Gone are the days when the World cup used to be a time when the strict father used to take a deep breath and say OK to cricket watching. Gone are the days when we as kids used to stay up nights and get up early mornings to watch opening ceremonies and see Indian batsmen flinch in the cold and breeze dancing to lesser bowler tunes just because of conditions. Those old says are replaced by a confident Indian team lead by a charismatic MS Dhoni. The same countries hosting, now prepare batsmen friendly pitches and don’t like to play in damp conditions for the fear of the brilliant duo of Zaheer and Ishant. I still remember the brilliant spell of young Sharma in Australia, where he embarrassed Ricky Ponting to the level that the proud Aussie joked that he was glad he was in the same IPL team as Ishant (though Ponting never made it to share the embarrassment of the Knight Riders)! And one last change. The world cup glory has faded. Starting I think from the 2007 edition in the Caribbean, which was a disaster in all respects, and of course the tragic course of events ending in Bob Woolmer’s death, then coach of the mercurial Pakistan cricket team. Winning that world cup must not be Australia’s high point, given the poor quality of cricket offered and the often one sided contests. Then there was the small matter of the first edition of the T20 world cup, which really caught the imagination of a neo cricket audience and catapulted India to the unfamiliar tag of “World champions” which they had not help on since 1983. But as fate would have it, Tendulkar, the lone member of India cricket team which has been a part of 5 losing campaigns missed out due to choice of youth and personal decision. I sincerely hope, the little master plays the 2011 world cup in India and participates in a winning moment; a crowning glory which will cap a brilliant career soaked in truly great moments and mesmerizing humility.

One reason for why at least I don’t share the enthusiasm for this world cup is the close proximity to the wildly popular IPL. I guess South Africa also has to do with the success. They have a knack of pulling out amazing tournaments, starting from the 2003 WC, followed by the 2007 T20 WC. A small matter of both editions being very happy hunting grounds for Team India. But after 45 days of non stop cricket with the entire might of international cricketers plus the added attraction of seeing Warne battle Tendulkar and Gilchrist and Hayden pummel current attacks as if they were club cricketers in comparison (no disrespect to club cricketers here!). And also I would be happier to keep this tag of “world champions” for anther 2 years, and I think 4 years is a nice traditional gap to have between two world events. Not that I am not optimistic of Dhoni’s men in this edition, but still.

Here’s hoping for regaining the glory of the World Cup and a nod to the good old days….

Cheers
Droplet

Oops! He has done it again! A lot of water has flown under the London bridge since Andrew Symonds was sent packing from the Australian squad. The “Symonds minus” squad since then has already been eliminated from the current world cup, which takes me right back to the 1992 World Cup (held in New Zealand and Australia), where they had a similar wretched outing to say the least. Ricky Ponting is still wondering what hit them, and the retired trio of Hayden, Gilchrist and Warne must be shaking their heads in amusement and bewilderment (a bit of both, having worn their national yellow colors with immense pride for more than a decade!). And oh yes, Andrew Symonds is pretty much on his way to become a free lance writer; NO! wait. A free lance cricketer. And the funny thing? He is going to earn a lot more than what he did playing for Australia. And for what joy? Drinking in public with a buddy while watching a game.

Now, I am no big fan of Symonds. But this situation does raise my curiosity. What if Symonds was Indian? Imagine a player of his importance in Team India. How will the “powers to be” tolerate such behavior. A fishing trip before a team meeting, a drinking session after a match. I can only wonder. Though again to be fair, not too many disciplinary meetings have been called that I recall in my 20 years career of Indian cricket following (Yes, you guessed it right! I am a start to finish Tendulkar era watcher!).

Oh well, whatever may be the outcome, here is wishing Symonds a happy free lance life with lots of beer and cheer!

Droplet

It has been a decent tournament so far. Especially after all the commotion and confusion surrounding the IPL 2, coupled to the last minute change of venue, the organizers have done a commendable job to pull this off. The crowds have been supportive and shown up in good numbers, not robbing the much needed festive environment. After all, their participation and enthusiasm does make up a significant portion of the whole T20 package. But after an action packed 3 weeks, the mind (of the cricket follower) and the body (of the players) must be crying for a break. To add to the mix, there is the T20 world cup just following after the IPL. An overdose maybe? A sure bet.

Instead of all teams playing each other twice over the tournament, I think it is time, they divided the teams into two groups, maybe include a couple of ICL teams (Mr. Modi, please do not sue me!) and let the teams play amongst each other in their groups, and the two top teams meet for a semi finals, and then a grand finale. I feel this will sustain interest for a longer length of time, and at the same time not have an insane amount of cricket, they way it is currently packed for this tournament. There have been true gem of matches, and fantastic performances. But they are coming too fast and thick to be appreciated and assimilated. One brilliant day followed by an indifferent one erases the brilliance in a flash. Spacing out the matches, or at least having only one match a day, followed by less exposure to all teams against each other would go a long way in making this more interesting and captivating.

Again, I love the action; but even for me, who started his cricket following career from the day a certain Sachin blasted Abdul Qadir for a quick fire 50 in an exhibition match, only to offer his wicket cheaply in the following test debut, this is an overdoes of cricket and it is actively demeaning the magnificence of the players commitment and skill, and I hope the powers that matter will at least read this article and respond.

Cheers

Droplet

09 May 09

The BCCI did it again. Displaying no sense of professionalism and to a certain extent, lack of common sense, they have announced the India T20 squad smack in the middle of the IPL. I know the players are not representing India, and the IPL is a franchise based system and the works. But just spare a thought about the players who did NOT make the cut. Spare a though for Ashish Nehra, who is bowling his heart out for the Dare-devils, only to come back to the hotel to news of his omission. Or the young emerging talents from the Rajasthan Royals or the ebullient Uthappa. True, they have not set the cricket field on fire, but at least the hope of an Indian berth would lead to more competitive cricket if nothing more.

RP deserves the call up, but I though so did Nehra. He is looking at his best, his busy bustling style to the bowling crease and the knack to pick wickets. The Pathan brothers are there as well, and I am really looking forward to them lighting up many English stadiums with their fire power with both the bat and the ball. With a lot of teams opting to open with spin, we might actually see the brothers open the bowling attack for the defending champs, which will be quite a site!

But I truly believe that they miss somebody like Tendulkar at the top of their innings. He could lend stability to this Indian line up, which boasts of quite a few big hitters, but no real grafters or men with patience. Tendulkar could be the glue of this exciting line up, making sure of good targets, when great ones are not possible. His presence commands calmness in the playing field and demands respect from the opposition. But in the end it is his own personal call, and no body will blame him for not adding another tournament to his already hectic schedule. He needs to preserve himself and pick and choose, and T20 would surely be third in his priority. Maybe in his place, Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni could take the role of seniority and provide a method to the madness, men like Yusuf get to the Indian batting line up.

It will be difficult to defend the title, but then it always is. To an exciting and LUCKILY short World cup 2009! Cheers

Droplet

5^th May 2009

 A bit of normalcy is returning to the ranks in the IPL. The Super Kings are back to their winning habit. Hayden is wearing the purple cap, and MS is looking his normal calm self. And most importantly, they have bounced back to win their last two matches and look good for more, with Raina leading the impressive list of performances. Anything he touches turns to gold.

The other team moving up the team ladder is the Rajasthan Royals. Previous champs, but heavily reliant on Yusuf Pathan to get them out of impossible situations, earning him an astounding number of man of matches. They still are over reliant on Graeme Smith at the top, who is desperately missing Shane Watson’s stability and support. Jadeja is maybe batting a position higher that what he is comfortable but personally, I feel their luck will run out with Pathan. Will all due respect to his amazingly clean hitting, you really cannot rely on that level of risk playing to win you matches every time. To be taken as serious contenders for the semi final berth, Smith has to start firing with Watson joining him soon after the ill-timed Pakistan tour (why that happened is still a mystery, and I sometimes wonder what would have happened if the Pakistan players would have been allowed to take part in the IPL, but that is beyond the scope of this article).

The knights (my emotional favorites still; Yes, I still get up at 6AM hoping to see them win in the final hour of the game, but so far have seen them thwarted time and time again) are making the 8th position their very own. It has become very difficult for me to see Brendon come up first at the ceremony and try to put a brave front. I really feel sorry for him, for I truly believe every player has his right to a bad passage of luck and play, but it could not have come at a worse time for McCullum personally. And honestly Ganguly is not helping. From insipid performances and downright unhelpful press comments, he is not providing a dignified and classy performance which one expects from the proud Indian captain we know him and want to remember him as.

Here’s still hoping for a remarkable Knight turnaround and more solid performances from the old master with the Mumbai Indians… 

Cheers

Droplet

02 May’09