It happened, but we didnt do it

Ravindra Jadeja has been having a nightmare season so far. Firstly he was banned from the IPL for being too greedy. Next his Indian skipper placed too much trust on him that critics have made him the prime reason for India's exit from the T20 WC. Then came the "on and off" brawl at St. Lucia story in which he was supposed to have played a part. The BCCI slapped him with a notice about the brawl. Now he has replied to the notice saying that the brawl did happen but he didn't do anything. Either Jadeja is making 5 new enemies (5 other players were also sent notices) or trying to represent them as well. But either way, the confession, apology and subsequent denial are quite confusing.

The brawl and the aftermath

While the BCCI waits for clarification from the 7 players supposed to be involved pub brawl in the Windies, they have already punished one of the 7 involved in a veiled manner. Piyush Chawla has been denied permission to play county cricket for reasons not known. But I definitely feel that there must be only one reason for it.
On the clarification front, the players have been given 7 days to respond. Personally I feel 7 days is too much time to get an answer. I can say that the 7 men involved with be cooling their heels at home in a relaxed way as they know that they still have 4 days left. Poor thinking BCCI!!

The cat is out

The cat is out of the bag. The Indians did brawl with fans in the St Lucia pub. Ashish Nehra's shirt did get torn. But how quick the Indians were in denying. Taking advantage of technology Yuvi and Zak tweeted in strong denials. Even Rajdeep Sardesai and Harsha Bhogle believed the Indians. Now the team manager seems to have broken the ice. Let's now see what these super-zeroes' responses are.
Staying with the Indian team, looking at the team's plight, Viv Richards has offered to coach them on how to face the sweet chin music. Let us wish that the Indians take this opportunity without a second thought and tide over their trouble.
While the Indian cricket fraternity led by Captain Marvel seems to suggest that the IPL spoilt India's T20 WC hopes, here is something that has contradicted it. Any comments MSD?

They did it!

Little did I know when I wrote the last blog that England would really go on to make it true. Kudos to Colly and co! Now I know why India didn't make it past the Super 8. Had India gone through, there was no way England were going to win the tournament. How about that for India arrogance?
But then the Aussies were not supposed to be in the semis. Like every Pakistani I was shocked to see the last 4 balls of the semis between Aus and Pak. Incidentally - a trivia!! Pakistan are the only team to have played in the semis of all 3 T20 WCs! A strange stat considering the state of Pak cricket nowadays!!
Quoting Ashish Nehra - "If somebody is saying behind me that somebody tore my shirt then what can I say. I didn't even take any shirt to West Indies. I had taken only t-shirts". Poor Nehra, he doesn't even know that a t-shirt is also a shirt. So innocent. He cannot be lying. Can he?
I am getting a lot of classy stuff to keep blogging about today. Here is a classy cartoon.

England's year?

England have been sublime in the T20 WC so far. They will most probably play Australia in the final - which means that the Ashes battle which is scheduled for the end of the year might just begin in the Windies this Sunday. Given the way things have unfolded and given Pieterson's prime form, is this going to be England's year this year? They have come so close on numerous occasions. I think it's time for them to cross the final hurdle - the Aussie hurdle.
BTW, I read Anil Kumble's article in a newspaper stating that playing in the IPL is more pressure than playing for India because in the IPL the players were playing for the franchises!!! But then the BCCI is a bigger franchise, isn't it Jumbo bhai?
As the BCCI and the IPL try to clean up the shit left over by L Mod and others, the Kochi IPL team that was in the middle of all this ruckus is already busy luring players into its fold. According to one management resource Mahela Jayawardene and Sreesanth are already in their fold while Steve Waugh is all set to become the technical adviser.IPL4 eh? Do I look forward to it or just ignore it?
And finally, I have a question for MSD. So the IPL parties and travel took the toll on the Indians eh? That's a revelation buddy. I never knew that the IPL parties and constant travel can make someone lose their sense of height?! Coz your "best possible T20 team" could not gauge how high the short balls rose!

I did a good thing

I did a good thing. The SL-Ind match was scheduled at midnight and I had a feeling this was not going to work India's way. So I decided to sleep and find the result in the morning. As expected Mahi (who will have a silly reason for the failure once again) and co flushed Indian cricket to the sewers once again. But then Mahi must still be be happy. After all, he just won the Indian Paisa League. So he can go back to Ranchi and rest while a bunch of 15 men who already know that they will never make it to the 2011 WC will travel to Zimbabwe to play Zimbabwe and SL in a tournament nobody will care about.
Wait a minute. Did I say nobody will care about. I must be wrong. There are 15 days between now and the beginning of the tri series in Zim. I think all will be forgotten and the whole of India will once again be rooted to the TV screens to watch the "almost Indians" pulverize Zimbabwe and get pulverized by SL. God save the cricket fans! When are Mahi and co. going to live up to the 2007 levels?
By the way, amidst all the ruins, Anand won the world chess championship once again. Is anybody paying attention?

Awaiting miracles

Two days ago Manchester United were expecting a miracle from Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge in order to retain the EPL title for the 4th year in a row. Unfortunately, not only did Chelsea douse the dreams early but they walloped Wigan 8-0 to snatch the EPL away from Man United. Two days later, India are awaiting such a miracle. Only this time, they expect the favor from a favorite team (Australia) rather than the underdogs. But with the Aussies having (almost - there is still a theoretical chance for them to be eliminated) qualified and with the Aussies playing the Windies at home, India's chances look bleak. But at least with pride to play for, the Indians should try to win this game for all those fans who stay up all night expecting the eternal flops to click once. Come on India. Just one time please.
By the way, as if to shame MSD and his flop shows, the Indian women have qualified for the semifinals once again. Is it time for Indians to turn their heads towards the eves? Will Captain marvel and his cohorts draw inspiration from the ladies?

Counting the chicken

I guessed I counted the chicken too early. Afghanistan and South Africa weren't the bench mark teams you must have gauged India against. Because over the course of the weekend, 2 words have wrecked the Indians apart for the third time at a World event. The two words - "short pitch". Dancing to the tunes - that is how we must describe the Indian procession in the two matches. I have no idea what these men have learnt from the lessons of England and South Africa last year. If ever they thought that the IPL momentum would carry them through the tournament, then they came in for a rude shock. I must also warn the Indian cricketers - half the world is already skeptical about the genuineness of the matches played in the IPL!! I suppose there is no point in asking MSD and his men to put on the thinking caps. Just take a good long hiatus from active international cricket. Work on what the world thinks is a terrible short coming for the Indians. Come back prepared for the future.
Given that the 2011 WC is to be held in the sub continent, I am sure the Indians will not have to fear the short stuff for that tournament. But beyond that, it is a bleak future for India. Beware Saurab Tiwary, Jhujunwala, Rayudu and co. You make up the future. The future is going to be very very "short"!!!

Stepping out and stepping in

DC did not give me anything to cheer after my last blog. And to add to that they lost to the arch rivals who went on to win. CSK may have deserved to win the final. But they did not deserve to be in the semis. Anyway T20 is a funny game. All said and done, I am still happy because MI lost. By the way, here is a warning. Tweeting could cost you your job. Be very very careful. Ask L-Mod and S-Thar otherwise.
Alright then, Raina has shown that stepping out of the IPL mode and stepping into the international mode is not much of a difficulty. It was a great sight to watch SKR and MSD ravage Albie who played along with them just a week ago. 2 great wins for the Indians and I think they are on course to repeat the 2007 magic. But then good starters always have stumbling blocks. Will India cross them?
It was heartening to see another Asian team - Afghanistan make its mark in the world arena. Although they lost, they never seemed like a team that was out of ideas. Noor Ali might just be on a IPL team next year - watch out! And watch out SA, Afghanistan might just pull off the surprise that has not surfaced at the T20 WC yet.