Silly M(a)id-on

Yousuf may cut ties with ICL.
Grrr..

So, 7 minutes to go until Day 2 starts. Here is my tuppence on the first day.

After 60/6 I was pissed off to see NZL score 289 in all. But all in all I think I am ok with it. India are poor starters when it comes to away series. And I would rather take this start see India 6 down for 60-odd before lunchtime. Plus, you know, did you really expect NZL to just give up batting? Vettori is a very handy #8 batsman (he has scored 18 50s and a hundred before this) and Ryder is, well, Ryder. It is good to see a fightback. That is what Test cricket is about isn't it?

Onto today...as far as India's innings is concerned, Sehwag will be Sehwag. If he fires, India will automatically be in a very dominant position becuase of the sheer mometum his innings usually bring. If he doesn't, I would like to think that we have a very capable batting line up. Gambhir has a point to prove. At least I think so. He needs a good series outside the subcontinent. Yuvi needs a solid effort to cement his place in the side. But the man of the moment for me is Rahul Dravid(no surprises here). He has to make sure that he paces his innings well. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that playing a lot of dot balls and then getting out doesn't really benefit the team. So, RD, sweety, lets give me a reason to chear about from you in this series, all right?

Onto the live game...uh..as soon as it starts that is..

The first session was our revenge for yesterday. And now for 2002....

I have been seething with rage since morning and could bring myself to write only now. I have never ever believed in the argument that terrorists will not attack cricketers.

My thoughts are with all the victims of this cowardly act. Kudos to the Sri Lankans for handling themselves with much grace and dignity.

Update: Despite clear security threats, the Sri Lankans were not even given bullet proof vehicles, neither were they given a clear passage to the stadium by closing off other roads! Basic security measures anyone?!

For the last 2 overs I have been chanting "Balla utha! Chhakka laga!" in my head(That's in a song from the movie Victory for the uninitiated). And the Pathan brothers have obliged :)

Time for a celebratory coffee break!

Now I know it can be a very subjective issue. But I was just wondering if there was any way to know how many times a batsman has been given out when he wasn't. Cuz I was thinking that Sachin might be holding the record for this one.

P.S. this is not meant to start a white skin vs brown skin or any other kind of flame war. I am really curious.

I am worried about India playing 4 specialist bowlers and the part timers being taken for runs this time.
I am worried about Yuvi falling to Mendis or Murali in an awful manner.
I am worried about the law of averages catching up with all Indian players in golden touch.
I am worried about Sachin getting another harsh decision from the umpires.
I am worried about Jayasuriya, the man who refuses to age, hitting Indian bowlers all over the park.

On the other hand,
I look forward to India winning the match and equalling its own record of successive wins.
I look forward to wrapping up the series tommorow itself.
I kinda also look forward to Murali getting the 2 wickets he needs to set a world record as long as it does not mess with the points above :).

And then,
It would be good to see Balaji in action later in the series and give Zak/Ishant some rest.
It would be fantastic to go on and win the series 5-0!! Ah, the dreams and high hopes!!

On an entirely separate note, I have decided that, since Rahul Dravid is not playing ODIs and T20s any more, I am transferring my affections to Dhoni for these formats.

I can't believe Haddin has the nerve to call Vettori claims poor and low! I have seen the replays of the infamous "glove incident". I didn't think for a second that Haddin did that purposefully, I did not even expect him to call Broom back. But you would think that having seen the replays, he could have apologised maybe? Or just acknowledged that the dismissal did not look right and said something like "We all should be careful in the future" like Vettori said? Too much to ask? I thought so!

Angry at Sehwag's statements (apparently) Guru Greg has decided to call it quits.

"I am not interested in India. Not interested in Indian cricket."

Good riddance I say.

Bye Bye Chappell. Thank you for nothing.

Wishing everyone a slightly belated but a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Hope 2009 gives you a lot of reasons to smile :)