"Chotta Mumbai" is finally on the IPL map, Kochi has emerged as one of the two new teams to join the IPL bandwagon. Mentored by Shashi Tharoor, a group of businessmen has put forward a franchise named "Rendezvous Sports World".
Indian cricket teams stay at as Number Uno ODI Team was short-lived. Within 24 hours and 19 mins, the Men in Blue lost the position, thanks to thier loss to Sri Lanka in the last league match of tri-series.
The Greatest Wicket-Keeper Batsman the game had ever seen....
Can World Cricket,let alone Australia, find a replacement for him ???
The great Australian win rally has stumbled again and yet again it’s the Indian who proved their nemesis.16 wins in a row and Oz found the Indians as roadblock for second time. It had happened once way back 2001 when Steve Waugh and his men were outdone at the Eden Gardens , but this time, it’s even better as the win came on Australian soil that too at Perth.
So how do you get to 17 Oz ??? make sure indian’s aren’t the 17th opponent. Simple as that.
Well, There is only one way to describe the Oz dominance...
1996:Finalist.....
1999: Winners...
2003 : Unbeaten....
2007 : Unchallenged
What a world cup it is turning out to be. It has been one filled with "events" , but unfortunatly, the kind of event that we would like to forget.
It started on 17th of March, the dreaded saturday, when two of cup's leading contenders fell to men who are way down the ranking ladder.
Pakistan's defeat against Ireland were to take more tols in coming days. It shocking defeat confirmed an early exit from the world cup, but more were yet to follow the Pakistan team. A day later, the most unfortunate thing happen as thier coach and leading figure in World cricket, Bob Woolmer was found unconcious and later declared dead.
But this was just begining of the worst nightmare for the game of cricket. Less than a week later, the Jamaican Police announed the news which ripped the entire world. Bob Woolmer was murdered !!!
As I write this article, another title contender is making its way out of the world cup before even making it to super 8. The India team would need to pack thier bags as thier famous batting line shattered against the Sri Lankans.
Something to strange to note, which was brought to notice by a friend of mine, India had lost the 2003 final on March 23, 2003 . This again turned out to be another March 23.
This has been truely a world cup to remember, but certainly for all the wrong reasons.
While everyone rejoices the fall of Aussie power, i am kinda scared. Why ? Well, the history says it all. Every time Aussies were pushed back, they have come back so strongly in the very next series that no force could stop them.
Remember the World Series just after Ashes embarrassment? Even the best in the world failed stop the Aussie revenge march. So such humiliation just before the World cup means, you could see a very strong comeback by Oz in West Indies.
But it’s definitely shocking to note that Oz power was dented 5 times in a row.They also suffered their first ever 10 wicket loss in ODI history.The result of defeats is that they lost their number uno spot for first time ever since ranking were introduced in 2002.They also lost the Chappell-Hadlee trophy 3-0, does anyone remember when Australia was whitewashed last time ???
Another humiliating point to note is that the 4 biggest run chases in ODI history has come at the price of Oz pride and noticeably, 3 of 4 times the Kiwi’s were Australia’s nemesis.
Phew…so we do have a mouthwatering contest on cards when world cup begins next month.Will the Phoenix named Oz rise once again from the ashes ? lets wait n watch
Indian cricket teams african safari was nothing short of a nightmare. After being slaughtered 5-nill in the ODI and loosing the Test series, team's only consolation was winning the first test. But even before team touched home soil, even the test win turned out to be a forgettable memory as they were asked to pay for the damage caused while team was celeberating the success.
Anyone who saw the test, would definetly remember how indian team went bizarre after winning.Champagnes were poured each other and sprayed all over the place. At that moment, a treat to watch, after all, it was first ever win in South African soil.
But as soon as India boarded flight, they were greeted by announcement that BCCI will have to pay for the damage done during the celeberation.
Quite a tour, isn't. You have humiliating loss in ODI, followed by test, and only consolation win you got, you have to pay for. This is called good fortunes ;)
Will the "Red Emperor" climb the top of podium for one last time ? will we see the Drivers Championship go once again to the man who single handedly changed the face of F1 ??? well , all these answers will be answered before sun goes down today.
But there are things that we already know answer for. That Schumacher's records will take some time to approach let alone broken. That he will be missed in the F1 tracks. That , he was the greatest driver F1 had ever seen.
The greatness of schumi is not counted by the trophies in his showcase, but the fans he brought to F1. No single driver, not even the great Ayrton Senna, could bring in as many people to F1 as much Schumi did. It wouldnt be wrong to say that, F1 owes the glamour it enjoys today to Schumi.
Now , what are his chances today in Brazil ? well, practically, oddes are against him. Not only has has to win from a 10th pole position, but he also has to hope Alonso fails to get to top 8. Consipiracy theories like Massa taking Alonso out is on cards , but well, even people who critises Ferrari and Schumi to hatch such a plan would be knowing in thier inner self that The King deserve to bow out in style. Schumi himself might have said at the end of Japan GP that the chances are over, but well , he wont be schumacher if he is to give up so early.
Whatever be, Schumi will always be remembered as greatest F1 driver ever. He is what Pele is to football, Bradman And Sachin to Cricket. Lets hope that The Red Emperor bows in styles.
Sports is unpredictable...the theory proved itself once again in the Japaneese GP almost ending the dreams of Schumacher of signing off in style..
In the previous entry , yours truely had discussed how The great Schumi can clinch the title before he enters brazil. But unfortunetly, an engine failure turned the tables upside down.
After leading almost 30 laps from the start, Schumacher was forced out of the race when his engine let him down. This give Alonso a clear cut advantage as he moves to Brazil. Alonso, now needs to ensure that he ends in podium or Schumacher failing to win the race. Either way, it will Alonso who would be clinching the title.
For Schumacher, well the chances are odd now. He not only has to win in Brazil but also Alonso shouldn't be able to make it to the podium if Michel wants to win his 8th Drivers Championship title.
What a twist in tale did Japan produce. The fairy tale which was going so well for the Ferrari And Schumacher ended with thier engine letting them down.
Can Land of Samba produce yet another twist ? It now seems hoping against odds now. But whatever be the result, Schumi..you will be remembered as one the greatest F1 has ever seen along with Ayrton Senna, not just for records you have set, but the way you did it.
The second ODI between India and West Indies witnessed something that has never happent before.
Irfan Pathan bowls at legs of Sarwan who defends it and run for quick single. Suresh Raina come quikly and disturbs the bails. Its close call, and every one luks to appeal.
But Wait !!! Where is the leg umpire ???
The next sceren shows umpire standing at boundary anad waving him as if to say "I am here"
it was one of rare seen in cricket match. The Uppire didnt notice that his partner was off the ground at make some adjustment to the side screen.
Probably this is the only ball in international cricket to be bowled with just one umpire on feild.
It could have been easily yet another tail of capitulation of Goliath in the hands of David , but this time, Australia somehow managed to save thier face.
Australia might have won the test, but it defintly was humiliated by the Bangladesh side. Right from start of match, it was the asian team who had the upper hand. Wether it was scoring at almost 5 plus in the first innings or having Australians at 93/6 , Bangladesh had the Australians on mat.
Is this the fall of Might of Australia ?? We have seen glimses of falling of Australia couple of times now. Defeat in a ODI against Bangladesh, the loss in Ashes etc has been hinting that the once mighty Australian team is starting to fall. It will take time, but for sure, Australia doesnt remain the force they were 3-4 years ago.
"Cricket is not your property" . Thats the message Cellular operators throughout India is giving BCCI.
This was in response of BCCI's demand that no cellular operators should give it subscribers match updates via sms.
I agree with Cellular operators. Why are BCCI bothered about things which are not in their domain. If things go like this , their next arguement would be that only the television channel with telecast rights should show match stats on NEWS !!!
Ealier BCCI created a whole issue by stating they wont let Indian team participate in Champions Trophy anymore. Seems Mr.Power is far more interested in showing off his power.
i can say only onething to BCCI. Guys , dont be under impression that in country of blind, one eyed person will be the king.
Unbelievable, Extraordinary , breathtaking , unimaginable ...all adjectives would be fail to describe what happent at Wanderers on 12th of March, 2006. No person who was saw the spectacular feat on the ground or on TV, would never forget it.
Before this day , no team in the history of game had scored over 400 runs in ODI.Australia did it, in fact scored 34 runs more. But still ended up in the loosing side as South Africa chased down a mamoth 434 runs to clinch the match and series.
On a night that saw records tumbling like never before, viewers all around the globe were treated with a once in a life time feat. Prominent records that fell on the day include
Highest ODI Score : 438/9 SA
Hightest Score By a team batting Second : 438/9
Highest Match Aggregate : 872/13
Most Sixes in a match : 26
Most Expensive Bowling Figures : 113/0 By Mick Lewis
There is no words to describe this match. may be the best way to conclude would be to say i had the privilage of watching the GREATEST EVER ODI !!
Its going to be an interesting day for Indian Selectors when they meet today to select the team for upcoming series against Pakistan. The selectors have to make the important decission on weather to include Ganguly in the side or not. Whatevr decission they make, they will come under scrutiny.
1. In case Ganguly is NOT picked :
This will create an big uproar throughout the nation. If the Selectors decide to leave out Ganguly under whom India won the series on its last trip across the border an year ago , they should first make them self mentally prepared to be tagged as "Villians" by milliions of Ganguly fans or under present circumstances, even rest.
2. In case Ganguly IS picked.
If ealier option would make them villian of an entire nation, this decission would make them JOKERS. What explanation would they give for including Ganguly after dropping him for ealier test , keeping in mind that Ganguly hasnt played a single domestic game after Delhi test concluded.
So lets see, which tag will Kiran More n Co. would pick for themself.
PS: An intersting thing to note here is that apart from Kiran More, only two selectors have played cricket for India , one played 7 ODI and another played just 2 ODI.
Selection Committee has announced yet another decission that lacks sense. Ommission of Ganguly for the third test match and reason cited are absolutly absurd. I am not a Ganguly fan but i would still say that you cannt drop him on performance if second test is criteria.
Points to note in this selection.
1. Reason for dropping Ganguly as per given by Kiran More , Chairman of selectors : They cannt drop Yuvraj nor they can ask a great player like Ganguly to sit on bench.
If thats the case , why was that Anil Kumble was on bench for almost 6 months as Harbhajan played as the lone spinner.?
2. Replacement for Ganguly : Wasim Jaffer, Opener
Now this is baffling. Kiran More stated that they dont want to discourage Gambir and hinted that its most likely that Gambir would play. Then Why select another opener in the squad [of course, sehwag is automatic choice now that he is fit]
3. During oneday series , Ganguly wasnt included in squad even after a Century in domestic Cricket. Reason : Dont want to change winning combination
Now this is funny. Hasnt someone informed the selctors that India has won the on-going test match and Ganguly was part of the "winning combination" ?
4. Day selectors announced team for first Test against Sri Lanka, Kiran More announced that Ganguly was given a place in squad as a "all rounder"
Well, its funny that Ganguly didnt bowl in both the test matches.
5 . Ganguly dropped on performance ?
I dont think even selectors would say that. He has scored 39 and 40 in the test match and that is quite a decent score. On other hand , Gambir could even gt into two figures even if all three innings he has played in this series is taken, falling to same bowler in all three innings.
Ganguly was truely out-of form for long, but droppping him on the basis of just concluded test match would be most stupid thing to do.
Time : 4.43 PM , Dec,2005
Venue : Ferosha Kotla Ground, New Delhi , India
Occassion : 1st Day, 3rd Sesson, 2nd Test Match , India Vs Sril Lanka
All cricket lovers around the globe will cherish this moment for long.An 18 year old record has fallen. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has reached yet another milestone in his illustrious career.Incidently , it was another genius who was among the first to congratulate him, the master spinner, Muralidharan.
This ground hold special place for indians, as many of india's most cherished moments has come in this very ground. Kumble's perfect 10 , Sunil Gavaskar Equaling Sir Don , And now , Sachin doing what no one has ever done before, making Test century no:35
