Where do we go from here? Will we EVER learn?

The new year is a few days away and all that can mean, is that we are moving closer and closer to the start of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Team India are as most you know already in Australia playing a 4 Test series followed by an ODI series with both the hosts and England. Basically, this is India's attempt to acclimatise to the conditions and be ready to defend the title they rightfully won 4 years ago. 

Will I dwell on the ODI series and the World Cup right now? No. I'd rather take my sweet time and put in few words to rightly share my two cents about the ongoing Test series that is now into the 3rd instalment. 

India are at this point at the end of Day 3 on 462 for the loss of 8 wickets, with King Kohli getting out in the last over of the day on 169 - great effort but the timing of losing one's wicket does have to be questioned not for the 1st time but actually the second time in this series. India are of course 2-0 down and to be honest, I do believe a draw is what is going to happen with respect to this test but then again I could be wrong. 

I am what people call - a very passion cricket lover and more than anything I love payig the game and if I am not playing then watching Team India is my next love and for some reason and like the many millions of Indian fans that exist world wide, I just can not explain - WHY IS IT THAT OUR MOODS ARE COMPLETELY BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCES?

When the team does fantastically well, like Rohit Sharma scoring another double hundred then everyones FACEBOOK status has exactly the same thing but when India lose then then either people are too upset to announce it on FB and the handful of people (such as myself) make it a point to vent my frustrations out in the open otherwise I'll come home and people will tell me - IT'S ONLY A GAME. Well its not!

This current Test series has pretty much put me all emotions I can have when it comes to cricket and after the end of today's play, I thought it was high time to just write it out. India could have potentially been 2-0 up at this point but if you had to be slightly cautious the scoreline would have either read 1-1 or 0-0 and worse case 0-1 NOT 0-2 and you never 0-3 if our performance continues in such a way. 

Fine.. I can understand the lost of the 1st test, with Kohli getting out at the time he did, the selection of Karn Sharma over Ashwin and in my opinion playing Saha over Naman Ohja. India were attacking all the way and that was a loss I honestly didn't mind seeing as that was India going down fighting. Kohli had actually not done a bad job as captain for the first time but enter Dhoni back into the fray as incoming captain. To try and understand how India lost that second test just escapes as I fail to understand that how can a team that 1. Scores 311/4 on the Day 1. 2. Has Australia at 121/3 and 230 odd for 6 to eventually allow them to make 505 to then be bowled out for 224 and lose the test by 4 wickets. If India hadn't collapsed the way they did or even hadn't allowed the Aussie tail to pile on the runs, India would have cruised to the win and squared the series yet as usual Mahi let the game meander on and what has become a common for this team, allowed the tail to add invaluable runs to total that should have never been possible against any other attack. 

Yes, India did also have a number of bad decisions go their way in both tests but then the question arise - WHY SAY NO TO DRS??? And Mahi's reaction to this makes absolutely no sense what so ever. You are disappointed with umpires decisions and you want them to be more consistent but do not forget about human error and when DRS is there on offer, why not take it? Just because of Ian bell being given not out in the 2011 World Cup? You have to move forward and stop looking back.

What will happen in the remainder of the series I do not know but things have to change. India have to learn to close out the tail. India have to learn to take responsibility. India have to think of the idea of whether Dhoni is the right man to lead the Test side. We have to be as ruthless as our opposition and we just are not at that level by a long way. We show glimpses but that is just not enough - CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY!

Time to stand up & be counted!

It's India vs England and to be honest up until the start of play of Day 1 of the 3rd test, I was in fact quite a happy camper, but now is a completely different story.

You have now gone 1-0 in the test series after a fantastic win, that too at the Home of Cricket after 28 years and now you let it slip straight away. SO FRUSTRATING!

We have not performed to our potential but then to be 1-0 up was an amazing achievement without any assistance from Dhawan, Kohli or Pujara in the batting department and Ashwin on the bowling side. Stand out perfromances from Rahane, Bhuvi, Vijay & Ishant had brought us to where we are and now, over a week later, we are staring down the barrel with 1 FULL DAY to go and 6 wickets left and over 300 runs to score. Even though, I will always believe in the chance of a miracle, I am not so hopeful this time.

Before the 3rd test, I really thought I had Mahi figured out when it came to team selection for the upcoming test; yes I understand that no one expected Ishant to be injured at the last minute but then why do we have an 18 man squad??? I was pretty sure when speaking to friends that when it came to team selection, that changes would be as follows:

• Dhawan REPLACED by Gambhir
• Binny REPLACED by Ashwin
• Shami REPLACED by Pandey or Aaron

But then again, Mahi has his own way of doing things - you don't replace Dhawan, who failed yet again and then replace Binny (an all-rounder) with Rohit Sharma (a batsman who can bowl a bit (1 wicket in his handful of tests)) and then bring in debutante Pankaj Singh for Ishant when Pandey would have definitely been a better pick. I agree that Pankaj has been unlucky with his first innings spell where he had Cook dropped early and an LBW appeal against Bell turned down but we just haven't done enough with either bat or ball this test match and England took advantage with Balance (already in sublime form) and then allowing Bell & Cook to get into form again (how typical of Indian bowling). I do not know why but whenever batsmen need runs and need to get into form - I think the answer is usually to face India at home.

Today is the last day and will the rest of the Indian batting line up be able to stand up and be counted? I wonder. I do not have high hopes but if we save this test, I do not know what expect for the 4th test. This test was set up for us to consolidate the lead we worked so hard to get and what we have done is just put in on a platter for England to nicely take out of our hands without even the smallest of fights. People like Pujara (whom I expect a lot out of) and Kohli need to buckle down and start making larger contributions (significantly larger) so as to put India in better positions going forward.

If we save this test match, will Mahi stick to the same squad? Will the changes happen? They should as people like Gambhir, Aaron and Pandey are probably itching to have a go and why not try something different?

My legs and fingers are now crossed and hoping for a positive outcome - only a few hours to go.

Asia Cup 2014 Review - Team India

So, India's participation at the Asia Cup is now done and what does everyone think? Good? Bad? Positive? Negative?

I think this Asia Cup can be pretty much be summed up in two words - OPPORTUNITY LOST!

This tournament was supposed to be used by the team to test out the bench strength and did we? Not at all. Ishwar Pandey showed some skill in New Zealand on tour game and after that he's been bench warming. Reminds me of Rahane's initial situation. Pujara averages of 58 in Ranji games and yet he has not got a look in when he shows the sort of solidity India needs and even though he might bat on the slow side, he has shown in his previous test innings that he can up the ante when he's in. Our last game was the a last chance to play a completely different side and who cares if we lost as like Virat said - WE ARE IN TRANSITION and these hiccups will happen - better now then the World Cup.

One person I have felt bad for has been Stuart Binny for the following reasons:

• Having played the ICL many years ago to getting fitter and through the IPL making a name for himself, he has barely got a look in.
• Even Jadeja was given more opportunities and failed and now look at him - he has got a lot better and he can be a good fit in the side.
• Binny has barely played and to be honest even though I am giving him the benefit of the doubt he has bowled on dead pitches in Bangladesh when in Australia he could prove effective and it is not like he can not bat given the licence.

I said it before and I will say it again - I think Ashwin needs to re-visit his action. An off-spinner starts off by bowling the off stump line and then once he is in a groove then the experimentation starts in order to look for wickets. What Ashwin does is try everything straight away and when he gets hit which has been a constant, he starts with his darts and bowling around the wicket. Why be so negative - be persistent and wickets will come - PATIENCE IS THE KEY!

What a difference Amit Mishra made to the squad - finally a good call by management and he has been solid in his performances and maybe his results can push Ashwin to improve - food for thought. 

Brett Lee made a statement a few days ago that to win the World Cup, India will need bowlers who can put a fright in a batsmen's mind and therefore bowl over 140kmph and we have two at this point in time - Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav. Aaron had a poor tournament and maybe he'll get better in time but to be banned from the attack is not impressive to the eye at all but dew did play a factor and I do not see that being the case in Australia and New Zealand. Where has Umesh Yadav gone? He is quick ad gets wickets - yes he is expensive but that's all our bowlers. They have to be worked. Our death bowling has let us down over and over again and what do we do to fix it? NOTHING! No yorkers (except Shami), obvious slower balls but so thought has to be put into this. This is the only we will be able to defend totals . In oredre to wim games going forward, Team India needs that killer instinct to finish off team when they're on top rather than what they normally do is let the game move slowly forward until a partnership has developed and then who suffers? WE DO!

Back to the batting:

I personally do not see Rohit Sharma opening the batting. I think he has always been better down the order and given a licence to go for his shots. Rahane does seem like a better option even though he feels number 4 is where he should be but then I start back on the Pujara argument - doesn't everyone feel Pujara is best suited at number 4. I do not want Pujara to open but if that's the only was for him to play then so be it. Rayudu I am still not too sure about and that is a discussion I will continue some other time.

Fielding:

Our fielding has been a disappointment since New Zealand and I have thought that this has been a strength especially when we won the World Cup but we have let catches spill and Karthik really surprised me with this performances behind the stumps as well as his batting when he shown so much promise in previous matches and the last IPL. What other keep batsmen do we have in the cupboard? Once again - food for thought.  

Time is ticking to the next World Cup - ARE WE GOING TO BE READY???

Can we defend the World Cup?

Doesn't seem that long ago, but my first ever blog talked about whether the men in blue were actually ready for the 2011 edition of the World Cup, and they proved me wrong. I'm hoping for the same again because from what I have seen so far, there is so much talent at our disposal but are we managing it correctly? I don't think so. 

I will agree to the fact that if we were playing at home or even in subcontinent conditions, I would blindly back the Team getting far in the tournament but at this point with it being playing in both Australia and New Zealand, I have my concerns.

In the 1992 edition of the World Cup, I remember Team India losing two close games to both England and Australia, with Sachin playing his first World Cup and of course we didn't progress to knockout stages. Our bowling wasn't great and our batting was decent but overall we probably weren't good enough on those conditions. Now, 12 years later, I honestly feel that we have, the batting, bowling and fielding to go far but how well are resources being used. In my opinion, what should be done is try and test out different team compositions to come up with a balanced squad.

At this point in time, I am unsure that this is being done, actually I know it isn't being done. We still play Ishant Sharma and our attack spinner is Ashwin. Ishant's economy rate is not to die for and to be honest, I never feel comfortable him bowling at the death as he is unbelievably predictable as his only change up is the slower off break which most times gets carted out of the park. Why was Ishwar Pandey taken on tour if he wasn't going to get a shot. We had everything to lose but a lot to gain if he had put in a decent performance. There is no one who at this point can lead the attack. This is why I raise the following questions:

• Could Zaheer Khan last another World Cup? Yes I know his fielding isn't the best but he has worked on his fitness and in such conditions, I definitely think he's an asset.
• Where is Umesh Yadav - he's in the Test squad but does he not deserve a place in the ODI side?
• Stuart Binny was selected and what did he do? Bowled one over for 8 runs - how fair is that?
• What you need to avoid getting hit for 300 every game, is bowlers who can get the job done during the death overs, that is, not give width, bowl slower balls, slower bouncers, cutters and of course yorkers (which I barely anymore in games).

When it comes to the spin department, we have Jadeja who has proved his worth as a relatively containing bowler, a fantastic fielder and has batted well as well (FINALLY). But Ashwin - I really don't see him in our side. Yes he has batted well but his bowling is the problem - he tries too many variations and he is an off spinner, but he is regular delivery isn't that great and over that last set of games, he has just bowled flat to contain and that is not what spinners supposed to do - they have to try and get wickets. To be honest, I would rather try the likes of Harbhajan (who can bat at times), Amit Mishra or even the one time pick Pervez Rasool. What do we have to lose as this gives us options.

With the bowling done, what about the batting? I feel that in New Zealand and in South Africa for that matter, we did not have the stability I am used to seeing in an Indian lineup. SHikhar Dhawan plays too many shots and need to curb his aggression while Rohit Sharma is the opposite as he takes a while before getting going and more often than not, in New Zealand, he played just to many dot balls for my liking. What a lot of people seem not to realize that there is one batsman not picked yet in the ODI side, who in my opinion could be our trump card - Cheteshwar Pujara. At the U-19 World Cup some years ago, Pujara was voted Man of the Tournament for his 349 runs at an average of 116, which included 1 hundred and 2 fifties. He has shown his stable side in the Test arena and has also shown that he can accelerate as well so why not? He is the Rahul Dravid we need to add that oomph to the team. THINK ABOUT IT! Rahane was impressive in spells and I think he should keep his place, where as Raina is going to have some work to do as he has not had a big score in a long time and it's time management picks up on this. Replacements in the batting department I am unsure of but there is still a year to and you never know - we might just unearth a talent out of the blue - UNLIKELY BUT YOU NEVER KNOW!

When our house, isn't ours anymore...

The ODI series between India is going on, actually Pakistan have pretty much sealed it needing just one more wicket and it seems like Team India have lost a test series at home and now they have lost an ODI series at home too. What happened to our home grounds being our castle, i.e, strong as a fort??? These performances over the last few months have been so disappointing from the eyes of a real India fan and things have to change, both with the test and the one-day side. What are Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag doing in the squad. I am fed of seeing Gauti waste deliveries and constantly being seen bowled via an inside edge. And then there's Viru, whose hands do all the talking and feet are just there for show. He was in slip for a lot of the match and I thought to myself realising that that is the only place you can hide but better than that, WHY PLAY HIM??????

Then the debate shifts to our lower order. MSD is wasted batting down the order because as he has shown in this series, he is a capable batsman in the shorter format if the game and should better use of what he has to offer rather just bat with the tail and come up the order only when we have scored shed loads. What are Rahane and Tiwary doing warming the bench when they should be tested more often. I thought Sachin retired so that Team India could prepare for the 2015 World Cup. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT PREPARATION! Pujara was the highest run getter at the U-19 World Cup some years back, then maybe should he have a look in? Yes I agree that Unmukt Chand is wy too young but do you not think that some fresh blood and spirit is needed in the team, just like when Raina and Jadeja initially came in to the squad. India needs a fresh air and not the same GOBBER!!!

Such performances are so frustrating, as all they do is ruin one's day and lower expectations when this team won the 2011 World Cup at home and at some point were the best test team in the world as well. How far they have fallen. Falling is a part of the game but getting up is what makes a team special and it is high time that the BCCI make some hard choices and take Team India in the right direction...up up and away.

FINGERS CROSSED once again!!!

India's fading dominance & not to forget mystifying team selection...

When it comes to Indian cricket, I have been getting more and more disappointed by the way the team performs. Yes, I agree we won the T20 World Cup and finally also won the 50 oer World Cup as, and that also on home soil but thinking about about it, I actually preferred India under Sourav Ganguly to the team now. Yes, we have been successful but I preferred the cricket we played then both at home and away.

It has got to a point that now that playing at home doesn't mean a test series victory as I can not remember the last time India got raped by 10 wickets. After winning he 2011 World Cup, I really thought India were going to reach a new level. I understood the fact that the test team would be going through a transition with Dravid, VVS and Sachin about to leave but in players such as Pujara, Rahane, Tiwary, Yadav and Aaron, I trully believed we could have a test team for the future but I have been proven wrong. 

How many times will the likes of Raina, Yuvraj and Rohit Sharma fail the team. I am not bothered about T20s or ODIs as now they really don't mean too much for me and even though I'd like to see India win, it is in the test arena where they have to dominate, and they are not. Beating West Indies and New Zealand is great but what about the likes of England, Australia and South Africa? To be honest, I do not rate England that highly but they have become a better side but we should be putting teams like them away based on the natural talent we possess.

I can not remember the last time an opposition spinner has outplayed the spin twins we usually have on display but this has happened. Is Monty that good? NO!!!! When thinking of that song WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE...I start wondering where have all our classy spinners gone? I rate Ashwin and Ojha but must have better than Ashwin and no legsinners? Forget Chawla and Mishra. When it comes our batting, we're playing Yuvi and Kohli with both of them being rather disappointing with the exception of Yuvi's 70odd in the first test. Should they not be replaced? And if you're wondering by who, then what about the batters who have been on the sidelines for ages such as Tiwary and Rahane. Such talents have to be brought outta the cupboard sooner or later otherwise it'll just be a waste. Pujara was given a chance early and look at him now.

It's hard to say this but look at Ravindra Jadeja. He has just scored two triple hundreds this season and is taking wickets. Is he being considered? I just do not understand the selection process and it is an old story so repeating it over and over again is of no use. 

The sooner the BCCI selection panel start making the difficult decision of giving unknowns a chance, Indian test cricket will deteriorate into oblivion. I want to see the best of Team India and not what I'm seeing now. I want to see repeats of India vs Australia 2001, India vs Australia (Adelaide) and India vs England (Headingley). Time will tell but till then all we can do is wait ad hope to see a change in fortune. FINGERS CROSSED.

Reality is an illusion...

Well I didn't say it, my wife did. But after thinking about what's happened this last year i.e 2012, I have to admit I have to agree with it. So many things that happen in life make me realise more and more than that statement is oh so true. You always think that you're gonna have this great childhood and go to a fab college and then get a great job, make shed loads of money, drive a fast car and then get married and live happily ever after in this massive house. Yes, a lot of this does happen but life is definitely not THAT easy. You take people for granted and vice versa, you get used and you hurt the people you least expect to or want to but THAT IS LIFE or REALITY. 

Our parents are like superheroes and we think and expect them to be there with us for eternity, but is that true? Not really. I lost my dad when I was 20 and now 13 years later, I'm left seeing my mum, who's worked her heart out raising us in a cast with pins in her wrist. It breaks my heart, but reality sucks and my mum's only human. If life were ideal, I would be working right about now considering I've just finished an MBA and would have expected to land a job sooner rather than later. Everyone says DON'T WORRY IT'LL HAPPEN,  but they're not the ones jobless and it's not it's been the first time so yeah...it aint easy. 

On a lighter note, The men in blue are considered to be almost unbeatable at home but we still got hammered but an average english side but this is reality after all and to be honest what is Bhajji doing wearing the India jersey as he has to be one of the biggest let downs of this test series. Should Sachin be retiring? Well, I definitely think so but maybe reality hasn't hit him as yet as his illusion of a currently successful career is still on going but his time is up. 

U never forget...

When I got married over 2 years ago, my wife and I always talked about dogs way before even thinking about kids. Not that we don't like kids but that's just not on our mind and dogs are as you know dogs. You cant but love’em and we couldn't wait to have one. In the month of October I think, I got in touch with a friend of mine with the prospect of bringing a dog home. Had already talked to mum about it and she wanted to see where it would go. On finding a candidate, we got a call to come see a lab pup. We jumped at the chance and drove all the way to Dhaid to go see this motu (ie fat) little guy that just blew us away from the moment he was put in his to be new mothers lap.

Names had already started flying around and Swati said that he had to have a Bollywood villain name…hence Mogambo, Bheem Singh & Gabbar were the final 3 choices, obviously Gabbar won.

Being too young to come home, we anxiously waited for Gabbar to get to 8 weeks and finally got to pick him and drive him home. I don't think I have ever heard a pup cry so much. Swats couldn't take but we managed and got him home safe and sound. Both of us still remember him trying to figure out where he was and who were these this husband and wife who could do nothing else but stare at him in amazement. I could never forget that night. Both Swati and I sleeping downstairs on the sofas and regularly waking up in the middle of the night to play with this duffer until he got tired and dozed off. This was definitely Gabbar’s passion…sleeping. The amount of photos Swati got of him sleeping everywhere around the house in the most awkward positions is just baffling but hey…it’s all good.

There are just so many moments with this stupid boy that spring to mind every time I think of him. His first bath, which was one crazy job as he just wouldn't stay still and of course being a pup, he just hated the water.

I never forget taking out in to the garden to play and he would just never listen to me. Its like he new what to do to tick me and then he’d just run as if he was laughing at my face….lulloo!

Everyone fell in love with this chubby lab…even my mom. Chilling on his beanbag in the kitchen he would either be playing with his toys, tussling with me playing tug of war or chewing on ice. Swati used to love to photo him and I think there being only a couple of photos of him with Swati (one regret I have till this day).

Gabbar was special to my family and me but I don't think I can put in words what he meant to my wife. Losing him 3 months in to 2011 was probably the hardest thing we went through as a couple and to this day, he lingers in our mind and our thoughts. I’m not writing this post for me; it’s for Swati to read and fondly remember the closest thing we had to a son.

I always tell her that no matter what, one day Gabbar will re-enter our lives in one way or another and I stand by that. I miss you Gabbar, but Swati misses you like you won’t believe.

Filmy ... very filmy!!!

I love hindi films and if you love hindi films, you have got to love hindi songs. Every song has its own special effect on me. You have your dhinka chicka songs that you just love to dance to at parties and nights out. Whether is be the 80s, 90s or the last 12 years, the slower more romantic songs are ones you can listen to over and over again.

Growing up, I had always had this thought that I would meet this girl one day and “background mein ghaana bhajjega”. Sounds stupid but that's me.

Have Indian films inspired me? Do I watch Indian films and realize that this reminds me of moments of my life gone wrong? Do I watch Indian films and miss my Dad, who’s not been with me for over 10 years? If this is not filmy, then I don't know what is. I might not have a favourite song but I could think of at least 15 songs I love:

1. Hazur is kadar – Masoom

2. Afreen Afreen – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

3. Rim Jim Gire Saawan – Manzil

4. Meri Mehbooba – Pardes

5. O re piya – Atif Aslam

6. Kaash – Faakhir

7. Chehra hai chand – Saagar

8. Tu meri aashiqui – Aashiqui

9. Jidar Dekhoon Teri tasveer – Mahaan

10. Tera saath hai kitna pyara – Jaanbaaz

11. Bholi si surat – Dil toh pagal hai

12. Teri deewani – Kailash Kher

13. Phir mohobhat – Murder 2

14. Dil ka qaraar – Sangharsh

15. Ho Gayi hai mohobhat – Aslam & Shibani

This list can probably go on and on but a short-list as a starter and if anyone wants me to go on then I will, no questions asked.

There are also a number of different or hatke songs that I’ve been introduced to and they’re just so different and so fresh that one can not help but want to listen to while walking into University (like I currently do) with a coffee in one hand:

1. No man will ever love you like I do – Raghu Dixit

2. Kaho ek din – Ahmed Jahanzeb

3. Laila – Faridkot

4. Charka – Wadali brothers

5. Ambar – Ragu Dixit

6. Khidki – Raghu Dixit

7. Dooba – Ade Farooq

8. Bahara (Chill version) – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

9. O Nadaan Parinde – Rockstar

10. Kya yehi pyar hai – Kamaal Khan

Should I go on?

Do I know where I’m going with this but felt like sharing and so I did.

Enjoy.

A Step Backward?

2^nd April 2011, India were on top of the world. One of the top 3 test teams as per the ICC rankings and World Cup winners after a 28 year wait. Anyone would have thought that the only way from year would have been but HELL NO! It has been a pretty disappointing run by Dhoni’s men, especially away from home. 9 tests played (3 in the West Indies, 4 in the UK & 2 so far down under) and so far 1 win and 6 losses. When it comes to the tour of England, I truly believe India were due a bad series and with all the injuries that took place, the series was a gonner before it even started.

So far in Australia, negatives have definitely out-weighed the positives. India has had their chances in both test and they have come out on the losing end both times. Is Australia that good? I do not think so. India have failed with the bat throughout the series and one has to really think, if certain individuals such as Sehwag, Gambhir and Laxman have what ti takes to hold their own in the line up. In the sub-continent, these 3 rarely fail but India need a side that competes home and away. Is Ganguly right? Have India forgotten to win abroad? I disagree for many reasons. I mean look at the bench strength of our fast bowling options. Umesh Yadav is great find as is Varun Aaron and Irfan Pathan is back in the fray as well. I do not want to see India lose 4-0 this series so all I can do is hope Rohit Sharma gets a look in for the next test match.

Where is Wasim Jaffer? He still scores bucket loads of runs and to be fair, Sehwag is failing way more than giving us the start we hope for. As a One Day player, there is no way I would even consider not having Viru in my batting line-up, but selectors have to grow a pair start axing where needed or India’s dream of being a test power house will fall apart and cease to exist. I thought the selectors needed, actually deserved a pat on the back for dropping Bhajji and I cant see how he’ll make it back in the side especialy with Ojha and Jadeja in the picture right now.

The next few weeks will give the cricket loving country of India a better idea of what is to happen to the Men in Blue dresses in white.

Don't let us down boys…try your best & you will succeed..no doubt…