We shall Miss You Sehwag

Sehwag departs. This is certainly one of the worst news I have ever heard. He was one of a kind. Never changed himself as long as he played. Carefree. Just see the ball,  hit it. No issues at all. If it works, then okay. If not, so what? He was one of those players who made cricket memorable and more enjoyable.

The first time I witnessed him was in ICC Champions Trophy 2002 against England, when he came out to open with Sourav Ganguly. The target was 269 under lights. Mind you. It was 2002, not 2015. The target of 269 was supposed to be tough against well disciplined English attack. Not for Sehwag. He dismantled whole english bowling single-handedly. Sourav joined too. India won within 40 overs chasing 270. Ridiculous. Welcome to Sehwagology. Another fan of Sehwag was born. Since then, I have always enjoyed watching him bat. 

He was always considered a limited over player with the kind of dashing style he had. Although, I didn't see his debut test match live, I noticed that when he came out to bat in his debut game, India were 68 for 4 and struggling. He once again took South African attack single-handedly and scored a ton on debut. He ripped apart Pollock, Kallis, Ntini and scored a ton with a strike rate better than 60 in South African conditions.

He was always like that. When he hit the ball, fielders didn't have time to think, forget about stopping. Whether he cut the ball or drove the ball, the speed of the ball remained the same. Extraordinary hand-eye co-ordination and immense will-power. Be it Akram, Akhtar, McGrath, Warne, Bond, Wanderers, Perth, last day of the ball, first ball of the innings, he had one rule: Just hit the ball, damn other things. A few of those rare human beings, who scored two triple tons. A country from where none has ever scored a triple ton, he reached there in style: with a six. That was the fearlessness of Sehwag. He made another against South Africa at better than run a ball. I still savor the day when he scored 195 against the best pace attack in the world in the deadliest of conditions. When he was in the zone, he was unstoppable. Bowlers used to tremble as any ball could go outside the fence.

When he came out to bat, There was a disarray in opposition camp. Any plan you may have made, it all depended upon Sehwag getting out cheaply. He could change the whole game in just one hour of batting. As long as he was on the crease, bowlers couldn't catch a break. He used to score 200+ in the team score of 330. :P He was the reason India believed that they could chase 387: only the fourth highest chase in test cricket in 200 years. Dont' forget who scored second double century in ODI cricket after Sachin Tendulkar.

He was one of childhood heroes of mine and will always be. I consider myself extremely lucky to watch him come and go. He had immense mental strength to do what he wanted to do. He was there to express himself. Others have stopped, slowed, changed, restricted, just to survive, to thrive, to score all that they could score. Not him. Maybe he just couldn't slow down, couldn't hold back. What a legend!!!

Play your shots, forget your mistakes, forget your success, keep playing your shots. Believe.
We shall miss you always.

-- A fan.

Another two bite the dust

Shane Watson and Brad Haddin: Two of the big pillars of Australian cricket are gone. Although Shane has promised to keep playing the white ball cricket, It still embarks an end to two outstanding cricketers of our times who served world cricket.

Every time, you see a picture of Shane Watson, it will smile back at you. He was like that. Always played the game fair and square. He will be extremely disappointed to give up his attempts to become a top class test player. Played 59 games over a span of 10 years, missed 60 games in those years mainly because of injuries. He averaged way below what he averages in limited overs. Batted in all positions from 1-8 with a mediocre average of 35. With the ball, he has a gift to extract reverse swing in any condition. Yet, he finished with 75 test wickets. Sad.

Every time, he tried to settle into the team, he couldn't continue. He gave everything he had, yet not much came out of it. Perhaps it was destined to happen. His LBW dismissals became a laughing stock of the world. He was always susceptible to flicks down the leg side. The shot which made him look so elegant brought him the most number of downfalls too.

Brad was not much different. He was vocal and chirpy. On most occasions. He had a profilic run during 2013-14 ashes, when he was equally good with Mitchell Johnson to hand Australia over a clean sweep. The man of series could well have been him. He went past 50 everytime during first innings of all five games. Matching Gilly is always difficult, but Everyone believed that Brad was one of the most important members of the side till the time he played.

The slump in form of Brad haddin was evident for last 12 months. He was struggling with bat. Yet, he was picked with the thinking that maybe he will repeat the heroics of 2 years ago. It didnt' happen. He was given a chance at Cardiff, where he failed with the bat and gloves. He was about to be given second chance at Lord's but he withdrew his name as his daughter was in hospital. A family man, always. He paid price for it. Nevill made his debut and impressed. Haddin was never to play in the series again. The end, apparently. After the series, Pup and Bucky went. Haddin delayed the declaration then. Many would have thought he was still waiting for a chance. Then After two weeks, He announced his retirement at Sydney Cricket Ground: the place where he grew up playing.

Haddin was almost always portrayed as villain. He never minded it as long as it helped Australian cricket to give its best. A team man, forever. None of a single Australian team member has any bad word to say for him. He was like that. He was straightforward in his methods and interviews. I genuinely believe he will become a very fine coach.

Both, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin certainly made baggy green proud. World cricket will miss you both from test arena.

Weird Ashes of 2015

The ashes is over. The pendulum swung thousands of times before finally settling in England's camp. The Urn has returned to England. Margin is as small as it can be over full five results. Had there been a scale to measure flaws in both teams, It would have surpassed the scale. One team initiating to take the advantage, other team just giving themselves in without giving a fight. Innings win followed by innings defeat. Hard to believe where the momentum was lurking. Only five individual centuries scored by three of the guys across both teams.

It is even weirder that three of the top run makers and four of the top five wicket-takers were Australians and still Australia ended up on being on the wrong side. In ters of number of balls bowled, it was the lowest after 1903. Australia opening partnership was more than 50, while England was around mere 25. Both sides happened to collapse on dozen of times. It was hard to believe what was happening in the middle. Ben Stokes looked like a duck magnet and fantastic batsman on almost every alternate occasion.

Hard to pick the best and the worst eleven separately. For example, You will have a hard time whether blokes like Starc, Johnson, Moeen belong to the best or worst team of this Ashes. None of the five matches went into five days.  It raises the questions over the extent of impact T20 cricket had made over test cricket.

It was truly a series of England bowlers. Broad 8 wickets for 15 runs in one innings, Anderson, Finn and Stokes all taking 6-for. All of them striking when England needed them. England managed to win the important moments which reflects in the result. In many of those ways, it was like 2013 Ashes. But Australia had failed to win a single game that time.

This series also brought an end to one of the best captains Australia have ever produced, pup to retirement. Along with him, the reliable Rogers wore the baggy green also for the last time in Oval. Both of them departing with a big win at oval and big loss of Ashes. Many of the Australians may also have played their last games too. It will be interesting to see if Watson, Haddin, Voges, Siddle are in future plans of Australia or not.

Steve Smith made runs in Lords and Oval as if he loved London and only London. Other than there, he failed to reach even a half century. With each hundred he made, It brought failure of Joe Root in the same game. Alternately, when Root flourished, Smith failed. It was as if success of one brought the fall of the other. :P

It was certainly not a vintage series. A vintage series requires hard fought centuries, five wicket hauls in adverse conditions, building great partnerships both in batting and bowling. There was seldom of that in this ashes. There was no defiance and will to bounce back in either of the teams.

Is it too much of ashes cricket? Fifteen Ashes tests have been held in last 36 months. Are the players fed up? Hard to know. In many ways, it was a memorable and forgettable ashes. For me, I was pleased with the way England regained the Urn after 599 days when they were humiliated in Sydey. Now it is time to relax and wait till next time both of these sides meet. ciao.

The Greatness of Kumar Sangakkara

Another one leaves us. This time it is one of the most beloved and cherished cricketers of our lifetime: Kumar Sangakkara. There is not a box in batting technique which he doesn't tick. He is like a text book of batting.

Over 26,000 runs across all formats in 15 years. But numbers can't justify what he meant to Srilankan and more importantly, to world cricket. He played infinite match winning knocks. His spirit of cricket lecture in 2011 is still fresh in our memories. He has got highest amount of respect from each cricket loving fan across the world. He was the best mixture of orthodox and modern cricket. Usually players slow down in the latter phases of career. But Kumar has got an average of 60+ in last five years of test cricket. He retired from ODI cricket when he had just made four centuries in four games, a feat which had never happened in last million years. To make it in a world cup at the highest stage is just icing on cake.

The feet movement, his batting guard, the position of his body while playing the ball was spectacular. He had so much time while playing the ball as if he can read a poem after the ball has been released from the bowler hand. There was not any obvious flaw in his technique. No plans used to work against him. He succeeded in every condition known on the planet. Usually, subcontinent players struggle in England and Australia. But not Kumar. He could play lofted shots with so much ease that it was hard to set fields for him and none knew what he was going to do next ball.

Winning the world cup T20 and making an unbeaten fifty was a perfect reward to him after failing to do so in previous three world cup finals. He was a big occasion player. He served Sri Lankan cricket with everything he had. He kept wickets to allow the team to play one extra bowler. When he didn't keep wickets, his batting average is astronomical. He never cared about personal records. With the current form he was in, he could have easily played for one or two years and become the human being with maximum number of double hundreds (He is currently only one behind the great Don).

Along with Mahela, he formed one of the most consistent batting partnerships. I still dread to think what they both did to South Africa. Everyone will miss him for sure. More than a cricketer, he is a better human being. I am expecting him to be part of cricket in some other form. Watching him bat was a moment of sheer joy. #Legend  #ThankYouSanga

Will miss you Pup

Right after Australia Nottingham defeat, one of the finest cricketers and captains Aussies ever produced called it a day on his career. Michael Clarke. What a player. What a captain. He has everything a player needs to have to succeed at the highest level possible. It was heart breaking to watch him break down during the match presentation in Nottingham. He is too good to be judged on one series and poor form.

Let us talk about Michael. He is undoubtedly one of the finest Australian captains to have played the game. He always believed in leading the team from the front. Received the baggy green from Great Shane Warne. Hundred at debut in Bangalore in 2004. When bruised and battered, making a magnificent ton against South Africa to help Australia regain the number one test rankings. He inspired the others around him to believe in themselves. His leadership was a hallmark of aggression.

Despite suffering so many injuries throughout his career, Clarke always managed to find a way to come harder and stronger. He is adored throughout Australia. He took the team in transition after the greats left it and made them believe once again. He is believed to be once in a generation player by many former Australian greats. When in form, no bowler, no surface or condition can stop him. He used to score hundreds at will. His use of feet against spinners was exemplary. He had a magical touch in him.

Times change. Eventually.  Clarke's decline as a batsman was looking very evident when He did not manage a score more than 38 in first four Ashes tests. He tried his best to break this by spending endless hours on nets and trying everything he could.  At Trent Bridge he even batted in his past No. 5 position. But, unfortunately, it didn't work out. To add to the woes, the others also failed when he was trying to make things right. Added all together, it led to inevitable retirement.

I would like to wish Michael a very happy retirement. Thank you so much for being a great ambassador of cricket throughout these years.

Regaining the Urn

Two days and 45 minutes, that is all it took at Trent Bridge. With Oval still to go, Ashes is in England's camp once again. England have won four home ashes in a row now. It doesn't get better than that. In many ways, it was an extraordinary test match. With the laws of sports momentum consistently getting defied in this series, there was every possibility that Australia could replicate the feats of Lords here at Trent Bridge. But this time, England lads were careful. And oh boy were they  careful: They not only demolished Australia on first morning, they almost murdered the Ashes.

Leading on the day 1 morning was Stuart Broad. A lot of speculations were around about Jimmy missing this so-important-test match. But, Stuart Broad took the opportunity with both hands. The next thing we know was that #GoneIn60Seconds became the trending topic on social media. Jokes were being shared on what lasts more than Australian innings. Australia were not thinking. They made the score which even a bunch 10 year kids in their backyard can easily outplay. From that spot, there was no going back. They needed a Dravid-Laxman of 2001 or McCullum-Watling from 2014 to save this one. They failed to do that. Again. This was as flawless performance as you will ever see from an English side.

Not to forget the role of Joe Root here. He now is the number 1 batsman in the test ranking chart. I don't remember the last time when an England batsman was on the top of test batting chart. I don't remember England playing so much fearless cricket. In 599 days after Perth defeat in 2013, they have regained the Ashes. A lot of credit goes to Paul Farbrace, Trevor Bayliss and other coaching staff for this incredible turnaround. England are looking unstoppable at this moment. I certainly believe that 4-1 is coming with the Oval yet to come. England are bubbling with confidence. Their fourth seamer is picking 6 wickets. There is not a single thing which is looking wrong at this moment apart from the opening partnership for England. I am certain the Lyth will get another opportunity to turn it around at the Oval.

I have faith in this English side. And I genuinely believe if they keep playing this brand of cricket, they can even outsmart South Africa and get number one test spot. After the demolition received just 18 months ago, this amazing win will soothe the England fans. They have an amazing time to celebrate. The next test is still about two weeks away. Australia have a lot of soul searching to do now. They came into the series as favorites. Losing two tests in around 5 days is going to haunt them for a while.

As an England cricket fan, I am cherishing the moment. Hopefully, it will continue for a while.

The Gift of Edgbaston

Funny game, Cricket : isn't it? Ten days ago, people were ready to bet their money on 4-1 in favor of Australia. A week earlier before that, people were talking big things about "this new England". Today, here we stand in Edgbaston watching the brutal crushing of Australia in almost two days.

When skipper Clarke won the toss and chose to bat first, they had Lords at mind. Post a total large enough. Don't give England enough time to switch themselves on. Here, something was different. England had Finn. Anderson was looking different. Rain delayed the proceedings a bit. But till the end of day 1, England were trailing by 3 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Anderson had taken care of more than half of Australian batsmen. Suddenly, England were back to their best after getting humiliated ten days earlier. Among all the chaos, Rogers stood in the storm alone. Making another fifty. It looks at the moment that making fifty is like eating salad for him. It was his 9th 50+ score in last 11 innings. England didn't need more than 3 bowlers to bundle all of them.

Day 2 came. Johnson was on 299. He jumped to 301 in 3 deliveries. Both dismissals were xerox copies of each other : except second scalp was left handed. Australia were looking dangerous. They looked to restrict England at a lead of below 100 and then we all know what Warner and co. usually do in third innings. But, England had got probably the best no. 8 to ever play test cricket. Moeen Ali. Partnership with Broad of 87 runs blunted the Australians. The lead was 145. It was enough. Game resumed. Then it was Finn's turn. He ripped the Australians single-handedly. Two years ago, he was "Unselectable". Today, it was impossible to imagine dropping him. He looked indecipherable to the aussies. Warner fought single-handedly followed by Nevill. He was in a different zone. 35 ball 50. Finally, Anderson took care of him. Australia were playing to take it to day 3 after that.

Day 3: Australia fought as hard as they could. Nevil and Starc made England work hard for those remaining three wickets. But the defeat had become inescapable till now. Finally, England found those three precious timbers. Time for chase. It was all over unless England decided to implode. England didn't. Not this time. Lyth worries continued. He will remain a doubt for Trent Bridge. Belly found his lost touch. Two fifties in the game. Root was as evergreen as ever. Suddenly, England problems seem to disappear. England are making it ridiculous with win-loss-win-loss combo. Where do they go from here? We will have to wait and watch in the next two games. For now, 2-1 looks satisfying.

Dale Steyn : 400 and still counting....

Dale steyn is back : This time with a new hairdo. A headband : it reminded me of Roger Federer. He wants everybody to shut up about speculations like "How many overs he has still got in him" blah blah blah. He is the bowler of our generation. Speed, skill, accuracy, swing : name a thing which a fast bowler wants and he has got it. He reached the milestone in 80 tests. Second quickest to reach there. But in terms of balls bowled, he is number 1. Phenomenal strike rate. A wicket every 42nd ball in test cricket. Are you joking? No. He is a real role model to any young fast bowler.

A week ago, just after the first test when he struggled in Chittagong against a team like Bangladesh, it appeared as if his good days are far back behind. Bangladesh batters were playing him with ease. The magic was missing. Steyn was completely broken when New Zealand defeated them to reach their first world cup finals. He warmed the benches more than he is used to during IPL. It was a dark time. Indeed. 

What makes him different than others? For starters, He is a real fighter. He believes in taking it to the end always. He always gives everything he has, in every delivery he bowls. He has got this insatiable hunger to be the best. He tops the test ranking charts more often than not. South Africa have won or drawn 60+ tests out of 79 which Steyn has played. He is the newest member of 400 club. 13th overall.

Then he did what he does best. He practiced. Now, he is back. Got 3 crucial wickets in first innings of second test. More than wickets, what was more important was his regaining of lost confidence. He is still 32 only. A lot of cricket left in him. It will be really stupendous to see him celebrating him getting his 500th scalp. Here is a nice compilation of some of his wickets. Enjoy the perfection of fast bowling. Thank you Dale.

Watching AB DeVilliars Bat

AB DeVilliars has come out to bat. Fasten your seat belts. Welcome to the world of possibilities. Welcome to the freak show. Welcome to the show of arguably the best batsman to ever bat on this planet. The fielders are irrelevant now. There is hardly any work left for them other than providing him with the ball to hit. All that is left is for the spectators to return the ball. The bowlers have absolutely no idea where to bowl. This man can fetch the balls outside off are sent away through and over fine leg. There is no margin for any error now.

When AB DeVilliars come out to bat, all eyes lit up. A gentle tap on the mid-pitch, ready to take guard. The whole environment becomes electric. There is a bit of tension in opposition camp. This man can bat 220 balls without hitting a boundary when the team need to save a test and then this man can hit 149 in 44 balls when the team demands. He is undoubtedly one of the biggest athlete to have ever walked on this planet. He has multiple places to hit a six on the same ball, out of which he has to choose one from. He doesn't play the bowlers, He plays with them. He is jumping in the air. He is lying on the ground. he is floating. he is flying. All of them to hit a six.

AB DeVilliars defies all the laws of human body while playing a shot. It is a real wonder some of the shots he has played till now has not led to some dislocated shoulder or back. When the ball leaves the DeVilliars bat, it knows no other destination than the boundary. Apart from these extraordinary six-hitting abilities, he can show you all the glimpses of touch batting too. He can steer through the slips. He can square cut. He can flick through midwicket. He can reverse-sweep. Name a shot and AB will show you how to play it.

None of us is unaware of what this man can do single handedly. Once he turns his attention to the ball, there is no going back now. Watching him sending the balls to boundaries is a real moment of pleasure. It appears as if the world has frozen. The world appears so pure and serene. He has got every record in speed racing under his name. It is such a shame that this man doesn't own a world cup. When he is in the middle, all you see is him. All other things seem to be moot.

ABD is here. Just grab a popcorn and enjoy the show.

England at its lowest point

England are out of the world cup 2015 in the first round. But we should not be surprised. Look at the facts: England have not won an ODI series in more than a year. They lost series against Sri Lanka both at home and away from home. They lost 2 out of their last 3 matches against Bangladesh. They have not reached a world cup final after 1992. They have lost more ODIs than won in last 5 world cups. Like it is, failure and success all come from habit and momentum. They have been thrashed by Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Against Australia, they were blown away chasing a mammoth total, while against New Zealand they managed to capture their biggest defeat in terms of balls remaining. Against Sri Lanka, they were able to take only one wicket in a chase of 300+.

Like KP tweeted after the loss,"Don't say that we don't take ODI cricket seriously, We played back to back ashes only because we wanted full 6 months of ODI cricket before the world cup". Let's face it, Apart from 2012 when they got to Number one, England never had been a great ODI side. They have overused and over lasted their traditional red ball cricket stuff into ODI cricket. They are too rusty with the bat and ball in ODIs. They are too busy building the innings when the game has gone to dashing and smashing the ball. They are happy thinking about 300 while the world has moved to 350-400. They are far too much conservative.

England are lacking variation in their bowling attack. All the four seamers are right hand fast medium. There is no left arm seamer or spinner. They are not very good in bowling the yorkers in death overs. They are not generating enough pace to discomfort the batsmen. Worst of all - their captain Eoin morgan has managed 5 ducks in his last 9 ODI innings including the ones against Australia in Tri-series finals, in opening game at MCG and in the must win game against Bangladesh. It looks as if they are not even the best ODI side in Europe. They are completely outdated. They changed the captain before the world cup to have a proper go at the world cup and yet they managed to get eliminated with the likes of Scotland, Afganistan and UAE.

The arrogance of sacking KP has backfired again. The team has been broken completely. It is at its lowest point. It is worse than losing an ashes series 5-0. There we have mighty Australia. Here, we got kicked out by Bangladesh. I still remember the time, when England was at the top of test and ODI ranking. They beat Australia in Australia, defeated India in India and managed to keep Australia winless during one of the Ashes. They won T20 world cup with KP being player of the series and yet they removed him because they prefer lamb-minded nature of players far more than their performance.

It is real certain that England need immediate changes starting from coaching staffs to chairmen. They have simply outlived their tenures. Elimination is one thing, but there are grades of defeat. Losing so shamelessly clearly dictates that something is not right at its heart itself. Right now, England are in trauma and rightly so.