same language as chief of selectors and BCCI president elect.

He was painfully slow today going from 87 to 100 and was stuck on 99 for 13 deliveries. In this process he not only slowed down the runs but also slowed down the runs that are scored in the end of the day.

On day 4, India would need to bat quicker than they did on day 3.  They have the men — Tendulkar and Dhoni to do it. If they bat well and secure a close to 100-150 run lead Vijay’s time would not harm us, but if it does then his eating up of balls would surely hurt the team. And that would be a difference in a 1-0 and 2-0 series victory.

Preview : Bangalore Test

The second Test between the 2 best teams playing positive Test cricket starts tomorrow morning India time. And this would be the last one for lot of players in the country on both sides.

After an epic first, the expectations would be high on this series decider.

India has a strong record when they take the 1-0 lead. In last 20 years they have given up the lead only 4 times last being against England in 2006.

There are going to be a few changes in the Indian team and the hero of 9th wicket partnership wont be there. The Delhi lads give way to Southie guys. Vijay replacing Gambhir and Sreesanth replacing Ishant.

Laxman is in some kind of doubt starting tomorrow and if he does not play it would be a toss-up between Pujara and Mukund to occupy his slot. Conventional logic says Pujie should make his debut but we never know with Srikanth at helm and Srini’s power could see Mukund make his debut too. (Kidding).

India has got some stupid record in Bangalore with not having won a test in 15 years. This is a great chance for them to rectify the record asap. They’ve lost to Australia twice, drew once and lost to Fixistanis in 2005.

Possible lineup:

India : Sehwag, Murali, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman / Pujie, Raina, Dhoni, Zaheer, Bhajan, Sreesanth, Ojhie.

Aus : Watto, Katto, Punter, Pup, Mr Cricket, South, Paine, Mitch, Hauritz, Hilfy and Georgie Boy.

It would be one more chance for Marcus North to slide his batting going down south and ensure his berth remains safe for Ashes…

All in all it should be a cracking contest between India and Australia once again and then the rivalry would take a break for one year and then it would kick off once again in 2011 down under. Not sure if the 3 greats would make it that tour.

Now that Mr Character Sanga Singh is injured he should watch this game closely to learn how to play positive cricket.

Chennai Super Kinks Vijay Gaan

Chennai Super Kinks ki Bara Bajau. 

Kya whistle podi hai

Sreekanth aaj khush hai

Srini aaj khush hai

Dhoni bahut udaas hai

Khush he zamana aaj

26 tareekh hai jee 

Chennai jiti he CLT20

Srikanth ka din he ji

Anni India ja raha hai

Dabri Chennai aa raha hai

Karthik Endhiran Endhiran gaa raha hai

Khush he zamana aaj Chennai diwas hai

Khush he zamana aaj Srini khush hai….

Chennai Super Kinks ki barah ka dher….

Champions League jeete hai aaj

Tamil Nadu league agla nishana hai

Endhiran Endhiran Endhiran!!!!!!

Curious case of Vijay, Dabri and Raina

Here are Raina speak:

I wanted to make sure we rotated the strike, and that we hit the loose ball for four,” said Raina, who scored a commanding 87. “When you bat at number three it gives you time to build an innings. When you bat at number seven for India, it’s very difficult to score a 50 or a century

Great he scored a match winning super stroked 87 for his home team. Great his one innings got Chennai a win good enough to go semis for now.

But he just spoke garbage. 

He bats at 7 for India ? Since when ? The no 7 spot belongs to great allrounder Ravinder Saheb JadduKha who has made the spot his own.  

At 7 its not necessary to score a 50 or 100 always. Quick cameos depending on situation (240 odd in 45 overs) or stabilising 50s or 100s are need (100 for 5 in 20 overs) are prescribed. 

I do not remember an occasion in last 3 years (since 2008 when he made a comeback post Chappell era) Raina Saheb has batted at 7 for India.  And except useless JadduKha many no 7 players have hit big runs for India — Dravid at times, Kaif, Uthappa and Pathan have been successful for India at that position. 

Coming in 43rd or 44th over many players have hit quick fire 50s to change the complexion of the game altogether while chasing or setting a target.

Raina is just giving an excuse to prove his failure with bat for India. Here is the reason:

Raina plays for CSK in IPL (and hence for CLT20) and gets money from India Cements owner Nambiarayan Srini. No wonder he is topmost Indian run getter in IPL 3 editions thus far. 

A look at his ODI stats in the 3 years say the picture : 

He has played 58 innings and made 1832 runs at 40 runs per game with 3 hundreds and 12 fiftees.  Great record. Last time he played at 7 for India was in 2008.  In 2009-2010 period he has mostly batted at 5 or 6 for India. Increase the spot by 1 in matches when Tendulkar does not play. 

Deflated figures without consistency.  Good in one tourney, average in other. 

And contrast those figures with the IPL. Awesome records in all 3 seasons.  600, 400 and 500 runs.  Amazing strike rates, innovations, big hits, short balls negotiated and what not. 

When playing for India constantly getting out to short balls, ugly hits over square leg leading to dismissals. Why ? 

Is he fixing the games or chosing the games to play well ? Play well in more money games like IPL or CLT20? Be an average batsman in games for India ? What if BCCI matches ODI match fee as money he gets for IPL game? Will then he play consistently ?

Ditto for Dabri and Vijay. ZVijay today made 68 at amazing strike rate of 130.  He had great IPL. But contrast that to India matches.  

ODIs : 4 games 71 runs and 17.75. Against Zimbabwe, the weakest of ODI playing teams (forget associate teams) he was scratchy and made 10 off 40 balls. 

Tests : 6 games for 259 runs. Highest of 87 vs SL last year.  Just 2 50s. Why ? Is he content with 30s and 40s for India? Does his talent go hiding when playing for India and it comes out in open for CSK and Tamil Nadu?

This guys have to sort out their priorities right, else they would / should be kicked out of the national team for there is no dearth of deserving batsmen. Why is it that all evils today emanate from Tamil Nadu in Indian cricket? Selection issues? Quota selections? Rigged auctions?  No state has had more fringe players than Tamil Nadu in last few years, yet none of those Tamil Nadu players have been able to fix their spots.  Is TNCA and CSK so insecure that it has to fire a coach for not playing a bowler in A tour ? 

filtered

2008-2010

67

58

12

1832

116*

39.82

1897

96.57

3

12

3

148

51

Another selectorial wisdom from Srikanth led panel

India’s selectors never learn from their previous mistakes. And thats one of the big reasons India’s ODI campaign seems to be in murkier water after running a high on 2008 and 2009.  The selection panel showed its wisdom and richness of thoughts and vision in the selection of BP XI for the warmup against touring Aussies later this month in Mohali.

There are just 6 specialist batsmen in the squad who would obviously play the game should no injury happen. But what if injury happens ?

Here is the breakup squad:

Openers : Gautam Gambhir and Abhinav Mukund.

Middle Order : Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane (in no particular order)

Wicket Keeper : Wriddhiman Saha

Spinners : R Ashwin, Piyush Chawla

Fast bowlers : Jaidev Undakat, Mithun, Sreesanth,

Allrounder : Jadeja

Crap!!

Jadeja is still being pronounced as allrounder. He is not even allrounder at domestic level. Still he finds a place in every team is surprising and disastrously ridiculous. I’d stop following Indian cricket the day he makes it to Test team replacing any of the batting greats.

GAmbhir is rightly in the team as he is short of the match practice owing to injury and the poor run in the Galle Test.

R Ashvin, Mukund are from TN. Mukund is deserving one though. He was at the other end in the partnership that saw M VIjay being rushed in 2008 owing to GG ban for 3rd Test.

Piyush Chawla is as a leg spinner and Ashvin is as a off spinner. If Ashvin comes good then he would exert some pressure on off colored IPL Ojha and Harbhajan Singh. Chawla is unsure commodity as he is being given lot of chances and he has not grabbed them with both hands.

The other side of selectors wisdom is if any of the 3 IPL teams make it to the semis or the finals of CLT20, then one of Dhawan, Kohli and Ashvin would miss out on the tour game as it starts on 9/25. CLT20 ends on 9/29.

So if this teams reach semis or 2 of the teams reach final some vital cogs of Test team would need to rush to India immediately to be part of the Test team……And switch from T20 mode to Test mode.

Dravid, Tendulkar, Zaheer, Harbhajan, Raina and MSD.  4 of 7 batsmen and 2 of the 4 bowlers.  Wow what a good scheduling we’ve got for the Test series and the tour game for Australia.

Good side of this selection is there are no Rohit Sharmas and Dinesh Karthiks.  What if Cheteshwar Pujara comes good in this tour game ? WIll Srikanth under influence of N Srini include him ahead of Suresh Raina (a CSK member)? or at least as a reserve batsman for the 14/15/16 member team for first test ?

Its clear that selectors have not gone wise from the Nagpur experience earlier this year when RD, VVS had injuries and W Saha had to play as a specialist batsmen last moment when Rohit Sharma also injured himself.

For sure there are similarities between Ijaz Butt and K Srikanth for they never learn from the mistakes and commit new folly every time.