Team India: The World No. 1

We saw many era of Indian Cricket, right from Lala Amarnath to Mak Pataudi, Kapil Dev - Sunil Gavaskar era to Sourav Ganguly - MS Dhoni era. Indian Team was "Best in the World" during MS Dhoni's captaincy but throughout his regime we never saw the performance like we witnessed in Virat Kohli era, statement may looks censorial but unfortunately its a fact. This Team got flexibility which proved in the entire season which had long series of 4 Tests or 5 Tests along with Limited Over Games. Start from Zimbabwe series at June last year "Men in Blue" was consistent, yes they fall short in some games but mostly they utilizes their home condition or their opponents of away games quite well. We saw many stars arise during a course of 1 year on different format, at the same time many establish players like Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan lost their spot followed by injury and poor run with the bat. 

Photo Courtesy: icc-cricket.com 

During this season we saw many surprising comebacks like Gautam Gambhir and even Parthiv Patel who returns to National side after 12 years !! These surprised comebacks are made only due to concern in opening department which is yet to overcome, India struggled and still struggling in opening spot and tats why Team saw most number of opening pair in the particular season. Opening spot are always known as a back bone for the Team but the concern not pinned the most because team got dependable batsman like Cheteshwar Pujara who proved to be the next Wall of Indian Team after scoring 2000+ runs in this season, even glamour boy Virat Kohli's bat sparkled this season with back to back 4 Double Centuries against Windies, New Zealand and against England twice. His bat may be was quite against Aussies but he was equally aggressive and led the side the way Aussies likes to play Cricket.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

In Modern Era Cricket, Teams become flexible and selecting side as per the formats. Their commitments are increased too since Boards are now concentrating on revenue factor hence increasing more Home Matches despite of FTP schedules. When BCCI announced such a big home series most of the Cricket thinkers start doubting on how India will able to manage such odds which they never faced. Anil Kumble made a valid point after conclusion of 4th Test against Australia tat he always motivates team to focus in sessions rather then in a particular Test Match or in the Series as its all about a Mental game, India some how survived the 1st Test between England in Rajkot when visitors took 7 wickets in 50 overs and had England declared 10 more overs ago then we must have a different Result of the series. Same way when India had a healthy lead of 152 in 2nd Innings it looks like the results is possible but some how Aussies skip through with their brilliance from the bat against our Bowlers tired effort. Although India knows the taste of victory in flat turf when they beat England in Chennai Test but scenario was different in Ranchi Test.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

During the start of modern day cricket we saw partnerships of Akram - Younis in 90s then Warne - McGrath era in 20s which used to be a sheer dominance from Pakistan and Australia respectively, against every Team of the World. Indian fans honor to witness the same dominance by Ashwin and Jadeja during this period of time. They equally shared the Spot of World No. 1 Test Bowler for a Week. After Kohli took over the Captaincy, India saw 19 Consecutive Test Wins and the succession of Test Win started from August 2015 against Sri Lanka. Indian Cricket was facing difficult time when India lost their last Test before the mammoth series of Victories before loosing to Australia, Board's Politics, IPL, Failure of Away series was one of the reason people was moving from the game they loved the most. I wrote very critical few words after that match "Does India looking on India's Performance ?" though during this entire time duration Team played in Home Conditions and won Series in Sri Lanka and West Indies respectively.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

But few matches specially against England where we thought that results will end up as Draw, India pull up the victory in Last few Sessions of a Test Match and this is why I wrote about 4 Day Test Match when "Cricket Intellectuals" and then "ECB Chief" starts advocating about 4 Day Test Match, since Ashwin and Jadeja anchor India's victory at a 5th day when result looks to be impossible. Tats why for the first time in history 2 bowlers of same team at the same season was in the all time list of leading wicket ticker. Ashwin made a history on bowling more overs then anyone in the past as well which also proves the importance of Ashwin infront of his Captain and his Team. During this season India finds another diamond known as Umesh Yadav after Mohammad Shami was out most of the matches this season due to injury. Umesh Yadav played a important role to win the last Test against Australia shown his aggressive bowling, his mental strength and his fitness which allows him to play 12 Matches in this Home Season.

Input by BCCI as broadcast in STAR SPORTS

Current Indian Team in Test looks to be quite flexible with Batting and Wicket Keeping, at the same time it lacked seriously in Bowling department despite of some outstanding performance apart from Ashwin, Jadeja and Umesh Yadav. Test Cricket is not only scoring big but also a kind of a fightback like Chetshwar did against Australia in Ranchi when he scored a Double after consuming 525 Balls who also broke a previous record of Rahul Dravid which happens to be Pujara's idol and was "Wall" of Indian Cricket for many Years. KL Rahul, a big find of Indian Cricket despite of Shoulder injury was a part of some outstanding knocks after avoiding some big shots in later innings as precautionary basis though in many occasions he found throwing his wicket when he had a chance to score a big one.

When Opening was a concern for the team, Karun Nair created a small doubt in Team plan by scoring Triple against England in Chennai. This is probably a rarest incident in World Cricket when a Triple Centurion has been dropped from the very next Test Match against Bangladesh and Rahane feels the pressure during his innings of 80 odd runs because both Coach Kumble and Captain Kohli defended Rahane individually before the only Test and who knows the same Rahane will be ask to captaining the side in a "Decider". This team has broke many previous records and set a new ones, they got legacy to maintain and some revenge to take. Nair ended a drought in Test Triple from a Indian after Virender Sehwag, India beat England in India and maintain the record against Aussies. Now how they will do outside is still a question mark but they already made a point that its their fortress and its not easy to beat Team India in India and this Home season is a kind of a statement they got for the visiting Team from now onward.

Captain's Knock in a Fantastic Victories

Today we has witness 2 one of the fine knocks by the Captains of the respective teams Virat Kohli and Mohammad Hafeez. A special moment from the fans of Pakistan and India as both team has registered win against Ashes Rivals. How much important these victory was ? For Pakistan it was a must win game after a disappointed New Zealand Series and then white wash in Test Series, the only format they was promising with. Pakistan currently lying at 8th Rank in ODI rankings and interestingly Bangladesh is 1 position ahead of them which itself proves the overall performance of the side. Azhar Ali who's a better Test Player then ODI led the side in a loosing effort past Friday against Australia where he injured his hamstring which let Hafeez to lead the side and with his fighting spirit and all round performance he picked up the "Man Of the Match" award and won the game for his side. 

Similarly chasing down 350 runs, India was 4 down with both openers and heavyweights like Yuvraj and Dhoni gone cheaply at that point no one expected a win for India but only for a pray. That time Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav stood up with a outstanding partnership of 200 runs and pickup the victory for their team. After Captain Kohli keep the fighting spirit Kedar Jadhav joined him to support and this is how Team wins a crucial matches and cement their legacy. Was that partnership was planned before somewhere ? Absolutely not, it was a instinct decision on what to do. If Captain say hang on and don't fall then its a kind of a word you want to hear since for the moment you're the guy for the leader. Just day back when Gujarat picked their first Ranji Trophy and as usual Man in his Golden Time, Parthiv Patel anchored himself the one end and slowly - steadily he keeps his natural game on rather then being panic because the other finalist the 41th times Ranji Champions was nervous due to their legacy.

Another neighbour country Bangladesh start the 1st Test with a flyer by scoring nearly a 600 runs with Shakib's 217 and Captain Mushfiqur's 159 posted a partnership of 359 a National Record in Bangladesh Cricket, is a example that how important Captain's knock could be as he's the one who lead the side from the front by giving a best shot of his career. You can't point out reason and can't give a excuse in a defeat but to always keep fighting is a way to go. Leader only can motivate Team by setting up a example and not by telling what to do. Cricket is a most funny game because of that only any Batsman, any Bowler, any Fielder have to perform individually despite of being a Team Player of a Team Game. For any successful side there is always a Captain behind and whenever team falls Captain tend to take responsibility for the reason because everyone has to hear him, have to follow him and tats why he's the leader of the side. With these 4 recent examples its proved that how captain is important on or off the field because no matter team is lacking with some essentials or not only Captain knows how to win it from the odd or even.

[Archive Blog (25/09/15)]Tribute to Jagmohan Dalmiya : Men behind Brand “BCCI”

Past Sunday we lost a entrepreneur who gave a new heights to the Cricket in India, who gave us a Corporate Society on which we are proud of, A society which establishes ourself as a “Superpower” and it becomes one of the gems of India. All the credits to the man called Jagmohan Dalmiya without him I think we never got addicted to the Cricket.

We people have a tendency to get affectionate with a brand either it is from Pen – Pencil to Electronics Devices, Moto Bikes to Airlines, Mobile Networks to TV Networks or even a small hotel down to the nook of some road where we took a sip of morning or evening tea with snacks. We follows our heart & loves to be a part of it. Same love force us to call “Cricket is my Favorite Sport” despite of Hockey to be considered as our National Game written somewhere officially.

Context to bringing topic on brands are very simple there would be no Cricket if BCCI won’t adopt the corporate entity, may be struggle to make profit, at the end of the day the entire system would be perish too. Many Governing sports bodies which are running by politicians or businessman’s over the decades are struggling and failed to create stars of the genre. Passionate sports personals of different different genre paying from their own pocket to practice and looking to qualifying for big stage. Means neither Sports Authority cares about their star players effort nor anyone is there to cheer up for the particular sports and its players.

BCCI bought contract and pension policy for Current and Past Players and Umpires under the leadership of Jagmohan Dalmiya, means full of professionalism a sought of agreement that BCCI cares about their players and officials. Technically BCCI is a private body and nothing to do with Indian Govt. as they don’t have any supremacy. So BCCI have to think and do for BCCI XI (Team India) which make sense, any firm can’t be driven without its talent they needs to take care of each and every aspect of their contracted person.

Not only Jagmohan Dalmiya carries the legacy to make BCCI “A Golden Bird” he also helped South Africa to returns into the Cricket and make sure Bangladesh to won the Test status. 2 things which was never easy infact India’s political relationship with South Africa and Bangladesh too was not that strong. Probably it would be the magic of true efforts of Jagmohan Dalmiya and prayers of Nelson Mandela, series between India and South Africa become reality. Kolkata “Home of Cricket” in India witness the first odi with a massive crowd of 100,000 at Edens.

Ali Bacher administrator of then United Cricket Board of South Africa want broadcasting of this historic series in South Africa he suggested Dalmiya to make sure of it those days DD used to have a moral broadcasting rights of Cricket in India. Bacher’s 1 suggestion Dalmiya sees the opportunity and BCCI got the wings to fly, Dalmiya and Bindra won the legal battle against DD in 93 until 95 DD have to pay a amount to cover Cricket in India before it was free means DD used to pay nothing. After that Pubcaster lost that “Constitutional Rights Holder” tag too when Supreme Court declared that BCCI is a commodity owner and they can sold the broadcasting rights to highest bidder.

Such ruling was a big relief for BCCI & Dalmiya which ensured BCCI’s income. Dalmiya is a 1 such guy who believes to grab the opportunity no matter whatsoever he always had a cool head which sees opportunity to hit. We never have so many private sports broadcaster or never have such a tough competition to grab Cricket rights. During Dalmiya’s prime time atleast competition was tough, now we can say game is behind the selective face and known names.

Dalmiya knows to win battles behind the doors silently, bringing the 1996 World Cup “Home” (Indian Subcontinent) was the turning point of his career, he twists the Lord’s tail by beating England from hosting the Worldcup with the help of then BCCI’s President Madhavrao Schindia to secured the hosting rights. Altough Countries of Indian Subcontinent carry forward the fear of terrorism those days Sri Lanka was facing terrified moments. Dalmiya supported Sri Lankan hosting by creating Unified Team of India & Pakistan as “Wills XI” to play goodwill matches. Tournament become a big commercial success and we witness the emerging Sri Lanka as a World Champions.

Dalmiya is not the one who should be credited to give “Brand BCCI” he also should be remembered to give “Commercialization in ICC” although Dalmiya failed to become ICC Chief (ICC Chairman) for the first time but destiny holds something else he did become ICC Chief (ICC President) in 1997. 3 notable things he did in his tenure first helping Bangladesh to host the first ever “ICC Knockout Trophy”, second bringing Worldcup’s under ICC’s umbrella before host nation used to earn by hosting Worldcup by all the commercial routes. By this ruling ICC got reasons to cheer as they comes into the play by selling commercial rights, third and most important supporting Bangladesh for Test Status, he not only sealed it but also let India to become their first opponents in big level competition since 2000 as BCCI constantly touring Bangladesh ever since although never hosted them in past 15 years.

Jagmohan Dalmiya was not bold enough like other entrepreneurs nor he was a fine speaker but people who’re close enough to him knows very well that he had a great sharp mind and ability to see future, he never blow trumpet on anything nor on his accomplishment towards the Cricket but at end of the day he was the player of his own ground who played a lots of match winning Innings for Cricket. It is very easy to do business on Diamonds but difficult to search Diamonds. Dalmiya may not able to see “Gandhi – Madella Series” but quite sure both India and South Africa will gave us a memorable series by Tributing Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya.

He may not with us now but his contribution towards Cricket will be forever known and his legacy will stand tall forever.