India are the World Champions of Cricket!!!
India are the World Champions of Cricket!!!
India are the World Champions of Cricket!!!
Well, it still hasn’t sunk in, and therefore the twice-repetition. Just when nobody expected them to win, Indians have finally emerged as the well-deserved suitors of this new, lively, nubile 20-only bride of cricket, and the honeymoon has just begun.
What a match? If ever, there was a match that swung more than the swingers of Irfan Pathan, it was this one. I almost had two heart attacks before the Indians romped home and picked up the trophy. But I think enough has been written, said, read & heard about the match, and whatever I may say now would only be old wine in a new bottle, and so I shall spare you the misery. What I will dwell upon are other aspects of India’s victory & what it augurs for Indian cricket.
First things first: this young Indian team has proved to everyone that they have absolutely no fear. The big stage fright does not weaken their nerves; in fact, it motivates them to higher levels. And playing & winning against Pakistan is just a small hurdle that can be cleared easily. Reputations do not matter; great play does – that is what epitomizes the team belief & is reflected in their spirit on the field. South Africa & Australia have already learnt their lesson the hard way – by being chucked out of the tournament just when they thought they were close to winning it. The message from the team clearly is, “Bring ‘em on and then some more!”
While Dhoni & his men have shown that they mean business, and are ready to rule the world, we must remember that this is T20. A traditional 50-overs a side one-day match is a completely different ball game, and they would do well not to get too carried away, and to be mentally & physically prepared for that as well. The taste of success can be very heady causing hangovers that take forever to get out of, and the team needs to be ready for the next challenge pretty soon. As regards tests, I think the team would be very different and would include the trinity of Sachin, Sourav & Rahul, but it would still be nice to have the boys who have performed be a part of the new-look India that has no past baggage to carry.
Coming to the trinity, I was fairly surprised to notice that none of them went to South Africa to cheer the team for the finals! After all, this was a world cup final, made even more interesting & important by the fact that it was against our arch-rivals, Pakistan. So, what were our seniors doing here sitting inside their homes watching the match on television? Why did they miss being a part of history – win or lose, it was going to be a historic moment for India? Why did they not cheer for the team from the stands? Did they rue the fact that they thought that T20 was frivolous and chose not to participate? Or were they jealous of this young team that has performed miracles without any of the top 3 being in the team, and could make them redundant in the small form of the game? I know that such thoughts should not colour my imagination, but what to do – my imagination is quite colourful!
Finally, I must admit that the slug-fest was quite entertaining. That India won the championship was an icing on the cake. And I am forced to take back my earlier opinion on bowlers being marauded in this crazy & cacophonic carnival of cricket. When it mattered the most, the bowlers did stand up to be counted and proved that when a batsman is hell-bent upon trying to hit every ball for a six, it is a good bowler, who practices his skill well, who can make a difference.
Well done India, and keep it up!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
ICC Twenty20 World Cup - spare a thought for the bowlers
The ICC Twenty20 World Cup began yesterday in South Africa amid grand fanfare. A new form of cricket that is meant to provide wholesome entertainment to spectators – does it sound like Bournvita (wholesome nourishment for kids)? Who cares – so long as it tastes good!
So, what are the ingredients of this bottleful of wholesome entertainment? A bagful of pinch-hitters – javelin chuckers who can hurl anything beyond 80 yards most welcome; an army of fast legs, safe hands and good arms – Asafa Powell (the new world record creator at 9.74 seconds – he already held it – for the 100m sprint), brick-passers who work in building construction & discus throwers take notice; an orgy of masochistic bowlers who love being hit out of the park – dads teaching their little ones to bat, please stand up and take a bow; all added together, mixed well & bottled into well-packed teams consisting of an ocean’s eleven that wants to be the world’s most famous recipe for success in this colourful menu of picture-perfect grounds, cheering & jeering crowds, and cheerleaders who go berserk with their pelvic movements every time a four or a six is hit (surely, Michael Jackson’s career could see a new lease of life). That is what conjures up this alluring meal that is being dished out to cricket lovers across the globe. And the sweet dish – well, when the actual match seems better than highlights, who needs a sweet dish?
I will not reflect upon the inaugural match between South Africa & West Indies yesterday, but for mentioning the fact that Chris Gayle became the first cricketer to hit a century in this form of the game, at a scoring average of 200%+. I am sure that this is only the beginning, and we will see many more in times to come. When a team scores more than 200 runs in 20 overs and still loses (as is what happened to West Indies yesterday), you know it is time to bid a farewell to bowlers. Surely, this species is on the verge of extinction, and the poachers are the world’s cricket governing body and spectators who bring in the moolah.
When people love to see a bowler being taken to the cleaners by a batsman and cheer every four & six, you know that this format is about the skill of tactful & hard hitting batsmen who send the fielders for a leather hunt (both inside & outside the stadium). When somebody like Shaun Pollock goes for over 50 runs in 4 overs, you seriously wonder why should he be willing to torment himself at this age and after such glorious achievements! An economy rate of 8.00 runs per over seems like dream bowling in a match of this sort. So, why will good bowlers play this game – this will only result in them slowly deciding not to participate in such matches. And make it the sole domain of batsmen who can hit big, batsmen who can-also-bowl and all-rounders only. McGrath would be glad that he retired in good time.
As I watched the run riot at the New Wanderers yesterday, I wanted to spare a moment of pity for the bowlers. And I started thinking about how we can improve this game and make it good for the bowlers too, and ensure that we don’t lose out on seeing them on the field (and not in commentary boxes) in this format. I have come up with 2 basic suggestions that could go a long way in improving things as they exist. I am not talking about fielding rule changes or batting affecting bowling, but about changing some rules regarding bowling only that should see great bowlers still wanting to participate.
Suggestion 1: Like a free hit given to the batsman after every no ball, the bowler should be given a free hit after every wicket. This should mean that the batsman cannot score in any which way on that ball apart from a 4 or a 6. This will make it more lively from both the bowler’s and the batsman’s perspective. The batsmen would try to hit out and could get out. Or, he would try to defend, giving some respite to the bowlers and helping his economy figures. Also, on this free hit ball, the batsman can be declared out for failing to connect with the ball – watch the fireworks if this happens!
Suggestion 2: This one is more radical, and I believe also more potent. Every time a wicket falls, the over should automatically come to an end, and the next over should start. This will ensure that batsmen are more cautious for the first 3 balls and take risks on the last 3 balls of the over, giving a fair chance to the bowler to experiment in the first 3 balls and take wickets.
Not that I have a say in world cricket policy matters, but as a spectator & a lover of this glorious sport, I want to see good bowlers also, and would not refrain from raising my voice against those who want to kill the fine art of bowling. Howzzat!
So, what are the ingredients of this bottleful of wholesome entertainment? A bagful of pinch-hitters – javelin chuckers who can hurl anything beyond 80 yards most welcome; an army of fast legs, safe hands and good arms – Asafa Powell (the new world record creator at 9.74 seconds – he already held it – for the 100m sprint), brick-passers who work in building construction & discus throwers take notice; an orgy of masochistic bowlers who love being hit out of the park – dads teaching their little ones to bat, please stand up and take a bow; all added together, mixed well & bottled into well-packed teams consisting of an ocean’s eleven that wants to be the world’s most famous recipe for success in this colourful menu of picture-perfect grounds, cheering & jeering crowds, and cheerleaders who go berserk with their pelvic movements every time a four or a six is hit (surely, Michael Jackson’s career could see a new lease of life). That is what conjures up this alluring meal that is being dished out to cricket lovers across the globe. And the sweet dish – well, when the actual match seems better than highlights, who needs a sweet dish?
I will not reflect upon the inaugural match between South Africa & West Indies yesterday, but for mentioning the fact that Chris Gayle became the first cricketer to hit a century in this form of the game, at a scoring average of 200%+. I am sure that this is only the beginning, and we will see many more in times to come. When a team scores more than 200 runs in 20 overs and still loses (as is what happened to West Indies yesterday), you know it is time to bid a farewell to bowlers. Surely, this species is on the verge of extinction, and the poachers are the world’s cricket governing body and spectators who bring in the moolah.
When people love to see a bowler being taken to the cleaners by a batsman and cheer every four & six, you know that this format is about the skill of tactful & hard hitting batsmen who send the fielders for a leather hunt (both inside & outside the stadium). When somebody like Shaun Pollock goes for over 50 runs in 4 overs, you seriously wonder why should he be willing to torment himself at this age and after such glorious achievements! An economy rate of 8.00 runs per over seems like dream bowling in a match of this sort. So, why will good bowlers play this game – this will only result in them slowly deciding not to participate in such matches. And make it the sole domain of batsmen who can hit big, batsmen who can-also-bowl and all-rounders only. McGrath would be glad that he retired in good time.
As I watched the run riot at the New Wanderers yesterday, I wanted to spare a moment of pity for the bowlers. And I started thinking about how we can improve this game and make it good for the bowlers too, and ensure that we don’t lose out on seeing them on the field (and not in commentary boxes) in this format. I have come up with 2 basic suggestions that could go a long way in improving things as they exist. I am not talking about fielding rule changes or batting affecting bowling, but about changing some rules regarding bowling only that should see great bowlers still wanting to participate.
Suggestion 1: Like a free hit given to the batsman after every no ball, the bowler should be given a free hit after every wicket. This should mean that the batsman cannot score in any which way on that ball apart from a 4 or a 6. This will make it more lively from both the bowler’s and the batsman’s perspective. The batsmen would try to hit out and could get out. Or, he would try to defend, giving some respite to the bowlers and helping his economy figures. Also, on this free hit ball, the batsman can be declared out for failing to connect with the ball – watch the fireworks if this happens!
Suggestion 2: This one is more radical, and I believe also more potent. Every time a wicket falls, the over should automatically come to an end, and the next over should start. This will ensure that batsmen are more cautious for the first 3 balls and take risks on the last 3 balls of the over, giving a fair chance to the bowler to experiment in the first 3 balls and take wickets.
Not that I have a say in world cricket policy matters, but as a spectator & a lover of this glorious sport, I want to see good bowlers also, and would not refrain from raising my voice against those who want to kill the fine art of bowling. Howzzat!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The cup of joy is elusive
India lost to the minnows Bangladesh in their first match. Well, I was disappointed but not distressed. After all, in 1983, India were the minnows who beat the world champions and brought the trophy home. Why did we cheer them then? Because it was us who were victorious, and David had beaten Goliath. But now, when the tables are turned on us (by the way, we're not even the world champions for a good two decades), the entire nation goes into deep depression. And then we go out and burn effigies and destroy houses of the same cricketers who we had made deities.
By the way, this has not happened just because we've been beaten by Bangladesh; the same thing happened in the last world cup when we were beaten by Australia. We've completed the journey of being beaten from A to B; Canada must be smacking its lips right now, and I don't even want to think how long Zimbabwe would have to wait. The journey, it seems, has just begun, and our nation's patience is already running low.
Somebody edify me - why do we behave like manic morons everytime our nation loses in the world cup? And why do we suddenly have equally moronic memory lapses, when the team performs well in the next encounter, and we go back to singing their praises. I guess that in India, cricket has truly become a religion that thrives on the high hopes of its devotees. When the hopes of a billion people are dashed to the ground in an unexpectedly unbelievable fashion, the volcano erupts. And when their hopes are given the wings of victory, they feel blessed by divinity itself.
That is exactly what happened when India beat Bermuda (Omigosh - their name also starts with B; thank God Bangladesh beat them to beating us first) by over 250 runs in their second match. Records tumbled in the match, and it had to be nothing less to appease the wrath of the believers in the Gods. 413 - a record total by any side in a world cup match. 257 - a record margin of victory in all ODIs till date. 18 - the highest number of sixes hit by a side in an inning (though, here India equalled Australia's record). So, the hopes are alive again, and one can again hear the feverish chants of the chaste.
But the task is not complete, and we will not be able to rest even if we defeat Sri Lanka on the 23rd of March. The most anticipated - and most likely to be watched by every single Indian (this would have not drawn even a single viewer or an advertiser till India lost to Bangladesh) - match in group B has suddenly become Bangladesh vs. Bermuda on the 25th. What a twist in the tale! However, I don't think any advertiser is going to touch them till the 24th; because if India loses to Sri Lanka, nobody will watch it. But, if India does keep its hopes alive by winning, the 24th is going to see blood on the dance-floor as every advertiser worth his last penny rushes to buy ad-space. I don't think we'll ever be witness to such an anti-climax in marketing ever, ever again. But such is the joy of cricket.
The cuppa that will cheer India seems nowhere in sight at the moment, and it would need a giant effort if we are to bring it home. The one billion Indians at home are praying hard. Now, it is time for the 11 Indians on the field to play hard.
By the way, this has not happened just because we've been beaten by Bangladesh; the same thing happened in the last world cup when we were beaten by Australia. We've completed the journey of being beaten from A to B; Canada must be smacking its lips right now, and I don't even want to think how long Zimbabwe would have to wait. The journey, it seems, has just begun, and our nation's patience is already running low.
Somebody edify me - why do we behave like manic morons everytime our nation loses in the world cup? And why do we suddenly have equally moronic memory lapses, when the team performs well in the next encounter, and we go back to singing their praises. I guess that in India, cricket has truly become a religion that thrives on the high hopes of its devotees. When the hopes of a billion people are dashed to the ground in an unexpectedly unbelievable fashion, the volcano erupts. And when their hopes are given the wings of victory, they feel blessed by divinity itself.
That is exactly what happened when India beat Bermuda (Omigosh - their name also starts with B; thank God Bangladesh beat them to beating us first) by over 250 runs in their second match. Records tumbled in the match, and it had to be nothing less to appease the wrath of the believers in the Gods. 413 - a record total by any side in a world cup match. 257 - a record margin of victory in all ODIs till date. 18 - the highest number of sixes hit by a side in an inning (though, here India equalled Australia's record). So, the hopes are alive again, and one can again hear the feverish chants of the chaste.
But the task is not complete, and we will not be able to rest even if we defeat Sri Lanka on the 23rd of March. The most anticipated - and most likely to be watched by every single Indian (this would have not drawn even a single viewer or an advertiser till India lost to Bangladesh) - match in group B has suddenly become Bangladesh vs. Bermuda on the 25th. What a twist in the tale! However, I don't think any advertiser is going to touch them till the 24th; because if India loses to Sri Lanka, nobody will watch it. But, if India does keep its hopes alive by winning, the 24th is going to see blood on the dance-floor as every advertiser worth his last penny rushes to buy ad-space. I don't think we'll ever be witness to such an anti-climax in marketing ever, ever again. But such is the joy of cricket.
The cuppa that will cheer India seems nowhere in sight at the moment, and it would need a giant effort if we are to bring it home. The one billion Indians at home are praying hard. Now, it is time for the 11 Indians on the field to play hard.
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