When Sachin Tendulkar pumped his fist in the air after scoring his 42nd ODI century in the first final against Australia on Sunday, many cricketing legends would've been put off. Nothing more than Sachin's sacking in the new young Indian squad with a median of 25 would do. In fact, some players like Sanjay Manjrekar would only be too happy to see Sachin retire. His two articles on two days were as opposite as Mars and Venus. Where he was criticising Tendulkar for the manner in which he was playing in the series Down Under on the eve of the first final of the CB series, he was waxing eloquent after Sachin hit an unbeaten 117 at the SCG in the very next article.
For a long time now, critics have pointed out how Tendulkar fails in the finals fo every tournament. Kapil Dev, a couple of days ago, said that just because Tendulkar has performed in one finals of one tournament after about fifteen failures, it does not mean he should be put on a pedestal.
Why do most former players hate seeing Sachin succeed? The most simple and obvious answer is professional jealously. After playing alongside Sahin and now being 'retired experts', it is difficult for these players to digest the stamina, hunger, drive and obscene money the Little Genius is still making.
When Gavaskar wrote that the SCG will now be called Sachin Cricket Ground after Tendulkar smashe dhis first ODI ton in Australia after two decades in cricket, it was hard not to see a trace of sarcasm in the piece. What these experts dont realise that Dravid and Ganguly may have been exemplary players but their presence in the dressing room did not amount to the same level of excitement as when Tendulkar is sharing with his younger team-mates. It is as no great surprise when Rohit Sharma said batting with Sahcin at the SCG was his best innings so far. This is because Sachin is a contrast to the individualistically perfect Dravid and the controversy prone Ganguly, both of whom manage to draw attention to themselves than their game. Cricket writers have often pointed how Sachin soaks all the pressure a cricket crazy nation of over a billion people puts on him every time he goes out to bat. He still has the goods to play for at least another couple of years. Cricketers learn so much from watching him play. Any opposing team has to watch the tapes of Sachin batting all the time because of the improvisation he brings in his shot-making, whether it is the paddle sweep, the six over third-man or his latest shot, hitting over the wicket-keeper and sli pcordon's heads, Sachin is always learning and showing others what to do. Ganguly had to fight his own demons with the short ball and Dravid seems to have gone into his own shell ever since he gave up captaincy in April last year.
It is clear everyone in India is looking ahead. Individual baggage of a celebrated cricketer does not count for much in the Vengsarkar-Dhoni era. MS Dhoni has proved his instinct workes better than the brains of selectors combined. He needs to put on his thinking cap once again. A sportsman does not need to be a captain to motivate a bunch of young and eager boys. And if Sachin can mould this young team full of brimming talent into a group of fighting winners, he will leave the game with the biggest legacy of them all. Will the retired experts and expert selectors let him do that?
Friday, March 07, 2008
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Roadies is back
I love Roadies. That's the first confession I want to make before I write anything. The MTV show had me hooked ever since I caught one of the audition episodes of last season whilst flicking channels. The entire concept of the show amazed and entertained me—something I expect out of a TV show I'm watching.
This week's first audition episode from Chandigarh was great fun too. Raghu, the creative director of the show showed why he was the most feared amongst the contestants and why for the viewer, each of his tantrum made sense. Like the way he analysed the Kuwait return girl's dilemma versus the requirement of the show, it was fascinating. There's also Nikhil Chinappa this time to give Raghu company. Much better choice than Mika MTV had last year.
The selected people included a Bani-ish character who denied she was anything like her, a long haired guy who thinks he's a dude and can bed any girl he wishes and a loser sort of guy who showed flashes of brilliance in the audition. 3 different characters already and I cant wait for the next auditions in Kolkata. The show is telecast each SAturday at 7 PM.
I met Raghu at National College last year towards the end of Season 4 last year. He told me (and the college students gathered) how each episode is shot. There are ten cameras which record all the details of the contestants and each of them is assigned a number. From VD 1 to VD 10. VD stands for Video Diary. These are then viewed and edited- a humongous task according to Raghu. That is why we see a lot of jump cuts in the episode.
That is also why Raghu says the show cannot be rigged and isnt rigged. He had also claimed that Roadies was the first reality show to have aired on Indian television. Apart from that, it was also an original show. I believe most of all this because I dont see any counter claims to it. And because I am biased to the show.
More power to Roadies!
This week's first audition episode from Chandigarh was great fun too. Raghu, the creative director of the show showed why he was the most feared amongst the contestants and why for the viewer, each of his tantrum made sense. Like the way he analysed the Kuwait return girl's dilemma versus the requirement of the show, it was fascinating. There's also Nikhil Chinappa this time to give Raghu company. Much better choice than Mika MTV had last year.
The selected people included a Bani-ish character who denied she was anything like her, a long haired guy who thinks he's a dude and can bed any girl he wishes and a loser sort of guy who showed flashes of brilliance in the audition. 3 different characters already and I cant wait for the next auditions in Kolkata. The show is telecast each SAturday at 7 PM.
I met Raghu at National College last year towards the end of Season 4 last year. He told me (and the college students gathered) how each episode is shot. There are ten cameras which record all the details of the contestants and each of them is assigned a number. From VD 1 to VD 10. VD stands for Video Diary. These are then viewed and edited- a humongous task according to Raghu. That is why we see a lot of jump cuts in the episode.
That is also why Raghu says the show cannot be rigged and isnt rigged. He had also claimed that Roadies was the first reality show to have aired on Indian television. Apart from that, it was also an original show. I believe most of all this because I dont see any counter claims to it. And because I am biased to the show.
More power to Roadies!
Monday, November 12, 2007
OSO - A Personal Review (possible spoilers ahead)
So, incredible news first. I saw Om Shanti Om, first day last show. And in D row. That bit is incredible because until 30 mins before the show began, I had almost packed my bags to go home. Wasn't feeling great too - light headache and bodyache. But things turned out surprisingly differently and I had a great time watching the most publicised movie of all time.
Coming to the story itself, I knew it would be total timepass because after Main Hoon Na, if I learnt anything it was that Farah Khan can tell a story in an entertaining way. I find her movie making style very David Dhawan-like, but a couple of notches higher. And of course, Shahrukh over Govinda helps.
The story then is quite simple and very Karz inspired, and although she may have said she doesnt like remakes, one look at OSO is enough to convince you otherwise. So there is one Om who is a junior artiste and lives life happily with his best friend (Shreyas Talpade) and hyperactive mom (Kirron Kher, surprisingly over-the-top). Along the way he is also in love with superheroine dreamy girl Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone) with whom he chats via a poster and later after saving her from a fire (Sunil Dutt-Nargis anyone?), he chats with her in real life, asking the same silly questions (tum mujhse bore toh nahin ho rahi naa?). Enter baddie Arjun Rampal (well acted, for once) who turns out to be a producer and kills Shanti to save his studio and name by not getting Shanti to tell the world they are married and are about to have a baby.
Hero sees all. Hero is killed. Hero is reborn. Hero wants to turn the tables. Hero gets what he wants. End of story. That's the second half by the way.
Along the way, questions about the script arise but are not answered properly. Where did Shanti's duplicate come from suddenly? Why did baddie not put his foot down being a hotshot Hollywood director himself to SRK's obvious gameplan?
The first half is entertaining and keeps you engaged. Farah lets her viewers see the arcane world of moviemaking. Shahrukh is good as usual, his energy levels unsubsidised by his advancing age. And he had the six-pack to prove for it.
The surprise package is Deepika Padukone. She acts right, her facial expressions are great and is not the plastic models Bollywood imports from time to time in its movies. Here is someone who will go beyond Aishwarya in the movie making business. Top heroines, better start working harder now.
All in all, OSO is good, worth one watch, if nothing then for the spoof on Bollwood Farah so endearingly touches upon. Aamir Khan, Sooraj Barjatya, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra and of course Manoj Kumar, take a bow.
Coming to the story itself, I knew it would be total timepass because after Main Hoon Na, if I learnt anything it was that Farah Khan can tell a story in an entertaining way. I find her movie making style very David Dhawan-like, but a couple of notches higher. And of course, Shahrukh over Govinda helps.
The story then is quite simple and very Karz inspired, and although she may have said she doesnt like remakes, one look at OSO is enough to convince you otherwise. So there is one Om who is a junior artiste and lives life happily with his best friend (Shreyas Talpade) and hyperactive mom (Kirron Kher, surprisingly over-the-top). Along the way he is also in love with superheroine dreamy girl Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone) with whom he chats via a poster and later after saving her from a fire (Sunil Dutt-Nargis anyone?), he chats with her in real life, asking the same silly questions (tum mujhse bore toh nahin ho rahi naa?). Enter baddie Arjun Rampal (well acted, for once) who turns out to be a producer and kills Shanti to save his studio and name by not getting Shanti to tell the world they are married and are about to have a baby.
Hero sees all. Hero is killed. Hero is reborn. Hero wants to turn the tables. Hero gets what he wants. End of story. That's the second half by the way.
Along the way, questions about the script arise but are not answered properly. Where did Shanti's duplicate come from suddenly? Why did baddie not put his foot down being a hotshot Hollywood director himself to SRK's obvious gameplan?
The first half is entertaining and keeps you engaged. Farah lets her viewers see the arcane world of moviemaking. Shahrukh is good as usual, his energy levels unsubsidised by his advancing age. And he had the six-pack to prove for it.
The surprise package is Deepika Padukone. She acts right, her facial expressions are great and is not the plastic models Bollywood imports from time to time in its movies. Here is someone who will go beyond Aishwarya in the movie making business. Top heroines, better start working harder now.
All in all, OSO is good, worth one watch, if nothing then for the spoof on Bollwood Farah so endearingly touches upon. Aamir Khan, Sooraj Barjatya, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra and of course Manoj Kumar, take a bow.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Testing a New Captain for a brand new Team India
You have to feel sorry for Tendulkar. The poor guy is in subline touch and the (airhead) selectors dont know whom to turn to to give the thorn .. oops .. crown of Test captaincy to other than him.
I agree with the majority of ex-cricketers who say Dhoni should not be made Test captain. It would be too much for the Jharkhand lad. A genuine talent can go haywire if overwhelmed with so much responsibility. He will crack. And when he cracks, he will break, never to ve mended again, least of all by the selectors themselves, who will have moved on to the next available scapegoat in the team.
Dravid is being shuffled around - the current bunny (pun intended) of the selectors - who've found their latest bakra. Yuvraj (when he is not getting clicked with Beyonce withou knowing what RnB and hip-hop is .. err.. I know that because I saw their small photoshoot at Room 1122 in Grand Hyatt couple of weeks ago .. more on all that in some other post) is not a Test certainty with his tempemental technique, so he cant be made captain too.
The others in the team are just that - the others - not capable enough to be even considered. Sourav cant be considered as well because of his 'history' with the selectors - their love story which went horrendously wrong. Tendulkar well .. he was not handled properly by the selectors again. He should have been, as Ravi Shastri rightly pointed out, be approached when he was made vice-captain for the England series. He doesnt want to compromise on his batting at any cost and captaincy might hurt his chances of walking out in the sunset with a glow of runs behind him. And after serving the nation for close to two decades, God knows the man deserves at least that much.
The selectors, who've already made fools of themselves over the coach issure now find another monkey on their back. They have to act fast and they have to act wisely, not the brightest of points of the yawning oldies. But here I come to their help. The name is Kumble, Anil Kumble.
He has just given an interview saying he would be glad to lead India. He plays only Test matches now. He's already an Indian legend. He is respected by every team member. And he has learned a lot over the years which can finally be put to concrete use rather than let is rot away. And by the time he decides to call it quits, Dhoni would have been groomed properly to take over the delicate mantle from a wizened hand than the selectors' gaffe-prone butterfingers.
The question is - who will have the guts to stand up for the Karnataka leggie? Or will the selectors deliver another googly to Indian fans today? Will the captaincy go to Dhoni as being predicted or will there be some twist in the Great Indian Cricketing Tale. We'll have to wait and watch for the final outcome.
Fingers crossed.
I agree with the majority of ex-cricketers who say Dhoni should not be made Test captain. It would be too much for the Jharkhand lad. A genuine talent can go haywire if overwhelmed with so much responsibility. He will crack. And when he cracks, he will break, never to ve mended again, least of all by the selectors themselves, who will have moved on to the next available scapegoat in the team.
Dravid is being shuffled around - the current bunny (pun intended) of the selectors - who've found their latest bakra. Yuvraj (when he is not getting clicked with Beyonce withou knowing what RnB and hip-hop is .. err.. I know that because I saw their small photoshoot at Room 1122 in Grand Hyatt couple of weeks ago .. more on all that in some other post) is not a Test certainty with his tempemental technique, so he cant be made captain too.
The others in the team are just that - the others - not capable enough to be even considered. Sourav cant be considered as well because of his 'history' with the selectors - their love story which went horrendously wrong. Tendulkar well .. he was not handled properly by the selectors again. He should have been, as Ravi Shastri rightly pointed out, be approached when he was made vice-captain for the England series. He doesnt want to compromise on his batting at any cost and captaincy might hurt his chances of walking out in the sunset with a glow of runs behind him. And after serving the nation for close to two decades, God knows the man deserves at least that much.
The selectors, who've already made fools of themselves over the coach issure now find another monkey on their back. They have to act fast and they have to act wisely, not the brightest of points of the yawning oldies. But here I come to their help. The name is Kumble, Anil Kumble.
He has just given an interview saying he would be glad to lead India. He plays only Test matches now. He's already an Indian legend. He is respected by every team member. And he has learned a lot over the years which can finally be put to concrete use rather than let is rot away. And by the time he decides to call it quits, Dhoni would have been groomed properly to take over the delicate mantle from a wizened hand than the selectors' gaffe-prone butterfingers.
The question is - who will have the guts to stand up for the Karnataka leggie? Or will the selectors deliver another googly to Indian fans today? Will the captaincy go to Dhoni as being predicted or will there be some twist in the Great Indian Cricketing Tale. We'll have to wait and watch for the final outcome.
Fingers crossed.
Monday, October 15, 2007
A blast here, a blast there.
What's with all the blasts happening in every nook of the country? It's almost become a game of guessing as to where and not when the next blast int he country will be. All this while, politicians mint their money and bureaucrats twiddle their thumbs and the public demands accountability from the police, whose own hands are tied up the bureaucrats and politicians.
What will help reduce the number of lives lost to the crazy will of a silly group bound together by doctored advice? First and foremost, a certain human regard for one another, a fraternity of humanity and then brotherhood. This does not mean we go and create a character like Peter Novak but rather learn to respect each other from the point of view of understanding, rather than aggressive misinformation squandering.
The authorities can make sure that a fast track justice system is created to finish off all bomb blast related cases. Waiting for a decade and ultimately letting the perpetrators walk away scot free can create a new breed of wannabe terrorists. But therein lies a schism. We must make sure that there is no introduction of draconian laws such as
POTA, which will only surve to defeat the very cause these courts would be formed for.
The most important thing for the public is to maintain calm, for the police is to find the culprits and for the intelligence authorities to be wise enough to know where the next blast in going to be. S difficult, but by no means, an impoosible task.
What remains to be seen is who's going to take up the cudgels now?
What will help reduce the number of lives lost to the crazy will of a silly group bound together by doctored advice? First and foremost, a certain human regard for one another, a fraternity of humanity and then brotherhood. This does not mean we go and create a character like Peter Novak but rather learn to respect each other from the point of view of understanding, rather than aggressive misinformation squandering.
The authorities can make sure that a fast track justice system is created to finish off all bomb blast related cases. Waiting for a decade and ultimately letting the perpetrators walk away scot free can create a new breed of wannabe terrorists. But therein lies a schism. We must make sure that there is no introduction of draconian laws such as
POTA, which will only surve to defeat the very cause these courts would be formed for.
The most important thing for the public is to maintain calm, for the police is to find the culprits and for the intelligence authorities to be wise enough to know where the next blast in going to be. S difficult, but by no means, an impoosible task.
What remains to be seen is who's going to take up the cudgels now?
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