Let me state this precisely... I am big fan of Sachin. Of course, I have never had any formal cricket coaching or have never played any real cricket league (with Season ball), not represented school or college... But leaving modesty aside, I consider myself a deep student of the game... While playing in my locality, my coaches were Sachin and Dravid, many other international cricketers collectively and yes of course, my brain/heart. I am not boasting but I used to emulate my stance and defence on Dravid, my straight drive on Sachin (have executed many a times as well). There was a time when my brain was highly active and there was not a single day when I did not use to think about my game, or some match I might have seen. Believe me, I have won the 1999 WC match for India in the do-or-die situation against Australia. For whatever reasons, I will have to live my life with a tag a thinker and not a doer.. Hence my words might now carry much weightage... But, still need to put my perspective on Sachin Tendulkar.
For some Sachin is the epitome of batsmanship, god of cricket and put in all the superlatives possible. Believe me, I am the first one to say that he is certainly one of the most talented players in world cricket. When it comes to One Dayers, any alltime XI will be incomplete without him. But when it comes to Test Match (cricket in it's purest form and intent, where cricket skills, intelligence and character is stretched to its limit), Sachin is great but not really deserving of a secured place in All-time XI.
Lets try to put some perspective as to why. His fans first argument would obviously be the number of centuries i.e. 49. Taking out all the match situations, lets look at this on a pure number basis. Out of 49, India has won on 20 occassions. Again out of these 20 wins, 3 were against Bangladesh, 2 against Zimbabwe and 2 against Sri Lanka in 1993 and 1994 (when they were not really good). This means that his 49 centuries has resulted 11 wins against top quality sides of the era. Even if you require some further debate, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can be considered as "Home" matches as the conditions are similar to back home in India. Not really made of GREAT stuff huh.
This time let me initiate the argument that he is a choker. His 136 while chasing 271 against Pak is supposed to be one of his greatest innings. I agree that he really played well there. But did he win it for us? The answer is NO. I don't care if he was having backaches. I believe that to be a champion, you need to be making great sacrifices. Even if that means, fighting it out to make that last extra effort of 20 runs and taking your team over the line. But Sachin chose to take the short cut and with slightest hint of flight, came down and holed out trying to hit the ball for a six. Saqi might have fooled in, but the truth is that he was himself beaten by his weak control over his mind. What I mean is, when the target is in sight, within hands reach, is when your mind really starts playing games. This is the time when it is the toughest to concentrate and control your mind. Sachin has always lost the plot here. Be it be while having to chase modest targets like 155 (V/s Aus in Chennai 2000) or 120 (against WI) or the most recent matches in Sri Lanka and in Mohali against Australia. This is further evidenced whenever he is approaching a milestone (especially the nervous nineties). His 175 (one of his best ODI Innings, I love it) against Aus in Hyd also substantiates this, he got out for a stupid shot when India was so close to victory. His 93 or 96 against Pak in 2003 WC, almost taking us to victory but then Dravid and Yuvraj played sensibly to finish it.
His fans might say that India normally lets him down. I do not agree to that. Post 1996, Sachin has had a great advantage of batting with Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag. When India won it's first Test Match in Australia (in Adelaide), it was Dravid who had made 233 and followed it up with 70 odd runs (while chasing). In the same series down under, Sachin made 241 (hyped up as the innings without a cover drive) and 60 in the second innings only resulted in a Draw. Yes, you can argue that the bowlers did not do their job but the fact is the test match did not result into a Win. We had the same team and the same opponents. Thank goodness it was Dravid and not Sachin who was setting up the chase. Otherwise, it would have been another case of so near yet so far.
Now let me put up the argument. Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman has opened the innings and also come in positions of #3, #4 (when Sachin was injured/rested), #5 and #6. Sachin has always played at #4. The argument is you always have the best batsman at #4. The reasoning is because opening debacles are not anticipated and there is always #3 (who has a difficult job of blocking his end if the ball is moving around or build on the good start given by the openers) to take the shine of the ball giving your best batsman the best chance of making it good (in Sachin's case, the most). No matter what the match situation (except for a nightwatchman) or what his personal form was, Sachin has never stepped down from his favourite position. Even I was surprised when I read in Cricinfo that Sourav averages about 66 @ that position of #4 amassing about 1000 runs. Who knows what could have been. Maybe that amazing 264 run chase on the 4th day pitch when Dada made 98 coming at #4 as Sachin was rested/injured (Dravid contributing 78) against Sri Lanka (with a threat of a certain Murali) in Kandy would not have been just a one-off. From a personal point of view, #1, #2, #3 and #6 are the most challeging positions to bat. The former because having to face fresh bowlers on a fresh pitch (with no real idea how the pitch will behave) and #6 as there is always many occassion when you will have to manouvre the tail.
"Greatness" is a word not to be used very loosely and "greatest" is word which should be used miserly. Sachin is great but not god or the greatest. Sachin cannot even be compared to Gavaskar as the latter played without a helmet and always played for a win and only when it is not possible played to not lose. Gavaskar's 38 centuries means more to India than Sachin's 49 centuries. Gavaskar never had the likes of laxmans, dravids or even a ganguly. He just had an inconsistent Vishy and M Amarnath. Moreover, Gavaskar opened the innings (without a helmet) against the fastest bowling line-ups (WI, AU, ENG) and was not being shielded at #4. Gavaskar had the nerve to set up the match, try and win the now famous 403 run chase against the mighty WI. Sachin does not have any story like that. I keep stressing on the helmet. Why? Just remember, that Sachin was hit on his face while facing Waqar in his debut innings and after that he is never seen without a helmet (not even while facing spinners). The gradual fans and his admirers can say that it is a protective gear but the more you think and analyse it gives the batsman an advantage. I am not going to stress on it any longer.
So my dear friends, enjoy Sachin's batting as long as it lasts. It has given everyone (including yours truly) a lot of smiles. But don't insult the likes of Gavaskar by stating Sachin is greater than him. Just try to answer this: If Gavaskar was not there, will there ever be a Tendulkar?. That is what Gavaskar's impact on Indian cricket is. But don't insult the likes of Dravid, VVS and Ganguly by saying Sachin is a god and the cornerstone of Indian Cricket. Sachin was there in the 1990's as well as the 2000's. But India started winning ODI' s consistently in late 90's and Test matches abroad post 2000 when we had the above-mentioned batsmen establishing themselves in the team. Also, a closer observation of Sachin's big scores will reveal a pattern of contributions from one of the above or Sehwag as well. That is the truth. Sachin pales in comparison to Lara who scored 430 runs against the Strong Australian team. Sachin just does not have a story like. To be greatest, you need to have such against all odds stories. I am not saying he should do it every year. But atleast 1! Maybe, I am asking for too much.
All I want to state is that Sachin is a great batsman, showcases amazing humility but Test-match impact and playing in pressure situations has never been his forte. And Test Match cricket is not all about the god-given talent but sop much more about mental strength, tactics and intelligence. In this regards Sachin falls just (only just) short of greatness. His averages and mass of runs might hide this, but look deeper and you will see.
Thanks. I know I have been saying this but this is my last post on cricket. I know that Sachin fans will not agree. It is fine. I just wanted to put this perspective out there among all the hype around Sachin.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thanks Lax... Very Very Sorry
Thank you Laxman for the batsman you are. The general public might find it hard to understand why he is so appreciated as his batting is like a poetry, not as straight like a prose. Those gentle wrists, which allow you to hit a ball on the onn-side when the ball is pitched outside off or when you dance down the track to a spinner and then play an inside out shot. Hah...
The below career"ography" is with inputs from Cricinfo.
My first memories of VVS was when he hit that awesome 167 against Australia (in Australia) in a loosing cause in the year 2000. India was following-on and VVS was opening the batting. Yeah, as India never had a proper opening pair and always had a makeshift opening pair. Dravid and Ganguly too have tried their hands till we found Sehwag. Back to the 167, VVS' maiden hundred. It was like there were 2 matches going on, India v/s Australia and VVS v/s Australia. Yeah, he made 167 runs out of 261 that India made. VVS was the 8th wicket to fall. But the man had made a mark. Finally, after years of spending in the domestic arena as a batting giant, the man was recognised to make the next leap.
But then, he is one of the most unrecognized architect of transformation of Indian Cricket. Tendulkar always have created a great hype, Dada creating an attitudinal shift with his captaincy, Dravid proving to the world that Indian's can play the short ball. VVS Laxman played the most important innings by an Indian (second only to Gavaskar's 102 while chasing 403 runs target). VVS made 281 runs and along with Dravid and Harbhajan led to a victory by a team following-on. This was only the 3rd time in the history of the game. The next match he made two 60+ scores. He made 66 with India chasing 155 in the 4th Innings of a Test match, only dismissed 20 runs short of the target because of a great catch by (his Australian cousin) Mark Waugh.
Then VVS was at it again when he remained NOT OUT on 154 against WI to help draw the Test Match in 2002. Player of the match was Sachin as he made 176 in the company of VVS.
Australia is at the receiving end again in 2003. It was Steve Waugh's farewell series and it was being played in Australia. A backs-to-the-wall 303-run stand with Rahul Dravid sets up the famous victory in Adelaide before a dazzling 178 in Sydney and a triple-century partnership with Sachin Tendulkar gives India a chance to seal the series.
It was in 2004 though when he showed why he separates from the other contemporary greats. On an astonishing day when twenty wickets fell, on a dustbowl that Ricky Ponting called "nowhere near to being Test standard", he scripts a doughty 69 that paved the way for a consolation victory in Mumbai.
Then came his second double century in Delhi. The team in the receiving end was again Australia. From Cricinfo- When Laxman plays like he did today, he paces his innings superbly. He scored 17 off 19 balls out of the first 50 runs in his 278-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir. Then came the lean period against Clark during which Laxman took 34 balls to move from 50 to 55. And then he took off, reaching his century off 170 balls and scoring his second 100 off only 130, though he hardly ever looked like he was in a hurry.
But what is missed among all of the above is that other than his artistry, is his steely nerves. He ,other than Rahul Dravid, has been the man on whom India depends upon when in a crisis. He is again the one on whom India depends when faced with a target to chase on the last innings of a Test match. His contribution of 70+ runs in Mohali in 2010 were worth in gold. With victory in sight, he never once looked like getting out. He never played a hurried shot. Even with 6 runs to win, he did not panic and try to finish it off with expansive shots.
Maybe that is what makes this man. He just goes about his job quietly and a calm way. There are very few distractions to him. And when the team's back is against the wall, his presence out there makes everyone feel calm. He is very assuring.
With Sehwag, people are always on the edge of their seats.
With Dravid, there is always some sort tension on his face (too serious). Too much of WORK in his GAME.
With Sachin, there are the nervous nineties (even after 48 centuries and 20 years of Intl cricket) he gets nervous with a milestone approaching, then there is always worry of gifting his wicket with victory within reach.
With Ganguly, there is always the danger of a short ball or an open face of the bat to the slips.
With Laxman, there is always a sense of calm. Yes, there are a few claims that he is a nervous starter. It is like a monk meditating in the centre of the pitch. There are very few players who can give this kind of experience to the ones watching, as teammates or opponents or spectators. And maybe, that is why he is not counted among the Fab 4 or not even equated with Sehwag. VVS has had so many important 30's and 40's which might never receive as much recognition as a leg glance from Sachin does. That is the cruel reality of the world. But for the purists among us and deep students and admirers of the game, VVS will always be hailed as someone who other than being an artist also made an impact on the games he played.
Very Very Sorry for not including you in the 2003 WC (my biggest beef with Ganguly- How could you ever take D Mongia ahead of VVS).
Very Very Sorry for not naming you a part of Fab 4, something that you highly deserved as being the chief architects (along with Dravid) in transforming Indian Cricket to what it is now when being led by a great leader Ganguly.
Very Very Sorry as some years down the line you might be not acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen ever to have played this game, while a player
--> who just has bigger scores and higher number of centuries (out of which most does not even contribute towards a win or is made in partnership with you or Dravid, thereby easing the pressure) with lesser mental strength (often choking when really required to deliver)
--> who has played all his life in 1 position (#4 - which allows the condition to be much better for batting as the balls grows older and the pitch gets less livelier, if played in the morning)
--> does not have to often bat with the tail-enders.
--> has only twice chased down in the 4 innings of Test match succesfully (only when there were significant contributions by the other batsmen)
will be called the "Greatest" batsman of all time. Just a reflection of our morals and the basic structure of the society. Too hoots to the subtleties and artistry, just show me the numbers...
Lax... For whatever it is worth-- If at work while India is batting in a Test match and I enquire about the score and I hear some paltry score, my question always is "Is Dravid still there? or Laxman?". Secretly, that is what you mean to maybe many more than me... that assurance that we might still have an answer to a really dodgy situation... Your half centuries and so many 30's and 40's, the partnerships you foster with the lower order and the way you respond to pressure (by pressure I mean the REAL MATCH pressure and not the bogus and over-hyped pressure of meeting 1 billion expectations) is what I ask from the teams premier batsman...
The below career"ography" is with inputs from Cricinfo.
My first memories of VVS was when he hit that awesome 167 against Australia (in Australia) in a loosing cause in the year 2000. India was following-on and VVS was opening the batting. Yeah, as India never had a proper opening pair and always had a makeshift opening pair. Dravid and Ganguly too have tried their hands till we found Sehwag. Back to the 167, VVS' maiden hundred. It was like there were 2 matches going on, India v/s Australia and VVS v/s Australia. Yeah, he made 167 runs out of 261 that India made. VVS was the 8th wicket to fall. But the man had made a mark. Finally, after years of spending in the domestic arena as a batting giant, the man was recognised to make the next leap.
But then, he is one of the most unrecognized architect of transformation of Indian Cricket. Tendulkar always have created a great hype, Dada creating an attitudinal shift with his captaincy, Dravid proving to the world that Indian's can play the short ball. VVS Laxman played the most important innings by an Indian (second only to Gavaskar's 102 while chasing 403 runs target). VVS made 281 runs and along with Dravid and Harbhajan led to a victory by a team following-on. This was only the 3rd time in the history of the game. The next match he made two 60+ scores. He made 66 with India chasing 155 in the 4th Innings of a Test match, only dismissed 20 runs short of the target because of a great catch by (his Australian cousin) Mark Waugh.
Then VVS was at it again when he remained NOT OUT on 154 against WI to help draw the Test Match in 2002. Player of the match was Sachin as he made 176 in the company of VVS.
Australia is at the receiving end again in 2003. It was Steve Waugh's farewell series and it was being played in Australia. A backs-to-the-wall 303-run stand with Rahul Dravid sets up the famous victory in Adelaide before a dazzling 178 in Sydney and a triple-century partnership with Sachin Tendulkar gives India a chance to seal the series.
It was in 2004 though when he showed why he separates from the other contemporary greats. On an astonishing day when twenty wickets fell, on a dustbowl that Ricky Ponting called "nowhere near to being Test standard", he scripts a doughty 69 that paved the way for a consolation victory in Mumbai.
Then came his second double century in Delhi. The team in the receiving end was again Australia. From Cricinfo- When Laxman plays like he did today, he paces his innings superbly. He scored 17 off 19 balls out of the first 50 runs in his 278-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir. Then came the lean period against Clark during which Laxman took 34 balls to move from 50 to 55. And then he took off, reaching his century off 170 balls and scoring his second 100 off only 130, though he hardly ever looked like he was in a hurry.
But what is missed among all of the above is that other than his artistry, is his steely nerves. He ,other than Rahul Dravid, has been the man on whom India depends upon when in a crisis. He is again the one on whom India depends when faced with a target to chase on the last innings of a Test match. His contribution of 70+ runs in Mohali in 2010 were worth in gold. With victory in sight, he never once looked like getting out. He never played a hurried shot. Even with 6 runs to win, he did not panic and try to finish it off with expansive shots.
Maybe that is what makes this man. He just goes about his job quietly and a calm way. There are very few distractions to him. And when the team's back is against the wall, his presence out there makes everyone feel calm. He is very assuring.
With Sehwag, people are always on the edge of their seats.
With Dravid, there is always some sort tension on his face (too serious). Too much of WORK in his GAME.
With Sachin, there are the nervous nineties (even after 48 centuries and 20 years of Intl cricket) he gets nervous with a milestone approaching, then there is always worry of gifting his wicket with victory within reach.
With Ganguly, there is always the danger of a short ball or an open face of the bat to the slips.
With Laxman, there is always a sense of calm. Yes, there are a few claims that he is a nervous starter. It is like a monk meditating in the centre of the pitch. There are very few players who can give this kind of experience to the ones watching, as teammates or opponents or spectators. And maybe, that is why he is not counted among the Fab 4 or not even equated with Sehwag. VVS has had so many important 30's and 40's which might never receive as much recognition as a leg glance from Sachin does. That is the cruel reality of the world. But for the purists among us and deep students and admirers of the game, VVS will always be hailed as someone who other than being an artist also made an impact on the games he played.
Very Very Sorry for not including you in the 2003 WC (my biggest beef with Ganguly- How could you ever take D Mongia ahead of VVS).
Very Very Sorry for not naming you a part of Fab 4, something that you highly deserved as being the chief architects (along with Dravid) in transforming Indian Cricket to what it is now when being led by a great leader Ganguly.
Very Very Sorry as some years down the line you might be not acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen ever to have played this game, while a player
--> who just has bigger scores and higher number of centuries (out of which most does not even contribute towards a win or is made in partnership with you or Dravid, thereby easing the pressure) with lesser mental strength (often choking when really required to deliver)
--> who has played all his life in 1 position (#4 - which allows the condition to be much better for batting as the balls grows older and the pitch gets less livelier, if played in the morning)
--> does not have to often bat with the tail-enders.
--> has only twice chased down in the 4 innings of Test match succesfully (only when there were significant contributions by the other batsmen)
will be called the "Greatest" batsman of all time. Just a reflection of our morals and the basic structure of the society. Too hoots to the subtleties and artistry, just show me the numbers...
Lax... For whatever it is worth-- If at work while India is batting in a Test match and I enquire about the score and I hear some paltry score, my question always is "Is Dravid still there? or Laxman?". Secretly, that is what you mean to maybe many more than me... that assurance that we might still have an answer to a really dodgy situation... Your half centuries and so many 30's and 40's, the partnerships you foster with the lower order and the way you respond to pressure (by pressure I mean the REAL MATCH pressure and not the bogus and over-hyped pressure of meeting 1 billion expectations) is what I ask from the teams premier batsman...
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Spirit of Cricket - Cricket needs to even out the balances
There has been too much cricket off-late on the field as well as on my blog. So well, I promise (and I hope) that this will be the last one for some time on cricket on my blog. But it is such an important part of my life and so interesting that I still keep playing the game many a times in my mind. I have played and won India the game while chasing 282 against Australia in 1999 do-or-die World Cup match in the Super-sixes. Ok, I will be serious.
Cricket, it is the greatest game in the world. It can be unfair, just like life. It can be such a leveller. one day you are the star and the other day you are the villain, just like life. It is a near perfect combination of mental and physical test and I think that is what sport is. The way you play cricket speaks a lot about you. Any one who sees a Sachin play will not only understand his respect for the game but also his underlying humility. Any one who sees Steve Waugh play, will easily realise what a gritty and self-opinionated individual he will be. I can give you more examples and it will be true, more often than not. But that is if you see the game as deeply as I do. And when I say deeply, I mean "deeply" and not "closely". One of the things that separates cricket from other games is the number of instances the spirit of the game can be expressed. Yeah, really. Sit back and name any game and think about this.
Now as I say the spirit of the game (cricket), sadly the administrators and the players have really brought it down. The current commodisation of cricket is very unfortunate but speaks about the times we live in. Unfortunately, cricket is like that. It will always reflect the time it is being played. For instance, when you had socialist India in the 70' and 80's, Sunil Gavaskar's batting reflected it. Then as India became an emerging country, you had Sachin. And then India is all around in the news with a blooming economy, you have Sehwag. Think about it and you will see the difference. That is the wonder of cricket, the most wonderful game in the world. But what we see now is not exactly a reflection of what cricket stands for. There are many things which needs to be changed to bring back cricket to its original and maybe purest form of competition and that is to play the game within the confines of the spirit of the game.
Lets take a look at how the of cricket has been cut and choped to make it more attractive (not interesting) for the spectators. As per the nature of the game, batting will always be the most visible and attractive part. Then as commercialisation and commodisation of cricket happend, it ensured that this is where all the advantage should shift to. At times, it was just philosophy and fear as well.
Starting with Bodyline, somehow it has been perceived that batsman needs to be protected. Douglas Jardine and his tactic is the most misunderstood phenomenon in the world of cricket. He has been demonised for ageas but until only recently people have been more open about this tactic. I will refer to the tactic with it's original and more worthy name- Leg Side theory. So you have 6-7 fielders on the onn-side, the fast bowlers pitch it short and the batsmen need to decide to leave it or play it and risk getting out and even worse getting hurt. The way I see it, it was played under the spirit of cricket. The batsman need to be good and talented to read the length of the ball and decide to leave it or play at it. That is the batsmans job. And it was not unplayable. Jardine himself showed that you can score of this tactic when he cracked a century in India later (with the theory employed against him). Accusations flew that this was not cricket and for some reason Jardine, Larwood and his bowlers were made to look like evil men out there to only hurt the Australian batsmen. The fact that Don Bradman averaged only 50+ in this entire series and England won the Ashes prove that this was a very attacking and tactical move. But somewhere, it was projected as evil and Jardine and Larwood never played another game for England. That was the first instance I can think of when the balance was tilted towards batting and it has continued ever since.
Short delivery is an important part of the fast bowlers armoury. But now it's potency is further negated with the new Leg side rules and the invention which made ordinary batsmen look great - the helmet. With the helmet, you have ordinary batsmen trying to pull or hook the ball which otherwise they would have had to struggle to leave or practise for months and years to master a hook or a pull. Ever seen Suresh Raina, Michael Bevan or Pollard and how uncomfortable many modern batsmen look against the shot ball. The batsmen in their late 20's and before, belong to a generation who would undergo their entire cricketing career without never playing without a helmet. Fast bowlers' most important armoury is so neutralised. It is so unfortunate. Nowadays, you have coaches who tell the youngsters to practise "Dilscoops". Ever wondered, if Dilshan or any modern batsmen would have the guts to play that shot without a helmet. Again, the bowler looses another fight. You have worried parents who would need their children to put on helmets while practising. How I feel if they could understand that without the helmet, their children might get hurt now but will emerge as better and stronger players later.
Just like all these gears which has evolved over the years, there is 1 more (if not the most) important gear which has evolved to "unacceptable" levels. Thicker bats, hick on the lower side of the bat, lots of wood on the middle, Mongoose bat, etc. These bats are so good that even outside edges fly to the boundary for a 4 or a 6. So unfortunate, when all the great players and the youngsters use this without ever giving a single thought.The ball has remained the same for centuries but the bat has undergone such a technical revolution. So many batsmen are revered as hitters and commentators lament on how the batsmen of previous era were so "scared" to loft the ball. Of course, the bat they were using never gave them an extra advantage. It was not made to make "hitting" or "increasing the power" easier. They had to rely on timing (something more deeply rooted to cricket than hitting). If that wasn't enough, you have the boundaries being shortened to "assist" the batsmen. That is cheating in my eyes. I don't care if it is approved but my heart goes out to the bowlers. They are really getting the wrong end of the stick as of now.
Playing on uncovered pitches were really a "test" to the batsmen. Agreed that covering the pitches has somewhat made it safer but still it has also made it easier for the batsmen. Nowadays, there is not much variety in the pitches worldwide. The pitch in Perth is not as fast as it used to be, a mere 18 years ago. So much so for comparing batsmen of yore and now. There is no comparison. There has been no generation of batsmen who had it so easy.
If all that wasn't easy, then comes worst possible cheating. Any batsman can stand his ground after he has clearly nicked the ball (which close-in or wicket keeper has caught cleanly) and see if the umpire has "caught it" as well. I often wonder why they walk when they get bowled. Not sure what example we are setting up to the children. It's like telling the kid "Go lie, steal and cheat to win... As long as you are not caught, you have the right". I was extremely saddened when Sachin too did it twice (I remember 2 occassion, otherwise he is a walker). Appealing by the bowlers is fine with me as it can be only to unsettle the batsmen or create a few nerves. Just as the batsman should be morally obligated to walk, fielding side should be to call back the batsmen when given out incorrectly. Well, but we all live in a world of acceptable levels of cheating. Well, that is not cricket.
To ensure that the spirit of cricket is restored and not the current commodity which looks like a corporate running it's firm, I would seriously recommend the below measures to ICC:
Cricket, it is the greatest game in the world. It can be unfair, just like life. It can be such a leveller. one day you are the star and the other day you are the villain, just like life. It is a near perfect combination of mental and physical test and I think that is what sport is. The way you play cricket speaks a lot about you. Any one who sees a Sachin play will not only understand his respect for the game but also his underlying humility. Any one who sees Steve Waugh play, will easily realise what a gritty and self-opinionated individual he will be. I can give you more examples and it will be true, more often than not. But that is if you see the game as deeply as I do. And when I say deeply, I mean "deeply" and not "closely". One of the things that separates cricket from other games is the number of instances the spirit of the game can be expressed. Yeah, really. Sit back and name any game and think about this.
Now as I say the spirit of the game (cricket), sadly the administrators and the players have really brought it down. The current commodisation of cricket is very unfortunate but speaks about the times we live in. Unfortunately, cricket is like that. It will always reflect the time it is being played. For instance, when you had socialist India in the 70' and 80's, Sunil Gavaskar's batting reflected it. Then as India became an emerging country, you had Sachin. And then India is all around in the news with a blooming economy, you have Sehwag. Think about it and you will see the difference. That is the wonder of cricket, the most wonderful game in the world. But what we see now is not exactly a reflection of what cricket stands for. There are many things which needs to be changed to bring back cricket to its original and maybe purest form of competition and that is to play the game within the confines of the spirit of the game.
Lets take a look at how the of cricket has been cut and choped to make it more attractive (not interesting) for the spectators. As per the nature of the game, batting will always be the most visible and attractive part. Then as commercialisation and commodisation of cricket happend, it ensured that this is where all the advantage should shift to. At times, it was just philosophy and fear as well.
Starting with Bodyline, somehow it has been perceived that batsman needs to be protected. Douglas Jardine and his tactic is the most misunderstood phenomenon in the world of cricket. He has been demonised for ageas but until only recently people have been more open about this tactic. I will refer to the tactic with it's original and more worthy name- Leg Side theory. So you have 6-7 fielders on the onn-side, the fast bowlers pitch it short and the batsmen need to decide to leave it or play it and risk getting out and even worse getting hurt. The way I see it, it was played under the spirit of cricket. The batsman need to be good and talented to read the length of the ball and decide to leave it or play at it. That is the batsmans job. And it was not unplayable. Jardine himself showed that you can score of this tactic when he cracked a century in India later (with the theory employed against him). Accusations flew that this was not cricket and for some reason Jardine, Larwood and his bowlers were made to look like evil men out there to only hurt the Australian batsmen. The fact that Don Bradman averaged only 50+ in this entire series and England won the Ashes prove that this was a very attacking and tactical move. But somewhere, it was projected as evil and Jardine and Larwood never played another game for England. That was the first instance I can think of when the balance was tilted towards batting and it has continued ever since.
Short delivery is an important part of the fast bowlers armoury. But now it's potency is further negated with the new Leg side rules and the invention which made ordinary batsmen look great - the helmet. With the helmet, you have ordinary batsmen trying to pull or hook the ball which otherwise they would have had to struggle to leave or practise for months and years to master a hook or a pull. Ever seen Suresh Raina, Michael Bevan or Pollard and how uncomfortable many modern batsmen look against the shot ball. The batsmen in their late 20's and before, belong to a generation who would undergo their entire cricketing career without never playing without a helmet. Fast bowlers' most important armoury is so neutralised. It is so unfortunate. Nowadays, you have coaches who tell the youngsters to practise "Dilscoops". Ever wondered, if Dilshan or any modern batsmen would have the guts to play that shot without a helmet. Again, the bowler looses another fight. You have worried parents who would need their children to put on helmets while practising. How I feel if they could understand that without the helmet, their children might get hurt now but will emerge as better and stronger players later.
Just like all these gears which has evolved over the years, there is 1 more (if not the most) important gear which has evolved to "unacceptable" levels. Thicker bats, hick on the lower side of the bat, lots of wood on the middle, Mongoose bat, etc. These bats are so good that even outside edges fly to the boundary for a 4 or a 6. So unfortunate, when all the great players and the youngsters use this without ever giving a single thought.The ball has remained the same for centuries but the bat has undergone such a technical revolution. So many batsmen are revered as hitters and commentators lament on how the batsmen of previous era were so "scared" to loft the ball. Of course, the bat they were using never gave them an extra advantage. It was not made to make "hitting" or "increasing the power" easier. They had to rely on timing (something more deeply rooted to cricket than hitting). If that wasn't enough, you have the boundaries being shortened to "assist" the batsmen. That is cheating in my eyes. I don't care if it is approved but my heart goes out to the bowlers. They are really getting the wrong end of the stick as of now.
Playing on uncovered pitches were really a "test" to the batsmen. Agreed that covering the pitches has somewhat made it safer but still it has also made it easier for the batsmen. Nowadays, there is not much variety in the pitches worldwide. The pitch in Perth is not as fast as it used to be, a mere 18 years ago. So much so for comparing batsmen of yore and now. There is no comparison. There has been no generation of batsmen who had it so easy.
If all that wasn't easy, then comes worst possible cheating. Any batsman can stand his ground after he has clearly nicked the ball (which close-in or wicket keeper has caught cleanly) and see if the umpire has "caught it" as well. I often wonder why they walk when they get bowled. Not sure what example we are setting up to the children. It's like telling the kid "Go lie, steal and cheat to win... As long as you are not caught, you have the right". I was extremely saddened when Sachin too did it twice (I remember 2 occassion, otherwise he is a walker). Appealing by the bowlers is fine with me as it can be only to unsettle the batsmen or create a few nerves. Just as the batsman should be morally obligated to walk, fielding side should be to call back the batsmen when given out incorrectly. Well, but we all live in a world of acceptable levels of cheating. Well, that is not cricket.
To ensure that the spirit of cricket is restored and not the current commodity which looks like a corporate running it's firm, I would seriously recommend the below measures to ICC:
- Reinstate Leg-side theory: Batsmen need to sort out their deficiencies and stop being cry-babies , crying foul every time they are intimidated. It is high time that this theory is accepted with the fielding side and bowler getting more freedom to create a more fair contest.
- Ban Helmets: OK, since everyone are now cowards, I will say ban helmets with vizor atleast. Protect the back of the head as a blow there can be lethal but still remove the vizor. Batsmen need to perfect their technique and not take undue advantage of the gear to look (or not look) at the ball and hit. It is just not cricket to remove one of the most potent weapon of the fast bowler and pave a rosy road for the batsmen. The fear of getting hit will make them willing to practise and masterise the pull/hook shot and not rely on protective gear and unfair rules to protect them. Lets see how many will then play the Douglas Marillier shot ( I refuse to call it Dilscoop as he was the not the first one to play it).
- Ban all the modern variations of the bat: Bring back the bats of yore. The current bat is not actually helping any batsmen become master of their trade. They know they have a higher percentage of clearing the boundary line or the ball flying faster of the bat as their bat is designed in such a way. There is no change in the ball but the bat is a new mean machine now. It is just pure cheating. There are no excuses for this. Modern batsmen are making mockery of the spirit of the game everytime they walk out with it.
- Uncovered pitches: Yes, back to the basics. Atleast in the Test matches please. There is a reason they are called "Test" matches. Only the best will survive and play Test matches. This will be the incentive for players. This will ensure that interest in the test matches go on. You can only be called "great" if you have succeeded in the test match format.
- Punish not-walking/incorrect decisions: There should be punishment everytime a batsman does not walk when he knows he is clearly out. In the same way, the captain and the bowler will be punished for appealing for a succesful wrong decision. A tally of incorrect decisions by umpires are maintained and used to rate them. Televise it during the match as well. The foul commited by a player should also be a statistic being maintained. That will be an incentive (sad that an incentive is required) for players to play fair and square.
- No limit on the number of bouncers that can be bowled in an over: I think it pretty much explains itself. The batsmen cannot be sure that after 2 bouncers they will not get another one. We have so many batsmen who take advantage of this rule by plodding their front foot as the bowler is over with the delivery stride.
- The last one (maybe the most controversial): In the limited overs cricket, the amount of time batsmen can play needs to be limited just as the number of overs are limited for a bowler. So many a times, the best bowler in the side can't do much after his quota of overs while the best batsman continues to pile up. In ODIs, the batsman needs to be declared out or maxed out after he scores a century and in T20's he can play till he scores 35 runs. Ok I can compromise and will add an extra stipulation. If required, we can have them bat at the end of the innings with the last wicket remaining. It would be awesome. Just imagine the complexion of the limited overs game will change. Cricket is a team game and the impact of 1 batsmen is being limited (just like how the impact of the best bowler is being limited). And every batsmen will have to pull in their weight. Ohh, did batting become much more difficult and deglamourous now.
It is very sad and unfortunate that I had to write such a blog or even think that this measures are the only way that the spirit of the game can be kept alive. But we really need it. Because what we see it not cricket. It is a contest being played in accepted levels of unfair conduct and cheating. How can you tell a bowler or a fielder that tampering is cheating when the above mentioned "legalised cheating" is accepted and exploited. For me, the above instances are equivalent to ball tampering. So the question here is, if you cannot reinstate the leg-side theory or ban helments or regulate proper bats would you legalise ball-tampering?
I hope I have been clear in what I am trying to say here. We see the spirit of cricket being breached every day by the administrators as well as the greats of the game. Unfortunately, it is all accepted. But look deeper and you will see the truth....
So that's it from me!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
My greatest innings'... hahahha
Hahaha... You better stop reading it now, this is just for my own amusement... Watched "Chak De! India" last week and it got me slightly nostalgic. Walking down the memory lane and remembering some of my own favourite innings... And when I say mine, i mean MINE. The one's played in Vasai, with a Rubber/tennis ball. Hopefully, I remember the match situations well. Heheheh
Year: 1997 (Some time during summer vacation)
Match: Vasant Nagri Sector 1 v/s Vasant Nagri Sector 2 (1st ever Test Match)
I was representing Sector 1. yeah, I don't remember the runs or anything, but what I do beleive is this had got all of us so excited. It made us (atleast me) feel very professional. It was played for 2 days. The unique rule was that LBW was not out, so as to take out the umpire bias. So we used to gather at about 7 a.m. and the match would start by 8: 00. You know how difficult it is to get every one on time. Then we would play till 11.30 or so and then resume at 2.30 and play till the sun would set. Wow, those were the days. So I as a wicket-keeper had already gloved some nice catches. I kind off remember that. Well the match situation was that we had a batting collapse in the 1st inning and Sector 2 had build up an amazing lead. Now Day 2, mid-day we got them all-out. Again, we were headed for disaster. As always, terrible players (those who just swing the bat and clear the ground) were sent before me. I have great respect for Dinku, the only one who played like a pro and an amazing talent. But the others are all Yusuf Pathan types, king of hits in gully and whenever it comes to the real thing, they will be a damp squib. Coming back to the match, we were like 5-6 wickets down and we had to play to draw the game. Finally, I got my chance. At the other end was Vishal ( a talentless guy), but still could swing the bat. So he was taking full advantage of the No Lbw rule and putting his leg in every ball. And there I was, all serious, batting as you should. Leaving the ball, defending, driving for a single (which was declined, as Vishal's instructions were "You play 1 over, i will play another"). Of all this, there is one Square drive which I still remember. Sweetly timed and it went to the boundary. Ahh, the satisfaction! This is an important event in my life becuase after many months or so, when I was not playing cricket much, Dinku reminded me of that stroke. He was like "Itna class shot tha who, Vishal tho paka raha that, par thu bahut acha khel raha tha. Aur woh Off-side mein jho shot that, mast class tha". Actually he was at that time trying to influence me to come in the morning and play. And he was successful. Back again to the match, we both were not-out till the end and that match was drawn. And little did I know, that 1 shot will actually be remembered by someone other than me in the future and that was the instant which triggered passion for the game.
Match: Double wicket finals (Abhinesh and Veenu v/s Amit and Pradeep) there were some 2 more teams in an unofficial time-pass tourney we had on a regular evening. We never did it after that, not sure why.
Year: 1998-99-2000 (who knows and I dont care)
Yeah, the position I like the most- the underdogs. Let me tell you why, we both never had bowled in our lives and the other 2 were decent bowlers and hitters (not batsmen). They played 1st and due to some luck, they were not able put on a heavy score. Here again, I was the batsman who had to do the scoring as Veenu was a complete dud with the ball and bat. Match situation- 7 runs required from 6 balls. I was facing the 1st ball. Pradeep was the bowler. The 1st ball was dispatched for a 4 (Somehow I dont remember where I hit it). Then, the next ball I hit it for 3 (with some hesitation if I should go for the 3 or not). So now we had scored more than them but still it was Double wicket. So a wicket would mean our runs would be deducted by 2. So the over needed to be completed and Veenu was on strike. I told him "Bas, out mat ho.. Kuch bhi ho, Out mat ho, Pura body daalke khel". And he survived the next 3 balls. Wowo, underdogs were the winners. What an amazing feeling I had that evening!
Match: some random match in the evening
Match situation: It was a 6 over match. My team had about 6 players. Luckily, I was opening this time. My team had an amazing collapse. 4 wickets in 2 overs. Ajay came in. He was a decent bat. I instructed him just concentrate on singles till the 5 over and then we will try to accelerate. We did accumulate runs slowly during the course of the match. The last over was to be bowled by Sujith, a tall and lanky bowler. He bowled a nice length delivery and I dispatched it over long-on for a 6. The next bowl, I danced down the pitch and got a nice full-toss and hit it for a 4 to the deep mid-wicket region. So satisfying. We scored about 45 or 44 runs in that innings. I was so satisfied with that innings. We lost the match but maybe who cares at that time.
Match: some random match in the evening
I don't even remember the runs much but again I was opening the batting. There was a slight collapse and I was still out there. Slowly grafting runs. Then in the slog over, it was time to accelerate. Now why is this special, here it is. Anthony was going to ball. I turned around, told one guy that this will be a boundary. Then I came dancing down, making room for myself and hit one of the best Inside-out shots I ever had through the covers for the boundary. It was so special because the ball went to the boundary all the way on the ground and the 2 fielders just kept running but were short by just 2-3 more paces. I dont even remember anything else, but I know I was not-out till the end. But that shot, my thought process, my body-flow, the way the ball went, the fielders, the sun light, everything I still remember.
Then there so many, like my first 1/2 century ever, or some rear-guard action. I always been a fighter and maybe that is why I always have a soft corner for paul collingwoods, russel arnolds, Sodhis of the world. Apart from the above mentioned, there are so many instances of brilliance I remember like:
--> 9 runs in 1 over reqd to win, I hit the 1st ball for a 6 and then an easy win. I still remember my calculation for the six. I remembered Klusener's stance, I think it would let me loft the ball more, increase my power and reach. So I immitated his stance of legs being far apart and I also stood out of the crease (so that I can get under the ball). Waited till the last moment before the bowler turns back to get into the run-up to take my stance, just in case he does not see where I am standing and adjusts his length. Wowo, it is satisfying when things pay-off.
--> Some action again at the end of another rear-guard action. It was the last over and Guru (one of the locality's fastest bowler) was about to bowl. I knew I had to improvise and I remembered 1 particular shot of Manjrekar in a series down-under. So when Guru was half-way on his run-up, I stood up, came to the off-side of the stumps, and he bowled it on the off side itself and I played it across square on the onn-side for a 4. The next ball, I stood my ground (anticipating a yorker) and yorker it was. Played straight behind the bowler for a 4. The next one was short delivery, played front of square for a 3.
Wow, where is the bat? Can I turn back the wheels of time and go back there? Hehe... As I write all these words with thoughts in my mind of what could have been... :-)
Year: 1997 (Some time during summer vacation)
Match: Vasant Nagri Sector 1 v/s Vasant Nagri Sector 2 (1st ever Test Match)
I was representing Sector 1. yeah, I don't remember the runs or anything, but what I do beleive is this had got all of us so excited. It made us (atleast me) feel very professional. It was played for 2 days. The unique rule was that LBW was not out, so as to take out the umpire bias. So we used to gather at about 7 a.m. and the match would start by 8: 00. You know how difficult it is to get every one on time. Then we would play till 11.30 or so and then resume at 2.30 and play till the sun would set. Wow, those were the days. So I as a wicket-keeper had already gloved some nice catches. I kind off remember that. Well the match situation was that we had a batting collapse in the 1st inning and Sector 2 had build up an amazing lead. Now Day 2, mid-day we got them all-out. Again, we were headed for disaster. As always, terrible players (those who just swing the bat and clear the ground) were sent before me. I have great respect for Dinku, the only one who played like a pro and an amazing talent. But the others are all Yusuf Pathan types, king of hits in gully and whenever it comes to the real thing, they will be a damp squib. Coming back to the match, we were like 5-6 wickets down and we had to play to draw the game. Finally, I got my chance. At the other end was Vishal ( a talentless guy), but still could swing the bat. So he was taking full advantage of the No Lbw rule and putting his leg in every ball. And there I was, all serious, batting as you should. Leaving the ball, defending, driving for a single (which was declined, as Vishal's instructions were "You play 1 over, i will play another"). Of all this, there is one Square drive which I still remember. Sweetly timed and it went to the boundary. Ahh, the satisfaction! This is an important event in my life becuase after many months or so, when I was not playing cricket much, Dinku reminded me of that stroke. He was like "Itna class shot tha who, Vishal tho paka raha that, par thu bahut acha khel raha tha. Aur woh Off-side mein jho shot that, mast class tha". Actually he was at that time trying to influence me to come in the morning and play. And he was successful. Back again to the match, we both were not-out till the end and that match was drawn. And little did I know, that 1 shot will actually be remembered by someone other than me in the future and that was the instant which triggered passion for the game.
Match: Double wicket finals (Abhinesh and Veenu v/s Amit and Pradeep) there were some 2 more teams in an unofficial time-pass tourney we had on a regular evening. We never did it after that, not sure why.
Year: 1998-99-2000 (who knows and I dont care)
Yeah, the position I like the most- the underdogs. Let me tell you why, we both never had bowled in our lives and the other 2 were decent bowlers and hitters (not batsmen). They played 1st and due to some luck, they were not able put on a heavy score. Here again, I was the batsman who had to do the scoring as Veenu was a complete dud with the ball and bat. Match situation- 7 runs required from 6 balls. I was facing the 1st ball. Pradeep was the bowler. The 1st ball was dispatched for a 4 (Somehow I dont remember where I hit it). Then, the next ball I hit it for 3 (with some hesitation if I should go for the 3 or not). So now we had scored more than them but still it was Double wicket. So a wicket would mean our runs would be deducted by 2. So the over needed to be completed and Veenu was on strike. I told him "Bas, out mat ho.. Kuch bhi ho, Out mat ho, Pura body daalke khel". And he survived the next 3 balls. Wowo, underdogs were the winners. What an amazing feeling I had that evening!
Match: some random match in the evening
Match situation: It was a 6 over match. My team had about 6 players. Luckily, I was opening this time. My team had an amazing collapse. 4 wickets in 2 overs. Ajay came in. He was a decent bat. I instructed him just concentrate on singles till the 5 over and then we will try to accelerate. We did accumulate runs slowly during the course of the match. The last over was to be bowled by Sujith, a tall and lanky bowler. He bowled a nice length delivery and I dispatched it over long-on for a 6. The next bowl, I danced down the pitch and got a nice full-toss and hit it for a 4 to the deep mid-wicket region. So satisfying. We scored about 45 or 44 runs in that innings. I was so satisfied with that innings. We lost the match but maybe who cares at that time.
Match: some random match in the evening
I don't even remember the runs much but again I was opening the batting. There was a slight collapse and I was still out there. Slowly grafting runs. Then in the slog over, it was time to accelerate. Now why is this special, here it is. Anthony was going to ball. I turned around, told one guy that this will be a boundary. Then I came dancing down, making room for myself and hit one of the best Inside-out shots I ever had through the covers for the boundary. It was so special because the ball went to the boundary all the way on the ground and the 2 fielders just kept running but were short by just 2-3 more paces. I dont even remember anything else, but I know I was not-out till the end. But that shot, my thought process, my body-flow, the way the ball went, the fielders, the sun light, everything I still remember.
Then there so many, like my first 1/2 century ever, or some rear-guard action. I always been a fighter and maybe that is why I always have a soft corner for paul collingwoods, russel arnolds, Sodhis of the world. Apart from the above mentioned, there are so many instances of brilliance I remember like:
--> 9 runs in 1 over reqd to win, I hit the 1st ball for a 6 and then an easy win. I still remember my calculation for the six. I remembered Klusener's stance, I think it would let me loft the ball more, increase my power and reach. So I immitated his stance of legs being far apart and I also stood out of the crease (so that I can get under the ball). Waited till the last moment before the bowler turns back to get into the run-up to take my stance, just in case he does not see where I am standing and adjusts his length. Wowo, it is satisfying when things pay-off.
--> Some action again at the end of another rear-guard action. It was the last over and Guru (one of the locality's fastest bowler) was about to bowl. I knew I had to improvise and I remembered 1 particular shot of Manjrekar in a series down-under. So when Guru was half-way on his run-up, I stood up, came to the off-side of the stumps, and he bowled it on the off side itself and I played it across square on the onn-side for a 4. The next ball, I stood my ground (anticipating a yorker) and yorker it was. Played straight behind the bowler for a 4. The next one was short delivery, played front of square for a 3.
Wow, where is the bat? Can I turn back the wheels of time and go back there? Hehe... As I write all these words with thoughts in my mind of what could have been... :-)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Just some scribblings
Not sure if it is a poem in a whole or if a part of it is a whole poem in itself... But anyways, it's been long since I wrote a poem and added something to my 50+ collection so far...
Such is Life
Dreams,
Last flame of the candle,
But never extingushing.
Road,
One where my heart walks,
And one where reality hurts.
Day,
Starts with love sleeping next to me,
Then it passes on, and,
Ends with love sleeping next to me,
Ambitions,
So many of them,
So little I have done for them.
Passion,
It's there, it sure is there,
Waiting to erupt.
Life,
Going through it most of the time,
FEW moments though which help me feel it.
Me,
With you always,
And all the ways.
Such is Life
Dreams,
Last flame of the candle,
But never extingushing.
Road,
One where my heart walks,
And one where reality hurts.
Day,
Starts with love sleeping next to me,
Then it passes on, and,
Ends with love sleeping next to me,
Ambitions,
So many of them,
So little I have done for them.
Passion,
It's there, it sure is there,
Waiting to erupt.
Life,
Going through it most of the time,
FEW moments though which help me feel it.
Me,
With you always,
And all the ways.
Friday, September 3, 2010
One on the Maoists and Indian Government
Let me first imply that my knowledge on the Maoist issue is quite less but much better than the
normal urban dweller. I am not an expert and I do not know in and out of it. Now since that is out of the way...
Maoist movement started in 1967 as a Peasant movement to protect land rights. It gradually has expanded to the more wider proportions as now. Agreed, that except for Kerala, not many of the states have been very successful in implementing it. Agreed that even now there are many Adivasis and tribals who have no land for themselves to dwell and somehow have been suppressed to live a life which looks like they have no fundamental rights. Agreed that many innocents have been at the wrong end of the stick when it comes to some atrocities committed by the States armed forces. But I do not agree with the method of guerilla and armed warfare and extortionist approach towards resolving this issue.
Of course, the ASFPA Act is very unpopular and I am not a strong supporter of it. I commend Irom Sharmila for the non-violent protest for the last 10 years. Irom Sharmila has won over many prominent human rights activists just because of her steely resolve and the means with which she has tried to achieve it.
We all have our grievances with the Government and the system. No system or constitution is perfect but will always be a work in progress. For me to write this or Irom Sharmila to continue her protest or the Maosit sympathisers to come on national television and support the cause of current hostage situation of 4 cops in Bihar is an outstanding evidence the consitution is successful in providing us with freedom of speech and expression. That is the greatest gift of democracy.
As for the Maoists, the harm and terror inflicted among the poor people (for whom they fight for) is in itself a clear indication of how they can abuse any kind of power they would have. The women Maoist workers themselves have come out to expose the sexual and gender harrasment rendered within the groups. There is also a lot of nepotism within the ranks. The act of plotting against a country's government is war, but when done by their own nationals it is also called Treason. Then when mass-killings, landmines, extortions, hostages, etc. becomes the way of communication, it takes the form of terrorism. I do agree that there was a certain amount of reason and grievances which supported the activity during it's infancy but it is completely lost now. No educated and sensible Indian would now stand up for Maoists. Of course, the consitution of India cannot and should not be converted to a Marxist-Leninist society.
Now coming onto the Indian Government.It is very sad that Indian government has been running the nation with a relatively lesser kind of indifferent attitude as the British Governments of Pre-Independence era. Our founding fathers were great but thereafter the corruption and pessimism that has crept in is ridiculous. When it comes to growth and economy, it looks like an amazing success but take a deeper look and we still see abysmal infrastructure, poverty, lack of accessibility towards the fundamental rights for a large percentage of the population. India is shining when you look at the many cosmopolitan cities but when you look at the villages, therein lies the darkness. There is a lot of work here. I will leave that for another post.
Back to the Government and Maoists, Andhra Pradesh has done an amazing job in restraining Maoist activities there. YSR was a very tactful politician when it comes to this issue. What YSR did was to improve the infrastructure in the state especially with roads and modes of communication even to the innermost areas of the forest. This ensures that the so called abodes where the Maoists would live/hide was also accessible to the police. It certainly helped in better policing of the issue. That is why the state where there was a very high rate of Maoist activity post 2000 does not have any activity after 2009 or so. Now it has shifted to Orrisa and Bihar. I hope that the Government does go out of it's way to create a dialogue (although it looks like we are past that stage) with the Maoists. But if not, it should act soon and take the problem head-on. Pakistan and China can wait for now.
At the time of writing this post, 1 Bihar cop - Hawaldar Lukas Tete has been killed by the Maoists. The Maoists has warned that they will kill the remaining 3 if their demand of releasing 8 Maoist activists are not released by Indian Government from the prison. I might appear insensitive here - my heartiest condolences to the the grieving family and my heart goes out to the families of other cops - but looking at the bigger picture we should not negotiate with such acts of terrorism. If we release the prisoners now, it will set up a precedence.
Of course the situation is complicated and I do not have the answer here sitting in the comfort of my chair and security of my home. But I have the below questions for the Maoists and the Maoist sympathisers:
1.) What would you do if Indian Government also puts up a condition that they will start killing the 8 prisoners if the cops are not released back?
2.) Do you really believe that you would be able to make such protests, suggest the Indian Government to make negotiations and even have them aired in National television, get it printed in various national dailies if the Indian Government was formulised in the Marxist-Leninist stance?
3.) Do you really believe that Maoist activity would have even grown to such extents if the Indian Government was not a successful democracy and suppreses Human rights?
I really hope that the brave cops being held by the Maoists return to their homes, safe and sound. Now that maybe the 1st step towards resolution. The second step is for all these Maoist leaders to form a Political party and enter the elections. Contest for votes and if elected, please provide all that you say you are fighting for to the people you say you are fighting for.
normal urban dweller. I am not an expert and I do not know in and out of it. Now since that is out of the way...
Maoist movement started in 1967 as a Peasant movement to protect land rights. It gradually has expanded to the more wider proportions as now. Agreed, that except for Kerala, not many of the states have been very successful in implementing it. Agreed that even now there are many Adivasis and tribals who have no land for themselves to dwell and somehow have been suppressed to live a life which looks like they have no fundamental rights. Agreed that many innocents have been at the wrong end of the stick when it comes to some atrocities committed by the States armed forces. But I do not agree with the method of guerilla and armed warfare and extortionist approach towards resolving this issue.
Of course, the ASFPA Act is very unpopular and I am not a strong supporter of it. I commend Irom Sharmila for the non-violent protest for the last 10 years. Irom Sharmila has won over many prominent human rights activists just because of her steely resolve and the means with which she has tried to achieve it.
We all have our grievances with the Government and the system. No system or constitution is perfect but will always be a work in progress. For me to write this or Irom Sharmila to continue her protest or the Maosit sympathisers to come on national television and support the cause of current hostage situation of 4 cops in Bihar is an outstanding evidence the consitution is successful in providing us with freedom of speech and expression. That is the greatest gift of democracy.
As for the Maoists, the harm and terror inflicted among the poor people (for whom they fight for) is in itself a clear indication of how they can abuse any kind of power they would have. The women Maoist workers themselves have come out to expose the sexual and gender harrasment rendered within the groups. There is also a lot of nepotism within the ranks. The act of plotting against a country's government is war, but when done by their own nationals it is also called Treason. Then when mass-killings, landmines, extortions, hostages, etc. becomes the way of communication, it takes the form of terrorism. I do agree that there was a certain amount of reason and grievances which supported the activity during it's infancy but it is completely lost now. No educated and sensible Indian would now stand up for Maoists. Of course, the consitution of India cannot and should not be converted to a Marxist-Leninist society.
Now coming onto the Indian Government.It is very sad that Indian government has been running the nation with a relatively lesser kind of indifferent attitude as the British Governments of Pre-Independence era. Our founding fathers were great but thereafter the corruption and pessimism that has crept in is ridiculous. When it comes to growth and economy, it looks like an amazing success but take a deeper look and we still see abysmal infrastructure, poverty, lack of accessibility towards the fundamental rights for a large percentage of the population. India is shining when you look at the many cosmopolitan cities but when you look at the villages, therein lies the darkness. There is a lot of work here. I will leave that for another post.
Back to the Government and Maoists, Andhra Pradesh has done an amazing job in restraining Maoist activities there. YSR was a very tactful politician when it comes to this issue. What YSR did was to improve the infrastructure in the state especially with roads and modes of communication even to the innermost areas of the forest. This ensures that the so called abodes where the Maoists would live/hide was also accessible to the police. It certainly helped in better policing of the issue. That is why the state where there was a very high rate of Maoist activity post 2000 does not have any activity after 2009 or so. Now it has shifted to Orrisa and Bihar. I hope that the Government does go out of it's way to create a dialogue (although it looks like we are past that stage) with the Maoists. But if not, it should act soon and take the problem head-on. Pakistan and China can wait for now.
At the time of writing this post, 1 Bihar cop - Hawaldar Lukas Tete has been killed by the Maoists. The Maoists has warned that they will kill the remaining 3 if their demand of releasing 8 Maoist activists are not released by Indian Government from the prison. I might appear insensitive here - my heartiest condolences to the the grieving family and my heart goes out to the families of other cops - but looking at the bigger picture we should not negotiate with such acts of terrorism. If we release the prisoners now, it will set up a precedence.
Of course the situation is complicated and I do not have the answer here sitting in the comfort of my chair and security of my home. But I have the below questions for the Maoists and the Maoist sympathisers:
1.) What would you do if Indian Government also puts up a condition that they will start killing the 8 prisoners if the cops are not released back?
2.) Do you really believe that you would be able to make such protests, suggest the Indian Government to make negotiations and even have them aired in National television, get it printed in various national dailies if the Indian Government was formulised in the Marxist-Leninist stance?
3.) Do you really believe that Maoist activity would have even grown to such extents if the Indian Government was not a successful democracy and suppreses Human rights?
I really hope that the brave cops being held by the Maoists return to their homes, safe and sound. Now that maybe the 1st step towards resolution. The second step is for all these Maoist leaders to form a Political party and enter the elections. Contest for votes and if elected, please provide all that you say you are fighting for to the people you say you are fighting for.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Fixing Allegations, my thoughts
Yes... Cricket's darkest secret and nightmare is back! When NOTW aired the videos with Majeed boasting and correctly predicting the 'No-Balls", the great game took a step back and "Gambling" was in the forefront.
I did see the videos and looks like it is pretty convincing evidence. Anger is the feeling we all share and justifiable as well. Last 2 months or so, Asif and Amir had provided so much joy to cricket lovers like me. I preferred watching the test matches in England rather than the run fest in 2nd Test Match of Sri Lanka and a useless ODI Tournament. Asif and Amir were so impressive in series' down under last year. And yet, it all came to this.
Let's go and try to analyse the culprits I think and punishments I feel is fair.
PCB: Yes, Pakistan Cricket Board. It is one of the most disgusting institutions ever. The entire cricketing world need to remember that Rashid Latif and Basit Ali were the first ever individuals (yes not an Aussie or Englishman, but a Pakistani - So not a 'Culture' Issue, a dig @ Aussies) who had guts to speak against the match-fixing malaise. Rashid Latif had also warned about Spot-Fixing seven years back and had even suggested ICC or PCB (am not sure) to organize a mock match/series and he will help identify the spot event and the culprits. But they all fell in deaf ears. Casual 'Life Bans" look like a sabbatical and the same set of players keep coming back. Shoaib Akhtar has got so many chances to clean up his act. Qayyum report had clearly told that players like Wasim, Waqar, Saeed, Inzi were unco-operative. Justice Qayyum himself claimed that he was a fan of Wasim and hence, was very lenient on him. Qayyum had put in some corrective measures which were never implemented to clean-up the system.Waqar is one of the few players who was caught in the act of ball tampering but went on to become the captain of the side. Is there any other nation who would like to have Shahid Afridi as the captain after his dancing on the rough side of the pitch act against England during the lunch break and ball-biting event? Salim Mallik was banned for life but it is revoked in 2008 or so. Rashid Latif and Basit Ali never gets a proper chance to make a come back. Rashid Latif is actually outcasted. This clear lack of leadership among the institution shows that they don't care for the game or the ones who play it and obviously, the ones who watch it. PCB needs to be completely revamped. The only corrective measure I can think is give the reins to Rashid Latif and I am sure he will atleast turn out a system nourishing honest cricketers.
Salman Butt: Just as I was starting to like him and thinking that this might just be start of a new era for Pak, all this allegations came about. His stats are not something you can boast of but it was the demeanour with which he used to appear during press conferences which impressed me and many others. He has been around for 7 years so there can be no leniency towards him. Life ban. I don't care if it was only spot fixing but you cannot get away with it after you were supposedly serving the game and the nation for 7 years. He should have been wiser that this. And 7 years with 1 IPL Season (part of KKR in the Inaugural IPL Season) does not make him poor. It is just cunningness and greed that led to his actions. Especially as a captain, he should be given exemplary punishment. No sympathy.
Mohd Asif: His fast bowling is of the highest quality, a decent amount of swing with amazing accuracy. But if there was anyone who was blinded by the glitz, glam and money, it is Asif. He tested positive for banned substances in IPL, then was caught in Dubai for Drug possession and now spot-fixing. An insitution like PCB meant that he can get away with the first 2 offences. He is an ideal example of bright people gone wrong. He has now become criminal minded and entirely corrupted. The game of cricket can no longer take a chance with him again. He is a habitual offender. He needs to be cut-off from the game. A life ban is what I seek for him. Thanks for some amazing spells but that is it. Bid Adieu!
Mohammad Amir: Genius with an incredible talent. Before we judge this guy, I would like all of you to remember what you were at the age of 17-18 years. And then imagine if you were also from a small village where Taliban can close a highway as per their whims. I don't know if his village had any proper means of print media. And now imagine that this naive simpleton with a rags to riches story, a fairy tale (if there was any), is being coerced or allured by a serial offender that you can get away with anything. Then the captain tells him to bowl a no-ball and earn some money. It won't affect the result of the match. It is too small. You won't be caught and it won't harm the team. At this moment, please spare a thought how this lad with an impressionable mind would think. My heart goes out for this guy in this entire fiasco. A legendary career cut short by a moment of madness. It also proves the lack of leadership and structure in PCB, which does not care for it's young stars. PCB has done nothing to protect the interests of this guy. He was just out there for the wolves. If Amir was involved in a few instances of Spot-fixing and never in any kind of match-fixing, a suspension of 5 years would be sufficient. Let him re-start his career at the age of 23 as a wiser man. I believe the game of cricket can give him one more chance and the game will be only richer because of it. Hope the officials do the right thing and take the complete picture when judging him. I only hope that it was spot fixing and not match fixing. And if he did indulge in any kind of match-fixing, he needs to be given a life ban. Many hearts might still be sympathetic towards him but that is what it would be. He will become part of a very sad and sorry folklore. As for now, I wish him the very best and wish that he cleans up the act. I would still like to remind people his exuberance and joy when he took the 5-for in the tainted Lords test. Also, right after the no-ball there was dropped chance of Alistair Cook. Let me remind people that the expression of anger in Amir's face looked that of a simple bowler who was upset he did not get the wicket. He is not criminal yet. He can be the 1 success story which every young Pak kid of now and the future can still aspire for. I hope this come true.
I did see the videos and looks like it is pretty convincing evidence. Anger is the feeling we all share and justifiable as well. Last 2 months or so, Asif and Amir had provided so much joy to cricket lovers like me. I preferred watching the test matches in England rather than the run fest in 2nd Test Match of Sri Lanka and a useless ODI Tournament. Asif and Amir were so impressive in series' down under last year. And yet, it all came to this.
Let's go and try to analyse the culprits I think and punishments I feel is fair.
PCB: Yes, Pakistan Cricket Board. It is one of the most disgusting institutions ever. The entire cricketing world need to remember that Rashid Latif and Basit Ali were the first ever individuals (yes not an Aussie or Englishman, but a Pakistani - So not a 'Culture' Issue, a dig @ Aussies) who had guts to speak against the match-fixing malaise. Rashid Latif had also warned about Spot-Fixing seven years back and had even suggested ICC or PCB (am not sure) to organize a mock match/series and he will help identify the spot event and the culprits. But they all fell in deaf ears. Casual 'Life Bans" look like a sabbatical and the same set of players keep coming back. Shoaib Akhtar has got so many chances to clean up his act. Qayyum report had clearly told that players like Wasim, Waqar, Saeed, Inzi were unco-operative. Justice Qayyum himself claimed that he was a fan of Wasim and hence, was very lenient on him. Qayyum had put in some corrective measures which were never implemented to clean-up the system.Waqar is one of the few players who was caught in the act of ball tampering but went on to become the captain of the side. Is there any other nation who would like to have Shahid Afridi as the captain after his dancing on the rough side of the pitch act against England during the lunch break and ball-biting event? Salim Mallik was banned for life but it is revoked in 2008 or so. Rashid Latif and Basit Ali never gets a proper chance to make a come back. Rashid Latif is actually outcasted. This clear lack of leadership among the institution shows that they don't care for the game or the ones who play it and obviously, the ones who watch it. PCB needs to be completely revamped. The only corrective measure I can think is give the reins to Rashid Latif and I am sure he will atleast turn out a system nourishing honest cricketers.
Salman Butt: Just as I was starting to like him and thinking that this might just be start of a new era for Pak, all this allegations came about. His stats are not something you can boast of but it was the demeanour with which he used to appear during press conferences which impressed me and many others. He has been around for 7 years so there can be no leniency towards him. Life ban. I don't care if it was only spot fixing but you cannot get away with it after you were supposedly serving the game and the nation for 7 years. He should have been wiser that this. And 7 years with 1 IPL Season (part of KKR in the Inaugural IPL Season) does not make him poor. It is just cunningness and greed that led to his actions. Especially as a captain, he should be given exemplary punishment. No sympathy.
Mohd Asif: His fast bowling is of the highest quality, a decent amount of swing with amazing accuracy. But if there was anyone who was blinded by the glitz, glam and money, it is Asif. He tested positive for banned substances in IPL, then was caught in Dubai for Drug possession and now spot-fixing. An insitution like PCB meant that he can get away with the first 2 offences. He is an ideal example of bright people gone wrong. He has now become criminal minded and entirely corrupted. The game of cricket can no longer take a chance with him again. He is a habitual offender. He needs to be cut-off from the game. A life ban is what I seek for him. Thanks for some amazing spells but that is it. Bid Adieu!
Mohammad Amir: Genius with an incredible talent. Before we judge this guy, I would like all of you to remember what you were at the age of 17-18 years. And then imagine if you were also from a small village where Taliban can close a highway as per their whims. I don't know if his village had any proper means of print media. And now imagine that this naive simpleton with a rags to riches story, a fairy tale (if there was any), is being coerced or allured by a serial offender that you can get away with anything. Then the captain tells him to bowl a no-ball and earn some money. It won't affect the result of the match. It is too small. You won't be caught and it won't harm the team. At this moment, please spare a thought how this lad with an impressionable mind would think. My heart goes out for this guy in this entire fiasco. A legendary career cut short by a moment of madness. It also proves the lack of leadership and structure in PCB, which does not care for it's young stars. PCB has done nothing to protect the interests of this guy. He was just out there for the wolves. If Amir was involved in a few instances of Spot-fixing and never in any kind of match-fixing, a suspension of 5 years would be sufficient. Let him re-start his career at the age of 23 as a wiser man. I believe the game of cricket can give him one more chance and the game will be only richer because of it. Hope the officials do the right thing and take the complete picture when judging him. I only hope that it was spot fixing and not match fixing. And if he did indulge in any kind of match-fixing, he needs to be given a life ban. Many hearts might still be sympathetic towards him but that is what it would be. He will become part of a very sad and sorry folklore. As for now, I wish him the very best and wish that he cleans up the act. I would still like to remind people his exuberance and joy when he took the 5-for in the tainted Lords test. Also, right after the no-ball there was dropped chance of Alistair Cook. Let me remind people that the expression of anger in Amir's face looked that of a simple bowler who was upset he did not get the wicket. He is not criminal yet. He can be the 1 success story which every young Pak kid of now and the future can still aspire for. I hope this come true.
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