We like rebels. We love underdogs who take on the system. The fact that the ICL is doing reasonably well is testimony to the same. Look at where it began – a bunch of 35 something retirees teaming up with 20 somethings discards to play cricket. It WAS funny back in November, but not now. The quality of their International recruits has gone up many a mile.

Talking about the domestic players in the ICL, even their standard has improved. People like JP Yadav, Ambathi Rayadu, Iqbal Abdullah are now getting the respect of international greats. It has a long way to go, but I will dare say that it is GOOD, really GOOD. The quality of talent, specially in the team from Pakistan – Lahore Badshahs – is overwhelming and its a pity that they will not play against India again. As they say, well begun is half done, ICL certainly happens to believe in the adage.

Even watching it is fun – so if you are not doing it, its never too late to start. Take the plunge people, its worth it. And its certainly not worth dismissing without giving it a chance. I would certainly keep and eye on it and report some interesting events. Watch this space.

Going to Watch the match. Hope India wins…

Murali Kartik in for Romesh Powar for the 4th and 5th ODIs

Why?
One, Dropping of Powar was inevitable

Two, Murali Kartik performed really well in the counties. Lets verify:

1. 12 wickets at 20.75 from eight Pro40 games: Reasonable. The average is good. But the ability of the Pommies to play left arm spin is doubtable.

2. 51 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 24 in LV County Championships is impressive, but the same doubts resurface

The Aussies, with lots if quality left armers should treat him well, if not too well. I don’t know what got into the selector’s minds. They seem to be plunging into the never ending abyss of regression. Or maybe it is the Paul Harris effect. Anyways, congrats to SA for winning the test match in Pakistan.

Australia in India, September-October 2007

3rd ODI, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad

Hit-out. Then Block. Then Blast
What India learnt from the last match was that the batting wasn’t enough. So they welcomed a certain Rohit Sharma to the side. Did he have an impact? That’s for later. First the toss. For a change, the decision to bowl first was not Dhoni’s. The pitch which looked fresh, flattered to deceive the Indian fan. As Gilchrist and Hayden piled on the runs, the ball repeatedly kept going to a certain Rohit Sharma. His performance on the field today left much to be desired. But he is a fine batsman of course. Coming back to the match, the Indian bowling recovered after the Second Powerplay was used up and the noose was evident even when the likes of Sachin leg-break-today Tendulkar and Yuvraj cmon-hit-me Singh came on to bowl. Australia accelerated after the mandatory change of ball i.e. the 34th over and managed to reach 291 – a total unachievable if sought with a twenty-twenty mindset. But the Indians have gotten over the victory. Oh they haven’t. Yes they have. And yeah, Andrew Symonds scored a wonderful 89

Reputation…Resilience…Rewards? Alas
India’s reply had a sense of calm written all over it. Maybe the huge crowd made everything else calmer. Gambhir the minnow-basher (not considering T20) entered the arena, and was deceived by a faster one by Lee. Utthapa followed suit, playing across the line to a Midge beauty. In came India’s ex-skipper and alas, left soon. This was getting predictable. Yuvraj Singh walked in. All of this within the first 13 runs of the innings. The partnership between Sachin and Yuvraj flourished amidst poverty. But 96 invaluable runs were added. Then Sachin did to Hogg what countless batsmen have done to Kumble: Cutting off the back foot. Rattle. Dhoni played well for his 30 odd, but was found wanting of foot work a la Sehwag. Nostalgia, eh! In came ROHIT SHARMA, the man revered for his stupendous batting skills in underwear cricket. He found the pajamas to big to handle and top edged one. Whilst all this was happening, Yuvraj Singh kept piling the runs, but India were never close enough. Gloves off to Yuvi, he played like a superstar today. India lost and are likely to lose more, nevertheless a spark of fighting light was seen. Alas, a certain Rohit Sharma wasn’t a part of that light.

P.S. : (1) Rohit, no hard feelings
(2) Murali Kartik is in for Romesh Powar for the remainder of the series

Joys of Being a Wicketkeeper

Some call it the most understated position. Some refer to it as a Thankless Job. But, for me, and for any passionate wicketkeeper, this is a job we would do with a smile all our lives. The sheer pleasure you get when you know that you are important, that you are involved and that you live the game. When the ball thuds into the gloves, the sense of accomplishment is similar to scoring a boundary, the difference being that this accomplishment is yours almost every other ball.

This, and a lot of other things. When a spinner bowls a wide, and you collect it, the look that he gives you is of someone needing reassurance, of someone in want of encouragement. When a pace man does the same, his look epitomizes gratitude. The love for the game of cricket spreads across the whole team, through the keeper. After a sweeper throws the ball back, he is worried about the run out less than he is expecting you to raise both palms in the air and applaud him. When the skipper stands at first slip, he his continuously chatting with you to keep his nerves down. And he doesn’t know it, but follows most of your advice. There is a sense of trust when a throw comes to your side even from long on. This is what we keep for, this is what we live for. Me, at least.