Rahul Dravid's self-effacing dignity

This post by the author was published in Cricketcountry on 10.3.2012 - the day following Rahul Dravid's retirement

The last vestiges of hope disappear

As he appeared, dapper and dignified as ever, many clutched on to the faintly-flickering wish that it was not what it was touted to be.

Indian cricket after all is one of the loudest and most confusing arenas of the world. A variety of voices, from the immensely-respected to the eminently-negligible, each louder than the next, join together into a discordant crescendo, drowning the sweet sound of the willow striking the leather, of the ball thudding into the gloves of the keeper, and the last murmurs of reason, logic and decency.

In such a world, was it not greatly probable that Rahul Dravid was there to speak about something else? With Greg Chappell, the Indian Premier League (IPL), eight consecutive overseas defeats, form and fielding of the seniors, Sachin Tendulkar’s 100^th international century, acerbic aspersions about his own guts, and so on ... surely there were plenty of things that could be discussed without broaching on the unthinkable.

However, one look at the man and it was certain that all the fears would come true. Not that his expression struck one as forlorn, nor did his manner betray emotions. He was as poker faced as he used to be while standing in the slips. It was just that the face in question belonged to Rahul Dravid. The quintessential cricketer whose focus on the purest ideal of the game never flinched because of the chaotic din that surrounded him. 

A sum total of 13,288 runs in Test cricket, 36 centuries and 210 catches would not propel him to call a press conference to air his views on the game and the plethora of peripherals that currently surround it.

He would always allow his bat to do all the talking, unless the very subject of discourse by definition made it impossible. 

And when he started to speak, the last vestiges of hope disappeared. There was no foreword, preface or prologue – none of the never-ending previews the world of cricket has become so used to. He started off by declaring that he was retiring from all forms of the game.

For a generation of followers who have lived and breathed cricket, it was like suddenly losing a lung.

Straight bat overcomes doubtful moments

There had been plenty of apprehensions that come naturally to those who get tied into knots trying to follow the peculiar, serpentine ways of Indian cricket.

Was it a personal decision? Or was it ignominy thrust upon him by some cricket illiterate honchos of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)?

ALL MIGHTY LANKAANS

Once again we were defeated… It would be right to say this bcause we were outraged from the CB series today without being present on the field. The defeat of Australia against SriLanka wrapped all the hope and was thrown out. Even the post match’s astonishing performance couldn’t helped us to survive for the series, thanks to some below average performance in the series which already had decided it’s fate in the series. It would not be wrong to say the lanakns as the “ALL MIGHTY LANKAANS” as they really showed some concerned cricket and held their nerves to the last over which cleared their way to the finals with the Ozs. They really showed up in the field and the all round performance of the WORLD CUP RUNNER-Ups set their stage for the finals. Even the World Cup champions also showed some outstansing performances in the series but then when they were out stand by the Ozs and lankans.
If I would have been a Indian cricket fan I would surely have known that India is not gonna make its way to the finals as it has already been decided to elicite India out of the tri-series final. But talking pure cricket the final league match had temers of excitement and laods of drama. But all in all it was a nice match and I wish both the team best of luck for the finals. Team India try your luck harder and do learn to show up ur talent at right occasions and at right times. Just grasp the opportunities play hard.

In Quest To Conquer The Lankans

In search of a desperate win india take on the mighty lankans on Tuesday at Hobart. Indian team has put itself in such a situation that even a win might not settle the cause, because india needs to win by a bonus point and hope that srilanka loses its next match against the auseis. It is not the first time the team has found itself in such a situation and given the current form it won’t be the last. Currently bowling has looked ordinary and the batting has chocked on every occasion they needed to score and hence find themselves last in the points table.

This series has proved that win is never a certainty for a team that lifted the world cup less than a year ago. Throughout the series the batting has been horrendous and the bowling looked abject and hence this has lead the team in a situation where curtains are bound to fall on the glittering courrires because they have become more burden than the need of the team.

For viru the tour down under has proved to be a nightmare, as throughout the series he has failed to show any kind of resilience against the bowling nor any spirit to perform. making things worse for him is his short stay at the wicket, interestingly out of the 4 matches played viru has scored just 35 runs and has faced just 42 balls. As a vice captain of the team viru has not contributed in field placing or an bowling change to make the job easier for the captain rather he had  openly opposed the policies of captain that intended to rotate the players so as to give youngsters a chance. But youngsters like raina,jadeja,rohit and many others have failed to grasp the opportunities and have underperformed right through the series.

Players like gambhir,kholi,dhoni looked good in first leg of the tournament but off late have failed to click and produce any match winning inning. The main strike bowler zaheer khan is injured and vinay is not fit so it would be difficult for dhoni to marshal his team.

The pressure there on "Little Master" to produce one last piece of brilliance to get the World Cup champions the bonus-point victory over Sri Lanka they need for a chance to stay in the tournament.

Because it could well be his last appearance in Australia and he must be desperate to sign off on a high note from a tour that has proved disastrous for him till now as he is striving hard for his magical landmark of three figures.

So india will take on the field on Tuesday in quest to conquer the Lankans and prove that they are the world champs but in accordance with the current scenario the chances of winning are bleak and that to with a bonus point is the rarest possibility as every player has underperformed throughout and one can’t expect them to fire this time again. Also a team who has struggled to win matches cant improve lift their performances overnight and cause a big upset beating an inform lankan side.

Sahil

27/02/2012

CAN INDIA STILL REACH THE FINALS

India can reach finals even after losing on Sunday
Scenario : If India lose on Sunday and win on Tuesday, then Australia have to beat Sri Lanka on March 2

In a situation where India lose their match on Sunday against the hosts at SCG, they can still make the finals along with Australia. For this, India will have to win their last league game on Tuesday against Sri Lanka in Hobart with a bonus point. And Australia should beat Sri Lanka on Friday, March 2, in Melbourne, which will be the last day of preliminary round.

Then the points will be 15 for India. In such a case, both will have 15 points each.

Then, according to tournament rules, India will pip their Asian neighbours into the finals on the basis of number of wins against them.

When two teams are tied with same points, then the team with most number of wins will go through to the finals. But in such a case, India and Sri Lanka both would have ended with three victories apiece. Then, the head-to-head record will be seen to determine who plays in the finals, meaning the most number of wins against the other opposition. India would have beaten srilanka twice and this will sail them into the finals. Sri Lanka had defeated India only once in Brisbane and the other game was tied.

Tournament Rules

Win without bonus point: 4 points

Loss: 0

Win with bonus point: 5 (Bonus point is awarded to that team which achieves a run rate of 1.25 or higher than the other in the match)

Tie or No Result: 2 points each

In case of teams finishing on equal points, then the finalist will be decided as per the following:

1. Team with most number of victories

2. If still equal, then head-to-head in the league stages. Team with more wins against the other team which is locked on same on points.

3. If still same, then team with most bonus points

4. If still tied, then the team with highest net run rate

source internet
sahil

INDIA OUTPLAYED BY AUSRALIA…INDIA LOOSE BY 87 RUNS

 Sydney: Australia crushed India by 87 runs in the 10th CB Series ODI to qualify for the tri-series final at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

India’s top-order failed yet again as they were bowled out for 165 in the 40th over chasing Australia’s 252-9. It was India’s third straight defeat in the competition.

Australia kept chipping away with the wickets and never really allowed India to settle in the chase. Watson bowled beautifully and got great support from Lee and Doherty. India's run is almost over with a game to play against Sri Lanka. Yes, mathematically they still have a chance but for that to happen, they need a real big win.

MS Dhoni: "Defintely not a good night. We got off to a decent start but it was difficult in the middle overs. Pathan got injured but Sehwag bowled well. 250 was good and we were happy at the end of first innings. In batting, we left too much for number 7, 8 and 9. Rankings doesn't matter and one has to do well on the field. We have to bat well to do well. Overall, we should have done better. I'm not good at mathematics but good at cricket. The scorers will do their job as let us know before the start of the game against Sri Lanka on our mathematical chance of qualifying."

Shane Watson: "It was a very nice start. It all worked out very well. A good team performance in the end. We tried to create impact towards the end but wickets fell at inappropriate time while batting. I felt David Hussey was looking to protect himself (on that run out controversy) and I have full faith in Simon Taufel and Billy Bowden. In the end, whatever decision they made was good. I'm excited after my first win as captain and would like to continue, but want to see Clarke back as well." Laughs and signs off.

David Warner (MOM): "Obviously I'm happy to be amongst the runs. It's really good to play against India as you really don't know who the home side is. The key for me is, if I get my defense right, runs will come. I didn't get a run out this season and hoped for one today, luckily it was Tendulkar."

OUT OR NOT OUT

              OUT  OR  NOT  OUT

Was sachin out or was lee obstructing him from completing a tight single. Well it was a tough call as sachin looked disappointed after being dismissed in such a way.

Experts  call         

Tendulkar was out – it was a bad call compounded by his not running wide of Lee and diving for his crease.(tony greig).

LANKA OUTSHINES OZ'S ,,,WIN A THRILLER

Sri Lanka move to the top of the table courtesy this fantastic win. They managed the highest ever chase at this venue and also their second highest chase ever in Australia. It was a team effort and they will be happy to lead the tri-series table now.

It was always going to be a tricky chase and Sri Lanka managed the win in the last over. Jayawardena's knock upfront, Chandimal's middle innings grit and cameos by Mathews and Perera sealed it in the end. Australia's bowling was under par but Doherty was still impressive.

Michael Clarke: "Unfortunately we couldn't get there but Sri Lanka played very well. Execution with the ball wasn't good. In batting, the top four could have done much more. Sri Lanka showed if you hang in there you can do it. Yes, I'm a bit stiff with my back. No doubt. We have a big game against India on Sunday and have to do well. Sri Lanka have the momentum and are doing well now, we need to step up."

Mahela Jayawardena (MOM): "I was in my zone and whatever I played went in the gaps. The youngsters finished the game well. We saw the history of the ground and did well to hang in there and finish it with big-hitters. It's good for the youngsters as they are learning a lot. We are still not in the finals, so our main aim is to get there and then decide what next."