Sachin Tendulkar ...End of an Era

Sachin Tendulkar's much talked about retirement finally happened.   The gut feeling is he is still good enough for first class cricket.  Though he has a hundred international hundreds, he is still nineteen short of the same in first class cricket.  A hastily arranged series with a diffident set of cricketers from the Caribbean islands was probably not the right way though the venue Wankhede Mumbai was apt. The very first day saw the 'little master ' at the batting crease and on the second day  morning it was vintage Tendulkar.  A stroke-filled innings of 74 runs with as many as 12 fours in it seemed too good to last too long.  As luck would have it he fell to part time bowler Narsing Deonarine.  Like his mentor Sunil Gavaskar not the first time he has fallen to a part time bowler.  His legacy to the game is immeasurable and probably will not be matched.   He was a great ambassador for the game and his country.  His contribution was beyond the numbers he accumulated.  Probably the greatest cricketer after Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Gary Sobers.

The farewell speech at the Wankhede was really emotional and rather unexpected.  What was surprising in this series was the rather tame performance of the West Indians.  It was a complete rout.   Are the Indians making up for the lost time of the earlier humiliating defeats suffered at the 'Calypso Kings'?  

The positives from this series -Rohit Sharma's spectacular debut, Pujara consolidating earlier gains, Mohammed Shami's good start to a test career besides of course Ashwin proving his all round skills once again.  The flip side is the opening pair will need to introspect so do have the selectors on the same.  The opening bowling combination will also need a rethink.  The trip down under to the rainbow nation-South Africa looms large to the connoisseurs of the game in India.  Though he was a shadow of his former self, Sachin's absence will be felt on this tour.  He is the only Indian cricketer to have toured South Africa a record five times besides having a tremendous record out there.

India -South Africa test series ....a non starter???

The cricket lovers of this country demand to know why the India -South Africa test series in South Africa will be only a two test affair.  In fact as of now  the series itself seems to be a doubtful starter. Needless to say that the bullying ways of the BCCI is the reason,  though not the sole reason.   Cricket lovers were savouring a four test series between the two teams which actually would have  helped Indian cricket in the long run.  A two test series is short changing the millions of fans on both sides besides great disservice to the cause of test cricket.

The gut feeling is that BCCI wants to accommodate the 'little master ' Sachin Tendulkar for his milestone of 200 test matches and wants it to be at home.  There is also a gnawing suspicion that the fear of a drubbing in the land of the Proteas has resulted in the curtailing of the series.  Ditto in the case of the 'Kiwi'series.  Disasters in these series could once again upset the cosy existence for the BCCI honchos.  However first the Indians have to first take on a Caribbean side on the upswing and then take it from there.

T20 World Cup

The T20 world cup this time could have a surprise winner. The defending champions looked very rusty in their outing with the Windies. The Windies could be the dark horses of the tournament. Their greatest failing in the past decade and half of decline has been consistency.

The Pakistanis as usual held sway over the Kiwis. Those who keep harping over the vast talent in India whenever the Indians play the Kiwis only have to compare the record Pakistan has over the Kiwis in all forms of the game. Yesterday only reaffirmed the tremendous but ill-channelled and at times over-rated talent.

In the current form the Proteas seem clear favourites with their ruthless and professional approach. The Indians look jaded and weary. The Lankans too have been pretty efficient and can fancy their chances. Only time will tell.

Cricket Fever

The cricket fever is poised to reach soaring heights with the advent of the T-20 world cup in England shortly. T-20 being a game of fortune it would be prudent to say that there are no clear cut favourites though the defending champions may fancy their changes