teaser yet again…

Yes, thats what is on the cards, another humdinger, another free stress test for all cricket fans awaits. Cant wait for the clock to turn 9.30.

Tantalisingly poised is the second test in Bengaluru, I just hope we wrap up the first 3 wickets as soon as possible and another great chase gets on the way.

There is something very peculair about 4th innings chase. Even a score of 150 to get in the 4th innings has proved dicey and tricky for one and all. The beauty of Test cricket is such. It is very important for the fans to realise that 4th innings are not easy, not only does the pitch have wider cracks, foot marks and variable bounce more than anything its immense pressure on the players who have been stressing it out since 4 continous days in the sun. The hardwork of 4 days hinges on the last day.

As we just saw, how Marcus North found after his first innings century tha the second innings was completely different. The ball he recieved would have dismissed many a left hander as Harbhajan just showed that he can still be as deadly as he once was. As much as Sachin & Vijay toiled for their double hundred & hundred respectively, they will have to do it again. It counts for nothing in the 4th innings. The opening stand will be crucial, early wickets can make people panic and this time we have no VVS. We have two newbies in Raina and Pujara which puts more importance on a good opening stand.

Australia already has 185 on the board and they will try their best to post over 200 for us to chase. A few early wickets and it will be really tricky from there. Sehwag can be the game breaker, if he can bat for about 30 overs, its game over… Lets not speculate too much and just let the match start.

India and Australia as Test opponents simply are the best that I have come across in Test Matches in the era that I have watched. The desperation between the two teams to win is unbelievable and the amount of excitement that these two opponents have created in the last 15 years has been awesome. Another riveting finale awaits… and I am like a cat on a hot tin roof !!!!!

office will have to be bunked today… someway or the other… !!!! Sigh….

O’ Sachin…

An encore once again, thats what we, the Indian cricket fans, want… tomorrow is another one of those days when millions of Indians will again put their entire weight on your shoulders… We have been proud of how you have carried us. Every sport and sportsman has his ups and downs, but you have given us more high’s than any one ever could give… on a depressing day, your flick through midwicket puts a smile on our faces, your smile after you pick a wicket with a googly can make us forget any problem, and yes there will be some fickle ones who, if you fail, tomorrow that is… well lets not mind them…

You have grown over it, and we are proud, atleast I am that you represent us, you never crib, you never tire, you never age, you keep on doing what you do best, play for your Beloved INDIA ! You will be supported by the team, who knows someone else may steal the thunder tomorrow… whether we win or lose, I must say this now, you have won our hearts long ago, you are our pride, whether or not you manage to take us over the line tomorrow.

I will never forget, the day in Karachi, when confronted with a bouncer in the face, you, with a bleeding nose, you all of 16 decided to say, “Paaji Main Khelega”, nor will I ever forget the reply to Abdul Qadir’s, “Bacche ko kya maar rahe ho, hume maar ke dikhao”. Memories you have given us are innumerable… Yes, we all wept with you when you wept uncontrollably, as we didnt manage to reach victory in Chennai against Pakistan, when more than the opposition it was the back spasms who got the better of you and a most spectacular effort could not bring victory to you Beloved INDIA !

I will always remember your ravishing square cuts in Perth, your desert storm in Sharjah, your swipes in Chennai against Warnie from the rough over midwicket, your blistering innings in Cape Town when you made the Proteas attack look like a club side, your blitz at the Centurion against Pakistan in the world cup or your double against the Aussies in the ODI’s or your stellar effort on the last day in Chennai against the Pommies in 2008 to win us the match. The list cannot be completely listed, your contributions are immeasurable

and yet, we require, no, we demand, another herculean task, from your timid frame that has mighty shoulders… There were times, when they said, Sachin goes, India goes… then times changed slightly, when you had more support, but then again we find ourselves in a peculair situation… Yet another challenge, for the GOD of cricket…

Sachin, tomorrow is another date with destiny, however, you are and always will remain one of the greatest and the most humblest of servants of Indian cricket… I will be holding my nerves, breathing and gasping with you as you complete each run tomorrow… Each moment tomorrow will be captivating, tense, adrenalin pumping for us, where you, no matter how many butterflies in your stomach, will be the calming influence…

Oh yes, this is a prayer, this is my love, my tribute, my salutation to you O’great Champion…

I will be watching you all the time, chewing my nails, as you wont be able to with your gloves on… its 161 still to go and I am gonna be counting each one with you… !

AMEN !!

a few random thoughts this morning

Its 1st… !! aaj pehli taarkih hai… and India plays Australia… and I really want to bunk office… !!!!!!!!! Seriously !!!!!!

Also learnt yesterday, that Mandir-Masjid no longer sell, no matter how hard the news makers want to sell it… it doesnt ANYMORE !! Thankfully so !!!! Phew…

Also do you know, no matter how ghisa-pita a story, if you package it well, it sells… Dont know why, but I just loved watching, Once upon a time in Mumbai… I absolutely thought it was a wonderful watch, though nothing new…

and yes… before I decide to go to office or bunk and stay home…

Alvdia Doston… Duaaa… mein Yaad Rakhna !!!!!!!