Stung into action by the Cricket needs it's Essence blog, Cricinfo is getting together some smart minds in the game to talk about whether it is time to redress the balance between bat and ball, what can be done etc etc :D Here's the link. Sambit Bal is scheduled to write the final piece. You can be sure that it will be worth the wait.
CLARIFICATION: Due to the obvious sarcasm, I thought that there was no need to be sarcastic while stating that one of my previous blogs has spawned the discussion on cricinfo. However, this friend of mine, Rasan, a PhD student, called me up at close to midnight and asked me about how I managed to get the attention of the editors of Cricinfo :-o So, due to fear of someone else also thinking along those lines, and worse suing me for writing so, I need to issue this following clarification. 'The discussion on cricinfo is an independant idea and not inspired by my blog' (atleast, not that I know of ;) )
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
The NUGGET's gone!
As it happenned, once, during the golden years, when ViM, FSN, MoGa and myself were discussing some of our important achievements until that point, ViM proudly announced that even in a crowded video store, he could get one of those guy movies (just to clarify....more girls than guys in the movie :D) with his subtlety. While FSN and MoGa also managed to flaunt their expertise in this area, I sat there, quiet and unable to look them in the eye. Naturally, this was noticed and led to an investigation. Turned out that while I had scrutinized and reviewed every movie that was ever borrowed, I had never ever done the dirty work myself. This obviously did not go down well with these you've-gotta-earn-your-bread folk. And at the end of the discussion, ViM, in his position as the unelected leader, thundered that if I had any semblance of pride, I should not watch one until I got it myself. So, there I sat, humiliated and humbled, in the midst of these giants of the trade.
Naturally, ViM's order has been disobeyed over the years. Not because I lack a semblance of pride, but more because, some things are more important than pride! Anyway, life has been good since (in every possible way), without cause for much complaint. However, the accusation of being a parasite has always remained a nugget deep down.
Last week, this friend of mine, Sekh, having finished his Masters and having gotten an offer, thus having nothing to do until work started, came down for a vacation and stayed over for a week. Since I was unable to take time off work, he spent the day watching movies and cooking dinner for my roommate and myself. After watching my collection of the good and the guy ones, he insisted that we go to Blockbuster and get a couple (a good one and a guy one) for Friday.
We decided upon 'The Rookie' as the movie for that night and continued looking for a second one. Which is when it occurred to me that now might be the time to flush away that nugget forever. Also, taking the plunge for the sake of Sekh (Since he was the one that wanted to borrow one. I know my way around the internet! Sorry Sekh, HAD to rat you out) made me feel 'martyr'ish. So, taking the case from him after he had pondered 15 mins over the different titles available, I proceeded with short hesitant steps toward the counter. For Chrissakes, it was a girl at the counter!!! I was ready to give up and ask Sekh to do the dirty work himself. Somehow, I gathered my courage, decided on a Now or Never approach and stood in the line.
When it was my turn, I walked up to her, while trying to keep my eyes straight and passed on the 2 cases in my hand (obviously The Rookie was on top). Once I handed it over, there I was, ready to sink into the ground at the hint of a giggle from her. It never came. She was a total pro. Got it from my hands, read the titles, located the DVDs, placed them in the cases and handed back to me within 2 mins. And all with a neat smile. I felt exonerated...
Naturally, ViM's order has been disobeyed over the years. Not because I lack a semblance of pride, but more because, some things are more important than pride! Anyway, life has been good since (in every possible way), without cause for much complaint. However, the accusation of being a parasite has always remained a nugget deep down.
Last week, this friend of mine, Sekh, having finished his Masters and having gotten an offer, thus having nothing to do until work started, came down for a vacation and stayed over for a week. Since I was unable to take time off work, he spent the day watching movies and cooking dinner for my roommate and myself. After watching my collection of the good and the guy ones, he insisted that we go to Blockbuster and get a couple (a good one and a guy one) for Friday.
We decided upon 'The Rookie' as the movie for that night and continued looking for a second one. Which is when it occurred to me that now might be the time to flush away that nugget forever. Also, taking the plunge for the sake of Sekh (Since he was the one that wanted to borrow one. I know my way around the internet! Sorry Sekh, HAD to rat you out) made me feel 'martyr'ish. So, taking the case from him after he had pondered 15 mins over the different titles available, I proceeded with short hesitant steps toward the counter. For Chrissakes, it was a girl at the counter!!! I was ready to give up and ask Sekh to do the dirty work himself. Somehow, I gathered my courage, decided on a Now or Never approach and stood in the line.
When it was my turn, I walked up to her, while trying to keep my eyes straight and passed on the 2 cases in my hand (obviously The Rookie was on top). Once I handed it over, there I was, ready to sink into the ground at the hint of a giggle from her. It never came. She was a total pro. Got it from my hands, read the titles, located the DVDs, placed them in the cases and handed back to me within 2 mins. And all with a neat smile. I felt exonerated...
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Even a Rasna needs its ESSENCE
Pearls of wisdom can emanate from the unlikeliest of sources. That's what I realised when I came across this one by Nirmal Shekhar. Usually, I prefer to avoid his articles, simply because I do not want my blood pressure shooting up after reading about Sampras' supposed greatness in the middle of a report on cricket. Anyway, this time around, due to sheer negligence, I started reading this one and and ended up being rewarded (Diligence pays. YES. But now, so does negligence..plus you can be lazy while being negligent!!!)
The whole world has been going ga-ga about THAT MATCH and how it was the greatest one ever played. It definitely was one of the greatest due to the sheer improbability of the scores and the final result. It's a no-brainer actually. While discussing it that day, I stumbled with words to express the awe I felt when I saw the scorecard. Also, I found myself enthusiastically, first explaining cricket and then, the significance of this match to a few individuals (usually, I just wave them off dismissively and affix the label 'childhood kadalai' to those desis that do not know cricket). Eventually, after the euphoria died down, I found my thoughts turning another way.
Here are a couple of scorecards (one, two) from matches belonging to a different era of ODIs. I did not witness either of them. Yet, the records of both these matches used to show up in most of cricket's batting related statistics prior to 1996. After this recent batathon, I found myself thinking about how I was fascinated by the numbers of those matches when I started following cricket. However, now, I find it hard to remember the number of times that India has crossed 350. I think 'Familiarity breeds contempt' explains it. And I have NO DOUBT whatsoever that 10 years down the line, a 400 plus score would be as regular as a 300 is these days....if the current trends of favouring batting persist.
Not that I know what the perfect balance is. Personally, I prefer 225 - 260 thrillers. But I know that this hypothetical optimal score stems from the fact that I grew up to this game seeing such scores. I am sure that an individual who started watching the game in the 70s wouldn't be happy with bowlers being hit for 4 to 5 runs per over or actually, might loathe the one day form of cricket altogether. My only counter to that (I have to counter it since I love ODIs) would be to play the 'audience wants it' card. Which would lead to a breakdown of my entire argument since any cricket-educated individual can fairly point out that we have decades to go before hitting the barrier of 1800 (36 runs per over :D), until which any crisis talk can wait!....STUMPED !!!
Hence, unsure of my own reasoning on this issue, I deliberated and almost gave up. Enter Nirmal Shekhar (of all people!). He says 'A sport can lose its essential greatness over generations without ever losing its mass appeal'.....and I fall to my knees thanking him. I would replace the 'essential greatness' with 'essence' but he captured it right there. As we move to 400 and then 500 scores, where is the contest between ball and bat (which is INARGUABLY the essence of this game)? The convenient 'audience wants it' card does not hold anymore, does it?
The game is thriving at present, so, why bother is a fair reply. Afterall, filling up stadiums is never a problem in the subcontinent (the breeding ground of the very problem that I am discussing) and the money is flowing in like never before. Then again, it should be noted that the 'thriving' refers to the aforementioned and not the quality of the game.
By no means is juggling and balancing the three (quality, spectators, money) an open and shut case. Nevertheless, the lack of intelligent debate on the same is alarming. I hoped and continue to hope that this match sparks off heated discussions and a few radical decisions to ensure that the bowler breed remains in existence. A few players (Barry Richards among them) have spoken about it and supposedly Shaun Pollock of the bowler breed weighed in with a 'great game!......to watch from the pavilion' remark. All I wait for is a gem from Bhogle or Brijnath or if we are all very lucky, from Rahul THE ONE Dravid himelf!
PS: Nirmal Shekhar, In the very unlikely event of you reading this, this should not be misconstrued as a surrender. That would not happen until you can explain the existence of Roger Federer in context of your hundred times repeated 'Sampras is a once in my lifetime player' :D
The whole world has been going ga-ga about THAT MATCH and how it was the greatest one ever played. It definitely was one of the greatest due to the sheer improbability of the scores and the final result. It's a no-brainer actually. While discussing it that day, I stumbled with words to express the awe I felt when I saw the scorecard. Also, I found myself enthusiastically, first explaining cricket and then, the significance of this match to a few individuals (usually, I just wave them off dismissively and affix the label 'childhood kadalai' to those desis that do not know cricket). Eventually, after the euphoria died down, I found my thoughts turning another way.
Here are a couple of scorecards (one, two) from matches belonging to a different era of ODIs. I did not witness either of them. Yet, the records of both these matches used to show up in most of cricket's batting related statistics prior to 1996. After this recent batathon, I found myself thinking about how I was fascinated by the numbers of those matches when I started following cricket. However, now, I find it hard to remember the number of times that India has crossed 350. I think 'Familiarity breeds contempt' explains it. And I have NO DOUBT whatsoever that 10 years down the line, a 400 plus score would be as regular as a 300 is these days....if the current trends of favouring batting persist.
Not that I know what the perfect balance is. Personally, I prefer 225 - 260 thrillers. But I know that this hypothetical optimal score stems from the fact that I grew up to this game seeing such scores. I am sure that an individual who started watching the game in the 70s wouldn't be happy with bowlers being hit for 4 to 5 runs per over or actually, might loathe the one day form of cricket altogether. My only counter to that (I have to counter it since I love ODIs) would be to play the 'audience wants it' card. Which would lead to a breakdown of my entire argument since any cricket-educated individual can fairly point out that we have decades to go before hitting the barrier of 1800 (36 runs per over :D), until which any crisis talk can wait!....STUMPED !!!
Hence, unsure of my own reasoning on this issue, I deliberated and almost gave up. Enter Nirmal Shekhar (of all people!). He says 'A sport can lose its essential greatness over generations without ever losing its mass appeal'.....and I fall to my knees thanking him. I would replace the 'essential greatness' with 'essence' but he captured it right there. As we move to 400 and then 500 scores, where is the contest between ball and bat (which is INARGUABLY the essence of this game)? The convenient 'audience wants it' card does not hold anymore, does it?
The game is thriving at present, so, why bother is a fair reply. Afterall, filling up stadiums is never a problem in the subcontinent (the breeding ground of the very problem that I am discussing) and the money is flowing in like never before. Then again, it should be noted that the 'thriving' refers to the aforementioned and not the quality of the game.
By no means is juggling and balancing the three (quality, spectators, money) an open and shut case. Nevertheless, the lack of intelligent debate on the same is alarming. I hoped and continue to hope that this match sparks off heated discussions and a few radical decisions to ensure that the bowler breed remains in existence. A few players (Barry Richards among them) have spoken about it and supposedly Shaun Pollock of the bowler breed weighed in with a 'great game!......to watch from the pavilion' remark. All I wait for is a gem from Bhogle or Brijnath or if we are all very lucky, from Rahul THE ONE Dravid himelf!
PS: Nirmal Shekhar, In the very unlikely event of you reading this, this should not be misconstrued as a surrender. That would not happen until you can explain the existence of Roger Federer in context of your hundred times repeated 'Sampras is a once in my lifetime player' :D
Friday, March 10, 2006
Finally, 'tis upon us
....5 hours to go!!! After the long months of winter testing, not to mention the long 2005 season, here I am, all excited for the start of season 2006. Excited and scared after the scarring of the last season, I should say.
Unfortunately, Renault seem to have picked up from where they left last time around. I was thrilled to see that they weren't close to the top of the timesheets during Fri practise, but the verdict seemed to be unanimous....'some teams decided not to show true potential today'. Usually, that would refer to my beloved Schumeister's Ferrari. But then, in the world of F1, where change is the only contant (banal but true), this time around, it is the Alonso piloted Renault that everyone is wary of.
And Honda seem to be mixing quite well at the top. Button-mania has been a sidescript to every F1 race for the past 5 years. However, this season, it could very well steal a lot of the headlines. Not exactly something that I am looking forward to....
Ice-Cool and Cry-Baby are very public that the McLaren is not upto the mark. The cynic in me says that this is nothing but sandbagging. However, the optimist says that with Newey's departure to Red Bull, the McBoys are up against it. We'll soon know.
Meanwhile, the Schumeister has been at it for much longer during the off season than ever before. And he has been quietly optimistic of the 248F1. Based on my observation, the 248F1's pace can't be doubted....however, it's fragility makes it seem like it was borrowed from the McLaren garage. I, for one, am chewing my nails as ever. But hold on.....that's not necessarily a bad omen for the tifosi. I did that during 2002 and 2004 also!
Anyway, as always, here's hoping for some great races, lots of overtaking, mindless controversies and of course.....lots of rain. Gentlemen, let the engines VVVVRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!
Unfortunately, Renault seem to have picked up from where they left last time around. I was thrilled to see that they weren't close to the top of the timesheets during Fri practise, but the verdict seemed to be unanimous....'some teams decided not to show true potential today'. Usually, that would refer to my beloved Schumeister's Ferrari. But then, in the world of F1, where change is the only contant (banal but true), this time around, it is the Alonso piloted Renault that everyone is wary of.
And Honda seem to be mixing quite well at the top. Button-mania has been a sidescript to every F1 race for the past 5 years. However, this season, it could very well steal a lot of the headlines. Not exactly something that I am looking forward to....
Ice-Cool and Cry-Baby are very public that the McLaren is not upto the mark. The cynic in me says that this is nothing but sandbagging. However, the optimist says that with Newey's departure to Red Bull, the McBoys are up against it. We'll soon know.
Meanwhile, the Schumeister has been at it for much longer during the off season than ever before. And he has been quietly optimistic of the 248F1. Based on my observation, the 248F1's pace can't be doubted....however, it's fragility makes it seem like it was borrowed from the McLaren garage. I, for one, am chewing my nails as ever. But hold on.....that's not necessarily a bad omen for the tifosi. I did that during 2002 and 2004 also!
Anyway, as always, here's hoping for some great races, lots of overtaking, mindless controversies and of course.....lots of rain. Gentlemen, let the engines VVVVRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Thank you journalists
To me, the only redeeming saga of the Ganguly soap is that it has provided some good authors in the cricketing world, the opportunity to use their insight and put some perspective on the events and the characters.
Rahul Bhattacharya's THE HEART OF THE MATTER is one such creation. It throws light on the very human qualities and frailities of Saurav Chandidas Ganguly. And now comes another gem, Amit Varma's BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER. The opening line is one to die for....
'If it wasn't such a national passion, most of us would probably see that cricket is not a game of heroes and villains, but of human beings, and human beings are inevitably flawed'
PERSPECTIVE !!! on what most people think are celluloid creations.
Rahul Bhattacharya's THE HEART OF THE MATTER is one such creation. It throws light on the very human qualities and frailities of Saurav Chandidas Ganguly. And now comes another gem, Amit Varma's BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER. The opening line is one to die for....
'If it wasn't such a national passion, most of us would probably see that cricket is not a game of heroes and villains, but of human beings, and human beings are inevitably flawed'
PERSPECTIVE !!! on what most people think are celluloid creations.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Tough life? Become a journalist!
In the long gone days, Wednesday morning was something I always looked forward to. This was before internet browsing had entered my life. Wednesday was the day THE SPORTSTAR would be delivered at my doorstep. That was the only day when I would beat my parents to bringing the print media inside the house. And once the SPORTSTAR was in my lap, browsing the issue was the habit.....browsing until I reached the Harsha Bhogle article, that is.
Harsha has been a favourite of anyone and everyone for a long time. His common man outlook and passion for the game (besides being the non-controversial host) has lead to this scenario. His latest article is another of those articulate ones that follows a good balancing act. I, though, have to fill in some of the blank spaces and the untouched areas.
When I was younger, I thought that the press vs players battle was an easy one for the players. The press was at the complete mercy of the players for comments and insights, was my perception. Over the years though, this viewpoint has undergone a radical change, and not without reason. Azharudin's demeanour underwent a sea change during the mid-90s and I for one, place a majority of the blame at the doorstep of the media. Every single low score of his was linked to the presence of the new lady (now wife) in his life. And this was in respectable newspapers. I recall picking up a copy of some magazine at a saloon hoping for some beautiful pics - rather, pictures of some beautiful people - and instead finding pictures of a spotting of Azhar with his erstwhile girlfriend at a hotel. Ganguly went through something similar (during a successful period for Indian cricket). And all this is mild and conservative intrusion when compared to the harassment that Warne/Eriksson/any footballer go through in their lives.
Harsha rightly points out that none of this can prevent anyone from scoring runs or taking wickets. But, let us remember that anyone and everyone goes through hard times. Which is precisely when the 'vulture like' qualities of the press ensures that someone who is down stays down. Personal vendettas are staged with the 'good of the game' as the excuse. Public opinion is turned against the players who already face a huge battle to find elusive form. Enormous 'unfair' pressure is exerted. Thereby making a comeback doubly difficult. And make no mistake, there is a single all encompassing motivation for all this....THE NEED FOR A STORY, ANY STORY!
Spiderman's 'With great power comes great responsibility' is something I dismissed as a cheesy one-liner when I first saw it. However, events in life (both recent and past) have made me sing a different tune to that very same caption. So much so, that I now own a DVD copy of both the Spiderman movies, with the second one being a particular favourite!
Getting back to the main story, the press with its wide reach wields absolute power. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can ask the BCCI board members/players/anyone under the sun to show honour and commitment to the job and then publish something like this. That's the kind of power they wield. All Power and NO RESPONSIBILITY. Life sure is a bed of roses.
Hope Harsha or someone of the same ilk can talk about that sometime....for once, do it for the 'good of the game'!
Harsha has been a favourite of anyone and everyone for a long time. His common man outlook and passion for the game (besides being the non-controversial host) has lead to this scenario. His latest article is another of those articulate ones that follows a good balancing act. I, though, have to fill in some of the blank spaces and the untouched areas.
When I was younger, I thought that the press vs players battle was an easy one for the players. The press was at the complete mercy of the players for comments and insights, was my perception. Over the years though, this viewpoint has undergone a radical change, and not without reason. Azharudin's demeanour underwent a sea change during the mid-90s and I for one, place a majority of the blame at the doorstep of the media. Every single low score of his was linked to the presence of the new lady (now wife) in his life. And this was in respectable newspapers. I recall picking up a copy of some magazine at a saloon hoping for some beautiful pics - rather, pictures of some beautiful people - and instead finding pictures of a spotting of Azhar with his erstwhile girlfriend at a hotel. Ganguly went through something similar (during a successful period for Indian cricket). And all this is mild and conservative intrusion when compared to the harassment that Warne/Eriksson/any footballer go through in their lives.
Harsha rightly points out that none of this can prevent anyone from scoring runs or taking wickets. But, let us remember that anyone and everyone goes through hard times. Which is precisely when the 'vulture like' qualities of the press ensures that someone who is down stays down. Personal vendettas are staged with the 'good of the game' as the excuse. Public opinion is turned against the players who already face a huge battle to find elusive form. Enormous 'unfair' pressure is exerted. Thereby making a comeback doubly difficult. And make no mistake, there is a single all encompassing motivation for all this....THE NEED FOR A STORY, ANY STORY!
Spiderman's 'With great power comes great responsibility' is something I dismissed as a cheesy one-liner when I first saw it. However, events in life (both recent and past) have made me sing a different tune to that very same caption. So much so, that I now own a DVD copy of both the Spiderman movies, with the second one being a particular favourite!
Getting back to the main story, the press with its wide reach wields absolute power. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can ask the BCCI board members/players/anyone under the sun to show honour and commitment to the job and then publish something like this. That's the kind of power they wield. All Power and NO RESPONSIBILITY. Life sure is a bed of roses.
Hope Harsha or someone of the same ilk can talk about that sometime....for once, do it for the 'good of the game'!
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