Cricket - never ending & ever present

Cricket has played an important part in my life since a very young age. It probably started when I got to hear Kapil Dev lead the Indian side to their first and only World Cup triumph in 1983.

My own cricket journey started with me going kit shopping at AJ Sports with my Dad when I got selected for the U-16 school team. Not expecting too much out of the game in Abu Dhabi, since I was only 12 at the time. Unfortunately for me, chasing a score of 96, I ended up strolling in to bat having lost 2 quick wickets. Time for my debut! Lucky for me, I did well, finishing on 36 not out and being carried off the ground on shoulders aloft.

For the next 2 years, cricket was limited to watching the seniors play their matches from the sidelines as we were “TOO SMALL” and playing loads of taped tennis cricket matches in the parking lot. After this, Mr Rosevear (our new cricket coach), announced senior team try-outs for the Coca Cola U-19 School Championships. Try-outs happened post school and to our amazement, Rizwan, Ali and I had made the squad of 14.

For the first 2 games, I was named 12^th man i.e. water-boy but as they say; 3^rd time lucky. I got my first start, playing as a leg-spinner and a lower-order batsman. No wickets on senior and run-out for 4 off 2balls thanks to Rahul, who thought I was quick between wickets but….NO!!! Last match of the tournament and we hadn’t qualified for the next round. I got another chance to prove myself. Batting first, we had a spectacular batting where we toiled at 26 for 6, with me walking in to partner Ali (class mate since nursery). Ali took the risks and went for boundaries while I rotated strike taking 1s, 2s and surprise surprise some 3s too. We ended up on 125 for 6 after the 25overs but still lost the match. The loss was not significant because what Ali and I had done was bat for over 15 overs against guys more than 3 years older than us and SURVIVE…super feeling.

School cricket after that was great, with many matches representing school and some good performances but the real cricket started in England, when studying at Manchester University. At Medical School, I never tried out for the University squad as it was just way too difficult to get a look in so ended up representing the Medics with a top score of 76 against Leeds.

After quitting medical school and joining the Accounting School in 2001, I made it a point to give the University side a shot. Practices were in the evening and through a lot of work I got a game for the 1^st team against UMIST only to start solidly and then be run out for a well made 40. Moving on to year 2, and after our pre-season training, I was selected for the 2^nds team playing as a first change seam bowler and a 2 down batsman. With the bat, I always under-performed getting though the initial jitters, only to give my wicket away to a stupid shot…AARRGGHHH! Bowling I was quite consistent, taking a season’s best of 5 for 40 against Liverpool University. The highlight of my 2^nd year was probably representing the University at the Indoor Finals at Lords Cricket Ground on the same day that India played Pakistan in their first series for years (INDIA WON of course).

2^nd year of University cricket came to end but my lack of performances with the bat bothered and puzzled me and so taking the advice of Maulik Gandhi (friend and 2^nd team player), I tried out for his local club, Burnage CC. After the Burnage practice nets, Gary (Club Captain) asked me to play a 2^nds game on the Saturday. Got to the ground on Saturday morning and introduced myself to the team and the skipper who asked me what skills I did or didn’t possess. Having chosen to bat first, I was slotted at my preferred 2 down position and within a few overs, I found myself coming into bat expecting to probably get out cheaply on debut and make a complete ass of myself. Took my guard and awaited my first delivery. For the next 20-25 overs, I did what I hadn’t done for the season; taken my time and concentrated HARD. With the first 4 balls I faced being hit to the boundary, I finished being out for 87 on club debut and then later effecting a run out with a direct hit and then taking 4 for 37. Could I ask for anything more?

Got home that night very chuffed with my performance; only to receive a call from the club captain asking me to play the following day, for the 1^st team, in a Sheffield Shield game. Could I refuse? No freaking way. The match was a 45 over affair, with us batting first. I came in with about 13 overs to go, with the score around 145. I remember one of the first balls I got was a bouncer near my face. I didn’t used to wear a helmet then but still managed to pull the ball for a six. I ended up on 46 not out off 39 balls. We lost the game, but I did what I was supposed to; make an impression.

Final year of University, and to my surprise, I was offered the captaincy of the 2^nds team. I accepted without even blinking. After an initial 1-1 win loss record, we ended up at Chester having to win to qualify to the next round. This was by far, the most beautiful ground I had ever played on, especially since the sun was out in full force, with not a cloud in sight…WOW. Having won the toss, we chose to bat. Slotting myself in at no.4, I walked in at 41 for 2 to join Oliver Latham at the crease. He didn’t last long, and in cam my best friend at the time (LONG STORY), Irfan Bhojani. Confidently batting, we enjoyed a great partnership, with me initially getting to my first university 50 and then, with a slice of luck, got to my maiden university 100. Holding my bat aloft to the pavilion, which included my team mates and other spectators was a dream come true. I eventually fell for 114 with Irfan being out LBW for 57. Like many of my other games, we lost that match by a solitary wicket but the feeling of getting a hundred in no matter what situation is just indescribable.

My last weekend of cricket for the season. We were playing against Stockport Cricket Club. Another nice ground and much more authoritative me. Arrived at the crease at my usual number four position and got stuck straight away. Anything on my legs or pitched up straight was dispatched. In one over from the off spinner, I hit him for 3 sixes in the over. I eventually got to my second consecutive century in 3 days, a score of 117. We won that game by the way thanks to the spinners in our side.

Since that last game in the UK, I have moved back to Dubai but haven’t lost my love for the game. I have since represented PwC, Air India, Liwa Properties and currently play for Carefare CC. I am heading to Australia in November to take part in an amateur cricket world championships. Should be a blast….

Present day Indian cricket - BORINGGGGG

Yup, you heard me right. So far in 2010 and on from June 2009, Indian cricket has been boring and unimpressive to say the least. Two disappointing performances in the T20 World Cups and a forgettable performance at the Champions Trophy doesn't say too much of where India stands in World Cricket.


At the 2009 T20 World Cup, India looked impressive in the warm up games hammering Pakistan and qualified for the next stage, with wins against Ireland and Bangladesh, only to falter against the short pitched bowling of the West Indies and England. The world had found a chink in the armor in the mighty Indian batting line up and they had nowhere to turn and hide. This had to be resolved...not yet though.


Next assignment for the Men In Blue, the Champions Trophy; and what a disappointment that was. Starting with an initial loss to arch rivals Pakistan and the match against the Aussies being abandoned even though it looked they were going to pile on a massive total, which in my opinion would have too much of a mountain to climb in a chase that crucial. Even though India did manage to give the West Indies a hiding, a little too late..knocked out once again.


Would things get better during the 3rd edition of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies....nope!!! India began the tournament well beating newcomers Afghanistan and then Suresh Raina coming to the fore against the powerful South Africans with a quickfire century. After qualifying for the next round, India did what they did the previous time..not learning from previous mistakes. To top that off, they lost to Sri Lanka in the final game giving the Lankans over 40 runs in the last 3 overs...well bowled...NOT!!!


What I think has been the major problem has been the bowling department. I just feel that Indians are currently playing boring or should I say; safe cricket..not that it's working as being depicted by India's current performance against Sri Lanka in the test series. I just don't understand why Team India refuse to try anything different. Pakistan does it (Umar Amin and Arshad Ali) and so do Australia, so why not India. The usual suspects for India being disappointing, with Ishant Sharma only showing small glimpses of what he is capable of. Harbhajan Singh went wicketless and so I ask...why not try something different. They tried Mithun and he didn't deliver but there are others such as R Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Kulkarni and a whole host of others. And as mentioned in an article on CricInfo and as mentioned by me in my 1st post; what about trying new batsman such as Chateswar Pujara

(http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/story/467334.html)

Will India learn? It is just so frustrating to have to witness such days when Indian cricket is missing a creative head that is willing to test the bench strength. Yes, India is top of the test rankings but what's the point of getting draw after draw if one is not going to fight for a win and that's what they should be doing. I just hope that the selection panel can do the nation justice show what Team India is truly capable of. If I think I can pick a better XI then why can't they do the same...

My World Cup 2003

2003 was a good year! Besides it being my 2nd year at the University of Manchester Accounting School, it was also the year of the 2003 Cricket World Cup. What made it so memorable was the fact, India almost did it...yup almost. They were awesome up until the Aussies proved them lacking. During that period of February through to March, I barely attended university and if I did, it was either on the days that India were not scheduled to play or being under the influence of alcohol...hehe..how typical!

I remember the day of India's first game against Holland and trying to find somewhere to watch it in the morning with no pubs open till after 11a.m. Amit Takyar (college friend & Wolves supporter) met me at a bus stop and our hunt began for somewhere to watch India begin their journey. After searching high and low, we came upon a Hilton coffee shop that was showing the game. The only reason we knew, was the fact that we saw the bright blue India supporters jerseys seated in eagerness. Amit and I were showing off our 1999 World Cup replica jerseys, which were bright blue and yellow and were impossible not to be noticed.


India had gone into the tournament with a squad made up with a blend of exciting youth and useful experience, with players such as Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Srinath and Kumble being the old horses and youngsters such as Parthiv Patel, Mohd Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan. I honestly thought this was one of India's most experimental sides they had ever gone for and never expected too much out of the side but like many others, I was pleasantly surprised.


The start to the World Cup was a cautious yet victorious one but not without quite a few scares on the way. Throughout the match, Amit and I were just expecting the worst but thanks to the little master (Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar) and the our two old work horses (Srinath & Kumble), India managed a starting win but not convincing at all. First points...INDIA. This was also the first time viewers got the chance to see the great Indian huddle..a beautiful sight!



On 15th February, India were brought back down to earth by the defending champs. Australia were pumped and it showed by the way they man handled the Blue Brigade. They didn't stand a chance especially after being bowled out for for under 130. Thank god, I wasn't around Manchester to witness India's failure in the batting department, thanks to my girl friend at the time, who wanted me to take her away for Valentine's Day and so I did, to the birthplace of William Shakespeare (BORING)..but anyways..


What a blow that was..phew..i wasn't there to see it. Comeback time!!! Next opponents...Zimbabwe. This was one of those very facile wins for Team India. Tendulkar doing the bulk of the scoring, with Ganguly and others chipping in. This was followed by the Men in Blue finishing the job by bowling out the opposition for under 175 with everyone helping themselves to wickets, including Ganguly.


India vs Namibia was a one sided affair with Tendulkar and Ganguly running riot and taking the match away from the opposition, without Namibia even having a chance to have a bat. The Namibians were bowled out for a paltry 130 with the majority of the wickets going to YUVI with figures of 4.3-2-6-4....WOW.















The game between the Men in Blue and England was to be a cracker and it was as India coasted to an 82-run win. Tendulkar provided the initial burst, with Dinesh Mongia and Sehwag adding to the scoring. But it was left to Rahul Dravid and YUVI put the whipped cream and cherry on top of India's innings, scoring 62 and 42 respectively. Exemplary bowling, including a career-best six for 23 from Ashish Nehra, unstitched England under the lights, and India were virtually through to the Super Sixes while England's progress was less assured. To see Ashish Nehra bowl the way he did, getting up to speeds of 89mph was quite a sight, but what topped it, was seeing Amit Takyar take off his India top and swinging it like a madman just like Sourav Ganguly did at Lords when India miraculously won the Natwest Series Final in 2002...the alcohol definitely played a part.





If you think the night was over then...uh NO! This was one of those nights that just gets you thinking...WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Shefali (my sister) was in town and decided to watch the game with us (Amit & I). First of all, Shefali fell weak in the beginning of the day and fainted in the bathroom of the Springbok but thank god...Aal Izz Well!! After the game, we were walking hone when near Hathersage Road, a car pulled up with 5 Asians coming out and lashing out at Amit & I, with Amit ending up with a bruised eye and me, a bruised rib. Bet no one was expecting that? Well it happened and nothing came of it, with us running for help and the police not able to find the owners of who drove the car..What I remember of that night is one of the attacking lads shouting and saying " WE DON'T LIKE THIS INDIAN "£%$&^*!??" Like they say..JO HO GAYA SO HO GAYA...move on so let's do just that.

March 1, 2003...India vs Pakistan. This one was what the World Cup was about. India and Pakistan had met over and over again at the World Cup, with India being on top every time. Was history going to be repeated? After the Pakistan innings, bets would have probably been on Pakistan after posting a 270 plus score with Saeed Anwar doing what he does best...TORMENTING INDIA with another century, but thank god nothing similar to his then world record score of 194 (beaten by none other than..YES! the little master). This was one of those days I wasn't wearing my India top as I didn't wanna tempt fate so kept on the low watching the match with a group of guys at the Hilton coffee shop. Once the Pakistan innings ended, I just couldn't help myself and had to watch the match back at my usual place...THE SPRINGBOK. Walked into the Springbok to find my usual crew at our usual table, with the drinks pouring like a natural waterfall. The pub was was filled to the brim with India supporters, with a handful of Pakistanis on a small table in the middle, hoping the best.

What I witnessed that day was probably the best of Sachin Tendulkar I'd ever seen at a World Cup. He pulled, cut and drove the Pakistani bowlers all over the park that was made up of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi. He ended up with a 75 ball 98, but that wasn't all that she wrote as after Sehwag was dismissed, Waqar dismissed Ganguly for first ball duck leaving India in a spot of bother. From then on, it was all India, as Mohd Kaif settled the innings followed by Rahul Dravid and YUVI finishing things off with enough deliveries to spare. The highlight of the match was probably the front foot defensive push Sachin played off Shoaib to the long on boundary..what a player!!!
















Time for the super sixes part of the tournament. I happened not to be in Manchester for this match as a large group of us students were on a KPMG sponsored trip to the Lake District or Peak District...I forget. I drove to the venue with my 3 idiots (Amit, Ross & Lamine) and wow what a place it was. We had a great room but the weekend was filled with accounting work to be done...but who wants to talk about that. That was the trip I got to know Priya Shah (another one of those meeting that could have turned into something but ended up been a lot of nothing).

India were up against the underdogs; Kenya. It wasn't a brilliant bowling performance but a restricting one where Kenya were only able to put up a score of 225 but that score wasn't as easy as the Indians thought with Tendulkar and Sehwag being dismissed cheaply. This world cup was a great one because the Team India you got to see was a different one. It wasn't dependent on one player i.e Tendulkar. Everyone was raising their hand and putting in an effort as shown by Ganguly (107 not out), Dravid (32) and YUVI (58 not out), who all scripted an important win for the Men in Blue.
















One super six win already in the bank, India's next opponents were the 1996 champions, Sri Lanka. India needed an all-round performance and they did just that with the Men in Blue piling on 292 with Tendulkar (97), Sehwag (66) and Ganguly (48) doing the bulk of scoring and then the 3 Indian seamers proving to be way too powerful for the Lanka Lions, with Srinath and Nehra taking four wickets each and Zack attack taking two wickets himself, with India winning by a mammoth 183 runs.





India vs New Zealand is always an intriguing encounter. It was India's powerful batting line up against the raw pace of Shane Bond, all-round batting of Fleming, McCullum, Astle, Cairns and Styris in addition to their exemplary fielding skills. To my surprise, I was witness to an almighty bowling display, especially from Zaheer Khan, who returned with figures of 8-0-42-4, earning him the Man of the Match award. The India band wagon was marching and now it was time for the semi-finals...just one step away from the first final since the victorious 1983 final.

There was no way I was going to miss the last 2 matches of the 2003 World Cup, especially with India actually having a more than possible chance of winning their first World Cup since the memorable 1983 final against the West Indies and to top it off, I could actually witness it. But first things first, semi-final opponents, Kenya. We had beaten them before but not without a hiccup or two on the way and they did have Collins Obuya, a decent enough leg spinner , who extracted quite a bit of turn. India won the toss and decide to bat. As usual, Tendulkar put up a decent score for himself, adding 83 to India's total of 270. But how could I forget, Ganguly, who seemed to be enjoying the Kenyan attack and added a second consecutive century against the same attack. This time, the Indian captain was more severe than the last, hitting five monstrous sixes during his innings. India then bowled the opposition out for 179 with Zaheer Khan taking 3 for 14 in his 9 overs and the little master taking accounting for two scalps himself. The only worrying factor here was India's 39 extras made of 15 wides (second highest scorer for Kenya); would that be a problem in the final???

It didn't matter, India were in the final. I couldn't believe it. I was jumping for joy. This was quite a grudge match as there was quite a large population of Indians at Manchester University, who initially supported India but were in fact, Kenyan (including my girl friend at the time...YIKES).

The final was set for the 23rd March 2003 and boy, WAS I READY??? The evening before the morning of the game was just preparation for the game. Getting more and more excited. I had friends come over, have dinner and just drink, while watching India v Australia 2001, India v England Natwest Final 2002, India v Pakistan 1992, 1996 and 1999. We drank to the early hours of the morning and then showered still filled with alcohol and all my crew headed to the Springbok. But before that, I donned my India top, put on the tri-colour face paint and the India bandana. Got in and started back on the beers.

Toss won by India, and they decided to field. Would this be it? An ominous start, with Zaheer Khan starting of with a wide and eventually ending up with 2no-balls and 6wides. Gilchrist and Hayden got off to a ferocious start, with Ponting and Martyn piling on the rest with a 234 run partnership. End of innings...359 for 2...WOW. How would India approach this? Aggression was what was needed and Tendulkar started in that manner with a boundary of Glen McGrath, only to be caught and bowled straight after..OUCH...that hurt. India on the back foot on the onset. This was the way the innings went for the inexperienced Men in Blue with only Sehwag, Dravid, YUVI and Ganguly providing any sort of resistance.

The only funny moment during the game was when rain intervened and everyone in the pub starting to sing Ghanana Ghanana from Lagaan hoping that the rain would persist and get heavier. Why were we praying for rain? More rain would have led to the match being replayed on a reserve day from scratch..but alas no luck here. To top that off I did meet 3 Australian guys who were very good to talk to and super sports. The innings capitulated for 234 in just over 39 overs. Australia were crowned World Champions....well deserved I thought.

India were so close yet so far. At least Sachin got the Man of the Series but what started as a tournament where there was no expectation, turned into belief that a nation, where cricket is a religion, were on the verge of being World Champions only to disappoint at the very end. I can only hope that I will be able to witness the Men in Blue win a World Cup..2011? You never know...

Cricket World Cup: Questions raised!

The 2011 Cricket World Cup isn't far away but there are so many questions I want to raise. When I think of the Indian team, I want them to be at the best and I saw glimpses of that when I watched the Indians power their way through to the final in South Africa 2003, only to disappoint at the last hurdle.


I remember waking up every morning during my University days in Manchester, heading to the Springbok pub and chilling with my Desi crew cheering away " INDIA, INDIA, INDIA, OYE, OYE, OYE!!!" It was probably one of the best times I had at Uni as nothing was more important than bearing witness to India inning over and over again (except for the double hammering we took against the Aussies).


What was great about that 2003 World Cup side was that it possessed a good mix of youth and experience. And that is what worries me when it comes to the Indian side I see at the moment. In 2003, we had fielders such as Yuvraj Singh and Mohd Kaif, who were lightning in the field, full of energy and were more than useful with bat; on show in the 2002 Natwest Series Final against England, when chasing a massive score over 300, India collapsed to 140 odd for 5 and found themselves stealing victory from the jaws of defeat through these two youngsters displaying maturity beyond their years.


All that you see now is India playing safe cricket and playing guys who have been in the side for a while and have previously performed. What about the youngsters who are performing in the domestic league and for India A. What do selectors have to say when they pick players such as R. Ashwin, S. Tiwary and Tyagi but barely play them. WHY? WHY? WHY? Chateshwar Pujara (3 triple hundreds in the domestic league in the 5 day format and currently doing pretty well for India A) isn't even being considered for a spot. I am not saying he should be selected but why not try him. What about Rahane, Monish Pandey and Gony?


India should be trying out as many variations as they can before the World Cup to find a settled squad. It doesn't matter how many games they lose. Australia are doing the same. Yes, they lost the series with England but when the time comes, I know they'll bring their A game.


Forget about the youngsters that have not been considered, what about players such as Robin Uthappa and Irfan Pathan, both of whom have showed so much promise as youngsters as well during the just concluded IPL 3. These two exclusions really baffle me as I've always rated Uthappa as an explosive batsman, who can be used in the opening slot during the power play overs or lower down, when lusty blows are the order for the day. When it comes to Irfan Pathan, I am to be honest, at a loss. Our next Kapil Dev has found it hard if not impossible to make it back into the squad. This coming from a player who made such a promising debut in test cricket against the Australians and has proved to be a very useful batsmen as well with stints either opening or coming one down. I don't think anyone can forget his hat trick against Pakistan in the test series in 2006. That is what he is capable of. Since his inter-costal injury a few years ago, he has dropped in pace (due to what I think is the poor management of his injury by the Indian physio) but is still able to swing the ball both ways and is his batting hasn't deteriorated either making him a very handy cricketer...more than I can say about Ravindra Jadeja, who showed so much promise with his batting, electric fielding and useful left arm spin but as since been the cause of a number of run outs and his batting has only raised an eyebrow when India have been in a losing situation.


Something else that has really bothered me over the last year and a half has been the treatment of Ishant Sharma. He is one bowler India possess that does have some real pace in him. He is extremely tall, a bit on the thin side but very nippy. He gets good bounce and wow did he impress with his bowling spells to current Australian captain Ricky Ponting, when India toured Australia. Since then, Ishant has had some good performances, mainly in the Test arena but he has proved consistently expensive in the limited overs format; conceding far too many runs for the wickets he takes. He is currently in and out of the national squad and I wonder;should he do what Zaheer Khan did and go to England and get some county experience as Zaheer came back a changed man. He was stronger and a lot more accurate. What Ishant Sharma needs is a boost in confidence as well someone else besides people in India telling him what to change when it comes to his bowling. Why is it that all Indian bowlers that are relatively quick slow down as if they don't want to put in the extra effort or they'll get hurt...JUST DON'T GET IT!
Now for one of the topics that really gets to me...YUVRAJ SINGH.


Now here is a guy who at his best is close in comparison to the best of point fielders, a useful left arm slow bowler and on his day, is the most destructive batsman one is likely to see; clearly on show during his 6 consecutive sixes in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup.


What has happened to Yuvraj Singh over the last few years is very distressing as here is guy with the world at his feet and look at him now. Once one of the fittest guys in the team and now he wears a knee brace consistently due to the knee injury he suffered prior to the 2007 World Cup. He has yet to get it operated and has since gotten more and more out of shape, which was evident during IPL 3.


He needs to be in his best physical shape if he is to be useful for his country and that is why I don't understand how the BCCI are treating him. He was partying during IPL 3 and that should not have been allowed to happen.


This is where BCCI has to do something positive and get India to the level it has promised to reach for so many years. It is positive thinking like this that will make Team India a more a consistent force to be reckoned with in World Cricket.