1st Test squad

It appears that something that I wanted to see will have to wait for a while - Ishant’s bowling on Indian tracks in a Test. Apparently, he is injured and will need some time to recover, as will Harbhajan and Yuvraj. Considering the way Yuvraj batted Down Under, it is not a big loss. There are several batsmen waiting in the wings including Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma. S. Badrinath should also be in the fray but it is unlikely that he will get a call. Only hope he gets to play before he is 70.

However, the pace bowling area can do with some help. RP, Irfan and Sreeshanth remain the main contenders with the probable inclusion of Munaf Patel. I only hope Agarkar does not make his 893rd comeback into the team; we can very well do without him. Pravin Kumar too deserves a look in but has he been typecast as a ODI bowler?

Bhajji will probably need the rest – and the time to think up a few more insults – and this opens a window of opportunity for Chawla and Murali Karthik. I think Chawla should be played and we should also look at grooming an off-spinner.

The batting looks solid – as usual on paper, of course – and will provide the Big 5 a chance to notch up a few big scores.

Waiting for play to begin…

Corporate involvement

India Cements (owns the Chennai franchise of the IPL) has been at the forefront of cricket sponsorships and probably introduced corporate involvement in cricket in India. From the late-70s and 80s, I also rememberMafatlal from Bombay (I think Sunny Gavaskar turned out for them), India Pistons from Madras (did Venkat play for them?), Vazir Sultan from Hyderabad (probably ML Jaisimha was a part of that team) and a host of banks including SBI (notably Gundappa Vishy and Ajit Wadekar).

I always wondered what these players would do at work when they were not playing cricket. Also, imagine their co-workers watching these cricketing icons walking in to work (infrequently, I assume) one day and the next being written about in the papers and listening to their feats (or failures) on the radio. Perhaps some of them would offer free advice on how to play, say, a Dennis Lillee or how to bowl to Viv Richards. Fascinating times!!

The players were not making much money those days, I am sure. I spoke to a former Karnataka opening bowler once and he told me how meagre the pay was. That has changed for the better now and how!!

India vs. South Africa – 1st Test

The Tamilnadu Cricket Association has announced the sale of season tickets for the India-SA 1st Test at Madras starting on the 26th of March. A ticket to the D stand (now called the Royal Sundaram stand), costs Rs.1500/-. I would love to go for the match but, with work pressure and all that, I am not sure if I will go on all 5 days. Perhaps the weekend (29 and 30). I guess the 4th and 5th days’ play will be fascinating. I will see if I can get daily tickets.

I cannot wait to see how our bowlers perform on Indian wickets in a Test. Will surely be a learning experience for them.

Viva Test cricket!!

Cricket under India’s control

Just read a Christopher Martin-Jenkins article expressing concern over India’s stranglehold on cricket by virtue of its money Pawar – sorry, power. He is unhappy about the fact that Bindra and Pawar will soon be running the ICC (Bindra is to become Chief Executive and Pawar the Chairman) and is worried about the balance of power or the lack thereof. 

I am no big fan of our BCCI but this is like the US being worried about India’s nuclear tests. Who used the option, chaps? If, for a while, India does monopolise world cricket management, let it. The English and the Aussies have done it for years anyway. About time we had a change.

“THE” cricket league

At this moment, the IPL is the hot topic in cricket. The Aussies apparently have decided not to tour Pakistan this year and this should mean that their players will play in the IPL this April. Cricket Australia, however, says that their participation is still not certain. Hmmm…What are the chances that the players will give up good moolah?

If they do play, it is good for the league which can then start with a bang. The fireworks off the field might continue if the spectators start baiting the Aussies. I hope that does not happen. It will be nice to enjoy the cricket (does T20 qualify to be called that? )  without the sidebars.