A lovely match to see in the stadium! It is not often that you see a classy innings with the bat (Vijay) and a good bowling performance (Bollinger) in the same T-20 match. I doubt Bollinger has ever received such a reception! Vijay's innings was great to watch, no slog at all and Morkel's six hitting is always good fun.
But my first reaction in the stadium was "hats off" to the teams who actually play in the 4.00pm Chennai sun. We were in the newly renovated stands which is supposed to allow "breeze" to come through. However only part of the stand is covered. Reaching at 3.20pm, we did not find places under the covered part and we "roasted and sweated" in the sun for the next 2 hours. After 6.00pm it become pleasant.
But I am not sure if these new stands are good for Chennai. Imagine watching an ODI or a test match from these stands without the benefit of a roof. Having watched test and ODIs at chepauk, I will not willingly spend a day in the sun like this. There was atleast a 5 degree difference between being in the sheltered portion and the uncovered part. Even these couple of hours were barely tolerable.
To add to this, the refreshment stand was not well planned. Since you are not allowed to bring in any bottles, the entire stand wants water and soft drinks more than anything else. However there was only one kiosk selling this for our stand. The food ones were relatively empty. Also for some reason, they would not sell bottles. Imagine selling a glass of water only at a time -- we ourselves went thrice for water and there should have been atleast 3 kiosks per stand selling drinks! I hope they fix this issue for the next matches.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Badri
I am not qualified to give advice nor is it sought, but I am going to anyway, as there is no one to stop me:)
Scores in the 20s and 30s with a strike rate of less than 100, without taking the team to victory == not good.
Exude some confidence. If you don't believe you can do it, how can we?
Don't know what your role is, but at this point, the teams would rather have you on strike than any of the other csk batsmen. They then bring in the fielders, add a slip, making it hard to score even singles. Take a risk or two, otherwise scoring becomes impossible.
Take sensible risks. Scoop shot to fine leg for a single -- what is the logic behind that?
As far as your career goes, you have nothing to lose, please play fearlessly. There are other batsmen now looking better for the test spot (and definitely for the ODI).
And practice running between the wickets? Not to lay the blame at your door, but you can't keep colliding.
[PS: if someone does recall the two matches where Dhoni and Badri collided -- what is going wrong -- are they both running where they are not supposed to? ]
Scores in the 20s and 30s with a strike rate of less than 100, without taking the team to victory == not good.
Exude some confidence. If you don't believe you can do it, how can we?
Don't know what your role is, but at this point, the teams would rather have you on strike than any of the other csk batsmen. They then bring in the fielders, add a slip, making it hard to score even singles. Take a risk or two, otherwise scoring becomes impossible.
Take sensible risks. Scoop shot to fine leg for a single -- what is the logic behind that?
As far as your career goes, you have nothing to lose, please play fearlessly. There are other batsmen now looking better for the test spot (and definitely for the ODI).
And practice running between the wickets? Not to lay the blame at your door, but you can't keep colliding.
[PS: if someone does recall the two matches where Dhoni and Badri collided -- what is going wrong -- are they both running where they are not supposed to? ]
Monday, March 29, 2010
The MRF blimp
I watch many of the matches on TV with my nephew (avid cricket fan and 9 year old).
We try not to be cynical during the match and don't comment about the quality of commentary and clichéd phrases or that "like a tracer bullet" are trademarked :) so that we don't spoil his experience.
So yesterday as SMG and others went on and on about how MRF is pioneering some cutting edge technology by bringing the blimp, at some point in the second match, he turns around and says
"Why do they have to say that so many times? They almost say it 50 times a match. Won't once a match be enough?"
Dear IPL commentators: Hope you are listening. Some of the marketing is getting too much for a kid! And isn't the MRF blimp just a big balloon? Hearing the commentators, one would have thought that the blimp is a great technical marvel!
We try not to be cynical during the match and don't comment about the quality of commentary and clichéd phrases or that "like a tracer bullet" are trademarked :) so that we don't spoil his experience.
So yesterday as SMG and others went on and on about how MRF is pioneering some cutting edge technology by bringing the blimp, at some point in the second match, he turns around and says
"Why do they have to say that so many times? They almost say it 50 times a match. Won't once a match be enough?"
Dear IPL commentators: Hope you are listening. Some of the marketing is getting too much for a kid! And isn't the MRF blimp just a big balloon? Hearing the commentators, one would have thought that the blimp is a great technical marvel!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
From a Mongoose
Dear Matthew,
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a bat has been inspired by me. Just look at this, isn't the connection between a bat and me immediately obvious!
However my fraternity have felt left down. After so much hype, they don't understand why you are choosing us after 6.8 minutes in every innings. It seems distracting, halting the momentum and you are not doing our reputation any good by getting out soon after that. So for the future of all mongoose, please select a bat at the start and stick to it.
Also, the intelligent and cynical among us want to know why, if you were the leading run scorer in the IPL last year with a fantastic run rate and average, a large & strong man, doing very well with the conventional bat, why would you want to change it? You don't get 8 runs for a longer six do you?
The kind hearted among us, have felt empathy for the bowlers and have started a research fund for pig ball. Pig ball is to a ball what mongoose is to a bat. The ball will travel faster from the bowler's arm and if you look at it creatively you will see a pig in it.
Please also settle this question between us: when there are several of us around are we mongooses or mongeese?
Also while you are at it, please check if there are more than 1411 of us left?
Sincerely,
(from a concerned and friendly neighborhood mongoose)
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a bat has been inspired by me. Just look at this, isn't the connection between a bat and me immediately obvious!
However my fraternity have felt left down. After so much hype, they don't understand why you are choosing us after 6.8 minutes in every innings. It seems distracting, halting the momentum and you are not doing our reputation any good by getting out soon after that. So for the future of all mongoose, please select a bat at the start and stick to it.
Also, the intelligent and cynical among us want to know why, if you were the leading run scorer in the IPL last year with a fantastic run rate and average, a large & strong man, doing very well with the conventional bat, why would you want to change it? You don't get 8 runs for a longer six do you?
The kind hearted among us, have felt empathy for the bowlers and have started a research fund for pig ball. Pig ball is to a ball what mongoose is to a bat. The ball will travel faster from the bowler's arm and if you look at it creatively you will see a pig in it.
Please also settle this question between us: when there are several of us around are we mongooses or mongeese?
Also while you are at it, please check if there are more than 1411 of us left?
Sincerely,
(from a concerned and friendly neighborhood mongoose)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Chennai Open
A evening out at the Chennai Open (tennis) a few days ago watching Cilic and Marcel was quite a lot of fun. This is my second trip in the past few years and am I pleasantly surprised. The price of three tickets was less that what I would pay for one ticket for an IPL match -- yeah!
There is no fencing, so one gets to experience the match much more than in a caged in atmosphere at a cricket match.
The weather was pleasant (dare I say cool)? Parking, food etc. was much better organized that at Chepauk (though I guess, the number of people attending a tennis match is much lesser than a cricket match) and it looked like there were no mosquitoes in Nungambakkam!
However there were no tickets to be had for the weekend and tickets cannot be bought online, nor can daily tickets be bought a day in advance, making it tough to buy the tickets and requires detailed planning to watch a day of tennis!
A couple of years ago when Nadal came to the tournament, I foolishly assumed that one could walk in and get tickets for the weekend but none were to be had. But looking at the coverage this year, the stadium was not full though there were no tickets to be had for the weekend. So if the same had happened a few years ago, I would be very, very mad of being deprived of watching a player of Nadal's calibre, only because people had tickets but failed to attend!
There are lots of kids outside the court wanting tickets, so I wish the sponsors would give free tickets to schools nearby. With a general lack of interest in sports, I wonder why we spend crores on hosting CWG?
PS: Even DD sports did not cover this event during the week!
There is no fencing, so one gets to experience the match much more than in a caged in atmosphere at a cricket match.
The weather was pleasant (dare I say cool)? Parking, food etc. was much better organized that at Chepauk (though I guess, the number of people attending a tennis match is much lesser than a cricket match) and it looked like there were no mosquitoes in Nungambakkam!
However there were no tickets to be had for the weekend and tickets cannot be bought online, nor can daily tickets be bought a day in advance, making it tough to buy the tickets and requires detailed planning to watch a day of tennis!
A couple of years ago when Nadal came to the tournament, I foolishly assumed that one could walk in and get tickets for the weekend but none were to be had. But looking at the coverage this year, the stadium was not full though there were no tickets to be had for the weekend. So if the same had happened a few years ago, I would be very, very mad of being deprived of watching a player of Nadal's calibre, only because people had tickets but failed to attend!
There are lots of kids outside the court wanting tickets, so I wish the sponsors would give free tickets to schools nearby. With a general lack of interest in sports, I wonder why we spend crores on hosting CWG?
PS: Even DD sports did not cover this event during the week!
Friday, October 16, 2009
The mess
The commonwealth games that is.
It was reported even a year back that things were behind schedule. No media person, no organizing member is able to defend the progress (only give assurances that it will be pulled togehter somehow...). Instead of taking the responsibility Kalmadi (who has been with the Indian Olympic committee for thirteen years or more, comes out in attack against another CWG member who has been there for two).
I think the media should ask him what has been done for the Indian Olympics during his tenure and why are the facilities so much behind schedule? Shouldn't we have taken remedial measures a while back? I also think tenures of IOC presidents etc. must be curtailed to a single term, to get new ideas in, to give new energy to sports in the country.
I actually don't think we should even be hosting these games, until our sporting infrastructure is improved across the country and until our infrastructure is ready.
I had also seen an article on F1 in Delhi. Isn't there some conflict of interest here? Isn't there a oversight committee? Given that F1 is not an Olympic sport, why is the IOA even involved?
Perhaps India will pull through and host the games successfully, but I am not sure I will feel any great pride.
It was reported even a year back that things were behind schedule. No media person, no organizing member is able to defend the progress (only give assurances that it will be pulled togehter somehow...). Instead of taking the responsibility Kalmadi (who has been with the Indian Olympic committee for thirteen years or more, comes out in attack against another CWG member who has been there for two).
I think the media should ask him what has been done for the Indian Olympics during his tenure and why are the facilities so much behind schedule? Shouldn't we have taken remedial measures a while back? I also think tenures of IOC presidents etc. must be curtailed to a single term, to get new ideas in, to give new energy to sports in the country.
I actually don't think we should even be hosting these games, until our sporting infrastructure is improved across the country and until our infrastructure is ready.
I had also seen an article on F1 in Delhi. Isn't there some conflict of interest here? Isn't there a oversight committee? Given that F1 is not an Olympic sport, why is the IOA even involved?
Perhaps India will pull through and host the games successfully, but I am not sure I will feel any great pride.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
mirror mirror on the wall
Not to single out bhajji for yesterday's performance (as the blame can be shared liberally), but came across an interview which taken out of context, resonates with the performance in the match yesterday.
"Main sochta nahin hoon" - :)
"How many bowlers send down six different deliveries in each over?"
duh, the object is not to bowl as many different deliveries, the object is to take as many wickets as possible. Heck, I think I can bowl six different deliveries an over, just not near the stumps.
"It’s sad that I hardly get to see spinners who can turn the ball on any surface." Sadly, neither do we...
"They’re happy just rolling their arm over... They should, instead, express themselves and bowl the deliveries they can really be good at... "
talking about someone else....?
Read the rest of the interview, for a chuckle or two...
"Main sochta nahin hoon" - :)
"How many bowlers send down six different deliveries in each over?"
duh, the object is not to bowl as many different deliveries, the object is to take as many wickets as possible. Heck, I think I can bowl six different deliveries an over, just not near the stumps.
"It’s sad that I hardly get to see spinners who can turn the ball on any surface." Sadly, neither do we...
"They’re happy just rolling their arm over... They should, instead, express themselves and bowl the deliveries they can really be good at... "
talking about someone else....?
Read the rest of the interview, for a chuckle or two...
Thursday, June 11, 2009
media frenzy in cricket
My TV time has reduced significantly as work deadlines have overtaken me. But in the limited time I have watched the news, I have been unable to bypass the media circus surrounding the Indian cricket team. The television media (in a quest for ratings) have lost the ability to give a balanced, mature view of events. Rather hysterical reports are the norm, with decibel levels of reporters consistently at an unpleasant pitch (always shouting).
Several years ago, I used to be shocked by news items with words like lashes, blasts, snubs. Now I always believe that it is a mild statement to which some spice has been added. In fact I am tempted to get a collection of reporters and have a demonstration of lashing.
To the media, I ask to look around you in your office -- don't you have disagreements with your colleagues and bosses, or is always one happy family? Even assuming that there was a tiff , until it impacts the performance of the team, why should it become issue of this magnitude? There is almost a sadistic wish to find problems in a successful team.
Until the media starts self-policing, I will rely more on print media to get balanced reports.
Several years ago, I used to be shocked by news items with words like lashes, blasts, snubs. Now I always believe that it is a mild statement to which some spice has been added. In fact I am tempted to get a collection of reporters and have a demonstration of lashing.
To the media, I ask to look around you in your office -- don't you have disagreements with your colleagues and bosses, or is always one happy family? Even assuming that there was a tiff , until it impacts the performance of the team, why should it become issue of this magnitude? There is almost a sadistic wish to find problems in a successful team.
Until the media starts self-policing, I will rely more on print media to get balanced reports.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Astro tips
There is one team that needs the most help this year - KKR (what with the allegations of racism, match-fixing investigation, multiple captain-coach theory for a solitary D/L win etc.) So pooling my knowledge (albeit non-existent) of numerology, palmistry (predicting by reading my palm for KKR -- a novel concept that should go well with the team with many theories), factoring in saturn in the horoscope, I have some recommendations for KKR.
Switch the gold and black around, so that it is predominantly gold with black on one shoulder and one sleeve (black for "nazar" effect). This will tend to blind opponents as well.
Douse out the fire on the helmet? Bat on fire I can perhaps understand, but helmet on fire? Can't be good feng-shui. seriously what does it mean?
Change the brooding SRK image on the website with the helmet on fire (just because...)
Instead of covering up the numbers on the back of jerseys with ugly tape, go to the reebok store and buy some plain ones. Note that even if you cover it up, the number is still there close to your back working its evil magic.
KKR has too few words to leverage the 'K' concept of Balaji telefilms. So add a few words. Kyunki KKR be ...
Switch the gold and black around, so that it is predominantly gold with black on one shoulder and one sleeve (black for "nazar" effect). This will tend to blind opponents as well.
Douse out the fire on the helmet? Bat on fire I can perhaps understand, but helmet on fire? Can't be good feng-shui. seriously what does it mean?
Change the brooding SRK image on the website with the helmet on fire (just because...)
Instead of covering up the numbers on the back of jerseys with ugly tape, go to the reebok store and buy some plain ones. Note that even if you cover it up, the number is still there close to your back working its evil magic.
KKR has too few words to leverage the 'K' concept of Balaji telefilms. So add a few words. Kyunki KKR be ...
Official statement from KKR on racism?
Thus far I have seen no official comment (from the CEO or owners of KKR) on the racism charge. This is a serious charge and "no comment" answer from the team management should not be accepted. It is not enough for Buchanan to respond, it is important for the CEO or owner to make a statement, as it otherwise sets a poor precedent.
Whoever is subjected to discrimination, as owners and as a business KKR has to handle it (trying to wish it away really speaks poorly of them). If the allegation is false, then the accused do need a statement strongly in their favor, because once you are charged with something like this, it never goes away.
Whoever is subjected to discrimination, as owners and as a business KKR has to handle it (trying to wish it away really speaks poorly of them). If the allegation is false, then the accused do need a statement strongly in their favor, because once you are charged with something like this, it never goes away.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The baffling approach of KKR
As KKR loses yet another match, it is hard to pin-point a single flaw in their approach, as everything seems broken. The most surprising has been their auction strategy. While the KP and Freddie buys have gotten a fair share of criticism, the teams atleast had an idea, went for it and implemented it.
KKR, on the other hand, bid for Murtaza as if he was Schumacher or V. Anand of cricket. One thought it was a business decision to capture the Bangla fanbase. However, they then drop the name Kolkatta from their logo (not sure about the reasoning though rumours were rife about a possible move). Having paid for Murtaza more than what Ponting or Hayden received, 10 matches into the tournament, he has not yet gotten a chance. The reasoning behind this is lost on me. It is not like there is a winning combination that cannot be disrupted. Perhaps some day there will be a book explaining all of this.
KKR, on the other hand, bid for Murtaza as if he was Schumacher or V. Anand of cricket. One thought it was a business decision to capture the Bangla fanbase. However, they then drop the name Kolkatta from their logo (not sure about the reasoning though rumours were rife about a possible move). Having paid for Murtaza more than what Ponting or Hayden received, 10 matches into the tournament, he has not yet gotten a chance. The reasoning behind this is lost on me. It is not like there is a winning combination that cannot be disrupted. Perhaps some day there will be a book explaining all of this.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Endearing Sreesanth
Sree, let me dispel any false notions. God's gift to women, you are not.
PS: your only girlfriend (cricket) who happens to be a good friend of mine, mentioned that she was not pleased with you either for getting hammered for 3 sixes by Hayden and general bowling at the death. That relationship is in jeopardy.
PS: your only girlfriend (cricket) who happens to be a good friend of mine, mentioned that she was not pleased with you either for getting hammered for 3 sixes by Hayden and general bowling at the death. That relationship is in jeopardy.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Time outs
Modi may change the timeout method for the semis and finals.
- Teams are finally getting used to 7.5 mins "strategy break", and there is a thought of switching it for this year's finale? If it is not for commercial reasons (as no one is watching the IPL during the break), why would they consider switching it at the end of the tournament.
- If common sense prevails, a new rule will not tested in the semis and finals.
- Lastly 2.5 mins of ads is still enough of a incentive to watch/do something else. Wonder if the advertisers will buy into this concept.
- Teams are finally getting used to 7.5 mins "strategy break", and there is a thought of switching it for this year's finale? If it is not for commercial reasons (as no one is watching the IPL during the break), why would they consider switching it at the end of the tournament.
- If common sense prevails, a new rule will not tested in the semis and finals.
- Lastly 2.5 mins of ads is still enough of a incentive to watch/do something else. Wonder if the advertisers will buy into this concept.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Yuki Bhambri wins another title
Have been reading on and off about this young tennis player. Appears to be performing consistently well. Well done Yuki! He has also won the Australian open junior title. BTW, does anyone know if he was brought up in India or abroad?
New plot
Chris Gayle has been granted permission to stay an extra day or two in the IPL before he flies to join his team which he captains.
Incidentally, this was quoted on the official website (from McCullum's interview). "On his conversation with the umpires before the start of the 19th over: One of the guys (Graham Napier) had a flight to catch. They were asking if they can take him off and get another player out there. Obviously they needed our approval or they would have to field out there with 10 players. Once we found out the reason was, we said he could go and they could bring a replacement."
Should you be allowed to play a man who has to leave before a match ends. What would have happened if he had been batting?
Back to Chris Gayle and in true bollywood fashion with the idea from Stanford, here is a storyline.
The stadium is packed, but no sign of the captain. Anxious friends, fans and family pray fervently. Then he is sighted, in a helicopter, padded and with a bat in hand and a suitcase full of IPL earnings. Everyone applauds, but the helicopter can't land as the players are already in the field -- more anxious moments. But he does a Akki like stunt from the helicopter, leaps to the crease, and hits the first ball for six...
Incidentally, this was quoted on the official website (from McCullum's interview). "On his conversation with the umpires before the start of the 19th over: One of the guys (Graham Napier) had a flight to catch. They were asking if they can take him off and get another player out there. Obviously they needed our approval or they would have to field out there with 10 players. Once we found out the reason was, we said he could go and they could bring a replacement."
Should you be allowed to play a man who has to leave before a match ends. What would have happened if he had been batting?
Back to Chris Gayle and in true bollywood fashion with the idea from Stanford, here is a storyline.
The stadium is packed, but no sign of the captain. Anxious friends, fans and family pray fervently. Then he is sighted, in a helicopter, padded and with a bat in hand and a suitcase full of IPL earnings. Everyone applauds, but the helicopter can't land as the players are already in the field -- more anxious moments. But he does a Akki like stunt from the helicopter, leaps to the crease, and hits the first ball for six...
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Ganguly bowled by a duck
"... Ganguly bowled by a duck" heard in the news yesterday -- (I believe on cnn-ibn).
Given KKR's struggles, anything is possible...?
Given KKR's struggles, anything is possible...?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
IPL Cheerleaders and KKR
Yes, I am writing about cheerleaders :(
KKR recently sent back their cheerleaders who were selected from a reality show. It was reported that only "local" South African girls would be allowed to cheer and therefore they would not get the opportunity. KKR did the decent thing and they atleast got a holiday.
But that got me thinking about the White mischief gals (who I believe are from the US). So how come they get to cheer RCB while the reality winners did not?
KKR recently sent back their cheerleaders who were selected from a reality show. It was reported that only "local" South African girls would be allowed to cheer and therefore they would not get the opportunity. KKR did the decent thing and they atleast got a holiday.
But that got me thinking about the White mischief gals (who I believe are from the US). So how come they get to cheer RCB while the reality winners did not?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The unfair fair play award
Just heard Harsha commenting about nice guys finish last or something to that effect (after reviewing the kingfisher fair play award table). Thus far nobody in the IPL or the commentary team have mentioned that the fair play awards don't factor in rained out matches.
So Mumbai Indians who are listed as having 30 from 4 matches actually have 30 from 3 matches as they did not play one and should lead the table. Similarly CSK, KKR and RR should not be in the bottom as they also missed out on matches.
Leading the table is RCB with 41 out of 50 (which means they have been docked the most points till now).
I wonder how long it will take to add a column to factor in the matches?
You can tell from this, how much this award is valued or kept track of...
So Mumbai Indians who are listed as having 30 from 4 matches actually have 30 from 3 matches as they did not play one and should lead the table. Similarly CSK, KKR and RR should not be in the bottom as they also missed out on matches.
Leading the table is RCB with 41 out of 50 (which means they have been docked the most points till now).
I wonder how long it will take to add a column to factor in the matches?
You can tell from this, how much this award is valued or kept track of...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
In-stadia commentary
I could not believe this when I read it... Can we credit this innovation to the Modi and IPL or is it simply the T-20 effect?
"Manpreet Gony has played two one-day internationals for India. No great pace but good control." -- I have to excuse Gony's performance from yesterday ...
"I don't think you can make a change to the field!"
Whatever next?
"Manpreet Gony has played two one-day internationals for India. No great pace but good control." -- I have to excuse Gony's performance from yesterday ...
"I don't think you can make a change to the field!"
Whatever next?
Yorking Dhoni
Albie, why are you attempting to york Dhoni (the wicket keeper of your team) instead of the batsman?
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