[Archive Blog (10/10/15)] Darkest Night is back, Match interfered due to Crowd Disturbance in Cuttack

March 13, 1996 India vs. Sri Lanka : 1st Semifinal of World Cup 1996 in Kolkata. People was expecting a great game of cricket and of course Kolkata was a great venue of a exciting counter. Both Teams were charged up at one hand India wants to regain the trophy after 13 years on its own soil at the other hand young gun wants to show their talent in a grandest stage. Whatever happened throughout the match was a concern of Cricket, how pitch played how it behaved, how players played is a matter of cricket and everything is noted down in a history book. The concern thing was the outcome of the match which not only shaken the International Cricket but also stunned Indian Cricket and most importantly India.

No one ever thought that, can spectator make things worst ? Still we have a picture in our mind where at one end India kneel downing in front of Muralitharan, Jayasuriya, Dharmasena kinda bowlers at the other hand Vinod Kambli holding the nerve and playing probably one of his testing knocks. Wickets was tumbling down and crowd’s anger was rising up, after the fall of 8th wicket when India was needed plenty more to reach into the finals, people’s anger cross over their head and they start throwing plastic bottles, posters and whatever they were holding a huge brawl broke up in a stands. Those days people switched off TV when Tendulkar got out but what would people do whosoever were present in a stands? Tony Greig’s Live Commentary and Pictures was enough to say that something went wrong in a grandest stage and entire World saw that. Vinod Kambli shown crying in the field probably that would be the only match people will remember his appearance. Although only he can explain why he was crying ? Is it because India not able to complete the match or he not ables to bat !!

No one knows for what people start rioting ? Whether they were frustrated against India’s poor performance or they didn’t liked Sri Lanka’s brilliance that day. Whatever the cause it was probably would be the blackest day in the cricketing field of India. But as many scholars says “History will repeat one day” and it did, date was 05th of October 2015, Venue Cuttack. India playing one of the most toughest battle both out and inside the field. At one hand BCCI has been criticized because of carrying allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest, and at the other hand India’s poor display of cricket even in Home. India was playing its 2nd T20 of the series against South Africa and India must win to keep the series alive but it didn’t happened infact India played so poorly that match would end earlier then its actual ending time if Crowd disturbance won’t happened.

Although people blew their frustration and anger at the Cricket Stadium but the important thing that entire nation got embarrassed once again. If we’re putting cricket on our priority, if we have a utter respect for our players then why we broke and didn’t digest defeat ? Infact match was against South Africans we cheer for same South Africans when they plays for the IPL, then suddenly what happened ? Surely no one ables to decode by now. India vs. South Africa is also termed as “Gandhi – Mandela Series” and both of their lives are the prime example of “Peace”. Peace which has won lots of fights and wars without hurting anyone, Gandhi and Mandela both had their own struggle and challenges for the Nation but they put their Guns and Swords aside and remain in a path of honesty and Peace. Eventually we forget the morale of both greats in a greatest battle of Cricket.

Eventually next match of this series is in Kolkata and I hope CAB is fully prepared to overcome any unfortunate circumstances since its a matter of our country’s respect and dignity also there is no place of violence in Cricket field thats why it considered as a gentleman’s game. Hence even people should respect both moment of joy and emotions on defeat and respect the best of the day.

[Archive Blog (23/08/15)] Legends Retirement – End of an Era

Week started with a Legendary Retirements of Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Clarke both were started their career in 2 different era but ended at the same era. Both are the idol of World Cricket may not be toppest most superstars but they atleast registered themselves in Historic book. I can’t judge their glamorous presence Clarke even had a controversy way back which is not a idol time to raise but overall whatever they was in the cricketing field matters most.

Kumar and Michael ended in a 2 opposite characteristics side, 1 was too dominate and won’t hesitate to bully others another one was silent attacker, you will never feel Sri Lankan Teams presence if they play fairly but always creates controversy when they tries to fox teams.

Obviously players would adopt the same characteristics of the Team but when you see Michael Clarke he’s believed on what he think is right even took a retirement before anyone could raises a finger on him.

Australians will always have 2 concerns 1st is Worldcup and 2nd is Ashes and despite of successfully leading the side in CWC 15, Clarke will carry the Tag of loosing Ashes. Wondering how long Clarke would go if Australia won the Ashes he might planned something else for that.

Coming to Sanga his last ever Worldcup was kind of run machine for him Century after Century even his last T20 Worldcup where he played a match winning knock to knockout India was a tremendous effort. But after Worldcup I think Sanga had enough probably for him its a right time to take some rest we may see him in T20 leagues.

Every year Cricket loosing some great Superstars from Cricket field they not only was a best sellers for ground ticket but also a plus for the Broadcasters, although we can’t stick with the time we have to move on but we have to agree with that its almost impossible to fill the gap of those players.

Each one of us having 1 dream player in mind we want that person to play till we last if he/she left the field means definition of that game is over, may be because he/she’s the one we get attracted towards the game hence our definition starts or end on that name. Many talented player although tries to fill the hanged shoes and they become quite successful too but I don’t think people will forget their last hero so easily.

We will miss all such greats and even thanks for their career and the memory they provided us, those breathe taking moments can’t be forgettable ever, those superb batting, bowling, fielding efforts will always be memorise us and excite us and will be in our mind and every enthusiasts will keeps on checking those on whatever modes its available.

Ending a career and starting a new one is just a start or end of an 1 chapter like we used to have in our schools, colleges it will be a never ending process until and unless game lasting with us, face will be change but the legacy will remain forever with the player, after the player.

[Archive Blog (21/08/2015)] Does BCCI looking at India’s Performance ?

After 22 Years, Virat Kohli and Co. is looking forward to conquer Sri Lanka but after 100 runs lead in 1st Innings they managed to loose. Sri Lanka may not win if India don’t loose although poor umpire decision worsen the thing. But we can’t take anything from Sri Lanka they won the impossible task.

India’s current situation is like that any Team can blow up them, after so many years India couldn’t developed a Team who can won or defend a series outside India. India’s successful Captain – Coach Sourav Ganguly – John Wright, MS Dhoni – Gary Kirtsen Team couldn’t do it although they gave some marvellous performances too.

MS Dhoni – Duncan Fletcher era gave us a worst scenario when we lost 8 test in row at England and Australia, Duncan and Dhoni received another chance for obvious reason but they failed to conquer England and Australia again, in between all this England beat India in India after 2 decades draught only notable series I remember is India defeated Australia in India via 4 – 0.

We have a lots of expectations with Kohli and Shastri, Kohli not only aggressive but attacking Captain too even we expected such with Ravi Shastri as Team Director but what’s the outcome ? Does anyone is accountable of it ? BCCI is busy with IPL cleaning, tries to close the window against Pakistan series, and fights with Subhash Chandra – Lalit Modi.

BCCI divided between two, 1 is N Shrinivasan and 2 is Jagmohan Dalmiya and both party is busy with politics but anyone caring of Cricket ? Time for serious lookout on the Team otherwise it would be too too late. BCCI should come out from internal politics and bring out a revolution in the team, time to give a chance to in-form players and show doors to constantly failure players.

BCCI should bring out some other strong plans they can’t let it go otherwise it would be too late for the Team to come out from this debacle. 

4 Day Test Match: What we will loose and can win from it ?

Its almost a half of decade talk now by the think tank of cricket to reduce 1 day from International 5 Days Test Matches. Ever since T20 came and made a big pop via IPL, voices start raising whether we actually need 5 Days Test Matches anymore or not. Some claiming its a exercise to protect the soul of Test Cricket as the viewership and response is quite less towards the Test Cricket in Modern Era. There is always a 2 flips of a coin but I sees more negativity instead of positives in 4 days test match may be people having best of interest in the game have different prospect on it, but this will ever remain controversial since as of now its remains on cold bag of MCC, the law makers of Cricket. There are certain steps already being taken to protect the game of Test Cricket and that is Day - Night Test. Australia is so far is the better team to promote the Pink Ball Day - Night Test Cricket with full wings. They played 2 test matches so far, one is last year against New Zealand, last year I also wrote New Era Begins Australia vs. New Zealand on the eve of first ever Pink Ball Cricket in the International Arena, success of that test match in Adelaide led another Test match against South Africa last month and third is against Pakistan and they're so far doing good in the dedicated record book of the Day - Night show. In Australia it is highly appreciated and got a great support from the fans point of view since whatever number Cricket Australia wanted to achieve they're quite near of it, unless people are really a cricket freaks of the city which gonna fill each and every capacity of the ground at which ever day you want.

Suddenly IPL impacted the World Cricket a lot and after the success of the league not only Test Cricket but even One Day matches saws the Heat. Sachin Tendulkar even came up with the idea of 25 Overs per Innings match as a savior of Test Cricket and ODI but that idea didn't got enough support and remains as a well wish of The Great Little Master, though black clouds are over now from ODI but still in some occasions concern on future of Test Cricket are always high. Its not like that bid in T20s too got much success despite of invented in England, England still struggling to launch a T20 league which can give them a super success, recently concluded South Africa T20 Challenge missed RAM for the title sponsorship, another promising league in Bangladesh, BPL T20 made headlines for fixing when a player claim to meet bookie rather then for a number of enthusiastic crowd to support Cricket. Many countries who started T20 Leagues never reached into the melting point, Countries like Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe started the T20 Leagues of their own but called off due to "no" from sponsors. Infact Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch pull himself from what was claimed to be a kind of a Club Worldcup for Cricket in the sense of CLT20 called off from the equation due to poor viewership in India. STAR INDIA wanted to have Mini IPL got something else which never excited the viewers because people in India never supported the T20 game but supported their favorite players and the franchisee. Currently except India and Australia no other Country are able to have a stable T20 Leagues of which Pundits considered to be a threat for Cricket.

At the current scenario Countries like Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa, England are in the favor of 4 days test matches. Pakistan has a revenue loss due to hosting the Cricket matches in UAE and their political attire is not that friendly with India which led the Boss of Cricket to help them. Countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa are expecting to put their financial cycle back on track and putting a effort from very long time and after the imbalanced social structure it is obvious to affect Cricket as well. Country like Sri Lanka not able to put on the infrastructure which can create a next aura of Mahela Jayawardane, Sanath Jayasuria, Kumar Sangakara or Muttiah Muralitharan, missing such greats from the pitch and stumbling performance in all 3 formats led the fans less interested towards the every match featuring Sri Lanka. In recent scenarios ICC planned to have two-tier format, means team will be divided into 2, 1st Division will have top 7 teams and in 2nd Division you got bottom teams with the inclusion of Ireland and Afghanistan could have increase the number of Test Playing Nation but it used to have more flaws then any plus. Surely big teams will love to compete against big team and would have reduce the number of games in FTP but it also could have kill the interest of Teams like Bangladesh who're posting the challenge infront of big Teams as they already hunted England in 2 match Test Series. Might be two-tier would have been good for some team but bad for others in many aspect. Any new rule implemented to help the game improve and grow further but thinking shouldn't to curb down the game but to develop the infrastructure. ICC also looks to reduce the number of test matches in the year citing a financial issue in small boards.

4 Days Test Matches has their own con and pros. Mostly people in weekend are out to enjoy with the family and having games in weekend will increase the number of spectators. From Thursday to Sunday the game will be live and maximum people will gather to witness the proceedings of last 2 days, it will also shorten the days of tour with 3 days time another Test Match may starts but it will led more draw games, doctored pitches to win the test match, excitement will be over since might be game will end even in 3 and the half days which will never favor the cricket but led negativism towards the game. In domestic circuit we having 4 days games because teams are actually a part of some tournament in International Circuit possibility of Test Championship are quite weak hence rather then having a 4 Days Test Matches, Boards of Test Nation needs to work out on a Infrastructure to push Day - Night Cricket Matches more. In India, BCCI organises maximum ODI games in Day - Night but still yet to debut in Day - Night Test. Also Boards needs to organises a game like this which will fall into Weekend more. Either game starts from Thursday or ended in Sunday in between Test Matches Teams could play a ODI and T20s as well. Matches should played in Small Stadiums and places where maximum peoples are having Off in Saturday and Sunday and also sports enthusiasts. No doubt many Countries at this moment are having financial crunch, income from Live Audience and Broadcasters are also reducing. Boards are not able to sign deals with Broadcasters due to less viewership which directly impacting the revenues anyways.

In recent past if take a example of India's Cricket only, you will found that people in weekdays gives a maximum support to Test Cricket, in Winter Season peoples were out to support their team from Morning session itself. Stadiums like Wankhede Mumbai and Indore was jammed pack and not a single place was kept in a Test Match during Weekends. Even places where maximum companies offers Rotational Offs during Weekend too got a maximum crowd plus students who got holidays in Sundays gets a chance to hangout with their best buddy enjoys the game. Test Matches can attract crowds due to its schedule in Day time which suits many micro families too which can end the day outing in the city after the end of Play. In summer time we can have games Day - Night due to extreme hot in Afternoon which won't suits many. Problem is not crowd attraction, problem is representation too. In India almost 80%-90% games remains houseful because fans has reason to watch cricket and reason to cheer. 20K fans definitely has a power to attract atleast 5K fans, crowd always support good cricket and good cricketers they don't need Dhoni or Kohli all the time. Currently many bottom team players of ICC Rankings are either believes to play County Cricket or do something else to fulfill the day to day need as the money and interest both are quite less. Purpose to running things is the most important part, why people should watch a game why even hang around for 4 days too and 90 overs in a day ? If 4 days test matches are the savior of Test cricket then does the domestic matches are getting good crowd ? As already I tried to conclude that Domestic Cricket since playing in a Tournament wise hence maximum draw games won't affect much due to points system but matches which are being played between Host and Away teams need results as thats what Teams are getting motivated to represent the Nation. Interesting fact is that ever since the T20 specialist players took over the National side to represent Test Cricket the win percentage of every International Series has been increased compare to what it used to be till last decade. No doubt as of now decision of 4 Days Test matches is hanging due to some personal interest of the respective Boards but if at all Organisers realises to work on the future of Test Cricket then should consider by keeping its spirit alive.

Virat Kohli Era: New Challenge in Test Cricket from India

Virat Kohli during Press Conference, Pic source: BCCI

"Test Cricket is real cricket and I never thought I would lead the side 1 day in this grandest format", Virat Kohli may looks hothead or play aggressive cricket but tats the series of words he made politely after he gave post match interview. In a 2 decades of modern time cricket, we saw 3 different captains of India - Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Sourav Ganguly teach us how to lead the side outside India and how to win it. MS Dhoni ensured we won in India by playing some serious cricket and Virat Kohli's era which won all the hearts after India thrashed South Africa out in a 4 match test series by 3-0.

Test Cricket may be the real cricket but need players too who wants to plays it and performs it by considering every goal as a target to achieve. Kohli started his cricket from limited over game later secured his Test Cricket after blistering performance in ODI Cricket. No one can deny the fact that he's a class act at 1 point was holed a record to complete fastest 5000 runs in ODI cricket. Kohli made his name and fame with some magical innings which gave India a famous wins. He may not be a Little Master or Master Baster but he's Kohli 'Name is Enough'. He's will and class let his spot fixed in a side and later named captain of Test side after India's most successful Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni decides to retire from Test Cricket. 

Its not that during Dhoni Era we didn't perform well, we even ended as no. 1 Test Side in the World but we didn't made a significant mark in England, Australia, South Africa and lost a series against England in Home as well. 2014 - 2015 India's Tour of Australia remembered as Dhoni's last ever test series after disappointed performance of India continued. Kohli who led the Adelaide Test of that series showed some resistant, his Century put India inch closer to win that test match although India lost but all eyes was glued on Kohli's intensity and aggression at the 1st Test. 

Kohli's record so far is 100% as full time test captain. Beating Sri Lanka at Sri Lanka was kind of memorable series for him and India. Bunch of youngsters which made their mark in the limited over cricket banged in a Test Arena. Ashwin, Rahane, Jadeja are his main weapons which helped him to pass his biggest exam beating South Africa at home, no. 1 Test Side who travels best never lost a Test Series outside home since last 9 years which itself is enough to proof "Proteas" Supremacy so far in modern era cricket. Although Test Series ended with lots of questions regarding pitch but fact and the matter is South Africa lost the match in the dressing room and not on the pitch, when they realise the havoc it was too late for them.

As of now Kohli and his boys made a great impression but they have to be ready to challenge Team outside home because Pitch and Conditions will not favours them they have to adjust their technique and outperform every difficulties. Captain always needs to step up to sail his team if he won't perform then how he gonna motivate his boys ? Captain's innings is must in a crucial situation, Captain also have to see the right combination for the Team - past record and fame won't work create winning combination, Management have to work hard of it. Currently India is no. 2 side of the world have a potential to become no. 1 side too for very long time but only if Team performs outside and not in a "Poor" pitches.