A rollicking start to the World Cup.. (Match Report)

An exciting start of the World Cup, West Indies showed the beauty of the game by capitalizing Pakistan convincingly after getting a huge embarrassment from India. No one can complain Inzamam as he has been deprived of his lethal weapons in the form of Mohammad Asif, Akhtar and Abdul Razzaq. Pakistanis were fighting against their destiny as no one can win a battle without their knights. After restricting WI at 99 for 3 in 30 overs they allowed West Indies to make a reasonably good score on a pitch that was favoring seam bowling. Umar Gul was exceptional. Although Kaneria did bowl well, but was blown away by attack from Marlon Samuels.

Some how West Indies managed to reach up to 241 courtesy some pugnacious hitting by Man of The match. Pakistan got a dramatic start with some roller coaster ride by Imran Nazir, got a six of the second ball and got out of the third ball of the PAK inning. Inzamam and Yusuf Yohana (Mohd Yusuf) did some damage control exercise but at the time of an assault both got out and the burden was left on the shoulders of Shoaib Malik and he did nothing wrong. He produced some blistering shots but never got a support from his fellowmen and thus West Indies won a great match.

About 20 days back I declared my World cup semifinalists (RSA, AUS, WI, (IND/SRL)). I hope to see it right.

Now over to England- New Zealand match on 16^th March. I am betting on England to win the match. Over and out from Kingston, Jamaica.

Good Luck Team India

Last world cup was a great treat for us save the grand finale. That time I was in my college and what a scintillating experience was that. I still remember Aviral telling me to remain standing throughout the India-Pakistan league match when Sachin was firing full steam at one end and at other end Sehwag/Ganguly felled cheapely. Its really difficult to define a line between superstition and passion. This world will not be the same for me as all my friends are not around me but if some how they are then we can relive the old moments once again and this time we will force India to come with the World cup.

The photo of the prize distribution ceremony (Sir Sobers giving Man of the Tournament trophy to Sachin while World Cup Trophy can be seen in the background) still makes me to cry. Sachin/Sourav/Dravid and team please bring both the trophies this time and I can promise you that I will be writing eulogies in praise of you forever. This is my pledge.
May Rahul’s Devils Win the World Cup. Amen.

The Cup of Joy has to return

The BCCI selection committee has finally selected the team for the mission “Cup of Joy”. There is no surprise element in the team. But I think my team would be slightly different from the team selected by Mr Vengsarkar’s team (I would have gone for Lakshman, Kaif and Romesh Powar in place of Sreesanth, Sehwag and Kumble). But as the decision is finally out so better look at the composition of this team

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Well words are not enough to describe his capabilities and no domain can bind him. He is the one who will play the role of Neo in Smiths (Ponting) world. This world may become his last world cup so he must be longing to give us a cup. His bowling is a great advantage to India. He should open the inning with another legend (Ganguly) to destroy any bowling attack.

2. Sourav Ganguly

Gone with a whimper back with a bang, what a character he is? With Sachin he forms the world’s greatest destructive ODI pair. They are the true legends of ODI cricket with more than 63 centuries and 24,000 runs under their belt. Moreover Sourav can bowl if utilized properly. He has a great ODI bowling average and he can become a good 1^st break bowler. Fielding is a bit concern here so he has to do a lot of work.

3. Rahul Dravid

He was known as the wall of India for a long time and he as to justify such appellation bestowed upon him. Not a charismatic leader like ganguly but he has some good cricketing combo on his shoulders. He has to play once again the sheet anchor role for India.

4. Yuvraj Singh

His performance will decide the height of Indian score peaks. His fielding and bowling is a big plus. He will be the must watch out man for team India.

5. Virendra Sehwag/Dinesh Kartik

They have to convert the score of Indian team to a big score. Sehwag bowling can damage any good partnership but his form is a big worry for team India. So depending on it Karthik can be chosen.

6. M. S. Dhoni

Just like Yuvraj he will be a watch out man for the team. His clean hitting is a great bonus for team India.

7. Irfan Pathan

He can play the role of a batting all-rounder for team India. If he gets his divine bowling touch then he will be the one who will make a huge difference in Indian team fortunes.

8. Ajit Agarkar

He is going to West Indies as an under dog but he can hit the bowl as well as bells with equal brilliance.

9. Harbhajan Singh

He will be the key bowler for team India. His doosra may give no other alternative for the batsmen.

10. Zaheer Khan/ Anil Kumble

He has to repeat the form of last world cup when the holy trinity of Srinath, Zaheer and Nehra demolished every team except the Aussies. Depending on the pitch Kumble can replace him.

11. Munaf Patel

He is going as the main strike bowler for team India.

I believe Sachin and Sourav should open and I am sorry for Robin Utthapa. He is not the one who can replace either Sourav or Sachin. Lets keep our finger cross and to have the salvation under the thunder of victorious Team India with the “Cup of Joy” Amen.

Good artists copy, great artists steal

Last week I read the unauthorized biography of the greatest entrepreneur ever born Steven Jobs who made the world to kneel down before him in order to give him the grandest salutation human race can ever offer. The book iCON is a very interesting book it documents the history of Apple Computers, NEXT as well as PIXAR animation lab.

Microsoft would had been a disaster if Scully had not ousted Jobs from his Apple. It also gave me a cause to remember our final year in IT-BHU when I watched the movie titled “Pirates of Silicon valley” along with my close friends. This movie renders the rivalry between Jobs and Bill Gates in celluloid form so beautifully that the every other thing in the world looks secondary. There is one famous line by Steve Jobs “Good artists copy, great artists steal when he convinces his guys to copy XEROX PARC gui.
In his own words “One has to find out what he loves, stay hungry stay foolish” and this line has become my signature line since my advent in IT world. Steve Jobs is an example of exemplary leadership qualities and hunger for achievement that one cannot ignore him even in his dreams.

This weekend I watched one of the worst films of my life, the Traffic Signal and it was ironic that the movie of the same director Page3 reserves one of the top positions in my favorite films list. This film is such a pathetic film that I slept twice during those boring hours. The subject was great but the direction was direction less. Madhur Bhandarkar, what a magnificent waste! Meanwhile I am beginning to enjoy my stay in Pune as I have plenty of time at my home after office to finish some unfinished past ventures.

Guru Review -- A magnum opus

Last Friday Reliance Industries witnessed the story of its Founding Father Late Dhiru Bhai Ambani in celluloid form. I also got the chance of watching the movie on first day courtsey my team. The film really justifies the creativity of auteur Mani Ratnam. His Yuva was inspiring in political front and Guru in common sense. It reserves some remarkable performances from Abhishek, Mithun and Roshan Seth. The acting of Abhishek in second half of the movie breaks all past time best hindi movie perfromances. The music of Guru is refreshing despite some nonsense Bappi Lahiri songs in middle. Barso re, Sensational Mallika Sherwat's item Mayya Mayya and Jage hain are some good numbers. Vidya Balan looks scintillating and Aisharya as always titilating. Madhawan is not fully exploited in the movie. Well the film is really inspiring and worth watching so dont miss a rare inspirational movie from Bollywood.

Well BCCI has atleast made some good decision by bringing Sourav back in to ODI team. He has got tremendous ODI record second only to Sachin as far Indian record is concerned. Lets hope that this trick will do the magic for Team India and will reverse the fate of India in World Cup 07.

I also got a rare chance to visit Karla Caves last weekend. These caves are on Sahyadri Mountains and are some 45 kms from Pune and 5 km from Lonawala Hill station. These caves are Buddhist Viharas and are 2100 years old but they are poorly managed by administration. A temple dedicated to Ek Vira Mata is also situated near these caves.
"The Wonder that was India" by A. L. Basham has got some very nice pictures of Karla Caves. So if you happen to be at Pune or Lonawala dont miss the Karla Caves.