India, the underdogs, bark; the favorites miss the mark

A stroll in the park! That is how India’s win over Pakistan was described. But, that was a warm-up game before the real battle began in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Clubbed in the easiest of groups with Bangladesh and Ireland, the Men in Blue easily crossed the first hurdle, but were left red-faced when pitted with the big teams in the Super 8 stage. The defending champions and the hands-on favorites crashed out, failing to manage even a single win in their 3 Super 8 encounters. Over a billion cricket fanatics were left devastated as their demigods left prayers unanswered, and wishes, resigned.

So, did the team become complacent, or did the burden of expectations and the favorites tag once again get to them?

India first became the World Champions in cricket, ironically in England (the venue of their latest defeat), in 1983. That was the ODI World Cup with 60 overs a side (then, the shortest format of the game). Experts had dismissed their chances even before the final had got underway, as standing in their way to the title was the best team of the past decade, the two-time defending champions, West Indies. But, that did little to dampen the morale of Kapil’s Devils, as their determination bestowed their countrymen with unarguably the biggest happiness and glory in cricket till date.

Cut to 2007, and the Indians were faced with an even bigger challenge going into the inaugural T20 World Cup, the latest fancy of the fans. No master blaster, no God of the off-side, and no wall to protect from the fury of the ball, as the trio of Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid opted out, calling the latest avatar of the sport a young man’s game. Going to South Africa, the expectations from the team were lame, people only praying for their return without shame. But, the motivated young brigade, out to prove everyone wrong, made everyone dance to their tunes and were themselves on a song. The team that earlier got sighs of pity was suddenly the Champion, with the Cup, safely in its kitty.

So people, here’s a lesson learnt: don’t over-burden yourself and your icons, lest you end up with your heart burnt!


Picture Courtesy: www. telegraph.co.uk

Kaka heads West as he joins Real Madrid

Nearly 2 years after I wrote my first blog entry, ‘Is Kaka going to Real’, the Brazilian is heading West to Spain from AC Milan in Italy. Well, as one of the many fans of this amazingly gifted playmaker, I only hope his performance doesn’t head south after joining Madrid. I do have a sly smile while writing this, as I had mentioned in my first post 2 years ago, that if Kaka wanted to move to Real for the challenge of playing in a different league with a different team… my gut feeling says he should wait for another 2-3 seasons... after all he was only 25! My fortelling was fruitful, as here he is, finally, making that big switch. Being a Milan supporter, I wouldn’t say I’m happy seeing one of my favourite players leave, but at least the inevitable happened after quite a delay. Moreover, watching Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandes and Andres Iniesta dictate the play in innumerable games, one would say, Madrid desperately needed a player of high calibre and skill to combat the Catalan’s dynamic duo. And, who better than Kaka? Madrid are also hoping to steal World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, their answer to Barca’s Lionel Messi. I know many would argue that the diminutive Argentine is a far better player than the flamboyant Portuguese, but that is altogether a different story, and I would leave that discussion, perhaps for another day. For now, it’s Kaka all the way.

Incidentally, Milan had thwarted Madrid’s attempt to sign Kaka the last time, but on this occasion, the lure of money got to the club that has been running in losses in recent times. The mid-fielder’s claim that he was happy at the San Siro and wanted to extend his stay did little to deter his pursuers and the pursers of the deal. The reported 68 million Euros splurged by Real to finally land their prized signing, albeit short of the 100 million Euros offered by the richest club, Manchester City, last season, still stands as one of the richest deal in the history of football. After losing their inspirational skipper Paolo Maldini to retirement and manager Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea, this is another setback to the prospects of the seven time European Champions.

A new era is now waiting to dawn upon the Italian heavyweights, and it’ll do them a world of good to spend this hefty amount of money judiciously in buying young players, and infusing a fresh lease of life and energy in the squad. There have been signs of a decline but true champions overcome adversities and more to shine. Here’s wishing Kaka and Milan a lot of success.

Picture Courtesy: www.oleole.com

Déjà vu, India then, now Australia make an early exit too

The ICC 2007 ODI World Cup will always be remembered more for India and Pakistan’s early exit and the Bob Woolmer tragedy, than the Aussies 3rd consecutive triumph. It sent shockwaves across the cricketing world and a change of guard in the way the two teams worked. Well, there is a sense of familiarity in the ouster of Australia in the ongoing ICC World T20 Championship. Let’s take a moment here and talk about India’s departure in the last ODI World Cup. After their stupendous show in the 2003 edition, going all the way to the final, India were tipped to go a step further and lay their hands on the Cup after 20 years. They were grouped with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda, earning the title of the Group of Death. It was the only cluster having a team – Bangladesh, who had an outside chance of qualifying for the Super Eights and spoiling the party for the top two big guns in the group. Rest they say, is history, as Bangladesh did turn out to be the party poopers for India, defeating them comfortably and leaving their fate hanging in balance till the last group game against Sri Lanka. The Lankan team then put the final nail in India’s coffin.
Well, that was then, but the sub-continent team has once again scripted the fate of another powerhouse. The Australian team was grouped with the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the ICC World T20, currently in progress. This was surely a group of death with three top notch teams vying for two spots, to avoid a 1st round exit in the prestigious tournament. For the Aussies, it was the only trophy missing from their cabinet and many expected them to fill the void ala Roger Federer at French Open. But, destiny and the team estimated to be the weakest link in the pool - the West Indies, had other plans. Led by skipper Chris Gayle, the Caribbean team mauled the ostentatious Aussies in the first group game, putting them to shame, winning with more than 4 overs to spare, despite chasing 170. What a pity! Next up were the Sri Lankans in the must win game for Australia. The start was torrid, and the end, even more horrid. Out went the Kangaroos, earning no accolades, only boos. Sri Lanka had done it again, getting glory, giving pain, another big gun slain. As for India, if everything continues to go similarly to the script written 2 years ago, the defending T20 Champions can hope to retain the Cup as did Australia with ‘Punter’, ‘Gilli” and ‘Pup’.

Picture Courtesy: Cricketnext.com

Nadal put to rest, aiding Federer's quest

The impossible happened yesterday night. Rafael Nadal was ousted from the French Open in just the 4th round….yes sir there is no printing error and you read it right. The invincible French master succumbed to the big serving and hitting of world no. 25 Robin Soderling of Sweden. Sports is rather funny and unpredictable, and nothing epitomizes the fallibility of man better. The indefatigable Spanish Matador looked exhausted and lost in the course of his defeat. Women’s world no. 4 Elena Dementieva had predicted that she didn’t see Nadal defending his red sand territory this time as he looked tired. And, although the comment seemed quite preposterous at that time, her observation was bang on. The Spaniard suffered his first ever loss at the Roland Garros, breaking his 31 match winning streak at the Grand Slam. He came so close to becoming the first man to win 5 consecutive French Open titles but now remains at level with the legendary Bjorn Borg with 4. Ironical isn’t it? Borg’s record of 5 back-to-back Wimbledon titles also remained unbeaten last year after Roger Federer gunning for his 6th successive triumph fell to none other than Nadal in the final.
The world no.1 had last year inflicted quite some pain upon his arch-rival, leaving him in tears as he swept away his most prized possession at The Queen’s Club. Federer had remarked he would never trade the Wimbledon trophy for anything in the world, not even the ever elusive French Open, the only Grand Slam missing from his cabinet. Well, don’t know if Rafa feels the same about his beloved trophy but we do seem to be heading for a trade-off with Fed-Ex suddenly the firm favourite to lift the French crown. But, as the Swiss Maestro nears his goal of crossing the final frontier, a hitch still remains in his path to glory, as his ultimate triumph would have been not just lifting the title but also knocking out his nemesis Rafa enroute to victory. The conquest would have been sweeter then, just as in the case of Nadal, whose win over the Swiss ace at what was strictly demarcated as his territory, added to the Spaniard’s credentials and fan following. If the win at Wimbledon had continued to evade the world No.1, his detractors would have labeled him the clay-court wonder boy and nothing beyond. They would have got a reason to never consider him in the league of the extraordinary gentlemen, headed by Federer himself. Well, defeat or not Rafa has already etched his name in that list and has as usual taken the loss in his stride refusing to term it as a tragedy (his fans would most definitely disagree). “I had to lose one day. I must accept my defeats with the same level of calm that I accept my victories,” he said to the press. So, despite the invincibility gone, the champion has refused to mourn.

Picture courtesy: buckmire.blogspot.com