15 years later...

15 years ago, the entire nation was in raptures, celebrating two back-to-back masterpieces, by the one and only Little Master.

15 years ago, the indomitable Aussies, comprising the likes of Steve Waugh, Michael Kasprowicz, and Shane Warne, had been tamed into submission.

Celebrating his 25th birthday that day in the course of his second knock, Sachin tore into the bowlers and mesmerized cricket lovers one more time - not for the first time, nor for the last time either (thankfully).

15 years later, we have news of him not really being in the zone these days, in the IPL, and even in the series against  England and Australia, in the last few months.

Yes, he has been dormant and not at his best.
Yes, he has been getting out too soon (considering the guy's sheer class and pedigree), too often.

However, if I may, allow me to say without any bias towards him, that it would be very very naive to jettison such a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer, at this juncture.
15 years later, as the chorus for Sachin not being the same batsman grows, we continue expecting him to simply ravish bowling attacks black and blue the same way he did, back then.

As an avid cricket follower, I would humbly like to state that it's time we just let him be.
It's time we let him enjoy and play the way he deems best.
He knows better than anyone else, what his game is, how best he can contribute (and he sure can guide and contribute to the team, in Tests, for at least a couple more years).
Let us just wish the batsman many years of health and happiness, as he has turned 40, and hope he bows out on a high, in a couple of years from now, if not later.
Happy Birthday Sachin!!

It's elementary, Watson!

One of the better examples of an inspiring and rousing speech in a Hindi movie is the one where Abhishek Bachchan (as Gurubhai) exhorts the audience at his company's Annual General Meeting with a now-famous 'Banna chahte ho duniya ki sabse badi company?!!' speech.

It is hard to resist a chuckle imagining Mickey Arthur exhibiting the same expressions, tone and tenor while issuing directives to the Aussie squad. However, what happened to the delinquent members of that meeting, has shown that Messrs Arthur and Clarke certainly meant business.
They might not have had the same intonation as a movie star, but the intent (and intensity) was pretty much the same.
While Watson (and any of the others) might or might not have found the Axe Effect to his liking, what is worth admiring is the seriousness and no-nonsense approach taken by the touring team.

It's a divided house when it comes to public perception about the decision, but full marks to the touring party for not brooking any high-handedness from the star cricketers. It's a lesson for us forever star-struck, star-worshipping people.

While it's a good time to celebrate our dominance over the Aussies (at least on home ground), it would also be nice if we can pick a thing or two in terms of taking a fair, dispassionate stand when required, even if it comes at the cost of having to be ruthless or unpopular.

And if we need to learn about accepting one's mistake gracefully and positively, sample this from James Pattinson:
"People talk about it as a harsh punishment but looking deeply into it you realise probably it's not. If you want to be part of the Australian cricket team you have to do everything right. It's not acceptable. I believe it's the right punishment."


A real lesson on not being diffident or reluctant when confronted with a mistake - as with any other mistake, the first step towards correcting it lies in first acknowledging it.

I know there will be enough conspiracy theorists reading too much into this axing.
However, I'd still like to believe that there is only sincerity and professionalism behind this.

So credit where due - well done, Aussie team management - for your professional attitude in creating an example where most would have shied away from it. As well as to players like James Pattinson, for understanding their mistake and taking it so positively and constructively.

It's a good stepping stone and an already-exhibited show of intent, for sure, for Mickey Arthur and Michael Clarke to now start their next team meeting with 'Banna chahte ho duniya ki best .team?!'

Let the games begin!

Welcome to the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, ladies and gentlemen!
It's a new series, a new test, and a new round of engrossing duels between two good teams.

In what has been an appalling year and a half for the Indian cricket fan, right since August 2011, one hopes that the Indian team will turn the corner and come up trumps, against an Aussie side that is short on match experience in Indian conditions.

A tough test beckons the Aussies against an embattled Indian side, whose batsmen have been found wanting in the recent past.
The good thing for the Indians, though, is that the Aussie spin attack does not look anywhere near as formidable as the English one, which had Panesar and Swann.
The pace quartet of Pattinson, Starc, Henriques, and Siddle would still be a handful, even on Indian dustbowls.

I am glad that the Indians have made the right selections, with the long-due Gautam Gambhir being told to get back in form if intends to don national colors again.
Virender Sehwag must also have been sounded out, and one hopes it is not only his lenses which have been corrected this time, but also his attitude, which can be less cavalier, at least in the initial part of his innings.
India needs such outstanding talent to stay longer in the middle, and shine brighter instead of just glittering for a few moments before fading into oblivion and mediocrity.

Harbhajan Singh is another cricketer to watch out for, coming as he is on a second wind. There's much to look out for, as Chennai beckons us in the curtain raiser to a potentially exciting and well-contested series.

In the interest of Indian cricket, hopefully we are in for a good time...let the games begin!!

Happy(?) New(?) Year?

So it's a new year, I believe.
Yes, the calendars have changed.
Yes, the annual ritual of creating New Year resolutions and by now, breaking them, might also have been done away with.

However, aside from the difference in writing the dates (where the year column has changed from 12 to 13), is there anything else that is new or has really changed, especially for the better?

We were crying ourselves hoarse about the horrific gang rape of December 16 last year (which, by the way, was also not the first such incident). Probably, its brutality and the easy identification with the hapless victim that it could have been any of us or our very own mother/sister/spouse) is what set that apart from other such equally detestable and heinous crimes.

However, as I skimmed through the news over the last few days, I have rarely seen any day where such reports have abated.
Somewhere or the other, someone or the other, has been ravished and dishonored by some or the other pervert, insensitive lustful beast(s).

I have read about Hisar, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and what not - this, after December 16.
If some of us cannot control our testosterone levels even after such a hue and cry has been made, God save us!

Dear ladies of the Indian republic,
I am sorry.
I am sorry because simply  blaming others or the favorite punching bag - our system - is not going to  help.
I am sorry because I should be able to do a lot more apart from just bemoaning the sorry state of affairs, and getting on with my life.
I am sorry because perhaps it's the silence of the docile and genuine folks like me whenever a woman is harassed, which is meant to connote passive collusion or apathy for the perpetrators of such crimes.
I am sorry because I have learned to live with such incidents as a part of life.

But enough, is enough.
If this is to truly be a new year, the least I can and must do, is to ensure that I do all that is possible is in my hands to honor, respect and protect women.
I will not be a silent, impassive spectator whenever a woman is being harassed.
I will not look the other way when I find someone passing lewd comments against anyone.
I will not remain glued to my urgent/important tasks when someone's modesty could be in question.

That done, perhaps, shall make for a better (if not happier) New Year.
I'd like to wish all of you too, a similar, Happy New Year!