You Will Be Missed, Sachin.

Post November 18th, there will be never be the anticipation to see the straight drive that wooed millions. There will never be the masterful upper cut from that massively heavy bat. There won't be TV sets switching off after a top order batsman's dismissal. Yes indeed, cricket will never be the same again. With the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, a whole era (spanning 24 years) will remain a memory. For many of us, most certainly me, passing of this era has been delayed by almost two years. But, a good time this is too. Indian cricket must move on. World of cricket must move on. Tendulkar must move on.

Tendulkar has been, is and will be one of the greatest players to have played cricket. What he has given the game and it's lovers is nothing short of lifetime of happiness, joy and entertainment. The love he has got from the legion of fans in India and abroad throughout his career starting off as a 16 year old, is incomparable. Never again will there be a cricketer who will dominate the imagination of so many millions of fans. He has been the source of India's hopes and aspirations for well over two decades. Up till very recently, he was the most marketable cricketer in the world and the most celebrated sportsman in India. His records, will remain a testament to his longevity, sheer passion for the game and the undying hunger for runs.

To me he will always be the player I have woken up at 5 am to watch him play in Australia and slept at devilish hours to watch him bat in the West Indies. Can't count the number of days I've opted out of school, college, office only to stay at home watch him bat. Countless unproductive days when I have glued on to Cricinfo & Twitter to follow and tweet his batting while at work. As a 7 year old I remember him scoring a half century and picking up Sohail's wicket and ensuring a big Indian victory against Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup. Remember seeing him field in the test match versus England at Madras in 1993. He had scored 163 the previous day. Remember being thrilled for his after he scored his first ODI century against Australia in the Singer World Series at Colombo in 1994. Vividly remember feeling cheated after his dismissal versus Australia in the 1996 World Cup. He was playing brilliantly at 90. He was stumped by Healy off a cleverly bowled wide by Mark Waugh. Was devastated by a similar dismissal against Sri Lanka in the infamous semi final at Calcutta. As a 12 year old, I remember buying a bat with MRF sticker on it and hoping Tendulkar inspired by batting. It never happened, I was always lousy as a batsman. My most memorable Tendulkar moment has got to be being at the stadium and watching him getting his 35th test hundred, going past Sunil Gavaskar. He had been in a lean patch for a year and number 34 to number 35 took almost 365 days.

Coming back to his retirement, I wish BCCI and he chose South Africa to be the venue for his last match. Imagine Tendulkar battling it out with Steyn, best contemporary bowler and scoring 50 odd. Wouldn't that have been more satisfying than this customized opportunity to play it at his home ground? What Tendulkar has epitomized in his 24 year career is fight to the end. Playing for a team that were a bunch of no-gooders, he stood out each time and performed like he belonged here. Nothing came easy for him. He inspired the likes of Jadeja, Dravid, Ganguly, Sehwag, Yuvraj, Dhoni and more recently Kohli, Dhawan & Rohit. For me, a fitting farewell for Tendulkar would have been a final test at Durban or Cape Town playing Steyn, Morkel & Philander. While, that's now just a dream, I'd have hoped for some class and subtlety in the celebrations. BCCI, as they are known for have been milking the cash cow that is Sachin Tendulkar to no end in this two test affair against the almost invisible West Indies. (no offence meant to them) Radio stations blaring Sachin Fever every 15 seconds, brands he endorses going OTT with contests, every minister running ahead of the other to gain mileage out of him, almost all senior cricketers; Indian and foreign singing ballads in his praise. I'd have hoped someone left some space for the slightly less important match being played and the fact that it is a big deal for Sachin Tendulkar. It won't be easy for him to leave the game he loves. It will be highly emotional for him too. He would like to go out scoring a possibly a hundred or at least a half century and leave on a high. He has had a tough two years running in test cricket. He'd want to correct that in his last outing.

With the match now having started, lets hope he gives himself and his fans another five days world of happiness. There will never be another Sachin Tendulkar. His legacy will live on. We will be proud to tell our future generations that we watched him play.

Dhoni's Conundrum

It is a well known fact that some cricketers are good at one form of the game and moderate at others. This is excluding those who excel in all forms of the game. And it is also well known that cricketers take pride in saying that "Test cricket is most important". Some of the best ODI players haven't replicated their ODI successes in tests. Ajay Jadeja & Micheal Bevan are two names right on top of my head. Both were exceptional in their limited overs career, but were found wanting in the test format. Jadeja couldnt handle quality bowling and his temperament was exposed in tests. Bevan's was moderate, but considering his ODI successes, it was always felt he didnt fit the bill in tests. In the opposite spectrum, we have hugely talented and successful Justin Langer who was considered a test specialist. Why? With his attacking nature and strong defense, he could have easily made it to the Australian ODI side, although in his limited ODI career he did only moderately well. And can anyone explain why England won't make Matt Prior a regular in their ODI squad? Dabbling around with Kieswetter and Buttler, they're losing out of Matt Prior's best days as batsman considering his strong show in tests.

Here we are talking about how players get stereotyped as Test specialists or ODI specialists or now lately T20 specialists. Ask David Warner what it took him to get the selectors to take a note of his T20 performances and give him a nod for tests and ODIs. In some cases the stereotyping could be fair too.

Is this stereotype limited to batsmen, bowlers and wicket keepers? Well, yeah. Adam Hollioake only captained England in ODIs while Mike Atherton captained in tests. This way back in mid 90s. This was more to get a young thinker for captain. Now, its slowly becoming common to have split captaincy for different forms of the game, considering there are 3 now. India did too, when Anil Kumble before his retirement, captained in tests and MS Dhoni lead the ODI, T20I sides. But Dhoni soon took over and displayed success in all three forms. But today, after 5 years and 5 months of his assuming limited overs captaincy and 4 years and 3 months since he took over as captain in all three forms, it's easy for a viewer to say which form of the game Dhoni likes to lead and play the most. No marks for guessing! ODIs.

Dhoni; we all know by now won us the inaugural WC T20 in 2007 when the nation was still grieving over the team's insipid first round exit in the 50 over WC earlier the same year. He became an instant hero. This followed by the Indian team's test successes, climb to no. 1 on the ICC Test ranking along with India's continued good run in ODIs, Dhoni was now called, not a tactician or a strategy maker, but a "street smart captain". With victory at the World Cup 2011, he had ensured India had achieved the pinnacle of each of the three formats of the game. That put together with the two consecutive IPL wins for Chennai Super Kings, the team he captains, Dhoni was unquestioned as captain. This stood true till June 2011. Between then and February 2012, Dhoni's reputation as a test captain had taken a mighty beating with 4-0 defeats in England followed by Australia. His street smart captaincy was now replaced by illogical or clueless moves. Players in the team seemed to just go through the motions. Differences between the captain and few players started to come out in the open.

In between all this, Dhoni with an almost different set of personnel fought it out against England in England and lost an ODI series, but with heads held high. A young team had fought hard. But the same England team visited India for 5 match ODI series. Dhoni's men blanked them 5-0. It was again a young side with part timers, swift fielders, big hitters, quick runners. It looked like a different ball game. Dhoni too seemed more interested, enthusiastic and well in the middle of the business. Almost the same team thrashed a resurgent West Indies 4-1 in India. Post the Australian test debacle, India lost the CB Series and Asia Cup. Both had strong performances by youngsters and Dhoni's involvement was felt. Dhoni the batsman flourished too. The same repeated itself when England visited India for a 4 match test series and went back victorious 2-1. Dhoni looked out of ideas in the last three tests after winning the first. Come ODIs against Pakistan and England, Dhoni became India's best batsman and suddenly his tricks started working and his ploys taking shape.

So, it's clear. His style of captaincy is more suited for ODIs. Anything wrong with that? No. Each batsman, bowler and even captain has his own set game that probably is suited for one format or the other. Case of former English opener Nick Knight used to baffle me. He looked every bit world class when he batted in ODIs. But once at the test stage he would struggle immensely.

MS Dhoni, the batsman is more suited for the ODI format more than tests or surprisingly even T20. ODIs allow him the time he needs to push for singles & doubles and flex his muscles whenever required. No doubting his temperament to play in tests or his ability to get going from the word go in T20s, the ease he is at while playing ODIs is evident from how he captains the side and his flurry of runs in the format. Even as captain one would see him less perturbed when opposition batsmen are having a go at the pacers, he'd know its a question of one wicket that would help the team peg back. His use of part timers like Yuvraj, Raina, Rohit Sharma has been interesting and has more often than not proved successful. Dhoni has shown confidence is many a youngster or even a struggling experienced campaigner. His confidence in Ravindra Jadeja is now proving worthwhile. Praveen Kumar, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin are all beneficiaries of Dhoni's confidence. But compare this with tests. India are currently a victim of massive talent exodus. Dravid followed by Laxman have retired and Tendulkar isn't going to be around for too long. Till all three were in the squad no one could've displaced them. After Kumble's retirement and Harbhajan's massive loss of form, India turned to Zaheer to be the team's bowling spearhead and mentor. Now, Zaheer's coming apart too. All of Dhoni's key personnel are falling apart. All the reason for him to look forlorn and clueless while opposition bowlers and batsmen make merry against India.

India would never want to loose Dhoni the ODI batsman and captain. Test side, going through a transition. Sehwag and Gambhir must be mandated to oversee that. While Dhoni's expertise and clear interest lies in ODIs why force him to lead the test side. There isn't currently another right man for the job.  Dhoni must be mandated to nurture the team for the 2015 World Cup in Australia & New Zealand. Hand the test captaincy over to Kohli. He is young, will take time to learn the tricks of the trade. With Dhoni, Sehwag and Gambhir as mentors, Kohli can grow as captain. And Dhoni must give away his Chennai Super Kings captaincy to Raina. What better than grooming another captain for a rainy day?

If Dhoni the batsman and wicket keeper still continues to impress in tests, India couldn't have asked for more.

Unboxing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2011-12

India versus Australia has always been the marquee series since the teams played out what is called one of the most absorbing series of test cricket in 2000-01 in India. The turnaround series. Since January 1st 2000, the two teams have played 22 test matches against each other in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Unlike no other team in recent history, with probably the exception of England in very recent times, India has an upper hand over their rivals. India has won 9 of those encounters, where as Australia have won 7 of them. Rest 6 have been draws, but draws which have played some part in upping one team's psyche over the other.

India's current tour of Australia will kick off with the Boxing Day test at Melbourne tomorrow. This series is what experts are calling 'India's best chance to defeat Australia in Australia'. I'd have to agree. While both teams look undercooked, Australia look scarily raw on paper. With no Watson their batting looks unappealing and without Johnson their bowling seems to lack depth. With Siddle and Hilfenhaus expected to lead the attack alongside Pattinson and Lyon, you get a feeling there is something missing. Bollinger would've made a difference here, he's injured too. Their woes don't end here. Their 'Mr Dependable', Mike Hussey has been going through a torrid run in the past few months. Question marks have been raised over Ponting's relevance in the team. Micheal Clarke has emerged as a good leader and his batting form has shown up too, but this is going to be his acid test too. Newcomer Warner and debutant Ed Cowan are expected to open the innings for Australia. Both have been in supreme form. But as a pair in international cricket they are untested and inexperienced. It's easy to say this is the weakest team Australia has played in a while. Looking at the team sheet doesn't quite exude confidence.

While Australia played without the services of Warne and McGrath when India toured in 2003-04, they then had Gillespie, Brett Lee and the hardworking duo of Bichel & MacGill. But their batting, especially Ricky Ponting, was in terrific form. They were then led by a capable & experienced Steve Waugh. And not to forget India's overseas jinx then. That 2003-04 series could be monumental in India having self belief that they can win tests abroad. Ganguly led by example with a century in the drawn first test at Brisbane. His captaincy was a mix of aggression and caution by which India could salvage a 1-1 draw. None of that looks too likely here. Clarke still in his formative days as captain. Batting looks far from confident enough to match up to the star studded Indian line up. Haddin is no Gilchrist. But Australians are still going to come hard at the Indians. They aren't expected to give a leeway to India in any way. Bowlers will pepper Indian batsmen with the short ball. Fielding will be top notch to cover up for other deficiencies.

Now a look at India.
Dhoni as usual underplays Australia's weak line up. He expects them to leave no stone unturned to intimidate Indians. India's biggest cause of concern though is the fitness of the bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan and their highest wicket taker in 2011, Ishant Sharma. The former has a history of breaking down in the middle of a tour, more so in the middle of a match like against England earlier this year. Ishant has had concerns with his ankle. They both have been bowling in the nets confidently and are expected to be fit for the series. These two are India's best bets to set the ball rolling. Their know how of the surfaces and Australian batting will help immensely. Without Zaheer, its difficult to see India taking 20 wickets in a match. Umesh Yadav will shore up a the third seamer. His pace and his rip will cause some discomfort. Ravichandran Ashwin walks in to the line up for this series with a reputation. Australians will be very vary of him. Pitches here will offer some spin, especially Sydney. His role will be very crucial. Australia, with the exception of Clarke, Hussey, aren't the best players of spin. Batting will be India's best chance. Australia doesn't have a Steyn or Anderson that Indian batsmen will need to guard against. Gambhir and Sehwag will tear into anything loose. Gambhir needs runs to back him. Then in the line up come the three "creaking terminators" as Dravid termed them in his legendary speech at the Bradman Oration. Dravid, Tendulkar & Laxman tour Australia for possibly the last time in their cricketing careers. This would be Tendulkar's fifth tour and Dravid & Laxman's fourth. They would love a 'test series win in Australia' in their CVs when they hang their boots. More over Dravid and Tendulkar, it's Laxman who would be giving Aussie bowlers nightmares. The numbers speak for themselves. The sixth batsman slot will be taken up by Virat Kohli after his reassuring knocks against West Indies in the tests. Rohit Sharma is knocking the doors too hard for Kohli's comfort. It's healthy competition though. So much depends on this one man, Dhoni. His unaffected demeanour, calm exterior and the passive aggressive intent not only keeps his team composed but it doesn't give a hint of what's going on in his mind to his opposite number. His wicket keeping has always been effective if not flamboyant. His batting though will be thoroughly tested by Australian pacers in this tough wickets.

Australians have a lot to pay India back for. The 2-0 'brownwash' in the 2010 series in India and the defeat in the quarter finals of the World Cup. Both teams have been beaten to pulp in the recent past by the Englishmen. This series will be a test of mettle for every player, more so for the two captains. There are some legends in both line ups. Hussey and Ponting for Australia and Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman for India. Some upcoming youngsters in Warner, Pattinson, Lyon, Ashwin, Kohli, Yadav, Sharma & Christian. After the short (two test series) & absorbing Australia - South Africa test series acted as an 'appetizer', this series is the best 'main course' a test cricket afficionado could have asked for. Come tomorrow, brace yourself for some sleepless mornings watching the match and restless days in anticipation for next day's play.

India's African Safari

Till not so long ago India, not-so-proudly held the tag of "poor tourists". And in that period, till 2007, amongst other countries, India toured South Africa four times and played 12 test matches; won 1, lost 6 and drew 5. A record that doesn't really befit a team which sits atop the Test rankings.

South African pitches offers Indian batsmen what they arent too comfortable with; the twin troubles of Pace & Bounce. Indian batsmen have traditionally suffered at the hands of South African bowlers in these pitches assisting pace and bounce. Even the mighty Sachin Tendulkar has looked a mere mortal in South African conditions. With three centuries in 12 test matches, South African bowlers have offered him the least to get away with in their backyard. Even Dravid, Laxman & Sehwag havent struck gold against the Proteas. But things might be slightly different this time around. India have a settled opening combination in Gambhir & Sehwag for the first time in all their tours to SA. A middle order which has three legends. A wicket keeper batsman & captain who can more than just bat. Two promising youngsters, Raina & Pujara, battling for the sixth batsman spot. Its Steyn, Morne Morkel & the less known Lonwabo Tsotsobe they'd need to negotiate. Paul Harris, the Protean spinning option shouldnt pose much of a threat to the Indian batting line up.

Indian bowlers though have been slightly more successful than their bat wielding team mates. Prasad & Srinath were a deadly combo during the 1996-97 tour. Sreesanth was lethal & Zaheer supported him well in the 2006-07 tour. But what these bowlers lacked was support from rest of the bowlers and batsmen. The pressure exerted by Prasad & Srinath was usually undone by the third seamer who let the Proteas counter attack and take runs before the pair came back to hunt. India this time has Zaheer in prime form, Ishant and Sreesanth finding rhythm and Harbhajan not in the wiliest of phases. But Sreesanth is a mercurial bowlers and can find rhythm in one good spell and once he does he can be dangerous. Zaheer will bank getting his bunny Graeme Smith cheaply consistently. Trouble is when they run into the Protean middle order, next only to Indian middle order if not equal. AB de Villiers, Kallis & Amla are all in sublime form and are determined to go into the World Cup with victory against India.

This series will be watched by all cricket enthusiasts for its between the two most successful teams in recent times. With the one sidedness of The Ashes, the significance of India versus South Africa has increased multi folds in the context of the game. India has no reason to not feel confident about their chances. They have achieved success in the bounciest wicket in the world at WACA, Perth against Australia in 2008. To do well and achieve success here will be the best preparation India could ask for before the World Cup and a perfect adieu to Tendulkar, Laxman & Dravid who have traveled thrice to South Africa without achieving a series win and quite certainly are playing their last series in South Africa.

Author of this post also writes on http://www.isport.in/

VVS – Most beautiful cliché in Cricket

Every test match India plays, fans expect Sehwag to entertain, Tendulkar to score a hundred, Dravid to provide solidity at the top. What about the other crucial pillar of the Indian team? VVS Laxman. Lately he is expected to do all of the above three; entertain, provide solidity and score a hundred. He is the most ‘taken-for-granted-man’ in Indian cricket.

Post the epic 281 against his favourite bunnies Australia in 2000-01, he has very much become the crisis man for India. The team burrows itself into a hole and Laxman with his master painter like strokes and a saint like composure brings India to safety. Remarkable about this man is the effortless calm he brings to the crease and the fans at critical times. In Dravid’s case, its easily evident he is trying to concentrate hard and battle the demon which doesn’t put us at ease. With Tendulkar, expectations of the zillion hearts are enough to put pressure on him and on us who are watching. Laxman doesn’t look vulnerable in such situations. His confidence is sure to spur on his partner. As wristy as Azharuddin, Laxman's repertoire has a few shots that has opponents, spectators and commentators alike mesmerised. His absolute dream of an on drive, the flick to mid wicket from outside off stump; visuals of these are equal to big successes in life.

His partnership with Gautam Gambhir in 2009 against NZ in Hamilton to save India the test match was phenomenal. Both men stood their ground and refused to budge from the crease till the opposition gave up. Laxman has now made it a habit to play the kind of knock oppositions hate; stick around with the tail and give the total a huge boost. His 4th innings century against Sri Lanka at Galle in the third test to lead India to a series leveling win was a classic example of a mature, responsible innings. His innings of 76 against Australia at Mohali battling through back spasms acquired while fielding was a special innings. The way he influenced Ishant Sharma in the epic chase against Australia was incredible and more recently his fabulous stand with Harbhajan where the latter went on to score his first Test ton and Laxman score a masterful 93.

"Back to the wall" innings was what these innings were once called, but lately they are just known as "Laxman'esque' innings", a huge honour to the man whose initials VVS are often dubbed as being an abbreviation for Very Very Special. He deserve every bit of those praises he has been showered on over the years. He, along with Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly & Sehwag have has given India, its best years in Test cricket.