Well it is still an undisclosed fact as to why did team India ever decide of touring Sri Lanka when the ICC tours calender never had any plans of that sort. Of course there was a void left in the cricketing calender of the BCCI with the tour of Pakistan being sacrificed to the Mumbai terror strikes on 26/11. Anyway, Pakistan after a year long gap gone without any sorts of decent international cricket, had planned well in advance much more earlier than the Indians did, when they decided to go ahead with playing Sri Lanka once the Indian tour got canceled.
Is it a coincidence that India have decided to tour Sri Lanka or is it just that India just wants to seek revenge against Pakistan in whatever way possible? A sweet and non voilent revenge on the Indian counterparts eh? Not bad. This forced the Sri Lankans to end their tour of Pakistan as early as possible. Sri Lanka and Pakistan played the scheduled three one day internationals in a span of just four days. While, in case of other tri nation tournaments, the tour lasts atleast a week if there are two days gap between each one day international match.
If at all the gap left out by the cancellation of India's tour to Pakistan has to be filled, India could have well gone in for some other team like there were the Bangladeshis who were jobless at the moment, very much fresh from their recent exploitation of the weak Sri Lankan team. This assuming that the Sri Lankan tour of Pakistan was booked far earlier compared to the Indians. If not Bangladesh, there were Zimbabwe & South Africa in addition to other non test playing nations. And how come the teams-India & Sri Lanka are found relaxing after every match while as said the Sri Lanka-Pakistan series was decided and concluded hastily?
And why should the void ever be filled, when last year when the ICC Champions Trophy that was to be held in Pakistan was cancelled all the teams over the world were just warming their bodies at home. Neither did the ICC nor did the other cricket nations ever decide about holding other tournaments like, they could have held another series of the IPL. The second in the year 2008. All of a sudden, why such hasty decisions? Now, the test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan has been scheduled on 22nd of this month. But, it would be worth to think about it only after it really happens. I'm sorry. Only when the series gets concluded.
Showing posts with label BCCI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BCCI. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Friday, December 12, 2008
Where Is Murali Karthik?
Well after the retirement of Anil Kumble, there was much speculation being made, as to who will be replacing the void left by Anil Kumble? Some names that were suggested were Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla. Well..the idea is not bad. And not good either I can say. For, someone like Amit Mishra who made his test debut five years after coming to the international scene, after the ICC world cup 2003, in the triangular series involving Bangladesh, India and South Africa, that ws held in Bangladesh. God knows as to where Amit Mishra was hiding in all these five years. And whenever the question of a leg spinner is posed, this man was not even available in the minds of the selectors. And today Amit Mishra is considered to be the future of Indian leg spin, taking over the shoes of legendary Anil Kumble.
So, does one five wicket haul make one's international career certain?And as far as Piyush Chawla is considered, till now his name has not been figured out. But, the selectors have not yet put a full stop for this man. Well as far as his talent and hard work goes, there is absolutely nothing to complain about. But, I don't think this is the right time to bring someone like Piyush Chawla into the big stage. Else, it would be wiser to bring in someone who has been waiting to prove a point in the international stage since years. And not without a splendid performance needless to say. One doesn't expect the BCCI selectors to compromise with hard work, talent and performance. But, why should one lose out for just being old?
Why shouldn't a rotational policy be followed by the BCCI, in the process giving a chance for each and every player to prove his worth? I even today remember Murali Karthik returning to team India for the 7th ODI against Australia from some commentary stuff and bagging 6/27 and further adding 27* runs to see India through. The bowling average is not different from Piyush Chawla, whose name pops up for every team selection. And how does one put a full stop, without giving him a chance for almost five years? And apart from a five wicket haul in the test against Australia at home, and that too on turning track, the services of Amit Mishra is limited I can say.
Isn't there any other leg spinner or a left arm orthodox spinner in a country with 1 billion people, who can make it to the playing eleven? only 3 out of a billion?So what percent?I'm really scared! Hmm..the way the selection of players goes on cannot be guessed what-so-ever. I think that this is the reason as to why team India is not possible to look out for replacements, in case of injury to a player or in case a player retires. In the inaugural edition of the IPL, we could see so many players, whom we had never heard of till then, put up splendid performances. Where have they all gone? It would be nice if the BCCI puts up a criteria for the players are needed to prove in order to make it to the national side. Else, it would only be the part played by luck for a player to be a part of the side.
It would have been nice, had it been possible to bring down ones age!
So, does one five wicket haul make one's international career certain?And as far as Piyush Chawla is considered, till now his name has not been figured out. But, the selectors have not yet put a full stop for this man. Well as far as his talent and hard work goes, there is absolutely nothing to complain about. But, I don't think this is the right time to bring someone like Piyush Chawla into the big stage. Else, it would be wiser to bring in someone who has been waiting to prove a point in the international stage since years. And not without a splendid performance needless to say. One doesn't expect the BCCI selectors to compromise with hard work, talent and performance. But, why should one lose out for just being old?
Why shouldn't a rotational policy be followed by the BCCI, in the process giving a chance for each and every player to prove his worth? I even today remember Murali Karthik returning to team India for the 7th ODI against Australia from some commentary stuff and bagging 6/27 and further adding 27* runs to see India through. The bowling average is not different from Piyush Chawla, whose name pops up for every team selection. And how does one put a full stop, without giving him a chance for almost five years? And apart from a five wicket haul in the test against Australia at home, and that too on turning track, the services of Amit Mishra is limited I can say.
Isn't there any other leg spinner or a left arm orthodox spinner in a country with 1 billion people, who can make it to the playing eleven? only 3 out of a billion?So what percent?I'm really scared! Hmm..the way the selection of players goes on cannot be guessed what-so-ever. I think that this is the reason as to why team India is not possible to look out for replacements, in case of injury to a player or in case a player retires. In the inaugural edition of the IPL, we could see so many players, whom we had never heard of till then, put up splendid performances. Where have they all gone? It would be nice if the BCCI puts up a criteria for the players are needed to prove in order to make it to the national side. Else, it would only be the part played by luck for a player to be a part of the side.
It would have been nice, had it been possible to bring down ones age!
Friday, December 5, 2008
India-England...?What Next?
At last, the test series between India and England is on the verge of commenc- ing, despite the threat of a terror attack, as well as security concerns that are obviously bound to concern the English players in particular.The decision to call off the last two one day matches owing to security reasons was justified.So was the decision to call off the test series as well.But, to some of our excitement, the tests will go on in time and the last two one day matches will be lost. I wonder as to how come the tests matches will be considered to go on smoothly, and what would have been the factor governing the security of the English cricketers had they played the last two one day games as well?
I wish the last two one day games also be held on, but at a later date and at a different venue, rather than to cancel them altogether.Perhaps! Had the last two one day games also had taken off, one could have seen a team going in for a 7-0 whitewash. But, unfortunately, that didn't happen and is no more the case that is bound to happen. And, even today I cannot find the funda in holding a two match test series involving India and England, after a seven match one day series. Of course..two match test series have been played earlier as well.But, not after a seven match one day series.The combination till then had been like "two ODIs followed by one test", "three test and five one day matches", "seven ODIs and five/three tests".But, this combination really makes me think as to what the funda could be?
Leaving this peculiar case behind, and coming back to the tour, if one goes by the recent reports concerning security, there were threats received by the intelligence agencies, owing to which security has been beefed up at all major national airports.And, the fun is that the English team is not at all worried about this hiccups.Does it mean that tha ECB and the BCCI had taken the issue too far?Of course not.I know that.Why was the practise game involving Indian Board President's XI and India XI-that was supposed to have begun on 3rd December canceled? Had this match went on, some idea regarding the pitch conditions inIndia could have been gained by the English players.
Had the BCCI and the ECB made up their minds, the entire tour could have went on smoothly, including the last two one day internationals as well as the practise game, probably at a different venue rather than having it at Vadodara.With team England's next international tour likely in only late January, and India's next international schedule only in January 6th, and not to forget that the tour still hangs in balance, the current tour of England, could have well went on as per plans.May be the date extended.All these with no changes being made to the future tours involving both India and England.
And at last I would really thank god for being mercifull on the English players who had a narrow escape from the Mumbai seige, for they were scheduled to stay in the same Taj hotel where the tragedy took place.Great Britian indeed!
I wish the last two one day games also be held on, but at a later date and at a different venue, rather than to cancel them altogether.Perhaps! Had the last two one day games also had taken off, one could have seen a team going in for a 7-0 whitewash. But, unfortunately, that didn't happen and is no more the case that is bound to happen. And, even today I cannot find the funda in holding a two match test series involving India and England, after a seven match one day series. Of course..two match test series have been played earlier as well.But, not after a seven match one day series.The combination till then had been like "two ODIs followed by one test", "three test and five one day matches", "seven ODIs and five/three tests".But, this combination really makes me think as to what the funda could be?
Leaving this peculiar case behind, and coming back to the tour, if one goes by the recent reports concerning security, there were threats received by the intelligence agencies, owing to which security has been beefed up at all major national airports.And, the fun is that the English team is not at all worried about this hiccups.Does it mean that tha ECB and the BCCI had taken the issue too far?Of course not.I know that.Why was the practise game involving Indian Board President's XI and India XI-that was supposed to have begun on 3rd December canceled? Had this match went on, some idea regarding the pitch conditions inIndia could have been gained by the English players.
Had the BCCI and the ECB made up their minds, the entire tour could have went on smoothly, including the last two one day internationals as well as the practise game, probably at a different venue rather than having it at Vadodara.With team England's next international tour likely in only late January, and India's next international schedule only in January 6th, and not to forget that the tour still hangs in balance, the current tour of England, could have well went on as per plans.May be the date extended.All these with no changes being made to the future tours involving both India and England.
And at last I would really thank god for being mercifull on the English players who had a narrow escape from the Mumbai seige, for they were scheduled to stay in the same Taj hotel where the tragedy took place.Great Britian indeed!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Stupidity At its Peak
Well after much condemnation for the recent ghastly terror attacks in Mumbai's Taj Palace last week, I thought that the test series that were supposed to follow the one day international matches (that were canceled) would also be canceled in the same manner.But, no.Anyway that is another issue altogether.Finally, the BCCI after holding talks with the ECB officials, decided to continue with the test series, but, for a change at a different venue.And as one never guessed, the vanues are selected that are even more worse as far as the situation of holding a test match goes.Is there any end to the foolishness of the BCCI?
I wonder as to what does one really get out of such hopeless tours.It looks like the test series is played just for the sake of it and for no other reason.Well the security concern for the players could be understood.Both Ahmedabad and Mumbai offlate have a poor track record as far as security concern goes.Now, the new venues for the two tests starting on December 11th to 15th at Mohali instead of Ahmedabad and Chennai instead of Mumbai.How come one assumes that the new venues could go cool with hosting the test match?Are the players, especially those from England mentally ready to play test cricket?
I don't know about Mohali.But, as far as Chennai is concerned, there is little chance of the game taking off and continuing smoothly.Not because of any security threat or any intelligence reportsof a bomb blast.But, due to the recent rains that had almost washed Chennai, as a result of a cyclone.And this was the situation a week back.Now,can anyone assure a test match at such a venue?For that matter the situation is no better in any of the stadium in South India like Bangalore.And playing somewhere in Northern part of India is totally out of question.I wish atleast the Mohali test takes off smoothly.
And one more thing that is to be taken into consideration is that the warm up match that was to be held in vadodara tomorrow has been scraped.Well the reasons are quite obvious and can be understood.But, proceeding further without a practice game before going to the test series be a bad decision?After going through all these, I feel that the decisions regarding hosting the India-England test series is being done in a hurry.The series has very litttle or absolutely no gains at all.A decision to withdraw the test series would have been a better choice.or a delayed or split tour would have helped matters.Now, with such a hasty decision by the BCCI, the test series can only be thought of to be a formality and nothing else.
I wonder as to what does one really get out of such hopeless tours.It looks like the test series is played just for the sake of it and for no other reason.Well the security concern for the players could be understood.Both Ahmedabad and Mumbai offlate have a poor track record as far as security concern goes.Now, the new venues for the two tests starting on December 11th to 15th at Mohali instead of Ahmedabad and Chennai instead of Mumbai.How come one assumes that the new venues could go cool with hosting the test match?Are the players, especially those from England mentally ready to play test cricket?
I don't know about Mohali.But, as far as Chennai is concerned, there is little chance of the game taking off and continuing smoothly.Not because of any security threat or any intelligence reportsof a bomb blast.But, due to the recent rains that had almost washed Chennai, as a result of a cyclone.And this was the situation a week back.Now,can anyone assure a test match at such a venue?For that matter the situation is no better in any of the stadium in South India like Bangalore.And playing somewhere in Northern part of India is totally out of question.I wish atleast the Mohali test takes off smoothly.
And one more thing that is to be taken into consideration is that the warm up match that was to be held in vadodara tomorrow has been scraped.Well the reasons are quite obvious and can be understood.But, proceeding further without a practice game before going to the test series be a bad decision?After going through all these, I feel that the decisions regarding hosting the India-England test series is being done in a hurry.The series has very litttle or absolutely no gains at all.A decision to withdraw the test series would have been a better choice.or a delayed or split tour would have helped matters.Now, with such a hasty decision by the BCCI, the test series can only be thought of to be a formality and nothing else.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
An Inhuman Shameless BCCI
Well the last two days or so,I could hardly do anything worth, be it sleeping in peace,having my food or be it my hobby in blogging, though I managed to put up some posts on my site.Courtesy- the dreadful terror attacks in Mumbai that not only rocked the world but also made me think as to how could someone be so inhuman?I could just not take my eyes off the TV sets, which made me think each and every moment about the progress regarding the attempts by the security personnel trying to save the hostages from there.How inhuman?
At the same time,there was BCCI whose eyes were all focused on whether or how to continue the series involving India and England, when the entire human race was praying for the innocents and the rescue squad out there in Mumbai.Finally,I congratulate the BCCI for ending being successful in going on with the test series by negotiating with the remaining two one day matches.I wonder as to how come the BCCI failed to continue with the one day series as well?In addition to the current international tours, there was also the second edition of the Indian Cricket League going on in progress.But,I could never find any such decisions regarding the same.
I now ask you readers as to how many of you, after watching the dreadful terror attacks ever think about going and watching some entertainment programmes, be it a cricket match or a movie?Are we so much ill hearten that we tend to leave all these behind us and think about ourselves?Despite all the news channels showing the aftermath of the attacks, there was a holiday declared owing to the death of former prime minister V P Singh.I wish there had been a boycott of the current cricket tour as a mourning for those innocent victims in Mumbai and the cammandos who laid their lives to secure the lives of the hostages and for nabbing/killing the terrorists.Atleast can we do this much?
At the same time,there was BCCI whose eyes were all focused on whether or how to continue the series involving India and England, when the entire human race was praying for the innocents and the rescue squad out there in Mumbai.Finally,I congratulate the BCCI for ending being successful in going on with the test series by negotiating with the remaining two one day matches.I wonder as to how come the BCCI failed to continue with the one day series as well?In addition to the current international tours, there was also the second edition of the Indian Cricket League going on in progress.But,I could never find any such decisions regarding the same.
I now ask you readers as to how many of you, after watching the dreadful terror attacks ever think about going and watching some entertainment programmes, be it a cricket match or a movie?Are we so much ill hearten that we tend to leave all these behind us and think about ourselves?Despite all the news channels showing the aftermath of the attacks, there was a holiday declared owing to the death of former prime minister V P Singh.I wish there had been a boycott of the current cricket tour as a mourning for those innocent victims in Mumbai and the cammandos who laid their lives to secure the lives of the hostages and for nabbing/killing the terrorists.Atleast can we do this much?
Friday, November 28, 2008
A Baseless Funda Altogether
Well it was nice to know that the rest of the one day international matches between India and England have been canceled,thanks to the deadly blasts that rocked Mumbai a couple of days ago,targeting especially UK citizens.But,another funny aspect that really made me think about was that the test series is still on.It is just unbelievable.When the remaining two one day international matches can be canceled,how come the test series can take off smoothly if the BCCI officials are to be believed?For,the test matches only follow the remaining two one day internationals.This post is least bothered about the cotinuation of the series,but, it is the drama that pisses me to this extent.
If the blasts are to be taken into account for deciding whether the series has to continue or not,the blasts are targeted at the five star hotels where the team officials are staying rather than on the cricket stadium.Canceling the remaining two one day matches would mean that the England cricket team will be having a day off at the hotel rooms where the real threat lies.Or, the other idea would be for the England to go back home and then arrive once again for the test matches that follow.And if at all the tour has to be scrutinized taking security into consideration,I wish the entire tour be canceled or postpone the remaining two matches as well along with the test games that follow.
And in the recent past or so, in India, tickets are purchased only after the train departs.One waits for a terror strike to happen and then do some stupid things like calling an emergency situations or canceling some major events that are supposed to take place.This circle repeats every now and then.This has been the case in India in recent times.First it was low intensity blasts,followed by a high intensity one.In the beginning it would be after a gap of nearly a month and now it hapens on consecutive days or at the worst after every fortnight.From blasts in markets that could be termed as a cowadly act,the situation has now become an open one where the terrorist is caught on cameras firing.Things are never bound to improve.And I don't think there are any fools who are in the view of "Oh! no not again".
And coming back to the India-England one day and test matches, I wonder whether one fears a terror attack on the cricket field?Is the security in India really gone to such a bad depth?With the recent times taken,it wouldn't be wrong to assume even such a situation.Once the assigned job has been completed successfully by the terrorists,I wonder whether they will come back and do the same,especially when the security people are on their toes?Canceling the tour means just foolishness and nothing else.The damage is already done.Tight security would have meant averting the tragedy and not taking drastic steps in future.And the option that I would suggest is "wait for another major tragedy to happen,so that the security that was until then relaxed could be then beefed up once again".Well..if the BCCI is going through this post,I wish they go and get the correct meaning of security before using the same repeatedly without knowing the meaning.
If the blasts are to be taken into account for deciding whether the series has to continue or not,the blasts are targeted at the five star hotels where the team officials are staying rather than on the cricket stadium.Canceling the remaining two one day matches would mean that the England cricket team will be having a day off at the hotel rooms where the real threat lies.Or, the other idea would be for the England to go back home and then arrive once again for the test matches that follow.And if at all the tour has to be scrutinized taking security into consideration,I wish the entire tour be canceled or postpone the remaining two matches as well along with the test games that follow.
And in the recent past or so, in India, tickets are purchased only after the train departs.One waits for a terror strike to happen and then do some stupid things like calling an emergency situations or canceling some major events that are supposed to take place.This circle repeats every now and then.This has been the case in India in recent times.First it was low intensity blasts,followed by a high intensity one.In the beginning it would be after a gap of nearly a month and now it hapens on consecutive days or at the worst after every fortnight.From blasts in markets that could be termed as a cowadly act,the situation has now become an open one where the terrorist is caught on cameras firing.Things are never bound to improve.And I don't think there are any fools who are in the view of "Oh! no not again".
And coming back to the India-England one day and test matches, I wonder whether one fears a terror attack on the cricket field?Is the security in India really gone to such a bad depth?With the recent times taken,it wouldn't be wrong to assume even such a situation.Once the assigned job has been completed successfully by the terrorists,I wonder whether they will come back and do the same,especially when the security people are on their toes?Canceling the tour means just foolishness and nothing else.The damage is already done.Tight security would have meant averting the tragedy and not taking drastic steps in future.And the option that I would suggest is "wait for another major tragedy to happen,so that the security that was until then relaxed could be then beefed up once again".Well..if the BCCI is going through this post,I wish they go and get the correct meaning of security before using the same repeatedly without knowing the meaning.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Where Have The other Teams Gone?
Hmm..at times,its too much cricket and during other periods,it absolutely no cricket at all.Reason?Well..right now,there are only two test series' in progress,namely,the Australian tour of India and the other being the New Zealand's tour of Bangladesh. The latter tour is almost over,with the second test's play in doubt after the first three days of play were taken care of by rain.Even the Border Gavaskar trophy is nearing its climax, with the third test match in progress and the fourth to be concluded somewhere next week or so.And upon searching through some cricket websites,no clue upon the current or the forth coming cricket series are available.
So,the scenario right here is that only two teams out of nine are holding their cricket kits and the rest of them have hung them up for a certain period of time.October is over,and in November,we have Sri Lankan tour of Zimbabwe,which is packed with only 5 ODIs and England's tour of India in late November and to be concluded in early December.The other series off late is New Zealand's tour to Australia-where they will face each other in two tests and five ODIs.The next time when one can see a match involving South Africa,Sri lanka and the West Indies is somewhere in January nest year.And regarding Pakistan,its a gone case.
The busiest team at the moment would be Australia,who will be hosting New Zealand next month,followed South Africa,and the hosting the same in February next year. And Sri Lanka would be playing a full fledged cricket tournment would be in April next year,when they tour England.Even that tour stands in a balance,with the SLC permitting its players to feature in the IPL second edition,by signing a contract worth $40 million with the BCCI,with money gaining precedence over country contracts. Pakistan's next international series would be involving India in February 2009,with more than a year gone without playing a test match.I wish atleast this series takes off without any problems whatsoever.Sri Lanka would be playing a test series after a long gap of 8 months,South Africa after 4 months and the great West Indies will be paying New Zealand in December,5 months after concluding a test tour against Australia.
With keeping in mind the ICC tables and the ongoing cancellations of cricket tours,be it either for security concerns or the greed for money owing to which some cricket boards prefer to cancel their internatioal tours,the future tours are always in a toss.
So,the scenario right here is that only two teams out of nine are holding their cricket kits and the rest of them have hung them up for a certain period of time.October is over,and in November,we have Sri Lankan tour of Zimbabwe,which is packed with only 5 ODIs and England's tour of India in late November and to be concluded in early December.The other series off late is New Zealand's tour to Australia-where they will face each other in two tests and five ODIs.The next time when one can see a match involving South Africa,Sri lanka and the West Indies is somewhere in January nest year.And regarding Pakistan,its a gone case.
The busiest team at the moment would be Australia,who will be hosting New Zealand next month,followed South Africa,and the hosting the same in February next year. And Sri Lanka would be playing a full fledged cricket tournment would be in April next year,when they tour England.Even that tour stands in a balance,with the SLC permitting its players to feature in the IPL second edition,by signing a contract worth $40 million with the BCCI,with money gaining precedence over country contracts. Pakistan's next international series would be involving India in February 2009,with more than a year gone without playing a test match.I wish atleast this series takes off without any problems whatsoever.Sri Lanka would be playing a test series after a long gap of 8 months,South Africa after 4 months and the great West Indies will be paying New Zealand in December,5 months after concluding a test tour against Australia.
With keeping in mind the ICC tables and the ongoing cancellations of cricket tours,be it either for security concerns or the greed for money owing to which some cricket boards prefer to cancel their internatioal tours,the future tours are always in a toss.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Just Rakhi Sawanth Will Not Help Make ICL Colorful
Well after almost two months without any good cricketing action,the action packed days are back with a bang.All to be deceived.Some boring umpiring in the first test between India and Australia.And the ICL is more of a flop rather than an awesome cricketing action.All eyes were on the second season of the indian Cricket League. But,it looks like the sponsorers do not need any benefit from these matches.Its just a charity game I suppose.I never thought that these matches would be so colorless.In this regard,the Indian Premier League scores very much above this league.The introduction of sky cameras and the niners would have added to the excitement.But, so far that is not to be.So when can it be expected?
Well..whether that will take place in the near future or not,that is not the issue that is haunting now.But, the ICL committee should take the commentary team seriously.It looks like the commentary team is not being payed properly by the Zee sports. Otherwise,I've never seen such a bad commentary whatsoever.And that too Hindi commentary for a commercial series?How mean!Though the ICL was introduced before the IPL,I feel it has to learn a lot from the IPL.A look at the IPL format,action involved and the commentary by the Star Cricket team would give the ICL franchisees a better idea regarding how to run a business involving cricket.
The commentary at times makes us laugh when the commentary like "batsman ne balle ko apne haath mein pakad kar ball ka intezar kar raha hain" and then "Ab is waqt,bowler gend ko apne haath mein rakh kar btsman ki taraf daud raha hain" .No doubt,the crowd that attends the match is pretty denent in number.But,if this is the trend that the ICL committee members continue doing,the present day crowd would not be the same.Else,one would see it diminishing day by day.The tournament started with a bang with Rakhi Sawanth and Kareena Kapoor (in the previous edition) shaking their leg at the inauguration.But,how long will this continue.Of course the cheer leaders are a delight to watch.More than the game of cricket,these things grab in more attraction.
Just introducing a hike in pay to Rs 14 Cr will not grab in good players or crowd. Needless to say,the committee members of the Indian Cricket League do not enjoy a freedomwhen it comes to the ground,players-who are not allowed to play for their national team once they join ICL,which is not the case with the IPL,the members need to put in a lot of hard work to see to that the tournament results in a decent crowd puller.Shifting of the telecast from Zee sports to something like say Ten Soprts or ESPN/Star Sports would help solve matters.Thank you.
Well..whether that will take place in the near future or not,that is not the issue that is haunting now.But, the ICL committee should take the commentary team seriously.It looks like the commentary team is not being payed properly by the Zee sports. Otherwise,I've never seen such a bad commentary whatsoever.And that too Hindi commentary for a commercial series?How mean!Though the ICL was introduced before the IPL,I feel it has to learn a lot from the IPL.A look at the IPL format,action involved and the commentary by the Star Cricket team would give the ICL franchisees a better idea regarding how to run a business involving cricket.
The commentary at times makes us laugh when the commentary like "batsman ne balle ko apne haath mein pakad kar ball ka intezar kar raha hain" and then "Ab is waqt,bowler gend ko apne haath mein rakh kar btsman ki taraf daud raha hain" .No doubt,the crowd that attends the match is pretty denent in number.But,if this is the trend that the ICL committee members continue doing,the present day crowd would not be the same.Else,one would see it diminishing day by day.The tournament started with a bang with Rakhi Sawanth and Kareena Kapoor (in the previous edition) shaking their leg at the inauguration.But,how long will this continue.Of course the cheer leaders are a delight to watch.More than the game of cricket,these things grab in more attraction.
Just introducing a hike in pay to Rs 14 Cr will not grab in good players or crowd. Needless to say,the committee members of the Indian Cricket League do not enjoy a freedomwhen it comes to the ground,players-who are not allowed to play for their national team once they join ICL,which is not the case with the IPL,the members need to put in a lot of hard work to see to that the tournament results in a decent crowd puller.Shifting of the telecast from Zee sports to something like say Ten Soprts or ESPN/Star Sports would help solve matters.Thank you.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Trains Are Always Late In India....
Well with all of us cricket fans and bloggers in particular having a bad day infact a bad minth to be precise,finally there is some cheer for all of us cricket bloggers as the first test between India and Australia of the Border-Gavaskar trophy has already started and day 1 has left us with a lot of issues to move our hands on the keyboard.The recent test match in the Irany trophy was all but boring.However,its not justice for there was a month and a half without any test,one day or a T20 game.So bad?A little bit of concern and thinking would have brought smiles on the faces of cricket fans that even the ICC Champions Trophy wouldn't have.
Another episode of the IPL would not have been a bad idea with all of the world's players on a halt.Had this been the case,the series would have been even more thrilling compared to the first edition,wherein,players like Symonds,Hayden, McCullum etc were forced to opt out owing to their national commitments.This time had it been,there would have not been any such problems as most of them were just putting on some weight. But,thanks to Lalith Modi and BCCI for lack of thinking.
This reminds me of the trains in India,which are late on most occasions.But,this train was so late that the journey had to be absolutely cancelled.Though the ICC Champions Trophy was cancelled on 24th August 2008,there was all possibilities to conduct another mega event.But...?Alas!Almost a month and a half was just wasted for nothing which would have been made a lot spectacular.Is the BCCI listning?
Another episode of the IPL would not have been a bad idea with all of the world's players on a halt.Had this been the case,the series would have been even more thrilling compared to the first edition,wherein,players like Symonds,Hayden, McCullum etc were forced to opt out owing to their national commitments.This time had it been,there would have not been any such problems as most of them were just putting on some weight. But,thanks to Lalith Modi and BCCI for lack of thinking.
This reminds me of the trains in India,which are late on most occasions.But,this train was so late that the journey had to be absolutely cancelled.Though the ICC Champions Trophy was cancelled on 24th August 2008,there was all possibilities to conduct another mega event.But...?Alas!Almost a month and a half was just wasted for nothing which would have been made a lot spectacular.Is the BCCI listning?
Friday, September 26, 2008
When Is The Next Match?
The last international cricket match that I've witnessed is the fifth one day international between South Africa and England and after that its all been politics in cricket boards regarding which cricketing nation is really safe to play and bla bla bla.Alas!The ICC Champions Trophy had to be eventually postponed to October 2009.And until then...?
The tour that a cricket fan like me is looking forward is the home tour involving Australia.But,with most of the top players in the Australian side (viz Adam Gilchrist,Shane Warne,Glenn McGrath,Brad Hogg) calling it a day,some of them missing the tour owing to injuries (not sure about the names) and finally someone like Andrew Symonds who has made a fool of himself by opting to fish rather than attend the meeting with the board officials and end up losing his spot,it looks like this tour will be a disappointing one even though the chances of India regaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy is looking like a certainity.
As an Indian fan,Ah!Awesome.But,as a cricket fan..?Thumbs down.After the Ashes 2005,this would be the one to watch out for Aussie haters.And ifffff..India lose their plot even then,I wish they go home and have a clean shave on their heads.On the other part of cricketing world,there is the series between Bangladesh and New Zealand.Well McCullum..its your day...ha ha ha..Another 28 ball 80* hah?
All sports channels and Star Cricket in particular telecast either past cricket matches,which would be a treat for action lovers and a curse for colour expectations.A boring colourless ROI vs Delhi (currently) and some County championship.For the next international action,I'll have to wait until 9th of October to watch the first test between India and Australia or the first ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand.Thanks to the insecure situation in Pakistan that forced the ICC to postpone the mega event a year ahead.Thanks to the imbalance in Australian team that has landed in India to return the B-G trophy.And finally a one sided series between Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Atleast lets hope for some thrill in the next edition of the Indian Cricket Legue,for which,the BCCI has to make up its mind and compromise.Else,it would be colourless cricket here and there.
The tour that a cricket fan like me is looking forward is the home tour involving Australia.But,with most of the top players in the Australian side (viz Adam Gilchrist,Shane Warne,Glenn McGrath,Brad Hogg) calling it a day,some of them missing the tour owing to injuries (not sure about the names) and finally someone like Andrew Symonds who has made a fool of himself by opting to fish rather than attend the meeting with the board officials and end up losing his spot,it looks like this tour will be a disappointing one even though the chances of India regaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy is looking like a certainity.
As an Indian fan,Ah!Awesome.But,as a cricket fan..?Thumbs down.After the Ashes 2005,this would be the one to watch out for Aussie haters.And ifffff..India lose their plot even then,I wish they go home and have a clean shave on their heads.On the other part of cricketing world,there is the series between Bangladesh and New Zealand.Well McCullum..its your day...ha ha ha..Another 28 ball 80* hah?
All sports channels and Star Cricket in particular telecast either past cricket matches,which would be a treat for action lovers and a curse for colour expectations.A boring colourless ROI vs Delhi (currently) and some County championship.For the next international action,I'll have to wait until 9th of October to watch the first test between India and Australia or the first ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand.Thanks to the insecure situation in Pakistan that forced the ICC to postpone the mega event a year ahead.Thanks to the imbalance in Australian team that has landed in India to return the B-G trophy.And finally a one sided series between Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Atleast lets hope for some thrill in the next edition of the Indian Cricket Legue,for which,the BCCI has to make up its mind and compromise.Else,it would be colourless cricket here and there.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Selfish BCCI
Well with the second round of the Indian Cricket League began,I was surprised by the fact that even the second round was being hosted by the same ground at Panchkula.It was then that I came to know the reason that the culprit in this case was none other than the BCCI-who was not happy with the new turn that was taking place in the history of Indian cricket.It was shocking to hear that the BCCI has given the players to choose weather playing for India or the Rebel League.With neither the money nor the selection panel being a problem for the BCCI,it was just not acceptable by the BCCI to do this act.
As all of us know,there can be at the most some 15-30 players who are contracted by the BCCI.But,with a country with approximately about 1000+ players all over,is there any place for these players to display their talent?Players like Tamil Kumaran, Tejinder Pal Singh,Manish Sharma,Rakesh Patel and much more players who are playing for the ICL are hardly known by us.Do we?
And also,players like Dinesh Mongia,Ritinder Singh Sodi,Sridaran Sriram etc were axed after a couple of appearences.How -if the BCCI is questioned, should these players earn their day's bread with these rules put by BCCI?With such raw talent within them,why should they be denied a chance to showcast their talents?
As a matter of fact,the Ranji,Duleep,Irani trophies hosted by the BCCI are just boring.Does anyone make up their mind to switch on to a channel that is telecasting these matches?And,adding to this is the low money being paid to players for these tours.Isn't it rubbish by the BCCI in denying them a chance to play for the country, just because they've signed up by their Rebel League?
Well with this kind of decision taken by the BCCI,I feel that the BCCI is worried about losing money that they receive as bribes from players for allowing them to play for the nation.If not,Why aren't guys like Laxmipathy Balaji,Murali Karthik,Avishkar Salvi and others not making news despite proving themselves when given a chance,when the likes of Parthiv Patel,Dinesh Karthik,Yousuf Patel flash into the minds of selectors every now and then?
yes!It is high time that the cricket fans of the nation criticize such a shameful,cheap & selfish attitude of the richest cricket board of the world- BCCI.
As all of us know,there can be at the most some 15-30 players who are contracted by the BCCI.But,with a country with approximately about 1000+ players all over,is there any place for these players to display their talent?Players like Tamil Kumaran, Tejinder Pal Singh,Manish Sharma,Rakesh Patel and much more players who are playing for the ICL are hardly known by us.Do we?
And also,players like Dinesh Mongia,Ritinder Singh Sodi,Sridaran Sriram etc were axed after a couple of appearences.How -if the BCCI is questioned, should these players earn their day's bread with these rules put by BCCI?With such raw talent within them,why should they be denied a chance to showcast their talents?
As a matter of fact,the Ranji,Duleep,Irani trophies hosted by the BCCI are just boring.Does anyone make up their mind to switch on to a channel that is telecasting these matches?And,adding to this is the low money being paid to players for these tours.Isn't it rubbish by the BCCI in denying them a chance to play for the country, just because they've signed up by their Rebel League?
Well with this kind of decision taken by the BCCI,I feel that the BCCI is worried about losing money that they receive as bribes from players for allowing them to play for the nation.If not,Why aren't guys like Laxmipathy Balaji,Murali Karthik,Avishkar Salvi and others not making news despite proving themselves when given a chance,when the likes of Parthiv Patel,Dinesh Karthik,Yousuf Patel flash into the minds of selectors every now and then?
yes!It is high time that the cricket fans of the nation criticize such a shameful,cheap & selfish attitude of the richest cricket board of the world- BCCI.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
BCCI-Bad Cricket Control in India?
Hmm..the multi million dollar-Indian Premier League auctions' part1 got over a month ago.And then recently,the second round of the IPL auctions result also got over.The result as well as details are known to almost each everyone over here I guess.All you readers would have wondered as to why the blog had no posts regarding the same.And here is the answer to that!
With each and every player-irrespective of his caliber being awarded millions of dollars,I think the BCCI is taking advantage of the craze for cricket in the nation.I wonder as to what will the franchisees get in return for hiring players like Dinesh karthik,Mohd Kaif,Rahul Dravid(whose T20 stats is not that pleasing) so on and so forth?And with the BCCI being known as the richest cricket board in the world,why did it go in for other franchisees rather than itself sponsoring all the teams?For what does the money earned by the BCCI being used for?
Is the BCCI listning?
With each and every player-irrespective of his caliber being awarded millions of dollars,I think the BCCI is taking advantage of the craze for cricket in the nation.I wonder as to what will the franchisees get in return for hiring players like Dinesh karthik,Mohd Kaif,Rahul Dravid(whose T20 stats is not that pleasing) so on and so forth?And with the BCCI being known as the richest cricket board in the world,why did it go in for other franchisees rather than itself sponsoring all the teams?For what does the money earned by the BCCI being used for?
Is the BCCI listning?
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Is this Really Needed????
Hmmm...after the disappointing world cup campaign at the Caribean its been never look back for the Indian Cricket Team ever since.In all three forms of the game Indians are seeing making history wherever they are found going.The first one being the World T20 Championship at South Africa,followed by test and one day wins against Pakistan. The latest being the Commonwealth Bank Series.
The team has undergone two felicitations-one for the World T20 Championship and the other one for the Commonwealth bank Series.My question is that:Is all these really needed?What was special with India winning the Commonwealth Bank series?Of course!They deserved it for their T20 win-because,the win came against arch rivals Pakistan and that was against all teams of the world.Winning a world cup is all the more special wherein you are supposed to in against most of the opposition.
But,in an ordinary series like that of Commonwealth Bank Series,is nothing special in my opinion.And a felicitation for the purpose is something foolish and just a waste of time and money.All cricketers were being rewarded Rs58 lakh for their achievement.
If this the case to be,I have a lot more situations better than the Commonwealth bank series win which was hardly rewarded.For the purpose,
1)India won the test and one day series against Pakistan in Pakistan in 2004 after India toured Pakistan after 12 yrs.
2)India won the Adelaide test after a long gap of 22 years.
3)India reached the finals of the ICC World Cup 2003 after a gap of 20yrs
4)India won a test series at home against Pakistan after 20yrs
5)A test series win on the English soil after 21 yrs and much more..
When all these achievements went hardly noticed,the Commonwealth bank Series was nothing special.Even the Perth test win was not the talk of the day.This is just discrimination based on junior and senior players I believe.
There were players like Virender Sehwag,Dinesh karthik,Suresh Raina,Piyush Chawla and much more who did nothing worthy.their contribution to the win is absolutely nothing.Players like Yuvraj Singh,Robin Uttappa came back in the leter part of the series.Some noteworthy contributions that I can find is the skipper M.S.Dhoni,Ishanth Sharma,Praveen kumar and Harbhajan Singh who contributed in most part of the series.
It is just disgusting as to what the BCCI is thinking about.The board was found making wrong desisions when it comes to selection,adding to this,some unnecessary rewards for the players who have done something similar that have been done by their seniors(that have gone unnoticed) in the past.
Is this a kind of motivation that is needed,which might see Indian players play good cricket only if they are showered with cash rewards?I totally disagree "BCCI"
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bowled Over By The Selectors????
After the historic win at Perth against Australia,it was all cheers to the Indian team as well as the fans here.But that moment didn't last too long.For the selectors threw an axe with a dissappointing act by dropping fellow inform batsmen Sourav Ganguly and 'The Wall'-Rahul Dravid with an intention to give chance to some rarely known faces like Suresh Raina,Yousuf Pathan,Gautham Gambhir,Piyush Chawla so on..
The selectors can be called as dictators rather who do things according to their own wishes and care for nothing be in a disaster-who cares?The reason behind the selection being to give youngsters a chance.But is even Sachin Tendulkar a youngster?I never knew this..Did you?
It looks like the selectors do get some commission if India fares badly we beleive.Probably that was the reason why VVS Laxman was replaced by Dinesh Mongia in 2003 WC.Thats the reason why Parthiv Patel (who had not even featured in state games and India A team untill then) was made to keep wickets untill Dhoni proved his calibre.And the sideling of Anil Kumble(India's highest wicket taker in ODI's) and VVS Laxman in one dayers for so long says it all.
If its not form and fitness then what is it that takes to be a part of the squad?Does anyone know?
With their(selectors') places so confirmed there's no one who dares to ask them in a republic country.Does the selectors consider the players as human beings or puppets-to sack them whenever they wish to do so without any reason?After the slection and ommission,a team as predicted would look like this:
Piyush Chawla
Pankaj Singh
Dinesh Karthik(wk)
Praveen Kumar
Suresh Raina
Robin Uttappa
M S Dhoni(c)
Virender Sehwag
Sachin Tendulker
Harbhajan Singh
Sreeshanth
Well!If things go well,the credit should go to the selectors...Else the axe starts hanging on the senior players especially captain M S Dhoni.God please save the Indian Cricket Team.
Related Links:
Friday, January 18, 2008
A Positive Move By The BCCI
In the recent times,team India has witnessed a series of disappointments regarding the fitness of its players.The recent one being the return of Zaheer Khan back home owing to a heel injury even before the tour had begun.This was not the first of its kind.A series of injuries to players like R P Singh,Sreeshanth,Sachin Tendulkar and M S Dhoni forced Indian captain bring in lesser known talents like Ishanth Sharma,Dinesh Karthik and Yuvraj Singh.Though the performance of those is in no doubt,it points out the lack of sense in selecting players.It looked like the selection committee does selection only based on performance ,forgetting the other aspect ie the form and consistency of the same.
Things will no longer be the same for team India.The National Cricket Acadamy-Bangalore has come up with a new idea of selecting players who are totally fit for the contest.The players will undergo drills and have their fitness levels monitored before declaring them totally fit for the tour-unlike in the past where the players would submit fitness certificates from their doctors to only come back from the mid of the tour leaving the team in dilemma.
The idea is somewhat a good move by the BCCI lest it avoids players from being spectators in uniform.Well done BCCI!
LINKS:Zaheer Khan Ruled Out Of Remainder Of Australia Tour
NCA to monitor contracted players' Finess
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