So, the dream has ended.
England have knocked the defending World Champions out of the 2009 edition.
It's a pity we couldn't even make the semis.
It's a pity we played the way we played, given the talent and the billing the team always enjoyed.
Wish Bhajji - despite his excellent bowling otherwise - had enough wits about him to atleast not spray the ball way down the leg side (and fast at that!), only to give away 5 runs, along with an extra ball - not even once, but TWICE! - and certainly, not on the last ball of the innings!!!!
Couldn't Dhoni have just had a quiet word with him before atleast that last ball of the innings, especially when he had kept that over tight - just to remind Bhajji to ensure no extras were conceded?
Mind you, I don't have a problem with the opposition playing well, but to gift the match away by making crucial, basic errors is a cardinal sin.
By the way, I would have still castigated the bowler and the captain for the aforementioned instance in the aforementioned way, even if India had won.
Why was RP Singh not bowled for his entire quota, when he had bowled so well?
I can still live with the idea of promoting Jadeja if you try to understand Dhoni's intent - it was not such a bad idea after all, to have him up at #4, so that the bigger players were not lost before the 10th over, and the scoreboard would have kept moving.
Even if Jad would have got out, he wouldn't have been as big a loss as a Yuvraj or Dhoni or Yusuf and again, if he were to come down the order with the asking rate at 9+ or 10+, it would not have served him well there too. Wouldn't we have then said it was too much to ask from the inexperienced youngster?
So all in all, when it came to using his experience and playing style, I think it was better he came when he did. The only problem was that he took too many balls, he could have taken atleast 5-10 balls less than he actually did, and that's where Dhoni too missed a trick. He should have given instructions to the youngster to get on with it, definitely when the halfway mark of the innings had been crossed.
Why was Jadeja not told to hit out or get out, when he was clearly struggling? When he eventually holed out, it seemed he was more happy than the bowler for putting him out of his misery.
If you face good bowling, as India did, I still don't mind the slow start, but atleast the basic, school-level errors could've been avoided.
A little more common-sensical approach, a dash of enjoyment and intensity in the field and on the pitch in gaining an extra run with hard running, and a little more communication from the captain - is all I have a complaint against.
Yes, we could still have lost, but atleast I wouldn't mind it as much if we tried and gave our best, but lost just because the other team came better on the day.
Anyway, just as with wins, let's hope that we don't get carried away too much.
This is just an emotional outburst, and I am sure our team has enough talent to win more often than lose.
I'm sure the guys are just as disappointed as the others, if not more.
But just hope the intensity and enjoyment never get flagged, as it seemed to happen last night at Lord's.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Aamir Khan!!
I know I haven't discussed this on this blog as yet, but I have always been an Aamir Khan fan. Not that I do not like any other actor - I am also a big admirer of the inimitable Amitabh Bachchan and SRK, among many others.
But Aamir, truly, just stands apart.
Again, no disrespect to anyone, in fact, I think Amitabh Bachchan is the greatest actor we have seen, but the sheer planning, variety, attention to detail, exhaustive preparation for each character, ability to do justice to a script, and daredevilry to take up a challenge and rest your professional stakes on that one role for the entire year, takes some doing. Only a person with not just immense talent and intelligence, but also immense self-belief, can carry this off.
Shahrukh is wonderful too, but I have just one logic - I can swap any SRK role with Aamir - as in, I can expect AK to do any role done by SRK with as much elan, but cannot imagine SRK doing a Sarfarosh, a TZP, a Ghajini, etc. the way AK has.
Ofcourse, these are just my views and that is why you are reading them here - coz this is the reason I have created this space - to air my views, with the rationale behind my thoughts - you are free to agree/disagree.
I began reading Aamir's blog recently and it has only made me even more of an Aamir fan. Just reading his thoughts, the way he conveys everything, and mingles so humbly and freely with his fans, along with regular updates indicates a genuine desire to use the blog as a medium to connect with his audience in the way he wants it - informative, regular, fun-filled, informal, witty, and transparent (coming from the horse's mouth, it does not leave any room for speculation on anything and actually helps clears any misgivings anyone might have).
The fact that he has been finding time to not only personally write the blog so regularly, but also reading each and every reply to his posts and even replying back wherever required, displays genuine interest, sincerity, and attachment towards his blogging and affability by not letting any comment go unnoticed and many a time, also recognizing/appreciating it.
Here's just one sampler that I'm sure anyone who reads, would love. It shows the way Aamir used his body language, acting skills and intelligence to convey the right emotions and the non-verbal traits of the character (Bhuvan - the character he was portraying in Lagaan), on screen.
Highly recommend reading this entry on Creating Bhuvan.
I just felt so wonderful about being let in into the mind of this genius, who allowed us what all he tried and why, in projecting the right emotions and body language for his character.
And this is where I find him better than a ShahRukh as well as the great Amitabh Bachchan (even you yourself won't mind that na, Amitji - haayein..?!)
There are two main things that separate him from everyone else:
Abiility to research thoroughly and portray any character convincingly - By research I mean, genuinely thourough, exhaustive (and must surely be exhausting too!) research. And by any, I mean ANY: With due respects to others, but I think no one can match Aamir for his versatility. And it's not just about being versatile. What gets him the biggest edge is that he is most convincing in each of his so different roles - AK can portray a rebel (Mangal Pandey), a police officer (Sarfarosh), a mushy hero (QSQT), a strife-torn father-husband (Akele Hum Akele Tum), a lovable brat (RDB), a hilarious buffoon (Andaz Apna Apna), a comic hero (Ishq), a college-level hero (Jo Jeeta...), a tapori (Rangeela), an endearing rustic driver (Raja Hindustani), an urban youngster friend and lover (DCH), a terrorist in love (Fanaa), a rebellious youngster (Ghulam), an action hero (Ghajini), a sensitive teacher (TZP) - just to name a few..
And as you would know, the list ain't complete!
Which other hero has carried off such a huge run, variety and consistent string of quality roles for his movies?
Leader, Pioneer of Firsts - Whether it is the exhaustive preparation for a role, the unimaginable limits to which he can get soaked in his character, the great lengths to which he hedges his bets on only one project a year (by doing only 1-2 movies a year), thereby also displaying the strength of conviction to do quality-fulfilling and not indulge in needless money-raking movies, at the cost of churning inane performances in movie after movie: Go through any of the above traits and you will find even Amit sir, the legend has not made a conscious effort to dare do so few, so versatile and such intense movies, year after year after year.
And even more than these (but this is a trait in many other stars too), he also comes across as a genuine, unfazed-by-superstardom, well-meaning, sensible, mature, naturally friendly and peaceful guy with a wonderful heart and a great sense of humor - Not a bad list of ingredients in a person you'd like to have as a friend/mentor/guide.
I can go on and on but this should suffice for now - Aamir, if you are reading this, you deserve it, and no need to thank me!
Just keep up the great work, for we have spoiled and immuned ourselves to seeing nothing short of great stuff from you - and no need to take any pressure, yes, you are more than good enough. Touchwood!
Alright, one more line and his wife might begin to get fidgety. Mine too.
But Aamir, truly, just stands apart.
Again, no disrespect to anyone, in fact, I think Amitabh Bachchan is the greatest actor we have seen, but the sheer planning, variety, attention to detail, exhaustive preparation for each character, ability to do justice to a script, and daredevilry to take up a challenge and rest your professional stakes on that one role for the entire year, takes some doing. Only a person with not just immense talent and intelligence, but also immense self-belief, can carry this off.
Shahrukh is wonderful too, but I have just one logic - I can swap any SRK role with Aamir - as in, I can expect AK to do any role done by SRK with as much elan, but cannot imagine SRK doing a Sarfarosh, a TZP, a Ghajini, etc. the way AK has.
Ofcourse, these are just my views and that is why you are reading them here - coz this is the reason I have created this space - to air my views, with the rationale behind my thoughts - you are free to agree/disagree.
I began reading Aamir's blog recently and it has only made me even more of an Aamir fan. Just reading his thoughts, the way he conveys everything, and mingles so humbly and freely with his fans, along with regular updates indicates a genuine desire to use the blog as a medium to connect with his audience in the way he wants it - informative, regular, fun-filled, informal, witty, and transparent (coming from the horse's mouth, it does not leave any room for speculation on anything and actually helps clears any misgivings anyone might have).
The fact that he has been finding time to not only personally write the blog so regularly, but also reading each and every reply to his posts and even replying back wherever required, displays genuine interest, sincerity, and attachment towards his blogging and affability by not letting any comment go unnoticed and many a time, also recognizing/appreciating it.
Here's just one sampler that I'm sure anyone who reads, would love. It shows the way Aamir used his body language, acting skills and intelligence to convey the right emotions and the non-verbal traits of the character (Bhuvan - the character he was portraying in Lagaan), on screen.
Highly recommend reading this entry on Creating Bhuvan.
I just felt so wonderful about being let in into the mind of this genius, who allowed us what all he tried and why, in projecting the right emotions and body language for his character.
And this is where I find him better than a ShahRukh as well as the great Amitabh Bachchan (even you yourself won't mind that na, Amitji - haayein..?!)
There are two main things that separate him from everyone else:
Abiility to research thoroughly and portray any character convincingly - By research I mean, genuinely thourough, exhaustive (and must surely be exhausting too!) research. And by any, I mean ANY: With due respects to others, but I think no one can match Aamir for his versatility. And it's not just about being versatile. What gets him the biggest edge is that he is most convincing in each of his so different roles - AK can portray a rebel (Mangal Pandey), a police officer (Sarfarosh), a mushy hero (QSQT), a strife-torn father-husband (Akele Hum Akele Tum), a lovable brat (RDB), a hilarious buffoon (Andaz Apna Apna), a comic hero (Ishq), a college-level hero (Jo Jeeta...), a tapori (Rangeela), an endearing rustic driver (Raja Hindustani), an urban youngster friend and lover (DCH), a terrorist in love (Fanaa), a rebellious youngster (Ghulam), an action hero (Ghajini), a sensitive teacher (TZP) - just to name a few..
And as you would know, the list ain't complete!
Which other hero has carried off such a huge run, variety and consistent string of quality roles for his movies?
Leader, Pioneer of Firsts - Whether it is the exhaustive preparation for a role, the unimaginable limits to which he can get soaked in his character, the great lengths to which he hedges his bets on only one project a year (by doing only 1-2 movies a year), thereby also displaying the strength of conviction to do quality-fulfilling and not indulge in needless money-raking movies, at the cost of churning inane performances in movie after movie: Go through any of the above traits and you will find even Amit sir, the legend has not made a conscious effort to dare do so few, so versatile and such intense movies, year after year after year.
And even more than these (but this is a trait in many other stars too), he also comes across as a genuine, unfazed-by-superstardom, well-meaning, sensible, mature, naturally friendly and peaceful guy with a wonderful heart and a great sense of humor - Not a bad list of ingredients in a person you'd like to have as a friend/mentor/guide.
I can go on and on but this should suffice for now - Aamir, if you are reading this, you deserve it, and no need to thank me!
Just keep up the great work, for we have spoiled and immuned ourselves to seeing nothing short of great stuff from you - and no need to take any pressure, yes, you are more than good enough. Touchwood!
Alright, one more line and his wife might begin to get fidgety. Mine too.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Of Maximums, Moments of Success, et al
Just in case you have recently migrated to this planet, let me inform you that the Indian Premier League - the glam show of T20 cricket replete with all assortments of stars, razzmatazz, and glamour, is now in its second year.
What might not have gone unnoticed too, is that it has established a new lexicon of terms associated with cricket.
The entire, conscious and business (marketing) exercise of calling every wicket a Citi Moment of Success, and every hit over the ropes coined as a DLF Maximum seems barely bearable, but one hopes they do not carry this branding too far. Who'd like to listen to such coinage every now and then, for every other term and event happening on the field?
This sickening thought just emanates from going through a nice read at Cricinfo's page on this:
http://content.cricinfo.com/iplpage2/content/story/402281.html
Quite witty and imaginative, but unfortunately, it doesn't really seem to be an extract from some sci-fi content. The way things stand, it might not be an unreal possibility.
Just hope Messrs Lalit Modi and his staff can all resist the temptation of selling, and then imposing, every brand on cricket.
It's not a bad thing for the coffers to stay abrim but as with most things in life, one should never fail from asking the question: At what cost?
What might not have gone unnoticed too, is that it has established a new lexicon of terms associated with cricket.
The entire, conscious and business (marketing) exercise of calling every wicket a Citi Moment of Success, and every hit over the ropes coined as a DLF Maximum seems barely bearable, but one hopes they do not carry this branding too far. Who'd like to listen to such coinage every now and then, for every other term and event happening on the field?
This sickening thought just emanates from going through a nice read at Cricinfo's page on this:
http://content.cricinfo.com/iplpage2/content/story/402281.html
Quite witty and imaginative, but unfortunately, it doesn't really seem to be an extract from some sci-fi content. The way things stand, it might not be an unreal possibility.
Just hope Messrs Lalit Modi and his staff can all resist the temptation of selling, and then imposing, every brand on cricket.
It's not a bad thing for the coffers to stay abrim but as with most things in life, one should never fail from asking the question: At what cost?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Dilli-11
No, this is not some sequel to Delhi-6 but my list of who I'd like to see in the Delhi Daredevils playing eleven:
Click the image to view the list clearly:
The column on the left is my list of cricketers I'd like to see as my first-choice of playing eleven.
On the right, is the list of cricketers, who I can replace / can swap, along with the names of the cricketers I can swap them with.
These legends describe what the cricketers have been picked as:
BTA - Batting All Rounder,
Bt - Specialist batsman
Bl - Specialist bowler
Wk- Wicketkeeper
BLA - Bowling All Rounder
The 4 yellow-colored rows denote the maximum 4 foreign players who can be picked in a playing XI.
The team has been picked in batting order.
What I like most about this team is that it covers all bases - in terms of all the 3 facets: it has enough talent and depth in batting, bowling as well as fielding. Not just that, it has depth and variety within these departments too.
Let's pick each one-by-one:
1. Fielding
Some of the best: Manoj Tiwary, AB de Villiers, TM Dilshan, Paul Collingwood, Virender Sehwag, etc. are the standout livewires who would put any close-in ring of fielders to shame.
Guys like Glenn McGrath and Gambhir also possess a wonderful arm - to enable quick, strong returns from the deep.
2. Bowling
Led by the one and only Glenn McGrath, with perhaps the best left-arm slow bowler in the world in the form of Daniel Vettori, the wonderful prospects such as Dirk Nannes, Amit Mishra, Yo Mahesh and Pradeep Sangwan, along with the ever-reliable Ashish Nehra and Farveez Maharoof: you have all sorts of bowlers who can get you wickets against any opposition on any surface.
3. Batting
When a line-up has the likes of Gambhir, Sehwag, Warner and AB/Tiwary/Dilshan staring you in the face as its first four, does anybody need to tell you anymore about its prowess?
Apart from these living dynamites, there are also (only relatively speaking, though) sheet-anchor players, who can hold an end up and make others play their strokes around and on top of their calm and composed presence. Guys such as Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Dinesh Karthik, Mithun Manhas and Rajat Bhatia can alway be relied upon to stall any wicket-taking attempts of the opposition while also keeping the scoreboard ticking.
4. All Rounders
With guys such as Farveez Maharoof, the skipper Sehwag himself, Daniel Vettori, Rajat Bhatia and upcoming al-round talents like Dirk Nannes and Andrew McDonald, all-rounders are also available aplenty to choose from.
5. All-Round Depth
Most impressively, the all-round depth in each department of this Delhi team is extremely strong - atleast on paper, for sure. I would love to see a match where every skill in the game is utilised and harnessed in ensuring both hard-fought as well as facile victories.
Hope to see this set of Delhi XI playing someday, sometime, somewhere..can place a significant amount on it doing well. :-)
Click the image to view the list clearly:
The column on the left is my list of cricketers I'd like to see as my first-choice of playing eleven.
On the right, is the list of cricketers, who I can replace / can swap, along with the names of the cricketers I can swap them with.
These legends describe what the cricketers have been picked as:
BTA - Batting All Rounder,
Bt - Specialist batsman
Bl - Specialist bowler
Wk- Wicketkeeper
BLA - Bowling All Rounder
The 4 yellow-colored rows denote the maximum 4 foreign players who can be picked in a playing XI.
The team has been picked in batting order.
What I like most about this team is that it covers all bases - in terms of all the 3 facets: it has enough talent and depth in batting, bowling as well as fielding. Not just that, it has depth and variety within these departments too.
Let's pick each one-by-one:
1. Fielding
Some of the best: Manoj Tiwary, AB de Villiers, TM Dilshan, Paul Collingwood, Virender Sehwag, etc. are the standout livewires who would put any close-in ring of fielders to shame.
Guys like Glenn McGrath and Gambhir also possess a wonderful arm - to enable quick, strong returns from the deep.
2. Bowling
Led by the one and only Glenn McGrath, with perhaps the best left-arm slow bowler in the world in the form of Daniel Vettori, the wonderful prospects such as Dirk Nannes, Amit Mishra, Yo Mahesh and Pradeep Sangwan, along with the ever-reliable Ashish Nehra and Farveez Maharoof: you have all sorts of bowlers who can get you wickets against any opposition on any surface.
3. Batting
When a line-up has the likes of Gambhir, Sehwag, Warner and AB/Tiwary/Dilshan staring you in the face as its first four, does anybody need to tell you anymore about its prowess?
Apart from these living dynamites, there are also (only relatively speaking, though) sheet-anchor players, who can hold an end up and make others play their strokes around and on top of their calm and composed presence. Guys such as Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Dinesh Karthik, Mithun Manhas and Rajat Bhatia can alway be relied upon to stall any wicket-taking attempts of the opposition while also keeping the scoreboard ticking.
4. All Rounders
With guys such as Farveez Maharoof, the skipper Sehwag himself, Daniel Vettori, Rajat Bhatia and upcoming al-round talents like Dirk Nannes and Andrew McDonald, all-rounders are also available aplenty to choose from.
5. All-Round Depth
Most impressively, the all-round depth in each department of this Delhi team is extremely strong - atleast on paper, for sure. I would love to see a match where every skill in the game is utilised and harnessed in ensuring both hard-fought as well as facile victories.
Hope to see this set of Delhi XI playing someday, sometime, somewhere..can place a significant amount on it doing well. :-)
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