Happy birthday Sachin, another century loading!!

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - the man, the superhuman, the living legend. Today, as this true Bharat Ratna completes another half-century (this time, life's fifty). it marks the golden jubilee of one of the greatest cricketers to ever grace the game.

For the uninitiated, Tendulkar's career statistics are nothing short of remarkable. He scored 15,921 runs in Test cricket at an average of 53.78, including 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he amassed 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, including 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries. He also played a key role in India's victory in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, scoring 482 runs at an average of 53.55.

But these are still just statistics. Tendulkar's impact on cricket goes beyond mere numbers. I had written earlier about why there will never be another Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. He inspired a generation of cricketers with his work ethic, dedication, and passion for the game. His ability to adapt to different conditions and situations, as well as his sheer love for the sport, made him a role model for aspiring cricketers all over the world.

Off the field, Tendulkar has also been an ambassador for cricket and a philanthropist. He has used his fame and influence to support various social causes, including education, health, and rural development. In 2012, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, as a Member of Parliament.

As Tendulkar completes 50 years of his life, it is a time for reflection and celebration. He has achieved more than most cricketers could ever dream of, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers to come. His contribution to the sport and to Indian society as a whole is immeasurable, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest icons of our time.

May God bless you with a long, healthy, and happy life Sachin. This is the very least you deserve, for all the joys you have given us forever!

Why should boys have all the fun?

I have talked a lot about the Boys in Blue but it's also important (and apt) to highlight the role of WPL in Indian women's cricket.

The just-concluded Women's Premier League has not only been a massive success in its very first year but it is also a historic step in the domain of women's cricket in India (and even globally).

Finally, we have a great platform where budding Indian women cricketers can share the stage (or at least the dugout) with the best in the world. We already have a very capable Indian team that has consistently done well internationally. Our nemesis has only been the Australian team, which is like the men's all-conquering Aussie team of the late 90s and early 2000s. So while there is no shame in coming up second best against such a side, the WPL is a wonderful avenue for our domestic cricketers to compete and hobnob with the global stars. 

And just the way the IPL has helped the Indian men's domestic-level cricketers to earn a respectable amount even if they are not there among the chosen select 15 in the Indian squad, the WPL will ensure that no girl will need to worry about any financial insecurities even if they do not make the final cut at the international level.

This league will also encourage more and more Indian parents and families to let their girls take up the sport. And with the first edition having been such a stupendous success, only better things should be in store, both for the Indian women's cricket setup and also for the game in general.

Onwards to even better times, Happy Navratri, and Jai Ho!

After two of the four Tests in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023 in India, the hosts have taken an unassailable lead. Having been winners from the previous edition, Team India will retain the trophy even if the Aussies manage to draw the series by winning the next two matches.

But even that looks a distant dream as of now and the most immediate priority for them, even if it might seem only theoretical, is to avoid losing a place in the WTC Final. If Pat Cummins and his men get whitewashed AND if (okay, even if it's a biiig IF..) ..if Sri Lanka can blank out New Zealand on their home turf 2-0, it could well be an India Sri Lanka final. But realistically, the odds of that happening are nearly as much as those of having no rains for a whole week in England.

Nevertheless, the Australians take a lot of pride in their Baggy Green and must be hurting after their disappointing outings in the first couple of matches. Especially in Delhi, where they ceded ground rather abjectly from a position of strength on two key occasions - first, while bowling when they couldn't break through Ashwin and Axar's partnership and only just got a lead by the most slender margin possible. And then, after still ending that day with a wonderful start to their second innings, they frittered away another commanding position by committing harakiri and collapsing within a session the next morning, most dramatically and mindlessly.

Don't go by the scoreline, the series has had riveting moments of quality cricket and intense competition. It's just that these moments have not been enough for any cricket fan's liking and have often been punctuated by poor cricket by the Aussies.

As the caravan heads to Indore, let's hope for some tough cricket and an even better contest in the next two Tests, as a dress rehearsal (albeit in vastly different conditions) for the WTC final at Lord's. Coming soon, this June. Jai Ho!

Mhaari chhoriyaan chhoron se kam hain key?!

Alright then, 2023 has begun on the right note for Team India.

Only, this time, we are (pleasantly) talking with our focus being on the Indian women's cricket team!

As you would have read, our eves have conquered the U-19 World Cup in South Africa, beating England quite convincingly for a comfortable victory in the final. And yes, I know there must be enough cynics around to pooh-pooh this achievement, terming it just as a kids-playing event. But make no mistake, this victory is historic in its own way and is the precursor to many senior, international-level achievements.

In fact, let's just start with the U-19 level itself: agreed it is a junior level, but even till now, how many times have we won it earlier? How many times have other teams won it? Check and you shall realize the magnitude and impact of this achievement in terms of the U-19 level too.

It would also be pertinent to look at the track record of such events. From Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif to Virat Kohli to Ravindra Jadeja in its early years, to Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill now in men's cricket, we have been able to unearth many such potential superstars from the U-19 level. Their victories at the U19 World Cup not only instilled sky-high confidence in them to not just believe in themselves and compete at the senior level. So this is HUGE from our girls.

Let's also not forget, that Shafali Verma is already an established player in the senior Indian team. The mere presence of such a star creates wonders for the confidence of the team and the players have only made everyone proud through their performances. Shafali herself has gained a lot from this tournament, as she has emerged a World Cup winner now and after the disappointment in the previous World Cup at the highest level in Australia, she has now set her sights on the upcoming senior World Cup. Another feather awaits!

This success of the Indian eves also augurs well for the upcoming Women's IPL, where the best of the best in women's cricket will participate. Wins always enhance not only respect but also generate more attention as well as expectations. Our women (and girls) will now rightly be respected much more and will also dazzle much more, both at the Women's IPL as well as at the international level, both in the junior as well as senior categories.

Last but not the least, apart from the all the accolades that all the players and the coaching staff richly deserve, a huge shoutout to every support staff, every selector, every coach, every state association, and most importantly, to all the parents and families of these girls, for encouraging them and supporting them all the way!

Way to go, girls. Here's to many more and even greater laurels in future too. 

Jai Ho!