Playing in the Spirit of the Game

"Playing in the Spirit of the game" is the most popular debate in the cricketing world in the recent times. This debate reached its pinnacle during the great Sydney Test match between India and Australia. India captain Anil Kumble said that "Only one team is playing in the Spirit of the game" a statement reminiscent of Bill Woodfull's(Australia) words after the 1932/33 Bodyline series against England. This Issue was again raised during the IPL by Rajastan Royals captain Shane Warne after the match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Today this debate is back in the lime light thanks to the incident that took place during the England and New Zealand ODI match last week.

Actually I thought of writing this article after watching a catch claimed by Pakistan wicket keeper Kamran Akmal during the India-Pak league match in the Kitply Cup in Bangladesh. But he wasn't penalized for that act by the match referee. Some years ago South African Match Referee Mike Proctor gave former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif a 5 Test match ban for claiming a catch which wasn't clean as he had grounded the ball. Both Kamran Akmal's catch and Latif's catch were almost similar but one gets a ban and the other is let off the hook. Today Almost all the referees concentrate only on the Players' Showing dissent towards the umpires' decision . Even during the Sydney Test match Mr.Proctor didn't give even a warning to Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke for claiming wrong catches. But that does not mean that all players those who claim wrong catches should be penalized. Penalty should be given only in cases where there is enough evidence to suggest that the player's claim is clean.

Such incidents are famous only in Football and not in cricket. But times are changing and the gentleman's game invented by the English.....Wait a minute...English....Are the English players really playing in the spirit of the game? The simple answer is NO.

The runout incident that took place during the England New Zealand series is mainly responsible for reigniting all the debates about Spirit of the game. No expected such an act from Mr.Paul Collingwood, an inspirational captain of the English Cricket team. By assuming that Ryan Sidebottom didn't do anything wantedly then Mr.Collingwood should have solved the issue on the field itself by recalling the appeal.

This doesn't stop with the fielding side. Most of the batsmans don't walk out of the field when they are really out but the umpire's decision is otherwise.They should remember that "At the end of the day this is just a sport". So playing with true sportsmanship is more important than wining.
My final question is Are there still cricketers like Adam Gilchrist those who walk when they think they're out irrespective of the situation? If yes then I'll start pleading to my television to show them. Else God should save Good cricket.

Nawab of Multan demolished the proteas at chennai

TWO SCENES TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT THE NONSTRIKER END.BUT ONE PERSON DID THE SAME THING ON BOTH THE OCCASIONS.

On March 29,2004 if it was a six off saqlain Mushtaq over midwicket in Multan,then on march 28,2008 it was a single off Makhaya Ntini in chennai to complete his second triple century in Test cricket and 1oth consecutive century with a score above 150. Virender Sehwag just showed to the world what a batsman of his calibre can do to a very good bowling attack. As the SouthAfrican coach Mickey Arthur said "I must admit that the day belonged to Sehwag. It’s an unbelievable knock. I have never seen a Test innings like this. We tried to attack in every possible way — from around the wicket and over the wicket. But Sehwag was unstoppable"

Yes, he was really unstoppable. I got the opportunity to witness him in MA Chidambaram stadium in chennai.When he was in 299, the entire stadium stood up and applauded him even before the ball was bowled.He didn't waste 10 or 20 balls for his 300. No one other than sehwag can hit a six in the 90s,190s and 290s which makes him one of the best in this business.With his second triple ton, he joins the 3 men club consisting of players with 2 triple tons.Other two are Brian Lara and Sir Don Bradman.

SouthAfrican pace attack consisting of Dale Steyn,Ntini and Morne Morkel bowled well but to viru they weren't able do anything.This person can change the course of a match. Only few players has that ability to change the match in their favour.A player otherthan sehwag who has this ability is Adam Gilchrist who can turn the match in Australia's favour even when they are 100/5.

This 2nd triple ton is another step for Viru to become world's one of the best test batsman.Each and Every Indian is proud of you. Comeon viru just continue your great work to Indian Cricket.

Note:The first photo is Viru's first triple ton against pakistan at multan and with him is Sachin Tendulkar and the second is viru's second against SA at chennai and with him is Rahul Dravid.

Indian Premier League - A Cricketing Transfiguration

Thanks to Subash Chandra and the ICL because without this rebel league there is no Indian Premier League.

When Kerry Packer started the "World Series Cricket" in late 70's , no one thought that it would influence International Cricket very seriously. The Colour jerseys, WhiteBall and FloodLights and ODI format reached a wider audience. That is the same situation now. The T20 reaches a wider audience since it gives the thrills and chills of football,Tennis etc. After the disastrous worldcup in the carribean due to India and pakistan's early exit, the T20 came as a refreshing one with young guns from India won a thrilling final which will be remembered forever.

Everything would have gone right for Indian Cricket League if India had not won the ICC world Twenty20.But that didn't stop ICL from signing domestic and International players.The BCCI came with a solution that is the INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE. It consists of 8 city based franchises and an auction took place for the teams and people like Mukesh Ambani,SRK,Preeti Zinta ,Vijay Mallya etc won the auction by bidding more than other participants. The Auctions for the players was the main thing which created a lot of expectations from the league. Indian ODI skipper MS Dhoni was won by Chennai SuperKings for a record 6 crore rupees.

It is very early to judge the success of the league. But if it becomes a hit there will be expansions which will result like the English Premier League and the cricket fans around the globe will be eager to watch each and every season of IPL. But the real question is "Will Kolkatta applaud when Shoaib Akhtar takes the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar?".If the answer is yes then the model is going to be super duper hit.The probability is more for that "Yes" is more than "NO". We have seen Kolkatta support South Africa and applaud when sachin got out in a Test match in which Ganguly was dropped from the team following the row with Greg Chappell. Since DADA is the captain of the Kolkatta Knight Riders they will support his team. The same is with Mumbai Indians,Hyderabad Deccan Warriors and my favourite Chennai SuperKings.

What everyone should not forget is that this league is not like the Asia XI vs Africa XI.This model will require the full commitment of a player which will also be a vital factor for the success of the league.As said in the title this model will transfigure International cricket into Club based cricket which is good for cricketers who can earn a lot from this league. A Player's form might even be decided based on this league. Whatever may be the case the cricket fever in the form of IPL will be hitting India this summer.