Sport Trends

We may try to be more American, and may even succeed as the 51st State. But following American sports may just never enter mainstream culture. Just as the American's can never (acutally never say never) bowl.

Its funny though the kids at the school, for the past week have been obsessed with baseball. And its Summer, peak cricket season. For a minute I suspected the trend was changing. But fear not. The bases were converted into runs, there was a wicket keeper, the pitch often was a bowl, and with a lack of baseball hero names, I heard constant mentions of Gilchrist, Lee and the rest.
Maybe in another 50years, will we see baseball infiltrate our culture. Not any time soon.

Cricketers and Hotness

Various people over various stages hae commented on the hotness of cricketers. I never understood it and dismissed it as childish. Cricketers are watched for their cricket not their hotness. However sometimes you just can't help catching the hotness of some of these quite wealthy cricketers ;). hehe

A lot of people reckon Dhoni is hot. While I reckon, he sure looks better with short hair, he is not hot. His overgrown short hair made him look like a scruffy little dog. This was not helped by my cousin growing his hair, and getting the same style. Moreover seeing Simbhu withthe same look totally ruined everything. Dhoni's just a class captain with a crazy country worshipping him.

I always loved Dravid. Like Sachin fans, I always believed that Dravid would come back and play some massive shots once more. His sixes in the mumbai stadium have been rumoured to pass the roof tops. Yet I only saw his ability to remain on the ground doing nothing, in the recent test matches against Australia. But he will always be Mr. Charming. He is hot stuff, even if he can't play anymore. I suppose its his tall thin figure that roks. The same goes for Anil Kumble, who can look rocking, in some of the post match interview sessions. Sachin is just too short for hotness, and anyway, his record stands for us to worship him, regardless.

More than batsmen, I've always been a fan of good bowlers. Brett Lee for starters just buzzes the hotness scale. His smile is a killer. And his super fast bowls just make him look ever the better.

When I was young, India had someone called srinath, or somefin similar to that on their team. I loved to see him bowling, even though I had no idea of much else going on in the game.

Now with some briliant young bowlers, India is no more the batting side, but an allrounder. This change is well applauded by many, although some are critical of the youngsters. I believe otherwise. Youngsters rock the game and bring it spirit. When I first saw Sreeshant bowling in the 20.20 worldcup, I was beside myself. He was so full of spirit, call it attitude if you want, but he really tries. Although often he tried to much, and got a wide, and gave a four, the next bowl would be wicket. IT was brilliant. He's learnt to control himself better now, but I want his earlier unpredictability to return, because although ishanth sharma is tall, and an awesome bowler, taking yonks of wickets, he isn't really much eye candy.

Ok, maybe I'm weird, thinking Sreeshanth is eyecandy, but he is! He does an awesome run up before bowling, and remains loyal to his bling. Ok! ok! he doesn;t exactly look great when his face is splattered with sunscreen. But man he has attitude! Attitude with effort! Effort with faith! What more do you need in a bowler? O and he wears glasses, a rocking aspect to any cricketer! Ganguly used to wear glasses, and it made him look really smart, even though he really wasn't.

Yesterday, at the SCG, when Sreesanth came to bat with Ishanth, he was hot. Glasses, and bat and ball are really his scene. But im surprised why do batsmen choose to where glasses when they'd easily have enough money for contacts. MAybe contacts aren't that great for seeing the wicket or the bowl. Ah wait, hang on, he doesn't wear glasses to bowl, only to bat or when he's sitting idly in the changing rooms. Maybe he's short sighted.

I'm really obsessed, and I'm more surprised. Curly hair guys were never my thing. Mayb sreesanth would look even hoter with straight hair. Someone tell him to straighten his hair, just once. I saw a recent add on some Indian channel for something or other. ahh wait, yes it was for Gilette I think. I had to look twice to realise that it was Sreeshanth with Laxman. Man. Sreeshanth looks brilliant in a suit.

Proud of moi BOYS!

It was an incredible match, more incredible than the incredible match I was at. It would have been even more incredible if India had won at the Sydney Cricket Ground, yet the match was nothing short of a non stop entertainment package. For the first time in the commonwealth series, I was truly watching the game I loved.

Compared to the meagre total of 160 at the MCG, where like most of the other games in this tri series, was either dominated by good bowling, or rain, this match was truly a showcase of great one day cricket. In fact, I was seeing one day cricket in its highest class for the first time in the series. The outstanding toal of 318 set the scene and pressure for the Indians, who will always be destined to chase, with Dhoni never winning the tosses. But I'm happy because there's more thrill, finger biting, edge of the seat action.

The match had its brilliant mix of upsets and highlights for both teams. Gilly's and Sachin's quick wickets were dissappointing. Sehwag's and Yuvraj's lack of form was contrasted by Ponting and Symonds immense return with some big runs. While the Australian's hit some hefty sixers, India's efforts were never given up. Dhoni's superb catch to send Gilly of to the change roooms marked the start. Whilst some quick catches near the end, brought some light relief. What was expected to be a total of 350+ was quickly contained by the Indian Demi God to a more achievable 318.

The Indian innings started quite depressingly, with Sachin's quick wicket, which was followed by the collapse of the top order. Only Ghambir could find his bat against the ball and stood out to bat the Aussie bowlers. At 3/51 India was in trouble, but Dhoni, the lifesaver, created a steady partnership with Ghambir to turn the game around. Followed by Pathan and Ghambhir's partnership, India was not only showing hope, but a huge chance of winning. The crowd was ecstatic, as Ghambhir hit the triple figures. Only to be dismissed by some swift action from the amazing wicket keeper, Gilly. More than angry, I was only sad to see Ghambir walk off. By being just centremetres from the crease, Gambir's spell had been broken by Gilly. For him, I am sad, because if India had won, Ghambhir would have been the backbone of the victory. Yet Ghabhir's wicket brought about the interesting partnership of Uthappu and Pathan. The hopes rose again, as they stedily ploughed their way through. Even as Harbhajan entered, hopes were renewed with his belting of fours. But the ball count was ever decreasing and pressure saw the fall of india. The final balls were in the hands of two magnificent young bowlers. It was an amusing sight as Ishanth Sharma and Sreesanth batted the second last over.

The entertainment was not just in the batting by both teams, which included a flurry of fours and sixers. But it was in the non stop energy and spirit generated by both teams. India never gave up and up till 8th wicket it had a solid batting side, as well as some class bowlers. It was impressive to see the Indian side in such good condition. With a massive total, their play not only made it such a thriller, but it was the best entertainment provided of all games in the series played so far. If this is what magic teams can produce, I can't wait to see India and Australia battle it out in the finals! (If 299 is a score India can achieve without its top order, what doubt is there, that it can't beat Sri Lanka)

I can't finish without the comedy. Gilly's slide too early, to prevent a four was hilarious, as was Harbhajan's 2 run out wickets on the 2 last balls of the 2nd innings. Harbhajan's swallowing of dirt as he slided into the crease was just as hysterical.

I'd love to see more of such good cricket, as the runs and bowls start ticking. Just don't let the pressure get to you moi boys!

India has won, but lessons to learn

India has won! Finally quenched the thirst of millions of supporters!

It has indeed been an ironical win. India achieves vistory after the whims and dims of the sydney test. Yet to those who believe in cycles, this has indeed been a very big cycle. History has repeated itself to break, once more, the 17consequtive test wins of Australia. It was India in Adelaide, in 2003, achieving the incredible, and they've done it again.

Yet India has lessons to learn. The underlying message in Pontings after match comments say it all. Australia won't be a sore loser, they'll take it as a lesson. But did India do that after Sydney?

Moreover, India needs to learn the confidence of the australian players. Even the lower order batters play with confidence. At 9 wickets, India would be a sorry sight. But the Australian played with smiles. They had fun, masti, enjoying the game. This is what cricket is about! Even after the final wicket was taken, the Australian batter had the courage to stick around in the euphoria and make sure he displayed his sportsmanship.

Another lesson, is the amount of skill the Indian team lacks. A lower order player such as RP Singh should have had the training to back and bat enough to keep his wicket. Come on, he plays for a national team.
Comparing Australia's 8th order to India's, there's so much difference. India is hopeless at 8th wicket. Australia is buzzing at 8th.

Moreover we need to embrace our younger players. Without Harbhajan on the seen, look at the miracles that the young bowlers bring about. The same can be done with batters. Give the chance to those who have the potential. After yonks of critcism of including Sehwag, look at the miracles he produces. Not to mention man of the match, Pathan.

When India moves away from the politics, and plays for enjoyment, for the love of the game, appreciates those who have skill and places emphasis for all players to learn all aspects of the game; Australia won't only lose once in 17matches, and India won't only win a test once in a leap year.

Let us await the play in Adelaide with eagerness. Times awaits to see whether it will be a growth or deterioation of Test cricket.

Cricket in Kaos

Back and forth the accusations travel. But it does no more that justify that as much as India is a sore loser, Australia is a gallant less winner. What has become of the epic game that ruled our hearts? Is it merely just another political stunt? Obviously, the sport is missing now. But will it return or does this mark the extinction of the acclaimed game?

India explodes that Harbhajan has been called a racist without proper evidence. There national identity has been lost, it seems. I thought cricket was a sport. From where does national honour come into play? You play for a nation. But that doesn't mean the sport is the nation. Imagine if the puny little Bangladesh team who loses every other cricket match, made such a fuss. Would there anger be valued so much to place the news on the front page of our newspaper? Its all about politics, money and business. India has the notes, earning 70% of the revenue for cricket, and it can twiddle the right buttons and put pressure. It's disgusting to those who just want to watch a match!

The worst thing is two highly different issues are becoming one. Would this have been the same dilemma if India had won the match? Harbhajan's ban may be based on unsubstantial evidence, and hence appeal by all means. But stop making a big deal about it, as if the world has come to an end. Cooping up cricketers in a bus for 2 hours, burning effigies of Ponting, it all has to be stopped.

The second accusation, ignited by the Indian captain's comment, that only one team was playing in the spirit of the game, was even more eruptive. If you were to ask me no one was playing in the spirit of the team. You watch a match for thrilling sensation of not knowing who will win. And the action it brings. That was the success of the 20twenty finals. Up until the last minute, you could never tell. Let's see if that day ever dawns in test cricket.

We've all played our share of low-profile games, to know there are the good and the bad umpiring decisions. But whatever it is, his decision is final. Just because its escalated at an international level doesn't change a thing. And if the players can't even follow this basic rule, well they've definitely lost the plot and the sport.

At the end of the day, the victim is no one but the sport itself. The politic influence, the predictability of the winner, and the whinging have all endangered its applaudable aspects. It no longer seems to be a team game, rather it is either a game played for individual achievement or a game played as a nation against nation, creating the atmosphere of two nations at war. None of this is good sports. Everyone take a chill pill and play for the sport atleast some time soon.