Adieu, Dada..

Posted: November 10, 2008 in Saurav Ganguly
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What an emotional rollercoaster for Saurav Ganguly.
Coming out to bat for the very last time for India, with the whole ground giving a standing ovation, the Australian team giving him an ovation, his head struggling to remove the gravity of the occasion out and focus on the game, and the next ball…
Luckily for him, a spinner is bowling. An Australian debutant spinner, someone Dada could normally be ready to face, if he was woken up from deep slumber and asked to go and play…
Could not get easier than that, really. Or so you would think.
Because the innocuous turn of the wrist on that first ball, was a shade too early, resulting in a leading edge of the bat, and that debutant bowler lunged ahead, to pick up a return catch.
First ball dismissal. A golden duck, to end an illustrious career.
The long walk back to the pavilion, accompanied first by stunned silence as the fans grasped what had just happened in front of their eyes, and then a thundering last applause for their favourite Dada, who had entertained them so well, over the years.
Suddenly it was all over.
It seems that Saurav went into the pavilion and did not remove his pads for at least 20 more minutes. The intense cricketer that he is, one can just imagine what could be going on in his mind. Is this it? Is it finallly, finally over? Did it just happen…? Oh my God.. !

Yes, an emotional rollercoaster…

A century in his first innings, and a duck in his last innings. Can only happen to as mercurial a person as Saurav Ganguly. It kind of exemplifies the ups and downs that Saurav has had in his career, the highs and lows that he has provided to his fans over the years.

When he has been on song, he has been the most entertaining batsman on the field, bar none. His two steps down the pitch and the beautiful swing to send the ball into the stands at long on, or his picture perfect square drives that leave the fielders stunned as the ball crashes into the boundaries, are shots that we will not mind seeing again and again on video replays.

And yet the time when he struggled so badly against the rising delivery going across his body, that he was a sucker for even a medium fast bowler, was so painful for fans to see (yours truly, included). You would have wanted him to retire than go through such humiliation from average bowlers.

But those were the kind of highs and lows that Saurav-da gave his fans.

The fact that he dug himself out, after that struggle against the rising delivery, after being unceremoniously dropped out of the team, was mind blowing. At that stage of his career, many other players would have opted to just let things go by, retire, enjoy family life, become a commentator or whatever…

But Saurav showed his grit and determination, something that was seen so often in his intensive play on the ground against tough opponents like Australia and England. Saurav worked at the nets, played club cricket, played the Ranji Trophy, went to English county cricket.. did everything that he could, to a) get back to form, and b) ensure that selectors could not ignore his performance anymore. He came back to the team, not on the strength of friendly selectors, but on the strength of his performance.

And that then, was the true test of his calibre. Could he deliver at the highest level, what he had done in first class cricket? You could see on his return, the quiet Saurav. One who did not seem to chat as much with his old friends, and old mates. One who was almost aloof. But one who truly wanted to show the world what he is capable of. Hard work, sheer hard work, huge determination, intense concentration written all over his face, ensured that he got runs. And got them big. And the world acknowledged again.

Where Sachin has been bestowed the honor of being the force of Indian cricket for last many years, I truly believe that the one person responsible for a genuine turnaround of Indian cricket, of instilling within the team and the fans that self-belief, of competing with the best in the world on equal terms (“if they can take off the shirt, we can not only take it off, but swing it madly in victory”, etc.), it was Saurav Ganguly.

And he has now played his last innings for India. Adieu, Saurav.. you have given us a lot of entertainment, and we will miss you.

—————

P.S. I do not say “stay back, Saurav, for some more..” because while all of the above is true, I also have the memory of a painful scene in his last test. When, as he jogged behind a ball going to the boundary, the Australian batsmen RAN four runs! And whereas, the young debutant batsman of India, Vijay, took two wickets – with his sharp fielding. Yes, unfortunately, today’s cricket demands faster legs, stronger arms, speed… its best that the likes of Saurav (and later VVS, Dravid and Sachin too) retire when they are doing.

Pressure to succeed or comfort zone? What does it take?

Posted: September 28, 2007 in Uncategorized
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In the last couple of days, I picked up a common thought across three completely unrelated media events.

Event 1:
In the first instance, I saw on TV, an interview with Anupam Kher. He was talking about his very first movie which was a big success, and where his work was appreciated, “Saaransh”. He was referring to the scene in the film where he goes to claim the ashes of his dead son, and breaks down in front of the officer. He says that the scene had multiple takes and each time, he managed to cry out very well, and with a lot of emotion. The scene was one of the key scenes of the movie. Anupam confessed on this interview that while doing this scene, he was not thinking much about the character, or the character’s son who had died, etc. Somehow he was thinking that if this film does not work, he would have to head back to Shimla, from Mumbai. And that thought was making him cry and in turn, bringing out the best in him!!

Event 2:
Then I read an interview of Indian captain M S Dhoni, where he was also describing his entry into the Indian team. He said that after an India A tour where he was a member, he started to get a feeling that he will at least get one chance to play for the India team. At least one chance! And he did get that one chance when he was selected for three matches. And somehow he did not click in any of them. He hoped against hope that he will get one more chance. And which he got in a while. Now he was clear that if he did not make it, he will be lost in the oblivion of Indian domestic cricket. This was it – his last chance to show that he is worthy of a place in the Indian team. Then, it was that thought of being written off, and the pressure that it caused, that made him work very hard in that outing, and he managed to hit a ton. Staring at the possibility of having to go back to his old life made him raise his level and fight it out, and succeed!

Event 3:
Today morning’s paper carried an interview of Ms. Indra Nooyi, the Pepsi CEO, and she said that she owed her success in great measure to the fact that she did not have a safety net. That should she fail, she’d have to take the next boat home, and that thought made her work harder and achieve the success that she ultimately did.

There is an interesting pattern across these three otherwise unrelated messages. That the fear of failure, and the relegation back to the not-very-desirable life made the persons work harder towards their goal.

Interestingly, I carried a different thought most of my life. Somehow on account of various factors, pretty much right through my education and my working life, I always had a perception of having a ‘safety net’. When friends were working hard during exams, for it was a make or break in terms of career prospects for many, mentally I used to feel that I always had the family business to go to, and I was less stressed. That I did not do too badly over time, made me feel that perhaps the lack of pressure was allowing me to deliver my best?

But now I think again. Could more stress have driven me to even greater levels?? Do I give my kids the feeling that they have a safety net, or do I tell them that they better make it, or else…?!

Two World Cup Wins, Two Captains..

Posted: September 28, 2007 in cricket, Dhoni, kapil dev, T20, Twenty20, world cup
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The interesting parallel that I see between the two Indian World Cup
victories – 1983 ODIs and 2007 Twenty/20 is the captains.

Where we have had suave, polished, apparently very intelligent and
thinking captains of Indian sides, like Gavaskar and Dravid, to larger
than life captains like Sachin, loners / fixers like Azhar, and
aggressive ones like Saurav, none of these chaps won us the World Cup.

The two who did, Kapil and Dhoni, are of the same breed, in a way. They play from the heart, they are truly fearless, they don’t care much for being politically right, they are game for a challenge, they never-say-die. Moreover, they give their teammates a feeling that the captain is ‘one of them’ only, and yet they are an inspiration to their teams. Most importantly, they lead from the front.

And as it turns out, it is this breed of a captain, this style that won us World Cups – now twice!

The 1983 come-back-from-brink win against Zimbabwe (from 17-5, India
went on to win, backed by a 175 runs knock from Kapil) and the first
round India-Pakistan game that India won in the bowl out, are both
significant turning points in the journey to the ultimate victory.

In that respect, the two World Cup wins have a familiar story.

Cheers.. Chak de, India!

A day at the multiplex

Posted: September 23, 2007 in bourne ultimatum, dhol, loins of punjab, manorama, marathon, movies
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The title of this post reminds me of early essays that we used to write in school. “A day at the zoo” or “A Visit to the Fire Station”, etc.

Well, this is not such an essay to explain the details of a multiplex. Rather it is about a new personal record that I set today.

I saw an amazing FOUR movies, back-to-back, today. The most that I have seen on the trot before today, was three. Even in that case, there was a break in between. But today, we virtually saw 4 movies, one after another. In fact, three of them were in the same screen at the multiplex – one got over, and the next one started..

Saw Dhol, first in a 10:45 am show, followed by Loins of Punjab at 1:30 pm, then Manorama Six Feet Under at 3:15 pm, and finally The Bourne Ultimatum at 6 pm. I was afraid that I might have eyes strain or even a headache. But neither happened. In fact, the day went off well. I enjoyed all the 4 movies, some more than others.

Each time one goes to multiplexes, and sees more and more and newer and newer food and drink counters come up, one is tempted to try many things, but how many can you have in a single movie. But today, over the day, we were able to try a few different things too!

I had not seen a movie for a few weeks now, and I have been finding it difficult to do, in the course of the week. And this weekend, there were many new releases and all of them got decent reviews. And so this marathon was inspired!!

Had good fun..

First Impressions on Twenty20 Cricket

Posted: September 23, 2007 in Uncategorized
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I was not taken in by the 20 overs cricket concept as I felt that this “slam-bam-thank you ma’am” format would just be festival cricket and no more. A combination of curiosity, media blitz and convenient timings ( 9.30 pm starts) got me viewing these games and after seeing a couple of these games, I can say that I am a convert of sorts.

I had felt this often about basketball games. That more often than not the two teams stay close to each other in scores over 3 quarters, and perhaps even a bit into the 4th. And that the game is finally decided in those last 5 min depending on which team plays a tighter game then. And I have wondered that the first 3 quarters are only charades. Why don’t they just start the game at 75-75 and play for just 15 min calling it the 4th quarter?!

Well twenty20 is that equivalent in cricket!

In normal 50 overs cricket you see an initial fast paced batting in the first ten overs, then some consolidation, wicket conserving and
soft pace setting over the next 30 overs before a final onslaught again in the last ten overs. Twenty20 cricket is all of the above but without those middle 30 overs! Like taking out the first 3 quarters of basketball!

You would think that it would basically be a batters game then. Yes it is so. But you still see some inspired bowling performances. Like R P Singh yesterday against South Africa. What the bowlers don’t have is the luxury to settle down to a line and length. They need to get it right from the first ball that they bowl. And the yorker is the ball to bowl, again from early indications. There is a huge flurry of sixers being hit (Yuvraj hit 6 in an over!!), so anything that is remotely short has a chance of being walloped over the ropes. The bowler’s best chance is to pitch it up and aim for the yorker. This is unlike the ODIs, where to some extent, short balls also work. Mainly because the batsman is more conscious about not losing his wicket – there may be another 20-25 overs to bat through there. Here, batsmen are far less concerned about their wicket, and in the interest of scoring, they are willing to sacrifice the wicket.

The fielding needs to be top class. On the ground and in catching as well. Dinesh Karthik took a catch yesterday that could be about as
good as any that I have seen taken on a cricket field!

On the batting front a team may always seem to ‘have a chance’. Even from 30 for 5, a team could potentially end up at a score of 150 and which could be defensible. After all the tail needs to wag only for say 5-10 overs which maybe they could manage, and in the process bang around a few runs as well.

I guess there is not so much established strategy to the game yet. The captains and the coaches are experimenting still. Like how to do the bowling changes (with just 4 overs max per bowler, how do you give the bowler multiple spells, for example!), or the batting order (every batter has to be potentially a pinch hitter…). The strategy will come as they play more and learn.

Those cliched statements of ‘the game is not over till the last ball is bowled’ or ‘the better team on the day will win’, are all the more true in this form of cricket. Australia lost to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka and South Africa both looked very good teams and both have not made it to the semis also. Being a short form game, one bad move can mean defeat as there is no room to wiggle out of a spot and recover. Which is why, established good teams could also end up losing.

From a spectator’s point of view, the format is good. In about 3 hours, you see the whole game and its all over..

And meanwhile from India’s point of view, Dhoni appears to be (touch wood and all that) a lucky captain so far. We have made it to the semi finals, although till date, we are amongst the least experienced Twenty20 sides.

Of course, it could be a ploy to ensure that the game becomes a hit in the largest paying market for the sport…

Abhi-Ash would be better off without the money

Posted: April 24, 2007 in abishek bacchan, Aishwarya Rai, arun nayyar, hello magazine, liz hurley, photographs, wedding
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What a couple of weeks its been for the media in India.
The Abhishek Bacchan – Aishwarya Rai (couple was christened Abhiash, in keeping with the international style, following Brangelina, Tomkat and the likes) wedding captivated the country, or so it seemed. Everywhere you go, you could only see that. TV, newspapers, radio, Internet – they were all talking about this wedding. Huge posse of media crew lined up outside the Bachhan residence for days on end. To catch a glimpse of any celebrity who was coming in or going out. Get that one little sneak picture. Who was being invited, what were they going to wear, etc. etc.

Oh man.. what a nightmare. As if the world has come to a standstill because this wedding is to take place.

And yet, in reality, none of the media could get any interesting pictures or coverage of the actual event. They had to stay satisfied with the stray pics at crazy angles, that they could sneak.

So is there merit in the rumour that the actual event pictures and videos have been sold to some UK media company, for a big price tag? Like Liz Hurley did, for her wedding with Arun Nayyar? She got 5 million pounds from Hello! magazine, for exclusive rights to her wedding pictures.

Why could it have been right for Liz Hurley but is wrong for Abhiash?
First, Liz Hurley, a ‘phirang’ is used to the concept of multiple marriages, and the commercialisation of her wedding means that it was one great moment of her life, but not THE BIG ONE! It could easily have been the premiere of some exciting film, for her, as it was her own wedding. I suspect, the entire drama of doing an Indian palace wedding, getting her guests flown in, etc. was to make the Hello! coverage that much more interesting. Like she might be accustomed on a movie set.

So it was fine with her.

As regards Abhiash, it appears that they were a lot more concerned about the success of their marriage, both having come from broken engagements or relationships. Both being mangliks, etc. It appeared that they did several pujas, and visited many pilgrimage locations, just to pray for their marriage. And they also visited Tirupathi, soon after the wedding.

That being the case, would they reduce the event to a commercial proposition and put it out to the public, for money? By signing off the rights to the pictures and video? Would that not amount to belittling the ritual? Would it possibly cast an evil eye on them, if that happens??

Considering that they have gone through a lot of prayers for the success of their marriage, I would hope that they let the temptation of commercialising their wedding, pass. They have so much going for them, I am sure they will earn back much more.

For now, enjoy the marriage, the honeymoon, etc.. !

Bheja Fry

Posted: April 24, 2007 in bheja fry, vinay pathak
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Ordinarily, I would not step into the cinema, for a film that goes by such a name, “Bheja Fry”. Just the name gives me some pre-judged notions about the film.

However with no other release worth its name in the last couple of weeks, and having heard some good things about Bheja Fry, I landed up for that film, this weekend.

And I was glad that I did. I had an absolutely smashing time, right through the film. It was positively hilarious. It was essentially a situational comedy, with a bungling idiot causing some funny incidents. The character was played superbly by the highly underrated Vinay Pathak. He is the heart and soul of the film.

Would recommend it to anyone looking for some clean, light hearted fun.

Indian Team selections

Posted: April 24, 2007 in bangladesh, cricket, india, selection
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There have been a lot of knee-jerk developments in the Indian cricket scene, post the World Cup fracas. While the new policies of the BCCI appear to be very constructive, and I quite like them, the selections of the two teams to visit Bangladesh, leaves a lot to be desired.

First of all, Shashtri goes on record to state that he is going to be a manager, just for this tour. Like a Bangladesh tour was so critical. We have a stop-gap manager of sorts, it appears.

Then, as far as the team goes, I am not seeing a clear logic. Just that few older heads are out of the ODI squad, and some new names are being tried out. Under Dravid’s captaincy.

What is the exact long term focus?
Why is Sehwag still there in the ODI team?
Is Piyush Chawla good for ODIs and not good for test cricket?
Why would you blood a young leg spinner in the slap-dash game of ODIs, but not give him a chance to learn in the longer test cricket?

Also it looked a big mess – whether the selection was driven by BCCI diktats, or the selectors had a role to play. Shows a sense of desperation and cluelessness…

A l-o-o-o-n-g World Cup finally reaches the climax

Posted: April 24, 2007 in new zealand, sri lanka, world cup
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The length of the World Cup, combined with the fact that India exited very early, has meant that people in India have nearly forgotten that the World Cup is going on. Some of us fans of genuine cricket (without the patriotic craziness) have followed the Cup through the Super 8 stage.

Now, we finally approach the knock out rounds, where ‘winner takes all’! The first semi-final is scheduled for today, New Zealand vs Sri Lanka. Bond vs Jayasuriya, Vaas vs Fleming, Murali vs Styris, Vettori vs Mahela… etc. Yes, I am trying to hype it up, like the media usually do!! Trying to put some spice into the game…

The fact is that, it will be a great game. I am a solid Sri Lanka fan at this time, and I expect them to win today. I also expect them to put up a tough fight in the finals thereafter, whether they play South Africa or Australia.

One or the other way, its three good one day games coming up.

On the question of the World Cup format, much as the ICC is defending it (they do not have a choice, do they?), the fact remains that it was one long and boring structure. I quite like the suggestion that one expert gave – that 2 teams from the non-Test playing countries should make it, and then, the 10 teams (including these two) should play each other once. The best 4 of the teams, after this, should make it to the semi-finals, and then the finals. Should be fair to all, as they get a chance to play all the rest and not just have a bad break of the draw.

The Sri Lanka strategy against Australia?

Posted: April 17, 2007 in australia, chaminda vaas, jayawardene, Malinga, Muralitharan, sri lanka, strategy, world cup
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… or some may say, the lack of it!! Strategy, I mean..!

Maybe I am just too much of a fan of Sri Lanka’s, or maybe I am able to see another perspective, which I present here.

Before that, for those of you who came in late, here is what happened.
Sri Lanka was playing Australia in one of the tougher Super 8 games in the World Cup. Both teams have more or less confirmed their positions in the semi-finals, so it was not a crucial game from the semi-finals point of view. But it was an important game for each team to get a psychological advantage, as they are quite likely to meet each other again, in the semi-finals or the finals.

Then, in what looked like a very strange move, Sri Lanka ‘rested’ their top 3 bowlers, for this game, Muralitharan, Vaas and Malinga. Malinga, to be fair, had not played the previous game too, as he was injured, so we can assume that he still needed to get well. But Vaas and Murali had been playing all along, and of course, performing very well too, and so it was a surprise to not find them in the eleven, for this crucial encounter.

The captain, Jayawardene, explains that these two chaps have had injuries earlier and in order to ensure that they do not develop any problems, and considering that the place in the semis was settled, he chose to rest them.

Experts like Ian Chappell and Arjuna Ranatunga were shocked beyond words. Chappell went to the extent to suggest that the ICC’s anti-corruption cell should enquire with Sri Lanka, as to why they did not play their best team. He was also upset for the sake of the fans, who had come to see the best teams play.

Well, here is what I feel about this matter.

Sri Lanka have a good team, but of course, Australia is a different peak to climb! For ANY team to beat Australia, whether in the Super 8, or in the later knock-out stages of the World Cup, they would need to do something different. Kind of bring in a surprise factor and hope to upset Australia’s rhythm. And Sri Lanka as a team and perhaps with Tom Moody’s inputs, might have worked on this gamble.

Think about it:
1. If, without the key bowlers, Sri Lanka managed to beat Australia, what a phenomenal boost they would have got, and how depressed Australia would have been, in that case,

2. If, without the key bowlers, Sri Lanka managed to take the fight to Australia, and lost, then too, they have a psychological advantage. They tell themselves that ‘they lost because the stars were not there, and yet, without the stars, they gave a tough fight to Australia’! And what does Australia think? That Sri Lanka, minus their extremely good three bowlers, were a handful. What will happen when we meet them again, in the knock-out stage, and when those top bowlers will also be there??

This, in fact, is what happened. That Sri Lanka fought back from being 24-3 to post a total of 220+ was a big thing. At a time when Jayawardene and Chamara Silva were going strong, it appeared that Australia were clearly lost on ideas. Similarly, with a rank ordinary attack, to get Hayden and Gilchrist thinking about the bowling initially, and also picking up both of their wickets early, was also creditable. If Australia wanted to make an impact, they should have been able to take the game with 10 wickets to spare.. they could not do that!

3. All these three bowlers have different styles and are a handful to cope with. For the best of batsmen. There is so much in ‘studying’ their styles on video and there is a different sense of confidence in playing against them, and overcoming the mystery. Not getting that opportunity in the Super 8 ensures that when they meet in the knock-out, the Sri Lanka bowlers start with the upper hand. Why?

– if the batsmen try to be aggressive and aim to dominate say, a Murali, he is quite likely to pick up wickets
– if they play watchfully, they will let a lot of economical overs come and go

This, then becomes the surprise plan that Sri Lanka spring on Australia, and give them their best chance to beat Australia in the semis or the finals!

I think it was a smart move. Also speaks for the confidence that Sri Lanka has. That they were willing to take the risk of losing this game, in the larger interest of winning the tournament later.

I continue to back them to be the ultimate champions this time..! Yes, inspite of Australia’s amazing run. I mean, backing Australia to win does not require any imagination, but thinking that there is a team, in this case, Sri Lanka, who can possibly upset the Australian team, requires a little specific conviction. I have that!!

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