Hats Off to Team India!!! & the Mumbai Marathon

This weekend was really happening and I enjoyed each moment being a proud Indian. At first our cricket team has hoisted Indian flag at the heart of Australian territory and proved that we should never be taken for granted and that we Indians are history makers. What a spectacular Test Cricket was at display, for none other than most of Cricket greats who witnessed the history being made were speechless at Indian cricket team’s unconquerable stint starting day 1 of the third test at WACA, Perth. This was really one of the greatest test wins in the history of Indian cricket.

A true display of teamwork, dedication and application in the 3 and 3/4 days of play by our youthful and matured cricket team. Full of young energy of Ishant Sharma, Dhoni, Sehwag, Jaffer and at the same time experience of Sachin, Sourav, Dravid, Lakshman and the leader Kumble. I personally feel this was the greatest test win ever just for the simple reason that it was played and one at WACA, Perth and against the best cricket team in the world at his own ground. Hats off to Kumble and his team and their cricketing brilliance.

To talk about individual performances that led to the making of history, my favourite, Irfan Pathan was the true Man of the Match. He has shown great improvement and is evolving as an outstanding thinking swing bowler rightly said by Steve Waugh. What makes Pathan more useful player is his batting ability. He has shown time and again that he very rarely misses batting opportunities. He has shown that he is a perfect all-rounder in this test match.

Not to miss the ever-green contribution from our Very Very Special Lakshman. He is a beauty to watch. I wish I could see him batting more often.

Overall a great test match and that too after 2 Test losses at the start of the series, and with Umpiring at their worst at the 2^nd Test and to put salt on the fresh wound, the Harbhajan row, Indians have bounced back in style and not only answered but slapped all the questions from their opponents. I’m happier to say that Aussies were on the verge of making a world record second time and our team has stopped their winning spree both the teams.

All the best to our team for the Adelaide test and CHAK DE INDIA!!!!!

Sunday morning was even more thought provoking and enjoying the thought of being an Indian when the first news I heard was of the Mumbai Marathon. I hope I was in Mumbai and was a part of the Marathon. It’s really great to see the spirit of the city.

I always admired the comeback of Mumbaikars from any disaster and the way they face emergency situations. They are the true reflection of unity in diversity.

Watching the Marathon I thought what a way to contribute to the society!!! Rahul Bose’s ‘The Foundation’ was supported by stars like Shabana Azmi, and there was Tina Ambani’s ‘Harmony’ for the senior citizens. There were so many causes for the society and every one was doing their bit or rather trying to do something for their cause. Be it Mumbai Police running for the very cause of mixing with the people and to be a part of common man in the city, or some people for their spread of awareness towards the environment, it was all sensational and indeed they all succeeded in their cause. At least they have made one person aware, ME JJ.

It gave me another reason to celebrate being Indian.

Again CHAK DE INDIA !!!

Cricket in Australia – Its a Joke :)

This is actually from my mail, I liked the idea

After watching the test match, I feel some rules have to be incorporated by ICC to give the other teams a perfect clarification 

(1)    Ricky Ponting – (THE TRULY GENUINE CRICKETER WHOSE INTEGRITY SHOULD NOT BE DOUBTED) should be considered as the FOURTH UMPIRE. As per the new rules, FOURTH UMPIRE decision is final and will over ride any decisions taken by any other umpires. ON-FIELD umpires can seek the assistance of RICKY PONTING even if he is not on the field. This rule is to be made, so that every team should understand the importance of the FOURTH UMPIRE. 

(2)    While AUSTRALIAN TEAM is bowling, If the ball flies anywhere close to the AUSTRALIAN FIELDER (WITHIN 5 metre distance), the batsman is to be considered OUT irrelevant of whether the catch was taken cleanly or grassed. Any decision for further clarification should be seeked from the FOURTH UMPIRE. This is made to ensure that the cricket is played with SPORTIVE SPIRIT by all the teams. 

(3)    While BATTING, AUSTRALIAN players will wait for the ON-FIELD UMPIRE decisions only (even if the catch goes to the FIFTH SLIP as the ball might not have touched the bat). Each AUSTRALIAN batsman has to be out FOUR TIMES (minimum) before he can return to the pavilion. In case of THE CRICKETER WITH INTEGRITY, this can be higher. 

(4)    UMPIRES should consider a huge bonus if an AUSTRALIAN player scores a century. Any wrong decisions can be ignored as they will be paid huge bonus and will receive the backing of the AUSTRALIAN team and board. 

(5)    All AUSTRALIAN players are eligible to keep commenting about all players on the field and the OPPONENT TEAM should never comment as they will be spoiling the spirit of the AUSTRALIAN team. Any comments made in any other language are to be considered as RACIALISM only. 

(6)    MATCH REFREE decisions will be taken purely on the AUSTRALIAN TEAM advices only. Player views from the other teams decisions will not be considered for hearing. MATCH REFREES are to be given huge bonus if this rule is implemented. 

(7)    NO VISITING TEAM should plan to win in AUSTRALIA. This is to ensure that the sportive spirit of CRICKET is maintained. 

(8)    THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: If any bowler gets RICKY PONTING – “THE UNDISPUTED CRICKETER WITH INTEGTIRY IN THE GAME OF CRICKET” more than twice in a series, he will be banned for the REST OF THE SERIES. This is to ensure that the best batsman/Captain will be played to break records and create history in the game of CRICKET. 

These rules will clarify better to the all the teams VISITING AUSTRALIA.

I hope Ricky reads this :)

 More on Ricky at this column by an australian writer.