Cricket – Once a sport, once a gentleman’s game

I have been an avid follower of Cricket right from the tender age of 7-8 years when the sport for me just meant to hit the ball and then on learnt the finer aspects of the game by following many forms of competitive cricket played by different teams including the English County, Ranji matches, local tennis ball cricket etc. I have followed more cricket than have played the game that is, if you don’t count the various video, computer and mobile games though ☺
What drew me into the game was the thinking needed for the game and not many people would understand the aesthetics of the game. The game is played more on working out a batsman, handling the bowler and manipulating and manoeuvring the field. Execution, which is playing the game is as important as planning for the game. 
And I was lucky to have been watching cricket in the era of many great talents and gentlemen likes of Sachin, Kumble, Dravid, Pollock, Aravinda De Silva, Murali, Kallis, Ambrose, Lara, Mark Waugh, Richie Richardson, Gavin Larsen, Stephen Flemming, Laxman, Gilchrist etc played the game. Then there were the not so gentlemen who played the game with sheer aggression not just in their game such as Ponting, Steve Waugh, Ganguly, Warne, Cairns, Donald, Franklyn Rose, Ranatunga, Akram, Waqar etc. 
These guys added to the flavor and excitement to cricket without ever needing the catalysts such as cheer leaders or sponsorship deals for every catch taken or every boundary hit. There was no need for the game to be shortened. In fact people wanted the 5 day games to last longer because there was purity in the completion, unpredictability was dependent on players ability not to give up and a bit of luck and now we have IPL. 

I always believe that smartest and most intelligent people are greedy and can stoop to any levels for their selfish gains and such a problem attacked the game of Cricket too.  There was hunger to capitalize on the passion of the people for the game, different groups were formed. Game became a mere means of money and entertainment. The greed became insatiable, wanted it to reach many other unexplored countries and compete with Football, Basketball etc . And in the process, a lot of changes happened to the game, trimmed down to a mere hitting the ball as far as possible phenomenon. Game that started as timeless shortened to a sport of 2-3 hours per game. It totally doesn’t make sense for a team of 22 players where at a time it’s just a couple of people being active participants can be completed in a matter of minutes but hey, people have no time, they like the shortened version. It drew many people away from the game, people wanted more Test matches and didn’t bother much about T20 and so the administrators of the game started reducing Test matches and we cricket lovers had to resort to IPL, Thanks to some of our icons being part of the tournament. 
There are many positives about IPL which probably the marketing team of IPL and cricket bloggers have extensively covered such a money for cricketers, chance for youngsters rubbing shoulders with legends, opportunities etc.  But there are many more negatives to the IPL, money being perceived in a wrong sense, young cricket minds drifting away from cricket to being page 3 celebs, fixing, average talent which should be supported and nourished further getting big bucks and in the process being obsolete after a couple of seasons etc. 

This post was triggered by the growing predictably unpredictable matches of the IPL, taking one such match Mumbai Vs Rajasthan last league match of 2014 IPL. The first half of the tournament had clear positions of the team but then most of the remaining matches would have rendered useless so all probability and combinations came to play, we need these teams to win these matches to compete for the top 4 and so all matches became very interesting, the top 3 team making all the necessary experimentation to lose the matches, the top 2 teams suitably losing few games to keep the battle for the top spot open. All ingredients of an entertainment series when you have TRPs coming down. Sport is meant to be unpredictable and battle of talents, but when you take that away then what you are providing is sheer entertainment. 
The scenario for Mumbai was to beat Rajasthan with certain stipulation for them to qualify to the top 4. If Mumbai players did this then would have been very exciting but when many people predicted what could be the scenario that happens is kind of unbelievable in the wrong sense. 

• Qualifiers were never in Mumbai in the first place but then the Qualifiers get moved to Mumbai so we need a Mumbai team to get the crowd.
• Rajasthan is almost the least hated team of the IPL and underdogs so none will suspect fixing especially after 3 players were arrested last year. 
• Watson plays a shambolic innings. I have not seen him play so defensively even in Test cricket. 
• Watson is not a great captain but his bowling changes and decisions, come on man it was for all to see. 
• Big signing player should be showcased else who will be paying big bucks next year.

Yes I am alleging fixing of the game. But bigger question is not if it’s, true it’s just that who all are involved. 
I had spoken of the same scenario and how it would unfold to half a dozen people 10-12 days ago, the only change in my narration was Pollard and not Anderson. Either I am Nostradamus or that is one hell of a coincidence for the impossible to happen. 
Cricket is reduced to entertainment thanks to some buffoons and IPL. 
IPL is good entertainment but for it taking away the spirit of the game and unpredictability and competition is a bit too much for a Cricket fan to take. 
WWE and IPL are no different, both very well scripted reality shows.

The story of a Kid and a Toy

It was the time when the kid had just learnt walking, parents dreamt of big steps the kid may take in life. Kid felt happy to be on its own feet, excited at being able to see world on its feet. In the process of learning to talk, it could just mumble few words but parents did understand what the kid meant. Parents were happy to take the kid for a walk, the kid was happy. On one of those walks, kid saw a toy in the store. It instantly got attached to it, it wasn't the most attractive in the world nor was the most popular but kid loved it the moment it saw it. The toy became special for the kid. It wanted it, it mumbled, parents didn't understand, it cried, shopkeeper saw it but didn't bother. The kid tried to explain it to the parents but in vain, kid was helpless, restless. It didn't give up, learnt to speak just to explain it to the parents. Kid learnt fast and was able to explain the request to the parents. Parents were surprised, they loved the kid but were not willing to pamper it. They were not going to buy unless they felt it is right for the kid, alas first challenge for the kid. The parents weren't too keen on buying the toy. The kid cried, whined all in vain. Kid had only one thing in mind, it wanted the toy, it learnt to live in the best possible way. Parents loved everything the kid did, it was perfect and a kid anyone would love to have. Kid had built an unspoken relationship with the toy, parents were unaware and so was the shopkeeper. Kid longed to see toy express, kid knew the toy liked the kid. Kid grew up and the soft spoken request became scream. The parents saw the want becoming need, they cared about nothing than the happiness of their kid. They decided to get the toy for the kid, they went to the shop. They didn't like the way shopkeeper projected himself, they didn't like the company toys had but they too saw the toy the way seen by the kid. They liked it, they accepted it. The ignored the behavior of the shopkeeper, ignored the arrogance of the co-owner. All this showed the love for their kid. Kid saw the love and was happy, he was happy more for the toy, he always dreamt of sharing the home with the toy, his parents love, grandma's warmth. Shopkeeper wanted sometime to give the toy, kid was willing to wait as it understood it isn't easy for the toy to leave the place of its existence. A week later shopkeeper informed the kid they were not willing to part away with the toy, kid couldn't bear it. Tried everything it possibly could to get the toy like it had from the day it saw the toy, was ready to fight the world for it. Shopkeeper and co-owner were adamant, kid had no choice but to give the news to parents, kid was shattered, crying uncontrollably, parents were panicked and hurt. They were helpless, their anger at the shop increased, they couldn't bear their kid being hurt. They promised to buy better toy little could they feel the attachment kid had for the toy. Kid missed the toy, tried to forget but couldn't. Toy interacted with the kid in a way none could see none could understand, it asked the kid to take it away. Kid was not willing to, he wanted to take the toy with dignity, parents had always taught the kid ethics and not to snatch away anything. Kid wanted to take the toy away but couldn't. In the meanwhile, shopkeeper decided to find a suitable owner to the toy, the toy had given up. Kid knew nothing of it and still didn't know the reason for shopkeeper not giving the toy to it.

Time was running out for the kid, it knew there were many kids wanting the toy but it thought the toy would wait till the kid fixed the world but time was running out for the toy too.

The time came when the toy found a owner, shopkeeper had made the decision, all the kid expected was the toy to talk. Toy to talk and kid knew the World would listen if the toy would talk but it didn't and kid had lost the toy. World changed for the kid but for how long only time would tell. Will the kid ever become happy? Will the kid ever want another toy? Will the kid want anything so passionately ever? Will the kid follow the right path always?

My Witty Brain at work :-)

http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/life/10-indianisms-652344

It is time these get included in the English Language else i will protest by fasting like 'years back' protest against corruption which will include recently 'passing out' students.
If English doesn't 'do the needful' and 'revert back' the protest will go 'out of station'. They can 'do one thing' and we can 'order for pizzas' and 'discuss about' the issue.I am 'preponing' my 'big sleep' to get these words into English.

Revolution in India

Past 3 days have been really absorbing and really made me believe change is possible.
Not long ago had i tweeted calling people to stop celebrating world cup victory and stand up against corruption and scams and a week later it happening gives me a sense of satisfaction.
It takes just small stir somewhere to unite the nation and fight against a common cause.
I love the fact that it has come from an elderly man who lives by Gandhian or principles of non-violence.
The fact that it is a non-violent movement so far is the reason for it to be gaining so much momentum and traction, over the years i have believed that people respect you and join you if you are those intellectual silent types who can put your word across strongly and noy by shouting or being violent. Violence is always considered hooliganish and not many people like it.
It is also easy for the opposition to pin you down if you are violent and there are chances you blow yourself as well with violence.
These are the very facts and thinking that make me respect Gandhi in our freedom struggle though most of the people/friends i know hate him to the core and blame him for getting freedom late. But i am a firm believer that non-violence combined with strong rebellious fight is the way to achieve something. There was a perfect mix of non-violence from Gandhi and certainly more than enough fire power from guys like Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh which made Indian Independence possible.

Now we have an elderly man fighting for a cause so lets help and support him in anyway possible.
And yeah, lets stop being cynical and asking 'oh, you are fighting now and you paid bribe to get your land allotted', You jumped a traffic signal.. etc. We all know that we do make mistakes and when it is time to correct in a large scale lets do it.

Respect to Anna Hazare. Sir, it takes something to unite the entire nation.
My 2 idols in life
Mahatma Gandhi - Was able to unite the entire nation
Adolf Hitler - Was able to fight a whole community head on and cause misery to many European countries

Decision

Have had a hang on my life all these years be it school i went to, college i wanted to go to, company i joined or company i wanted to join...These are all some of the things most people won't have control on either cos someone else decides for them or consequences are such that they don't have the criteria to choose but have been lucky to make the choice and not get in anywhere by chance but life's biggest decision(as many call it) has left me in a position where i need to wait on many parties. Trust me its tough especially for a person whose way of life is impatience and for whom any decision in the world has to be either a simple 'yes' or 'no' to be caught in tangles of emotion, culture, time, tradition and more importantly to be waiting on others to take any step forward is really taking a toll on me..

The most difficult of all things is to wait on something and you being helpless...It really takes a lot of effort to balance things in such a phase of life..There are times you start to question 'is it really worth it' and the answer always will be 'Yes' :-) atleast its been so far......

I just hope that everything settles soon and i get a hang back on my life..

Randomness to the core..

Written a long time back..was in drafts and just published it..

Few years ago i believed that i was an practical pessimist i guess that doesn't hold good anymore..I am now more of an optimist oozing with confidence and grit of a man on mission.Past few months i have not been myself and that is clearly shown in my recent posts..there always used to be my soul in the posts but nowadays its not the same..reasons may be numerous..trying to hide something or in the phase of transisition but doesn't matter..my posts are still good and they do tell about myself.


Last few months a lot of things have happened which could have broke me but i am bloody strong that i have stood strong without even a tear spent..Lost my grandpa..hit by recession..lost a good friend ( she got a guy )..trip got canceled.fell ill..health has deteriorated(still haven't been to doc)..but i still feel great about myself..I have always loved myself and have started to feel greater about myself..But one thing that has always haunted is me losing ppl..what the crap is that..can't i ever be successful in friendship..donno what goes wrong..have had numerous friends till now and will have many more but i wish someone would tell me what actually is wrong in me that my friends can't hold on to me..my friends have always made me feel special in their lives until they find someone..Donno what to write..But i have learnt living life this way..
No regrets..

Year of 2010

Bit late but better than never..Back to writing a blog and living in tradition of writing a blog in January..The topic pretty straight forward my yearly update :-) i just hope i don't copy paste everything from my fb and twitter profiles..
Let me change the format of the yearly update from the month by month as i usually did..Why?????
Change is the only constant? or i am too old to remember the dates (will write from remains of memory or memory remains)..ok enough its just that i prefer to give importance to the things that have happened rather than the time... let me see..habits usually die hard..

Year started on a good note with a new client being added to the company profile and a big client with a good prospect of growth and the trial period was an excellent success and growth has been tremendous with team growing from 3 ppl to 11 and we handling more than 70% of the customers..A professional organization and a very good one to grow with..Hope to see more success and growth with the client..
Then we had a change of management in another client place and hence had to cut down the resources but me and my partner being strategist planners we ensured all was well we just did a bit of reshuffling of resources across clients.

Family pressure regarding taking away my independence(marriage) had started in October and the agitation if you may call it was 2 months old but still the warrior in me fought on :-)

Dad had started looking for a plot or house in and around Rajajinagar but as always we had a argument and the proximity had to me maximum of 2 kms from my current home :-) We saw many some priced as high as 12.5k per sq ft....and then zeroed in on some but every house had some or the other point me or dad disagreed upon..
Then finally we saw a plot about 0.4 kms from my home and initially i had outright said no and didn't even visit as i had to cross West of Chord Road but my friend suggested me to have a look and i did and then we finalized on it but the owner was an entrepreneur in US and he was coming down in June so registration had to wait on till then..But i loved the plot...

The IPL started and kept me glued to the tv for the first few days and then had me glued to cricinfo for few more then preferred to look at scores of RCB matches and the points table..
RCB had a good performance and Dravid had some pretty good knocks..End of the day they reached semis and were knocked out by spirited Mumbai.. But finally were able to win a match convincingly against DC in all 3 years of IPL..RCB were more like chokers when it came to playing against DC..

Oh yeah..before the IPL Kallis, White, Merwe, Morgan, Boucher and Steyn had a privilege of being at HRC at the same time as me and a few friends were...

My birthday is a day i look forward to not for the gifts or wishes alone but for the time i introspect and i loved the way i have grown in every aspect but i am never contented or satisfied..Still a lot more things to and i always want something more and get bored easily with monotony and something which has already been done/achieved..

May is the month my company completed its first year and i felt really proud and kicked about it...First time in my life deciding on pay raise or hikes certainly made me feel good..
We had a small get together of sorts where we just ordered pizza and gave all my employees wrist watches and sweets...Promise guys the party will be on in a few years for anniversary celebrations:-)

Prospect of new clients joining was looming large and hence had to be on my toes with getting infrastructure in place..hire resources etc..all was done and new client did come in but lasted just 3 months..its a secret but there was misappropriation of funds and false advertisement of Google analytics to get more investors..I cannot name the client :-) One of the clients i was happy to let go as they absolutely had shabby process and its difficult for off shore companies to work if process is not solid..Happy that i got the big name in my client list though ;-) ..

Oh..i think now i came to about July or August and there it was the topic of marriage..it blew up and i had no cover so had to give a go ahead for ctrl+f with a set of crazy criteria and thankfully been able to reject everything even without meeting anyone from past 8 months..Don
t know till when i can do that but been successful so far...

Then i got my vision correction done and am happy about it...i can wear sun glasses now...not can i just have to bloody wear it to protect my eyes from all the dust and pollution around..That reminds me that i had to meet my Doctor and it has just been a delay of just 6 months for now...
Dentist is just a month away from being one year..Hope he doesn't charge me more for going late :-P

The plot registration was done and the owner of the plot was a very good guy and i got instantaneously close to him and still maintain contact with him and he shares me his success story and also has promised to let me know of any opportunities that may arise as well.

Then the planning of the house happened not without its share of arguments between me and dad..I always felt arguments get the best of every person and end product will be superior and i agree to it..me and my dad never agree on anything unless we have a discussion and have our say :-)
The plan came out well and when we were supposed to start the construction..Tarle happened with the neighbor..he has not left a single inch of space but expects us to leave 3 feet..we had left 1.6 ft and then i spoke to our engineer and told that just leave it and lets proceed and we did so.
My point is if 100 ppl make a mistake it doesn't become right just because he has not followed the rules doesn't make sense for us to break the rule and argue saying u have not followed and so won't we..sounds kiddish..

The plan is awesome and love it..Ground floor of parking space then a duplex home and finally a floor for office.. I am not a fan of having office and home at the same place but financials and time saving takes a priority here for time being than my likes..My office works 24 hours and hence it is safe and convenient that i stay as close as possible..


Now now and now let me talk about my first trip to Goa....Did i love it?? yes i loved every moment of it and certainly asking for more.....Now i clearly get why in DCH those guys planned one trip to Goa every year... for the serenity of Goa...Man makes me go back.....But missed my best friend as he was not able to make it for personal reasons...looking forward to spending time with him there..We can talk about everything under the Sun and above it and beyond it as well..I would love that to happen in Goa..perfect ingredient for relaxation...Lets see when and if it happens..But overall mesmerized by Goa and won't care the company can go there alone as well..

Then got a very big project from a leading company..ok i think i can reveal this AOL and we did a good job and we are promised more work and yes already in talks with more stuff..

Then finally we decided to launch or re launch our website..Being a web development company and building corporate websites for many companies it was a shame that i was still sticking to a kiddish website i had built for fun in a matter of hours on Feb 2009 even before the company started or idea chipped in i had this website and probably for fun then :-)
The website certainly took a lot of my attention from many things that were happening around and made me focus and the result made me happy..it came well and it was well received..

Then i got a new found interest for discovering good music especially english classics..so the search is still on and have got some awesome collection and i keep listening to glory while working..Helps me focus..


Ok i am getting bored..will add more later...not sure..