Ram’s Random Thoughts – ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ವಿಷಯ

Rahul (wall) Dravid scored a century on second day of Mohali Test against England.

This is one of his most patient knock. Rahul Dravid had not scored well in last eight innings and the critics were after his scalp. Now Dravid has silenced his critics by scoring this century.

In a dramatic way, the Bengal Tiger announced his retirement from first class cricket at the end of this 4 test series in the press conference held in Bangalore on 7^th Oct.2008. The axe was always hanging on him since a long time due to his non-performance. Of course he also had rubbed some people in the wrong side during his heydays. He never allowed Rahul Dravid to play his natural game and he was forced to do wicket-keeping against his will. A team man to the core, Rahul never expressed his displeasure in public.

Moreover, Ganguly also shuffled batting order which, at many times unsettle scoring pattern and tempo. . Of course, he is one of the most successful Indian cricket captain but his actions in some events and circumstances leaves a very bad taste, like his removing his shirt in Lords.

I hope and trust he will work for the betterment of Indian cricket in general and West Bengal cricket in particular. I wish him all the best..

Indian convincingly won the 1^st CBS finals at Sidney.  This win has given them an advantage for Tuesday’s second final.

But to demoralize the Indian team, The Australian  media has ganged up to take up the non-existent monkey issue against Bhajji once again.  It is alleged that some spectators have asked Bhajji to have a haircut.  This is purely a racist assault.  Nobody has the right to talk against one’s religion.

When Michael Clarke was dismissed by a Dhonee catch, he was seen making some comments towards umpire and the Indian team members.  This is definitely a unsportsmanlike behaviour. Why shoud he not be reprimanded?

It seems Australians need a lesson of accepting defeats graciously. The Australinas are spoiling the gentlemanly spirit of Cricket game.

Indians played a great cricket match and it was  gripping till the last over.  Most Indians glued to the TV to  watch this exciting game. In Bangalore, the traffic was very thin between  5.00 pm to 9.00 pm.  Overall, it was fitting finale.

This was a very good team effort. Irfan Pathan  deservedly won  man of the match award.

The 6^th ODI between England and India turned out to be a very good and absorbing entertainer on 5^th September 2007.

England set a target of 317 runs – thanks to the last over fireworks of Mascarnhes who scored 30 runs in 5 balls off Yuvraj.

India took the chase in right earnest with the help of Sachin and Sourav who have put a first wicket stand of 150 runs. Sachin scored his 83^rd 50 and equaled the record of Inzy for maximum 50s.

At the end, it was Robin Uthappa’s heroics which helped  India to win the match and level the series.

England transhed India by a convincing margin of 104 runs in 1st ODI, Southampton.

The bowing was completely ineffective to allow England to score more than 280 runs

Regarding batting, less said the better, the opening pair of Sachin and Ganguly did not play responsibly. Ganguly’s poor running between the wickets still continues. I don’t know when he will improve. It seems the team has lost the pride for playing India.

Now all Tom, Dick and Harry have joined in the fray to criticize Rahul Dravid for not envorcing the follow-on in the final test at Oval.

Moreover, Zahreer Khan is also adding more for this controversy by giving interviews. I think Indian cricket team lacks cohesiveness.

It seems, we Indians will never appreciate anything good and will always find fault with others to hog limelight. We never seem to enjoy anything wholeheartedly.

To me Dravid’s decision was fair as it has been seen in many times that Indian team had fumbled and lost from the winning position. Moreover, Indian team chokes in crunch moments. Based on this assumption Dravid would have taken this decision. Even today, Indian cricket players are playhing for their personal record leaving team interests in the backburner. Dravid was also criticized during Pakistan series when he declared while Tendulkar was on 196. Dravid went on to win that match was a different story altogether.

India won a cricket series after two decades. Congratulations to Anil Kumble for his maiden ton in oval. Kudos to Indian team. Wishing you all the best for replicating this test series win in one days also.

Today New Zealand beat Australia to complete a whitewash.

Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum  helped New Zealand to another  successful  run-chase as they  made  a cleansweep on Australia at Hamilton, to win Chappel-Hadlee series.  Set  to score 347 in 50 overs,  New Zealand scored 350 for 9 wickets in 49.3 overs.

 Now different equations are being drawn for the ensuing  world cup.  New Zealand team has become a strong contender with their superlative performance.

Shane Warne, an excellent spin bowler of Australia, bowled the cricketing world  by announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of present Ashes tour.  He is going to be  the first bowler in the world to capture more than 700 test crickets in tests.  He is a great bowler and has been a terror to most of the best  batsmen.

Of course,  he has to go from last world cup due to drug abuse and  served a ban. His was a illustrious career spanning more than a decade excepting for this blot.