Tag: Sachin Tendulkar

Veeru, Veeru, Veeru, Oi, Oi, Oi !!!

On By deepozIn Archive 2014-2010Leave a comment

Brutal Veeru
Sublime Veeru
Viv like Veeru
But most importantly,
Focussed Veeru!!

Though this innings of Virender Sehwag came against a reasonable rather than testing bowling and a feather-bed of a wicket, the way in which he approached it, indicates that if this player puts his mind to it, he can break all possible records in the annals of this game.

To me, this puts Veeru right besides my most favourite batsman of all time, Viv Richards. There is lot more to Veeru than mere statistics, but they do tell something.

Look at the following charts and it will show how Veeru is the most non-discriminating batsmen ever. He does not discriminate against any type of bowling, conditions, match situations and most importantly, the state of his own innings. He treats all same…one-dimensionally. If a ball is bowled, it is meant to be hit!
And he rarely hits a shot in anger….he doesn’t need to.
He started off a little circumspectly, as his first 50 runs came off 41 balls or a run-rate of 122 runs off 100 balls; something that could be called as great run-rate for a majority of international batsmen. His scoring rate picked up in later half of each hundred, ending with a rate of ~143 runs per hundred balls. Incredible, considering he had scored a whopping 58% of the total when he was dismissed!! Domination? No, annhilation.

Look at individual fifties and hundreds in this innings. His first fifties in every hundred took slightly longer than the later one. But almost identical number of balls. This does indicate that he was perhaps playing to a plan…..may be for the first time?? The fact that he got a double ton in less than 50 overs, is astonishing in itself, what is even more startling is that he scored two fifties in a day at 28 balls each! Rarely players get one fifty at that rate!! Individually, that should count as one of the fastest fifty in the ODI history, and he got two in a day!! And scored two hundreds in a day at ~70 balls each! He must have been tired, since he took 2 balls more to reach the second hundred!

Jimmy Maxwell on ABC Grandstand commentary box said it all….When he got out, Veeru perhaps missed a chance to score a triple on the day!! Sehwag got out with still 21 balls available in the innings. He needed another 81 runs for a triple. Presuming he would have received a major percentage of balls, say 15 out of 21, it means Veeru would have required to score like so: 12 x 6 = 72. 3 x 4 = 12..total 84…Final score = 219+84 = 303…….easy!!!! Funny thing is, for any batsman other than Veeru, this exercise would sound like a joke and a mere mathametical possibility!!! To even consider, even in a light vein, that he could score a triple in a day is an acknowledgement of his genius. Mortals do not even get joked about such things..

This innings shows that here is one player who plays independent of the situation. He plays within his own zone EVERYTIME he steps on to the field. Cricket is a very mental game. For a batsman to be unfazed so much as he is, unaffected by what goes on around him and stay pure to his art of stroke-making, is to me, the most amazing thing. In that, he is the Don of Batting…above every one, including even Viv Richards. And if any doubts, just look at his record of long test innings..Almost every time, he plays them completely devoid of any influence of the environment.

Every time I see Veeru bat, it seems as if he is asking with every stroke of his, why is it so hard to understand that you have a bat in your hand to make runs??? Veeru’s art of batting is distilled to the purest form of making runs; something we know as children but forget as we grow up to be called matured batsmen. Much like a pure Ethanol distilled from many other mixed spirits. But this elixir comes with flavours that makes it easy on the pallet and a joy to be intoxicated with. As I write this, I can say, even the hang-over is enjoyable. Imagine a clone of Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar, and you get Virender Sehwag on song.

Another Epic! Vijayadashmi on Wankhede….

On By deepozIn Archive 2014-20106 Comments

25th of June 1983 is a day of national importance in India; a bit like 15 August or 26 January; at least for cricket fans. That is the day when Kapil’s Devils lifted the world cup against mighty West Indians at Lords. It was completely unexpected; no one including Indians themselves gave them a snowball’s chance in hell. Not only because India were the perennial strugglers of One day cricket. West Indians were undisputed champs and quite simply unbeatable….till that fateful catch that Kapil took over his shoulders, running backwards.That catch epitomizes the genius of the best all rounder India has produced and definitely one of the best ever. It was a low scoring game and bowling and fielding were highlights. Kapil lead from the front and Indian magic was rightfully credited to the big-hearted man. Today, India needs another similar performance in the field.

Indian world cup 2011 campaign has been epic. So much so that both epics of Hiindu  संस्कृति (culture) will be replayed by the time tournament ends. Mahabharat was in semi finals. It is Ramayan times now. Neither Ramanand Sagar nor BR Chopra could have scripted this better. Will India burn the Ravana and celebrate Dusshera at Wankhede tonight? India has so far succeeded against two of its arch rivals in world cricket,Australia and Pakistan, in close but convincing manner. Sri Lanka on the other hand has been the most frequent rival for team India of late, but the emotions have never run high against them; that is the nature of Sri Lankans. Will India be able to stamp its authority on World cricket by winning this one?

India is up against a very efficient Sri Lankan team, make no mistake. Their top 3 batsmen have fired in the comp. Their opening pair is statistically best in the comp. They have scored heavily at a fair clip. They have an extremely good captain in Sangakkara; perhaps only other who could match him in contemporary cricket is his rival for this game, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Their bowling though more spin dominated, has an incisive edge to it. And traditionally Sri Lankans always field very well. India, on the other hand have an equally dangerous opening combination. A slight edge over Sri Lankans is in the fact that Indian middle order looks far more assured. India have come through a few real tough games and to me, it looks as if they have peaked at the right time. They are increasingly looking more battle-hardy and their body language has changed from being tense to quiet confidence and efficient.  Their fielding is looking more assured and bowling seems to have developed some teeth. Wins against Australia and Pakistan in knock-out stages must have raised their confidence, which was eroded after the group games. Logically both teams look identical; 50:50.
What you start with in a game can sometimes change dramatically in the heat of the battle. Often mind plays tricks with you and it is easy to forget the talents you possess and start feeling completely naked in the middle. This is where champions can stand up to be counted. Who wants it more? Who is able to maintain the balance and continues to harvest its talents; this will determine the ultimate winner. And that all important factor in cricket, Luck. Small things can change a game and luck can be a small thing.

Wicket at the Wankhede is likely to be a slow, low but even; typical Indian wicket. Batsmen can make hey while the ball shines; once it goes soft, it will be a test of skill in playing late and most importantly, picking up a right ball to hit. As there is no chance of a dew in Mumbai, I think bowlers will be in the game right through; pace and spin alike. This game will be a battle of minds rather than only physical skills; a trait that makes this game perhaps the greatest challenge to succeed in. It is perhaps the best thing that we have two subcontinental teams playing under these conditions. Any other continent team, would have odds very heavily weighing against them. I believe this finals will rival 1983 for the drama and closeness. Something that the last three world cup finals have missed..
Both the teams will come to the ground with a lot of emotional baggage. Muthia Murlidharan will play his last game for Sri Lanka ever. The greatest Sri Lankan cricketer will bid adieu tonight. The favorite son of India, Sachin Tendulkar may also call it a day for ODIs. If that happens, cricket world will be poorer. What impact this has on other individuals in both the teams is very difficult to predict. This is where the team seniors will become critical. India’s tough run in this comp should hold them in good stead; a very slight edge over their rivals, in my opinion.

Last game of India against Sri Lanka was more in the news on the sub-continent for possible match fixing claims than anything else. India was billed as favorite by bookies and still quite a lot of punters/press said they will loose. Since team India, did not oblige them, now it is claimed that what the bookies lost they will try to recoup by fixing Indian players to loose. If the unofficial numbers are to be believed (and in India such numbers hold more water than official), there is a huge amount of money put on India. Will Indian players take money to tank a campaign that they have been working hard towards? I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine, but I haven’t seen any evidence as yet to believe Indians will do that. If I were playing, it would be all the more reason for me to go and win…hopefully, I am not out-dated as yet!!

Last time India won the cup, they did so on the strength of their all rounders: Kapil, Mohinder, Madan, Binny. I sense this time players like Yuvraj will be crucial. I predict Harbhajan to have a big game. He raised his game against Pakistanis. So far, Sri Lankans have played him very well. I suspect the sardar will once again raise his game. India to win a tight contest and break the 27 years old jinx…

Redemption! Jekyll and Hyde style..

On By deepozIn Archive 2014-20107 Comments
 Welcome to the real curtain raiser to the world Cup. What has gone before this, minnows bashing or champions breaking TVs, its all an entré to the main course. If Ponting or Dhoni was asked before the start of this World Cup, which captain they would love to avoid most till finals, they would have mentioned each other. The fact that they face up to each other today to decide who misses out on a berth in the semi finals, is an indication of how much under-par they have performed. Australia, though got drubbed by the Poms in test series, showed their opponents their rightful place in ODI series winning handsomely, and maintained their supremacy in the ODI ranking. India, who on the other hand came into this competition from a difficult tour to South Africa where in spite of their main players not participating, did quite well in the ODI series and certainly surprised their fans and opponents equally. While Aussies were coming from a high, Indians were coming home. And with their linchpins like Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gambhir returning and their spinners likely to find more bite from the tracks, Indians were certainly fancied to prevail in all the games they played. However, typical Jekyll and Hyde Indian show has had most of the their supporters, including die-hard fans like me, hesitant to consider them as firm favorites. It is difficult to predict the outcome of the game, at least for some one like me who has a soft corner for both the teams and would have loved to see them play the finals. That way I would have been the winner!! Not to be…

Let us analyse this sans emotions.Take strengths of both teams first:

  1. India have perhaps the most robust batting line up of all. There are proven match winners and three out of top five have scored tons in this comp. Sehwag, Tendulkar are at the top of the leader board of individual runs. With 5 centuries between them in this comp, Indian batting looks settled.
  2. Indians will be playing at home; home crowds and home wickets. Things can’t get any better.
  3. As for bowling, their spinners will be a little more difficult to get away than on normal roads.
  4. For Aussies, their pace battery is formidable due to their air speed which can negate slowness of the wicket to some extent.
  5. Aussie batsmen, though not looking in great form at present, are proven champs.
  6. Typical Australian never-say-die spirit has always given its opponents something more to worry about apart from their skills.
  7. Australian fielding has always been top class, even when they carry some players in their 30s.. 

And now for the negatives:

  1. Indian batting has had two collapses that defies logic. Their opponents will try to exploit that.
  2. Indian bowling has, except for Zak and Bhajji to some extent, looked insipid and at times, lacking ideas. 
  3. And of course, Indian fielding is made up of some slow movers and some who would not be selected in an international side, if fielding was a criteria. 
  4. Last but not the least for India, it is also a home-pressure and incredible hype of winning at home and giving their favored son a deserving farewell. 
  5. Australian batting, on the other hand has so far looked superior on paper more than on the turf. So far no a single batsman has scored a ton.
  6. While pace bowling looks formidable, back up spin department looks innocuous. So potentially 20 overs of loose bowling if Indian batsmen can time their assault properly.
  7. Most importantly, Australia looks a disjointed unit at present with the skipper being under-fire more from his own side than any opponent. This has to be the most unhappy looking Australian unit I have seen with its skipper at his grumpiest!! Ponting’s “love-affair” with India is not making it easy for him to feel at home, which I believe, is affecting his performance.

All in all, it seems like both the teams are competing with each other in accumulating negatives more than positives. Don’t forget that these are no. 1 and 2 ranked teams in the world, even at present. So the competition is going to be fierce. The way I feel is, small things will make big difference tonight. Like those small edges eluding stumps or hands or falling short; those lofted shots falling in no-man’s land or slashes flying over keeper’s head for a four or six, or a stinging straight drive touching a bowler’s finger-nail and running out a well set non-striker, or a miraculous direct hit!! Cricket’s uncertainties are about to unravel tonight and will make this game a most memorable one….That most important commodity which has never been given its due in this great game, will perhaps play a signature tune tonight…that commodity called luck!! Mind may say something different but my heart says luck will be with India tonight! Even if Sehwag may not be found fit to play!!!

Perhaps for the first time, I feel Indian and Australian fans both are in the same camp; camp of uncertainty!! For a team that has held an ownership of this Cup for as long as Aussies have, it is definately a new territory.On the other hand, for India, a team playing at home, in their favourable conditions and coming off a reasonably tough but successful campaign, it is equally unexpected to be in the same position. Rarely India and Australia have been so level in ODIs. Hopefully the Jeckyl and Hyde nature of the Indian team will work its magic tonight in their favour!!! India will never get a better chance at redemption for the World Cup final defeat of 2003!!!

May the best on the day, win!!

There is God….and then there is Sachin!!

On By deepozIn Archive 2014-20105 Comments

My cup is full…no, no, it is running over! I have been lucky to see one of the finest symphonies ever to have been played on the cricket field. Tendulkar’s unbeaten double ton last night was not merely an incredible achievement being first ever in 39 years and 2961 ODIs played so far, but a real master class. The control with which he coaxed the ball in to the gaps was really seen to be believed. No words can describe the beauty of it. More than the milestone, I was awe-struck by sheer control, incredible placement and almost no violence in scoring at a break-neck speed. There are players who can bludgeon the ball (as Dhoni last night), or dominate the scene completely (a la Viv Richards’ unbeaten 189 at Old Trafford in 1984), or manufacture shots to befuddle the bowlers like Sehwag usually does, but only Tendulkar in the mood he was in yesterday, could have made bowlers and fielders feel totally helpless and still enjoy the spectacle. Even agreeing that the conditions were perfect for batting, the opponent was far from toothless. A look at his batting chart will reveal that he played strokes all round. What it will not reveal is how he evaded fielders specifically placed to stop his shots. The performance was so commanding that it was like a maestro playing a club side; just that the bowling attack he shred to pieces is one of the best in the business today.

It was obvious that the bowlers could do little to stop him. Indeed the only lip any bowler could have given him was for running on the pitch like Dayle Steyn probably tried to; basically every thing the poor fellow tried had failed to disturb Tendulkar’s concentration and incandescent stroke play. When 145 km fast swinging yorkers outside the off stump are perfectly placed into midwicket gap to find the fence, and that too without violence, the bowler can only sigh. All pace bowlers, champions or otherwise, go through various steps of emotional expressions when they are bowling; a taunting smile, in-your-face frightening stare, a snarl, a tantrum, an ugly remark, kicking the invisible grass, pulling own hairs, shouting nasties at his own fielders, luck and even umpires. What I saw yesterday on the faces of Steyn and all SA bowlers was sheer tranquillity with a sense of inevitability after being dispatched to the fence. It was as if they were saying “Oh well, let us try again and hope that he gets tired or bored and gives his wicket away”. It was not helplessness; it was almost as if they were in a trance, having reached a state of Nirvana; an acceptance beyond pain. It was as if after midway through his innings, every ball bowled to Tendulkar was a “Prasad”, an offering to the God with sincere prayer that he will accept and make you a part of Himself…the innings was simply beyond all adjectives; in fact a new adjective “Tendulkar 200” would be an epitome of adjectives describing sheer beauty of batting..to me at least.

Now to the record part. There are quite a few batsmen I can think of, who deserved the record of scoring first ever double ton in an ODI, but Tendulkar gave it a credibility it deserves. Just as Robin Jackman commented on air before Tendulkar crossed 194, that he had nothing against Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe being at the top of the tree in individual score list in ODI (did you know that??), but somehow Tendulkar’s name at the top makes more sense. Usually awards make recipients more creditable; however there are some people who make an award more creditable. e.g. a Nobel Peace Prize is poorer for not having Mahatma Gandhi on its roster. Batting record for highest ODI individual score was the same without Sachin’s name on it. As the legendary cricket record breaker of all times, Sunny Gavaskar (in late 80s, an Indian author actually published a small book on Gavaskar’s records!), used to say that all cricket records are meant to be broken. And this one shall be broken too…in due course. Hard to say when though, since this one took some time. But that will never diminish the lustre of this innings. After having been written off a few times in his career, the maestro showed to every one what he has evolved into. To bat through 50 overs after playing international cricket for 20 years at an “old” age of 36 (in cricketing sense) he was answering not only his detractors but also setting a bar for his much younger colleagues. I don’t envy the young wannabe Sachins, nor his detractors who do not have a place to hide today..

The man is a genius, no one doubts that. What majority of fans miss is what goes on in that brain. He still possess that almost boyish love for the game. His passion still reminds me of that same baby-faced 14 year old I saw for the first time on Motibaug ground, Baroda (in 1987?) when he came with the Bombay team. We knew he was not going to make his debut; so we all went previous evening to see him bat in the nets. I remembered the same Sachin yesterday; same passion and love for the game, same hunger for runs. Age may have mellowed his swashbuckling style (ask Abdul Kadir who was carted for 3 sixes in an over even before Sachin had played any international game or Shane Warne of the 1997 “nightmares of Sachin coming at me”); but that is precisely where his his mastery lies..in not continuing a mono-dimensional approach to his game. His greatness is in his ability to adept his game to his advancing age. Here is a man who exactly knows how to maximise his talents under any adversity. I have seen many batsmen loosing their ability either due to age or psychological scars (like Krishnamachari Srikanth). What Tendulkar has displayed that needs to be understood and revered by every cricket fan, is his vice-like mind control. He has evolved a batting style that marries his body’s increasing limitations, his soul’s need (hunger for runs) and his team’s success. That is the work of a master!

Another thing. I have a feeling that this symphony that we call Sachin is reaching a crescendo. His last 10 international centuries have come in 33 innings in last 12 months. It is almost as if he has picked up furious pace as he is approaching final destination; may be that will come at World Cup 2011 on the sub-continent. He seems to be focussed upon making the most of the available period before calling it quits. Mark my words folks, we are in for a treat! I still feel he will continue in Test cricket beyond 2011, till he sees new crop of Indian batsmen adjust internationally to help India maintain the top rank achieved after so much effort. I really believe he is that type of a player; a total team man for whom the team’s success means more than his own. My suggestion is don’t miss to watch the maestro every time you have an opportunity..or else “धुन्ध्ते रह जाओगे”  (for those who do not know Hindi: “you will keep searching for him”). Go Sachin, you little beauty!!