This is just a shell post link to one of the best blog, based on reader inputs, that I have written. I am reorganizing my blogs and merging the tech review blog with this blog. Tech review blog will not even be there in my profile, though you can reach it using the link below.
rohittechreview.blogspot.com
My future tech review articles will be in this blog under the label tech review
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
A tale of two matches
The first two matches between India and England have been great. In both the matches, the first day's play almost pushed one team in the corner and the other team dominated the whole match and most of the sessions. The first inning lead proved decisive in the end.
Also, both the matches showed that bowlers which were the weaknesses for both the teams had a much better than expected performance. The batting line up (except Indian first inning in the second test) has been off and on, with most batsman scoring runs but not consistently.
Lets dive in to the details. The first test started of with a sunny first day and after winning the toss English top order made merry of the sunny conditions and some inexperienced Indian bowling to score strong 268-4. The English domination (or I should Vaughan & Strauss domination as no one else score more than 40) of the day is moderated by two late wickets at the end of the day. The next morning overnight rain made the batting difficult and Indian bowlers put the ball in the right places (there goes the greatest cliche of bowling) to reduce England to under 300.
The rest of the match had bowlers dominating the batsman except when Kevin Peterson was batting. It was KP's brilliance in a 119 (25 overs) partnership with Mark Prior that put India against the wall. Had they not scored runs at such a fast pace, the match result would have been different. Just take back 45 runs and England would have not been able to set up and attacking field.
Scoring 380 runs in the 4th innings is always difficult, especially with the rain expected to curtail more than half the final day. So chances of India winning this match was almost nil. Unlike recent results, India held the fort for 96 overs just long enough to earn a last wicket draw albeit with some luck from weather and the umpires.
To be fair to the Indians, few of their top order players got some unlucky decision and who knows what would have happened had Dravid not being given out. I would say the test would still have been a draw, with much more even ending - something like India 320-7 with either team's victory possible rather than 285-9 with just English victory possible. Over all Enlisg team dominated most of the session with India winning some sessions due to bowling.
The second test was also decided by toss and weather. The first day damp playing field and conditions meant that the team batting first would be at a disadvantage. Dravid won the toss and put English in to bat. Indian bowler bowled beautifully to push English to 169-7. As expected this put English on the back foot and they were all out for 198 within the first hour of day 2.
This time Indian batting flourished to take a commanding lead of over the next two days of 280+ runs. With two days of sunny weather expected, this almost batted English out of the game with English win highly unlikely. English batsman (or should I say Vaughan and Strauss or may be Colly) played excellent cricket during the first two sessions of the fourth day.
Indian bowlers came down hard with the second new ball in the restricted English from 270-3 at the time the new ball was taken to 355 all out. A target of 73 would never have been difficult, but excellent bowling from Tremlett (12 for 3 in 7 overs) meant that India lost three wickets on the fifth day morning though they never looked like they would crumble. Before I end, must mention the two well reported non-cricketing issues.
The first test won rave review for the Lord's management for laying new golf quality irrigation and drainage (porous sand:) system as well as excellent efforts by the groundsman in getting almost 350 overs in the worst English rainfall in decades.
The second test won bad reviews for the player behavior. Let me be clear about it. Barging into batsman is foolish and as childish as putting jelly beans on the ground.
In fact, putting jelly beans may be okay in domestic county cricket, but is not warranted in International matches. If you want to put jelly beans on the ground, you deserve to be sent back to the county cricket. No amount of explanation will justify so apologize and move ahead. If the whole teams starts justifying it, you are responsible fo it attracting the attention not the media.
About barging into non-striker batsman, I have no idea what you gain. He is not facing you and would have ample time to get back to normal mind set by the time he faces the ball unlike sledging to the striker. Also, you are sure to earn penalty from the match referee. That is plain stupid.
I am giving Sreesanth some slack about the beamer and run up as his run up and accuracy was bad all through the match. So I accept his explanation that those were unintentional.
About sledging, I can understand occasional sledging before the bowler starts the run up. But continuous sledging shoudl be banned and players penalized by the match referee.
Finally, at the end two hard test matches, India lead by 1-0 and have a chance to wining their first series in England since 1986 and first series win by any team in England since 2001. The third test is important for both the teams and I believe we will see unchanged teams with India going for a draw. I think all three results are possible with the team showing more will to win achieving their objective.
Also, both the matches showed that bowlers which were the weaknesses for both the teams had a much better than expected performance. The batting line up (except Indian first inning in the second test) has been off and on, with most batsman scoring runs but not consistently.
Lets dive in to the details. The first test started of with a sunny first day and after winning the toss English top order made merry of the sunny conditions and some inexperienced Indian bowling to score strong 268-4. The English domination (or I should Vaughan & Strauss domination as no one else score more than 40) of the day is moderated by two late wickets at the end of the day. The next morning overnight rain made the batting difficult and Indian bowlers put the ball in the right places (there goes the greatest cliche of bowling) to reduce England to under 300.
The rest of the match had bowlers dominating the batsman except when Kevin Peterson was batting. It was KP's brilliance in a 119 (25 overs) partnership with Mark Prior that put India against the wall. Had they not scored runs at such a fast pace, the match result would have been different. Just take back 45 runs and England would have not been able to set up and attacking field.
Scoring 380 runs in the 4th innings is always difficult, especially with the rain expected to curtail more than half the final day. So chances of India winning this match was almost nil. Unlike recent results, India held the fort for 96 overs just long enough to earn a last wicket draw albeit with some luck from weather and the umpires.
To be fair to the Indians, few of their top order players got some unlucky decision and who knows what would have happened had Dravid not being given out. I would say the test would still have been a draw, with much more even ending - something like India 320-7 with either team's victory possible rather than 285-9 with just English victory possible. Over all Enlisg team dominated most of the session with India winning some sessions due to bowling.
The second test was also decided by toss and weather. The first day damp playing field and conditions meant that the team batting first would be at a disadvantage. Dravid won the toss and put English in to bat. Indian bowler bowled beautifully to push English to 169-7. As expected this put English on the back foot and they were all out for 198 within the first hour of day 2.
This time Indian batting flourished to take a commanding lead of over the next two days of 280+ runs. With two days of sunny weather expected, this almost batted English out of the game with English win highly unlikely. English batsman (or should I say Vaughan and Strauss or may be Colly) played excellent cricket during the first two sessions of the fourth day.
Indian bowlers came down hard with the second new ball in the restricted English from 270-3 at the time the new ball was taken to 355 all out. A target of 73 would never have been difficult, but excellent bowling from Tremlett (12 for 3 in 7 overs) meant that India lost three wickets on the fifth day morning though they never looked like they would crumble. Before I end, must mention the two well reported non-cricketing issues.
The first test won rave review for the Lord's management for laying new golf quality irrigation and drainage (porous sand:) system as well as excellent efforts by the groundsman in getting almost 350 overs in the worst English rainfall in decades.
The second test won bad reviews for the player behavior. Let me be clear about it. Barging into batsman is foolish and as childish as putting jelly beans on the ground.
In fact, putting jelly beans may be okay in domestic county cricket, but is not warranted in International matches. If you want to put jelly beans on the ground, you deserve to be sent back to the county cricket. No amount of explanation will justify so apologize and move ahead. If the whole teams starts justifying it, you are responsible fo it attracting the attention not the media.
About barging into non-striker batsman, I have no idea what you gain. He is not facing you and would have ample time to get back to normal mind set by the time he faces the ball unlike sledging to the striker. Also, you are sure to earn penalty from the match referee. That is plain stupid.
I am giving Sreesanth some slack about the beamer and run up as his run up and accuracy was bad all through the match. So I accept his explanation that those were unintentional.
About sledging, I can understand occasional sledging before the bowler starts the run up. But continuous sledging shoudl be banned and players penalized by the match referee.
Finally, at the end two hard test matches, India lead by 1-0 and have a chance to wining their first series in England since 1986 and first series win by any team in England since 2001. The third test is important for both the teams and I believe we will see unchanged teams with India going for a draw. I think all three results are possible with the team showing more will to win achieving their objective.
CEO Job Description - Height of Honesty
This was contributed by Puneet Sharma (Peanuts) my wingmate from The great Champs wing at IIT Bombay. Check out the "Additional Information" at the end. It reminded me a comment made by my uncle when he returned back for India (fo just 2-3 years) from USA- " It takes longer to do things here"
► Chief Executive Officer
Jindal Aluminium Limited View all jobs by this Company
Related Links:
Start a new search | View Saved Jobs
Posted on: 31 July, 2007
Job Id:48628854
Job Function :
Production/Manufacturing/Maintenance/Packaging
Specialization :
Production/Manufacturing/Maintenance
Industry : Manufacturing/Industrial
Qualification : Highest - MBA/PGDM ( Any Management
)
Experience : 5 -6
Level : Chief Officer - CEO, CMO, COO, CIO,
President
Location : Bangalore
Key Skills : Exposure in
foundry/construction/metals/engineering industry as
President/VP/GM level in good medium or large
industrial company (not giants) working at high level
management and also covering areas like marketing,
purchase, imports/ exports, HRD, PR, IT
administration, production/ technical, should be able
to maintain high degree of discipline with firmness as
a hard task master with tremendous leadership ability
and bent for taking responsibilities.
JOB DESCRIPTION :
Responsible for reporting to JMD/CMD of the company
providing a strong commercial and administrative
leadership and overall management of the entire
organization continously monitoring all departments
and taking stem action on employees for shirking duty
inefficiency lapses non performance etc suggesting
cost reduction innovation and new ideas to keep the
organization abreast with time and technology.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION :
Jindal Aluminium Limited Bangalore with an annual
turnover of about Rs . 800 crores employing 1100
persons and having core business of manufacturing
Aluminium Extrusions and wind power generation since
1968. The company hasw the state of the art
manufacturing facility at Bangalore with ultramodern
infrastructure. It stands first in India in terma of
the installed capacity and production. The company has
achieved a production of 45000 MT of aluminium
extrusions in the year 2005-06.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :
Candidate aged around 35 years would stay in
companys colony having all facilities and must be
able to handle senior people executives intellectuals
etc. whose habit is to make excuses followed by
arguments instead of admitting and improving thus
wasting time and energy. Person who is not tough and
able to take strict action (like & live wire) need not
apply.
No softness or looseness and not giving attitude or
supporting employees ignoring the interest of the
company. No side business or further studies will be
allowed.
Attractive salary besides free furnished accommodation
and conveyance offered.
Apply to Jt. Managing Director.
Candidate should be backed by engineering degree.
CONTACT INFORMATION :
Address : Jindal Nagar Tumkur Road Bangalore 560073
► Chief Executive Officer
Jindal Aluminium Limited View all jobs by this Company
Related Links:
Start a new search | View Saved Jobs
Posted on: 31 July, 2007
Job Id:48628854
Job Function :
Production/Manufacturing/Maintenance/Packaging
Specialization :
Production/Manufacturing/Maintenance
Industry : Manufacturing/Industrial
Qualification : Highest - MBA/PGDM ( Any Management
)
Experience : 5 -6
Level : Chief Officer - CEO, CMO, COO, CIO,
President
Location : Bangalore
Key Skills : Exposure in
foundry/construction/metals/engineering industry as
President/VP/GM level in good medium or large
industrial company (not giants) working at high level
management and also covering areas like marketing,
purchase, imports/ exports, HRD, PR, IT
administration, production/ technical, should be able
to maintain high degree of discipline with firmness as
a hard task master with tremendous leadership ability
and bent for taking responsibilities.
JOB DESCRIPTION :
Responsible for reporting to JMD/CMD of the company
providing a strong commercial and administrative
leadership and overall management of the entire
organization continously monitoring all departments
and taking stem action on employees for shirking duty
inefficiency lapses non performance etc suggesting
cost reduction innovation and new ideas to keep the
organization abreast with time and technology.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION :
Jindal Aluminium Limited Bangalore with an annual
turnover of about Rs . 800 crores employing 1100
persons and having core business of manufacturing
Aluminium Extrusions and wind power generation since
1968. The company hasw the state of the art
manufacturing facility at Bangalore with ultramodern
infrastructure. It stands first in India in terma of
the installed capacity and production. The company has
achieved a production of 45000 MT of aluminium
extrusions in the year 2005-06.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :
Candidate aged around 35 years would stay in
companys colony having all facilities and must be
able to handle senior people executives intellectuals
etc. whose habit is to make excuses followed by
arguments instead of admitting and improving thus
wasting time and energy. Person who is not tough and
able to take strict action (like & live wire) need not
apply.
No softness or looseness and not giving attitude or
supporting employees ignoring the interest of the
company. No side business or further studies will be
allowed.
Attractive salary besides free furnished accommodation
and conveyance offered.
Apply to Jt. Managing Director.
Candidate should be backed by engineering degree.
CONTACT INFORMATION :
Address : Jindal Nagar Tumkur Road Bangalore 560073
Friday, July 20, 2007
Cellphone to warn lightening???
Nokia has recently applied for a patent to a technology to detect a imminent lightening strikes!!!
Check more about the article here
Check more about the article here
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
India England Test series
With the first test at Lords starting in a few days, a lot has been written about the tour result. Without nay information about game day pitches and weather, I can just say that it will be a tough battle between two teams who based on expected players are equal.
Now before you attack me for making that statement, I believe both teams are almost equal and India has a slight edge after Harmison injury. Let me dissect the statement further
1> Bowling: a lot has been said about the Indian bowling being raw. Test for test, England bowling is worse than India. Hoggards (64 tests), Monty (17 tests) Sidebottom (4 tests), Anderson (16 tests) and two debutants compare unfavourably to Kumble (115 Tests), Zaheer (47 Tests), Sreesanth (8 Tests), RP Singh (4 tests) Powar (2 tests) and two debutants. To be fair, local conditions and more first class experience reduce the gap. I would give the Indian bowlers just a slight edge.
2> Middle order: Indian middle quartrant - Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman - is coming back into their form and has more experienced than the English equivalent. On the other hand, though, English middle order - Vaughan, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell has been in good form recently, but they seem to be fatigued after a tiring schedule. I would India a slight edge over here.
3> Openers: Indian opening pair is inexperienced and is not consistent. On the other hand , English opening pair has been performing well and is more stable than Indian. English openers have a big edge over Indian pair.
4> The two wicket keepers are almost at par. More experience of Dhoni is compensated by Prior's first class experience. Both are attacking strokemakers.
Over all we expect a good tussle matches with relatively high scoring matches. Final results will depend on how Indian new bowl attack negates the English opening advantage and English middle order converts the local advantage to bridge or overcome the middle order gap.
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN
Now before you attack me for making that statement, I believe both teams are almost equal and India has a slight edge after Harmison injury. Let me dissect the statement further
1> Bowling: a lot has been said about the Indian bowling being raw. Test for test, England bowling is worse than India. Hoggards (64 tests), Monty (17 tests) Sidebottom (4 tests), Anderson (16 tests) and two debutants compare unfavourably to Kumble (115 Tests), Zaheer (47 Tests), Sreesanth (8 Tests), RP Singh (4 tests) Powar (2 tests) and two debutants. To be fair, local conditions and more first class experience reduce the gap. I would give the Indian bowlers just a slight edge.
2> Middle order: Indian middle quartrant - Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman - is coming back into their form and has more experienced than the English equivalent. On the other hand, though, English middle order - Vaughan, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell has been in good form recently, but they seem to be fatigued after a tiring schedule. I would India a slight edge over here.
3> Openers: Indian opening pair is inexperienced and is not consistent. On the other hand , English opening pair has been performing well and is more stable than Indian. English openers have a big edge over Indian pair.
4> The two wicket keepers are almost at par. More experience of Dhoni is compensated by Prior's first class experience. Both are attacking strokemakers.
Over all we expect a good tussle matches with relatively high scoring matches. Final results will depend on how Indian new bowl attack negates the English opening advantage and English middle order converts the local advantage to bridge or overcome the middle order gap.
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Wrong Wrong Wrong
This was one of those days when everything goes against the grain. One of the biggest day in the upset history of Cricket world cup. I was expecting IND BD to be a tough match with India surviving. Actually, it was a close match which was won by BD. The other result was even more astonishing. IRL defeated PAK world cup winner of 1992 and made them the first team to get kicked out of world cup. So, what are the learnings.
In case of IND BD, I still believe that the result would have been different had BD batted first. So I am going to take toss into play. About PAK IRL, it was just a bad performance by PAK over all. Even after getting out for 132, their bowlers could have skittled IRL for under 120. But their bowlers were not disciplined enough.
Now the new predictions, India will come back big time and defeat Bermuda with a vengeance. They will cross 300 if batting first and skittle Bermuda for under 120 if bowling first. I do believe they will have a hard time over coming the margin of 243 that SL had against Bermuda, but win by a difference of 200.
In case of IND BD, I still believe that the result would have been different had BD batted first. So I am going to take toss into play. About PAK IRL, it was just a bad performance by PAK over all. Even after getting out for 132, their bowlers could have skittled IRL for under 120. But their bowlers were not disciplined enough.
Now the new predictions, India will come back big time and defeat Bermuda with a vengeance. They will cross 300 if batting first and skittle Bermuda for under 120 if bowling first. I do believe they will have a hard time over coming the margin of 243 that SL had against Bermuda, but win by a difference of 200.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Results & March 17th Predictions
Okay, My WI Vs PAK prediction was right on target. WI won the game, though it was less competitive than I thought (51-49). Neither Lara nor Inzy were the main stars and the best I predicted the winning total very accurately.
My next prediction for today, India (60-40) and Pakistan (70-30) will win their matches against BD and IRL though IND BD will be a very tight match. Indian bowlers will win the match for India while for Pakistan, it will be their batting. I don't think IRL bowlers will give any difficulty to Pakistan. IRL batsman will give them a scare though, because of their county and Australian domestic league experience.
My next prediction for today, India (60-40) and Pakistan (70-30) will win their matches against BD and IRL though IND BD will be a very tight match. Indian bowlers will win the match for India while for Pakistan, it will be their batting. I don't think IRL bowlers will give any difficulty to Pakistan. IRL batsman will give them a scare though, because of their county and Australian domestic league experience.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Sunny Vs Ponting: Part 3
Yeah we were expecting a response from Sunny to the personal onslaught from Ponting. The response was a number of good hard punches on the chest and face and another one under the belly. So, as expected Sunny explained his stand of leaving the field. Then pointed the mistake that made Ponting look like a guy who is not articulate (Please check the old post to find this). After puting a number of minor punches, Sunny let go a big one - " The Australian behavior, if done in s bar, will have there ass kicked". OOH!!!
But, then in excitement or to give an example to bolster his statement, he gave a reference of Hookes - An Australian cricketer who was killed in a bar fight. That was really below the belly. In Boxing boxer hits the opponent below the belly to soften him up - even though he may lose a point in doing so. Here this attack will backfire. Score (Sunny 0.5 Ponting 1.0). Would have been a 0.5 each if sunny hadn't referred hookes.
Final Score (Sunny 4.0 Ponting 1.5) Test Series to Sunny.
Please note the tour is not over yet. Ponting may yet respond. In fact, Hookes reference might get other country involved too. We will wait for the one day series that will follow. For the fun of the game, I hope it does :)
In other, sledging match SA and AUS are going at each other with "Chokers" and other tit for tat children fight. We will keep you updated
But, then in excitement or to give an example to bolster his statement, he gave a reference of Hookes - An Australian cricketer who was killed in a bar fight. That was really below the belly. In Boxing boxer hits the opponent below the belly to soften him up - even though he may lose a point in doing so. Here this attack will backfire. Score (Sunny 0.5 Ponting 1.0). Would have been a 0.5 each if sunny hadn't referred hookes.
Final Score (Sunny 4.0 Ponting 1.5) Test Series to Sunny.
Please note the tour is not over yet. Ponting may yet respond. In fact, Hookes reference might get other country involved too. We will wait for the one day series that will follow. For the fun of the game, I hope it does :)
In other, sledging match SA and AUS are going at each other with "Chokers" and other tit for tat children fight. We will keep you updated
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sunny Vs Ponting: Part 2
I was awaiting a response from Ponting and surely it was there.
He could have let the comments go. But, being a captain of the team, he also had to defend his team specially when attacked by someone as statesman as Gavaskar. I agree with that, but he fell for the bait that Gavaskar had for him. The attack looked personal, but was not personal. He went ballistic. He had a personal attack on Gavaskar - regarding his walk out on being called LBW. I agree with him that it was wrong to walk out and umpire's decision is final. They make mistake, but that is part of the game. But, by attacking Sunny personally, he proved that Sunny's remarks hurt him where they were meant to. He seemed like an enraged lion. (Second test - Sunny 1.5 - Ponting 0.5)
Also, Ponting recognized that the remarks were meant to play with Australian mind and had an ulterior motive of helping their opponents (SA, IND, NZ). So, he attacked the performance of Indian cricket team and tried to make Gavaskar responsible for the loss. This was a bait that went very wrong for Ponting. In fact, his response makes him feel like an inarticulate person. Judge for yourself.
Gavaskar's Summary: Though Australia has been a dominating force in world cricket and play aggressive cricket like West Indians were in the 70s, they are not loved as well as West Indies of the 70s. This is because of their behavior on the field. Their behavior and aggressiveness falls on the side of unsportsmanlike
Ponting's response: Well Gavaskar himself was not sportsmanlike (eg walk out). Also India has been performing very bad with Gavaskar been associated with the team blah blah blah.
Let me leave with a visual: Ponting made himself look like a CAGED Lion. He wants to attack theperson who is poking him, but the more he tries to attack him, the more he hurts himself as he bangs against the cage. (Third test Analysis: Sunny 2.5 - Ponting 0.5)
Of course this is not over yet, wait for this series between the two titans to get more interesting।
Current Status: Sunny 2.5 - Ponting 0.5
He could have let the comments go. But, being a captain of the team, he also had to defend his team specially when attacked by someone as statesman as Gavaskar. I agree with that, but he fell for the bait that Gavaskar had for him. The attack looked personal, but was not personal. He went ballistic. He had a personal attack on Gavaskar - regarding his walk out on being called LBW. I agree with him that it was wrong to walk out and umpire's decision is final. They make mistake, but that is part of the game. But, by attacking Sunny personally, he proved that Sunny's remarks hurt him where they were meant to. He seemed like an enraged lion. (Second test - Sunny 1.5 - Ponting 0.5)
Also, Ponting recognized that the remarks were meant to play with Australian mind and had an ulterior motive of helping their opponents (SA, IND, NZ). So, he attacked the performance of Indian cricket team and tried to make Gavaskar responsible for the loss. This was a bait that went very wrong for Ponting. In fact, his response makes him feel like an inarticulate person. Judge for yourself.
Gavaskar's Summary: Though Australia has been a dominating force in world cricket and play aggressive cricket like West Indians were in the 70s, they are not loved as well as West Indies of the 70s. This is because of their behavior on the field. Their behavior and aggressiveness falls on the side of unsportsmanlike
Ponting's response: Well Gavaskar himself was not sportsmanlike (eg walk out). Also India has been performing very bad with Gavaskar been associated with the team blah blah blah.
Let me leave with a visual: Ponting made himself look like a CAGED Lion. He wants to attack theperson who is poking him, but the more he tries to attack him, the more he hurts himself as he bangs against the cage. (Third test Analysis: Sunny 2.5 - Ponting 0.5)
Of course this is not over yet, wait for this series between the two titans to get more interesting।
Current Status: Sunny 2.5 - Ponting 0.5
Opening Game Predictions: West Indies Vs Pakistan
This is the most open world cup has been the standard line for this world cup. And the opening match is the best example of why it is very difficult to predict anything in this world cup. Pakistan team is at the lowest that I have seen them as far as I remember. But wait, isn't WI at it's worst after recent failures and being bundled out for 85 in the warm up. Pakistan at least won the warm up matches easily. So, who will win? I give West Indies a 51 - 49 favorite to win this, being the home team. It's Brian Vs Inzy, but I believe that the team that blinks first will lose. I also believe that it will be a low scoring affair with a score of 240 a decent one.
Let the games begin!!!
Let the games begin!!!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
War of the Words: Sunny Vs Ponting
In the heat of the world cup, there is a small word tussle going on between ex India's Captain Sunny and current Australian captain Ponting. Personalities have always been a part and parcel of the game of the cricket especially in the recent times. All along Australians have been criticized for mouthing words on the field. They have always been aggressive on the field and not just in the way they play, but also the way they behave when not part of on the field action (politically correct way to criticize;).
As of now Australians are at their most vulnerable in last 3-4 years. I should point out that they are still my favorite to win the cup. Their recent losses have been after a long season (CB Cup) and a depleted team with a in-experienced captain (in NZ). With the way they have been behaving last few years, I was expecting more teams to take a shot at them while they are down. I was expecting South Africa to take the first shot and then may be New Zealand and England follow the suit.
In 1999, World Cup Australia used choking against SA and even during the last trip to SA there were mouth attacks by Warne and Company. This was a time to give it back to them and rub it in for SA, but I guess SA would rather reply by their action on field.
So, I was not very surprised by attack on the Australian team. I was more surprised that Sunny was the person who attacked. It was a perfect shot, just the way Sunny played his cricket. Measured, poking at the weakness and defense ready so that you don't give the other team chance to knock you down. So, what do I mean by that.
Well he mentioned an opinion, but the way he said it, it felt like a fact. He didn't get personal and pointed to specific players. He acknowledged that they are and have been the best team and compared them to the well known and the most loved dominating force in the cricket world - West Indies of the 70's. It was a perfect strategy to poke the opponent. Something equivalent to Spartans choosing the battle ground to sustain maximum loss to opponent. As an unbiased opinion, the attack was not correctly targeted. The two key sledgers Warne and Lee are not in this team. Trademark Sunny (First Test Result: Sunny 1- Ponting 0) to him. Now the ball is in Ponting's court
As of now Australians are at their most vulnerable in last 3-4 years. I should point out that they are still my favorite to win the cup. Their recent losses have been after a long season (CB Cup) and a depleted team with a in-experienced captain (in NZ). With the way they have been behaving last few years, I was expecting more teams to take a shot at them while they are down. I was expecting South Africa to take the first shot and then may be New Zealand and England follow the suit.
In 1999, World Cup Australia used choking against SA and even during the last trip to SA there were mouth attacks by Warne and Company. This was a time to give it back to them and rub it in for SA, but I guess SA would rather reply by their action on field.
So, I was not very surprised by attack on the Australian team. I was more surprised that Sunny was the person who attacked. It was a perfect shot, just the way Sunny played his cricket. Measured, poking at the weakness and defense ready so that you don't give the other team chance to knock you down. So, what do I mean by that.
Well he mentioned an opinion, but the way he said it, it felt like a fact. He didn't get personal and pointed to specific players. He acknowledged that they are and have been the best team and compared them to the well known and the most loved dominating force in the cricket world - West Indies of the 70's. It was a perfect strategy to poke the opponent. Something equivalent to Spartans choosing the battle ground to sustain maximum loss to opponent. As an unbiased opinion, the attack was not correctly targeted. The two key sledgers Warne and Lee are not in this team. Trademark Sunny (First Test Result: Sunny 1- Ponting 0) to him. Now the ball is in Ponting's court
Saturday, March 10, 2007
ICC World Cup: One of the biggest sporting event of this year
अब तो अगले दो महीने तक सारा काम दाम बंद करके cricket देखेगे :)
Yes the world cup is almost here. All the preparations and the team building efforts will show their results over the next two months. It is one of the biggest sporting event for the Indian Subcontinent. This is one event where the subcontinent teams can defeat the best in the world. This is the most open world cup ever - There I too said it. But frankly, every world cup has it's own surprises except the first two editions which West Indian won and last two editions which Australia won. So I will add "of the recent times. Now, if you have guesses where I am going.
Yes, the similarity doesn't end with one team domination and two world cup wins. I believe, this world cup will signal the end of the Australian domination over the world. They are at the same stage as WI in 1983. A whole generation of great players have retired or will retire soon. I don't expect many of the current team members to be there in the next edition of the cup. So, we will enter a time of uncertainty with no dominating team before some other country takes on the mantle.
Lets come back to this world cup. The recent Australia losses in CB Trophy and NZ were result of a tiring long season and depleted side. No body can write off the Aus in the ICC World Cup 2007, but they don't feel as invincible. Any of the top eight teams can win this world cup. This is because the difference between various teams is very little and most teams are ailing with fitness or form issues.
Let me first put my views on most of the world cup matches in West Indies. Most battles will be played in the middle overs. That means the team paces the middle overs well and doesn't let the other team score as freely in middle overs will win. It also means having a varied attacks with a lot of slow bowling options.
Here is my take at the chances of the various teams.
1> Australia: You can mock them; you can ridicule them; but you can not ignore them. They will come back hard. Australia along with South Africa is the favorite to win the world cup. But, Australian power is on wane. In fact, I won;t be surprised if the don't qualify for semis. They have fitness issues, their form is currently low and they don't have a good varied attack. In fact, I believe SA has more chances of winning this world cup than Australia. Key players for them will be Gilchrist (Opening 10-20 overs), Ponting(15-40) and Hussey (Closer). Seymond will contribute, but his fitness is still not assured. Their current bowling attack is at best good and mostly average. McGrath is like a lone ranger. Also, they don't have many slow bowling options one of the key factors success factors for this world cup.
2> South Africa: In my books, this is the team that is most likely to win the world cup. They have the best bowling attack of any team, huge depth of batting with lots of all rounders and the fittest and the best fielding side in the world. Shaun Pollock is at his peak bowling form. And they might have got the top ranking by some help from luck, but they have been at the Australia toe for so long waiting for them to blink. The only short coming for them is that they don't have a variety in bowling (slow bowling ?) and Choker tag. I think bowling variety is overstated and ditto for Choker tag.
3> India: After Aus an SA, I rate India as one of the next best team to have a chance of qualify for quarters. They seem much more disciplined than anytime in recent years. I am aware of their bad form in the last one year, but I this year they have been on the mend. Ganguly has come back strong giving the team a good opener. Tendulkar is playing well. Dhoni has matured into the role of a closer. Bowling attach has a problem of excess - which is always good. Key concerns Sehwag and Pathan. If these two players perform well in the world cup, I think India can go all the way. I would rather have Pathan back to his form for two reasons - If Pathan can act as the third medium pacer, we will just need two other medium pacer and Harbhajan. That means there will be depth in the batting.
4> Sri Lanka: World Cup is all about momentum and had it not been for the recent momentum, SL would have been ahead of India in my ranking. They have one of the best "varied" attack in the world. Good batting side, but their recent form has been off. The way this world cup is structured, They can very easily gain that momentum in the group stages. I think they will qualify for the semis and after that it is just 2 more games that will decide the ultimate winners.
5& 6> New Zealand and West Indies form the other two top eight teams most likely to take the slot of the above four teams. New Zealand is on a high after defeating a depleted Australia and West Indies have a home team advantage.
7&8> Pakistan and England round up the top eight teams. These two teams along with the West Indies will be the teams which may miss the super eight. Pakistan without Shoaib and Asif have a toothless bowling attack. They are also missing some key batsmen, but the person they will miss the most id Razzak. He is an intelligent cricketer, great closer and provides a good balance to the team as an all rounder. England may have won the CB trophy, but they are a team in a building phase.
9-16> Associate members round up the rest of the teams. I believe at least one of them will reach the Super 8 and these members will win at least 2-3 matches against the top eight teams. Test playing members be on lookout for Bangladesh, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Well this is my take on ICC WORLD CUP 2007. Have fun watching the games.
Yes the world cup is almost here. All the preparations and the team building efforts will show their results over the next two months. It is one of the biggest sporting event for the Indian Subcontinent. This is one event where the subcontinent teams can defeat the best in the world. This is the most open world cup ever - There I too said it. But frankly, every world cup has it's own surprises except the first two editions which West Indian won and last two editions which Australia won. So I will add "of the recent times. Now, if you have guesses where I am going.
Yes, the similarity doesn't end with one team domination and two world cup wins. I believe, this world cup will signal the end of the Australian domination over the world. They are at the same stage as WI in 1983. A whole generation of great players have retired or will retire soon. I don't expect many of the current team members to be there in the next edition of the cup. So, we will enter a time of uncertainty with no dominating team before some other country takes on the mantle.
Lets come back to this world cup. The recent Australia losses in CB Trophy and NZ were result of a tiring long season and depleted side. No body can write off the Aus in the ICC World Cup 2007, but they don't feel as invincible. Any of the top eight teams can win this world cup. This is because the difference between various teams is very little and most teams are ailing with fitness or form issues.
Let me first put my views on most of the world cup matches in West Indies. Most battles will be played in the middle overs. That means the team paces the middle overs well and doesn't let the other team score as freely in middle overs will win. It also means having a varied attacks with a lot of slow bowling options.
Here is my take at the chances of the various teams.
1> Australia: You can mock them; you can ridicule them; but you can not ignore them. They will come back hard. Australia along with South Africa is the favorite to win the world cup. But, Australian power is on wane. In fact, I won;t be surprised if the don't qualify for semis. They have fitness issues, their form is currently low and they don't have a good varied attack. In fact, I believe SA has more chances of winning this world cup than Australia. Key players for them will be Gilchrist (Opening 10-20 overs), Ponting(15-40) and Hussey (Closer). Seymond will contribute, but his fitness is still not assured. Their current bowling attack is at best good and mostly average. McGrath is like a lone ranger. Also, they don't have many slow bowling options one of the key factors success factors for this world cup.
2> South Africa: In my books, this is the team that is most likely to win the world cup. They have the best bowling attack of any team, huge depth of batting with lots of all rounders and the fittest and the best fielding side in the world. Shaun Pollock is at his peak bowling form. And they might have got the top ranking by some help from luck, but they have been at the Australia toe for so long waiting for them to blink. The only short coming for them is that they don't have a variety in bowling (slow bowling ?) and Choker tag. I think bowling variety is overstated and ditto for Choker tag.
3> India: After Aus an SA, I rate India as one of the next best team to have a chance of qualify for quarters. They seem much more disciplined than anytime in recent years. I am aware of their bad form in the last one year, but I this year they have been on the mend. Ganguly has come back strong giving the team a good opener. Tendulkar is playing well. Dhoni has matured into the role of a closer. Bowling attach has a problem of excess - which is always good. Key concerns Sehwag and Pathan. If these two players perform well in the world cup, I think India can go all the way. I would rather have Pathan back to his form for two reasons - If Pathan can act as the third medium pacer, we will just need two other medium pacer and Harbhajan. That means there will be depth in the batting.
4> Sri Lanka: World Cup is all about momentum and had it not been for the recent momentum, SL would have been ahead of India in my ranking. They have one of the best "varied" attack in the world. Good batting side, but their recent form has been off. The way this world cup is structured, They can very easily gain that momentum in the group stages. I think they will qualify for the semis and after that it is just 2 more games that will decide the ultimate winners.
5& 6> New Zealand and West Indies form the other two top eight teams most likely to take the slot of the above four teams. New Zealand is on a high after defeating a depleted Australia and West Indies have a home team advantage.
7&8> Pakistan and England round up the top eight teams. These two teams along with the West Indies will be the teams which may miss the super eight. Pakistan without Shoaib and Asif have a toothless bowling attack. They are also missing some key batsmen, but the person they will miss the most id Razzak. He is an intelligent cricketer, great closer and provides a good balance to the team as an all rounder. England may have won the CB trophy, but they are a team in a building phase.
9-16> Associate members round up the rest of the teams. I believe at least one of them will reach the Super 8 and these members will win at least 2-3 matches against the top eight teams. Test playing members be on lookout for Bangladesh, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Well this is my take on ICC WORLD CUP 2007. Have fun watching the games.
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