Just another innings

I have to say "Well Timed, Sir".
Not to Afridi, but to the photographer who clicked this. Because it depicts to perfection, the nature of this innings and Afridi's batting in general:
Savage Aggression and nothing else.

Now that I think of it, i cannot recall a SINGLE innings where he's changed his approach....
whether its the first innnings, second innings, avoiding a follow on, victory chase, grinding out a draw... it just does not matter to this guy.

He'd probably say that this was just another innings for him.

Honestly, its unbelievable at times.

Also, this piece of info from IndiaUncut is extremely interesting...

Currently Listening to: Modjo - Lady (Hear me tonight)

Brian Charles Lara

Aaah.. That recurring question?? Who's better.. Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara...

Y'know... its just one of those questions which is gonna spark a debate regardless of the place/time/context in which it is asked....

The other day, I was just watchin' the highlights of an WI vs AUS test match held in Barbados in 1998-99 season. (Link to scorecard)
Now, Anybody who can recollect that match will tell you in one go that Lara beats Sachin hands down.....
why??? Coz Sachin, for all his greatness, hasn't played an innings like that !
Chasing 311 to win on a last day pitch, Lara scored 153* and carried the team home with just the last wicket standing... (The next best score was 38 by Jimmy (P)adams !)
It was an innings of pure class which included a memorable confrontation with McGrath. (Bouncer hit on the head, next ball pulled away for four... verbal duels in between.. u can visualize it..)
It was a kind of innings that characterizes a Hero.. a Champion Sportsman.. that one guy whom the crowd absolutely loves... that one guy whom u just love to watch play....
And Lara has played a lot of those innings.....

Sachin is a great player, a master batsman & more importantly an unmatched team player, whose commitment towards the country is unparalleled & whose determination is inspiring....
He is a pure batting genius, technically flawless.

While Lara relies purely on rhythm & flair, Sachin relies on technique & only ocassionally, his mood.
And this is where I feel the difference is.... that "mood"...
Remember that Nairobi match in 2000, when Sachin smashed McGrath in a brilliantly pre-planned attack.. Although he scored just 40 odd... it was enough to spur the team, the crowd, the fans... everyone... India beat Aus in that game & went on to reach the finals in that tournament.
This mood of his apparently shows up only once in a while.. Sharjah in 1998, more recently in the WC 2003...
But when it matters the most.. Sachin has failed to live up to the expectations... WC Finals & Lots of other finals come to mind....

This doesn't mean I'm putting lara ahead of tendulkar.. no way.... but this is just a hindsight on those what-might-have-beens...

As an ending note, try & recollect Ind vs Pak test match in 1999 in chennai... doesn't it seem strikingly similar to the WI vs AUS match above...
Only here, Sachin fell when India where tantalisingly close... Lara didn't...

FantASHtic !!

Okay Okay, I lifted the title from a british tabloid's headline... but still, it was fantastic !!
Probably the only series that comes close to the Ind-Aus 2001 series... but then again, being an Indian, I'm bound to be partial to that one.

It is cruel that shane warne had to drop the most crucial catch... considering the fact that he'd virtually played like an one man army.
Just can't wait to see India play England now!

A few unforgettable moments, in pictures















Andrew Flintoff consoles Brett Lee after England's nail-biting 2 run win at Headingley.. This Image went on to become a series defining one.




Andrew Strauss takes an absolutely incredible one handed catch to send Gilchrist packing home.




Kevin Pietersen survives some superb bowling from McGrath & Lee en route his series-clinching century at the Oval



The Jubiliant England Team with the Urn... (Could this be the shift in power of cricket??)