Do you have it in you?
To stand by your feelings
To stand tall among opinions
To call spade a spade
To call the shorts when required
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To make the impossible possible
To make history
To question the traditions, customs
To question the ‘wise’ men
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To find your destination
To find your dream
To walk the walk
To walk to glory
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To be self, to be you
Monday, April 5, 2010
Happiness
I search for her I want her,
I wish for her presence
I crave for her, I pray for her
I dream about her hereness
She brings repose, she brings calmness
She is serene, she is priceless
She brings radiance, she brings freshness
She is simple, she is peerless
There I see her, she is suffocating
They all are fighting for her
They squeeze her, she is aching
They want her, they forget her
She escapes them, she comes to me
My wish is here, I celebrate
I want to keep her, I want to own her
I forget her, she is mine forever
I stagnate; I realize I am suffocating,
I pause, I see her struggling
She is aching, she is hurting
She wants to speak, she is whispering
I hear her, she wants freedom
She wants to move places
I ask, will you come back to my kingdom
She smiles and moves
She is enjoying, she is growing
She is Happiness, I see her living
I am happy, I see her around me
She is with me forever, forever
NIT W
Walked through the gates first time ever with pride,
Feeling satisfied and accomplished with every stride
People and culture were different and new
The things I knew were very few
Initially attending classes, meant learning
Being with seniors meant time wasting
But, space with them taught more than any school could have
As time moved on lifelong friends were made
Soon from fresher’s to seniors we made the grade
Attending classes, labs and submitting assignments were of least priority
Late night movies, booze and sreenu point became a regularity
Hanging out with friends, playing and long hours in front of PC gave us the satisfaction
Last minute studies, sharing of papers got us through examination
Fests, Festivals, Fresher’s and Farewells – 4 F’s of our college
Life was better, Life was fun : we didn't have to manage
Fours years flew by and curtains to college life neared
We were bidding adieu to place, to people whom we cared
Walking through the gates this time around, We had grown up from boys to men
NIT W, you the best !! Thanking you for all that you have given
Feeling satisfied and accomplished with every stride
People and culture were different and new
The things I knew were very few
Initially attending classes, meant learning
Being with seniors meant time wasting
But, space with them taught more than any school could have
As time moved on lifelong friends were made
Soon from fresher’s to seniors we made the grade
Attending classes, labs and submitting assignments were of least priority
Late night movies, booze and sreenu point became a regularity
Hanging out with friends, playing and long hours in front of PC gave us the satisfaction
Last minute studies, sharing of papers got us through examination
Fests, Festivals, Fresher’s and Farewells – 4 F’s of our college
Life was better, Life was fun : we didn't have to manage
Fours years flew by and curtains to college life neared
We were bidding adieu to place, to people whom we cared
Walking through the gates this time around, We had grown up from boys to men
NIT W, you the best !! Thanking you for all that you have given
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Bitter 'Rasagolla'
I couldn't believe my eyes. It is one of those 'unthinkables', may be by restricting self to 'unthinkables' i am being nice (my vocab isn't strong either). A sin, unpardonable crime has been commited. In the land of Kali her own son has be cornered. Yes, Sourav Ganguly, Bengal's greatest sporting gift to India is once again questioned, this time from within (probably first and will be the last time to happen). Avid followers of Prince (i being one of them) are shell shocked. Anti-Dada campaign in the heart of Bengal - I for one never thought that it can happen.
The poster read "Dada theke dadu bhai / tabu cricket khela chaai" -- Dada has become 'Dadu' (grand father) & still wants to play cricket. If that statement wasn't enough it had message for the IPL caretakers of KKR "Souravke tara re/Kolkata jitbe re" - Fire sourav if you want to win. In Indian cricket this is nothing new for cricketers in general, the 1.3 billions fans who follow the game are all 'Experts' (We all think we play better and understand the game superior to the 11 that go out and play the game). But the thing that doesn't sink in me is how can it happen to Dada and too in Bengal - 'Insane'. If it happened to Sachin in mumbai under the leadership of 'Marati Manoos' or to Dhoni in Jharkhand it wouldn't have come as an iota of surprise. But this getting dished out in Bengal is altogether different.
Bengal has always been known for its passion for sports. Be it be any sport (soccer, cricket) they wear heart on the sleves and admire it. And to those masses when Sourav turned out innings after innings taking Indian cricket to its Pinnacles, it was celebration time. The little boy from Kolkatta had become everything for them. He had become their 'Dada'. When the world questioned Ganguly they stood behind their Icon. Ganguly's enemies were Bengal's enemies. They took on the entire world (in any forum Tv chats, Interviews, public debates) and braved their child for more.It was a relation probably the whole world envied. It was emotional, it was PASSIONATE.
It took a certain innings of 88 runs the following day from the 'Lord of Offside' to answer the tweets of the selfcentered 'Bollywood Shame' (Sharukh Khan, I hate Hema Malini for giving this dual faced hypocrate a break and Yash Raj for giving him all those wonderful roles) rather than a reminder of his aura to the Kolkatta or his fans. 2007 of Indian Cricket (The Rising of the Pheonix) is still fresh in the minds of the people from the land of Hoogly and the rest of India too. He forever had to live with critics and enviers for the mere reason that he was Unique & Succesful (he installed belief into us, he captained us for victories-India & Abroad, he stood by his players against world and will remain the Icon who changed the way we played the game). He had the land of 15 million people behind him no matter what. Their 18 years of love story would become an Oscar winning movie by itself. But if every movie needs a villian and to spice it up even more if it is a 'Vibhishana' (the cult fig in Indian history who leaked his family secrets) then on March 30th we got The New Alipore Cricket lovers' Association (NACLA), under whose banner the poster appeared, even painted Sourav's picture with his hairs white and a walking stick on Sourav's left hand, the hand that holds the bat. They committed Sin. They will never be pardoned by the macher jhol, rasagolla and Dada loving people. I only could see the families of NACLA culprits abandoning them for the love of 'Son of Kali- Saurav'. Their love story continues; within 48 hours the posters were stripped away from the streets and support to Saurav was capturing the headlines once again (status co).
The poster read "Dada theke dadu bhai / tabu cricket khela chaai" -- Dada has become 'Dadu' (grand father) & still wants to play cricket. If that statement wasn't enough it had message for the IPL caretakers of KKR "Souravke tara re/Kolkata jitbe re" - Fire sourav if you want to win. In Indian cricket this is nothing new for cricketers in general, the 1.3 billions fans who follow the game are all 'Experts' (We all think we play better and understand the game superior to the 11 that go out and play the game). But the thing that doesn't sink in me is how can it happen to Dada and too in Bengal - 'Insane'. If it happened to Sachin in mumbai under the leadership of 'Marati Manoos' or to Dhoni in Jharkhand it wouldn't have come as an iota of surprise. But this getting dished out in Bengal is altogether different.
Bengal has always been known for its passion for sports. Be it be any sport (soccer, cricket) they wear heart on the sleves and admire it. And to those masses when Sourav turned out innings after innings taking Indian cricket to its Pinnacles, it was celebration time. The little boy from Kolkatta had become everything for them. He had become their 'Dada'. When the world questioned Ganguly they stood behind their Icon. Ganguly's enemies were Bengal's enemies. They took on the entire world (in any forum Tv chats, Interviews, public debates) and braved their child for more.It was a relation probably the whole world envied. It was emotional, it was PASSIONATE.
It took a certain innings of 88 runs the following day from the 'Lord of Offside' to answer the tweets of the selfcentered 'Bollywood Shame' (Sharukh Khan, I hate Hema Malini for giving this dual faced hypocrate a break and Yash Raj for giving him all those wonderful roles) rather than a reminder of his aura to the Kolkatta or his fans. 2007 of Indian Cricket (The Rising of the Pheonix) is still fresh in the minds of the people from the land of Hoogly and the rest of India too. He forever had to live with critics and enviers for the mere reason that he was Unique & Succesful (he installed belief into us, he captained us for victories-India & Abroad, he stood by his players against world and will remain the Icon who changed the way we played the game). He had the land of 15 million people behind him no matter what. Their 18 years of love story would become an Oscar winning movie by itself. But if every movie needs a villian and to spice it up even more if it is a 'Vibhishana' (the cult fig in Indian history who leaked his family secrets) then on March 30th we got The New Alipore Cricket lovers' Association (NACLA), under whose banner the poster appeared, even painted Sourav's picture with his hairs white and a walking stick on Sourav's left hand, the hand that holds the bat. They committed Sin. They will never be pardoned by the macher jhol, rasagolla and Dada loving people. I only could see the families of NACLA culprits abandoning them for the love of 'Son of Kali- Saurav'. Their love story continues; within 48 hours the posters were stripped away from the streets and support to Saurav was capturing the headlines once again (status co).
14 years and counting :D
A causal chat with Abhishek Verma (who was supposed to spend his night shift working for IBM rather than chatting with me over Man u - Chelsea game) threw up this amazing number in front of me. 14 years man 14 years (i still can't take it) i have been following BPL or rather i should say Man U. It all started in knowing that the defending champions (red devils) were playing and when you see your first goal of a football match being the 52m stunner by David Bechkam you just turn out to be. A David bechkam and Man U fan for life. That season i didn't have many chance to see the matches live on TV (as BPL fever hadn't caught up that much in India and i was in Kerala (Pilicode, by nov moved to Tcr) and computer and internet were not even in my vocabulary) but do remember that Man U drew stick from all quarters after the loss to New castle (infact they were thumped by New castle). Come may even w/o kicking the ball Man U were crowed champions. It was then a big shock when the famous Eric called quits, to be frank i only knew few names in the team DB, Ole (as he was the leading scorer) and coach Alex. So Eric quitting and its consequences didn't matter to me. I, 11 year old kid was celebrating that my team had won the championship (if fact retained).
The importance of Eric resignation hit me when in 1997-98 season we ended trophy less. All pundits attributed it to the absence of the charismatic Eric and shrewdness of Arsene Wegner at Arsenal. I can still remember that Roy Keane (new club captain) was adamant that United will win the championship some where in March (my final year exams were on) and i was trying to get as much information as possible on PL (premier league) with the access to DD and The Hindu. As a budding footballer fan it was probably the point when Man U became close to my heart. When your team gets beaten and your friends go gaga on it, the anger in you makes you closer to your team even challenging them that they trophy will be back with me (read as Man U; emotional).
And back it was in 1998-99 season. There was no stopping us. We won the treble. Bring them on no matter which club what competition we went on decimating the opposition by keeping them guessing till the last seconds. It was a year of last minute victories. It was the year when we become come back kings. It was the year when we crowned our selves as Champion of Champions at Nou Camp in the final 3 minutes. That season will remain as the season to beat for times to comes. We played the final without out charsmatic captain (keane) and fox (scholes). I can still remember the pleasure of winning it catching the highlights of the match at cousins place (guntur). To get those glimpses i had to resort to emotional blackmails to my dad to get the train tickets dates moved from the final's day (we were supposed to return from tenali, my home town to trichur).In this season the golden generation (The beck's, scholsy, giggsy, keane, nevviles, ole all from the OT school) of the 1990's peaked.
We lost the best Goal Keepers of that decade Peter Schmeichel in the same season. He was one of the most imposing GK's you will find in football. Brought to Theatre of Dreams in 1991 he played for us for 8 years. The deal of 1991 was later acknowledged by the manager himself as the 'bargain of the century'. Since then we had many a GK's but PS is the special one to have played the game. 1999-00 season was more or less taking care of threatening Leeds united. But i will remember it as a season where we made the biggest mistake even though we won the league we didn't play the FA cup. My footballing knowledge was improving and not seeing Man U play in FA instead play the world club competition in Brazil. In India the coverage to PL was improving day by day and by accessibility was getting better to the live matches. 2000-01 season was a comfortable season where we retained the league easily and probably the season where in i realized the pace and strength of what Arsenal was building. Even though my heart will always say united, that Arsenal team was playing some great football. I liked them and in Arsene Wenger there was a manager who was silently plotting the downfall of Sir Alex and Man U.
Come 2001-02 and Arsenal's young brigade walked the PL. They scored in all the matches, went through the season w/o loosing a single match at home. The nail in the coffin was when Arsenal won 1-0 at Theatre of Dreams (wiltord scored the goal, I will never forgive him for that sin of his). It was probably the season where we could have done better but as every good thing has to come to an end out hatrick of league titles had to come to an end. But on reflecting i think loosing to that Arsenal side with pires, dennis, henry, sol, Inspirational and calm Tony, flying freddie it wasn't a disgrace. But the biggest flaw that season was Liverlpool (team of fools) leapfrogged us to finish second.
Probably that was the kick we needed. Roy Keane and his men bruised and hurt from previous season went to the battle field and reclaimed their right - Right to be Champions of BPL (PL was renamed to BPL that year).2002-03 we won it our right at the top step of podium and giving arsenal the taste of 1997-98 season (where they amassed and amazing run in april and may to steal our cup), who went on to nick the FA cup from us. We had Nistel roy finally living up to his potential. A potent poacher he was. The best by far compare to Coles and Yorkes we had in late 90’s. The boot kick incident can’t go w/o a mention. My link to BPL, Man U was gone. Beck’s was sold to Real Madrid. Goals of Becks in champion league quarter final at OT against real as a substitute couldn’t convince Alex to retain him. Deal was done, Beck’s had to leave.
2003-04 was a year of prolific Chelsea acquisitions, with the new signings legacy of Chelsea was getting created. But the title went into the hands of Arsenal led by Henry. Arsenal bet there own previous record and went unbeaten in the whole campaign. Take a bow Wenger and his men!!! Man U with no becks had to settle for the FA cup. It was the year where we were seeing the diving Ronaldo (carrying the Eric and Becks legacy on his back) come of age. He was breathtaking to watch and the restricting was taking place at theatre of dreams. Gold gen was aging. Roy Keane departed the in a dramatic of fashions.
In the following season big spending Chelsea landed the ‘Special One’ to BPL and he in his first season capped them with league title and the carling cup. I admire him man, I love him and still think that he will take over the reigns at OT once Sir Alex calls it a day. Man U ended trophy less, loosing to arsenal in penalties in FA cup final. Champion’s league was a disappointment yet again (as a man u fan I was confined to thought that CL is not our cup of tea). But if the previous campaigns positive was Ronaldo, this year we had Wayne stolen from Everton. 2005-06 wasn’t much different. Rebuilding was happening at theatre. Nistelroy left us for Real, which turned out to be the blessing in disguise. After two trophies less years and young squad under disposal we stopped Chelsea. Since then we have won BPL three times, reached CL’s finals twice is successive years (no other team has done that, may be Barca might do it this time) winning once and loosing to Barca. 2007-08 we won everything 4 trophies in one year. With Rooney-Ronaldo partnership ending (thanks to the big spending Madrid), 2009-10 season we are being tested. New signings have come and gone, but as Neville said in Fergie we ‘Trust’. We need a big lift from him to see us through this hectic finish (finish with none of the R’s). As I write we are on top of BPL edging Chelsea by a point, still in CL with a return fixture against Bayern Munich (who has taken the revenge for last minute final loss in 1999 with their own spl last minuter in the first leg).
It hard too believe 14 yrs have flown by and still some of the Golden genx are weaving their magic (giggs, g neville & scholsy). One final push guys trust me i won't ask again. This year we need Premier League (to show the fools we have 19 and all recent one's not barking on history as they like them) & CL (to show Barca that they were lucky the other night). Holding of Mourinhio less Blues should be easier and seeing of Bayern & then frenchies a must. At Madrid on 22nd May we have an appointment with Barca.
The importance of Eric resignation hit me when in 1997-98 season we ended trophy less. All pundits attributed it to the absence of the charismatic Eric and shrewdness of Arsene Wegner at Arsenal. I can still remember that Roy Keane (new club captain) was adamant that United will win the championship some where in March (my final year exams were on) and i was trying to get as much information as possible on PL (premier league) with the access to DD and The Hindu. As a budding footballer fan it was probably the point when Man U became close to my heart. When your team gets beaten and your friends go gaga on it, the anger in you makes you closer to your team even challenging them that they trophy will be back with me (read as Man U; emotional).
And back it was in 1998-99 season. There was no stopping us. We won the treble. Bring them on no matter which club what competition we went on decimating the opposition by keeping them guessing till the last seconds. It was a year of last minute victories. It was the year when we become come back kings. It was the year when we crowned our selves as Champion of Champions at Nou Camp in the final 3 minutes. That season will remain as the season to beat for times to comes. We played the final without out charsmatic captain (keane) and fox (scholes). I can still remember the pleasure of winning it catching the highlights of the match at cousins place (guntur). To get those glimpses i had to resort to emotional blackmails to my dad to get the train tickets dates moved from the final's day (we were supposed to return from tenali, my home town to trichur).In this season the golden generation (The beck's, scholsy, giggsy, keane, nevviles, ole all from the OT school) of the 1990's peaked.
We lost the best Goal Keepers of that decade Peter Schmeichel in the same season. He was one of the most imposing GK's you will find in football. Brought to Theatre of Dreams in 1991 he played for us for 8 years. The deal of 1991 was later acknowledged by the manager himself as the 'bargain of the century'. Since then we had many a GK's but PS is the special one to have played the game. 1999-00 season was more or less taking care of threatening Leeds united. But i will remember it as a season where we made the biggest mistake even though we won the league we didn't play the FA cup. My footballing knowledge was improving and not seeing Man U play in FA instead play the world club competition in Brazil. In India the coverage to PL was improving day by day and by accessibility was getting better to the live matches. 2000-01 season was a comfortable season where we retained the league easily and probably the season where in i realized the pace and strength of what Arsenal was building. Even though my heart will always say united, that Arsenal team was playing some great football. I liked them and in Arsene Wenger there was a manager who was silently plotting the downfall of Sir Alex and Man U.
Come 2001-02 and Arsenal's young brigade walked the PL. They scored in all the matches, went through the season w/o loosing a single match at home. The nail in the coffin was when Arsenal won 1-0 at Theatre of Dreams (wiltord scored the goal, I will never forgive him for that sin of his). It was probably the season where we could have done better but as every good thing has to come to an end out hatrick of league titles had to come to an end. But on reflecting i think loosing to that Arsenal side with pires, dennis, henry, sol, Inspirational and calm Tony, flying freddie it wasn't a disgrace. But the biggest flaw that season was Liverlpool (team of fools) leapfrogged us to finish second.
Probably that was the kick we needed. Roy Keane and his men bruised and hurt from previous season went to the battle field and reclaimed their right - Right to be Champions of BPL (PL was renamed to BPL that year).2002-03 we won it our right at the top step of podium and giving arsenal the taste of 1997-98 season (where they amassed and amazing run in april and may to steal our cup), who went on to nick the FA cup from us. We had Nistel roy finally living up to his potential. A potent poacher he was. The best by far compare to Coles and Yorkes we had in late 90’s. The boot kick incident can’t go w/o a mention. My link to BPL, Man U was gone. Beck’s was sold to Real Madrid. Goals of Becks in champion league quarter final at OT against real as a substitute couldn’t convince Alex to retain him. Deal was done, Beck’s had to leave.
2003-04 was a year of prolific Chelsea acquisitions, with the new signings legacy of Chelsea was getting created. But the title went into the hands of Arsenal led by Henry. Arsenal bet there own previous record and went unbeaten in the whole campaign. Take a bow Wenger and his men!!! Man U with no becks had to settle for the FA cup. It was the year where we were seeing the diving Ronaldo (carrying the Eric and Becks legacy on his back) come of age. He was breathtaking to watch and the restricting was taking place at theatre of dreams. Gold gen was aging. Roy Keane departed the in a dramatic of fashions.
In the following season big spending Chelsea landed the ‘Special One’ to BPL and he in his first season capped them with league title and the carling cup. I admire him man, I love him and still think that he will take over the reigns at OT once Sir Alex calls it a day. Man U ended trophy less, loosing to arsenal in penalties in FA cup final. Champion’s league was a disappointment yet again (as a man u fan I was confined to thought that CL is not our cup of tea). But if the previous campaigns positive was Ronaldo, this year we had Wayne stolen from Everton. 2005-06 wasn’t much different. Rebuilding was happening at theatre. Nistelroy left us for Real, which turned out to be the blessing in disguise. After two trophies less years and young squad under disposal we stopped Chelsea. Since then we have won BPL three times, reached CL’s finals twice is successive years (no other team has done that, may be Barca might do it this time) winning once and loosing to Barca. 2007-08 we won everything 4 trophies in one year. With Rooney-Ronaldo partnership ending (thanks to the big spending Madrid), 2009-10 season we are being tested. New signings have come and gone, but as Neville said in Fergie we ‘Trust’. We need a big lift from him to see us through this hectic finish (finish with none of the R’s). As I write we are on top of BPL edging Chelsea by a point, still in CL with a return fixture against Bayern Munich (who has taken the revenge for last minute final loss in 1999 with their own spl last minuter in the first leg).
It hard too believe 14 yrs have flown by and still some of the Golden genx are weaving their magic (giggs, g neville & scholsy). One final push guys trust me i won't ask again. This year we need Premier League (to show the fools we have 19 and all recent one's not barking on history as they like them) & CL (to show Barca that they were lucky the other night). Holding of Mourinhio less Blues should be easier and seeing of Bayern & then frenchies a must. At Madrid on 22nd May we have an appointment with Barca.
S*S Partnership
A quick look into ODI cricket which is fast loosing it foothold to 20-20. When you talk about Indian Cricket, especially ODI cricket you can't look much beyond the partnership of Sachin-Sourav(even the best of critics will take a bow infront of this).
Every team has members who face the brunt upfront; they are the ones who are expected to take the attack to the opposition from the start and build the foundation for triumphs. In Cricket, these warriors are called "Openers". "A good beginning is half the job done" --- it becomes imperative that the best in the business do it. And in ODI which is a batsmen's paradise you need your best batters to play the full 50 innings. Openers slot is also the most important batting slot in the game because you need to go bang bang in first 15 overs (fielding restrictions in place, now some rules have changed) and once settled you need to play through the innings for either setting up the targets or chasing them down.
The One-Day game, has seen many a great Opening pairs. The West Indian pair of Haynes and Greenidge in 1980's, Australian pair of Haydos/Waugh and Gilchrist in 2000's did make the bowlers look ordinary. Time after time the pair that gave sleepless nights to the bowlers was the Indian duo, sachin - sourav. The perfect combo pack that could take advantage of the fielding restrictions and shown the tenacity to finish off the games. Now, as i reflect on the 40 years of ODI cricket, I fell that the World of One-Day Cricket has possibly seen the greatest ever opening pair. The double S partnership that began its golden journey in late 1996 has gone a long way into rewritting history books time and again.
Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly are the two of the greatest batsmen to play this gentlemen's game. Their association, as an Opening pair, will remain a milestone that would need a lot of catching. Generations to come will be reminded by coaches to take a leaf out of this combinations and sats will keep remainding us on how great their achievements are. When you put the World's best batsman -- Sachin (god of cricket as he famously know as) alongside Saurav (Lord of offside) -- arguably the World's best left handed batsman in ODI's you get a pair that has an aura that surpasses any other and the things had to happen the way they unfolded.
In their 10 year long partnership at the top of Indian cricket, these two Icons scripted many a great Indian wins and gave the fans some of the most sensational batting displays ever seen. Their record as an opening pair has been phenomenal -- 21 century stands in 136 innings amassing over 6,100 runs at an average of 49 runs per match is evidence enough of their greatness. To crown these feats is their opening partnership of 258 in One-Day Cricket which was surpassed by Sanath and Taranga.
Although, Sachin and Saurav are miles apart as individuals yet they strike a chord when they enter the cricket field and complement each other perfectly. At one end you have the batting maestro - Sachin -- cool, composed, technical correct and unflustered while on the other end you get Saurav Ganguly- emotional, flamboaunt and fiery. But the things to note was each others hunger to hit the winning run and see the team through. The number of centuries they managed is a reflection of this fact. Their strength as an opening pair, apart from the fact that they are brilliant stroke makers, lies in the point that one is a right-hander and the other a left-hander. This meant that the bowlers had torrid time adjusting their lengths and lines constantly. Another one of their strengths lies in their ability to play for each other and that's for me was their best ally. If one went after the bowling, the other complemented him by giving rotating strike and on days when one of them was struggling for form, the other took on himself the responsibility to carry his partner along. This strength kept their major weakness under the carpet, they were not the best or the fastest of pairs when it came to running between the wickets.
Too add to these strenghts is the exceptional shot making ability to the good deliveries. Both Sachin and Saurav had the gift of timing and were elegance personified. But they had the brut game in them to go along with the elegance. Shots flew from their willows like a artist at worker or exploded like a dynamite which even the best bowlers admired. Each loving others company and never gave up the opportunity to be in the best of seat's (non strikers end) in stadium to see when the other was in sublime flow.
Some of India's greatest victories have been a result of a good foundation laid by these two pillars of Indian Cricket. India's memorable victory in the Independence Cup Final in 1998 against Pakistan, Sachin and Saurav superb 252 for the first wicket to beat the lankans in lanka, 10 wicket victory against zimbawe in sharjah, Pilling on a quick fire 180 run stand in 2000 against SA and the list continues in which they shared 21 century partnerships. As stats are not the objective i leave them here. Stats are good, but they don't give a quality prespective of the things that these gentle men did in between the 22 yard square.
At a time when there was a dearth of quality openers in world cricket, Sachin and Saurav come across as a fresh breath of air. Like dancing, in cricket - it takes two to tango. Tangos after tangos, I mean partnerships after partnerships - these men took their team to victory. If a cricket team's best tango pair is at the top - the opening batsmen, even better and that what this pair was. The best batting at the best positions and carving out best parterships time and again. In today's T-20 we can still see why they are successful in IPL. One thing that the youngsters have to look into and learn is the amazing skill of these legends in converting starts into comendable innings.
Saluting the pair !!!
PS: Stats picked from cricinfo, but the essence of the artical is to pay tribute to the wonderful pair who played the game and gave glorious cricketing moments to us.
Every team has members who face the brunt upfront; they are the ones who are expected to take the attack to the opposition from the start and build the foundation for triumphs. In Cricket, these warriors are called "Openers". "A good beginning is half the job done" --- it becomes imperative that the best in the business do it. And in ODI which is a batsmen's paradise you need your best batters to play the full 50 innings. Openers slot is also the most important batting slot in the game because you need to go bang bang in first 15 overs (fielding restrictions in place, now some rules have changed) and once settled you need to play through the innings for either setting up the targets or chasing them down.
The One-Day game, has seen many a great Opening pairs. The West Indian pair of Haynes and Greenidge in 1980's, Australian pair of Haydos/Waugh and Gilchrist in 2000's did make the bowlers look ordinary. Time after time the pair that gave sleepless nights to the bowlers was the Indian duo, sachin - sourav. The perfect combo pack that could take advantage of the fielding restrictions and shown the tenacity to finish off the games. Now, as i reflect on the 40 years of ODI cricket, I fell that the World of One-Day Cricket has possibly seen the greatest ever opening pair. The double S partnership that began its golden journey in late 1996 has gone a long way into rewritting history books time and again.
Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly are the two of the greatest batsmen to play this gentlemen's game. Their association, as an Opening pair, will remain a milestone that would need a lot of catching. Generations to come will be reminded by coaches to take a leaf out of this combinations and sats will keep remainding us on how great their achievements are. When you put the World's best batsman -- Sachin (god of cricket as he famously know as) alongside Saurav (Lord of offside) -- arguably the World's best left handed batsman in ODI's you get a pair that has an aura that surpasses any other and the things had to happen the way they unfolded.
In their 10 year long partnership at the top of Indian cricket, these two Icons scripted many a great Indian wins and gave the fans some of the most sensational batting displays ever seen. Their record as an opening pair has been phenomenal -- 21 century stands in 136 innings amassing over 6,100 runs at an average of 49 runs per match is evidence enough of their greatness. To crown these feats is their opening partnership of 258 in One-Day Cricket which was surpassed by Sanath and Taranga.
Although, Sachin and Saurav are miles apart as individuals yet they strike a chord when they enter the cricket field and complement each other perfectly. At one end you have the batting maestro - Sachin -- cool, composed, technical correct and unflustered while on the other end you get Saurav Ganguly- emotional, flamboaunt and fiery. But the things to note was each others hunger to hit the winning run and see the team through. The number of centuries they managed is a reflection of this fact. Their strength as an opening pair, apart from the fact that they are brilliant stroke makers, lies in the point that one is a right-hander and the other a left-hander. This meant that the bowlers had torrid time adjusting their lengths and lines constantly. Another one of their strengths lies in their ability to play for each other and that's for me was their best ally. If one went after the bowling, the other complemented him by giving rotating strike and on days when one of them was struggling for form, the other took on himself the responsibility to carry his partner along. This strength kept their major weakness under the carpet, they were not the best or the fastest of pairs when it came to running between the wickets.
Too add to these strenghts is the exceptional shot making ability to the good deliveries. Both Sachin and Saurav had the gift of timing and were elegance personified. But they had the brut game in them to go along with the elegance. Shots flew from their willows like a artist at worker or exploded like a dynamite which even the best bowlers admired. Each loving others company and never gave up the opportunity to be in the best of seat's (non strikers end) in stadium to see when the other was in sublime flow.
Some of India's greatest victories have been a result of a good foundation laid by these two pillars of Indian Cricket. India's memorable victory in the Independence Cup Final in 1998 against Pakistan, Sachin and Saurav superb 252 for the first wicket to beat the lankans in lanka, 10 wicket victory against zimbawe in sharjah, Pilling on a quick fire 180 run stand in 2000 against SA and the list continues in which they shared 21 century partnerships. As stats are not the objective i leave them here. Stats are good, but they don't give a quality prespective of the things that these gentle men did in between the 22 yard square.
At a time when there was a dearth of quality openers in world cricket, Sachin and Saurav come across as a fresh breath of air. Like dancing, in cricket - it takes two to tango. Tangos after tangos, I mean partnerships after partnerships - these men took their team to victory. If a cricket team's best tango pair is at the top - the opening batsmen, even better and that what this pair was. The best batting at the best positions and carving out best parterships time and again. In today's T-20 we can still see why they are successful in IPL. One thing that the youngsters have to look into and learn is the amazing skill of these legends in converting starts into comendable innings.
Saluting the pair !!!
PS: Stats picked from cricinfo, but the essence of the artical is to pay tribute to the wonderful pair who played the game and gave glorious cricketing moments to us.
4 Incredible Nights
It all started of when the Thursday classes (6 hrs of torchure) came to an end. With a relief that these subjects and prof (specially the Nissan one) will never haunt us again. With only exams standing between us and easter it was decided - Party Time. French were game for it. 8 at Yunes appartment was the venue.
'French' ies
With my residence being far I decided to head off to Yunes place with him. On the way we found the wandering morrocan (Mr Abdo) in search of library. No idea what takes him there thirst for knowledge or thirst for chicks its anybodys guess. We enticed him to join us and trio left for the apartment. With one of the interesting football matches live (Juve v Fulham - second leg) we settled in. Yunes, inspite of several "no's" volunteered to prepare dinner. We were skeptical and had every right to be so... he was cooking for a group of people for the first time. Surely he didn't disappoint us. With eggs, cream, pasta and servings we had delicious dinner (I tried my best to ruin it with my own little experimentations). With Benjamin, Arnaud & Fabrice joinning us by 8 with whisky and vodka there was no looking back. Golf putting for competition (Fabrice and Yunes - Winners), music and exotic italian TV show on nothing could stop us. As the darkness grew the flavor sweetened. It was one night that i will savour for times to come.
Indian Masala
Up and running by early evening I promised self for studies (the enormosity of the subject needed time). But it wasn't scripted that way. My friend (parthu) invited me to the dinner advancing it by a day (was supposed to be on saturday). Indian food (other than what i make for self) was calling me after 2 months. I wasn't letting the invitation go by. Reached there well before time. Met Prasad (his farewell dinner party), Karthik (chennai anna), Srinath (Computer service centre) & Mr Gwalior (who was already in sixes and sevens after a boozz session). It was awesome time with the new Indian acquaintances. Poori, Chappati, Rice, Channa masala (for veggies), Chicken masala & Curd. Wine was arnd, and i did ensured that most of the wine was mine (1 litre of wine for my standards....). Rounding off the day was prasad so called farewell speech and cake cutting event. I managed my way back safe and secure.
Festive Saturday
Morning (actually late afternoon) i woke up with a promise "never to drink again". To shake off the litre effect i had 3-4 litres of water and grabbed the food from fridge. Opened orkut with a message from friend which read "catch up at Torro for drinks and party". My Brazilian friend working in China on an official visit to Milan. I headed off straight to destination - Torro. Did find it a little tough with me not speaking italian and these italians not having an iota of english knowledge. Finally reached the right place and the right time (bottles were just getting opened). Promises are meant to be broken and in no time i grabbed my glass of wine and then started exchanging pleasantries. After couple of drinks (modest) we decided to go out as it was party eve (Italians & Brazilans dn't need a reason to party + it was a Turkish and Iranian celebrations - new year i guess). We to our surprise got invited to the Turkish party around. I swear i haven't seen so many beautiful gals dress up so meticulously - no not even in Indian wedding's. It was lite music and fun. The scenes and beauties are fresh in my memory. Struggled my way from Turro to my residence as public transportation came to standstill. But with Ipod for company and images fresh i walked back the distance to surrender self to sleep.
'Glorious' Sunday
With rain pouring down and climate cold i couldn't get up till 2PM (inspite of alarm being set for 10AM) Finally with some prayers and a remainder from my mom i started studying. With one eye on the Man u v Liverpool scoreline i some how managed some reading. Narrowing down the syllabus to suit self and anticipating the important portions i played around with books till 7. Thanks to Karin Miller I had an invite for movie 'INGLORIOUS BASTARDS' being aired in our common theatre. Even though i had seen it before I needed a break & joined the grp. It was fun, for the simple reason that the hall had international representation.With ohhh's and aaah's for Bingo's & Gracias (typical nativity was exposed in the movie) 3 hrs flew by. Back from movie refreshed i went to sleep glancing at some of the notes i had.
Mission exam succesfully accomplished i feel satisfied that i didnt keep myself away from any of these nights !! Thank god it happened to me :D
'French' ies
With my residence being far I decided to head off to Yunes place with him. On the way we found the wandering morrocan (Mr Abdo) in search of library. No idea what takes him there thirst for knowledge or thirst for chicks its anybodys guess. We enticed him to join us and trio left for the apartment. With one of the interesting football matches live (Juve v Fulham - second leg) we settled in. Yunes, inspite of several "no's" volunteered to prepare dinner. We were skeptical and had every right to be so... he was cooking for a group of people for the first time. Surely he didn't disappoint us. With eggs, cream, pasta and servings we had delicious dinner (I tried my best to ruin it with my own little experimentations). With Benjamin, Arnaud & Fabrice joinning us by 8 with whisky and vodka there was no looking back. Golf putting for competition (Fabrice and Yunes - Winners), music and exotic italian TV show on nothing could stop us. As the darkness grew the flavor sweetened. It was one night that i will savour for times to come.
Indian Masala
Up and running by early evening I promised self for studies (the enormosity of the subject needed time). But it wasn't scripted that way. My friend (parthu) invited me to the dinner advancing it by a day (was supposed to be on saturday). Indian food (other than what i make for self) was calling me after 2 months. I wasn't letting the invitation go by. Reached there well before time. Met Prasad (his farewell dinner party), Karthik (chennai anna), Srinath (Computer service centre) & Mr Gwalior (who was already in sixes and sevens after a boozz session). It was awesome time with the new Indian acquaintances. Poori, Chappati, Rice, Channa masala (for veggies), Chicken masala & Curd. Wine was arnd, and i did ensured that most of the wine was mine (1 litre of wine for my standards....). Rounding off the day was prasad so called farewell speech and cake cutting event. I managed my way back safe and secure.
Festive Saturday
Morning (actually late afternoon) i woke up with a promise "never to drink again". To shake off the litre effect i had 3-4 litres of water and grabbed the food from fridge. Opened orkut with a message from friend which read "catch up at Torro for drinks and party". My Brazilian friend working in China on an official visit to Milan. I headed off straight to destination - Torro. Did find it a little tough with me not speaking italian and these italians not having an iota of english knowledge. Finally reached the right place and the right time (bottles were just getting opened). Promises are meant to be broken and in no time i grabbed my glass of wine and then started exchanging pleasantries. After couple of drinks (modest) we decided to go out as it was party eve (Italians & Brazilans dn't need a reason to party + it was a Turkish and Iranian celebrations - new year i guess). We to our surprise got invited to the Turkish party around. I swear i haven't seen so many beautiful gals dress up so meticulously - no not even in Indian wedding's. It was lite music and fun. The scenes and beauties are fresh in my memory. Struggled my way from Turro to my residence as public transportation came to standstill. But with Ipod for company and images fresh i walked back the distance to surrender self to sleep.
'Glorious' Sunday
With rain pouring down and climate cold i couldn't get up till 2PM (inspite of alarm being set for 10AM) Finally with some prayers and a remainder from my mom i started studying. With one eye on the Man u v Liverpool scoreline i some how managed some reading. Narrowing down the syllabus to suit self and anticipating the important portions i played around with books till 7. Thanks to Karin Miller I had an invite for movie 'INGLORIOUS BASTARDS' being aired in our common theatre. Even though i had seen it before I needed a break & joined the grp. It was fun, for the simple reason that the hall had international representation.With ohhh's and aaah's for Bingo's & Gracias (typical nativity was exposed in the movie) 3 hrs flew by. Back from movie refreshed i went to sleep glancing at some of the notes i had.
Mission exam succesfully accomplished i feel satisfied that i didnt keep myself away from any of these nights !! Thank god it happened to me :D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)