Fielding holds the key!

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Fielding, no doubt, is as important as bowling and batting. When nothing is going the fielding side’s way, a run-out or a brilliant catch or even a good save can up the team’s antae. The best in the business was Jonty Rhodes from South Africa. What does athleticism on the field mean? – ask Jonty Rhodes, a committed and a professional sportsman. The present day cricketers have plenty to learn from him. If you want to be called professionals act like one.

The greatest teams in the world have had good fielders and outstanding all-rounders in their teams. Fielding has always been the key. Good fielders can win battles for a side. Catches win matches? Yes, indeed. Take all the catches that come your way, save the boundaries, stop the singles, make the most of the run-out opportunities, raise the morale of the bowlers and you will eventually end up winning matches. These days we don’t have fielders of the caliber of Jonty Rhodes. The world will never see another Jonty Rhodes because he is the only one of his kind. Herschel Gibbs, AB de Villiers and a couple of Australian players have managed to be the shadow of Jonty Rhodes. Just a handful of players can be called top-class fielders. But the rest have never laid emphasis on fielding.

Just when we thought India has found wonderful fielders who can deliver the goods, they have all disappointed us big time. Have you noticed our young “out of the shape” cricketers? Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh top the list of outsized cricketers. They have horribly failed to keep themselves match fit. Professional sport demands players to be fit throughout the year. Injuries can’t be avoided but putting on a lot of extra weight can’t be accepted. They need to work out their few extra calories. Yuvraj Singh in his early days was an exceptional fielder. Many went on to say that he is India’s Jonty Rhodes. Unfortunately for Indian cricket, Yuvi hasn’t made justice to his title. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina are all really good fielders. There’s no doubting that they are extremely talented. It’s important to keep your feet on the ground. They have in many occasions made the country proud. Hope they will make it bigger in the coming years.

The young brigade of team India is now being tagged to have “attitude and approach flaws” which I, personally, think is rubbish. C’mon guys, prove them wrong!

Study first, play afterwards…

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The news is that, Indian skipper MS Dhoni didn’t manage to get through his 1^st year Under Graduation in commerce. When he decided to continue his studies the whole country stood up and applauded. Being a role model to many youngsters he has a responsibility in hand. A responsibility to make the right moves because there are thousands taking notice of it and following it. His desire of furthering his studies itself must be appreciated. It’s not all that easy for an International level player to spend time with books amidst the media frenzy, tight scheduled matches, star status and the many advertizing contracts.

Dhoni is an international cricketer and a degree or no degree wouldn’t make much difference to him. He has earned enough for his lifetime. He need not worry about his after retirement life. But what about those who dream of being a Dhoni and never make it there? There are thousands in that very situation. Sacrificing studies, leaving their home town with dreams in their eyes, getting rejected by selectors and returning home disappointed with no big achievements. This is a story of many. Life is difficult for those who would have given their everything to cricket and yet not successful. To earn a living becomes too hard. Not every person who plays cricket can make it to the National side. So giving up schooling for the sake of sports is no less a crime. I’ve come across many such individuals. In the name of cricket their academic career is ruined. Isn’t there a way to balance both studies and sports? There must be one. Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble are all examples for that. They have played top class cricket and they are also highly qualified individuals. They set the right examples for youngsters. They have shown that there can be a balance between academics and sports.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is worshipped world-wide and is an inspiration to all. He gives a lot of prominence to studies and has always encouraged young budding cricketers to focus both on studies as well as cricket. He gave up schooling and flourished in cricket. But every cricketer cannot be a Sachin Tendulkar.

“Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men’s clothes”. Heard of this saying? It’s a meaningful one, isn’t it?

Yes, England it is!

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Finally, a major global title! England players and their fans across the globe are overjoyed. And why not, England is the World T20 Champion side. A 7 wicket victory over arch-rivals Australia on Sunday, the 16^th of May, meant that England won their biggest world competition in 35 years. It was England’s most memorable victory since 1966. Though they won a world cup in 1975 it wasn’t as special as the 1966 win. Skipper Paul Collingwood’s message to the team must have been – “Make 2010, 1966”. And yeah, they have made it. An outstanding and a well deserved victory in what was called a “small England”. The spectators at Barbados cheered for England as they inched closer to the 148 target set by Australia.

Everything seems to be going England’s way. There was intent converted into action and a bunch of hard working boys hungry for a win. This is just a start of something really big. England has got wonderful pedigreed individuals. The job in hand for Coach Andy Flower and Captain Andrew Strauss was to make them perform as one unit. Let’s give them their credit. It’s a job well done. And the results are showing. The team is performing as a unit and they enjoy each other’s performances. England cricket is going only one way hereafter and that is up. This particular team has the talent and the desire to make it count. Now their focus must be to enjoy the moment and at the same time not get carried away like they did after 2005 Ashes triumph. This moment has come after a long long time they have every reason to celebrate hard. Such winning moments don’t come very often but they need to make it a point that winning becomes a habit.

Australia, on the other hand, has something to cheer about as their women’s team lifts the T20 title. They beat New Zealand by 3 runs in a close match. Good news o women’s cricket in Australia.

England has made history at Barbados and has made some unsaid promises to the world that there are more victories ahead. I’m delighted! Finally, it’s England!

India’s Richie Benaud

[Also on http://www.cricdude.com/]

Many take to cricket either because of the love for the game or for the players or for the country or even because of the cricket fanatics around them. But believe it or not I started watching the game for its commentary. I used to pay more attention to the words than the ball. I used to love commentators more than cricketers. I still do. Commentators keep the game alive and interesting. They help ordinary spectators understand the game better. Imagine watching cricket on TV without commentary. It would be like dessert without its yummy topping. The flavor would have gone missing.

I still remember those days when I used to feel depressed if I got a commentator’s name wrong. As a young kid I believed everything they said was true and there was no disputing it. I still haven’t completely come out of it. Those are the voices I rely on. Commentators still have a great influence on me. At times I wonder why. And the answer is with me - Their interesting choice of words, their cricketing acumen and more for their personality than anything else. I have a long list of commentators who have over the years made the game more interesting than it is. A few names which come to my mind without having to recollect are India’s Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri, Australia’s legendary commentators like Richie Benaud, England’s Geoff Boycott, Tony Greig and David Lloyd. Even if it’s a boring test match draw I’m glued to the television screen just to listen to Mark Nicholas talk. Such is the impact commentators have on the game. I’m in no means suggesting that the quality of the game has very little to do with drawing followers. All that I’m saying is commentators add the much needed spice to cricket.

My inspiration to write about the game came from Mr.Harsha Bhogle. He is undoubtedly the face of Indian cricket. His singing abilities and on-field achievements as a captain of his university cricket team are always talked about by him. Everyone just adores him for what he is. He is intelligent, smart, witty, lively and humble and has vast knowledge about the game. He knows how exactly to capture the minds of a global audience with the touch of humour of course. He is a thorough professional. He is accepted world-wide as a bright media person. Be it as an anchor or a quiz master, a host or a T.V presenter, a top class commentator or a fine writer, he is at his best. His child-like enthusiasm is evident in every article he writes and every show he hosts. He has inspired me o empower my dreams. He might not be as great a writer as Peer Roebuck or as great a commentator as Richie Benaud. But he has managed to make a name of his own. Once, a group of cricket lovers in Pakistan held a banner which said “Harsha Bhogle fan club”. What better a prize could you expect! The warmth with which he is welcomed, loved and respected all over the world is phenomenal.

“India’s Richie Benaud equivalent, the guru of cricket from India” says Adam Gilchrist about Harsha Bhogle.

The Journey from Good to Great..

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Almost 21 years of top level cricket and counting at the age of 37. Shy yet confident young boy made his debut 21 years back and is still going strong. A stylish schoolboy with loads of curly hair then, a stylish little man with funky hair-do now. Prodigy then, genius now. No prizes for guessing whom I’m talking about. It is indeed the master blaster, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

Though I haven’t witnessed the early days of the little genius I know for a matter of fact that he was a gifted talent. At the age of 17, it’s not easy to stay focused in spite of all the adulation, money and fame. I’m not even as old as the number of years the big daddy has given to cricket. So it wouldn’t be fair for me to talk much about the great man. The dignity and humility with which he walks out to bat is evident even today. No doubt he has got exquisite timing and perfect placement but the youngsters today have to take notice of the hard work the man puts in before every match he plays.

Sachin Tendulkar is such an inspiration to the entire nation. He is a jovial and fun loving person. He usually hangs out with the young brigade of the team. He loves his clothes, food, music and his love for cars is well known. He has done the world of good to cricket in India and elsewhere. A living legend according to experts, master blaster and the God of cricket to all his fans, Sach to his friends and Grandpa to the young members of Indian team. Dedication, determination, simplicity, humility, will power, confidence, dignity, all of these traits suit the man perfectly. Well, it’s so true that ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ is the vastest topic to write on. Even after writing a 500-page book on him you would realize you haven’t covered even half of what he has achieved over the years. Such is the legacy of the man.

The whole world watches cricket to watch Sachin bat. The sheer contentment and delight you derive after watching him play is incredible.

When bat proved mightier than gun..

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Karim Sadiq, Afghanistan opener said about his team, “Having survived in refugee camps and fought for food and clothes all their life, they are not used to defeat”. Yeah, that’s the spirit team Afghanistan carries with it. It is amazing how a country like Afghanistan can pick up bat instead of guns.

I was awestruck when I first heard the news that Afghanistan had made it to the World T20. No doubt they are a tough bunch and they want to get counted on such a big platform. They aren’t in West Indies for nothing. They have proved it in the recent past that they deserve to be there and that nothing is impossible. A year ago nobody in their wildest of dreams thought of Afghanistan being a part of this elite group. Here they are to make their country proud. It’s a dream come true for players from Afghanistan to be playing against the world’s best cricketers. No one is expecting them to win the tournament here but the very fact that they made it till here should be motivation enough for them. Team Afghanistan is an inspiring story for other upcoming countries. There are a lot of youngsters in the team and they need to be nurtured well. As a team they didn’t look great in their series opener against India. But then they will certainly improve with proper coaching and exposure.

You simply can’t produce top class cricketers with not a single turf cricket in the entire country. It’s good news that the International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council are providing grants to cricket in Afghanistan for better infrastructure. They need to set themselves better standards and keep their feet on the ground. Once that happens they will be a better side. I still can’t believe there’s a cricket team from Afghanistan. They have done a commendable job till now. They need to get better. It sounds like a fairy tale to me. But I’m glad it’s real. I’ve always endorsed T20 cricket for only one reason that it globalizes the sport. Here’s a live example for it. Hope cricket brings some solace to the war-tone nation.