An Incredible Captain - Mahendra Singh Dhoni

For the first time I felt as if ever confident Ravi Shashtri's voice was little fumbling during the presentation ceremony. It was the joy that made the country scream with cheers. Madness could be seen all over the streets. World Cup 2011 was a special memento to Sachin Tendulkar who shouldered the team's responsibility for such a long time. I would have been happier if the players would have spoken even a line about MS Dhoni. Good that media is talking much about him.

What differentiates a good captain from a great captain are the traits of Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has been tested several times by the critics all over. Each time he faced them bravely, stood by his believes and took tough decisions in favour of the team. And now he slapped every one to keep his mouth shut with his skipper innings at the much required time - an unbeaten knock of 91 in the World Cup Finals.

History has witnessed on several occassions when a great batsman has taken over captaincy and has then failed to maintain his batting form. MS is no exception. I recall from the movie Iqbaal that how much technicality, focus and determination is required to plan a winning strategy. While consistently handling this immense pressure, probably the skipper's focus shifts from batting techniques or bowlers' analysis to game's strategy. Yet, MS proved himself at the most critical situation he can ever face in life. He was not playing for the audience but to win the game for his country.

Recall SRK's super-hit Chak-De-India; one wrong shoot and he repents seven years to prove himself. Dhoni's moving up the order at this critical juncture of World Cup Finals, an event that the nation was holding the breathe for and expecting it to repeat after 28 long years, was no less an analogy. Any mistake could have cost him a great deal. It is the ability of a leader to put his stakes at risk, abide by his belief and take tough decisions. Fortunately, fortune favoured the brave.

World Cup brings in special memories & pride for India. India had some turbulence time in the beginning of the series. With each passing match, the team improved upon hurdles and peaked at the occassion demonstrating a complete cricket. Everyone had hold his or her nerves as Malinga struck Sehwag and hopes were in despair as it repeated with Sachin. Thankfully, mature innings from Gambhir, Virat, MS and Yuvi paved way for the party. Kudos to team India and Kudos to each one of you!!!

Celebrating the National Festival - Cricket World Cup Semi Finals - India Vs Pakistan

When all roads were leading to Mohali, how could the traffic sustain in Mumbai. Mumbai seemed deserted today. Scarcely filled locals, less traffic, no taxis, and all eyes glued to screens whether office or homes. Cricket World Cup Semi-Finals, India vs Pakistan, an event at which both countries, irrespective of any discrimination, look forward to. Indeed, it was a connoisseurs delight, a complete powerplay and not limited to a couple of overs. There could be no better combination of Cricket and Commerce which this time went a step ahead encapsulating brotherhood, diplomacy, celebrities and power.


Sehwag at his natural best provided the magnificent punch India needed for a great start. India cheered as he repeatedly forced the ball beyond the boundary. Cricket could have attained another extravaganza and India could have practically scored 300+ if he could have stayed for another few overs. Even the pitch did not like Sehwag's dismissal as it gradually paved way for spinners and India's run rate declined. Sachin could also have followed Sehwag to pavilion had it not been Sachin's luck acting as a blessing in disguise that helped Sachin help India attain a defend-able score. Yuvi couldn't even open his account, drifting away from his consistent batting performance during the series. MS tried his part but it's Raina who needs an extra pat on the back for driving India to 260 in 50 overs. Towards the end of Indian innings, the country had a mixed reaction on the fate of match.


Bowling and fielding both were superb. Perhaps, Indian batting was also at its best but for the changing behavior of the pitch. As the pitch had become slow and favored the spinners in the first innings, once it seemed that India might have made a mistake with only Bhajji playing as a spinner with little help from Yuvi. However, pacers were not only consistent on their line and length but they also used deceptive variations in speed to take wickets. While both Zaheer and Patel kept the Pakistani batsmen under pressure, I am extremely happy for Nehra who at last got the wickets after an extremely spell-bounded  economical bowling. May be it was the haunting criticism that he received for his last over in the previous match that made him put the much needed extra effort. Fielding couldn't have been better and it's appreciable to see it improving with each game.


As India beat Pakistan with 29 runs, all Indians are happy. But there is a South African too who is celebrating it with much joy and contentment. Gary Kirstan would be much delighted to see a complete team India ready for the finals as first India's batting got tested against  Australia and now bowling again Pakistan. In my last blog I had criticized whether Indian team can exhibit a complete cricket. With no better expectations than this in fielding, it's a happier moment to see India attaining that momentum before the finals.

Victory is never smooth. Loosing the battle makes it worse. Afridi congratulated India with lots of grace. Yet, billions of eyes witnessing each moment as naked truth will raise their own questions. I see it as an opportunity lost for Pakistan as you cannot be rewarded for dropping six catches in a single match including four of Sachin Tendulkar. Could a batting powerplay taken when Afridi was charging his skipper innings with Misbah have altered Pakistan's fate? When Misbah could hit those boundaries in the last overs, why did he wait for the eleventh hour?  Alas, whatever you think now, roads are now leading towards Mumbai where India takes on Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals 2011. All the best to both the teams.