Can you guess who this is?

Eppadi Irundha Naan..................


Ippadi Aagiten!!!!

Hail ho the Champions

If you were to ask any die-hard cricket fan what makes this day, the 24th of September, 2007, so special, you better head to the nearest hospital nursing your bruises for posing such a stupid question. Behold!!!! This day brings back the fond memories of the World Cup of 1983 that was snatched from the very jaws of Goliath (the mighty West Indies) by us. How in the world can one forget this day, for this very day, Team India has engraved its name imperishably in the annals of cricket history by defeating the indomitable Pakistan in the final to lift the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 trophy. And what a way to win it.

What a game this has been? Went right down to the wire. India won it, lost it, and finally won it by five runs. Indeed one of the best finals I have ever watched be it in any form of cricket. (Not for the fact that it showcased on the game's most intense rivalry an Ind-Pak final)


India's innings had begun with a false start. Yusuf Pathan (better known as Irfan Pathan's brother) a sturdy 24-year-old batsman from Gujarat, had never played for India, but Virender Sehwag was injured so his debut came in extraordinary circumstances. They couldn't get the boisterous start that they wanted, thanks to some real quality bowling display by Pakistan. With India 40 for two from six overs, a lot was expected from Yuvraj Singh. After six sixes in an over against England and a staggering 70 from 30 balls to oust Australia in the semi-finals, it was too much asking, succumbing to the pressure, dismissed for 14. The star who really mattered was Gautam Gambhir, the Indian left-hander, whose classy 75 from 54 balls and a brisk 30 off 16 balls by RP Sharma saw the score trudge past the 150 mark, ending their innings at 157/5.



After scrapping hard to get to 157 for 5 in the face of some tigerish bowling and fielding, India were inspired with the ball, and Pakistan appeared to be well out of contention with 54 needed from 24 balls and just three wickets in hand. But when Misbah thumped Harbhajan Singh for three sixes and Sohail Tanvir chipped in with a four-ball 12, the improbable became possible. With Misbah on strike, Pakistan needed 13 from the final over. After a great deal of thought, Mahendra Singh Dhoni gambled on the inexperienced Joginder Sharma. When he started with a wide, Indian fans groaned, and the situation became even more desperate when Misbah pummelled a full toss miles over long-off for six. But with victory in his grasp, his judgement failed him. Moving across his stumps, he went for the scoop down to fine leg. He didn't connect cleanly, and millions on the subcontinent held their breath as Sreesanth came under the ball at short fine leg. When he held it, the stadium erupted. Pakistan was bundled out for 152 with three balls to spare.

And it was a once-in-a-lifetime-experience that I had. Never have I witnessed Team India climbing the zenith, the last time around, being pathetically clobbered by the mighty Australians in the finals of the 2003 World Cup. Clearly confused over whether to watch the finals by bunking my class or catch up with the highlights on YouTube (which I usually do, for lack of an idiot box at my place), I disdainfully opted the latter; being a good boy attending classes.
Once the classes got over, a stone's throw away, I could figure out at least some hundred odd strangers gazing or 'Window Watching' so to speak at the huge LCD TV on display (screening the finals of course). I knew where I was heading to.

Hurrah!!!

I can still feel the surge of joy running through my veins, thanks to a real thriller of a match, a dazzling performance by Team India, keeping their nerves till the very last minute to snatch a nail-biting victory from the very jaws of the England team. The Indian Cricket team has been notoriously infamous for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the past, but today was a cracker of a day (if only one could digest the dazzling pyrotechniques by all-rounder Dmitri Mascarenhas who smashed five sixes off the last over bowled by Yuvraj Singh)

A splendid batting performance by Owais Shah (107 not out), aided by valuable knocks from Bell (49), Pietersen (53) and Wright (50), powered by a blitzkrieg batting from Mascarenhas (36) took the tally well past 300.

Needing a daunting 317 for victory, a perfect start from openers Sachin (94) and Ganguly (53), gritty knocks from Gambhir (47), Dhoni (35), and Uthappa (47 not out) sealed victory for India. Kudos to Uthappa for keeping his cool and guiding the team to victory.

After a while, I was quite fortunate enough to have a glimpse of the match today. It's been raining solidly, almost non-stop from evening. I was on the way to refill my phone card, when my attention shifted on to a large group of bystanders undaunted by the merciless rain and thunder lightening, staring at a huge plasma screen covering the match, courtesy some consumer goods shop. Sans an umbrella, aware of being completely drenched in the downpour, and astraphobic (ahem... depends on the intensity of the thunder.. folks), I was ready to bite the bullet and catch up with the match (the lack of an idiotic box at my place sums it all). I turned around to find a few of them intensely glued to the set nail-biting, a few of them hair plucking, but towards the end, it was nice to watch the jubilant crowd punching their fist in the air, some dancing. Amidst celebrations of victory in the crowd, I could figure out this very familiar green-colored Bolero jeep aka Chennai Patrol Police ordering the crowd to disperse.

Hardly a minute later, not a soul around on the road, including the one sitting right at this moment blogging. Chances of ending up with a sore throat and catching a cold by tomorrow are high, but it was worth it. Game on India.... spread the same magic on Saturday...

Salary Woes

Ahem.... I am still not through venting my anger on BCCI....

As we know according to the new agenda, from now, BCCI is going to give salary to players according to the player's performance.

Brother, you are not going to get your salary for this match!

Hey buddy, for God's sake please try and take this catch or else our salary is gone..

Sir, I think I am gonna take VRS and become an umpire like you. Even without making runs or taking wickets I will get my pay right...?

The Worried lot

BCCI and ICL draw daggers

When it comes to Indian cricket, the most happening thing around creating tidal waves is the (The Board of Control for Cricket in India) BCCI vs. ICL (Indian Cricket League) battle. As is evident all around the world, it is only competition that can tap out the best talent in any field. It's a real pity for the fact that the efforts of BCCI (big names and politicians involved) to prevent the ICL to exist is backed even by the ICC now. Minting money has never been a problem for BCCI, thanks to tons of advertising campaigns and sponsors. What really the game needs is real talent and zest which is missing amongst cricketers off late. The cash hungry, powerful Board rather than encouraging ICL is strictly against it, going to the extent of warning to ruin the career of all the young upcoming players that are signing in for ICL.

What is even more pathetic is the fact that BCCI is determined to ensure the failure of the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League (ICL) by refusing to let out stadia for the ICL’s inaugural Twenty20 competition later this year, and also threatened to bar players signing for ICL from representing India in official tournaments. It has even unleashed a slew of financial packages in a bid to retain the current players.

Statistics reveal that the match fees of the Ranji Trophy players would be increased to Rs 35,000 per day. Ranji Trophy players currently get a match fee of Rs 16,000 per day, which means that domestic players would get Rs 19,000 more from the current season.

The biggest question now looming in our mind is why, despite the passion, the base and all the wealth, can't India produce a truly world-class team? As long as the current system goes on, Indian cricket is going nowhere. My worst of the worst nightmare would be the day when cricket would be compared to the likes of hockey, which is already in shambles now and even worse. You wanna know why? Ask the Indian Hockey Federation, they will tell you why.

2019 Cricket World Cup News - It's interesting!

• India failed to defeat Afghanistan in the World Cup Qualifier in the Asia-Pacific zone.
• Coach Sehwag said that he is not worried bcoz he has backing of selectors, captain and board....and that they had won a close match against Papua New Guinea just 2 years ago.
• Rahul Dravid,the coach of New Zealand team said that Sachin should now consider retiring gracefully and let his son take over the captaincy.
• Mahender Singh Dhoni broke Ajit Agarkar's record of most number of consecutive ducks in Twenty-20.
• Saurav Ganguly, the coach of England feels that the boys need to control their emotions on the field.
• The current leading man from Bollywood, Bret Lee advices MS Dhoni to take up acting as well.
• Minnows Pakistan beat Ireland in a close match...and thus they avenged their defeat in the 2007 WC against the then minnows Ireland.
• The Indian cricket board led by president Rahul Gandhi has called for an emergency meeting to discuss future course of action ..former players like Yuvraj Singh, Md Kaif, VVS Laxman and Kumble have been invited...Coach Sehwag and Captain Tendulkar will present a report...
• VVS Laxman today created a new controversy by saying that he expected a written apology from Rahul Gandhi for including him in the category of former players....he said that he has improved his fielding and fitness and wants to play 2023 WC in Brazil.
• Finally Bermuda won the World Cup ..

Anchorman: Sinoj

Do you Know this Bloke?

Epdi Iruntha Naan...



Ipdi Ayiten....

Sri Lankan Tomahawk, Lasith Malinga

Via: Sinoj

Indian Cricket at its best...

Golden Memories unfolded...

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer No More!!!!

Amidst all the cricketing action, the world was stunned to hear the news of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's death. Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer died aged 58 on Sunday after being found unconscious in his hotel room the morning after his side's shock World Cup exit.

Woolmer had seen his team crash out of the World Cup on Saturday after a shock Group D defeat by debutants Ireland at Sabina Park. The former England batsman was made coach of Pakistan in June 2004. The job of coaching the national team of the cricket-crazy country is considered one of the most pressurised in the sport.

The world has lost a good man and cricket a good teacher and student. May God grant him eternal peace and his family enough strength at this trying hour.

I am backu.....!!!!

To all my beloved fellaws and fellis who are eagerly awaiting to rain stones, rotten eggs at me for the delayed postings, before doing so, just wanted to let you know the reason for it....

Was planning for a month long vacation all the way to West Indies to catch the action live, World Cup 2007, but I then realized I was wrong. The sheer thrill, excitement, adrenaline-pumping, over-the-top action is nothing when compared to the jam-packed play room, ooohs and aaaahs, rip roaring pantomime full of fun and laughter in front of our very own 29-inch TV at our very own office. There is no greater excitement and fun than to watch the matches along with your friends and colleagues. And I am backuuuuuu.....

Anyone still there to clobber me????