Archive for the ‘Anil Kumble’ Category
RCB through to Eights.
2 Indian IPL teams now in Super 8. One Aussie.
Tomorrow one more Aussie team would be in the Super 8s. SL and NZ would end their campaign soon.
Character kings would have got some experience in India, so lets see how they play in their upcoming tour to this country.
Uthappa should find his way back to the team in Blue to play his original scoop shot which was hijacked by Dilly Billy.
Great stuff. Robin should play now in place of Yusuf Pathan in the ODIs and prolly in T20s too. Its just 6 months for the T20 WC and for India to regain their title. 
Bangalore take on Cobras
And he plays in his own home town, own home ground. One more time after 2008 when he last played Test against Australia and went wicketless.
Get in Anil, would be a pleasure watchin ya again. After all habits of 19 years dont go away in a year or so.
My money for CLT20…
4 days to go.
My money on :
1) Delhi Daredevils : Good platform for VS to get back to the form before the Aussie series. And then further demolition of Mendis and Murali in the series.
2) Royal Challengers, Bangalore : For historical reasons : Seeing Anil lead once more, if he plays. He fell short last time in IPL-2, perhaps playing in home crowd would motivate him to win the T20 award too.
Besides I dont have much info on the foren teams, but I have learnt that one of the teams has 11 international players and many players are from other IPL teams in that foren team. Notably one from KKR, one from Kings XI Punjab. Most prolly he was pissed off on not to have received Preity’s hugs.
Another player supposed to play for that foren team is playing now for Delhi Daredevils, the same man who invented the ice cream Dilscoop shot. By the way he winning the T20 award of the ICC has sent angry signs in Boom Boom’s country.
Dilli would be expected to repeat the heroics of World T20 for Gambhir;s team too. And if he does that the top 3 of DD would read a dangerous look. VS, GG and TD.
An Apology Ricky
Before fuming on Poms for their time wasting tactics in Cardiff yesterday, didnt you remember
the infamous Sydney Test 2008 ?The game which was India’s owned both morally and technically until you stooped to lowest ebb to win the 16th test in row.
I support your team, but then that was the instance I believed in word ‘Ugly Aussie’. You have earned bad bad reputation in India after that incident when Kumble famously termed only one team was playing with real spirits of cricket.
I suggest before you teach anybody morality, you should come foreward and issue an unconditional apology to those bloody Indian cricketers whom you claimed out when they were not and ask ICC to nullify the Sydney result and thus make the series result 1-1.
Time for players with attitude and temparament to don India colors
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Virender Sehwag
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Gautam Gambhir
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MS Dhoni
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Zaheer Khan
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Yuvraj Singh
in addition to some decent performers like :
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Praveen Kumar
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Harbhajan Singh
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Suresh Raina
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Ishant Sharma
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Pragyan Ojha (though just 9 ODIs old)
indicates that the mission youngistan launched in 2008 CB series hasnt quite worked out as per the expectations. The core players who perform have remained the same all through out the 2000s. The ones who made their debut and mark under Sourav and Rahul. The top scorers in last 2 year bull run in ODIs starting Pakistan series home are same who have been the top performers in 2003 world cup and then in subsequent years.
Dravid was dumped after just one poor series in India vs Australia and more for his age. But the fact remains that India has found no good batsman than him in the conditions prevalent in WI series 2nd ODI. When the ball swings, there are no better batsman than Sachin and Rahul at the crease. I dont know if Rahul would ever play a ODI in his remaining career, but he is way better than the likes of Sharma, Raina and Karthik including Y Pathan even at 36.
The core batting group for India remains Sehwag, Gambhir, Tendulkar (choosy in ODIs), Yuvraj, Dhoni even today which was no different than the Sourav era or even Dravid era. So what different has Mr Vengsarkar led selection panel achieved ? Threw caps at will to some undeserving players like Sharma and Y Pathan who has more ducks than 50s in his career so far. Vengsarkar was instrumental in rise of Tendulkar 22 years back, but he failed in the vision to bring similar players or half the 10% of talent of Tendulkar to the forefront. The replacements of injured players are those who cannot be relied to be long term players in ODIs.
You cannot expect the likes of Badri, Karthik or Sharma to play for India for even 2-3 years with their temparament. Screw quota allegations or being hater of TN charges on me, the field performances suggest that the likes of Raina, Sharma and Pathan — the 3 next big things predicted in 2007 have failed. The mission 2011 has lost its direction a bit for now.
The bowlers look even more concerning. Barring Zaheer Khan and occasionally Praveen Kumar on swinging wickets, there are no express bowlers of caliber of even a Umar Gul who supposedly thinks reverse swing is an art gifted by GOD or even Bret Lee or Albie Morkel. Spin bowling is in tatters. Harbhajan is a bowler who likes more to contain than strike. Ojha is relatively new to the field, but its difficult for him to pip Harbhajan and find a consistent place in the team XI.
There is a question of intent on the so called young gifted players in the side. Are they motivated enough to play for the country? Why is it they shine in IPL, but fail to make any impact in ODIs or not considered worthy enough to replace a Dravid or a Tendulkar in the Tests. Laxman would be the last one to go of the Fab Five in Tests, but with whom he would rally along when Sachin and Rahul are gone ?
It took a while for Ganguly, Dravid and Kumble to make a mark in the ODIs. Tendulkar made his 1st 100 in 6 years but then a Indian 100 in ODIs was a rare phenomenon. It was hard to believe then that it was Siddhu who hold the record for most 100s in ODIs. If they took some time, but then there was never a question mark on their intent and competency. More over their attitude. It never struck to the viewers then that this players wont be the ones they turned out to be.
We dont even see the spin bowling today to be as reliable as it was when Kumble was in his peak in ODis. It was Azhar who used to throw the ball to Kumble in first 15 overs and he used to strike back immediately. Now is there anybody who has the attitude of Kumble, let go his skills. His attitude was even evident in IPL – 2 final which was inconsequential by every means. Not only he did lead by front, but delivered with the ball too. I bet if you can expect that today from his partner and so called lead of bowling.
A number 8 team in ODis beats the best ODI team of last 2 years with 100 balls to spare and 8 wkts in hand. Thats ridiculous to say the least. And picture turns even more pessimistic to see the way the likes of first 3 and then the next 3 after 4 and 5 went. If the likes of RP singh can last for 75 balls, then why not Mr Sharma or Mr Pathan ? Or for that matter Mr IPL Dancer ?
Its time to look for new players for the slots of Rohit Sharma and Yusuf Pathan. May be Pathan can be a good bet in WC’11 in home conditions, but he would certainly be a cropper in abroad. Its time to look for players who are hungry to make their mark in the international cricket, not necessarily the best of talented players but the ones who are ready to put their best and even beyond that for the country, not just IPL or domestic cricket.
I rest my case.
India vs Ireland LIVE
Good over. 2 off the first one for Ireland.
Zaheer bowling the 2nd over. Swing again. Wide ball. Trying hard to hit the ball for boundary, timing not right for Bray. Zaheer Khan would have pleasent memories of Nottingham Test, the one India won in 2007. Jelly beans. Yusuf Pathan in slips. Amazing. This ball came inside the left hander. Thats it. Bowled. Confidence. Bowler’s delight.
1/4 in 2 overs.
Pathan back for 2nd over. Still no boundary. Pathan speeds below 130 
. Miss again. Skipper on strike. He opens. Indian skipper comes on 3rd. He is trashed. 2 to end the over.
1/9 in 3.0
Zaheer takes his 2nd. And Yusuf grabs one in the slip. Skipper gone. Usual slippers for India in ODIs are either Sehwag (DK’ed), Gambhir or Raina. None of the last two standing today in the silips. Perhaps Sehwag would return to India through Chennai flight 
Good pouch by YP. Stil no boundary. 11 for 2 in 21 balls. First boundary there. Ishant couldnt stop. Oh boy. YP on roll. Zaks on fire. Poor shot. Ireland in trouble. Pakistan should meet MS before their super 8 game against Ireland to avoid 2007 repeat (very rare though).
3/18 in 4.0
Ishant begins with a 4. 6 off the over.
3/24 in 5.0
Another bowling change ? Yes its YS bowling. More slow options for MS though — Bhajji, Ojha P, Raina and Sharma R.
Great to hear Anil’s voice. The great man is now in commentary team and he would be joined in by hhis ex-captain, who is also India’s greatest skipper — supposed quota selection from Bengal. ROTFL.
Power plays are gone. 4 from the 6th over. 3/28 in 6.
Another bowling change and another wicket. Ojha Naman this time. Oops No. Pragyan Ojha this time. MS’s luck (??) continues. Aircel ads on the TV. A network from TN for mobiles endorsed by MS, the TN IPL team skipper. Did i ever write on Arm Ball that I wanted CSK to win but I also wanted AK to excel. He did.
Does Ojha chuck ? May be yes if he gets some success against Australia .Bad throw. Run out chance missed. CSK player missed the chance. Raina . Ojha not happy. He is tossing the ball up.
4/30 in 7.
Bhajji in the attack. His spin partner in the commentary box. Wkts needed for this supposed loud mouthed sardaar. Nope, not my opinion. Reverse sweep. 3 off the over.
4/34 in 8.
First boundary in many overs. Ojha needs a wkt.
11 from the over. 4/45 in 9. Half way mark. AirCell ad again. Mind itttttt!!!
Slow phase of he game. Runs and wkts have dried up. There you go. First wkt for HS. Confidence booster for him.
50 up for Ireeland. Did Ishant tour 2007 to England ? I dont think so. 11 gone. 5 for 54. 40 balls to go. 42 to get for 100.
5 for 65 in 12.
Pretty tight bowling from Indians. 4 more to go and Ireland are just 5 for 69. Ojha for last over. No boundaries
Simple dismissal. Ojha gets 6th of the tournament. Highest wicket taker now. Ridiculous running from Batter. Appeal for run out. Could be out. Yes he is. 7th gone.
7 for 73 in 15.
First four in long time. Irfan back in the attack. Runs aplenty here, Pathan sucks for the speed. Four to end the over. 7/88 in 16.
Zaheer takes his 4th. 4th time an Indian bowler takes a 4for in T20I Ireland all set to get a 100. Can Zaks get a 5- for ? No. 17 gone. 8 / 97. Mis field from Zaheer. 8/100. Bhajji not happy. In the air. 2 more. Another boundary. 8/107. Tough luck for this boundary. Triple nelson. End of innings. 8/112 in 18.
Kumble fetches his man
RCB favorites for the finals.
Manish Pandey, Ross Taylor, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble have been the stars for RCB. Ross Taylor’s innings against KKR(most prolly) turned around the things.
They stand favorites today for the title. and if they win, its just going to be another feather in the cap of Anil Kumble, the fighter and hard spirited cricketer we know. The one whose attitude was the best in the team alongside his batting great peers.
Go RCB…..Purely for delight RD, AK bring watching them.
RCB hold breath to win making tourney wide open!!
In a match where batsmen seemed to be in a rush to run to dug out, the Bangalore batsmen kept their cool and Anil Kumble who led the team so well in the earlier part was a happy man. Peerless Kumble.
Heart goes to MS. Fielding just doesnt get better, though the catches dropping reduced, the ground fielding remained poor especially last ball when Balaji ran the opposite way of the ball.
MS was innovative, he didnt give up and he led from the front. And finally in 129 runs, 63 from Hayden were crucial. What a form he is being in. Superb player.
Can I get rid of Pommie Mbangwa? He speaks as if somebody is keeping a gun over his neck and saying “shoot the shit”. Following people suck :
1) Fernando as ever
2) Danny Morrison
3) Pommie Mbangwa and to an extent
4) Robin Jackman
MS is candid as ever. India is superbly safe in his captaincy. No captain can be as candid as he is. Way to go dude.
Predictions for SUnday
BRC over Mumbai
Delhi over KKR.
Sachin to hit a 50 at least. Dravid a 40, Kumble to get a 2 or 3. DADA if he plays a big role from him as well.
Ahh dont bother, last line was a wishlist than a prediction.
And for those who doubt Rahul Dravid’s ability in limited form of the game let me tell you he has got 10000 odd runs in 334 games at 40.05 runs per game, he holds record for fastest 50 by an Indian and he was the first finisher the country ever had in ODIs in Ganguly era.
