After more than a quarter century of following Sachin Tendulkar, I am announcing my retirement from all forms of the game. I have arrived at this decision after careful thought but without consulting my friends and family. If I had consulted them, they would have thought I am nuts; which I probably am.
I know my time is up. My mind is not with Sachin's game any longer. I no longer switch on the Television even when I know that Sachin is batting and while I still switch off the television when Sachin gets out; I have to admit it more habit than instinct. There was a time when Sachin's batting helped soothe the pain of India's defeat. Today I crave for India to win without Sachin.
Representing one’s country is anyone's dream, but only a few go on to attain it for which they are seen as special. The not only carry the country's pride on their sleeve but also propel an entire generation towards bigger destinations. Especially in the Asian subcontinent where the sociological conditions are not always great and every day is a challenge in its own way these stars are hailed and revered as their escapades are an avenue to detach oneself from the grinds of the daily mundane life and that is one of the primary reason for cricket’s meteoric rise in Pakistan and India. The personal milestones of players are considered to be achievements of the citizens who could not break their shackles
Soon after the verdict was out and they were handed imprisonment for having been found guilty of spot fixing charges in the Lord’s Test match of 2010 both Mohammed Asif and Salman Butt breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently both of them are happy with the verdict and thankful that the extra burden of representing their country in a cricket match has been lifted from their heavy (very heavy) shoulders.
They are now contemplating in exploring greener (slightly darker in colour than the jersey they were previously forced to wear) pastures and indulge in a much more lucrative profession. They will soon be calling for a joint press conference which will be attended only by all those reporters who believe
For some time now, batting has been the main cause of concern for Bangladesh as more of than not they tend to throw their wickets away by indulging in reckless strokes. This has led to the team suffering heavy defeats.
The Bangladesh batsmen have had sound coaching, but their failing can largely be attributed to lack of mental strength. At the highest level of the game, its temperament that divides wheat from the chaff.
Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara’s mental make-up is exemplary. And that has been a huge contributing factor to their greatness. They follow a mental routine against all bowlers.
What is this mental routine?
According to Greg Chappell, mental routine comprises ‘Awareness’,
A few years ago, we lamented about the loss of characters from cricket when Flintoff was penalized for pedalo-gate. Until recently, I didn't really understand this desire by journalists and "elites" for squeaky clean sportsmen and now ex-cricketer administrators.
When I was a student in a college in India, many times I would be asked as to how I managed good grades "even though" I enjoyed an occasional drink. Well, maybe not occasional....but you get the point. For the life of me, I never understood the connection between good academic performance and alcohol. In many ways, I (along with a few others) were the outliers.
Many of those that posed that question were squeaky clean A-graders and teetotallers. My
I didn’t know Graham Dilley personally. The only time I ever spoke to him was to ask for an autograph but he was probably my first real Kent hero.
He quite simply helped shape my life. He was part of the reason I fell in love with the game & must take some responsibility for the cricket obsessed adult I am today!
I didn’t appreciate any of this back then. My parents took me to the St Lawrence Ground when I was little, not long after Graham made his Kent debut, and I remember being in total awe of this seemingly great, golden God. I didn’t understand much about the game but I knew the way he thundered in and bowled the ball was special. Special enough that I developed rather a crush and a much loved
Alok Kapali, who has been in the wilderness since his return from the Indian Cricket League (ICL), has been included for the T20 and ODI series against the West Indies.
The erratic but talented leg-spinner-cum-batsman’s potential is unquestionable. Since his debut against Sri Lanka in 2002, he has impressed everyone with his immense talent. That series against Sri Lanka had been disappointing for Bangladesh, but the one positive for Bangladesh was Kapali’s technique and temperament. He started batting at No 5 five or No 6 for Bangladesh and was quite bold against the fast bowlers. He has been instrumental in scoring quick runs or playing as the sheet anchor role.
Sachin Tendulkar is all set to shift into his new house located on Bandra's West Perry Cross Road.
The ‘dream house’ has been designed keeping in mind the master blasters love for cars.
The second basement of the house can hold 45-50 cars at a time. The first basement includes the kitchen, master surveillance room and servant quarters.
The house has three other floors where Tendulkar will live along with his wife and two kids.
The ground floor comprises of large drawing room with a separate dining space for the entire family and a temple of Lord Ganesha on the ground floor premises.
The floor will also house a special display area where Sachin's innumerable medals and trophies will be kept.
Whilst reading the obituaries of former Indian skipper Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, a number of things struck us about the man they called ‘Tiger’.
The most notable of these of course was the fact that his 46 Test career and 2,793 runs at a respectable average of 35 was achieved with just one eye. That is pretty amazing given how fundamental it is for a batsman to be able to see a cricket ball. Given that amongst other achievements prior to his injury, Tiger had beaten Douglas Jardine’s runs record at Winchester, it is highly likely that but for his impaired vision he would have been in the top echelon of Indian batsmen ever.
Like his fellow Wykehamist Jardine, Pataudi was an outstanding captain who led
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was ahead of his teammates in terms of thought and skills. The Indian team of his times had a defensive mindset, but Pataudi played a pioneering role in helping the team shed the self-defeating thinking.
His batting had the dash of modern day flair. It stood opposed to the conventional school that did not believe in lifting the ball over the in-field. In the Test series against Ted Dexter’s England in 1961, Pataudi used the tactics productively and profitably to score 103 in 155 minutes as India easily won their second successive Test victory and their first Test series win against England.
Tiger’s batting was unorthodox which did not win the approval of the purists. But it
The first meeting of the new look Indian selection committee is underway on an auspicious day and time per You Know Who’s astrologer with all selectors wearing yellow India Cement jerseys. The new selectors are supposed to take an oath of allegiance to You know who (YKW from here on) before joining the committee. The oath goes thus, “Chennai is my country, India Cement is my father and all CSK players are my brothers and sisters….”. Sanjay Jagdale is the first one to take his oath. Being as well known and well spoken as the MP Chief Minister Shivraj Patil, he takes it almost invisibly and inaudibly. Mohinder Amarnath is the next in line. The same legend, who helped India win the WC, around the same
Shakib Al Hasan’s ouster as captain of the Bangladesh cricket team has created a leadership crisis. It was not as if Shakib was leading his resources poorly or his personal form was found wanting, but it was his off-field ego that cost him the captaincy.
Mushfiqur Rahim looks the most likely man to take over from Shaikb. But I think Mushfiqur Rahim is still too young and impetuous to lead a national side. Shahriar Nafees would be a better choice, instead.
Before joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL), Nafees has served as vice-captain and was seen as Habibul Bashar’s successor. Nafees is well-educated, has good communication skills and is a good man manager. He is also a good student of the game of
ECB and Natwest whose history goes long back have now started the NatWest Cricket Club which aims at helping cricket at the grass root levels. Followed by this move, they started a campaign called 'NatWest Secret Cricketer' where a cricketer in disguise helps a small team by playing for them!
This is the story of a team called Goldsborough Cricket Club 2nds (a club in north Yorkshire) and how Michael Vaughan (yes! The former English skipper who uses Vaseline) helped them out by playing in disguise as Gary Watson.
Goldsborough CC has been part of one of the worst defeats in cricket's history in 2006 at the hands of Dishforth Cricket Club. In that match all 10 of the Goldsborough batsman
In an increasingly competitive global market, fostering team spirit in your business can mean the difference between failure and success. Here, leading camaraderie guru and international tea potter, Munaf Patel, gives you his three step guide to getting the best out of your workforce:
1) Stay classy.
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but wit doesn't get you results so keep your criticisms of others irrational and utterly infantile. Slow-handclapping Ravindra in accounts because he's only saved your company $2m when you could reasonably have expected him to save nothing will let other members of the team know you mean business.
2) Believe.
Whether or not you're the guy with the proven track record the
My best friends father Mike, who is sadly no longer with us, took a cuddly duck with him to Australia for the 2006 Ashes series. Quite apt given the way the Aussies ripped through England's batting order that year.
Anyway the Duck became an icon, sharing photo opportunities with the likes of Sir Ian Botham, Mike Atherton, and Merv Hughes, and now we can add to that fine list one of India's greats. Childish I know, but Gavaskar was a great sport for humouring me at least!
Tuesday was one of those days where grown men acted like children in the face of unavoidable, unrelenting boredom. Some Indian fans led a group containing 2 father Christmases around the ground singing and banging Tabla’s, whilst others
