Keep the faith

After today’s thrashing — mismatch, massacre, mauling; I can hear the derogatives pouring in as the day goes by — it may seem a little out of place to say these three words: keep the faith. And just in case you thought I didn’t mean what I just said, I am saying it again. Keep the faith in Dhoni’s boys. Thank god for anonymity.

Given that our patience when it comes to sport our patience or thoughts of long-term investment is as firm as a limp biscuit, it wouldn’t be unusual to lambast this team months after we put them on top of the world for we are like this only.

But consider this, all ye baying for young blood. This team did something in one attempt which the Big Daddies of our cricket could not after at least three tries. Most of these boys know what it takes to beat Australia in T20 because they have done it already. And when it took two Test matches for our batting gladiators to get the hang of Australia, their pitches, sledging, a furiously fast and now a fantastic pace ace called Brett Lee, shouldn’t these boys be given a little more time than a game which, if it did go the distance, wouldn’t last more than three hours.

And before we hit the roof about Dhoni’s reported obstinacy in keeping Sourav Ganguly out, just think for a moment whether there would be any sportsman who would deliberately weaken a team he is leading. Also, didn’t Ganguly keep VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble out of ODIs for pretty much the same reasons as he is being kept out now? The old guard has had its time in the sun and deserved every second of it. But, ladies and gentleman, it’s time to move on even if it mans taking a few in the ribs or on the chin.

An ump to a vamp !

"From an umpire to vampire", that's how a fan tiptoeing across the Madhavrao Scindia Stadium during a Duleep Trophy match recently described Steve Bucknor.

Even as the Sydney fiasco has been buried to death, the man who was at the epicentre of all the drama still continues to be in the news; for all the wrong reasons off-course.

And taking a toll worldwide are the men who are into the same profession it seems !

Providing fillip to such thoughts is the West Zone versus Central Zone Duleep Trophy match.

Even as both teams boasted of many talented players in their ranks, there were a few good knocks too and a fiver-wicket haul, the handful of spectators present inside the stadium though seemed more busy pouring scorn on the two umpires officiating the match. More than the Kaifs, Munafs and Kartiks, it was the word Bucknor that reverberated across the stadium.

A rare case of umpires stealing the limelight from players. Thank you Mr. Bucknor.

Wrong' un

THE SELECTION of Charanjit Singh, the Punjab off spinner, to the Duleep Trophy, was indeed a wrong'un by the selectors. The spinner had just four wickets to his credit in the Ranji Trophy; and yet he was awarded a place in the North Zone squad. The reasoning for the selection, too, was equally baffling. "We don't have off spinners coming through, so we pushed him as he seemed to be the best on view," explained Bhupinder Singh (Sr), the national selector. Now, can someone ask the wise man if an off spinner is mandatory in the squad? If no, then why pick up someone who just didn't deserve to be there?

It’s all about accountability, Mr Kalmadi !

The other day when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, Suresh Kalmadi, trashed the revised Sports Policy Draft after a meeting with the Sports Ministry officials, it seemed he was only exposing his Achilles’ heel in the process. Accountability has always been an issue with the IOA and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) that come under its purview. And when the Ministry talks about accountability, the IOA and the federations close ranks as if they are under grave threat of getting wiped out by a tsunami.

Talking after the conclave with the Sports Ministry officials a few days back, Kalmadi spoke about the reasons why training of athletes and organisation of camps should come directly under the IOA and not remain under the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the working arm of the Ministry. Now, with a host of scandals and complete lack of accountability, can the Ministry afford to hand over the huge sums and the reins of running sports in the country to the IOA?
Not that the Ministry --- and the SAI --- have covered themselves with glory as far as financial dealings or team selections go, but at least they are open to vigilance, CAG and CBI investigations.

A fund of 661 crores --- now upgraded to 710 crores --- for the training of athletes for the Commonwealth Games is no small amount! The IOA should first earn the confidence of the Ministry and then talk about other things. And accountability should be stepping stone to building that confidence.

Ronaldo's Scorcher

What a goal ! What-ey-goal, screamed the commentator. And why not mate for it was a screamer of an effort by Cristiano Ronaldo. A free-kick in the 13th minute was good enough to deflate Pompey hopes for the rest of the game. It was an amazing free-kick, taken from 30 yards outside the box - Ronaldo rushed to the spot, gathered himself with his legs spread wide - with only one thing in front of him - the goal (I should say not even the goalkeeper, because the ball left him by a couple of yards easily). And then comes the kick - a perfectly taken one, and hits the net in a flash. David James was left absolutely speechless, - the ball totally missed the goal-keeper, swerved the other way. An outstanding goal - beating the wall, the goalkeeper and his own track-record of free-kicks.

Ronaldo's goal against Portsmouth was his 27th for the season fast closing in on the Manchester United record, held by the great George Best - 32. And what goes in favour of Ronaldo, is the number of games he's played so far - just 24. With a great deal of the season left to be played, Ronaldo should re-write the club's record books, as scoring for fun is something he's been upto all season. For Mancunians alike, Ronaldo is perhaps the best signing ever - and since he's committed his future to the Old Trafford club, watch out for more kicks, swerves and not to forget some kinky sporting moments.

Practice and Perfect

Questions are often asked about the behaviour pitch if a team is out for a paltry score. "How is the pitch?" "Is the pitch so bad for batting?"

Not many accept that the batsmen did not apply themselves and play according to the merit of the ball. For example, South Zone were all out for 157 against North on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy in Ahmedabad. They were 84 for eight and it needed their bowlers R Vinay Kumar and D Kalyankrishna to put up a partnership, the former emerging joint top-scorer. Often, it has been the bowlers who have made the top-order batsmen eat humble pie under such circumstances with their batting skills. And these bowlers hardly get quality time in the nets. How often do we see bowlers taking just throw downs from half-pitch from one of the support staff? The bowlers should also be given good batting practice in the nets. And it is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that the 'tailenders' face good bowlers, not just the batsmen who indulge in slow bowling or tired net bowlers.

When the team is in a disaster, the bowlers could be mightily effective. And practice makes perfect, didn't someone say?!

Giving the dead defence

The site was – Dal Lake in Srinagar, opposite to Royal spring Golf Club – the fast bowler from 'Delhi Jets', the ICL outfit - Abid Nabi, came in red and blue denim riding his 'Pulsar'. As soon as he arrived, the watchman at the Golf Club stopped him for inquiry. This left him embarrassed to the hilt. To avoid the situation he started saying something in Kasheer. When asked how he convinced the watchman, Abid replied: "Oh he was saying that he din't recognize me as I often come here in my 'car'." Well done Abid! You have learned how to perform in a 'tough' situation!