Bangalore vs Hyderabad

This is one battle Hyderabad is winning hands down if one were to go by the new airports these two cities have put up recently. While the one at Bangalore has gone from being a glorified bus stand to a half decent domestic airport. The Hyderabad airport is truly international.

One wonders what Bangalore gained by going for a multi-national consortium to build the airport. The domestic team led by the GMR group has done an amazing job at Hyderabad and I am sure the Delhi airport will also be world class when they finish there. The supposed international expertise is amazingly invisible and is really galling for a Bangalore boy to take. I am sure, these feelings are echoed by most Bangalorean's who visit Hyderabad.

I wonder if the power't that be are going to do something about this?

Someone needs to ask some tough questions.....

Jammy is in a jam

The end looks very much in sight for Dravid. It's sad to see him struggle so much. Wonder if he has it in him to stick this one out and get back to making some runs? The more likely scenario is that the selectors will now tend to overlook Dravid a bit more easily than possible when he was in form and the backbone of the team.

It's never easy to see a stalwart struggle for a fan of the game. I just hope this series is not the last memories of Dravid as an India player.

Jumbo No More

Kumble bows out at the Kotla. Poetic to say the least. It was a surprise but not unexpected. What warmed the heart was the farewell he got. By far the best farewell for India's greatest match-winner so far. I don't know if we will see the likes of Anil Kumble anytime soon. Thank you for the memories Jumbo.

For those who thought Amit Mishra was the replacement ready to take over from Kumble, think again. A look at the just concluded test will tell you all you need to know. He has a long way to go. Hope he atleast tries and does not get bogged down by the mountain he has to climb in trying to replace Anil Kumble!

One last hurrah

I just wish Kumble is fit and raring to go for the 3rd test. I am sure Jumbo has one last match winning effort left in the tank before he signs off. I am pretty sure, he will be the next to go from the Fab 5.
The fan in me wants him to go out on a high and not when everyone and their neighbors are asking why is he hanging around when he is not needed anymore. I am not so sure. All these guys seem to have forgotten the number of matches this man has won for India single-handedly. Its all nice to forget what he has done, when winning seems so easy without him.
I hope the Kotla can give him back his mojo and remind all the disbelievers what Kumble in his pomp can still do.
Remind us all one last time Jumbo!

Aussie on the run

It must be a new feeling for the all conquering Aussies, chasing leather. They better find some better bowlers or they had better get used to a lot more running behind the ball. This Indian team has really ground their collective noses in it in the second test.

This test looks like its headed only one way unless something drastic happens tomorrow. Here is hoping India finishes the job off without too much of a fuss on the morrow.

Defiant no more

A few posts earlier, I had said that he should be the first one to leave and he has done precisely that. Bravo.
He has a chance to go out in a decent manner. And I don't think anyone can grudge him that. Dada did a lot for Indian cricket. And it owes him the farewell ride. I just hope he doesn't lose his intensity now that he has decided to leave.
I for one will be at the Chinnaswamy to root for him on the first day.

Thank you for the memories Dada..

Bracing for tomorrow!

These are testing times for Indian cricket. A hugely successful generation must move on and the next generation has to step into the breach. If I were the one following the Fab 5 into the Indian team, I would be daunted. The legacy they will leave behind is formidable. I for one think, Indian cricket will suffer from it for a while to come.
While the Fab 5 have another chance to add to their legacy in the series coming up, the replacements are running out of time to stake a claim. Two young men did take a step forward yesterday, while a much favoured veteran just reinforced his lack of application. Talent he has aplenty. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be the bulwark of Indian batting in the future if they can keep their eyes on the ball hereon in. In such a higly rewarding arena, its strange that I talk about keeping their eyes on the ball. Many a youngster has fallen by the wayside, because he could not keep his eye on the ball. The distractions proved too tempting, ultimately costing him his chance at cricketing immortality. Him here could be any number of cricketers we are all familiar with. Kambli, Siva, Sadanand Vishwanath, Yuvraj......