Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cricket. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Dhoni Blooper!
This was heard during the presentation ceremony after Chennai vs Kolkata match in IPL3 on 13th April 2010.
Harsha Bhogle: I know you've come from Ranchi, but, I would never believe that you've come from anywhere other than Chennai today.
MS Dhoni: Ya, I think the people in Chennai...they just love me. In the firt IPL, when I used to go out biking at night... wherever I used to stop...aah, in the RED LIGHT AREAS(he means traffic signals!) or...you know they used to come up to me and speak to me in tamil. So, I think they really love me over here!
Try to find it in Youtube!
Harsha Bhogle: I know you've come from Ranchi, but, I would never believe that you've come from anywhere other than Chennai today.
MS Dhoni: Ya, I think the people in Chennai...they just love me. In the firt IPL, when I used to go out biking at night... wherever I used to stop...aah, in the RED LIGHT AREAS(he means traffic signals!) or...you know they used to come up to me and speak to me in tamil. So, I think they really love me over here!
Try to find it in Youtube!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
181 Posts, last published on May 5, 2009
It's time to break the silence. Hehe, funny isn't it.I will not be able to make any noise by typing from my computer. Anyway, it's been a torrid, uncomfortable and a sweaty summer vacation for me. There is no way one can go out when the sun is out. And, for that matter, it's blazing hot from 8am to 6:30 pm. That's the reason why my hometown is called B(l)ezawada. I haven't done anything remarkably useful during my summer vacation. Played a lot of PES on my playstation and after getting back to college now, i find FIFA09 to be a bit crappy. Well, there is no such thing like perfect in the world of games or movies, is there?
I watched the closing stages of the IPL to start of with. I felt some sadistic happieness on seeing the Delhi Daredevils knocked out of the tournament by Deccan Chargers. This was primarily due to the fact that a bunch of my friends who were DD supporters, hated my favourite team, the Chennai Super Kings. So, it was mutual hate of the other's team, and nothing much. But, the happieness hadn't last long because CSK were knocked out in the match against the Bangalore Royal Challengers. Ironically, the two teams that finished last in the inaugural IPL beat the teams that finished 1st and 2nd in the league this year to seal a place in the final. Eventually, the Deccan Chargers won the tournament and were crowned champions. This made all of us happy as we belong to the Deccan region.
Immediately, the world cup followed in a summer of non-stop T20 action. It was a disappointing campaign for India. Most people haven't expected such kind of collapse. The Indian's so called 'weakness' to short pitch deliveries was exploited by West Indies and there was not way that we would make a reversal of the situation, we were in. There was a major attitude problem in the players, who were defending their Championship. To be champions, we have to play like champions. After the debacle, the media pointed fingers at the mangement and Dhoni. Dhoni rightfully apologized to the fans after the team's dismal performance in England.
Then it was immediatly off to the Carribean to hear some Calypso beats. West Indies is a struggling side internally, but are always dangerous to deal with. Yuvraj was continuing his brilliant run of form while captain fantastic Mahendra Sing Dhoni single handedly led a fight which ended up in vain in the 2nd ODI. The third ODI was rain struck and ultimately saw a dramatic finish. 11 runs were needed of the last over and Dhoni hit a six off Taylor to take a lead in the series. 2-1. The West Indies were dying to level the series in the final ODI but the rain gods had other plans. The match was abandoned and India salvaged some pride. What's interesting is the fact that it was only the 2nd series win for India in the West Indies.
Guess what, Baichung Bhutia's prediction(and mine too) was right. Barcelona eased past Manchester United in the champions league final. Chelsea came back from a goal down to lift the FA Cup, against Everton. And the transfer season, till now has been absolutely fantastic. I say this because, it's looking like it's going to be tough BPL season for all the top 4 teams. I still don't feel that ManCity will be able to clallenge any of the Top 4. They have players who have a lot of ego problems and they never really strengthened their defense. The mid field too is isn't good enough to break their way into the top4. Arsenal sign Thomas Vermaelen to fill in the problematic Left back role. I would have also loved to see Felip Melo at the club but he is now with Juventus. Wenger says that he is interested in signing Brede Hangeland and Chamack before the transfer window closes. Those will be good additions to an injury prone team like ours. I would say with 92% certainity that Manchester United will not be winning the league this season. Hope all goes well for the Gooners, this time. Arshavin my hero.
This is the fianl semester on-campus. We should have been busy with placement preparations and interviews, but the bad news is that the Recession hasn't really slowed down. There are only 10-15 companies coming out to the campus.
So, that's it for now. Have a great sunday!
I watched the closing stages of the IPL to start of with. I felt some sadistic happieness on seeing the Delhi Daredevils knocked out of the tournament by Deccan Chargers. This was primarily due to the fact that a bunch of my friends who were DD supporters, hated my favourite team, the Chennai Super Kings. So, it was mutual hate of the other's team, and nothing much. But, the happieness hadn't last long because CSK were knocked out in the match against the Bangalore Royal Challengers. Ironically, the two teams that finished last in the inaugural IPL beat the teams that finished 1st and 2nd in the league this year to seal a place in the final. Eventually, the Deccan Chargers won the tournament and were crowned champions. This made all of us happy as we belong to the Deccan region.
Immediately, the world cup followed in a summer of non-stop T20 action. It was a disappointing campaign for India. Most people haven't expected such kind of collapse. The Indian's so called 'weakness' to short pitch deliveries was exploited by West Indies and there was not way that we would make a reversal of the situation, we were in. There was a major attitude problem in the players, who were defending their Championship. To be champions, we have to play like champions. After the debacle, the media pointed fingers at the mangement and Dhoni. Dhoni rightfully apologized to the fans after the team's dismal performance in England.
Then it was immediatly off to the Carribean to hear some Calypso beats. West Indies is a struggling side internally, but are always dangerous to deal with. Yuvraj was continuing his brilliant run of form while captain fantastic Mahendra Sing Dhoni single handedly led a fight which ended up in vain in the 2nd ODI. The third ODI was rain struck and ultimately saw a dramatic finish. 11 runs were needed of the last over and Dhoni hit a six off Taylor to take a lead in the series. 2-1. The West Indies were dying to level the series in the final ODI but the rain gods had other plans. The match was abandoned and India salvaged some pride. What's interesting is the fact that it was only the 2nd series win for India in the West Indies.
Guess what, Baichung Bhutia's prediction(and mine too) was right. Barcelona eased past Manchester United in the champions league final. Chelsea came back from a goal down to lift the FA Cup, against Everton. And the transfer season, till now has been absolutely fantastic. I say this because, it's looking like it's going to be tough BPL season for all the top 4 teams. I still don't feel that ManCity will be able to clallenge any of the Top 4. They have players who have a lot of ego problems and they never really strengthened their defense. The mid field too is isn't good enough to break their way into the top4. Arsenal sign Thomas Vermaelen to fill in the problematic Left back role. I would have also loved to see Felip Melo at the club but he is now with Juventus. Wenger says that he is interested in signing Brede Hangeland and Chamack before the transfer window closes. Those will be good additions to an injury prone team like ours. I would say with 92% certainity that Manchester United will not be winning the league this season. Hope all goes well for the Gooners, this time. Arshavin my hero.
This is the fianl semester on-campus. We should have been busy with placement preparations and interviews, but the bad news is that the Recession hasn't really slowed down. There are only 10-15 companies coming out to the campus.
So, that's it for now. Have a great sunday!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
India Refuses to surrender!
Scoreboard at the end of play on the fifth day of the second test between India and New Zealand at McLean Park, Napier on Monday.
New Zealand first innings (619-9 dec) India first innings (305 all out) India second innings (overnight 252-2)
G. Gambhir lbw b Patel 137
V. Sehwag lbw b Patel 22
R. Dravid c How b Vettori 62
S. Tendulkar c McCullum b Martin 64
V. Laxman not out 124
Y. Singh not out 54
Extras (b-9 lb-1 nb-3) 13
Total (for four wickets, 180 overs) 476 Fall of wicket 1-30 2-163 3-260 4-356 Still to bat: Dinesh Karthik, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan,
Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel Bowling (to date): Martin 30-8-86-1 (nb-1), O'Brien
32-9-94-0 (nb-1), Franklin 21-5-48-0, Patel 45-10-120-2, Ryder
11-5-38-0, Vettori 38-13-76-1 (nb-1) Taylor 2-1-4-0 How 1-1-0-0 Result: match drawn India lead three match series 1-0 Man of the match: Jesse Ryder Next match: 3rd test, Wellington (April 3-7)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sports
"Fluke is a once in a lifetime event. The world No.1 side beating an utterly mediocre Australia isn't a fluke. And doing it twice to win the series 2-0 should shut the fans up."
When Australia lost to South Africa in the first T20, one of my friends, a hardcore Aussie supporter says that it was totally a 'FLUKE'. It was so funny because, the guy who said it was a GRE aspirant who has learned the meaning of 5000+ tough English words within a span of 6 months. Yet he uses the F-word to support his team and back them up.
People get as crazy as they probably get when they talk about sports/ favorite players. I'm writing this because, I do the same thing. The only difference is that I know that I'm acting crazy. When it comes to supporting Dhoni, I never have any backup. I am also not the kind of guy who could sell earphones to a deaf guy. I do not understand why people become so wreck less as soon as Dhoni arrives at the crease. Comments fly in the common room, instantly. I do not understand whether they try to provoke me into an argument or they really hate him. I used to hate Dhoni in the initial part of the career. I thought that the media was giving a lot of hype to him that he doesn't deserve. The guys who now are the 'Dhoni Haters' were once his fans, I guess. They just miss Dhoni being DHONI! They miss his enormous number of sixes and just can't live with the fact that he has turned into a more dependable batsman. He is simply the best keeper that India has ever had. One more thing. When he got injured and missed the second test, people said that the injuries are caused because he stresses out his body with all the awkward looking shots. Are these people dumb? Do they know how tough it is to keep wickets? This is how the people have become, looking for every opportunity to criticize Dhoni when they once loved him like hell!
Who the hell wishes for Dhoni getting out for the sake that Yusuf Pathan comes out to bat?!? Given his day, Yusuf can smash any opposition out of the game. That makes him the most inconsistant batsman in the team not the most dangerous. He only plays well in 1 out 25 games and people are dying to see that innings even though it never actually happens.
The whole thing actually gives an example of how real life works. Once, you are respected and valued but when something changes, the same people try to bring you down.
When Australia lost to South Africa in the first T20, one of my friends, a hardcore Aussie supporter says that it was totally a 'FLUKE'. It was so funny because, the guy who said it was a GRE aspirant who has learned the meaning of 5000+ tough English words within a span of 6 months. Yet he uses the F-word to support his team and back them up.
People get as crazy as they probably get when they talk about sports/ favorite players. I'm writing this because, I do the same thing. The only difference is that I know that I'm acting crazy. When it comes to supporting Dhoni, I never have any backup. I am also not the kind of guy who could sell earphones to a deaf guy. I do not understand why people become so wreck less as soon as Dhoni arrives at the crease. Comments fly in the common room, instantly. I do not understand whether they try to provoke me into an argument or they really hate him. I used to hate Dhoni in the initial part of the career. I thought that the media was giving a lot of hype to him that he doesn't deserve. The guys who now are the 'Dhoni Haters' were once his fans, I guess. They just miss Dhoni being DHONI! They miss his enormous number of sixes and just can't live with the fact that he has turned into a more dependable batsman. He is simply the best keeper that India has ever had. One more thing. When he got injured and missed the second test, people said that the injuries are caused because he stresses out his body with all the awkward looking shots. Are these people dumb? Do they know how tough it is to keep wickets? This is how the people have become, looking for every opportunity to criticize Dhoni when they once loved him like hell!
Who the hell wishes for Dhoni getting out for the sake that Yusuf Pathan comes out to bat?!? Given his day, Yusuf can smash any opposition out of the game. That makes him the most inconsistant batsman in the team not the most dangerous. He only plays well in 1 out 25 games and people are dying to see that innings even though it never actually happens.
The whole thing actually gives an example of how real life works. Once, you are respected and valued but when something changes, the same people try to bring you down.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
IPL (Indian Premier League) Schedule
As you all know, this year's IPL is going to be hosted in South Africa due to security reasons. The schedule is as follows:
In all, the 59 matches will be held in eight cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, East London, Kimberly, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.
Kingsmead in Durban, which has a large number of South Asians, has been allotted the lion's share of 16 matches while the Centurion Park in Pretoria will host 12 ties.
The Wanderers in Johannesburg and Newlands in Cape Town will hold eight matches each, with the latter playing host to four of these on the first two days of the competition.
Seven matches are to be held in St George's Park in Port Elizabeth while Buffalo Park in East London has been allotted four matches.
Two matches each have been handed over to Outsurance Oval in Bloemfontein and De Beers Oval in Kimberley.
Matches will be held at 4 pm (12.30 pm local time) and 8 pm (4.30pm local time) IST.
There are a total of ten double headers (two matches back to back at the same venue) with Durban hosting half of these.
IPL commissioner Lalit Modi revealed that official broadcaster Sony will telecast the matches in three languages - English, Hindi and Bengali.
Schedule: All times IST (GMT + 0530)
April 18: Rajasthan Royals (RR) v Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) (4 pm) at Cape Town; Mumbai Indians (MI) v Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (8 pm) at Cape Town
April 19: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) v Deccan Chargers (DC) (4 pm) at Cape Town; Delhi Daredevils (DD) v Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) (8 pm) at Cape Town
April 20: RCB V CSK (4 pm) at Port Elizabeth
April 21: RR v MI (4 pm) at Durban; KKR v KXIP (8 pm) at Durban
April 22: DD v CSK (4 pm) at Durban; RCB v DC (8 pm) at Cape Town
April 23: KKR v RR (4 pm) at Port Elizabeth
April 24: KXIP v RCB (4 pm) at Johannesburg
April 25: KKR v CSK (4 pm) at Cape Town; DC v MI (8 pm) at Durban
April 26: RR v KXIP (4 pm) at Cape Town; RCB v DD (8 pm) Port Elizabeth
April 27: KKR v MI (4 pm) at Cape Town; CSK v DC (8 pm) at Durban
April 28: DD v RR (4 pm) at Pretoria
April 29: MI v KXIP (4 pm) at Durban; KKR v RCB (8 pm) at Durban
April 30: DD v DC (4 pm) at Pretoria; RR v CSK (8 pm) at Pretoria
May 1: RCB v KXIP (4 pm) at East London; MI v KKR (8 pm) at Durban
May 2: RR v DC (4 pm) at Johannesburg; CSK v DD (8 pm) at Port Elizabeth
May 3: MI v RCB (4 pm) at Durban; KXIP v KKR (8 pm) at East London
May 4: DC v CSK (4 pm) at Port Elizabeth
May 5: DD v KKR (4 pm) at Durban; KXIP v RR (8 pm) at Durban
May 6: MI v DC (4 pm) at Pretoria
May 7: KXIP v CSK (4 pm) at Pretoria; RCB v RR (8 pm) at Pretoria
May 8: DD v MI (4 pm) at East London
May 9: DC v KXIP (4 pm) at Bloemfontein; CSK v RR (8 pm) at Port Elizabeth
May 10: KKR v DD (4 pm) at East London; RCB v MI (8 pm) at Johannesburg
May 11: DC v RR (4 pm) at Bloemfontein
May 12: RCB v KKR (4 pm) at Pretoria; KXIP v MI (8 pm) at Pretoria
May 13: DC v DD (4 pm) at Durban
May 14: MI v RR (4 pm) at Durban; CSK v RCB (8 pm) at Durban
May 15: KXIP v DD (4 pm) at Kimberley
May 16: CSK v MI (4 pm) at Johannesburg; DC v KKR (8 pm) at Port Elizabeth
May 17: RR v DD (4 pm) at Kimberley; KXIP v DC (8 pm) at Johannesburg
May 18: CSK v KKR (4 pm) at Pretoria
May 19: DD v RCB (4 pm) at Johannesburg
May 20: CSK v KXIP (4 pm) at Durban; RR v KKR (8 pm) at Durban
May 21: DC v RCB (4 pm) at Pretoria; MI v DD (8 pm) at Pretoria
May 22: Semi Final 1 at Pretoria
May 23: Semi Final 2 at Johannesburg
May 24: Final at Johannesburg
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thumping Victory
After all the talking, we finally know the winner. It was pretty obvious. India outplayed Australia in every department. The Australians talked about the way only one team was playing to win the match. Guess, they were referring to India in that context. Many records have been shattered. Here are the top 5 moments of this year's series(according to NDTV).
1.Sachin Tendulkar surpasses Brian Lara's record
2.Anil Kumble's last Kotla outing
3.Mahi's parting gesture
4.Gambhir-Watson spat(I loved this one!)
5.Winning moments
This was a moment that Indians across the world will cherish for years to come. Back at the No. 2 spot in world rankings, India walloped the world champions 2-0. That's our moment No. 5 along with Ishant Sharma bucking all trends by becoming a fast bowler to win a 'Man Of the Series' award at home.
The series had other moments as well. Harbhajan Singh dismissing Ricky Ponting for the 10th time to complete his 300 Test wickets, Ganguly completing 7000 Test runs, VVS Laxman playing his 100th Test and Sachin Tendulkar taking his 100th Test catch.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Australia In India
I just want to share my views on the ongoing test match series between India and Australia. Australia was a very formidable and tough opponent. But now, the times have changed. They do not have the sting in their bowling attack. Losing old players is not an excuse. You cannot expect a person to play for his country till he dies. So, the media should stop showing the retirement of Shane Warne as an excuse. Even if he plays, I do not think that the Indian batting lineup is so jejune to be afraid to face him. We have the best players of spin in the world. You cannot expect a team to beat India on their home soil. It is difficult, if not impossible.
Another thing that really pissed me off is the Australian Media stating, "With the Gambhir incident, India continue to live up to its tag of ill behaved team in cricket." "The rap sheet is evidence the Indians are anything but cricketing choirboys as they continue to deny spinner Harbhajan is guilty of racially abusing all-rounder Andrew Symonds," it said.
Once you put up sledging in list of offenses, everyone knows who will be the No.1 in that list. They go to any extent to win a match. Even, turning an umpire on their side, telling lies on an out/not out decision, etc.
And, don't they remember the incident when Ricky pushed Sharad pawar off the stage in a presentation ceremony? I get it, it was after a match. They will not get a cut in their match fees. So, they can be themselves. Wasn't that racial?
The final thing I would like to share is my opinion about the media/ commentators. Every time Australia loses a match, a discussion gets, started if they are Invincible/ not. This is one of the discussions I hate to read/ hear. If they are invincible in the first place, why did they lose a match. No team is invincible. And then there are statements that Australia will strike back or Hayden will counter attack. This is all psychological warfare. But, it is one sided. They don't believe in themselves and now they try to psychologically defeat the other team. The most hated statement made by the Australians this series is..." Apparently, only one team is playing to win the game." In the third test, India were 70 runs ahead before Day 5. If Australia, was in that state would they make 130 runs quickly and set the target as 200. No team will be bowled out for less than 200 in India. They are batting tracks. The only thing i want the Aussies to do, is to learn how to think before you talk. Compare the run rates of the two teams to find out who is playing to win the game.
Dumbfu*ks!
Another thing that really pissed me off is the Australian Media stating, "With the Gambhir incident, India continue to live up to its tag of ill behaved team in cricket." "The rap sheet is evidence the Indians are anything but cricketing choirboys as they continue to deny spinner Harbhajan is guilty of racially abusing all-rounder Andrew Symonds," it said.
Once you put up sledging in list of offenses, everyone knows who will be the No.1 in that list. They go to any extent to win a match. Even, turning an umpire on their side, telling lies on an out/not out decision, etc.
And, don't they remember the incident when Ricky pushed Sharad pawar off the stage in a presentation ceremony? I get it, it was after a match. They will not get a cut in their match fees. So, they can be themselves. Wasn't that racial?
The final thing I would like to share is my opinion about the media/ commentators. Every time Australia loses a match, a discussion gets, started if they are Invincible/ not. This is one of the discussions I hate to read/ hear. If they are invincible in the first place, why did they lose a match. No team is invincible. And then there are statements that Australia will strike back or Hayden will counter attack. This is all psychological warfare. But, it is one sided. They don't believe in themselves and now they try to psychologically defeat the other team. The most hated statement made by the Australians this series is..." Apparently, only one team is playing to win the game." In the third test, India were 70 runs ahead before Day 5. If Australia, was in that state would they make 130 runs quickly and set the target as 200. No team will be bowled out for less than 200 in India. They are batting tracks. The only thing i want the Aussies to do, is to learn how to think before you talk. Compare the run rates of the two teams to find out who is playing to win the game.
Dumbfu*ks!
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