The mystery of NR-IPL

IPL (Indian Premier League) took the world by storm when it was launched and lived upto the huge expectations in its inaugural year. It changed the way cricket was played. It gave some hope to countries like Pakistan and New Zealand that their players wont join ICL now. It raked in a lot of moolah for its owners, gave fame to many unknown but talented cricketers and gave great entertainment to its viewers. This year's event was supposed to be bigger and better. But then Election Commission bowled a googly and announced the elections at same time. So after prolonged discussions and press conferences, it was decided that IPL would go global.

I dont think it was a wise decision to move the tournament out of India. Firstly, it does give the impression that BCCI and Govt. of India are of the view that India is not a safe country. During the whole controversy it never looked like BCCI and govt. were on the same side. It always seemed that they were playing a game of their own. None ready to cede any ground. Couldn't IPL have agreed to a truncated tournament in May? By May the elections in many states would have been over and there would not have been much of a problem but IPL was concerned that with a truncated tournament it would lose out on money.

Also, all along BCCI has been saying that IPL is a domestic tournament with a global reach. It is very sad that we are hosting a domestic tournament outside India. BCCI says it wants to ensure continuity and thats why they are forced to do so. Would BCCI have rescheduled Ranji trophy elsewhere if it faced such a problem? If BCCI doesn't mind going to England or South Africa to play a domestic tournament, then I am sure it should not mind going to these countries again to play home matches against opponents who are not sure about India being able to provide adequate security. After all like IPL, only 1% go to stadiums to watch them, rest watch them on television only. So, if BCCI can ensure that match timings are same as that in India there should not be a problem.

Also, BCCI is sending the wrong signals to athletes who are in two minds about participating in CWG next year in Delhi. They will ask if Indians dont feel comfortable playing in India, how can they? The event which could have proved to the world that India is a safe country to tour, an event which could have shown how we can provide secuity which brings about a smile, an event which would have cleared the doubts of all, that event is going to do just the opposite.

Hopefully, all these would not occur and teams and athletes would not cite IPL to justify their fear in coming to India. Hopefully, IPL-2 would be able to generate as much hype on the field as it has generated off the field. Hopefully, stadiums would be filled with fans even in South Africa or England to support a local Indian team.

Passport or Passion?

2008 was a tremendous year for Indian sports. First individual olympic gold medal, two more olympic medals, Saina's meteoric rise, Anand becoming undisputed king of chess, great performances by the cricket team, Jeev showing his class on golfing greens, Advani's once again stellar performance, qualification to the Asian Cup in football, rise of Somdev and Prakash, Marykom's 4th successive tital, so many plus in a year. Just when everyone was hoping that finally India is developing into a sporting nation, our government made a rule that will only allow Indian Passport holders to represent India.

This move has met with some resistance from the players who have been representing India for last few years but are not Indian citizens, citing that their american passports help them and hence they would not like to give up on them. But i agree with the government. If you want to represent India then you have to be Indian citizen. You can't have the better of both the worlds.

I agree that Prakash Amritraj is better than many of the Indian tennis players but he should also realise that he would not get a chance to play in Davis Cup for USA. So, if India is benefiting, then he is as well. And more than benefits, it is a matter of respect and pride. Can we trust that Prakash or Shikha won't be tempted to play in such a manner that will benefit USA if we face them in Davis Cup, Fed Cup or Hopman Cup? When they dont want to relinquish their USA citizenship then i think it is fair to say that their loyalties towards USA are more pronounced. It is not that you cant succeed in international sports as an Indian. Prakash's father Vijay Amritraj (though never won a Grand Slam) is considered to be one of the best players of his time. Paes and Bhupathi have won on the tour regularly despite having permanent residence in India.

And even if you think that travelling from India to Europe and USA is a problem, then do what Anand has done. He lives in Spain but never has he given up on his Indian citizenship. The question here is not of being jingoistic but being practical. All the major sportsperson (whether Indian or belonging to any country) say that playing for the country is always a dream, to hear your national anthem, to see you flag rise are all part of the thrill. Can we expect the same from these persons? Won't they be getting same level of excitement when they hear the national anthem of their country? The thing is they need to chose one country.

Allowing OCIs and PIOs to represent India opens a Pandora's box. In cricket we have a long list of successful cricketers of Indian ancestry. Should BCCI then approach them as well to play for India? Should Jeev Milkha Singh be told you are not the best Indian golfer because Vijay Singh's ancestors belonged to India? Should we also take the easy route that many gulf countries are taking to win Olympic medals and import renowned athletes? Should we also consider Alexi Grewal as the first individual gold medalist of India rather than Abhinav Bindra?

I believe sports is more about passion and emotions then about success and failure. If you want to represent India, you have to be an Indian. If you want to hold onto your American or British passport, good for you and best of luck for your life. Just as we cant allow Bobby Jindal to one day come up and say i want to be Indian MP while still being governor of Louisiana, we cant allow non- Indians to represent India.

JAI HIND!!!

A Jumbo Effort!!

It has been some days since the retirement of Anil Kumble, one of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced. Today, i will like to mention some of Jumbo's greatest moments in international cricket. Moments that any cricket follower can not forget. These are not in any order because each one of them is special in its own sense.

• Vs Pakistan 1999, Delhi

India were 1-0 down in the series, Paksitan had a great opening stand and nothing was going right for India till Kumble spun his magic. We have seen bowlers rip through a batting line-up but rarely do we such domination by a single bowler. Paksitan plummeted from 101-0 to 207 allout and India won the match by 212 runs. The charm of this moment lies in the fact it was series levelling against arch-rivals Pakistan. The bowling figures of 10-74 against quality batsmen says a lot. Historic Moment to say the least.

• Vs West Indies 2002, Antigua

Kumble had been dropped for the second and third test. He had missed the chance to be part of the famous victory at Port of Spain. Enter the fourth test, while batting Kumble was hit on his face by a bouncer. The sight of Kumble spitting blood was not a pleasing one. But he knew the importance of staying on crease and didn't retire hurt. He couldn't make much difference but he showed his committment. Then when it was known that he had a broken jaw and would not be able to take further part in the series, he saw that India needed him and he took pain-killers and bowled to Brian Lara and Carl Hooper with a heavily strapped face. Between overs he would change his bandages. The fact that he bowled like that shows his committment and determination and the fact that he got Lara out shows his talent.

• Vs Australia 2003

Kumble had become India's second choice spinner. When Harbhajan got injured and Kumble had to replace him in the eleven many thought India had no chance against Australia because of Kumble's dismal performance away from home. But Kumble had other ideas. He started of things with a 5-wicket haul in Adelaide to prevent Australia from creating a winning total. He made sure to keep one end tied up and not give Aussies any free runs. He picked up regular wickets in both Adleaide and Melbourne but he saved his best for Sydney. The series decider was nicely setup by Sachin and Laxman's great batting and then Kumble set-up the ground for an exciting win by an 8 wicket haul. In the second Australian innings Kumble was running through the Oz batting line-up and would have wont he match and series for India if not for great batting display by Steve Waugh in his final test and some questionble umpiring. He had proved he was a force to reckon with not only at home but also abroad.

• Vs Australia, 2007-08

Kumble had been appointed captain in the previous series and this was his first overseas tour. What a way he chose to announce his arrival. A 5-wicket haul on the first day of the series. It showed the team what he expected of them. Though India lost the test in Melbourne made sure we atleast gave a fight. In Sydney, when we were being tortured by some horrendous umpiring decisions and unsporting behaviour of Aussies, he kept his cool throughout the match and made a valiant 45 to try and save the match. Though we could not save the match, he made sure the issue of cheating didn't go unnoticed. His statement in the post match conference about only one team playing in the correct spirit of game showed his temperament and statesmen qualities. Not many cricketers could have led a team in such tumultous times with such integrity and composure. His attack on Aussies pushed them on backfoot and India trounced them in Perth to stop their 16 match winning streak. He followed that up with a brilliant 87 in Adelaide. This series showed his talent in bowling, batting and captaincy. He was a true all-rounder but was never considered one.

• Vs Pakistan 2007, Bangalore
  

This was his first series as captain of India. India was leading the series 1-0 and the third test was going towards a draw after some great batting by Ganguly who scored his maiden double century. Light was quickly fading and Pakistan had to survive only a session or so. Pakistan had already survived 13 overs from faster bowlers and there seemed no chance of a win but Kumble bowled seam-up on a variable bounce pitch and picked up a 5 wicket haul and would have bowled India to victory if bad light had not stopped play. 5 wickets in 14 overs is simply extra-ordinary.

• Vs England 2007, Oval
  
  

India were leading the 3-match series 1-0. We were in a comfortable position of 400+ runs when Kumble stepped in to bat, but it wasn't a match winning total. Together with Dhoni and the tail he took the total past 650 to ensure that there was no chance of losing the test. This was his first test hundred, which took 17 years and 118 tests. This was a new world record for most tests played before scoring a maiden hundred. This was special to him because he always took his batting seriously. This century showed his true all-round skills. This feat was not achieved by any one else in the 500 wicket club.

• Vs South Africa 1996, Calcutta

South Africa were in a great position having scored 400+ runs and had India tottering at 161/7 when Kumble joined an injured Azhar. Follow-on seemed imminent with only Prasad and Hirwani to follow. Both batted with immense grit and determination adding 161 more runs to not only avoid follow-on but also take India to a position of relative safety with a deficit of only 99 runs. Kumble was the last man out after scoring 88, his highest score and only the second half-century. It was an inning in trying conditions against quality bowling and ruthless opposition. Though India lost the match and that takes some sheen away because this is one of few moments when Kumble's best was also not enough to save the match. But surely it is the greatest batting performance by the wily leg-spinner.

• Vs Australia 1996, Bangalore
  

Kumble and Srinath had won many matches for India with their bowling. The match was at Bangalore and the crowd included Srinath and Kumble's mother and grandmother. The stage was perfectly set when these two champion bowlers from Bnagalore got together when India still needed 50 more runs to win. The match was against Australia and bowling attack included McGrath, Fleming, Gillespie and Steve Waugh. But both played the innings of their lifetime and won the match for India. It was a special victory not only because we won a narrow match, but because of the way those two played in front of their home crowd and relatives. None of them was regarded as a decent batsmen but they took the opposition and pulled a great upset.

• Vs South Africa 1996, Mumbai
  

It was the final of the Titan Cup. India had scored a below par score of 220. South African batting consisting of Hudson, Kirsten, Cullinan, Rhodes, Klusener and Cronje was considered favourite to reach the target easily. But Prasad got early breakthrough and Kumble capitalised on it to dismantle their middle order with two quick wickets. He made sure the task for the africans was getting tougher by bowling a nagging line and not allowing them to score freely. He then finished off the tail with two wickets in successive balls to win the match and tournament for India. His final analysis of 8.2-0-25-4 were truly maginficent.

• Vs Australia 2008, Delhi

There was immense pressure on Kumble to perform. He had a bad series in Sri Lanka and had gone wicketless in Bangalore. The debutant Mishra and the stand-in captain Dhoni had performed exceedingly well in Mohali. But the match was at Kotla, the place where Jumbo had taken his ten wicket haul. Kumble had already celebrated his 38th birthday. Given the situation nobody would have said anything if Kumble had not dived full length to try and take a catch. He suffered deep cut on his small finger of left hand. This seemed the end of an illustrious career. But Kumble had other thoughts. Though he knew his career was in his final lap, he gave whatever he had to offer. He came back on the fourth morning to take up 3 wickets to ensure that India had a sizeable lead. The final wicket in some way summarized the career of Kumble. The previous ball had seen Mishra drop a catch, one of the many dropped by India in that innings. Kumble was furious and wanted more committment from his team. The next ball Kumble ran backwards 30 yards and took an amazing catch with heavily bandaged left hand having 9 stitches off his own bowling. The fact that he bowled again in second innings is just elementary. Because those were the only 4 overs in his entire career that he bowled for himself. All the other 40000 odd balls that he threw had only one intention: to make sure India won the match.

This was a small compilation of some of the greatest moments of Kumble. The biggest thing about Kumble was his committment and determination. He is one of the greatest cricketer to have ever played cricket. He may not turn the ball as much as Warne or may not have taken as much wickets as Murli, but he surely was as great a bowler as those two. He has won more matches for India then anyone (probably Sachin can claim to have won more but its a close one between them atleast in Tests). He has played his heart out, taken pills, fought injuries and his own body to give it all to India. He has been criticized throughout his career but he took all in his stride and continued to perform extra-ordinarily. He is the greatest soldier of Indian cricket. JUMBO CAREER OF A TRUE SPORTSPERSON!!!!

The King of 64 squares....

Some days back, Viswanathan Anand laid to rest any speculations (if any) that he is among the best chess players of all time. Surely, he had been World Champion twice but this was the first time he won in matchplay. Nobody can question his abilities in rapid chess but till now all questioned his abilities against quality opposition in matchplay.

Critics and his opponents said that he would beat lower ranked players while drawing against good opposition and hence would always struggle in matchplays. To some extent they were even right, but this win should silence his detractors. Kramnik had questioned and ridiculed him when Anand won in 2007 saying the title belonged to him and Anand had only temporarily taken it from him and even challenged him to a matchplay. But now even he would have to accept that the crown is on the head of the king only. Two undisputed championship out of three should surely put to rest any doubts.

It is not only the result but the manner in which he has scored the win makes it more memorable. Till now, it was normal in chess to defend with black but never before has anyone got two succesive victories with black against an opposition of Kramnik's class. Taking a lead of 3 points after 6 rounds is pure domination. He has been agressive in his approach and has simply outplayed and outwitted Kramnik in his own backyard (matchplay of classical chess).

His numerous titles in rapid chess show his mastery in that form. Corsica (six years in a row from 1999 through 2005), Chess Classic (nine years in a row from 2000 through 2008), 11 Mainz titles, 5 titles of Corus Championships, etc. He is also the only player to win the blind and rapid sections of the Amber tournament in the same year (and he did this twice – in 1997 and 2005). He is the first player to have achieved victories in each of the three big chess supertournaments: Corus (1998, 2003, 2004, 2006), Linares (1998, 2007, 2008), Dortmund (1996, 2000, 2004).

The other greatness of Anand lies in the fact that he doesn't belong to the old school who believed that your opponents are to be hated. He would respect his opponents and believed that the only place to show his superiority was on the chessboard. Anand probably is the first Chess wizard who is so composed in his nature and doesn't indulge in maligning others. He has brought a new whole dimension to the sport and is by far the greatest ambassador of the sport. True people will consider Karpov or Kasparov as greater players but the fact is that Anand is seen as the person who has broken the stranglehold of the Russians.

He is the one of the seven non-Russians to have won the prestigious Chess Oscar. And only he and legendary Bobby Fischer (3 times) have done it more than once. He has won it a staggering five times behind only Anatoly Karpov(9 times) and Garry Kasparov( 11 times). He is the one of the four to have ever crossed the Elo Rating of 2800. If Karpov inspired an entire generation of Russian GMs, Anand has given the faith to all GMs around the world that a non-Russian can also rule the Chess of world.

He is the first Indian GM and has been a source of inspiration to a whole bunch of Indian Chess GMs, WGMs and IMs. You ask Surya Shekhar Ganguly, Dibyendu Barua, Abhijit Kunte, K Sasikaran, Praveen Thipsay, D Harika, P Harikrishna, Koneru Humpy, Tejas Bakre about their idol and i am sure most of them would answer Anand. He has been the pioneer of the chess movement in India. Today, India is one of the superpowers of Chess. He is a true sporting legend and one of the biggest ambassadors of Indian sports.

I always believe one of the parameters on which a great sportsperson should be judged the effect he has had on the game. Here is a player who has changed the way game is played worldwide and broken through the monopoly of the dominating nation. He has inspired numerous players to take up chess. He is truly a perfect ambassador for Chess in particular and sports in general.

The legacy of DADA

7th October 2008 will remain as an important date in Indian cricket history for a long time. Today one of India's finest batsmen and the best leader has announced his retirement.

the main reason i am sad is that i see it as the beginning of the end......the end of our gr8 middle order....can we get another sachin, dravid, sourav, laxman....maybe but wat r the odds to find such class batsmen together again.....but all gud things must come to end.....so hoping yuvraj,raina,rohit,badrinath,uthappa etc. may prove to be worthy successors.....

i am sad bcoz of the fact that his retirement has come under the clouds....questions are being raised tht he wud have been dropped from the series if not for his voluntary retirement pact wid selectors....i dont know if der was any such pact or not but i do know dat here is one cricketer who has changed the way we play cricket and we r not even giving him a decent farewell......before ganguly who cud have expected an Indian captain to ridicule aussie performance in India wen dey were on a high of 15 straight test wins...and have the audacity of doing impossible and leading the team to a 2-1 series win after being 1-0 down and following-on....many wud say dat it was laxman, dravid and bhajji who won the series for us but i think dey cud have not done it widout the support dey got frm ganguly.....

leave aside India which othr captain has the guts to do wat he did at lord's???but he beleived tht if flintoff cud do it at wankhede den y not at lords's???he told the world dat we may win or lose but one thing is for sure we will fight...fight to win...fight for our pride....he told the world dat no matter wat happens we r A TEAM....not a grp of individuals but a team....who have one common desire....to win and enjoy each others success.....he believed in his players....he gave dem the rope....inspired dem.....and most important gave dim dis confidence dat he will be der for dem....the way he stood for one match old sehwag in south africa was commendable...

i believe ganguly's true legacy is in his never say die attitude dat he has instilled in Indian cricket...he is one of the greatest batsmen of all time, one of the best left handers, king of off-side but foremost he is the architect of modern Indian cricket to which he gave the urge to win, the killer instinct....

The legacy of DADA will continue.......

Can India take revenge???

the australian team has arrived in India for a 4 test series - a series which promises to be more intense then ashes or india-pak series. this is bcoz India has emerged as a real threat to aussie domination in cricket. Steve Waugh cudnt conquer his final frontier, India ran close the aussies in der last tour down under, a series which aussies won after much controversy and thru questionable means.

this time around the focus will be mainly on the indian senior batting line-up and the inexperienced aussie spinners. unarguably dis is the weakest aussie bowling line-up in recent times. no McGrath, no Warne means a lot and the whole onus will be on Brett Lee. but the real test will be of the rookie spinners Krejza and McGain. also the symonds affair will have its impact.

India also has its own set of problems. der is too much controversy over the seniors. i dont know how can u question the talent, dedication or temperament of Sachin, Dravid, Laxman or Ganguly. i agree tht youngsters shud be given chance and slowly these seniors shud be phased out but atleast give dem a chance to retire gracefully or if u r dropping dem atleast have guts to call it straight dat dey r dropped bcoz of age. the seniors just had one bad series in Sri Lanka where even youngsters failed. so is it justified to drop Ganguly from test team (if he is dropped) who had a decent aussie tour. agreed Dhoni is doing gr8 as captain but he had support of Sachin in australia. so he cant say dat he is winning with a fully young team. and he is learning the finer nuanches of captaincy by being the understudy of Kumble,the dependable captain of the test team.

let us see if India is able to solve dese controversies and take revenge for the last aussie trip and trip down under or if Ponting will motivate his young and inexperienced squad (a rare sight) to put behind symmo affair and re-conquer the final frontier. watever be the case one can really hope dis series to be truly exciting in line wid the past few series between dese two cricketing giants.

COME ON JUMBO!!KARDO AUSSIE KI TAISI!!!