Friday, December 29, 2006

memories
To Hang or not to Hang Saddam

Saddam is likely to be hanged this weekend. Well we all know he is guilty of killing many people. Some reports suggest he even killed his sons-in-law. He has been held responsible for the death of more than 140 people. The judgement of the Iraqi court decrees that he has to be hanged before January 27.

I am no fan of Saddam, but with the current situation in Iraq, Saddam's hanging will only add to the confusion, and there will be a clash between the Shias and Sunnis and the U.S. forces and supportere of Saddam's Baath' Party.

What about George Bush who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Iraqis and Afghans. No answers for that as he is the most powerful man on earth and everyone has to follow his whims and fancies.

God help Iraq and God help poor America.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

memories
Second Test Update

The Indians had to sweat it out before they could bowl the Proteas out. Prince scored 121 before he was caught by Laxman of Sreesanth's bowling. The surprise package was Morkel who was notout on 31 and Ntini scored 16 runs and was out lbw to Kumble. The final score was 328.

India started disastrously losing Sehwag for a duck. I personally think Pathan should have stayed back and Sehwag should have returned home, he is becoming a liability for the team and not scoring at all. Next to depart was Dravid who was given out lbw of Nel, but I think the ball struck him a bit high on the legs, but he is out.

As I am writing this, Sachin and Jaffer are playing on 14 and 26 respectively. Let us see what happens..

A

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

memories
The Singur Controversy-What went wrong?

"Mamata Bannerjee put on oxygen support," screams the news headline in a news website. Mamata has been on a hunger strike for the past 21 days in protest of the proposed Tata small car factory that is supposed to come up in Singur. The problem is that the government has sanctioned prime agricultural land for the factory. Already a sizeable number of farmers have accepted the generous compensation given by the Tatas for their land, almost 6 to seven times of the actual property value.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the West Bengal CM says that he cannot ask the Tatas to back out as it was he who took the initiative for inviting the Tatas to set up a factory. The argument is why was prime agricultural land offered to the Tatas when barren or unfertile land could have served the purpose, and why do they require such a vast area for their small-car factory?

Let us wait and watch and see what happens...
memories

Pathan Sent Packing

Irfan Pathan, has been given an air-ticket back home and literally sent packing to regain his lost form by playing in the Ranji Trophy matches. The fact is he is the only Indian player to have scored a century in the ongoing series in South Africa. In Vengsarkar's words-"He is in the team as a bowler who can bat a bit, not as a batsman who can bowl a bit."

So Pathan has about 4 months in which he has to master his reverse swing and wicket taking ability, to play for India in the World Cup in the Caribbean.

When I am writing this Sreesanth is being belted across the park in Durban and Zaheer has taken two wickets in the second test. Let us see what happens. Best of luck Pathan.

Friday, December 22, 2006

memories
Merry Christmas

It is that time of the year again, prayers and celebrations, carols and choir performances, plum cakes and rice puddings, Santa Claus and gifts... A Merry Christmas to everybody, and may the new year bring happiness and prosperity to everyone.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Breaking the Protean jinx

A Victory finally..
India finally broke the Protean jinx. We managed to win the first test match by 123 runs. Sreesanth who took five wickets in the first and three wickets in the second innings, destroyed the South African batting line-up, and will hopefully maintain his form in this series.Ganguly and Laxman played some crucial knocks and Zaheer's thirty odd runs in the second innings was a good performance.What worries eveyone is that the top order has failed again and I do believe that Jaffer should be replaced by Dinesh Karthick.For the moment let us enjoy our victory. Enjoy guys.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Paes and Bhupathi, end of a golden era

India won another gold at the Doha Asian Games yesterday, when Paes and Bhupathi defeated a Thai pair in a thrilling match. The result read 5-7, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3. Immediately after the victory, Paes announced his break-up with Bhupathi and said he would never partner Bhupathi again. The duo who have won many laurels for India in the past and have had ego-clashes for quite sometime and the end was inevitable, but the sudden announcement after the gold medal came as a shock to everyone.

The duo inspired a new generation of players like Sania, Rohan Bopanna, Ritwik, Rushmi Chakravarthy and others to take up tennis as a career.

I guess all good things have to come to an end and that is what has happened to Paes and Bhupathi. It is bad news for Indian tennis. We have to move on and identify new players to carry the mantle of Paes and Bhupathi.

Monday, December 11, 2006

memories
Finally a victory

The match between India and the Rest of South Africa team, ended in India's favour. Ganguly hit a brilliant 83 in the first innings but went for a duck in the second. The top order comprising of Sachin, Sehwag and Jaffer failed to boost our confidence with another disappointing performance in both innings of the match.

It was Pathan who made India's day, he scored a brilliant 111 not out in the first innings and 40 n.o. in the second. Some superb bowling by Zaheer and Sreesanth ensured a victory for the Indians.

The test series is extremely crucial for India as the one-day series was a total debacle. Sehwag will be the key. He is a different player when it comes to the longer format of the game. Remember Pakistan, if Laxman and Dravid can support Sehwag and Sachin and Ganguly play decently, there is some hope for the team.

You cannot expect the bowlers to defend a total less than 300 or 350 runs. Sreesanth, Zaheer and Pathan have to do well, Kumble knows his job and the veteran has his task cut out before him. Harbhajan is bound to get hit all across the park, but his doosra and variation in speed might do the trick.

I hope Dinesh Karthick is retained in the side. His batting is good and he is an able fielder. All eyes will be on Dada and he has a good opportunity to redeem himself. He has to be very careful about the bouncer aimed at his ribs.

December 15 is when the first test starts, let us wait and watch.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

memories
Well and truly beaten
India were well and truly beaten by the Proteas in the recently concluded one-day series. The only consolation was our victory in the 20:20 match. The test series starts on December 15. With just another eight days remaining and a practice match against teh rest of South Africa team, Team-India has to get back to its winning ways. Laxman and Ganguly are good on paper and their batting in the upcoming matches will decide their future for once and forever.

The positives that emerged for India was the form of Zaheer with the ball and Dinesh Karthick's impressive batting. Dhoni was the only player to score more than 100 runs for India in the one-day series.

Bowling wise, the team failed in the last match and squandered impressive starts in the other games.

Let us wait for the test matches to begin.

Friday, December 01, 2006

memories
A chance to salvage their pride-

India have chance to salvage a bit of their pride when they meet the Proteas today. I hope that India plays the 20 overs fully and not get skittled out in 10 or 12 overs. Dhoni and Sehwag have the ability to hit the ball very hard and I feel Dhoni should be promoted up the order say at number 3.

The key lies in restricting the Proteas and avoiding silly goof-ups while fielding the ball. Let bygones be bygones India have to pull up their socks, do some serious soul-searching and win this match.

This is a desperate request from a die-hard fan. Please win this match...
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