Virat Kohli's march towards greatness, better batsman than Sachin Tendulkar in handling pressure: Steely nerves, dominance reminds of Viv Richards

It was sheer joy to watch Virat Kohli take India to victory against Australia in the quarter final of the T20 world cup.

Kohli was in complete command in the match and there was no way he could be stopped.

The era when Indian batsmen buckled under pressure is long gone but the manner in which Kohli dominated the scene today, was taking it to yet another level.

Match after match, Kohli has emerged as a match-winner but today he was in absolute control a as he steered India into the semi-final.

The asking rate, the bowler(s), the odds, nothing seemed to bother him.

The swashbuckling shots, the confidence and the command, reminded me of the great Viv Richards in his prime, who instilled fear in the minds of bowlers. When Viv was on the fields, one 

Just when it seemed that the asking rate was too high, Virat pulverized Faulkner. 19 runs in the over, changed the complexion of the match. Virat was now in full flow.

Isn't Virat Kohli better than Sachin Tendulkar in run-chase, handling pressure?

Nathan Counter-Nile got a taste of the belligerent batsman in his next over, as he conceded 16. Suddenly, the match was in India's favour.

Boundaries were coming effortlessly. The frustrated look on the faces of the bowlers said it all. They had no clue how to contain him.

India won with five bowls to remain. Kohli had hit 82 out of 51 balls and what once looked to be an uphill task, seemed so easy. Indians erupted in joy and came out on the streets to celebrate the victory.

Having seen the Gavsakar era, the Tendulkar age, the Dhoni era and now Virat's times, one can see clearly how Indian cricket has evolved. We were never short on talent but it was 'nerves' where we used to get beaten. 

Today, Indian cricket has reached the stage where our players have the confidence to achieve anything and now they have the nerves of steel to snatch victory, even in the toughest circumstances.

Virat Kohli heralds the dawn of this new era in Indian cricket.

Sachin was definitely the greatest batsman in terms of runs scored in Tests and ODIs but when it comes to handling pressure, chasing runs, Virat Kohli is surely better. Emotions aside, that's the truth.

Greatest sporting icons Muhammad Ali, Pele and Sobers: Heroes of an Indian sports lover; coincidence all three of them are black!

In a conversation with a friend over the greatest sports icons, I instantly took names of three names--Muhammad Ali, Pele and Sobers.

The names just came out without giving much thought. In fact, I later thought over it again, but I couldn't find anyone else who fits in this league.

When I and those in my generation (who were born in seventies and began appreciating sports in the 1980s), these three sports stars were already icons for decades. We grew up with elders talking about them and reading about their heroics.

For the sports crazy, it's an exhilarating thought, something not easy to explain, that one just feels happy with the thought we have lived in this era and have the honour to see the sports persons. All of them are now septuagenarians.

Icons--they are in an altogether different league, those who are simply incomparable with other players or sports stars. In other sports, like Tennis, you may have Rod Laver, Bill Tilden, Don Budge or the Jordans and Johnsons, in Basketball, but none of them come close to my idea of an icon.

You may personally love a McEnroe or Roger Federer or more, but icons are different. An icon is an sportsperson who not only enthralls the world but inspires entire generations with their actions, both on and off the field, and the mention of whose name evokes respect.

While Pele and Ali are great sportsmen, for the cricket crazy Gary Sobers evokes similar respect and passion.

In our childhood, we heard that there was the incomparable Sir Don [Bradman], who hit 29 centuries in 52 tests, with an average of over 99.

But it was Sobers, who was almost an equal legend, in the second half of the 20th century.

Garfield St Auburn Sobers excelled in every sphere of the game. He amassed over 8,000 runs in his test cricket with more than 200 wickets, apart from nearly 100 catches, and his impact on cricket world was tremendous. For ages, his 365* was the highest individual innings of a batsman.

And, in the twilight of his career, it was he alone who could score 254 and demolish Dennis Lille, who was in his prime. Boxing legend Ali had the guts to speak up and take a strong [and highly controversial in those days] stand on the Vietnam war.

It is a strange coincidence that all these three icons are black. In the era when Apartheid existed [till late 80s in South Africa], they were role models and heroes for youths and sports lovers across the world. Ali is now 72, Pele is 74, and Sobers, 78.

Like Ali, Sobers and Pele also played an important role in confronting the racial prejudices and the idea of White supremacy. Great men, inspirational figures and statesmen, there is no one close to them in the world of sports.

Long Live, Pele, Ali and Sobers, my heroes.

READ: Story of Muhammad Ali, how he became symbol of resistance and hero of the world

Indian Newspapers' front pages after cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from the game

Sachin Tendulkar's retirement was the biggest news in India. After all, in a nation of 1.2 billion, he was the cricketing god.

Across the world it was BC or AD. But from 1989 till 2013, it was Sachin Age, in India. See the front pages of all the national newspapers. Most of them splashed the news across eight columns and up to the bottom of the page.

The impact of Tendulkar on Indian masses can't be described in a short blog post. Indian cricket had come of age, long ago. Sunil Gavaskar remains a batting legend and no one can question his greatness. Still, there was a time when Indian team would do everything right but lacked the spirit that is needed to snatch victory.

Sachin Tendulkar's arrival changed it forever. From his sixes in ace spinner Abdul Qadir's over during his first tour to Pakistan, which are still remembered, Tendulkar went own to become one of the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen.

SRT didn't just accumulate runs but scored them in style and also dominated the bowling attacks across the world--for such a long period.

In fact, the amount of cricket he has played is astonishing. No wonder, the pundits put him in the league with all-time greats like WG Grace and Sir Don Bradman.

It was under his shadow that the new crop of confident cricketers appeared on the scene. Today, certain players may act arrogantly and may not give him due credit, but we know the reality.

It was seeing Sachin play, that they got inspired to play the game and later, alongside him on the pitch, learnt the game, to become heroes of the new age.

Sachin's contribution to Indian cricket is immense. So much has been written and will be written about him. Mothers wanted their sons to be like him. Despite the accolades, he remains a down to earth person.

This is a rare quality. For a quarter century, he has been a superhero in this nation, and yet success never went to his head.

Clearly, he deserves Bharat Ratna. This post is not about his cricketing exploits as enough has been written elsewhere.There are numerous other qualities that made him the hero of this nation, and we will delve into them at a later stage.

Above are front pages of Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express, The Telegraph, Mail Today and Asian Age. I wish I could get The Hindu's front page also. Hindi, Urdu papers also played up the news. [See Hindustan and Urdu Times, Mumbai on the right]

In fact, it deserved this much space. English newspapers dedicated the entire cover page but in comparison, regional language dailies gave space to other news stories also on this day.

OCTOBER 11, 2013.

Iqbal Abdulla: Another Azamgarh cricketer makes his mark in IPL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has given chance to a whole lot of youngsters to exhibit their talent and burst on the national sporting scene.

This year IPL has already thrown up players like Paul Valthaty, Manoj Tiwari and Ambati Rayudu who would have otherwise hardly got the opportunity to emerge at the top level.

Iqbal Abdulla, who is playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is another cricketer who has so far performed well in the ongoing season of the IPL [2011].

The orthodox spinner who can made handy contribution with the bat hails from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, a town which is known for producing litterateurs, leaders and countless other 'Azmis' who have earned a name across the world.

Iqbal Abdulla, who sports the purple jersey for KKR has finally been recognised as a cricketer. He is not a novice though. He was one of the heroes of the Indian Under-19 cricket team's world cup victory in Malaysia. Fortunatel for him, the KKR is finally winning matches in IPL4.

In Azamgarh, Iqbal's father ran a small kirana shop. Worse, he hated cricket. But it was his coach's persuasive skills and the teenager's hard work, who slept in go downs and lived off a paltry sum in Mumbai, that he finally managed to get selectors' attention and was selected to play in the Ranji trophy.

The all-rounder who bowls left-arm orthodox spin had taken ten wickets at 13 apiece in the Under 19 world cup. Indian Express had then termed him 'real Iqbal' who scripted the young Indian team's victory on lines of Nagesh Kuknoor's critically acclaimed movie Iqbal, in which a Muslim boy overcomes disability to be part of the national squad.

With IPL, Abdullah is finally a recognizable face. Before him, Kamran Khan, another raw speedster, from Azamgarh, had earned name for himself. For a short while, a section of media had defamed Azamgarh, terming it a den of underworld shooters and nursery of terrorism.

Earlier it used to be poets, now its players like Khan and Abdulla who bring fame to the Uttar Pradesh town. They may not have got spectacular success as yet but the fact that players from humble backgrounds are making it to top teams and earning money, that is changing their families' lives, is a positive trend. More importantly, for Azamgarh.

Memories of Cricket World Cups [Part-2]: History, Players' Performances in Wills Cup 1996, ICC Cups 1999, 2003 and 2007

Sri Lanka's R Kaluwitharana in full flow in 1996

By the advent of mid-90s, almost the entire generation of players that had set the cricket stadia alight in the 70s and 80s had left the scene.

Not just all-rounders of the calibre of Richard Hadlee, Imran, Ian Botham and Kapil Dev but batsmen like Viv Richards who had left a deep impact on the game, had walked out of the cricket field. But new players were ready to take the mantle.

The brilliance of Brian Lara, Sanchin Tendulkar, Shane Warne and M Muralitharan, who appeared on the scene, was now scene in cricketing arena.

It was also the era of a host of colourful-yet-talented players including Shahid Afridi, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Cairns, Michael Bevan and, of course, South African batsman [all-rounder] Jacques Kallis. All of them left a deep impact on the game.

Down Memory Lane: World Cup 1996

The Wills World Cup was again jointly hosted by India and Pakistan. The Greatbatch formula was even more successfully implemented by Sri Lankan opening pair--Romesh Kaluvitharana and Sanath Jayasuriya, whose batting exploits changed the manner in which One Day cricket matches were played.

In three matches, the duo hit 115-130 in the first 15 overs itself. Against India, the pair reached 117 while against England they reached 121. Kenya bowlers suffered similar fate. This frustrated the opposition teams as their captains and players were too shocked with this sort of treatment.

Against Kenya, Sri Lanka scored 398-5. Pakistan couldn't reach semi-final as they lost to India in quarter-final. Despite a brilliant start by Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar, they lost steam and couldn't chase Indian total of 287 and got out of 248.

In the first semi final, India batted badly and was 120-8 when spectators got angry and threw bottles in the field. Ultimately the match was awarded to Sri Lanka. A resurgent West Indies made it to semi-final but lost to Australia.

In the final, Arjuna Ranatunga led Sri Lanka to their first world cup victory. Arvinda de Silva hit a century and bowled brilliantly to help Lanka win the match. Kalu's careless stroke play along with Jayasuriya's superb batting was the main reason for their victory.

Though Kalu faded soon after, Jayasuriya went on to become one of the greats of the game. However, their heroics in the Wills World Cup are still remembered as they changed the complexion of one day international cricket.

ICC World Cup 1999

It was after a long gap that the World Cup returned to England. The matches were held in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Netherland [Holland].

Once again it was Australia that won the World Cup cup. The team that had explosive batsmen of the calibre of Michael Bewan and Adam Gilchrist, along side Waugh brothers--Steve and Mark, was easily the favourite.

The bowling attack was led by Glenn McGrath who was in his prime apart from the spin wizard Shane Warne who could flummox any batsman in the world on his day. They beat Pakistan in a low-scoring and almost one sided match in the final.

Earlier, the semi-final between Australia and South Africa had ended in a tie after breathtaking moments. But on the basis of superior run rate, the Aussies reached the final where they beat Pakistan with ease. Indian fans had the consolation that they had beaten their arch-rival Pakistan in super six by 47 runs.

ICC World Cup 2003

The eighth world cup was played in African continent—South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe. India, Australia, Kenya and Sri Lanka had made it to the final four.

In the semi-final stages, India and Australia won their matches. Ponting led from the front with a superb unbeaten century (140 not out) in the final and despite Sehwag’s 82, India fell short of the huge target (359).

Sourav Ganguly’s decision to let Australia bat after winning the toss was criticized. But the reality was that Aussies outplayed India in the match. Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee tore through Indian batting lineup. And Pointing again lifted the cup.

ICC World Cup 2007

The ODI format had already attained peak in terms of audiences' attention and popularity. Australia however emerged as the leading team in late 90s and at the turn of millennium, as players like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist gave it an edge over other teams.

In the early part of the first decade of 21st century, there was already fatigue visible among players and spectators. Even One Day matches appeared predictable.

Soon the Twenty20 format emerged and captured the imagination of the cricket boards. [It was the same year when T20 World Cup was also held which was won by India under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy.]

But in 2007, the ICC Cricket World Cup reached the Caribbean countries who hosted the ninth World Cup. Sixteen teams participated and played in four separate groups in the league matches.

India was beaten by Bangladesh in their first match. Though India scored a record 413 against Bermuda in their next match, the team couldn’t get into Super eight. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka qualified from the group.

The host, West Indies, couldn’t reach the semis. Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand played in semi-finals. In the first semi-final Sri Lanka beat New Zealand as Muralitharan’s spin bowling flummoxed the New Zealand batsmen.

In the other match, Michael Clark’s 160 not out made way for Aussies to enter the final. In the 38-over each final, Gilchrist and Hayden hit 172 runs in just 23 overs.

Gilchrist’s 148 set the stage for Australia’s victory. They scored 281. Sangakkara and Jayasuriya tried their best but lost by 53 runs as Australia made history by winning the cup thrice in a row. Now the World Cup Tournament is back in the Indian sub-continent.

With batsmen like Tendulkar, Sehwag, Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan, India is fancying its chances. Pakistan also has some extremely talented players including the unpredictable Shahid Afridi who can change the course of any match.

About the chances of other teams I have already written in a post. Who is going to win the world cup? We just need to wait till April 2. This was the third post in the series as cricket fever is all set to grip India. See the earlier posts:

*Read the post on History of Cricket World Cups and records from 1975-1992 at this LINK.

*Read the post on ICC Cricket, World Cup 2011, timetable of matches, schedule and chances of different countries including India at this LINK.

Memories of Past World Cups of Cricket [Part-1]: Prudential Cups 1975 and 1979, India's victory in 1983, Reliance Cup 1987, Pakistan's win in 1992 and beyond

Great Gavaskar's ignominious innings

As ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is all set to begin in just a couple of weeks and cricket fever will be back soon, its time to reminisce the sporting moments of the past world cups.

In those days when there were no satellite TV channels and little other avenues of entertainment, not just matches but particular strokes of a player in a match and other sporting moments were remembered and debated for years.

Prudential World Cup 1975: WI emerge ODI champions, Gavaskar's notorious 36* in 60 overs

The first world cup, which was known as Prudential World Cup was played in England in 1975. As the day is longer in United Kingdom, the Limited Over International (LOI) matches consisted of 60 over for each side.

West Indies had won the first world cup with ease by defeating Australia in the final. Such was the lack of preparation of Indian players that Sunil Gavaskar had remained not out at 36 in 60 overs. He scored 36 over 174 balls which he faced.

In fact, Indian selectors apparently hadn't given much thought to the ODI format and there was no training. The English bowlers didn't even want Gavaskar to get out as his batting ensured an easy victory for England that earlier scored 334 for 4. Their bowlers also got ample opportunity to practice. India could manage just 132 for 3 in the sixty overs.

Prudential World Cup 1979: Lloyd again lifts trophy at Lord's

The next world cup was again won by West Indies that had established itself as masters of the limited overs' game. Led by Clive Lloyd, West Indian cricketers decimated all other teams to reach final where they beat England by 92 runs to win the second successive world cup.

Super cat Clive Llyod lifts the trophy

India lost to Sri Lanka in 1979 tournament and it was considered an upset. Australia was much weaker as its leading players had gone to Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket where they were playing under floodlights in empty stadiums.

The great Vivian Richards hit a masterful 138 not out had helped the Windies post a total of 286 runs. England failed despite an effort by Mike Brearley and Geoff Boycott. Lloyd lifted the championship trophy again in Lord's. But the next world cup was going to end the Windies' reign.

Prudential World Cup 1983: India's spectacular win, Kapil Dev ends West Indian domination

Kapil Dev led India to an extraordinary win in the world cup. The Indian team that comprised many young and less experienced lads was not taken seriously but under the captaincy of Haryana Hurricane, India not only made upset victories but also defeated the dreaded West Indies in the final.

The World Cup is remembered for India's match against Zimbabwe when after losing five wickets for mere 17, Kapil Dev took charge. It was a cavalier innings. Gavaskar, Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil, Yashpal Sharma and Mohinder Amarnath were out for 0,0, 1, 9 and 5 respectively.

But Kapil first partnered with Roger Binny and then with Madan Lal to take India to a respectable total. Then came the ninth wicket partnership of 126 with Syed Kirmani. In process he hit 175 not out, taking India to 266.

Kapil, Amarnath after winning 1983 world cup

Later Kapil's inspiring sportsmanship and captaincy was responsible for the manner in which India beat West Indies in the finals.

In the final match, Srikkanth top scored with 38 followed by Patil (27) and Amarnath (26). India barely reached 183.

However, under-rated medium pacers Madan Lal, Roger Binny, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Mohinder Amarnath turned the tables for India. Amarnath gave just 12 runs in 7 overs to pick 3 wickets.

The Calypsos were bundled out for 140. The mighty Windies apparently suffered such a shock that they steadily declined and within a period of just two years lost the tag of invincible team.

Reliance World Cup: Allan Border's Australia steal the honours, Gavaskar retires

It was the first world cup that was held outside England and showing growing clout of India and Pakistan in the cricket world. Initially Hinduja were supposed to sponsor it but after they backed out, Reliance sponsored the event. For the first time, all teams played 50 overs each unlike past when both sides batted for 60 overs.

Fresh from the world cup victory and the magnificent win at Benson and Hedges World Championship [1985] in Australia where Ravi Shastri had endeared himself to millions with his all-round display, India was again favourites.

Navjot Siddhu

If Kris Srikkanth and Kapil Dev were masters of the game, the emergence of Ravi Shastri and Mohammad Azharuddin, had given an edge to India. However, Gavaskar who had changed his game in accordance with the needs of the LOIs and played attacking cricket, had already announced his intention to retire after the World Cup.

One felt that Indian team could win the trophy and it would be a gift befitting the man's contribution but India failed to win. The emergence of Navjot Singh Siddhu as a pinch hitter [yet technically correct] and amazingly consistent batsman in ODIs was an added advantage.

England and Imran Khan's Pakistan were also among the favourites and Vivian Richards' West Indies was still considered a deadly force. However, another team of young lads, Australia, led by the formidable Allan Border surprised everybody as they clinched the trophy.

In the first semi-final Imran Khan had batted brilliantly by scoring 58 and clinched three wickets aided by Javed Miandad's 70. However, Mcdermott's five wicket haul proved costly and chasing Australia's 267, they lost by 18 runs.

In the other semi-final, Graham Gooch's century powered England to 254 despite Maninder Singh's superb effort but Indian team fell like a pack of cards with just Azharuddin playing the lone warrior with 64. Due to Hemmings' devastating bowling, India got out to 219 and lost by 35 runs.

In the final David Boon's century had set the stage as Aussies reached 253. Despite Graham Gooch, Bill Athey, Mike Gatting and Allan Lamb scoring substantial runs, England finally lost to Kangaroos by seven runs due to tight bowling [and fielding] by Steve Waugh and Border.

1992 World Cup: Imran inspires Pakistan to spectacular success, Mark Greatbatch dazzles

The World Cup that was organized jointly by Australian and New Zealand is remembered for the manner in which Pakistan's captain Imran Khan inspired his players and came back from nowhere to win the championship.

It was this competition that saw Mark Greatbatch assuming the role of pinch-hitter. He didn't play in the intial matches but as John Wright was injured, Greatbatch got the opportunity and took advantage of the changed rules regarding number of fielders in the initial 15 overs, to power New Zealand to the semi-final.

Martin Crowe also batted brilliantly. Apart from Inzamam-ul-Haq's emergence, the world cup is also remembered as Sachin Tendulkar showed his class and made his world cup debut. India beat Pakistan by 43 runs in the earlier match in which Tendulkar remained not out on 54 while Ajay Jadeja hit 43.

Both the semi-finals were memorable. Martin Crowe hit 91 to take New Zealand to 262. But Pakistan successfully chased the total as Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Ramiz Raja and Inzamam-ul-Haq batted superbly. Miandad and Moin Khan closed the match with a over to go.

The other semi-final is still remembered as after its return from Apartheid era, South Africa returned to mainstream cricket world and Kepler Wessels' team had made a great comeback while chasing England's 252.

McMillan and Richardson were at the crease and 22 were needed of 13 balls when Duckworth/Lewis rule changed target to 21 runs off 1 ball. In the final, Pakistan batted first. Imran led the charge and hit 70 that took Pakistan to 249.

Ian Botham who opened the batting for England was out for nought. Except Neil Fairbrother, no batsman could play the fiery Wasim Akram aided by Aqib Javed and Mushtaq Ahmed. In the end, an emotional Imran Khan made a speech mentioning his plan to build a cancer hospital in memory of his mother late Shaukat Khanum.

[This is the second part of the series of articles on World Cup. The first part about the schedule of upcoming ICC cricket world cup 2011, players' records and teams' chances can be read at the link. The next part on the world cups from 1996 onwards will be published soon]

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: Past World Cups, Records And Schedule as Countdown Begins

Who will win the ICC World Cup 2011?

One of the biggest sporting extravaganzas, the Cricket World Cup is all set to begin in less than a month. Since 1975, the world cup is being held once every four years and the tenth world cup will see 14 teams playing 49 cricket matches at over a dozen venues across India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 starts with the opening match  at Bangladesh's Mirpur on February 19. The matches will be held through out March and the final will played at the historic Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on April 2.

Whether you are Test cricket fan or you find One Day Internationals (ODIs) boring after the advent of T20, the fact is that no one can escape the cricket fever for almost 1-1/2 months.

The World Cup is being hosted again in India. Initially it was supposed to be hosted jointly by India-Pakistan but terrorist attacks particularly the firing on Sri Lankan team forced the authorities to shift matches and give them to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The format includes two groups with seven teams each. Four teams will qualify from each group. These eight teams will play then four matches in the quarter finals. The four winners will then play in the semi final at Colombo and Mohali on March 29 and March 30. The final will be played on April 2.

Group A: Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya
Group B: England, India, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and Netherland

India among favourites to win the cup!

Predictions as to which team will win the world cup can go horribly wrong. In the past, teams not given a chance, had a sudden dream run and went on to clinch the cup. India is among the favourites as led by the  Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the team has a mixture of experience and youth that ranges from Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehvag to Yusuf Pathan.

While Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh will provide strength to the batting line up, Pathan is expected to play the role of accelerator. Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan would lead the Indian bowling attack with Nehra and Munaf Patel as the other two medium-pace fast bowlers.

The bets are in favour of India followed by Sri Lanka, England, South Africa and then Pakistan. South Africa is surely a combination to watch far, given their recent record in ODIs. While Pakistan looks a bit shaky, it can't be written off.

S Africa, Sri Lanka led in ODIs in 2010: Hashim Amla, the player to watch for in World Cup

As far as performance of teams in ODIs in 2010 is concerned, South Africa led with 12 wins in 16 matches played during the course of year. Sri Lanka was second with 15 wins in 22 matches and a victory percent of 72. Australia won 16 out of 25 matches while England played 17 and won 12.

In sharp comparison India won 17 out of 27 matches, losing ten games.

Of course, India hit 401 against South Africa in Gwalior in February '09.

Pakistan had a forgettable year with just 5 wins in 18 matches. West Indies didn't do well either in the bygone year.

Leading ODI players in 2010

In 2010,  Hashim Alma overshadowed all other batsmen as he scored over 1,000 runs in just 15 matches with an average of over 75.

Virat Kohli was second with 995 runs in 25 matches followed by AB De Villiers, Thilakratne Dilshan et al. Among bowlers Bangladesh's Shakib al Hasan was the leading bowler in the world followed by Harris, Shafiul Islam, Stuart Broad and Bangladesh's A Razzaq. Ashish Nehra also figured in the list of top ten bowlers.

But India did well in Test cricket this year and their success rate was just after England. Australia, South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan followed in terms of victories. In T 20 format, 2010 witnessed England, Australia, South Arica and Kenyad doing much better than the rest of the teams.

Australia won thrice: India, Pakistan, SL have won once each and also ended up runners-up

Australia has been the most successful team in World Cups followed by West Indies. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have also won the trophy but among important teams England and South Africa have not been able to life the cup.

Interestingly, all the three teams from sub-continent have ended up as runners-up also. India reached the final in 2003 also but lost to Australia. Pakistan again also made it to final in 1999 but were routed by Australia in the final. Sri Lanka again lost to Aussies in 2007.

World Cup Cricket winners: From 1975 to 2007

In 1975 and 1979, West Indies were winners. In 1983 India made an upset victory which was followed by Australia in 1987, Pakistan in 1992, Sri Lanka in 1996. Australia has won the ICC World Cup on last three occasions viz. 1999, 2003 and 2006-07.

Sachin Tendulkar 

So far Australia has played 69 matches in World Cups and won 51. Ricky Ponting is the most successful captain. He has led Kangaroos in 22 matches in World Cup and won all of them. Ponting also holds the record for best fielder with 39 catches in 25 world cup matches.

Tendulkar, best batsman in World Cup ever

As far as performance of individual players is concerned, Sachin Tendulkar has been the most successful batsman as he has scored 1,796 runs in five world cups, followed by Ricky Ponting 1537, Brian Lara 1225, Jayasuriya 1165, Adam Gilchrist 1085 and Javed Miandad 1083. 

Gibbs, Stephen Fleming, Arvinda de Silva, Viv Richards, Saurav Ganguly and Mark Waugh have also scored over 1,000 runs in World Cup tournaments. In the last World cup, Mathew Hayden amassed 659 runs while before that Tendulkar had the maximum runs in a single world cup when he got 673 in just 11 matches.

Tendulkar will become the second player after Miandad to play in six world cups. Among bowlers, Glenn McGrath has been most successful and has taken 71 wickets followed by Wasim Akram (55), Muralitharan (53), Vaas (49), Srinath (44) and Donald (38).

With barely three weeks to go before the event starts, here was the schedule and a summary of the history of World Cups. The venue and schedule of matches are subject to last-minute change. As the world cup draws nearer, there will be more posts and celebrating the nostalgia & joy of cricket. Ciou!

*Names of  venues: Read  H'tota as Hambantota [in Sri Lanka], C'gong as Chittagong [in Bangladesh] and Motera is in Gujarat. 

Zaheer Khan: Indian cricketer's march towards greatness

Speedster Zaheer Khan went past a major milestone during the Durban test match in South Africa. Though India won the test, the record didn't get due attention.

During the course of the test, Zaheer went past the record of the spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi whose record of 266 wickets was a landmark for bowlers for several years until Kapil Dev broke it in the 80s. Now Zaheer Khan has taken 271 wickets in just 78 tests.

Further, it is his magnificent strike rate that gives him an edge over all other Indian top bowlers. Zaheer's strike rate is 58.1, which is almost similar to Shane Warne and Courtney Walsh and much better than Kumble 65.9, Kapil 63.9 and Harbhajan Singh 67.3.

For a speedster, especially in India, it's no mean achievement. After all, Bedi was the bowler who led the famous spin quatret [chaukdi] that included Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrashekar and later Venkataraghavan.

As far as pace bowlers are concerned, our record has been fairly dismal and Zaheer is now well ahead of Javagal Srinath [236 wickets]. On pitches that offer less to medium pacers or fast bowlers, Zaheer's achievement is laudable.

Particularly, as he is now fourth in the list of highest wicket takers for India in test matches after Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh and only the second after Haryana Hurricane Kapil Dev among Indian pace bowlers. Till the advent of Kapil Dev, India relied heavily on spinners.

In fact, Abid Ali and Solkar often opened the bowling and a few overs later the ball would be handed over to the spinners. Till eighties, the only medium pace bowler with 100 wickets apart from Kapil Dev was Karsan Ghavri. [See below the table that shows record of Indian fast bowlers (medium pacers) with highest wickets]

BOWLER	Tests	Wickets
Kapil Dev	131	434
Zaheer Khan	78	271
J Srinath	67	236
Karsan Ghavri	39	109
Irfan Pathan	29	100
Manoj Prabhakar	39	96
Venkatesh Prasad	33	96
Ishant Sharma	31	90
S Sreesanth	24	79
Ramakant Desai	28	74
Madan Lal	39	71
Dattu Phadkar	31	62

And this tells the story of Indian pace bowling. After the initial era when Amar Singh Ladha and Mohammad Nissar gave jitters to England in the pre-partition era, India's search for genuine quick bowlers continued. Though late 80s and early 90s saw the rise of several bowlers, none proved their potential.

The bowlers who came after Roger Binny and Madan Lal also retired early. Kapil was the lone warrior as even Manoj Prabhakar and Venkatesh Prasad couldn't go pass 100 wickets. It is in this backdrop that Zaheer's achievement get more important. In fact, he also suffered lack of good support from the other end.

For a period it was believed that he had lost his momentum and was dropped. But ever since his return to form, Zaheer is again the mainstay of Indian opening attack. Either it's Irfan Pathan or Ajit Agarkar, none of them fulfilled the potential. Zaheer also has 245 wickets in ODIs.

Though he doesn't lack in glamour quotient, Zaheer has managed to keep himself focused unlike Pathan who became more of a glamour boy.

Now a veteran with a career of 11 years in international cricket, 32-year-old Zaheer Khan's career proves that fast bowlers aren't a rare commodity in India.

Once a hot-headed player, the fast bowler from Maharashtra's Shrirampur is today an inspiration for cricket fans and budding cricketer. Also, the left-arm fast-medium speedster is among one of the most eligible bachelors.

He has remained mum on the questions that whether he was going to get married soon. With time he has evolved into a fine cricketer and better bowler. There is lot of cricket still left in him and definitely Zaheer is all set to entertain the cricket aficionados and serve Indian cricket for many years to come.

Indian Muslims and Patriotism: Cheering for Cricket teams

Just a few days back the Indian Army convoy was attacked in Tamil Nadu by a group of Indian Tamil activists who had felt that the army trucks were on way to Sri Lanka to hand over arms and ammunition to help Sri Lankan army.

It was unprecedented, as it happened on Indian soil. And despite the fact that LTTE is responsible for the assassination of our Prime Minister [Rajiv Gandhi] in the past.

However, did you see any report or any editorial on this issue. Or anybody raising the issue of patriotism or extra-territorial loyalty even in blogosphere? Did anybody question it?

Nobody denies the scale of human suffering in Sri Lanka where thousands are Tamils are caught in the Army's offensive against LTTE. Our heart goes out to them. But there were voices in support of LTTE and even Prabhakaran from our country and even protest against our military.

I have mentioned it in context of an anonymous person's comment on this blog recently:

Babri Masjid was destroyed in 1992. Javed Miandad hit Chetan Sharma for a
last ball six and won a match for Pakistan in 1987. I remember muslims in Bombay
eurpting in wild cheer, celebrating like crazy as if they just won a war.So my
belief in secularism was shaken in 1987. Not in 1992. What is the use of
secularism if that means living together with people who support the enemy who
is killing our soldiers ?

Now see what was my reply was: indscribe said...
I was a kid then and when Javed Miandad hit
the six, I cried so much that my father had to take me out to console me. I was
10 then. However, the next day, when I went to school, I was told by my
classmates that 'you must be happy' and there were sarcastic remarks. 

I didn't owe explanation to anybody. That was a turning point for me also.
I realised that no matter how true I am and how much I try to convince them, I
would never be considered a real patriot and even my generation would be labelled a
Pakistani.

At that age I didn't know these words, but later I stopped discussing
issues like Indo-Pak cricket though my finest friends remain Hindus. I rarely
mention this incident. However, this is the second time I am writing it, first I
mentioned it at the blog Mohalla. You guys get such weird beliefs either due to hearsay or by watching some stupid people.

Yes, I am patriot, may be more patriot than you but I don't want certificate of patriotism. And if you guys always consider us the 'other', what's the option for guys like us? Tell me. If ever you were born in a Muslim house, perhaps you would understand this pain.

Meanwhile, I am shortly going to write a post about this sort of
patriotism-meter which you guys seem to have, to check us. Whatever. I still
don't have hatred, yes some bitterness, but you guys seem to have no intention
to try and understand us. Best of Luck.

As the saying goes, Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. The patriotism test is, of course, meant solely for Indian Muslims, even though countless died in 1857 and later in the freedom struggle.

 

Ashfaquallah got hanged but when a young BJP leader, Varun Gandhi, had the temerity to say that names like 'Karimullah, Mazharullah...' are scary, nobody asked such ungrateful souls about their patriotism. 

Isn't this man the traitor for daring to speak such abusive language. Mercifully, he didn't say Ashfaqullah in the same breath in the speech. Only an anti-national would find such a name scary.

Would Ashfaqullah Khan's friends Rajendra Lahiri, Ram Prasad Bismil and Thakur Roshan Singh who also died with him, yearning for a free India, ever have dreamt that in independent India, leaders of a mainstream political party will shamelessly support and issue statements in favour of Varun Gandhi who finds names with 'Ullah' surname, 'scary'.

However, no matter what qurbani [sacrifice] one gives for his nation, either it is Captain Hanifuddin or Havildar Abdul Hamid or Brigadier Usman, even their sons and family members would be suspect in the eyes of those who feel that they have the right to judge the patriotism of others just because they were not born in a family that follows their religion.

So much propaganda has been made and falsehoods spread that many believe the lies like Muslims cheering for Pakistani cricket team. In England there was a similar 'Tebbit test' when first-generation Indians and Pakistanis were cheering for their teams against the English team, but tabloids that stirred up a debate and in a few months, it was forgotten.

         Why should we keep proclaiming our patriotism all the time!

I am not going to repeat all the time that I am a patriot. Why should I? All the time Indian Muslims keep doing it, even going against Islamic teachings. Muslim cemeteries refuse to bury terrorists. The lawyer who fights the case is facing boycott from Shia community. 

But why?

The truth is that one has to live with this tragedy of deep hatred, mistrust and lies. I get so many hate mails and though I earlier got unsettled and it affected my personal life, I later got immune to them.

I started moderating comments and now reject extremist comments, both anti-Muslim as well as anti-Hindu, or such comments that have abuses and obscenities.

But sometimes there are comments that don't have any abusive language but are plane accusations. One feels that they deserve a reply. May be they were never told the truth.

Anonymous hate-comments are like Toilet graffiti

But the next day a new person will come to the blog and make another charge, without bothering to read the earlier post. That's why often I have contemplated that I should quit blogging and stay away from it.

Anonymous persons are those who leave graffiti in train toilets. In real life they will be cool persons and often extremely civil, but will write worst things about women and girls, and derive some sort of pleasure from it.

Similarly, blogosphere is a place where anyone can create an identity, and say things which he can't dare to ask me in real life. He doesn't need to put his photo with his comment.

It is this plain hate that has brainwashed many youths. The recent bomb blast in a mosque in Beed in Maharashtra, that again didn't get reported adequately, is a signal.
The three youths who were caught came from poor Marathi families. They told police that they couldn't bear the sight of a mosque in their town! That's why they planned to blew it up with a bomb.
Read the story in Times of India. Whatever, for Indian Muslims, three generations after partition, the ordeal remains. [Girl's photo courtesy, Adil Najam's website Pakistaniat]

Now Azamgarh throws up a hero: Kamran Khan

The story of teenaged Kamran Khan, who belonged to a poor family and is now playing for the Rajasthan Royals cricket team in the second season of IPL, is more important as it brings cheer to a place that had earned notoriety lately.

Khan, a speedster, hails from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. It has been a long time since a good story emerged from the place, which unfortunately got linked to mafia (Abu Salem) and later for terror links.

Such was the situation that youths (both Hindu and Muslim) hailing from any City or town in the Azamgarh district that has a population of 4 million, found it almost impossible to get jobs or houses on rent. They had to conceal their identities, just because of the misdeeds of a few and a hysteria created by certain news channels about the place termed 'Aatankgarh'.

Khan manages to bowl as fast as 140 kmph and has been getting wickets in his first four matches, even playing an important the team's wins. He hasn't played a first class match till date but has managed to secure a contract of Rs 12 lakh and is now playing in Indian Premier League in South Africa.

He hails from Nadwa Sarai village. After his father's death, Kamran's mother rolled 'bidis' to eke out a living and run the household. The left-arm seamer earlier used to play tennis ball cricket but has taken to T20 rather effortlessly.


Sporting success makes the best statement

Just recently a guy asked my reaction on a Muslim girl becoming the top ranked player in women's tennis. Dinara Safina, a Tatar, is the number 1 player in WTA rankings. Earlier her brother Marat Safin had also been the highest ranked player in men's category for a short while.

Though excelling in competitive tennis that is played in almost 200 countries is an altogether different achievement, the fact remains that accomplishments in fields like sports go a long way towards changing perception about communities.

Indians have never never had any dearth of sporting heroes. We have them belonging to all communities. Though it's just the beginning of a career for the young lad, poet Kaifi Azami's birthplace has got a hero, which it needed so desperately in these times.

Azamgarh needs more such youths may excel in education, sports, social work or any other spehere of life. Of course dedication is needed. But Azamgarh has produced men of learning and erudition in the past. It needs to reclaim that past glory.

Earlier post
Defaming Azamgarh: Residents charter train to Delhi to protest linking the City with Terror

Four Muslims in Indian cricket team: Wasim Jaffer, Mohammad Kaif, Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel

It is a proof of how much scope Muslims have in independent India to excel.

Four Muslims were selected in the playing eleven against West Indies in the second cricket test match.

Though it is no index of our secularism but purely a cricket-maniac's observation.

Still, this is almost 60 years after an Indian cricket team has played four Muslims.

In the first official test of India in 1932, four Muslims--the stylish Wazir Ali, Nazir Ali, Jehangir Khan and speedster Mohammad Nissar had represented the country.

The English were shell-shocked by Nissar's accuracy. In the series of 1933-34, Dilawar Husain, the gutsy wicket-keeper, who became the first Indian to score fifties in both innnings and Mushtaq Ali played apart from Wazir Ali and Nissar.

The record was made in the series in 1936 when six Muslim cricketers played in the Oval test. Under Vizianagram's captaincy, Mushtaq Ali, Dilawar Husain, Wazir Ali, Jahangir Khan, Baqa Jilani and Nissar were part of the playing eleven.

However, after independence the number of Muslims steadily went down in the team. In the 70s Pataudi, Durani and Abid Ali played in the same test several times.

Mohammad Azharuddin, Arshad Ayub and Rashid Patel played in the same match in late 80s. Similarly, with the arrival of the era of Zahir Khan, Pathan and Kaif, often three Muslims have played.

But it has been almost 60 years after, that four Muslims are part of an Indian cricket team. The photographs of all the four cricketers are here on the left.

Munaf Patel, Mohammad Kaif, Irfan Pathan and Wasim Jaffer. Clearly, that's the highest number [maximum] of Muslims in Indian team, post-Independence.

UPDATE:

Ten years later, as I again got to see this post, I realise how suddenly Muslim cricketers have faded from the horizon.

The test match I mention above was played in West Indies, the second test of the series. Sehwag, Dravid and Kaif hit centuries. Md Kaif remained unbeaten on 148 in the first innings.

India had amassed 588 in first innings and for most part of the match India had upper hand though test ended in the draw. Rahul Dravid was the captain of the Indian team, wasn't he!

Protestant Bradman Vs Cathlolic teammates in the legendary Australian cricket eleven

Protestant 'Don' among Catholic teammates

I find it very interesting that the differences between Bradman and his team-mates also had a Catholic-Protestant angle. Despite the fact that the Australian team was world-beater the differences within the team are well-known.

Bradman's phenomenal success caused jealousies among team-mates who watched as he was showered with financial gifts and remained a private person, aloof from the team.

Fine. But now just read this short excerpt:

"This disaffection was strongest among a group of players-Jack Fingleton, Grimmett, Stan Mc Cabe, Ernest McCormick and O'Reilly--all of IRISH origin and Roman Catholics and a different political persuasion to Bradman, who was a Protestant".

"That Bradman was essentially a patriot and monarchist, a tee-totaller and a non-smoker. This group suspected it was discriminated against by Bradman". Doesn't it sound interesting! I wonder if this issue has been taken up seriously in the past by cricket historians and writers.

When he was bowled out for just four in his last test innings and could not achieve a test average of 100, O'Reilly and Fingleton who were in the Oval press box could not conceal their delight, says Simon Wilde in his book "Number One: The world's best bowlers and batsmen'.

I never knew this. Though Bradman praised O'Relliy through out his career. He called his team-mates when Mc Cabe was hitting his famous century against Larwood during Bodyline saying ' Come and watch you will never see such an innings'.

Why no Indian, Pakistani cricketer in Simon Wilde's list of great cricketers?

Simon Wilde's book 'Number One' is about the best cricketers in the history of the game and has got attention in the media.

The writer has selected about 50 cricketers. The criterion is that the batsman and bowler should have been the best batsman or bowler at least for 5-7 years in the world during his career.

The list starts with John Small, then lists William Beldham, Frederic Beaucleark, William Ward and Fuller Pilch, going up to Carpenter, Grace, Trumper, Hammond, Bradman, Sobers. After the decade of 1970s it includes the following cricketers:

Batsmen: Barry Richards, Vivian Richards, Graham Gooch, Brian Lara, Waugh

Bowlers: Lillee, Marshall, Ambrose, Warne

So no Imran Khan, no Sunil Gavaskar. Neither Hanif Mohammed, nor Sachin Tendulkar or Kapil Dev. The sole Indian  in the list is Ranjitsinhji who played for England and who tried his best to stop Indian cricket from progressing even though India named its highest championship of domestic cricket in his name.

Zaheer Abbas hit over 100 first class centuries. This man is blind. He could spot none of them. He goes to the era of Carpenter, includes eighteenth centuries' cricketers who bowled under-arm and played without middle wicket about whom we only heard stories.

Another way I can prove Simon Wilde a failure. He failed to list the two greatest cricketers before WG Grace. Alfred Mynn, the Lion of Kent, the first cricketer whose statue was made and who was declared champion of all England.

Secondly, George Osbaldeston, the ferocious bowler who was said to be the greatest sportsperson after Assyrian Nimord. But he chooses his own Toms, Dicks and Harries. Its not a question of disappointment that how he ignored Indian, Pakistani cricketers.

One is entitled to biases but it can be tolerated to an extent. Unfortunately, Simon Wilde has simply left the entire sub-continent, ignoring the exploits of legendary cricketers who turned the game into a world sport, taking it out of the UK-Australia-South Africa axis.