The whole of today could only have been about poor umpiring and how the two umpires in the field and the one in the box were probably the worst combination that India has ever come across and how Steve Bucknor must clearly be the most pig headed umpire in the circuit as he refuses to go to the third umpire even when he had the option…. Oh what a field day we had about how the whole world is against us and how India gets the worst of umpires and umpiring decisions. Luckily VVS Lakshman played an extraordinary innings that took all our minds away from the negativity that we could have so easily succumbed to. Thank you VVS for an innings that we will not forget in a hurry and thank you for doing it again against Australia, a country that has humbled many a reputation.
Dravid the martyr
It was not pleasant to watch Dravid bat today. Here is a batsman who has left the captaincy and is going through the worst patch of his batting career and who is being asked to open against what is perhaps the most lethal fast bowling combination in the world. But he was equal to the task, took the booing with great humour and actually smiled when he got a single and a roar from the crowd. Rahul Dravid may not be having the form of his life but there is no denying the fact that he is an amazing competitor and a human being beyond reproach. I just hope Indian cricketing history recognizes this wonderful person and his selfless sacrifice for the country. And mind you batting for four hours today was extremely crucial, as he was the perfect foil to an ebullient Lakshman.
Gilly drops a few
Whilst India had its fair share of misfortune with the umpiring, it had some good luck as well. Gilchrist kept dropping catches, Hussey took a catch that the umpires actually had the good sense to go to a third umpire for, Dravid was caught off a no ball and Ponting had the courage to say he had not caught Dravid cleanly. Instantly I got a message from my brother which read “What a change from Ponting, couldn’t believe it from an Aussie”. Yes while lots of unbelievable stuff happened today at the SCG nothing was more unbelievable than Lakshman’s innings.
Dravid the martyr
It was not pleasant to watch Dravid bat today. Here is a batsman who has left the captaincy and is going through the worst patch of his batting career and who is being asked to open against what is perhaps the most lethal fast bowling combination in the world. But he was equal to the task, took the booing with great humour and actually smiled when he got a single and a roar from the crowd. Rahul Dravid may not be having the form of his life but there is no denying the fact that he is an amazing competitor and a human being beyond reproach. I just hope Indian cricketing history recognizes this wonderful person and his selfless sacrifice for the country. And mind you batting for four hours today was extremely crucial, as he was the perfect foil to an ebullient Lakshman.
Gilly drops a few
Whilst India had its fair share of misfortune with the umpiring, it had some good luck as well. Gilchrist kept dropping catches, Hussey took a catch that the umpires actually had the good sense to go to a third umpire for, Dravid was caught off a no ball and Ponting had the courage to say he had not caught Dravid cleanly. Instantly I got a message from my brother which read “What a change from Ponting, couldn’t believe it from an Aussie”. Yes while lots of unbelievable stuff happened today at the SCG nothing was more unbelievable than Lakshman’s innings.
The first session tomorrow
It has been two fantastic days of test cricket. Runs being scored at a furious pace, wickets at odd times, tail enders playing brilliantly and almost all of these nearly marred by the men in white. The first session tomorrow will determine the course of the game, what with the second new ball due in a some time as well. One just hopes that the umpires do not have a field day and further ruin what promises to be an amazing cricket match. And I do have a private wish. I hope the men in white makes lots of mistakes favouring Sachin and Saurav and I wonder if our commentators’ criticism would be as strident! Yes an amazing game in prospect.
It has been two fantastic days of test cricket. Runs being scored at a furious pace, wickets at odd times, tail enders playing brilliantly and almost all of these nearly marred by the men in white. The first session tomorrow will determine the course of the game, what with the second new ball due in a some time as well. One just hopes that the umpires do not have a field day and further ruin what promises to be an amazing cricket match. And I do have a private wish. I hope the men in white makes lots of mistakes favouring Sachin and Saurav and I wonder if our commentators’ criticism would be as strident! Yes an amazing game in prospect.
(Ramanujam Sridhar is the CEO of brand-comm and the author of One Land, One Billion Minds).
4 comments:
It really was outstanding batting from VVS. It reminded me of the 2003 series when sehwag was taking them to the cleaners whilst askash chopra was blunting the attack at the other end. I think today laxman took on sehwags role ( less crude and more elegant though) and dravid did an aakash chopra. But it atleast prevented a collapse. I think Kumble should send dravid at number 5/6 and send dhoni opening to do sehwags role. Dravid will find his form just the way he did in the epic 2000 kolkata test. I feel now is the real test for sachin. The stage is set and he hasn’t got a 100 for a while. If India can get even close to the aussie total it could get really interesting over the weekend. Fingers crossed. My alarm is already set for 430 am.
Yes Sachin is due for a big one and if the Melbourne game is any indication, he is in good touch.Saurav too has started well.Let us keep hoping and watching.
It is high time that Steve Bucknor is put to pasture. He is blind, obstinate and opinionated. The moment Venketargahvavan started making mistakes he left the scene.How long is the game to suffer him?
N S Mohan
Yes it seems apparent to everyone but the ICC.However hope good sense will prevail and that he does not officiate for the remaining games.
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