V for Victory

"You Indians are crying foul after Sydney loss, but this Perth pitch is going to scare shit out of you"- an Australian supporter before the start of Perth match."

That was too much of swashbuckling...but this Indian team has made them eat their words.

It was a great performance by our boys...especially under those trying circumstances after Sydney loss. And what is really great to watch is a team-performance. Usually 2 or 3 guys rise to the occasion whenever India wins. But not this time round. Whole team made a great effort and this was very much required if you are to beat a team like Australia which has such a terrific record at WACA(which is considered as one of the world's fastest and bounciest pitches and Australia went into the match with 4 fast bowlers) so far. And with this came to halt the winning streak of 16 test matches...yet again at the Indian hands. Last time it happened was when India won the famous test match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata when Steve Waugh's Invincibles succmbed to the heroics of Laxman and Dravid.

But what was impressive about the Austrlian team was their approach to the game. Come what may, they would not leave their aggresive way of playing and dealing with pressure situations. Even in this test match when Clarke and Johnson were going hammer and tongs, the match was still not over, even though Indians were clearly leading the edge. But this is the way the Australians play and that is why they are considered the best team of our times.

But clearly the match and the day belonged to Indians and they deserve the full credit for their hardwrok. We, the Indian supporters, hope that you guys level the series in the next match at Adelaide. And if you guys level the series officially there, we will take it as 3-1 victory over Australia in their own backyard considering the acrimonious turn of events in Sydney. Best of luck Team India. For now, it's celebration time. PARTY HARD. :)

The man with the golden arm

It was in the summer of 2002 at Antigua Recreation Ground that a man with bandaged jaw was trying his best to break the ongoing West Indian partnership. He had been earlier hit on the jaw by a rising delivery from paceman Mervyn Dillon. And he got his victim...Carl Hooper...but alas! It was a no-ball.

Still determined, despite doctor's advice to rest, this man continued to bowl...and there it came...the prized wicket of dangerous looking Brian Lara.



Who can forget that splendid effort by Jumbo? Having bowled 14 overs with a fractured jaw, he ran a great risk. But such is his dedication to his team.



And today, Anil Kumble became the first Indian bowler and the third in the world to reach the milestone of 600 wickets on day two of the third Test against Australia in Perth. Kumble achieved the record just after the tea break when he had Andrew Symonds caught by Rahul Dravid at first slip.



In India where the batsmen usually steal the limelight, this man has done a wonderful job in a glorious career spanning over 18 years. Congratulations to him for achieveing this unique feat.



Kumble is a man of great character. He has delivered everytime the critics doubted him, whether it be Australian tour of 2003-04 when critics questioned his selection in the team (where he claimed 24 wickets in 3 tests and helped India draw the test series against mighty Australians in their own backyard) or his ability to bowl on Carribean pitches ( where he claimed 6-78 in the second innings of the final Test in Sabina Park, Jamaica(2006 series), and bowled India to a historic series victory; it had been 35 years since a similar series victory.)



His fighting spirit was well drafted when he bowled 88.5 overs in a test match against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground during 2003-04 tour and though the match ended in a draw, he returned triumphantly with 12 wicket haul in the match.



He has won a number of awards and national honours ( Arjuna Award and Padam Shri). He already has a number of records to his credit(including 10 wicket haul in one inning) and at 37, though the age is not on his side, he still has a lot to offer. Way to go Jumbo!!!

मेरी कलम से

This is something I wrote a long back...26th December, 2006 to be precise. And because I don't write anymore, this is my last one unless I start writing again sometime in future.




इंतज़ार

शिकवा भी नहीं साँसों के सिलसिले से,
तन्हाइयों में जीने की अब तो आदत है मेरी...
दिल उनका लाख पत्थर ही सही,
ये इंतज़ार तो अब इबादत है मेरी...