Yehi hai Right Choice Dhoni (Pepsi)!!!

Huge drama at Trent Bridge on 3rd day of 2nd test match between India and England took place on last ball before tea. This drama and decision though will be remembered for ever in the history of cricket. Everyone in World is going to remember, what Dhoni did on 31st of July.

Question is not whether Ian Bell was out or not, because, in some eyes, he will look out, and in some eyes he will not. It was a situation where in movies; you can see a culprit with murder weapon in his hands, blood in his clothes of a victim and victim dead body. For many lawyers it’s a clear cut case where you just give out a verdict saying, “Bell is a murderer”. However no one really knows whether Ian bell actually did committed a murder or not.



Only Ian Bell knows when he took those quick 3 steps towards non-striker’s end, was he really looking for 4th run OR was he actually running towards Morgan to celebrate that they just pass out a session without loosing a wicket.



Ian Bell clears out the confusion and declares that it was an honest mistake or naïve mistake to wait till the ball is dead. If you refer the Law book, he is out. Probably he will understand the outcome; probably he will be angry for a while and forget about it. However, Will Strauss is able to forget it? I doubt. Would English team will be able to forget about it? I doubt. Would British Media will be able to forget about it? I doubt.



The incident could have been repeated in some form or another during the next 2 test matches and any Indian batsman might be the Victim next time. However what Dhoni and team India did and the decision that they took today, is something out of ordinary. Only an Indian Team can take such a brave decision. It’s an Indian Way, It’s our Culture to forget the “Naïve” Mistake of opposition and “Forgive” them. Dhoni’s decision was a Mahatma Gandhi moment in Cricket.



Spirit of the game comes into play when you have some gray area and doubts. This was a doubtful call and in such situation you really have to go with the Spirit of the game, where Right Decision was to ask Ian Bell to come back. It was also a calculative decision. There were few overs left before new ball was due and even if you remove bell, Prior would have came and destroyed Indian spinners much the same way, Bell and Morgan did. Probably Prior would have got even more runs (consider he was going more than run a ball, after new ball is taken). India would not have achieved anything by taking bell out of equation. Considering the situation, Logically, Spiritually, Theoretically, It was a right decision to call Bell back. All I can say to Dhoni is : Yehi hai Right Choice Baby !!!! aha.

Delhi Belly: Exposes Hypocritical Morality of a Bollywood

It’s a movie for folks between the age of 15 to 50. It’s not a “Typical” Bollywood Movie. 80% of the dialogues are in English and rest 20% are in Hinglish. It’s a movie for the youth, on the youth, to the Youth.



Movie is all about how to tell the most dramatic scenes in a most realistic way. There are certain dialogues and scenes which happens pretty much everyday in our real life. There are some of the typical dialogues that we use in our real life. Movie is path-breaking in a way because, even though we see reality everyday, we are too afraid to see it in a big screen or film-makers were too afraid to show it in the big screen. In Today’s culture, “Fuck” is probably the most common word to use and have been used very frequently in the movie.



When three friends of the same age are in a conversation we use slangs such as, “Ch**t”; “BenC**d“, “G**du”, “La*du”, a**hole and they have been used very conveniently.



When did we see 5 second scene of Water flowing from tap while bucket being away, a guy pressing boobs of a sl*t, a guy sucking p**sy of a girl friend (and taking a phone), inflamed eye make-up, two girls talking about being Lesbian, a friend introducing another friend as serial rapist etc etc.



There are some of the scenes we might have encounter in Hollywood movies pretty frequently, like Fake Sex Scene with Orgasm to fool others, torturing another gangster by putting a fire cracker in an a**hole, getting shit when you are expecting diamonds, half naked guy sleeping with his bump and a**hole visible etc etc.



Whoever has lived with group of friends, its pretty common not to a certain task, when its not their turn to do it, but seeing the same reality in a big screen, will not only send you for a while to past but make even your heart laugh.



If you feel, your job sucks big time, spare a thought for Arup’s job; to make a picture of “HAPPY BANANA” with an accuracy of 8%, pretty freaking amazing.



Highlight of the movie though is “VIJAY RAAZ”. Every scene that is being filmed on him is amazing. His scenes with Vladimir in the hotel and with the trio in their apartment are to die for. He is truly the greatest actor came out in recent time and perhaps in the same league of Nassiruddin Shah and Om Puri. “B***C****, tum log kya meri barat mein aaye ho” will be remembered for ever.



Songs are working beautifully according to the situation in background. Cinematography is awesome, Screenplay was written very well. There is nothing great in Story but film making is not about Story, it is about how to tell a Story and that has been done pretty well.



It exposes hypocritical morality of a Bollywood in a beautiful way. Excellence can be excelled and perfection can be improved.

Labor

There are many differences in life-style between USA and India; One of them being “Labor” work.




As a kid, I remember when we shifted to a new home; we wanted to build Furniture suited for our new apartment. We went for shopping and just 2 streets down found a furniture shop. Spoke long and hard with owner “Mani Ram” which involved not only the price fix for the furniture that we wanted but also what kind of furniture.



Talks between Maniram and father involved stories from Past, Present and Future. Negotiation was also the key part of that conversation. Price was fixed, Wood was choosen, color was selected, days were decided and everything was finalized.



Maniram and his workers spend about 3 days to build and set-up entire furniture. Those 3 days involved lots of talks. We lived in that place for more than 20 years, plenty of time, furniture or small things related to furniture required help of “Maniram”. Maniram and his resources were more than welcome to help (with some labor charges of course). Those 3 days spend though; build a relationship of a life time and names to remember for ever.



Today, I went to Wal-Mart, to get a piece of furniture to put my books on. A book-shelf was given to me with 6 pieces of cheap wood and few screws and one piece of paper. I hardly remember the name of Company which builds this item. I can hardly say “build” because, they don’t build anything, and they just sell woods. I hardly remember the name of person who was at the counter of “Wal-Mart”. It’s not just the human interaction which is out of fashion or equation, but its also a slap on the very concept of “Community Living”.



Whenever a community is being built, it involves various kinds of skills. Someone is good in cutting hairs or electronics or fashion or medicine or building roads or building furniture etc etc. By selling cheap piece of woods, you are promoting an idea, that particular skill is so easy that you can learn it by reading one piece of paper. Why would you bother hiring a furniture guy or calling a labor who can fix small furniture/electronics problem at your home? Learn it on your own, Fix it on your own, Be your own destiny, Be Free, Be Independent, Be Good in everything (at least all small things) and the end-feel “superiority”. Problem is synonym of the word, “superiority” is “Arrogance”.



When you no longer require help from someone to fix your furniture, you just killed job(s) of hundreds of thousands of “Labor” Work. Its not just one simple job that you got rid of, then comes few more. Why should I go and cut my hair somewhere, I can do it myself. Why should I go and pay for Oil Change, I can do it myself and so on. Think twice before you start doing job of others, because soon, someone will start doing yours too.



Create Jobs not Destroy them!!!

Dhoni – Unknown Opener

It took India more than a decade to find a replacement pair to open the inning in one-day format. Sunil Gavaskar and Kris. Srikanth were regular opening batsman in late 80’s but India tried more than 20 different combinations before settling down with Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly.



Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag (and at times when either of them is not available, Gautam Gambhir) are opening combination that India uses regularly in One-Day format. However when all three of them are not available things becomes very dicey.



Murli Vijay was tried and tested and failed miserably. Last series against West Indies, Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel was given a go ahead and they were not even so great either.



Sachin Tendulkar has probably maximum of year cricket left in him and Sehwag and Gambhir are injury prone. India is in anxious need of a good opening batsman to support an era of dominance.



India has lot of good middle order batsman for example: Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma. Even the next pool of batsman waiting in the wings are middle order batsman: S.Badrinath, Manoj Tiwari, Ambati Rayudu, Venugopal Rao etc.



All above Middle Order Batsman are suited perfectly for Middle Order Batsman Only, perhaps apart from Rohit Sharma. If India has to force an issue and make someone as “MAKE-SHIFT” Opener, then best bet would be M.S.Dhoni.



M.S.Dhoni if tried as an Opening Batsman in One-day format can be very lethal and successful option. After being Captain of the team, and coming in the middle order to finish the game, he has lost the touch of aggressive batting. He at times has to play careful inning in order to win a game. He is very successful in changing his style of play to knock around the ball and take singles.



His First one day century came against Pakistan when Saurav Ganguly send him as Pinch Hitter at number 3 position. He was deadly & destructive against PACE bowling, something in the line of Sehwag. He has ability to hit the ball in air to cover the infield. He has good enough technique to survive good balls. He is very quick in running between the wickets. He has the entire required ingredient to be a successful opening batsman in One Day Format, if tried.



It will benefit Dhoni personally as well, as he will be able to play more freely with bunch of talented batsman to follow him. It will help him to score more runs at the top of the inning. He can be India’s right handed reply to Australia’s Adam Gilchrist.



Greatest Opening batsman of all time, Sachin Tendulkar was also “MAKE-SHIFT” Opener from Middle Order. Who knows this move to send Dhoni at the top may turn out to be Blessing in Disguise!!!

GREATEST GAME EVER...REALLY?

Many are describing the affair between India and Pakistan at Mohali was the greatest game ever. It did generate the greatest amount of pre-match fever in the era of Facebook and Twitter. There was lot of hype created before the game. It surely got its political importance and plenty of stars were witnessing the saga.

However, in terms of Quality of Cricket it was far from being called the greatest game ever. Australia vs South Africa 1999 World Cup Semi Final still remains as one of the best one day game ever played in terms of ups and down and quality of cricket.

Even for the game being played at Mohali this was far away from Australia vs West Indies Semi Final in 1996 World Cup. Australia to loose top 4 wickets in first 10 overs and then Bevan and S.Law making a come back for Australia, West Indies on top in chase and then Warne/McGrath pull things back for Australia in last 10 overs.

In terms of Indian Victory; 1983 Final still remain the best ever game or best cherished memories.

Perhaps, it is being called greatest ever because it was India vs Pakistan game. But India did played Pakistan on four other occasions and 2003, 1999, 1992 and 1996 games remain as better quality games played between India and Pakistan. Perhaps, It was a knock-out game where India played Pakistan and pressure could make this as dreamy event. But then India did play against Pakistan in 1996 Quarter Final which was knockout game.

I don’t see any reason for the game of 30th March to be awarded a status of “Greatest Game Ever”. In terms of performance of the team; Pakistan played some awful cricket.

1) Giving Away 6 chances to Tendulkar and most catches dropped were very simple catches.

2) 205 for 6 and Raina left with tailenders and Pakistan unable to finish the game or at least get India out fewer than 250 to give physiological advantage.

3) During the batting, Pakistani batsman threw away their wicket. Kamran Akmal giving easy catch to Yuvraj. Younis Khan giving easy catch to Raina.

4) Younis Khan’s 33 balls 12 runs & Misbah’s first 12 runs in 34 balls. That’s 25 runs in 11 overs while chasing 260 runs.

5) Even after 6 wickets down and Captain and Wise Captain at the crease and not taking Power Play Option.

If I would be Pakistan Cricket Team supporter I have every reason to be disappointed. There were plenty of chances given by Indians to take victory but Pakistanis were just not willing to grab it.

It was however very discipline performance by Pakistan Cricket team in terms of behavior. They were smiling, enjoying the event and perhaps enjoying the Hospitality.

MMS & MEDIA

Not so long ago, MMS (Man Mohan Singh) & Media declared “NO TALK TILL YOU WALK THE TALK” motion against Pakistan after 26/11 attack. 26/11 attack at Mumbai was not just one of those forget it kind of attack on the soil of India.


There has been lot of attacks and act of proxy war from Pakistan against India including 26/11. However for a moment though it appears as India is a bit serious on the matter of 26/11. There was lot of usual outrage on the streets of Mumbai and across India after 26/11. No Cricket Players were allowed to play in IPL directly or indirectly after 26/11. No direct relationship or talks were happening after 26/11 at Political Level. There was no “CRICKETING ACTION” between these two great nations after 26/11.

However, when it was decided by the outcome of couple of Quarter Finals, that India will play Pakistan in Semi-Final; there was a bit of shameful politics which got played to forget the carnage of 26/11. Cricket and Passion of Cricket indeed binds two variables called India and Pakistan but wasn’t it the ACT of SHAMENESS to call Prime Minister of Pakistan to witness the game and forget what happened in last 3 years as after effects of 26/11.


What is the message that MMS & Media is sending to Pakistan Officials? Aren’t we back to infamous “SAB CHALTA HAI” attitude?

Game between India and Pakistan should have been played with an environment away from Political Affairs. Yes, we should have welcome Pakistani Cricket team with same enthusiasm. Yes, we should have welcome Pakistani Cricket Fans with the same zeal, but sending a formal invitation to Pakistani Prime Minister was a bit like calling them for the funeral of pride.

For a day or two, Media was showing all programs and welcoming Pakistani brothers like there was nothing called 26/11 happened. It was all in the interest of TRP, a bit shameful hypocrisy I must say. Life in India is so cheap and government and especially congress government has never cared about People of India but it’s a disgrace that Media also forget 26/11 under the carpet of TRP is bit gloomy.

Medical Exam

When India plays Pakistan, the event becomes a Mega Event. When India plays Pakistan in a World Cup; it becomes a major mega event. When India plays Pakistan in a World Cup Semi Final; it becomes Mother of Major Mega Event. Perhaps only thing which can be superior to this contest is both teams meeting at a World Cup Final.

There has been lot said about how England and Australia are different in terms of “Cricket” that they display. Even though at cultural level India and Pakistan may have lot of similarity but there are significant differences between the thought processes of both teams. Both teams have different ways of handling the pressure and playing game in general.
With Pakistan Cricket team, you can associate terms such as confident, Talent, Aggressive and Natural brilliance. Indian Cricket team is more devotional, proficient, divine and with (Artificial) Intelligence. Both have one thing in common though: Passion.

From the outside perspective, it may look like India has better batting and Pakistan has better bowling line up. Its always the case that India gets associated with batting while Pakistan gets associated with Bowling. However in the World cup though, history shows that India has bowled much better against Pakistan.

1992 World Cup: First encounter between India and Pakistan at World Cup Stage and India scored only 216 runs but bowled Pakistan out for 173 runs. 1996 Quarter Final: Even though Ajay Jadeja’s 25 balls 45 runs may come quickly in mind; It was Prasad’s getting Aamir Sohail out turn the game to India’s favor. India did not bowled Pakistan out but did manage to take 9 wickets. 1999 World Cup: India scored only 227 runs but V.Prasad took 5 wickets and Pakistan was bundled out for 180 runs.

2003 World Cup was the only exceptional one where India did not perform good with bowlers. India still manages to chase the target but bowlers did not perform as good as they might like. There is a reason though. Pakistan batted first time in First inning against India. In high pressure game such as this; the team who is batting first has advantage. When you are setting a target, you look at the situation more rather than scoreboard. Its how many runs needed against however many you can get.

If India is batting first and scores well over an excess of 300; that’s confirming victory against bowling line up which is as good as you can get. If Pakistan is batting first though, 280 might be enough.

From the team composition perspective; India should not take two off spinners (Ashwin and Harbhajan) against Pakistan who does not have a single lefty batsman. I also think, Nehra might be more useful instead of Munaf because the ball will go away from right hand batsman more often or not. It will be interesting to see what would be Indian Management’s thinking. If they are willing to open the bowling with Ashwin and use the second medium pacer in the middle overs, then Nehra might not be that useful. India did have a Plan B for Munaf. Munaf went for plenty of runs in first over against Australia but soon after that there was a drinks break. Pretty sure, Kirsten suggested plan B for Munaf and Dhoni stand up near stumps and asked Munaf to bowl on the stump line to restrict batsman from scoring. If India wants to pursue same plan then Munaf is a better bowler in middle overs. However if India is not comfortable with Ashwin against Kamran Akmal and Mohd. Hafeez who are much better players of spin bowling then Nehra should be in the side.

From Pakistan’s perspective; they should promote Afridi at number 3 if Ashwin is bowling. Afridi is not being productive later half of the inning and his quick fire 30 could really help them. I prefer Afridi over Razaaq because, Razzaq in the lower orders can keep his cool and still get some runs unlike Afridi who is more likely to throw away his wicket.

Afridi’s middle overs are going to be the turning point of the game. If Afridi comes on when Tendulkar or Gambhir still at crease, they will milk him for runs. If Afridi go for over 50 runs with less than 2 wickets, that’s big plus for India. Afridi’s 10 overs are going to be very crucial.

It’s interesting to see if Dhoni and Afridi are willing to take a risk of having Sreesanth and Shoaib Akhtar in the side. Contest between India and Pakistan has tremendous amount of pressure and not sure if adding this high maintenance nuisance will help them or destroy them. Both of them very talented bowlers but can go for plenty of runs and once they don’t take wicket in a over or two, they both can be wayward and add negative influence to the team.

Asad Safiq’s inclusion has strengthen Pakistan’s middle order; however I don’t think he should be send at number 3 position. I think Pakistan should send Afridi at number 3 and Younis Khan at 4 and then Asad Safiq at number 5. Both Misbah and Umar Akmal are capable to increase the run rate if they come in last 20 overs. Asad Safiq at number 3 is dangerous. One in swinging ball from Zaheer he can get out as LBW and then lot will depend upon Younis/Misbah partnership to bail them out. 3 wickets under 100 runs means 280 might just become out of reach for Pakistan and so is victory.

India’s victory yet again depends upon GOD. Rest assured he will be better prepared against Pakistan. He has more motivation now after Afridi’s trash talk to score that century which he swear, he won’t allow. If Tendulkar scores 100 then India scores over 300 and that might be just more than enough for Victory. Good thing from India’s perspective though is now a days, India’s batting does not depend a lot upon Tendulkar alone. Sehwag is capable of destroying any attack. Gambhir is best player against spin bowling. Yuvraj is the in-form batsman and bowler from India’s side.

Pressure is tremendous for both side to perform before the game. This is one of those game where pressure is not going to go down even during the game. Add to that both team’s prime minister are also attending the game. From player’s perspective they need to be FIT to perform during the game physically as well as mentally. More than players, spectators also need to get their Medical Exams done and check their heart status before the game. This is not the game for weaken souls.