IPL 2.0 and Yusuf Pathan

Boom! IPL 2.0 has hit our TV screens harder than Yusuf pathan hits sixes. Its amazing how the transition from saas-bahu sops to cricket (in the fast lane) took place. Now every one talks about cricket, right from my wife (who actually is not a cricket buff) to my colleagues to my mother in law. Sometimes i actually get amazed by her knowledge of the game. Talking about cricket, yesterday i saw a nail bitter between defending champs Rajasthan Royals and our daredevils from Delhi. On paper, Rajasthan are absolutely a no match for Delhi. But things are often quite different on a cricket field vis-a-vis on paper. And that was again proved yesterday. Rajasthan were completely down and out at 60 odd for 5 wickets, and in walked Yusuf Pathan. Goodness gracious, this lad can bat! He hammered 62 of 30 deliveries with 6 sixes, won the match with 9 balls to spare (and thats half a life time in 20-20 cricket). Hitting Daniel vettori (Arguably the best left arm spinner in the world) for 32 runs in two overs in not a joke. And yes who can forget the super over against KKR, needing 16 runs to win, Yusuf smashed 6, 2, 6, 4 in a ajantha mendis over, won the match with 2 balls to spare (and thats a life time in a super over). Its incredible, Irfan and yusuf are sons of a maulvi earning a meagre 1200 bucks a month. I announce the arrival of the next big thing in Indian cricket - Yusuf Pathan - My man of the tournament so far!

MSD - A Smart Cookie!

Everyone is hailing MSD for his superb contribution to indian cricket, what he has done to indian cricket is something like what R.D. Burman did to indian music i.e. reviving it. The brand of cricket which MSD plays has been adopted by the entire team. Whatever he touches at the moment seems to be a masterstroke. It was very evident at the mohali test, what he is made up of and message that he is sending is "team comes before individuals". I dont want to demean the contributions made by our very own "Fab Five". But i guess its time to move on and look beyond them. Infusion of fresh blood has done wonders to this team. India is set to replace the aussies as the next cricketing and financial powercentre. With MSD, i think "intent" is the word. He has an uncanny knack of winning moments in a match, like giving the last over of the T-20 final to joginder sharma. They say he has that Midas touch. Whatever it is, rest assured that future of indian cricket is in safe hands. What i like most abt MSD is that he is not scared to call a spade, a spade. Smart cookie he is!