tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10334703197988832352023-06-21T05:54:28.320+01:00Silly M(a)id-onIndian Cricket Fan - In Sickness And In Health, For Better Or For WorseMeghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-43307711294183868672009-09-23T22:06:00.004+01:002009-09-23T22:27:17.822+01:00Silly Maid Is Movin'Yessir...I have been charmed by Wordpress and the idea of having my own domain name.<br /><br />You can find me at <a href="http://www.sillymaidon.com/">www.sillymaidon.com</a> now. Please update your feeds and blogrolls to reflect the same.<br /><br />A big thank you to my friend <a href="http://www.kpmrs.com">Varun</a> for a) putting this idea in my head and b) ensuring this happens.Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-28771117338416628022009-09-22T22:44:00.002+01:002009-09-22T22:48:14.672+01:00A Family Affair<a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/09/big-mouthsthen-now.html">Here's</a> my father on the art of getting one's exceptionally large feet into one's even bigger mouth!Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-1498581246993792622009-09-17T12:23:00.001+01:002009-09-17T12:24:24.477+01:00Sehwag @ CricinfoTwo Words.<br /><br />MUST. READ.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/425149.html">Part 1</a><br /><a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/425164.html">Part 2</a>Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-10545980557490399052009-09-17T10:20:00.003+01:002009-09-17T10:32:24.049+01:00Wanna Travel With RCB??<span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><span><span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I received an email from Nidhi Makhija of Experience Commerce, who are running a competition for Royal Challenger Bangalore.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="color:#000000;"><b><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Experience Commerce is a digital agency in Mumbai, and we’re currently running Club RCB’s Fanatic Fans Challenge. Fans are invited to apply for three positions – Chief Blogger, Chief Photographer and Chief RCB Fan. The winning three will tour Champions League with Club RCB next month and will receive preferred treatment at RCB matches! All expenses (travel, accommodation, incidentals) will be covered.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">It’s a great opportunity for hardcore fans to meet the team up close and personal, and for budding sports bloggers, photographers, commentators etc. to get hands on experience and mass exposure! ..</span></p><p><span><span><b><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">You can apply online at the official RCB site – <b><a href="http://www.royalchallengers.com/FanaticFansChallenge" target="\"_blank\"">www.royalchallengers.com/FanaticFansChallenge</a></b>. The deadline is September 27<sup>th</sup>.<blockquote></blockquote></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></p></b></span></blockquote>So all you IPL fans, here is your chance! If you are in India, go on and take part. Drop me a line and I will be glad to support your application. The only catch is that if you win the Challenge, you will have to get me Rahul Dravid's autograph :)<br /></span></span></span><b><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"></span></b></span></span></b></span></span>Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-73620388255425835282009-09-14T13:42:00.003+01:002009-09-14T14:05:37.899+01:00The Real Force Behind Silly M(a)id-on..is the one person who got me addicted to Cricket in the first place. He was mentioned briefly in my very <a href="http://sillymaidon.blogspot.com/2008/11/humble-beginnings.html">first post</a>. And now you can read some more about him through <a href="http://blogs.cricinfo.com/diffstrokes/archives/2009/09/my_uncle_my_mentor.php">this wonderful post</a> by Samir Bhaiya.<br /><br />And while we are on the subject of family, may I also point you towards a post that describes <a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/08/do-you-know-any-of-these-fans.html">my mom's evolution</a> as a cricket fan. She is the Type 1 fan, just to clarify :)Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-46804871754197379452009-09-11T15:57:00.003+01:002009-09-11T16:00:22.021+01:00My Team Cares About MeObviously mindful of the fact that I was disappointed to see NZL fold up for a paltry 155, Team India has obliged and lost 4 wickets for 84.<br /><br />Aww...thanks you guys! (no really, I'm not being sarcastic)Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-73776787551533745482009-09-10T11:26:00.009+01:002009-09-10T15:19:30.439+01:00Finding Meaning In One-DayersWith all these discomforting talks going on about ODIs being past their prime, I have been asking myself what exactly is it about ODIs that I don't want them to die out. Am I just refusing to give up something I have enjoyed so much for as long as I have been following cricket? Or do ODIs still have something to give to the game?<br /><br />Shane Warne thinks we don't need them anymore. Harsha Bhogle has a point when he says "<a href="http://prempanicker.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/cricket-india-inc/">If you remove the ODI from the mix, the gulf between T20 and Tests, from a batting point of view, becomes way too vast, and over time you end up with a situation where players are good enough to play either the one or the other.</a>"<br /><br />Peter Roebuck thinks <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/424338.html">There Is Life In The ODI Yet</a>. While Dileep Premachandran <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/sep/09/india-sri-lanka-one-day-series">calls</a> for an overhaul.<br /><br />There has been a lot of talk about ODIs needing "a context". Lots of ideas are being thrown about. No more bilateral series, no phony 4-match triangular series, playing ODIs as a build up to Test matches on tours, splitting each innings into 2 etc. Leela <a href="http://maidenbowling.blogspot.com/2009/09/odis.html">made a point</a> about ODIs series being an interesting watch these days only if there is some off-field drama associated with it, and I find myself agreeing with it. But then there wasn't always some kind of drama associated with ODIs when I used to stay up late and see all those matches, was there? (or was I really <span style="font-style: italic;">fokat</span> those days?)<br /><br />I mean, all of India's matches were seen simply because India was playing. All of Australia's matches were seen because they were the numero uno team and I wanted to see if any of their opponents were giving them a run for their money. Pakistan's matches were followed cheer the other team because earlier Pakistan losing used to be equal to India winning somehow. All of South Africa's matches were seen because when they were not busy choking, they used to play good cricket. And for Shaun Pollock.<br /><br />And now when I find myself trying to write a preview for the Compaq Cup, I don't know what to say. I mean yeah, I'm happy that India is finally back in action. And I am super excited to see how Dravid will fare and all. But it's not how it is supposed to be. This series (and the Eng-Aus one) seems so pointless that I am tempted to label it as another <a href="http://sillymaidon.blogspot.com/search/label/Fake%20ODI%20Series">Fake ODI Series</a>. As someone commented on someone's blog (and I paraphrase here because I don't remember where I read this)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It takes just 4 matches to decide a tri-series, but it takes 7 one-dayers to conclude that England suck at pyjama cricket.</span><br /><br />Indeed.Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-88173674803232119012009-08-19T22:19:00.002+01:002009-08-19T22:23:59.411+01:00Latest On The Irfan-Shabina Saga<a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/08/rishton-me-daraar-aayi.html">Sibling rivalry takes a nasty turn.</a> Another BCC! exclusive!Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-71890121078109197852009-08-18T19:56:00.006+01:002009-08-23T12:01:53.492+01:00Return Of The Wall<p>The Wall Resurrected....<br />A Dream Comeback....<br />Rebuilding The Wall ....<br /><br />No...I haven't not written a post on the greatest news of the month yet b'coz I was busy thinking up titles...<br /><br />For those interested, I have been waging a lonely battle against crashing servers, helpdesks that have been sneaked off offshore without anyone having a clue and other such things for the last 3 weeks. And then recuperating. (And well, I haven’t really been MIA either. You can find some great works ala Megha <a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/08/bored-cricket-crazy-girls-live.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/08/do-you-know-any-of-these-fans.html">here</a>.)</p>IMHO RD should not have been dropped from the ODI team in the first place, but that is perhaps a discussion for another day. I can see a role for Dravid in the team. He can provide the stability that is required when the team loses early wickets. Or he can hold one end while the others have a license to hit away as and when needed. Dhoni can then revert back to his earlier batting days, come in at 6/7 and hit away with abandon. And it’s not as if Dravid cannot hit a few boundaries himself :). <span style="font-style: italic;">Plus</span> you get a good slip fielder, a part time wicketkeeper and all the wealth of his experience on the field. Not a bad bargain, is it? <p class="MsoNormal">Those worried about how Rohit Sharma's and possibly Suresh Raina’s career would be ruined by this decision, and how this move is not keeping in mind the WC....well, the WC is barely 2 years away. I believe that both Sachin and Rahul can play in the WC. I assume they will hang up their boots after that. SR and RS are in their early 20s right now. So age is definitely on their side. <i>Abhi nahi to 2 saal ke baad team me aa jayenge yaar...tab tak T20 khelo na...kisne mana kiya :)</i> </p>When Sehwag comes back, the batting order could look like this - <p>Sehwag</p> <p>Tendulkar</p> <p>Gambhir</p> <p>Dravid</p> <p>Yuvi</p> <p>Dhoni</p> <p>Yusuf/Irfan (yeah..i still live in hope!!)</p> <p>4 bowlers</p> <p>See? It’s not that bad, is it?</p><p>And for those of you suggesting that the selectors have given Dravid an opportunity to retire with grace, and he will do so after the Champions Trophy, well...don't say that! That's not gonna happen..</p><p>No...that's not gonna happen...right?<br /></p>Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-31663542828228247102009-08-12T10:54:00.004+01:002009-08-12T11:03:20.628+01:00All Ya WADA Doubters..Hear This!Raja sent a set of questions to WADA and has received a reply from their Communication Director.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/08/wada-from-horses-mouth.html">A BCC! exclusive!</a>Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-16900738936251813592009-07-06T22:37:00.000+01:002009-07-06T22:38:23.337+01:00A Bit Of Self IndulgenceSo the other day I was talking cricket with NC and he asked me if I have ever played cricket myself. I recalled the following stuff -<br /><br />1. Improvised cricket - the gear, a ping pong "bat" and ball. The location, my aunt's living room. The rules, only legitimate delivery is a full toss. Once you score 75, you retire. If you hit the wall below the tube light, it's a 4. If you hit above it, it's a 6. And if you hit the tubelight...you run away as fast as you can!!<br /><br />I never reached the retiring score in that one.<br /><br />2. Book Cricket - That does not need much explanation, does it?<br /><br />3. Leg Cricket - Don't know if anyone else has ever played this one. My PT instructor used to say it was his invention. So basically, it was played with a volleyball. The bowler rolled it to the batter, ten pin bowling style. And the batter(kicker?) kicked it away for runs.<br /><br />The acceptable modes of dismissal were bowled, run out and caught (yeah, no lbw's here :D). If a fielder caught the ball on one bounce with one hand, that was out too.<br /><br />I did rock this one!<br /><br />4. Cricket on top of Rala Mandal hill - OK. This one was a lot of fun. A bunch of us college friends hiked up the Rala Mandal Hill near Indore. Playing area was very limited (think of a badminton court). Due to lack of space, the rules were<br />- if you managed to put bat on ball you scored a run..unless of course, you were caught.<br />- You were out caught if the fielder caught the ball after one bounce.<br />- You could get bowled out.<br />- Nothing like a run out 'coz you are not actually scoring by running. You just switched strike at the end of the over.<br />- It was important not the slash hard at the ball, coz if a fielder could not stop it, it would defo go down the hill and that would be the end of the game! And then you would have to treat everyone to Ghamandi's Lassi (a popular place in Indore) :)<br /><br />"Ok...this is fine" , I hear you say. "We've all done that or something similar...but have you ever played <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> cricket? The 11-players a side, being played on a field, with the <span style="font-style: italic;">normal</span> rules applying?"<br /><br />Ladies and gentlemen, I have...and here is the story of <a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/07/meghas-last-stand.html">The Day I Played Cricket</a>Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-11525074443080212072009-07-06T14:48:00.004+01:002009-07-06T14:51:30.816+01:00Dravid Included In Probables For CTFor a second I thought my eyes were playing tricks...but it is true...<br /><br />I need some time to digest this....Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-70956535293127091502009-07-05T20:01:00.003+01:002009-07-05T20:04:06.605+01:00Fake End To Fake SeriesIndia win 2-1 as rain plays spoilsport.<br /><br />Yay!!!<br /><br />kthanxbye..Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-63833717653106649952009-06-27T12:53:00.004+01:002009-06-29T14:15:07.349+01:00India -1, West Indies - 0Did India win because they had 339 runs on the board or did they almost lose because they thought they had 339 runs on board?<br /><br />I feel sorry for WI, they got 2 bad decisions that just might have cost them the game. Chasing 25 runs from 18 balls seems a whole lot easier if you have 4 wickets in hand as opposed to 2. More so if there is a certain Mr Bravo at the other end.<br /><br />Anyway, I noticed Dhoni's emotionless face as the last WI wicket fell. What could that possibly mean?<br /><br />Was he really pissed at his team?<br />Was he just plain relieved that India won?<br />Was he just too tired to care about cricket anymore?<br />Was he trying to show the media that he is still Captain Cool?<br />Was he...<br /><br />Wait a sec...Am I turning into an Indian media journalist?<br />Yeah...I think I need to stop now...Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-34221598702786148142009-06-26T16:36:00.005+01:002009-06-26T17:09:48.055+01:00Fake ODI Series BeginsYessir...India is playing WI in a 4-match series...just 4...seems a bit pointless to me. Perhaps a couple of Tests would have provided this tour a little legitimacy. Too much to ask? OK..maybe just one more ODI? At least make it a best of 5 series? No luck there either.<br /><br />Hmmm.<br /><br />The purpose of this tour is perhaps same as that of a student going to attend extra classes in school just to get his attendance level upto the required mark.<br /><br />Which is why I call it The Fake ODI Series.<br /><br />Another thing to note is that the series has started on the 26th of June. Which means that if India had managed to reach the finals of the T20 WC, they would have had just 4 days to reach Jamaica, shake off the jet lag (ok, it's a bit easier to that when you are travelling westwards, but still!) and get used to the conditions before playing the first match. Well planned guys! Or did an astrologer tell you in advance that India will crash out before the finals?<br /><br />So anyway, Dhoni says that <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/410542.html">this series is a chance to erase memories of 2007</a>.<br /><br />Umm...no?! The only way to erase that memory *shudder* is to win the WC in 2011! So don't gimme this little trophy as a consolation prize, okay?<br /><br />Win this series, and I will tell all and sundry what a great team you are and how I just knew you would bounce back. Lose it, and I'll go "Meh! Don't really care about it anyways...."<br /><br />Just play these 4 games and go back home and take a break guys!Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-33439829878195937422009-06-25T11:34:00.002+01:002009-06-25T11:41:22.124+01:00Over At BCC!A <a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/06/which-is-my-country.html">new post</a> is up with my POV on whether it is ok for Brit-Asians to support an Asian team or should they be required to support England.<br /><br />And if this isn't something that interests you, there is plenty of other stuff to debate on as listed by <a href="http://www.straightpoints.com/2009/06/debate-galoreat-bored.html">SP</a>.<br /><br />Go on and have your say :)Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-25598079197337660982009-06-15T11:14:00.003+01:002009-06-15T11:20:30.549+01:00Oh..Don't Do This Now!<a href="http://cricketnext.in.com/news/dhoni-effigy-burnt-in-ranchi-after-t20-loss/41731-29.html">Dhoni effigy burnt in Ranchi after T20 loss</a><br /><br /><a href="http://ibnlive.in.com/conversations/thread/97660.html">Should Dhoni Quit As Captain?</a> (C'mon IBN...don't add fuel to the fire!)<br /><br />Let's not be fairweather fans people! Our team needs us to support them. They will bounce back..Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-32314506990072790062009-06-14T21:43:00.004+01:002009-06-14T22:54:05.337+01:00India Out Of The TournamentPerhaps deservingly.<br /><br />India lost this match on all counts IMO...bowling, fielding and batting.<br /><br />First up, bowling. A team at 100/3 at the end of 15 overs should not have been allowed to get to 153 in the first place. Let's see who gave how many runs in the last 5 overs -<br /><br />16th over -Ishant - <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">13 runs</span><br />17th over - Jadeja - 8 runs<br />18th over - Bhajji - <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">10 runs <span style="font-style: italic;">including 5 wides</span></span><br />19th over - Zak - <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">12 runs</span><br />20th over - Bhajji - <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">10 runs <span style="font-style: italic;">including 5 wides again!<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />I had a very bad feeling about those free runs given away as wides, as I am sure did a lot of other people. It helped England cross the psychological 150 run mark and ultimately proved decisive in the narrow margin of victory they got.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Fielding now. Was it just me or did England seem to score 1s and 2s with a lot of ease? Again, there seemed no urgency in India's fielding. It looked like they were just going through the motions.<br /><br />The batting. Oh, the batting. Perhaps there was a grand plan in sending Jadeja in at 4. That did not work out all that well. He was looking so lost out there. His mom should give him with lots of milk and almonds to build up his strength 'coz his shots seemed to go nowhere. He undid all his good bowling effort with that innings. And got a lot of abuse from me in the process. I have never wanted an Indian wicket to fall so badly. By the time Yuvi, and then Pathan came to the crease, perhaps there was just too much to do.<br /><br />One thing England need to be commended on is their bowling effort. They picked up on Indian batsmen's weakness with the short ball and exploited it to their full advantage. They were the better team out there today and they won. It is indeed a shame that India did not work on this aspect after their last game.<br /><br />One thing that kept coming back to me was how everyone seemed to agree that the reason why India won the cup in '07 was because they were fearless. They were extremely confident in themselves and backed each other up to win from improbable situations. That quality seemed missing in this tournament.<br /><br />Life as an Indian cricket fan is never easy. For me it is more difficult 'coz my next favourite are the eternally choking South Africans. Sigh. It's not looking so good for me....<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-74001058111744600882009-06-12T20:39:00.005+01:002009-06-12T21:05:43.893+01:00Dwayne'd!Oh, this is depressing!<br /><br />India have themselves to blame for this. Aweful batting effort. Just aweful! Dhoni's gem(!) of an innings has <a href="http://dopaisekatamasha.blogspot.com/2009/06/test-match-special.html">already</a> <a href="http://eye-on-cricket.blogspot.com/2009/06/dhonis-stinker.html">been</a> called. But for some late gutsy hitting by YP, Yuvi and, well, Bhajji, the scorecard would have been a bigger eyesore.<br /><br />One did get the feeling that 150 would be a competitive score. And when Simmons' wicket fell, I still thought we had a great chance of winning. But Bravo and Chanderpaul took it away in style! Credit where it is due, I would have enjoyed their batting if they weren't playing against India. The main problem areas for India remain bowling at death and fielding. If a couple of easy run out chances would not have been missed, WI could have been pushed a little bit more.<br /><br />Anyhoo, it's Mission England next. Perhaps they will just fall apart and save us some trouble? They have played their part in this competition by qualifying for the Super8's. Don't they need some extra practice for the Ashes or something?<br /><br />P.S. Was Chanderpaul's stance, when on strike, a little wierd or have I just not seen him bat for a while?Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-54048261080499731302009-06-11T17:41:00.004+01:002009-06-11T17:47:16.040+01:002 Simple Rules...to maximise your fantasy team's score.<br /><br />1. Check which players Megha has selected for her team. Don't pick them.<br />2. If possible, check with Megha which players she chose initally, but changed her mind at the last moment. <span style="font-style: italic;">Definitely</span> pick those.<br /><br />As they say, <span style="font-style: italic;">Apna to </span>bad luck <span style="font-style: italic;">hi kharab hai!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> :(<br /></span>Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-56800431996716666532009-06-04T22:38:00.004+01:002009-06-04T23:04:16.590+01:00I am BoredI am on Board....<br /><br />Actually, I am on Bored...<br /><br />Are you bored of this yet?<br /><br />Go on then...get on <a href="http://www.boredcricketcrazyindians.com/2009/06/as-and-sa-two-peas-in-pod.html">Bored</a> and check out the story of 2 guys who might as well have been brothers in their previous birth....<br /><br />Yes Ma! I got published at BCC! today...I know I have done you proud..sniff...Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-60555071398516729622009-06-04T14:08:00.003+01:002009-06-04T14:19:01.812+01:00Adios Symonds?Another <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/407391.html">"alcohol related incident"</a> and Symonds is on his way back to Australia. With him not being selected for the Ashes as it is and now his contract being off the table, is it the last we have seen of him?<br /><br />As per cricinfo, he is keen to tell his side of the story. That is something I am eagerly waiting for. His attitude problems aside, I suppose Australia has been left poorer without him in the side for his sheer talent.<br /><br />It is a pity that he refuses to learn from his mistakes. Although, in all honesty, it is difficult for me to feel sad for him!Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-55892794805769941652009-06-02T22:59:00.004+01:002009-06-02T23:20:00.039+01:00Warning Has Been Sounded..by Bangladesh that they ain't gonna be walkovers. They put up a fight against Australia and gave Sri Lanka more than just a scare. Indian team will do well to pay heed.<br /><br />I am not too bothered about the loss to NZ. What does bother me is the fitness of certain team members and match weariness. On the other hand, Ishant's bowling was a relief. RP Singh gives me a lot of confidence because of the awesome IPL he had and Ojha looked good in parts too. If only our openers strike gold soon...sigh...<br /><br />Anyways...tommorow's match is important for reasons more than it being a warm up game. No two teams playing can capture the magic of an India-Pak match for me :). Hope I am able to catch some live non-Cricinfo action.Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-15647630801287112952009-05-28T15:40:00.010+01:002009-05-28T20:17:43.444+01:00Back In BusinessAlert - This post might contain a LOT of cheesy lines, "duh" moments and stuff you might've heard and even written yourself already. Blame it on the break...<br /><br />So, the Great Battle of the IPL is over. To be honest, I wasn't too keen on following the whole thing. The kind of phase 1 BRC had did not help matters <span style="font-style: italic;">at all</span>. Couple of weeks into the league and I had almost stopped the occasional score check, it was getting <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> boring. And then, <a href="http://fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com/">this guy</a> happened, there were a few awesome matches, teams' fortunes started fluctuating with every match(except KKR's i.e.), BRC revived under Kumble and what not. What is a girl to do! I had to follow the last few games :)<br /><br />A few random facts and thoughts -<br />- Tendulkar <span style="font-style: italic;">is not</span> a good captain.<br />- I saw the finals live on TV. You would think that having read enough about the atrocious commentary, the fugly trophy, all the Modi fawning etc. I would be prepared. But no sir! I died a little inside every time I saw the trophy or heard Pommie Mbangwa or heard a spectator/commentator singing praises of His Highness Modi. I had a funny vision (at least it made me laugh). People who have seen the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093578/">Mr. India</a> might be able to relate to this. I saw Lalit Modi on a throne, with a shiny black and gold uniform, his loyal soldiers and servants around him telling him just how great and awesome he is and how he will definitely rule the world pretty soon. And Modi is pink with barely controlled glee, muchlike Mogambo..."Lalit Khush Hua!!". (Ya, I know it would be difficult to see the pink, but you know what I mean) Mercifully, I turned off the telly as soon as the match got over, and escaped the Closing Ceremony.<br />- Robin Uthappa has discovered new high levels of uselessness. Does that need explaining? FOAD Robin!! I never thought it would come to this with this guy.<br />- Rahul...oh dear Rahul...WTF?! How...I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">just how</span> did you manage to drop that catch off Symonds?? And what about that godawful shot you got out to? What were you thinking? You remember that "not too many dot balls n taking singles" thing we talked about <a href="http://sillymaidon.blogspot.com/2009/03/1st-day-review-it-doesnt-get-later-than.html">here</a>? That works in T20 too...I swear....<br />- Some things never change. Hey Symonds, what's with all the chattering on the field?<br />- Great turnaround for the Deccan Chargers! They did look like a completely different outfit under Adam Gilchrist. And, was AG on song or what..I could literally see the havoc he wrecked on Delhi in the Semi final even though I merely "read" it on Cricinfo.<br />- And finally, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09347382352013897381">Anusha</a> has dicovered the IPL algorithm. It is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LIFO_%28computing%29">LIFO</a>. So worry not KKR fans. IPL 3 is yours :)<br />- 430 words on IPL. Wow! Didn't know I cared that much....<br /><br />Coming up shortly...T20 World Cup.<br /><br />Update 1-<br />The move to South Africa was good IMO. I think there was a more even contest between bat and ball. SRK found a legitimate reason to run off to India and not be with his team. But most importantly, in accordance with Murphy's Law, there were a few spots of rain in SA, but the weather in England was fabulous. Lots of sunshine.Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1033470319798883235.post-9822849363754396852009-04-20T17:39:00.004+01:002009-05-31T20:30:43.521+01:00Symonds + Controversy = Humor?<a href="http://cricketnext.in.com/news/controversial-symonds-lands-in-trouble-again/40118-13.html">Controversial Symonds lands in trouble again</a><br /><br />OK. I know there is a joke in here somewhere! Can anyone help me figure it out?!Meghahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00192011739394095016noreply@blogger.com6