Hey all, our 15th consecutive run chase and our 8th consecutive victory in ODIs, wot more can an indian fan ask for?? i recall just 3 yrs or so back, we’d turn off our television sets when Sachin and Sourav wud walk back to da pavillion. But since then, the evolution of the indian team has been humongous and now, no total seems to be enough for our side thats edging close to third spot in the ICC ODI rankings! Even without Sachin and Sourav and without ne significant contriburions from Sehwag and Kaif, we have managed to keep up our good run in chasing totals thanks to the services of our lower order comprising Yuvi, Dhoni, Raina who have risen to the occassion and brought us to some great victories.
Today’s match though wasnt a one man show. It was a collective effort by the team and everyone contributed their bit towards bringing victory. Pathan as usual got us the early breakthrough and once again delivered with the bat proving his credibility as an all rounder, making him a real asset to the team. Sree Santh too has been an excellent find for the team. Sehwag, tho he didnt get a big score, atleast got two wickets to his credit. As did Yuvraj Singh whose catch to dismiss Collingwood was simply superb.Sure was worth watching the replays over and over again! And with the bat, he is a class act. Dravid as usual was well amongst runs and Dhoni and Raina made their little contributions too as also did Ramesh Powar whose been bowling well thruout da series. Kaif, once again unable to get a big score, atleast managed to get rid of the ‘duck’ jinx.Of course, Dravid’s captaincy, especially the use of powerplays also deserves credit.
Andrew Flintoff, on the other hand will have a tough job at hand to motivate his players to give their best in the next three games and salvage some pride. Somehoe, things just havent been falling into place for them. But for Pieterson and Flintoff, their batting lacks depth and even their bowlers arent able to cause sufficient damage to a strong indian batting line up.
It will be interesting to see how Chappell experiments in the next few games. Dravid, Yuvi, Pathan mite get sme rest.It will be a good opportunity for Kaif to amongst the runs. Our vice-captain too will be luking to get cracking.Just heard that Sachin is back in Mumbai and will begin training from next month itself. Once Veeru and Sachin get going, we’ll be one hulluva side! Australia watch out!

I'm sooooooo happy! Our third consecutive win over England ..Yuvraj's knock was brilliant and absolutely deserved to be man of da match! Raina didn't disappoint either and Pathan was gr8 with da ball too .Agarkar finally managed to scalp two wickets.
However, it was another disappointing day for Sehwag. Ppl all around have been suggesting dat he be dropped due to his poor run of scores. He has just not been able to provide da starts that we need, thus putting pressure on the tail. In his past 25 ODI innings he has barely scored 3 half centuries. I have to admit that although theres no questioning his talent and greatness, based purely on current form, he doesn't deserve a place in da side. The problem is ever since Ganguly's controversial ouster from the team, dropping a player has assumed too much importance. People seem to think that if a player like Sehwag is dropped, it will mean the end of the road for him. But it is not so! The Ganguly ouster was a separate issue in itself. In fact, when players are dropped for a match or two, it only revives their hunger to play and perform. Dropping him wouldn't mean that the team has lost confidence in him, but only that they want the player to value his place in the team and earn it back. Players like Sehwag are exceptional and will definitely find their way back soon. However, now with even Tendulkar not playing, it is difficult to drop someone like Sehwag. Who will replace him??
Gautam Gambhir will also have reason to worry. Despite being given so many chances, he has been unable to establish himself in the team. He gets off to great starts but fails to capitalize on them. Agreed that people like Raina, Dhoni and Yuvraj have won us matches in the recent past but we need to have our top order clicking. Only then will we be a world class team. Anuther major under performer in the series has been Kaif. He hasn't reached double figures in his last 9 innings and has scored 4 ducks in his last 5 outings. There are guys like Venugopal Rao who are waiting in the wings and they deserve a chance to exhibit their potential.
A word for Rahul Dravid. Apart from being the most consistent batsmen, he has really come good as a captain. A lot of young talent is now being given chance and a never say die attitude is being seen in the team which is winning us matches even under improbable circumstances. Saw his interview on some channel the other day- just the way he carries himself and his conviction in his job is truly admirable.
While I think Goa is the most amazing place, I really don't think its quite right to be holding an ODI there in the peak of summer. Its scorching in April! Seeing the sweat dripping from Collingwood's head like a tap really made me feel bad for the players! And the next match is gonna be held at Cochi where the heat will only be worse. Poor players! But I guess the BCCI cant do much cuz there r like so many state cricket associations that are involved when it comes to selecting venues that they don't really have much of a choice.
After every Indian win, I'm always in a great mood like I am right now. And m sure the players will party hard to celebrate in Goa. Me, I'll just have to settle for posting this blog and praying that the winning momentum continues.

Since reports of the BCCI members expressing dissent at Kiran More’s informal and far too friendly attitude with the players, it seems that he has struck quite a deal with coach Greg Chappell. I came across an article by Sanjay Jha; i cant say i completely agree with him but he does seem to have observed quite a lot from what the newspapers have reprted. Heres what he had 2 say -
“Anyone Indian who saw the photograph in Hinudustan Times, India's leading daily newspaper, of coach Greg Chappell mockingly hold Kiran More's sports jersey by the scruff of his neck a few days ago would have noticed two things; it was an awkwardly embarrassing sight , the casual contemptuous way in which the coach was treating the man holding the sacrosanct prestigious position of Chief of Indian Selector like a petty joker. Secondly, they clearly had more than a lot in common. But what? Now we know.

It's out at last. The whole world is fully aware that there was something highly suspect and shadily dubious about the continued ouster of Sourav Ganguly from the Indian team. That Greg Chappell hated Sourav for his gutsy manners , zealous confidence and an independent personality was obvious. But why was Chief Selector Kiran More so vigorously determined to join the vicious crusade against Ganguly, and orchestrate the destruction of his career? And why at Chappell's behest? Now the can of slithering worms is at last out! Indian cricket faces it's biggest scam since match-fixing!

It has been confirmed that Kiran More has a business relationship with an Australian cricket academy ( Australian International Sports Academy) wherein coach Greg Chappell has an equity stake. India's cocky selector also has a private academy of his own in Vadodra. And now the twist in the tale; Mr More's academy has been the first to send a contingent of young boys at an astronomical USD 2000 fee for a 14 day trip branded as ” The Chappell Way”. The commercial deals are happening right under BCCIs nose, which is currently working over-time to destroy ex-President Jagmohan Dalmiya. But if this is not a daylight reflection of corrupt practices, what is?

Now we all know why Kiran More has quietly and obediently followed Chappell's demands and kept Sourav out all these months. In fact, he has not spared his own team man Zaheer Khan either, who has been reduced to feeling like a third shoe or a fifth wheel—unwanted. Greg Chappell is thus having a unilateral say in selection , and becoming a powerful dictator through his business partnership with Kiran More.

Why didn't Greg Chappell and Kiran More put forth their business plans to BCCI in a ” transparent” manner . Why was it deliberately concealed so far?

Haven't this dup been hand-in-glove in plotting the downfall of Ganguly and making him a constant outcast?

Why shouldn't they be sacked immediately for breaking certain sacrosanct norms and ethical standards of governance?

Haven't More and Chappell brought disgrace to positions of responsibility, which are supposed to have a squeaky clean public image?

Do we really expect the Indian cricketers , media and the public to respect a coach and selector who have been slimily making a quick buck by the side? What a shame!

BCCI officials are likely to ” discuss” the issue on April 9, 2006. More, who smartly dodged the Abhijit Kale bribery scandal by getting Kale hung, has perhaps this time strangulated himself by the same noose. As for Chappell, he should voluntarily resign, vacate his Taj premises, return his fancy salary, and go ” The Chappell Way” —- to Australia.

Truth does prevail in the end. No matter how late. “

               Before the celebrations had subsided in the Indian dressing room, the celebrations had already begun with great gusto in Moradabad, hometown of Suresh Raina, India's hero in the second ODI against England yesterday. While the entire nation was rejoicing our second successive win over the English under improbable circumstances, the media had already begun making the most of the situation. Before Raina had probably even reached the team hotel, enterprising journalists had already reached moradabad to catch the excitement and enthusiasm he had ignited among the residents of his home town. Anyone and everyone, from friends and family to classmates and teammates, everyone wanted to catch the camera's eye and have a share of the limelight. The media in turn was only too willing to oblige. In a similar instance, after Munaf Patel's splendid performance in his debut test against England where he scalped seven English wickets, news reporters wasted no time in gathering his friends and relatives to express their feelings over the local's boy feat. Interviews with former teammates and close friends followed and the boy from a small village in Gujarat had become a big hero, thanks to the media.
                  Not just this, following the latest trend, every news channel now has its own talk show on cricket where former cricketers are called upon to render their services to the nation once again, this time by taking calls from highly charged cricket lovers across the country eager to have their numerous questions on the day's play answered by the former cricketing greats. Before the match, during the match, after the match, day after the match!- these shows are running high on popularity banking in on the known fact that we Indians can never get enough of cricket. Whether its Saba Karim and Madan Lal on Aaj Tak or the ever enthusiastic Siddhu on NDTV, we want to catch all the opinions and yes, even give a few of our own.
               That's right, I wonder how much money the media rakes in through opinion polls in newspapers, channels and sites. Is this the end of Tendulkar? Should Sehwag be dropped from the team? Should Ganguly be brought back to replace Sehwag? And avid cricket fans all over the country furiously type away on their cell phones to post their views for or against these questions of life and death. Whether a match is on or not, cricket is always on the news. Be it exclusive interviews from the players, reports from the ground where the next match is to be played or still further discussions on the previous match and the forthcoming match, they never get tired of discussing cricket and not surprisingly, we never tire of listening to it either. Poor Pathan may have just accidentally sneezed next to a reporter and across the country, news channels and sites were flashing news of his flu and doubts over his availability for the second ODI. Of course, from time to time, the Ganguly issue is always tactfully brought back into the news and if nothing else, Sachin's elbow and now his shoulder is always there to make some more.
             Media sure has a lot to thank cricket for. Cricket season is nothing short of a festival for a nation of cricket lovers and for the media, its one Helluva Bonanza!