Merkku Indhiya Theevugal

West Indies

Clearly my second favourite cricket playing nation for years.

Its very happy to see this wonderful nation play in a final . I think this is the first time I am seeing WI team play in a final . They have won a ICC Championship some years back. But I this is a World Cup . Today they play  in the Finals of the Fourth Edition of ICC T20 WorldCup against SriLanka.

If not Sachin, it will be Lara, may most favourite sportsperson. I don’t know the exact reason why I like him. May be his style , may be his nature. It started from him, my thought towards the Indies in the West. I ve seen some old matches played in 1970's-80’s. It’s clearly this team that ruled the entire globe in cricket. But It was 1983 world cup finals that sealed their fate. It was till the first innings that were clearly the Champions for the third consecutive time. But it was time for the East. So from then their graph took the downfall.

At times player used to roar with some individual performances of Walsh , Ambrose . I used to fear when Walsh came to bowl and the same for the other “Black Magician Ambrose”. Chandrapaul and Hooper shine in some matches. Then I think around 2006-07 where most of the team was restructured with senior players going out and youngsters making their way in lights of Gayle, Samuels, Edwards, Bravo. Once when India played against them I wished Windies to win that ODI. I can never forget the match in India when Marlon Samuels smashed a century and took a pink cloth from his pocket and showed the world. One other thing is they had the first even women commentator in international Cricket.

In 2007 , they had an opportunity to conduct the World Cup . The event was not that received, as India and Pakisthan exited early from the tournament. That time as far as I am concerned I was very glad to see that people over there celebrate Cricket. Play cricket mostly on beaches. Have lots of fun.The same year also had the first ever T20 coming into picture and the introduction of IPL.

From then onwards, the players started gaining respect around the world. With each of the Players playing for different teams and shining individually. Pollard for Mumbai. Bravo for Chennai. Gayle for Banglore. Narine for Kolkata. Then they had the salary issues going in their home country. So most of the players boycotted some games. Now with all settled and these players coming together as a Team is a very positive thing.  

Their opponent, Sri Lanka. The have home support as an added advanatage in this match. Some say they are the favourites. They have few exceptional players. This Cup is needed for their country. As they give the first place to Cricket putting Cinema and Politics behind. That’s why u can find Jayawardane and Sangakara photos in most of the shops banner.  But I want Windies to win the Cup and perform their dance in the ground. I ll consider myself unfortunate to miss this show as I will be travelling, but I ll never stay away from scores and updates on mobile.

So as an East Indian I wish the West Indies to bring home the Cup and Glory

Nandri ,
S. Praveen Kumar,
07.10.2012

IPL Season 5 -

IPL 5,
May 28th 2012.

And finally it marked the end of the season.
A beautiful night for those whos kick started the inaugral version of the IPL with a bang.
The most enthusiatic team among al.
I still remember shah rukh dancing in THE EDEN GARDENS 4 years back near the boundary line.
Shoaib akthar and KHAN enjoying after their victories especially wicket of Sachin in a match.
The Dream started with Rawalpindi express , But it needed a Magician from the Carribean to do it for the KKR.

Opening Batsmans of India, Yorker bowlers of Pakisthan, All rounders of SouthAfrica, Likewise Devastating pacers of West Indies.
But finally from the beaches of Trinidad, the Mystery man Sunil Narine delivered it, single handedly stopped each and every batsman coming in KKRs way to finals. 
But i have this small doubt, his DOB is 1988. such a small guy in international arena .
When he gets wickets or at times got hit also, this guy is simply out of emotions.
Its not that he is inexpressive, he is controling his anger or happiness in such a way that many players like Kohli , Vijay should learn from him.
Anyways its time for the Indian Batsman to solve another mystery like they did against Warne, Muthaiah, Mendis.
But this time, i am sure it ll be harder ride.

One other person who has amazed me is Steve Smith.
Few people look like iron, He is IRON man according to me. Whether it comes to sprinting for runs, or fielding, he s a person who you should watch for in the international and in ipl matches.

Rahul Dravid, who came to collect the Fairplay award for his team. If this person's team is not getting that award you should throw the award to gutters.
Man of values, He is the only reason why i am at times angry on Sachin. Sachin's fame grace has shadowed this man's talent to certain audiances.
His look for the presentation, looked like a golfer, but proud to see a Cricketer in such a Look. He is one person who makes me shout, "Cricket is a GENTLEMAN's GAME".

Sachin, his dismissal in the eliminator, and how he reacted to it, has made cricket proud.
Steyn u are the best pacer in this format. ur over agaist rohit sharma in a league match, simply no words. 
Mallinga, u have practised hours, days and years for your yorkers that only few inhuman can afford to hit u.
David hussey 's catch. The way he watched the ball travelled should be a fielding guide across the world.

Pollard, Bravo , Gayle and Smith . It was very happy that one of my favourite international team has such players like yo.
Pollard's determination to contribute to MI in all three forms were simply amazing. that too in the third format.
One shot he stopped of CSK skipper in Eliminator , there is no other person who could have done that.
Bravo's Six in 45degree and match winnig six of Bhatia 's last ball.
Smith 3 balls 14 runs, how many cricketers could have done that.
Gayle, one or two, normally stroms attack only the coastal areas of India, but the Gayle storm hurricaned in all parts of India.

Pune, ya, yo started well, but soehow things were not good thru ur lenses, but i should thank you for showcasing Ganguly's excitement after his first ball wicket.

Deccan, What one can tell, your team had the most happiest finish among all other teams, you turned out as the Kingmaker by winning the last two matches and sealing the fate of 3 teams, this should have made Gayathri happy.

Rajasthan, I missed to see the excitement for Shilpa and happy that u fighted like real royals where yu missed Watson for most of the matches. Not to miss Rahane the man who set IPL on fire this season.

Punjab, Five teams have proved themselves till now in T20 format in India, and i am sure , Trophy will be coming towards the Heart of India  , It just moved from Legs to Hands now.

Banglore, You were the entertainers . Other teams played for themselves , you were the one who played to entertain 1 billion people. ABD s finish against DC . Gayle's opening almost said the opponent that the opponent can think of winning only if he is out of equation.

Munbaikars, The Battalion, there was one man standing in your way in yellow , There is no other way with the specialist you have in all departments .

Delhi Boys, Not again, it was for your team the Play-Off was initiated . The difference between winning and loosing is one man, if he stands, match wins even if they need to chase 300.

Chennai, Something new for you to experience, Its ok to loose. Yo have proved enough.

Calcutta, And the Howrah has bridged a new hope in taking the trophy from south to North-East. Manvindher Singh , No words, when Gauti failed and when it needed the most, u stood up.

Oh, i think i dint tell about one person.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Well, few tell that u are lucky, few tell you are a hard hitter, few tell that u are a cool customer.
But according to me you are Teacher .
Yes, You tought nearly 10 crore growing kids and the remaining grownups of the nation , on what to do if ur toy is plucked from you by others and how to react . It means that you have grown up or its time for other chaps to have go at it.
This particular toy is not made for one, but when you have it long and you are about to loose it , even the monks go mad to keep it theirs , but no serious arguements or mishaps or shouting or starring to the oppostion which tells loudly to the sporting world that there is something called spirit the lay in a game than just winning it.

Thank You Cricket for being an extra nerve of the nation.

                                                                                Praveen...