a world cup like never before ..
2 Comments Published by Gurinder Raju on Monday, March 19, 2007 at 12:31 AM.
News just came in, Bob Woolmer is dead1. The Pakistan coach was facing ruthless verbal attacks from the irate Pakistani media, former Pakistan players1 and the Pakistani people1 after Pakistan crashed out of the world-cup after their 3 wicket loss1 to the minnows Ireland. Earlier in the post match conference, after they lost to Ireland, he was heard saying that perhaps it was one of the worst days of his life1. Whatever might be the cause of death .. a heart attack, a doping session to relieve senses(with signs of vomiting found) that went wrong, it speaks of the toll it takes to coach the cricket crazy nations like India and Pakistan, trying to live up to the expectations of the millions of cricket fans back home.All this adds to the drama that has been abounding in the world cup so far. India's defeat at the hands of Bangladesh was much more comprehensive and all the more shameful, just that they are still not out of the
world cup. I wonder whats going on in the mind of Indian counterpart of the now dead Bob Woolmer. Greg Chappel has never been popular with the indian media and the indian cricket fans. He has been widely accused for denting the confidence of the likes of Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan .. not to forget his spat with Ganguly that led to Ganguly's ouster from the team. Last year, even the members of parliament were baying for his blood after India's dismal show in South Africa1. Just a few months back, Chappel was slapped 1 by an angry fan at Bhubaneshwar airport after landing.If the Indians fail to make it in the last eight, hell will break loose for him. No doubt the Indian players themselves, the likes of Sehwag, will have a tough time but for Chappel, its going to be a guillotine for him. I suggest he resigns there and then and leave for Australia because even if he manages his own senses, the angry mob back home will leave no stone unturned in making sure that he meets similar fate to that of Bob Woolmer.
Inspite of the paranoia that has set in, i still think India will beat Bermuda comfortably, its the tie with Sri-Lanka on 23rd that's so important. No one in the Indian camp will breathe easy till that match, for that matter even after the match if they lose it.
Talking about the drama going in the world cup, the English have also contributed their bit. Andrew Flintoff has been sacked of his vice captaincy and has been made to sit out of the currently ongoing match against Canada after he was rescued, having capsized 1 at the sea, heavily drunk, at 4 am in the morning. Four other players have also been fined for breach of discipline for their late night drinking session. Like India, England are also facing a must win situation for both of their remaining league matches after they lost to New-Zealand in their opening match.
All this drama and we are just 5 days in to the world-cup. It has indeed been unprecedented series of events in the carribean so far. The other day Herschelle Gibbs hit 6 sixes in an over and South Africa scored 353 in 40 overs. God knows what they would have done had they played full 50 overs. The proteas sure seem determined to get rid of the choker's tag that has been attributed to them. The proteas together with the aussies are running favourites to win the cup and both these teams are showing their grit and determination as they are piling those huge scores against their opponents.
This world cup also brought much more international attention to the game of cricket, unlike its previous
versions. Internet biggies like Google and MSN1 saw lot of opportunities to cash in on and promoted the event in their own ways. Various media services came forward with offers1 to let the cricket fans outside the subcontinent watch the matches live on TV or stream them online. Google posted on their official blog1 about the google cricket campaign in india and promoted Krish Srikkanth's orkut1 and blogger1 profiles to that effect. They even created a doodle1 for cricket. Various cricket blog have been announced in the blogging world(1,2,3). The blogosphere has geared up to the cricket's mega event .. and i am also doing my bit here ..Labels: cricket
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It's really very disappointing and sad that we are thinking that it just Chappel and Darvid but I think it's the whole team responsibility and % can vary but every one is responsible. I think we have to do analysis. I think the major responsibility of the experienced people. It's good that India is not in super 8 because I think with this performance they can't win even a single match. Now Media is making hype that we have to change the Darvid. I think this is not the solution but we have to give rest to every senior player because we have to plan for future by making present tough. So we have to introduce new and young players in team India and make them strong rather then we look towards seniors.
I know Sachin is great player he did great for India but that time he got Great love and respect from India and world but now if he is not doing good then why we are keeping him just because of his last achievements.
Now we have to little strict and remove the politics from the games. I think we have to make at least 60% change in Team India. All seniors should be out and they can play for Domestic because from today we have to think for next world cup team. Why they are keeping Sehwag from long time. Its really worst part of team India that we choose players on the basis of Old (2-3 years.) performance not on the basis of present.
You can see the Sachin,Darvid, Saurabh, Sehwag perfomance not by that he is highest run getter in India but how fast they are falling in the world ranking.
Hands up to India selection Committee and BCCI. Who is doing this great job to make us shame.
@anonymous
dear anonymous .. whoever you are .. onething is for sure .. you are a true indian cricket fan .. would have been great had u posted with a name .. but never mind .. you are absolutely right that drastic changes need to be made in the current team .. again you are right when you say the hitherto guranteed slots for the senior players should be reviewed ..
but you know what .. where dravid took responsibility saying "we didnt deserve to be in the last eight" chappel blamed team india and cited their past record saying them haven't won a single series overses since 85 .. he is the one who bragged and made big promises .. all of them have fallen flat .. and now he comes up with these statements .. shirking the responsibility .. it hurts .. yes it does ..