Sunday, April 22, 2007

And your footsteps will always fall here.......

Yesterday marked the end of an era. An era of class, artistry, mastery, skill, perfection, courage, spirit, resilience, pride and honour personified on the field. I have been blessed to be a part of this era, where there have been extremely talented cricketers, but extremely few who is even worth comparing to this man. Humble as always he bid adieu yesterday!! And he asked just one question to the public. “Did I entertain??” As if he even had to ask!! The answer was an overwhelming and not surprising, YES!! And am sure he would treasure that than the numerous man of the match awards

Eyes welling up he shared one dream of his that did not come true! To take the Windies back to the dizzy heights of dominance that they once possessed… Though the team could not do it, this individual sure did. The best of the bowlers always thought, on his day, he’s one of the most difficult men to bowl to!! Even the “language” friendly Aussies confessed that this individual was one that they never would sledge, for he is twice as dangerous when provoked

Hands down, he is the most stylish left hander of the last 2 decades. He’s one of those who can take you to the heaven and back with one innings. The one part that am not too impressed with was his susceptibility to controversies. He was caught in too many of those that it started affecting his game at times. He was always a player who produced magic in pieces. Am sure his scoring pattern would be one of the most skewed ones for a player of his class

He stood tall amidst the ruins that the team was! Like a Candle in the Wind! Only the wind was too strong. He is one of the reasons I liked Windies cricket and am sure he’ll be one of the reasons that many youngsters took to or will aspire to take up this game as their path of life. If ever I have a son, I would pray he is left handed.

I bow to thee, Brian Charles Lara, for the great entertainer you have been, for adding craft to an already beautiful game, for adding flair and passion to batting, for all that you did to cricket in general. Finally, For the very fact that we could watch a providential reincarnation, perform to us.

The fact that you did entertain would remain in the memory of each individual that ever was gifted to set eyes on you. It would be etched on the sands of time for generations to see. And I’ll drink to that!! You certainly were one of a kind, and may you rest in peace!!! For, with you dies an era of magnificence… the splendour of which mere adjectives can’t describe.

And your footsteps will always fall here!!

Yesterday marked the end of an era. An era of class, artistry, mastery, skill, perfection, courage, spirit, resilience, pride and honour personified on the field. I have been blessed to be a part of this era, where there have been extremely talented cricketers, but extremely few who is even worth comparing to this man. Humble as always he bid adieu yesterday!! And he asked just one question to the public. “Did I entertain??” As if he even had to ask!! The answer was an overwhelming and not surprising, YES!! And am sure he would treasure that than the numerous man of the match awards

Eyes welling up he shared one dream of his that did not come true! To take the Windies back to the dizzy heights of dominance that they once possessed… Though the team could not do it, this individual sure did. The best of the bowlers always thought, on his day, he’s one of the most difficult men to bowl to!! Even the “language” friendly Aussies confessed that this individual was one that they never would sledge, for he is twice as dangerous when provoked

Hands down, he is the most stylish left hander of the last 2 decades. He’s one of those who can take you to the heaven and back with one innings. The one part that am not too impressed with was his susceptibility to controversies. He was caught in too many of those that it started affecting his game at times. He was always a player who produced magic in pieces. Am sure his scoring pattern would be one of the most skewed ones for a player of his class

He stood tall amidst the ruins that the team was! Like a Candle in the Wind! Only the wind was too strong. He is one of the reasons I liked Windies cricket and am sure he’ll be one of the reasons that many youngsters took to or will aspire to take up this game as their path of life. If ever I have a son, I would pray he is left handed.

I bow to thee, Brian Charles Lara, for the great entertainer you have been, for adding craft to an already beautiful game, for adding flair and passion to batting, for all that you did to cricket in general. Finally, For the very fact that we could watch a providential reincarnation, perform to us.

The fact that you did entertain would remain in the memory of each individual that ever was gifted to set eyes on you. It would be etched on the sands of time for generations to see. And I’ll drink to that!! You certainly were one of a kind, and may you rest in peace!!! For, with you dies an era of magnificence… the splendour of which mere adjectives can’t describe.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Finally a wake up call to the administration

I’m sure the ramifications of this day will be discussed for a period I cannot count with the fingers in my hand and probably the fruits of it will be reaped till the era of my grand children. This is probably the best thing to happen to Indian cricket and IMO it has been long due… The biggest of the decisions are to scrap the Zonal selection!!!! AWESOME!!!

And the scrapping of the contract system currently in place… and having a bowling coach (I don’t endorse Prasad for this, but I like the idea!! ) and A fielding coach (IMO Robin could make a difference) And a permanent manager and reducing the Ranji elite and every state having its very own cricket academy and probably having a cricket advisory board (Not too sure if the gurus are right up there and having 7 people may be some commotion)

The endorsements I do not really agree… But complacence may set in, may not… Debatable… I do not even want to begin to question the integrity of the players!!!

What prompted such a huge controversy when according to the BCCI ‘the public should not panic coz we only lost a coupla matches and that’s no serious worry!!’ Is it the actual public outcry?? Or is it just that the BCCI has taken a lesson from the so called news channels and have now realised that controversy is the easiest way to become popular?? Or do thet now think that the only way to stay away from deep shit is to be proactive and try and alienate it!!! Worth a thought!

Coming back to the few big decision that this blog is going to address!! Number one’s gotta be Scrapping the Zonal selection… India is a country that sees success in diversity. I do understand, but not with respect to seeing each other differently … SO finally we look at the talent as one pool and pick the best. Will that actually happen is a question that only time can answer… but I would be one of those who would love to see tangible results

Two would be limiting the endorsements!! Interesting considering the BCCI’s stand.. I would like to point out one comment of Jadeja on NDTV (Yes, I started seeing private ‘On for Profit’ news channels… Where I live I don’t have a choice!!) His opinion is the 11 that play for the country contracted to BCCI only coz they can be called the ‘Indian cricket team’ I agree. He goes on to say that they cannot control the life of the cricketers and limiting endorsements may not be an answer to commitment… As I said earlier commitment is not something I do not want to touch upon! But I do not like the way BCCI can control the way cricket is played in India… There are too many things wrong with the BCCI (which shall be addressed at a later point in time) Yet again is money the only reason these people are in it for?? Not too sure considering some have sacrificed a career outside the game for it… is it coz of the money or for their passion of the sport?? I pray it is the latter! Think of the money BCCI makes using their Official status!! Millions of dollars!!

The tangible result of these cannot and more so should not be analysed in the their next tour against B’desh… It needs to wait till after we face the English and more particularly the Aussies! Lets wait and WATCH! And not shun the boys!!



P.S - I take great pain to the fact that the integrity of someone like Sachin has been questioned and that he needs to the come to the media and talk about it!!! And now be issued a notice for that!! - Just a thought and justice shall prevail! So so i would like to think!!

Also the stupid media keeps talking only abt the endorsements and not about the other parts that actually may help the way cricket is played in the country!! Surely justifies my hatred!!