The last two days have been a blur for me- I still cant believe we beat Australia at Perth- what a fantastic win especially after the unsavory events in Sydney where the umpires robbed us of victory. There are some moments in sports that are memorable, that are there to savor for they show the finest in human spirit and India's win in Perth will surely count amongst them for several reasons.
First- the one hour where Ponting was made to feel like a schoolboy by some terrific bowling from Delhi teenager, Ishant Sharma. Cricket is a great leveler, and reputations are nothing on the field and the way Ishant troubled Ponting, it was apparent he would have his wicket any moment.
Second- the comeback of Irfan Pathan. He made a terrific start to his career and then went into wilderness. He has worked hard and come back into the side to win the Match of the Match award. Too often, in such circumstances, you can doubt yourself, lose confidence and not perform. Irfan has come back and come back with a vengeance and hunger that will serve us well.
Three- the all round performance here; everyone chipped in- (you could consider Ganguly and Jaffer to be minor failures) but this was a true team performance and we need that if we are win consistently.
The last time someone stopped Australia at 16 straight wins, it as India way back in 2001. This time, it was us again. If this does not prove we are one of the best in the world, what will??!!!
Not to forget that if we were not undone by the umpires in Sydney, we could be looking at a very different scoreline in the series, something the Aussies are not used to.
Hail the victory and lets savor the win.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Charismatic speech making and Obama...
I have very little interest in politics. I seldom read about it, skim the headlines, read the odd column, but never quite dive in. I find it time wasting and futile- in general I find politicians concieted and self serving, and so I think it is not worth my time one way or the other. In newspapers, I read the sports and entertainment sections with much more enthusiasm and vigor. I seldom listen to their speeches, its the same thing phrased differently and packaged differently.
But one man is changing that for me- and that is Barack Obama. I just happened to listen to him the other day and he connects with the audience like I have never seen. He is by far, the most charismatic speaker I have ever seen. Is his record great? I dont know. Will he do things any different than other politicians? I have no idea...but for sure, when I listen to him, he conjures up hope and an optimism that I have seldom seen.
He seems to have a quality that I have not seen in any other politician- authenticity. If he is not authentic, he is a damn good actor!!!! Because I was very impressed. I dont know whether he will win or not, but surely, if charismatic speech making was one yardstick, he would win by a country mile!
But one man is changing that for me- and that is Barack Obama. I just happened to listen to him the other day and he connects with the audience like I have never seen. He is by far, the most charismatic speaker I have ever seen. Is his record great? I dont know. Will he do things any different than other politicians? I have no idea...but for sure, when I listen to him, he conjures up hope and an optimism that I have seldom seen.
He seems to have a quality that I have not seen in any other politician- authenticity. If he is not authentic, he is a damn good actor!!!! Because I was very impressed. I dont know whether he will win or not, but surely, if charismatic speech making was one yardstick, he would win by a country mile!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Aussie win in very poor taste- an article by a neutral!
I am rankled by not just the poor umpiring in Sydney but also by the characterless show by the Aussies who profess to be the messiahs of honest conduct of the game. I am reproducing here, an article by Peter English, on how India got robbed of a crucial game. This series should be called the Benson and Bucknor series because India is not playing just Australia, they are playing against the two umpires as well.
Read the article- coming from a neutral, it makes me feel the Indian team should return to India as there is no point is carrying on in a series that you know has been pre-decided in favor of the home team. The irony is that while Ponting cheats about catches and Symonds benefits from the umpires' largesse, it is poor Harbhajan who has been called in for bad conduct! If this is not symptomatic of double standards, I dont know what is.
Mohit.
Australia's attitude lacking in appeal
Peter English at the SCG
January 6, 2008
Andrew Symonds turned in disgust and threw darts with his eyes at Steve Bucknor. Mahendra Singh Dhoni had not played a shot to Symonds' offspin and the bowler was furious even though the ball was heading over the stumps. After the umpiring perks Symonds received during the match he had nothing to complain about.
On the last ball before tea it was Ricky Ponting who could not understand why Bucknor did not agree with a similar appeal against Rahul Dravid. Ponting crouched down and muttered as if nothing ever went his team's way. In this Test, from the moment Ponting's legside edge on day one went unnoticed by Mark Benson, almost everything did.
Symonds was the most fortunate man in the game. Following his batting reprieves, he was at the centre of another crucial decision that went against India and led to them losing the match. Poor Dravid, who battled to 38, was providing a formidable obstacle when he pushed his pad forward to Symonds and hid his bat and gloves behind his front leg. A sound was heard, Adam Gilchrist caught the ball, the Australians yelled and India's comfortable position of 3 for 115 was soon to be 6 for 137.
Bucknor was swayed in a ruling that was as bad as his miss of Symonds in the first innings. Listening to the edges has obviously become more difficult, but soon a fine servant may actually hear the calls for his retirement. The decisions contributed to India losing the Test, but the visiting players shook the hands of both officials after the match. While they took their caps off and lined up, the Australians danced, jumped and whooped in a manner that would have reminded the Indians of their World Twenty20 celebrations.
The noise of Symonds' nick on 31 was so loud it could have carried to the shoppers in nearby Oxford Street. Bucknor's decision cost India 131 runs and he also refused to call for the third umpire during a close stumping when Symonds was 148. Two days later Anil Kumble missed a hat-trick when Bucknor judged a wrong'un to be going over the stumps when Symonds pushed forward. He went on to score another 61.
Most Australian players believe luck evens itself out over a career, but their long-sightedness is not shared by visiting teams. Bob Woolmer reckoned Australia received almost six times more line-ball decisions than Pakistan during the 2004-05 series, and while it sounded like an exaggeration, it does seem that the benefit of the doubt favours the home team in Australia and around the world
Umpires must feel like frontline soldiers on the final days of the Tests. Fielders crowd round the batsmen and they are shouted at every couple of balls over fantasy and non-fiction. Every country has its ways of pushing the rules and one of Australia's traditional pet hates was the amount of appealing conducted by teams from the subcontinent.
Shane Warne helped alter that view and on the final day his former team-mates were expert at trying to influence the officials with shouts at all volumes. (Despite the consistent requests, none was as ridiculous as Kumble's plea for an lbw of Brad Hogg in the first innings when the ball was struck through cover for two.) Benson was so worn down late in the afternoon that he sent a run-out call to the third umpire even though the batsman was in by a metre.
"Both arguments are about telling the truth. Why should Clarke be trusted to rule on a potentially match-turning catch when he stayed at the crease on day four after edging a ball to first slip?"
In the same session he had to deal with Michael Clarke's low catch off Sourav Ganguly, who stood with hand on hip as he waited for a decision. Of course the Australians raced to the fielder and swamped him. They were certain it was out, but Benson wasn't sure. He looked to Bucknor at square leg and then walked down the pitch and asked Ponting what he thought. "He caught it," Ponting seemed to say and put his finger up. Benson did the same.
Fortunately for Ponting, who gained credibility for the decision by refusing to accept a low catch in the first innings, the replays did not show the ball falling short. Typically, they also could not clear all doubt from the take. Ponting's noble request for all teams to have an honesty system for these incidents has been rejected by the rest of the world - he had a small victory before this series when Kumble agreed the captains would have the final say on contentious catches - and they must have squirmed when they saw Ponting relaying the message to the umpire.
Australians see catching differently to appealing and walking. They say it's up to the umpire to decide on edges and lbws, but when it comes to knowing whether a ball has carried, the fielder is the best person to judge. What they miss is that both arguments are about telling the truth. Why should Clarke be trusted to rule on a potentially match-turning catch when he stayed at the crease on day four after edging a ball to first slip?
One of Gilchrist's finest traits is he walks whenever he gets an edge, and claims to appeal only if he's sure the batsman has got a nick. Apart from Dravid, Gilchrist was the best-positioned player to know what Symonds' delivery had touched. It was definitely not bat or glove. Gilchrist also did not see the puff of dust from the ball bouncing after Dhoni hit it into his leg before ricocheting back to the wicketkeeper, who appealed with his team-mates for a catch. It was an easy decision for Bruce Oxenford, the television umpire.
Under Steve Waugh the Australians devised a Spirit of Cricket document that they swear by. They insist they play the game "hard and fair" and are shocked whenever their outlook is challenged. After emotional days like this it is hard to sympathise with their complaints.
Read the article- coming from a neutral, it makes me feel the Indian team should return to India as there is no point is carrying on in a series that you know has been pre-decided in favor of the home team. The irony is that while Ponting cheats about catches and Symonds benefits from the umpires' largesse, it is poor Harbhajan who has been called in for bad conduct! If this is not symptomatic of double standards, I dont know what is.
Mohit.
Australia's attitude lacking in appeal
Peter English at the SCG
January 6, 2008
Andrew Symonds turned in disgust and threw darts with his eyes at Steve Bucknor. Mahendra Singh Dhoni had not played a shot to Symonds' offspin and the bowler was furious even though the ball was heading over the stumps. After the umpiring perks Symonds received during the match he had nothing to complain about.
On the last ball before tea it was Ricky Ponting who could not understand why Bucknor did not agree with a similar appeal against Rahul Dravid. Ponting crouched down and muttered as if nothing ever went his team's way. In this Test, from the moment Ponting's legside edge on day one went unnoticed by Mark Benson, almost everything did.
Symonds was the most fortunate man in the game. Following his batting reprieves, he was at the centre of another crucial decision that went against India and led to them losing the match. Poor Dravid, who battled to 38, was providing a formidable obstacle when he pushed his pad forward to Symonds and hid his bat and gloves behind his front leg. A sound was heard, Adam Gilchrist caught the ball, the Australians yelled and India's comfortable position of 3 for 115 was soon to be 6 for 137.
Bucknor was swayed in a ruling that was as bad as his miss of Symonds in the first innings. Listening to the edges has obviously become more difficult, but soon a fine servant may actually hear the calls for his retirement. The decisions contributed to India losing the Test, but the visiting players shook the hands of both officials after the match. While they took their caps off and lined up, the Australians danced, jumped and whooped in a manner that would have reminded the Indians of their World Twenty20 celebrations.
The noise of Symonds' nick on 31 was so loud it could have carried to the shoppers in nearby Oxford Street. Bucknor's decision cost India 131 runs and he also refused to call for the third umpire during a close stumping when Symonds was 148. Two days later Anil Kumble missed a hat-trick when Bucknor judged a wrong'un to be going over the stumps when Symonds pushed forward. He went on to score another 61.
Most Australian players believe luck evens itself out over a career, but their long-sightedness is not shared by visiting teams. Bob Woolmer reckoned Australia received almost six times more line-ball decisions than Pakistan during the 2004-05 series, and while it sounded like an exaggeration, it does seem that the benefit of the doubt favours the home team in Australia and around the world
Umpires must feel like frontline soldiers on the final days of the Tests. Fielders crowd round the batsmen and they are shouted at every couple of balls over fantasy and non-fiction. Every country has its ways of pushing the rules and one of Australia's traditional pet hates was the amount of appealing conducted by teams from the subcontinent.
Shane Warne helped alter that view and on the final day his former team-mates were expert at trying to influence the officials with shouts at all volumes. (Despite the consistent requests, none was as ridiculous as Kumble's plea for an lbw of Brad Hogg in the first innings when the ball was struck through cover for two.) Benson was so worn down late in the afternoon that he sent a run-out call to the third umpire even though the batsman was in by a metre.
"Both arguments are about telling the truth. Why should Clarke be trusted to rule on a potentially match-turning catch when he stayed at the crease on day four after edging a ball to first slip?"
In the same session he had to deal with Michael Clarke's low catch off Sourav Ganguly, who stood with hand on hip as he waited for a decision. Of course the Australians raced to the fielder and swamped him. They were certain it was out, but Benson wasn't sure. He looked to Bucknor at square leg and then walked down the pitch and asked Ponting what he thought. "He caught it," Ponting seemed to say and put his finger up. Benson did the same.
Fortunately for Ponting, who gained credibility for the decision by refusing to accept a low catch in the first innings, the replays did not show the ball falling short. Typically, they also could not clear all doubt from the take. Ponting's noble request for all teams to have an honesty system for these incidents has been rejected by the rest of the world - he had a small victory before this series when Kumble agreed the captains would have the final say on contentious catches - and they must have squirmed when they saw Ponting relaying the message to the umpire.
Australians see catching differently to appealing and walking. They say it's up to the umpire to decide on edges and lbws, but when it comes to knowing whether a ball has carried, the fielder is the best person to judge. What they miss is that both arguments are about telling the truth. Why should Clarke be trusted to rule on a potentially match-turning catch when he stayed at the crease on day four after edging a ball to first slip?
One of Gilchrist's finest traits is he walks whenever he gets an edge, and claims to appeal only if he's sure the batsman has got a nick. Apart from Dravid, Gilchrist was the best-positioned player to know what Symonds' delivery had touched. It was definitely not bat or glove. Gilchrist also did not see the puff of dust from the ball bouncing after Dhoni hit it into his leg before ricocheting back to the wicketkeeper, who appealed with his team-mates for a catch. It was an easy decision for Bruce Oxenford, the television umpire.
Under Steve Waugh the Australians devised a Spirit of Cricket document that they swear by. They insist they play the game "hard and fair" and are shocked whenever their outlook is challenged. After emotional days like this it is hard to sympathise with their complaints.
Back in the US
It took three flights and 18 hours for us to be in the air to get from Manila to Boston.
In manila, it was about 28 degrees centigrade when we left, it was 28F when we landed in Boston.
Coach class on trans-Pacific flights can be tough but good luck on any American airline. Our flight with our 17 month old son was made good by our co-passengers and despite the airlines staff. On Northwest, they are anything but co-operative. Now, I know why most American airlines are losing money. The service is not just non-responsive, it just plain discourteous and shoddy. Pay a little more, and travel Singapore Airlines or even Malaysian or Thai. You will thank yourself that you made the choice. A long time back now, the Americans lost their competitiveness in the car industry to the Asians, mostly Japanese. They are well on their way to losing their competitiveness in the airlines industry.
Our vacation was great, but we are glad to be back. You enjoy your vacation only when there is work to reinvigorate you and I am looking forward to a productive 2008. While the recession call is still very much on the horizon, I am optimistic that we will be better off by Q3. If the Iowa caucus is anything to go by, this country is ready for a job and by God, Northwest made me feel I had changed my airline a long time back!
On the sports front, the Patriots maintain their winning streak while the umpires in Sydney handed Australia a match India deserved to win! I have already bemoaned the umpiring standards in the last column, so I will not do that again.
Its a new year and the best way to start out optimistic and hope better things will happen.
Happy New Year everyone!
In manila, it was about 28 degrees centigrade when we left, it was 28F when we landed in Boston.
Coach class on trans-Pacific flights can be tough but good luck on any American airline. Our flight with our 17 month old son was made good by our co-passengers and despite the airlines staff. On Northwest, they are anything but co-operative. Now, I know why most American airlines are losing money. The service is not just non-responsive, it just plain discourteous and shoddy. Pay a little more, and travel Singapore Airlines or even Malaysian or Thai. You will thank yourself that you made the choice. A long time back now, the Americans lost their competitiveness in the car industry to the Asians, mostly Japanese. They are well on their way to losing their competitiveness in the airlines industry.
Our vacation was great, but we are glad to be back. You enjoy your vacation only when there is work to reinvigorate you and I am looking forward to a productive 2008. While the recession call is still very much on the horizon, I am optimistic that we will be better off by Q3. If the Iowa caucus is anything to go by, this country is ready for a job and by God, Northwest made me feel I had changed my airline a long time back!
On the sports front, the Patriots maintain their winning streak while the umpires in Sydney handed Australia a match India deserved to win! I have already bemoaned the umpiring standards in the last column, so I will not do that again.
Its a new year and the best way to start out optimistic and hope better things will happen.
Happy New Year everyone!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Umpires rob India of dominance in Sydney!
Just when you thought the awesome Aussies wee finally vulnerable against the most disciplined attack in some time, the umpires came to Australia's rescue. They refused to give the Aussie batsmen out! Loud snicks for caught behind were ignored, and clear stumpings were ruled not out. It was as if Australia were playing with 13 players, not 11. I know it might be said that these were "honest" mistakes, can we please have some more accountability in umpiring standards in world cricket?!! People pay a lot to get a cracking contest. When it is ruined by pathetic umpiring, it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
Dont get me wrong, the Aussies are a strong team and I do not grudge them the best team in the world status, not by long shot. But today, India had them, almost, and that almost will never be captured in statistics. RP Singh and Harbhajan bowled brilliantly to have them at 136 for 6 and while Hogg and Symonds played well, they were helped along by some atrocious umpiring decisions. Ponting was out twice before he was given wrong out on 55. Symonds went on to make 137 (still not out) when he was clearly out in his thirties and then again, on 48. What does India have to do to get them out, bribe the umpires tonight??!!!
I am amazed, that given all the technology and the money that is flowing into the cricket, the standard of umpiring remains so abysmal and how India continues to get the short shaft when it comes to good umpires. I remember in the One Day series finals in England earlier in 2007, both Sachin and Dravid were given out incorrectly, at that time, by Aleem Dar, and we were robbed of the final. If Australia do win the Sydney, they have to thank Benson and Steve "Shocker" Bucknor for their victory.
Many a times, I have complained about India's performance. Today, I will not, for the bowlers deserve nothing but kudos and while my blood boils in anger at the two umpires, there is nothing you can do but wonder at the stupidity of the officials to allow such things to happen. I am pretty certain, if Indians complain, it will be a matter of sour grapes.
Lets get rid of the double standards- when Ponting complains about umpiring, he is being fair, when Kumble complains, he is whining...
Will someone get some sense here.
I wish the Indian team luck but when you are stacked 11 against 13 with the most powerful men in the jury in the opposite, it becomes just a wee bit difficult to win, dont you think!!
Dont get me wrong, the Aussies are a strong team and I do not grudge them the best team in the world status, not by long shot. But today, India had them, almost, and that almost will never be captured in statistics. RP Singh and Harbhajan bowled brilliantly to have them at 136 for 6 and while Hogg and Symonds played well, they were helped along by some atrocious umpiring decisions. Ponting was out twice before he was given wrong out on 55. Symonds went on to make 137 (still not out) when he was clearly out in his thirties and then again, on 48. What does India have to do to get them out, bribe the umpires tonight??!!!
I am amazed, that given all the technology and the money that is flowing into the cricket, the standard of umpiring remains so abysmal and how India continues to get the short shaft when it comes to good umpires. I remember in the One Day series finals in England earlier in 2007, both Sachin and Dravid were given out incorrectly, at that time, by Aleem Dar, and we were robbed of the final. If Australia do win the Sydney, they have to thank Benson and Steve "Shocker" Bucknor for their victory.
Many a times, I have complained about India's performance. Today, I will not, for the bowlers deserve nothing but kudos and while my blood boils in anger at the two umpires, there is nothing you can do but wonder at the stupidity of the officials to allow such things to happen. I am pretty certain, if Indians complain, it will be a matter of sour grapes.
Lets get rid of the double standards- when Ponting complains about umpiring, he is being fair, when Kumble complains, he is whining...
Will someone get some sense here.
I wish the Indian team luck but when you are stacked 11 against 13 with the most powerful men in the jury in the opposite, it becomes just a wee bit difficult to win, dont you think!!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Vacationing in the Philippines
We have been in the Philippines over the last ten days and they have been incredibly relaxing- relaxing for three reasons.
One- our trip to Boracay, which is probably the finest white sand beach in the world.
Two- reconnecting with family and old friends. My wife's high school batch in Midsayap, Cotabato, celebrated 20 years of passing out from school and it was occasion to remember. The preparation was extensive but it was the warmth of everyone in the small town of Midsayap (pop of 120,000) that completely won my heart. Their sincerity and genuiuneness is something that is uncommon in today's day and age.
Three- the variety of food. Being primarily a vegetarian, I can't partake of most delightful Filipino food but I was completely surprised to taste the empanadas made a small boutique bakery called Blue Bell Cafe. Janette, the owner and brainchild behind the venture, is a chemical engineer, who decided to quit her teaching career for her love for baking, and what a fantastic decision it was. Now, she employs 36 people in three different stores and if the empanadas are anything to go by, I am sure she will have more success in years to come. I had three of them before my flight to Manila and three more after we landed and the taste is still lingering in my mouth. For anyone who likes the Indian samosas, Janette's empanadas are a must.
We have four more days before we fly back to the US, but the memories of friends, family and beaches of Boracay will linger for a long time.
One- our trip to Boracay, which is probably the finest white sand beach in the world.
Two- reconnecting with family and old friends. My wife's high school batch in Midsayap, Cotabato, celebrated 20 years of passing out from school and it was occasion to remember. The preparation was extensive but it was the warmth of everyone in the small town of Midsayap (pop of 120,000) that completely won my heart. Their sincerity and genuiuneness is something that is uncommon in today's day and age.
Three- the variety of food. Being primarily a vegetarian, I can't partake of most delightful Filipino food but I was completely surprised to taste the empanadas made a small boutique bakery called Blue Bell Cafe. Janette, the owner and brainchild behind the venture, is a chemical engineer, who decided to quit her teaching career for her love for baking, and what a fantastic decision it was. Now, she employs 36 people in three different stores and if the empanadas are anything to go by, I am sure she will have more success in years to come. I had three of them before my flight to Manila and three more after we landed and the taste is still lingering in my mouth. For anyone who likes the Indian samosas, Janette's empanadas are a must.
We have four more days before we fly back to the US, but the memories of friends, family and beaches of Boracay will linger for a long time.
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