AB de Villiers bludgeons Windies

18/01/2015

“Life is all about taking the right decision, seeing Gayle bat today I think I took the right decision of being wicket-keeper”.  Recall the message tweeted by MS Dhoni when Chris Gayle massacred the Pune Warriors with his record-breaking 175 in the IPL-T-20-2013 edition.  Similar sentiments would be echoed  by many more teams and players on seeing the AB de Villier’s holocaust today, while most international bowlers must be sighing, “Thank God, we are not at its receiving end”.

What unfolded at Johannesburg can only be described as absolute carnage. The West Indian bowlers were annihilated by the Proteas batsmen, dominated by the captain Abraham Benjamin de Villiers.  The South African skipper shredded the record books at the New Wanderers Stadium with his sensational 44-ball 149 that is registered as the fastest century in the cricket history. 

Records galore

Studded with 16 sixes (sharing the record number of sixes with Rohit Sharma) and nine fours during his devastating knock, AB broke the record of New Zealand Corey Anderson’s 36-ball ton (2014).  AB’s  16-ball fifty followed by 31-ball 100, in today's One-Day International against the West Indies, kept the scorers and statisticians busy. The strike-rate flashed a whopping 338.63, whereas he stepped in to the wicket only after the fall of first wicket at 38.3 overs.  From the start of his innings, it was evident that AB was going to make it a special day, but little did anyone, including his own team mates– who were spellbound by his blitzkrieg.

In the fierce contest between fours and sixes from AB’s bat, the boundaries ultimately gave way for the big ones, and the calypsos left to be mere spectators.

A genius of batting innovations

As many as seven bowlers tried their luck, but … not today! The decimation inflicted on the bowlers, instead of making the rivals numb, turned them into AB’s fans, on the field. The helplessness of the bowlers was writ large on their faces, ball after ball sailing over the boundary ropes. The odd dot-balls,  far and few, reflected disbelief in the fielding side and the spectators alike.

Though the openers Hashim Amla (153 n.o.) and Rilee Rossow (128) posted an opening partnership of 247 runs, the captain’s domination was loud and clear to finally post a record total of 439/2 in 50 overs.  What stood out more than how much he scored or how much he spurred the team to an almost surreal total, was the way in which he dominated the rival bowling attack.  He took on every bowler and sent each one of them on a leather hunt, producing the big shots at will, and reached his century at frenetic 31 balls in an exhibition of ceaseless, remorseless hitting.

Colourful stadium, colourful spectators, colourful  South African team. AB De Villiers richly added content to the colour. The picturesque record appears to be safe and stay with the  ever-entertaining AB for a long time to come.

While it should send jitters to Indian cricket fans with the World Cup around the corner, AB deserves sport-hearted salute.  And if you are an RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) fan, add your extra quota.

You might ask what was the reply by the West Indies.  The flip side to these type of matches is that it makes the second half of the game a mere formality.

A magic indeed!

=====

All The Best, Sachin!

All The Best, Sachin!

THE TIMES OF INDIA

C.S. Krishnamurthy (Bangalore)

Sourav Ganguly: "It's not the first time he has been bowled.". True, but we have not seen the Master getting bowled with such consistency.
Dear Sachin, a disconnect, it appears, is developing between your mental agility and physical stamina. May be I am wrong, age and reflex apart, is it that you should play more matches with more regularity than pick and choose if you have to be in the thick of action.
It is more nostalgic that when you got out, others would follow you, leaving a sapping morale in the dressing room. Individually it is a nice feeling to reflect on your inevitable magnificence. You are the only batsman who had kept the scorers, nay statisticians very busy for nearly two decades. But are the latter relaxing now, when you walk in the middle?
Today, it is a different scenario. You are consciously aware that Team India are developing to win games without you or your performance. I even brush aside someone's outburst: "We should introspect, what was their main wish, joy of Sachin's 100th 100 or sadness of losing to Bangladesh and losing the Asia Cup". I responded to that comment that it is left to you to ponder about the mixed feelings of that particular match!
I am not interested to know if BCCI has got guts to coax you to retire. I reject the suggestion that BCCI is rendered spineless because of the amount of income generated by you through your top-notch performances. What worries me is that your mentor Sunny Gavaskar has started worrying about your way of getting out. I certainly don’t want to see you being made look silly by bowlers you would have pelted in your deep slumber about 5 years ago. Each time, these days, you get out, the respective rival bowler’s premium obviously keeps rocking up . We have seen you only a hero, but I am afraid if you have started creating heroes in the rival camps.
I don’t want some one to ask, Sachin or ego, who is bigger; I also don’t want some one to kickstart a debate, “Sachin is bigger or the game of cricket is bigger”. Lastly, I don’t want, least of all, Arjun asking “Pappa you are occupying my place?”. You have set such high standards, it doesn't seem possible for any one in the foreseeable future to come anywhere closer. No one can deny that you have the privilege to play as long you would prefer. Perfect. But selection committee has a task to select a team based on the current form and merit. I am not going into the topic of whether they are spineless or as Jimmy Amarnath once termed them as “a bunch of jokers”. 
The best remedy: Take a decision. Don’t take too long. Stop while the audience is eager to hear you more. I don’t know if this also applies to sportsmen. We know Sachin as a top batsman! We are in the wait to see Sachin a top sportsman!! You love challenges. Many like me want you to take a challenge of grooming one more Sachin, if not more! All the Best, Sachin!
(Ref. Article: Sachin Tendulkar will combat slump and respond, says Sourav Ganguly - TOI, Sep. 8, 2012)http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/sachin-tendulkar--an-indian-icon/top-stories/Sachin-Tendulkar-will-combat-slump-and-respond-says-Sourav-Ganguly/articleshow/16303469.cms

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/06/open-letter-to-sachin-tendulkar.html http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/08/catches-win-matches-yet-fielder-is.html

Book Mark: Rahul Dravid – Timeless Steel

Book Mark:  Rahul Dravid – Timeless Steel

Before even opening the book, my first impression is Rahul Dravid himself is a book. A career of the greatest ambassador of modern day cricket spanned with glorious, yet disciplined chapters! 

A collaborative effort of Disney and ESPNcricinfo,     "Rahul Dravid - Timeless Steel" is a noble collection of write-ups of what great stalwarts and writers like Greg Chappel, Sanjay Bangar, John Wright, Rahul Bhattacharya ..... think about ‘THE WALL’ and what the Indian maestro thinks about the game.  Articles, interviews, pictures... You can pick up any story, not to insist on continuity and read at will.  While some of the articles you might have already read, it is nevertheless  a satisfying page-turner  without much technical stuff and the  compiled hard-cover takes you through a pleasurable journey.

Suresh Menon in his  "The Talent Myth",  comprehensively convinced the reader when he countered Sanjay Manjrekhar's subtle doubts about Dravid's "talents".   Sanjay : "...you don't need to have great talent to become a sportsman is reinforced by Dravid's achievement".

Retorting to this as one of sport's big misconception, Menon went on:

"Fifteen years at the top level without talent? Over 10,000 runs each in two forms of the game without talent? Three test centuries at 39 in England without talent?...........  It was all about anticipation and positioning  rather than flamboyance and showmanship.  It is called talent."  I don't remember, any time later, Sanjay made any comment on talent, least of all Dravid!

Rahul Dravid, the first Indian to be invited to deliver the "Bradman Oration" (a classic inclusion of the book), harmonised multiple aspects of human existence without losing sight of his core competency - cricket.

The book goes on to show the respect and admiration he commands from one and all. With interviews of former India coaches, his childhood friends, teammates, noted sports journalists  - the title offers great perceptions into the personality.  The book gives plenty of hidden insights that makes him a complete human being, professional and personal.  A genuine embodiment of the best traditions and values of the game!

While the 256-page collection of 30 write-ups is a tribute to one of world cricket’s top legend, it is very much a book on the Indian maestro that brings out the  stories of struggles and sacrifices, relives the great victories and defeats, bidding to showcase the sincerity of Mr. Dependable.

Well, is the penmanship incomplete without an eminent literary prose of Harhsa Bhogle? Just a thought!

A few sparkles from the text:

"Sachin Tendulkar was India's batsman of the '90s; Rahul Dravid made the 2000s his own". 

"There is a normalcy about him that is almost abnormal". (Sambit Bal, Editor, ESPNcricinfo)

"Watching him bat was like watching the movement of an old-fashioned clock: the pendulum working, gears and levers moving in perfect, elaborate accord to strike the hour when it is due and not a second earlier". (Mukul Kesavan, A writer based in New Delhi)

"In the trinity of Indian batsmanship - Sunil Gavaskar, Dravid and Tendulkar - each had a defined (and defining) role. They were the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer respectively.  Dravid was as tough and as professional as they come, yet with a moral centre that was uncompromising". (Suresh Menon, Editor, Wisden Cricketers' Almanac)

"Dravid's basic talent can be found in many, but what has made of it is the rare, almost unbelievable, Dravid story". (Sanjay Manjarekar, Former India batsman)

"In cricket, as in life, it is not the most talented who  survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones who are most responsive to change. Dravid's career was an eternal quest to get better". (Akash Chopra, Former India opener).

"I always treat nets as a match. I really hate getting out in the nets. I create the sort of intensity that I would need in a match. Driving and edging in the nets is not okay with me". (Dravid in an interview).

"One word has attached itself to Dravid wherever he has gone; gentleman.  He is a man of substance, morally serious and intellectually curious". (Ed Smith, Former England player, and shared dressing room with Dravid in the English county)

"Had he (Dravid) been given the same whole-hearted support in the role he had given others, I think the history of Indian cricket may have been very different and he could have gone to become the most successful Indian captain ever". (Greg Chappel).

 “Dravid could play attacking cricket like me, but I could never play like him”. (Chris Gayle)

"He does not have an ego and can easily concentrate on the next ball after he has been beaten by one". (Sanjay Bangar, Former India Player).

"It was difficult at times for me to  decide who was better: Rahul Dravid the human being or Rahul Dravid the cricketer". (Fazal Khaleel, former Karnataka player)

"The caricature often made of Indian cricket and its cricketers in the rest of the world is that we are pampered superstars - overpaid, underworked, treated like a cross between royalty and rock stars.......

"Disrespecting fans is disrespecting the game".  (Dravid in the Bradman Oration).

If you are a cricket lover, straight away start reading!

If you are a Dravid  fan, buy, read and treasure!!

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/05/cricket-where-is-gentleman.html
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/08/catches-win-matches-yet-fielder-is.html
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/06/open-letter-to-sachin-tendulkar.html

Open Letter to Sachin Tendulkar

                                                                                                                           

                                                    

Place : Bangalore                                                                                                                            

05/06/2012

Dear  Sachin Tendulkar

Greetings!

I am not writing this letter to you to amplify your cricketing class and quality, which can of course be perpetually quantified.  The whole world is a witness to your potential! You have broken and created all cricketing records and made every Indian feel so proud. You have made every cricket fan all over the world to debate if Sachin is Cricket or Cricket is Sachin!  In the subsequent editions of Dictionary, we won’t be surprised to find the meaning of cricket as Sachin.

Today you have entered a different field.

You have made a good beginning that you would  “vow to bat for other sports” demonstrating your farsightedness and zeal for development of other sports. Probably you have commenced your new innings in a new wicket, notching your first record outside cricket.

While the gesture shown by you would not only overwhelm the other sportsmen and their fraternity, as a cricketer-cum-MP you have tried to lead by example for other cricketers to follow suit. As a token of first complement, can we expect our cricket heroes and officials to openly send greeting messages to our Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand on  his retaining the World Championship, by all means a great feat, which every Indian citizen should be proud of?

It is noteworthy to recall in the recently concluded IPL Edition-5, celebrities from other sports like Sania Mirza, Pankaj Advani ….enthusiastically presented themselves in the stadiums and cheered their favourite teams.  Such nice gestures opens the gate for mutual regards, respect and recognition for the sports as such.

Good!

 Let us for a moment consider your new found profession:

Becoming an MP is, nevertheless, a different assignment altogether.  Unlike contesting elections for MLA, MP posts, being nominated is undoubtedly a great honor (that does not, of course,  take away your due  of getting the highest civilian award- Bharat Ratna). Here is a chance for you, the record holder to open another record account.  This time with a difference, we will be spectators to see Sachin as a politician. Politician has become such an ugly word (no pun intended). You are a gentleman, but almost  a loner in politics.

Sachin, for all your contribution and dedication to the sport, you have not been involved even remotely in any controversy.  You are known for your straightforward disposition and impeccable integrity. In this field of politics, even if you  remain tightlipped, interpretations and misinterpretations will be galore.  Your will to deliver will be tested; after all, you have made entry into Indian politics. Will you be allowed to play a fair game in this field? For instance, Will you show your support for Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption? Which party you will  be joining/supporting? Can you ensure the sportsmen from other games are treated and rewarded on par with cricketers and  help bridge the gap of socio-economic disparity?

At 39, you will  be under pressure in cricket to take a decision about your impending retirement.  In politics you will be entering as a trainee; no pressures of retirement, educational background, past experience….

In cricket, you relinquished captaincy; in public life leadership trait is imminent.

In the cricket field, your favorite position is first slip! Outside cricket, I wonder if you are making the first slip!!

When you bat, you are, and, we are elated to watch your straight drive!  In politics, can you drive straight?

In a match, if you lose the toss, you can still win the game!  In party politics, if you don’t match with the team even for a genuine reason, you will go for a toss!!

For good on-field behavior and sportsmanship, you will be given fair play award!  Can you recall when was the last time fair play was observed in parliament?

Millions of children have taken you for a role-model because you are a  champion!  Can you show one role model in today’s politics? Can you cite at least one family advising their children to follow any one in politics?

You are a national obsession and every word you utter and every move you make will be minutely scrutinized.  All along, India as a whole has been following you  beyond parties and politics.  Sooner than later when you join a political party, you will be disappointing a fair portion of the nation.

Ensure your innocence and integrity is intact, which will be under tremendous pressure! Hard earned fame and glory!! Take care there is no dent!!!

Some quarters echo that cricketers in politics is far better than politicians in cricket! It is perfectly fair that it is your individual right and privilege of what to do or undo.  But the people of India has seen you not just as an impeccable individual, but an institution. You have set such high standards, it is difficult and disappointing to accept you as a politician!

I hope, Sachin as a cricketer prevails over Sachin as a politician!

All the very best for your new debut!

Take guard! Right Arm Over!! Play……..

Regards /C.S. Krishnamurthy

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/08/catches-win-matches-yet-fielder-is.html
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/08/book-mark-rahul-dravid-timeless-steel.html