Fielding holds the key!

[Also on cricdude.com]

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…

[Also on cricdude.com]

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!

[Also on cricdude.com]

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!