WWW - What Went Wrong ??

Lets have a look at the pathetic performance from India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2011-2012 Down Under ... An analysis of each player would let us know what has gone wrong. Here we go !!

1. GAUTHAM GAMBHIR

Right throughout this series or even from the tour of England, he has been edgy. His back-foot play has been pathetic. His back leg seldom moves across while playing away going deliveries of the back-foot. He doesn't seem to learn from the mistakes of his past. Its high time he rectifies his mistakes and improves his back-foot play by showing the full face of the bat and not letting it hang loose away from his body outside the off-stump.

!! Hey Gauti ! Mind you, Mukund and Rahane are right next to you on the list. BEWARE !!

2. VIRENDER SEHWAG

We all know how devastating 'The Nawab of Najafgarh' could be in all forms of the game. But Viru doesn't seem to have the temperament to play a patient innings in a test match. When you to save a test match, then ofcourse you should be playing a slow innings and not give away your wicket by playing rash shots. Kindly abide by what Dravid says "There is nothing called as natural game, its the duty of a batsman to play according to the situation". Viru ! We need you. Team India needs you. We know what you can do to the opposition's bowling when you are on song. Be a bit patient.

!! May be now there is no one in domestic circuit who plays like you. But anytime one can be born !!

3. RAHUL DRAVID

Dear oh dear !! People have got a feeling that age is taking its toll on 'The Wall' of Indian cricket. But certainly we all witnessed what he can do in England. I feel that a lot more is left in him to offer to India. Its a bit disappointing to see him drop a few catches and not being retained in the slips for fast bowling when only on slip is required. He has been in good touch with the bat for over an year now. Its just minor lapses in concentration that is letting the  legend down. If we look at his dismissals in this series (bowled invariably), it shows only loss in concentration and not reflex that has let to his downfall.

!! Work in getting your body behind the line of the ball and everything will be back to normal !!

4. SACHIN TENDULKAR

"The monkey on his back has become a gorilla" - Ravi Shastri. Its been a long wait for the little master to score his 100th internatonal century. He seems to be unperturbed by that but yes it does have some impact on the way he plays his game when he nears the landmark. Perhaps, as his son Arjun suggests, he should switch to the 'Sehwag Mode' once he crosses 70 runs. Oh GOD ! Don't allow Allan Border say this again - "Sachin shifts to 1st gear from 5th gear when he tries play cautiously either it may be a milestone or playing for a break".

!! Its a matter of time before you get your 100th 100, now its time to level the series GOD !!

5. VVS LAXMAN

Laxman Bhai ! We cannot play the 2nd innings before the 1st. So he has to improve his record in the 1st innings of a test match too. Its the 1st innings lead that's gonna help us win a test match. We all know the talent and the wrists he has and also the tremendous liking he has to score runs against the Aussies. We got a glimpse of it in the 2nd innings at the SCG. Hope to see him in the same touch and hunger at Perth and Adelaide. We all want to see his wrists demolish the Aussie bowling attack. Hope he grants us this wish.

!! Pujara and Rohit are ready to fill in your shoes, so its high time you hit the Purple Patch !!

6. VIRAT KOHLI

Hey man ! I think you are not sure of what you  are supposed to do wearing the white Indian Jersey. May be I can help you. Its the Bat you must be showing to the crowd to acknowledge them and not your finger. He is extremely talented and outstanding fielder. Whole of India thinks he has the temperament to play at the highest and toughest format of cricket. He, in test matches, is still an underachiever. Come on ! Rise to the occasion. You are the future of Indian Cricket.

!! You have the motivation and inspiration, Use them !!

7. MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI

Well you know ! Yes what we know is the luck you had at the beginning of your career is fading away. Its this point in time that he needs to stay focused and not let the situation affect his decisions. I think off-late like every other Indian Captain, sparing Ganguly, he also seems to have lost his batting skills because of the pressure of captaincy. Nevertheless, leading a side that is entering its transitional is a demanding task, but he should stay patient as a captain and be attacking for most part of the innings. The one thing that everyone is talking about his captaincy is going on the defensive too early.

!! Of course you are the most successful Indian captain, but 4-0 drubbing in England and 2-0 down in Australia are definitely not good signs !!

8. RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

An excellent and a dream start to his test career - wickets, century - he will definitely not ask for more. But the people of India will ask for more as the standard he set for himself is high. Perhaps its turning out to be a curse for India that off-spinners in the side are turning into batsman in turn forget bowling. Harbhajan Singh dropped from the team was replaced by ashwin who in turn plays the same role Bhajji played. Its high time players perform in the department for which they have been included in the team. Ashwin, kindly pick some wickets by the end of this tour down under if you have the intention of coming back here again.

!! Ojha ! Don't worry. The time you play for India in tests is not too far !!

9. ZAHEER KHAN

As the spearhead of Indian bowling attack, he needs to be on the mark right away from the 1st delivery he bowls. He has been on the spot to the left-handers but not so effective against the right-handers. Where is the Zaheer we saw during the world cup ? Where is his speed - currently round about 125-130 kph - we've seen him bowl in the mid 130s with swing with new and the old ball. The reverse swing is not happening with him and so is his angle around the wicket. Time to find your rhythm back Zak.

!! Some quite exciting and pacy bowlers are right at your back. Be mindful !!

10. ISHANT SHARMA

OMG !! Luck when leaves doesn't leave alone I guess. Seems to have lost it along with his captain. The line and length has been impeccable but not consistent. With his height, he can exploit the bounce the pitches down under offers. But that has not been the case. Sliding down the leg side frequently has not helped. We want the Ishant who came down under last time giving horrible time to the then Aussie captain Ricky Ponting.

!! Age is there for you to improve !!

11. UMESH YADAV

The sting he had at the MCG was missing at the SCG. Striving for pace, he has lost his line and length. It was too short for pitches down under. 1st series in Australia may be an excuse but I hope that's not the way he wants to play his cricket.

!! Varun Aaron is right under your throat !!

Sachin's Sydney

Oh man! It has been 293 days since we have seen Sachin Tendulkar get past 99 runs in Test matches or in One Day Internationals. Lets get back to the present. Sachin is in Sydney now. For those who are not aware of the history of SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground), here they are in a nutshell.

1. It was opened in the name Garrison Ground in February 1854.

2. It hosts Australian Football and Rugby apart from Cricket.

3. It hosted the match where Sir Donald Bradman scored his hundredth First Class Century.

4. So far 99 Test matches have been played at the SCG.

So now that you are aware the history and significance of SCG, lets take a look at the odds that favour Sachin in scoring his 100th 100. 

1. Last scored his century during the 2011 Cricket World Cup in March.

2. Missed opportunities, twice in England, one in the home series against West Indies and once in Australia in the 1st Test, to score those 100 runs.

3. He averages a mammoth 221.93 at the SCG in four test matches.

4. And ofcourse SCG is goinig to host its 100th Test match on 3rd January 2012.

Thus, Sachin cannot get a better opportunity to score those magical 100 runs. Will he get rid of the monkey that's been clinging on to his back for such a long time? Has a made a new year resolution to score 100 runs as soon as possible?

Whatever the situation may be, the ticket sales are bound to rise as the crowd will not afford to miss a glimpse of Sachin playing at the SCG !!

!! ALL THE BEST SACHIN !!

Top Ten Expectations of 2012

1. The Doomsday

According to the Mayan Calendar it is predicted that December 21, 2012 is going to be the dooms day. Nobody is really sure if world is going to end on that day but as India's superstar Rajnikanth says "Saagara naal therinjirchina vazhara naal naragam aidum" (if your death date is known, your living days become hell). So let us all enjoy the present and live in the present. Things beyond our control is not worth any thoughts.







2. The 68 year Drought

The most awaited Cricket Test series between the arch rivals India and Australia has begun. India has not won a test series in Australian soil for 68 years. The expectations on India is really high as it takes on a relatively young Australian side. And having lost the 1st test match, Indians are really hoping for a change of fortunes as 2012 begins. While the Australians hope to carry on the momentum to the rest of the series.

3. London Olympics

This day, 27th July 2012, is the one of the most awaited days of the forth coming year. Will China run away with the golds this time too? Will America and Russia put up a tougher fight this time? Will India improve on its performance in this edition? 

Wait for the 12th of August 2012.

4. Electric Travel

As the quantity of fossil fuels available are nearing zero, the effort to produce electric vehicles are on the rise. This inclination was of course there so long but in 2012 it will reach new levels. Let us all hope it does !!

5. Smart Phone Philia

The smart phones have been a revelation in 2011. With new advancements in technology, the phones have become smarter with almost negating the use of computers in our lives. Let us all strive to use this technology to the betterment of the society.

6. Apple's Predator

In 2012 one would really want to see a competitor for Apple in terms of the gadgets it produces. Does any other corporation have what it takes to beat the unbeatable? We have to wait and watch.

7. The Anna Hazare Revolution

Will the Jan Lokpal Bill be passed by the Parliament of India which intends to reduce corruption in the country? Or will the fasting continue into the new year? Will the government pass the Bill as per the demands of the democracy? Lot of questions, will 2012 give us solutions? The whole of India has been waiting for a strong Lokpal to be passed. Time will tell us what will happen.

8. Emergence of India's as a Power House

India is already becoming one of the power houses in the world. India is also gaining support in the United Nations to become one of the countries having the veto power. There is no doubt that India is well and truly on its path to become the next power house. Hope we can realize this dream in 2012.

9. Century of Centuries

The most influential sportsperson of today, Sachin Tendulkar is due for his hundredth hundred for quite sometime. He has been waiting for this moment for almost 10 months now. May be he wants to start the new year with a happy and memorable note by scoring the most awaited hundredth century. Lets wish him all success.

10. Terrorism

This final point cannot be achieved if the world countries do not join forces to fight terrorism. One can only hope that terrorism comes to an end with all the nations fighting together. Let us all pray the almighty that 2012 puts an end to all this unwanted terrorist activities.

!! WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Happenings on New Year's Eve

1. Expectations of the New year

Each and everyone on this planet would have a lot of expectations. Unanimously everyone would want 2012 to bring in a lot of hope, joy, prosperity, love and peace.









2. Memories of the year

All the fun and excitement a new year's eve can give you is beyond explanation. the memories of all that has happened in the whole of this year crosses our eyes in a jiffy.

3.. Late Night Parties

Time when generation gaps are forgotten, foes become friends, no religions, no status barriers and the mood of the new year strikes thunderous peaks.








4. Pleasure of Charity

Many charitable trusts engage themselves in many social activities to start the new year on a happy and satisfactory note. Sharing of new year joy is another way of celebration isn't it ?












5. Shops filled with people

All shops render special services and help people enjoy the new year in the best possible way. The varieties increase at all levels starting from sweets and savories to clothes and gadgets at discounted rates. Best time to do your shopping, don't you feel so ?

!! HAVE A HAPPY AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR !!

!! SAFE CELEBRATION IS THE WAY TO GO !!