India's showing in NZ

Its been a robust batting show by India in the ODI's, after getting some serious drubbing by NZ in the 20-20's. Tendulkar's remark about this batting line up being the strongest has also stirred a debate among crickets, former cricketers and former(non) cricketers. I think the 20-20 show by NZ and the India's reply in ODI's bears a clue to this debate. Consider this, 20-20 takes mindless battering from ball one. You can do with good arms and limited skills in those games. ODI, requires a bit more staying ability(read skill). That perhaps explains why we were snubbed by NZ in 20-20. Mcullum and Ryder,proving to be better 'right from go' hitters than our boys, who wasted balls before starting (Dhoni leading from the front in this regard). But in ODI's, it was a matter of 50 overs. NZ just couldn't last those (as proven to hilt in 3rd ODI). That was the difference between the two sides. And that, is the difference between India's current line up and the one with say Laxman and Dravid, manifest most clearly in Yuvraj's test record. So, while current line up is good in ODI's and is refreshingly brash in its style of playing, it perhaps needs time and test matches to be called the best ever.

PS: I cant fathom why Dhoni is batting ahead of Raina(on current form) . Reminds me of Dravid opening ODI innings during his captaincy days.

Hay Done !!

Australians have yet again committed the mistake that almost took away their test crown. Pushing out iconic players ,when you don't have half worthy replacements. Agreed that old Mat was out of form for a while. But he was still good enough for the english series. He has a formidable record against the pommies, and his ouster would certainly evoke a sigh of relief from Harmison brigade(which should rather be called Flintoff brigade, considering the past 2-3 years). Aussie bowling has still not recuperated from the departure of Warne and Mcgrath. And the batting line, which would have so liked the services of the old bully, is now left open for new comers. Ponting, head and shoulders ahead of his contemporaries, is the last of the fabulous players still standing.

Meanwhile, even as he is hated in India for the various infuriating deeds he has performed,lets not miss this opportunity to hail one most decisive opening batsman of his times on his retirement.His stepping down cover drive, the wristy on drive, and those magnificent hook/pull would be sorely missed. By the Aussies, that is.

IPL news

A lot of concerns have been voiced by newspapers about the issues created by IPL , like the trading of players(strage in the land of horse trading), and players becoming mercenaries blah bhah. But the funniest i have found has been in 'Mint'. The headline discusses the taxation nature of this issue. It discusses at length whether, the profits made by 'trading' players should be considered 'income' (as in operational income of a livestock farmer), or capital gain( as in money made by a commodity trader). So, while the players can keep up their gaga over the millions, what they are being treated as , ain't anything flattering.