India & Saurav : Futures and Options...

Verbatim from Anshul's blog

the indian team has disappointed beyond measure and words. that we lost the match in bangalore is sad, but an occupational hazard of playing and following sport. that we failed to win the series which would have been the first back-to-back victory of an indian side against pakistan is painful, but acceptable. clearly, pakistan could hold their own and in the bangalore test especially, were clearly the superior side.that the indians bowed and virtually gave up under pressure at bangalore is intolerable.

that they fail to admit that they had a defeatist attitude sucks worst of all. lets start with ganguly's ridiculous statement after the match... on being asked about the team's strategy after sehwag's dismissal, he said "we decided to play normal cricket". i may not be the wisest cricketing pundit around, but in my opinion whatever happened on day 5 at bangalore was the most abnormal cricket that i have seen from india in a long time. sachin tendulkar scoring 16 runs off 98 balls, when kumble scored 37 off 52 later in the day? the reputed indian middle order apparently deciding not only not to go for the target, but not to make a single run if they can help it? scoring all of 189 runs in the whole day when the previous day saw over 350 runs being scored? normal cricket? bantha phoodoo!

a decade-old one-day game comes to my mind. i think manoj prabhakar and ajay jadeja had to make some 60-70 runs in the last 10 overs, and they surprisingly decided to just play the 10 overs out. bangalore could have been a mirror image of giving up hope. at this moment, as then, the prospect of an indian team giving up remains unacceptable. if we had been 214 all out at tea trying to go for the total, we would still criticize but not be depressed, and even proud at the team's spirit. like we were at the demolition against Australia in the World Cup final. sadly, though, even a show of that spirit was denied us.

the indian team has long been accused of hanging on to the coattails of one star player - be it kapil dev, sachin tendulkar, or the latest star, virender sehwag. is this wise, or necessary, especially with this indian side? even as overly critical and deeply cynical fans half a decade ago, we used to retain hope till the last recognized pair had left the crease. at times, our prayers would be answered with great innings from then-unlikely stars - jadeja, mongia, agarkar, yuvraj and kaif. but now our esteemed captain says, we stopped thinking about the target once sehwag got run out. excuse me? at 87/1, with four middle order players with a combined experience of over 350 test matches and 26,000 test runs yet to come to the crease, you give up? and not just give up the chase, but apparently decide to go so much into a shell that the opposition can put seven fielders around the bat and not suffer a single run for 52 balls? against the might of proven bowlers like kaneria, arshad khan and afridi?

it is time for rethinking and a time for action. sport is about facing challenges - all the more bravely for the fact that you can afford to lose. we need a new drive, and we need a new leader. and if it means losing our most experienced and "talented" players, so be it.

-----------------------
From a mail i received :

You can see the following message behind maggi 2 minutes noodles pack: Step 1: boil one cup of water Step 2: as soon as ganguly goes for batting, put the noodles in the boiled water and put the tastemaker. Step 3: stir till ganguly is onfield. Step 4: As soon as ganguly is back in pavilion, your noodles r ready to eat.

What is the next number in the series 21, 12, 12, 1, 2, ... . . .
Only Ganguly knows it. Because these are his scores in the latest Test series

This is the precise summary of the third test match, as expressed in DH - Editorial today: India's defeat Sir, The Indian cricket team losing the third Test match to Pakistan in Bangalore brings to mind an old Arab proverb: "An army of lions led by a sheep can be vanquished by an army of sheep led by a lion "

India Pakistan Match has started. As to be expected, it's a charged up atmosphere and the heat is really on! .......... India is put in to bat. As to be expected, three wickets down, for a measly score. .......... There is phone call for Ganguly, at the Dressing Room. The Team Manager picks up the call. .......... "Hello ! I am Ganguly's friend speaking . Can I talk to him now ?" ......... The Team Manager replies : "Sorry ! He has just gone in to bat . " ....... The caller replies "No problem . I'll hold the line ! "

Shoiab Akhtar admits Ganguly is faster and quicker than him. "I haven't seen any one get out so fast. Man, I envy his speed. I am quick but he is quickest.", he says. "I think I should now cut my run up short when I bowl to him. Or else, he might be gone when I am half way thru my run up."


2) How can u say "Get Out" to Ganguly politely? Ans: Ask him to go to bat

3) If Rahul is "The Wall", what is Ganguly? Ans: The hole in the wall

5) Who is the only cricketer who does not bat, bowl or field and yet plays international cricket? Ans: no comments.......

Q: Any Guesses which is Ganguly's favorite movie? A:Gone in 60 seconds