Sachin Tendulkar was naughty, just like any other kid of his age, when he was in school. Vinod Kambli and he would constantly be at each other’s throats — playfully though. And when they were not talking or thinking cricket, they would spend their time playing pranks on their teammates. Even today, when the two of them meet in the dressing room or elsewhere, there is constant banter between the two. They behave like two teenagers and keep pulling each other’s legs, oblivious of the attention they get from the others around them.
A friend and die-hard cricket fan posted on Facebook after Ishant Sharma’s crucial over in which he gave away 30 runs to bring Australia back into Saturday’s One-Day International (ODI) at Mohali: 'Cricket is a batter’s game, more so in the shorter version which is harsher on a bowler than in Test cricket."
Most cricket administrators of a bygone past were humble and had great regards for former cricketers — unlike today. A few have allowed the power they wield go to their head, pushing the noble game of cricket into quicksand because of their arrogance. Now is the time for good administrators to come together with former Test cricketers and rescue Indian cricket.
It was very heartening to see Shikhar Dhawan score a magnificent hundred on Test debut with near-perfect shot selection, decisive footwork and strokes that had both authority and grace. He has proved my faith again, 'that if one has the talent and work ethics of a professional, one will get at least one opportunity to excel. And the one who grabs that opportunity is the one who shows patience, resilience and persistence to pursue his goal with a disciplined lifestyle and that of mind’. Dhawan has those attributes. Hats off to him! His innings served as a great lesson for youngsters waiting in the wings.
Swords maybe out and heads could roll as Indian cricket’s decline and fall is complete with a rare home series defeat.
Indian cricket has had a precipitous fall; it has lost on the seaming pitches in England, bouncing tracks in Australia and now turning tracks at home. Balvinder Singh Sandhu, hero of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team, talks about the importance of individuals working purposefully towards the team cause.
The Mumbai Test showed that when a team is highly motivated, determined and focused on the job at hand, crisis can be turned into opportunity. It’s characteristics of a team that is hungry for victory. And England has shown that they are hungrier than Team India.
Unlike his team-mates, Alastair Cook looked relaxed - mentally and physically - during the Ahmedabad Test. His anxiety level was well in control, and that helped him in judging line and length quite early. That, in turn, helped him in his decision making and decisive footwork.
It's not easy to fill in the crater created by the retirements of two greats, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. But it's extremely important that Team India's Generation Next quickly establish themselves in the Test arena. In that respect, the India-England Test series starting on Thursday is critical for the home team.
Captain MS Dhoni is making the right noises. He said that there is hardly any off-spinner who could hit the rib cage area of the batsmen.
