More »
And other stuff that got everyone in splits - DC, SRH, Punjab. You can watch here on Editorji
Showing posts with label manish pandey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manish pandey. Show all posts
Is Yuvraj tangled up in blue?
It almost seems wrong to question a player seeped so deep in India’s modern cricketing history. And as Indians, we tend to have a strong sense of wrong and right. Questioning Yuvraj Singh, even after a perilous four off 12 deliveries seems wrong. Which is why, both on air and on twitter, the bane of all jokes and ridicule was not Yuvraj, it was Manish Pandey.
It took Yuvraj six deliveries to get off the mark – but it can be argued, what are six deliveries for Yuvraj? Didn’t he dismiss six deliveries for six sixes? Against these very Englishmen?
That was September 19, 2007. This was January 29, 2017. That was Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa. This was VCAS, Nagpur, India. That was Yuvraj’s third T20 international match. This his 57th. The two are separated by nearly 10 years.
In the minds of Ravi Shastri and twitter, this gap doesn’t exist. India’s cricketing lore extends to forever, and much as it is part of that magnificent first World T20 victory, it is part of India’s selection. Not just for yesterday, and the match before that, but for every World T20s that India wants to rekindle the past. It’s on call after all.
Ironically, in that fateful World T20 2014 final, at Mirpur in Bangladesh, (as in yesterday’s match) India was at 64 for two when Yuvraj Singh froze at the crease. He came in the 11th over, stayed stuck till the 19th – added 11 off 21 deliveries, no fours, no sixes. At the other end was Virat Kohli, who smashed 77 off 54 deliveries.
Here too, at the other end was a batsman in top gear, who smashed a 70 odd. This just highlighted, again, how much at sea Yuvraj can be in the shortest format. While ODIs give Yuvraj the chance to warm his cricketing engines before he can tee off, doing the same in a T20 proves match losing, more often than not.
One look at the runs’ graphs from 2014, it’s easy to tell when Yuvraj was on strike: in the 11th over when 1 run was scored, in the 15th when 2 runs were scored, in the 17th and 18th overs, when four runs were scored.
Yesterday, when Yuvraj came on to bat, his old nemesis, an off spinner was bowling. There he was the champion T20 slayer of yore, the one-day master, all tangled up in blue.
Sometimes, the visuals convey so much, it’s pointless to add a word. Perhaps that’s why they were quiet in commentary. Against Moeen Ali, Yuvraj Singh was like a puppet on a string.
In his brief innings that appeared woefully long, he was dismissed twice in the seven balls he faced off Ali – once not given by the umpire, when he collapsed at the crease in knots; and the second time, when the umpire did him and India a favour by raising the finger.
But it was Manish Pandey whose wicket India and the commentators wanted. Almost oblivious to the tough batting conditions, Shastri & Co made no bones about wanting MS Dhoni in the middle. They somehow restrained themselves from not saying, "Pandey should get out and do us all a favour".
As for Pandey, he continued taking singles, giving the strike back to KL Rahul. Unlike Yuvraj who did not score off his first six deliveries, Pandey took a single off each of his first nine deliveries.
In all, Pandey didn’t score off just 3 deliveries of the 26 he faced. Yuvraj didn’t score off 9 deliveries of the 12 that he faced.
It can be argued that apart from KL Rahul, no batsman appeared in on this pitch, and by taking those singles down to long on, Pandey was exercising the best option for India – getting the boundary hitter on strike.
But that was lost on everyone. After the lore of Yuvraj, they wanted the lore of Dhoni on strike. Dhoni made five off seven. There were five singles in that. But the commentators will tell you, repeatedly, that Dhoni needs time to get his eye in and should have been sent earlier instead of Pandey.
For them, there’s only one answer: Dhoni is yet to score a half century in T20Is for India. His highest score is 48*.
It’s time India collectively stops living in ODIs when they’re playing T20s. It can only do them good.
But 58 off 16 deliveries, not easy to let go, even if it was way back in 2007. And the first ball he faced that day, he didn’t score off either. Sometimes, it’s the six deliveries of separation between Yuvraj and us that we refuse to let go off.
Along with Punjab, Punjab ka puttar also goes to the pollsShould Yuvraj play in the final T20 #IndvsEng— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 29, 2017
First published here
What is India doing in Zimbabwe?
Searching for the next Robin Singh? Or the next Dhoni?
Robin Singh played one Test. It was against Zimbabwe. Surprisingly it didn’t end in a tie. He was consistent, as he always was against Zimbabwe, scoring 15 and 12. He was leg before wicket in both innings. He bowled 10 overs. Apt as Robin Singh was basically a one-day cricketer. Even in a Test, he bowled his complete one-day quota.
Robin Singh will always be remembered for his first ODI against Zimbabwe. It ended in a tie. On the second last ball of the last over, Robin Singh was run out. His 48 off 31 deliveries gave India a sniff, just as his run out gave Zimbabwe a sniff. Barely two weeks later, Robin-the-batman beat Zimbabwe the team. He was there at the end. Tendulkar scored yet another century but it was Robin’s 38 that pulled off the win.
A career average of 25 shot up to 40 against Zimbabwe. Even his strike rate sneaked up to 81 from 74. In his last ODI against the old foe, Robin’s world came full circle – he was run out, unfortunately it wasn’t a tie.
Since then, India-Zimbabwe games have just not been the same. Enter Ambati Rayudu who played his first and last ODI both against Zimbabwe. This is no small coincidence. While Robin Singh was 34 when he played Zimbabwe, Rayudu was nearly 28. His first ODI (also against Zimbabwe) was no less spectacular – he made an unbeaten half century, taking India across the line. Rayudu’s batting average nearly doubles against Zimbabwe, from 45 to 89, his highest score, 124 not out is also against them. This will be Rayudu’s third series in Zimbabwe. He may not be a regular in the one-day side yet, but he’ll always have Zimbabwe.
Karun Nair makes the squad, somewhat impossibly, on the back of a steady IPL with Delhi Daredevils. While DD was doubly determined to lose four-five wickets in the power play, Nair stood firm, playing almost classical risk-free cricket.
Twice now a century has changed Manish Pandey’s world. First when he became the only Indian to score one in the IPL, and more recently, his ton in Australia. Like Rayudu, Pandey too made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe. Like Rayudu, he too scored a half century. Kedar Jadhav too has happy memories of Zimbabwe, he scored his first ODI hundred against them, an unbeaten 105. That too batting at No. 6.
Nair, Rayudu, Pandey and Jadhav will be India’s mainstay, their collective form could decide the outcome of the series on seamer friendly wickets.
Both KL Rahul and Mandeep Singh are yet to make their ODI debuts. In Gayle’s absence, Rahul had Kohli’s stamp of approval and opened with him in the IPL. His lacks behind the stumps were adequately made up in front of them. Once a mainstay for Kings XI Punjab, Mandeep played just one match this IPL for RCB – he did not get to bat. KL Rahul will be expected to open the batting, Mandeep Singh, if he plays, could accompany him on top.
None of these will be the next Robin Singh though, because for that, you need an all-rounder of sorts, someone with a Mumbai Indians’ connection – how about Rishi Dhawan? Dhawan has played all his three ODIs against Australia, didn’t do much with the ball, didn’t do much with the bat. Will be more of a batting all-rounder than a proper all-rounder, so don’t expect to see the next Kapil Dev. If anything, the next Robin Singh - to confirm, keep a look out for a tied match.
Nine years back, Dhoni set sail for Africa with a team sans Tendulkar and Dravid. It was a young, inexperienced bunch. Not rated. From the bunch that went on to win that first World T20, except for Dhoni and Rohit, no player is an India regular these days. From the bunch that sets sail for Africa now, except for Dhoni and Bumrah, no player is an India regular these days. Nine years back, that bunch of boys helped Dhoni invent himself. Today, can this bunch of boys help Dhoni reinvent himself? “Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you!”
Manish Pandey is playing on my mind.
Why wasn’t he playing for Bangalore today? Who makes these calls – good if it was Mallaya Jr. and not Kumble Sr.
Not that there’s an unwritten code that Pandey should play every game, but why would you not play him? It took us a while to realise Pandey wasn’t playing. What, no Pandey, said I. What??! No Pandey said another.
Bangalore wanted to get all their flashy firangs in, that picked KP, Taylor, White, Kallis + two more middle order desi hitters - Kohli, Uthappa + Bachao!-Dravid.
That’s seven batsmen, and no place for Pandey – and to hell with his first Indian IPL 100, have a look at his scores in the D trophies.
But then you look at BRC in their first year with Jaffer and Joshi, and you realise they’ve come a long way, baby.
Look at KKR too, they pick Che Pujara almost every second game, that’s great for the future of Indian cricket. Long as the past of Indian cricket plays all the time, why should we complain?
A reason to celebrate
And not just because it is Republic Day. In the on going test at Mirpur, India's injury count has gone up to 5 with Sachin Tendulkar joining Rahul Dravid, VV Laxman, Yuvraj Singh and Sreesanth in the infirmary. And am I the only one who thinks this is about the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket with the South Africans scheduled to tour for a 2 Test, 5 ODI set?
India should have experimented with its middle order against Bangladesh. But the selectors were a) not brave enough or b) risk averse. Either ways, we let slip a golden opportunity to blood the next generation middle order in what was a fairly easy series without the attendant pressures of a marquee series, but at the same time played away from home.
And now our hand has been forced. Which is not exactly a bad thing, given the circumstances. Consider this
1. A home series
2. Against the #2 side in the world
3. A short 2 Test series
So while the intensity will be up because of the strength of the opposition and the length of the series, a lot of it will be mitigated by the fact that we are playing at home. And it forms just about the ideal backdrop for testing the next generation middle order - an opposition less ordinary than Bangladesh but at home.
With Murali Vijay moving back at 3, #4 ,5 and 6 will be the open slots.
Md Kaif has struck back to back centuries in the Duleep Trophy batting at 4, so he has to be seriously considered. And with Kohli, Che, Sharma and Pandey all showing good form ( and possessing the requisite pedigree), whats not to like with the current situation?
Heck, we can even go with a 5 bowler option if we so choose.And Shashank Manohar is free to roll out a green top at Nagpur ( in a reprise of 2004). And even that wont be a bad thing!
PS:- Mickey Arthur's resignation just before the tour helps too. And with Ashwell Prince not cementing the opening spot, South Africa have their fair share of problems. Now, only if the selectors pick a strong enough side for the BP XI to further accentuate the negatives in the South African line up ( and mindset), the Force will well and truly be with us.
PPS - 2 Test 3 ODI set and not 2 Test 5 ODI set as written in the post. My bad.
Bitter Chocolate Boy.
Painted in white chocolate he took that catch
You’d have thought that would win the match
They referred it, but couldn’t spoil it all
You watch it again, one more time, again
Every angle the camera could show
Go bring one more camera and shove it into the earth
See chocolate boy come right at you
Extra close up of how he took that catch
What else you gotta do, to win the match
Nayar, looking at that effort, I know you wanted to walk
What else you gotta do, hang around and scratch!
Get out there at forty six for three
Rock like you’re from the Ret Hot Chilli Peppers, a guy called Flea
I said, you get out there at forty six for three
And you rock like, rock like - you rock like you’re from the
Red Hot Chilli Peppers, a guy called Flea!
You swat them balls, Nadal style
You make loads of runs, a heap, a pile
You order pizza, runs, everything’s on quick dial
You engineer, architect, sketch them shots
You get a 100, you give it all you got
Chocolate boy, young white chocolate boy
144 runs you got your side
Left 7 guys 82 to get
Is there a hint of remorse?
A little regret?
Young chocolate boy, bitter chocolate boy
Thrugh the Looking Glass
I am old. For perspective on my age, when I was in the flush of youth, the pager was the new status symbol. If you had it, you flaunted it. While the rest of us looked on in envy.
I am also an Engineer ( notice the capital E). A B.E (Comp Sci.) to be precise. Whose starting salary, fresh out of college, was Rs 7500 (gross). Both points are salient for the rest of the narrative.
When I first visited India after emigrating to the US, the words "BPO" and "outsourcing" were yet to be conceived.. Variants of outsourcing had been happening when I was a part of the Indian workforce, but had yet to capture the public imagination.
By the time of my third visit to India, BPO was the in thing.. Kids barely out of junior college, and some still in junior college, were working in call centers, handling back office operations for a lot of the biggest multi nationals around.
With starting salaries of Rs 10,000 or more.
Imagine that!
Kids who did not even have a college degree were making more money than I did AFTER I had gone through the rigors of Engineering and secured myself a job. And what did these 16-17 year olds know about fiscal responsibility anyways? It is mighty dangerous to give so much money to one so young, they do not know its value.. Its all easy come, easy go for them.
And dont you know, because of the easy money on offer, these kids will have no ambitions. Why would they want to become a Doctor or an Engineer when they can make so much money so easily? What will become of our future generations?
These were but a sample of the arguments I forwarded decrying the existence of the BPOs and the "easy money" kids were making.
And there was another. Look at these kids sitting in swanky offices ( in air conditioning).. At the same age, we would be lucky to even have a ceiling fan in the room...We are pampering this generation and making them soft!
Whish is not dis-similar to the arguments Karan Thapar, Anand Vasu and scores of others are making about the "youth brigade" and the IPL.
But there is a flip side to this.. Call center workers, despite their age and the monies they make, face stresses unheard of in my growing up years.. Sleep disorder, depression, heart problems and relationship issues are some of the documented ones.
Fact is, every generation pays a price for its success. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Which is why, Manish Pandey who "now refers himself as a celebrity, boasts about his lifestyle", finds that more than the stray man and his dog are interested in his performance in the Ranji. At the age of 18!
Which is also why Ambati Rayadu (24) and Shikhar Dhawan (24), along with Mohammed Kaif (29) and Robin Uthappa (24) find themselves becoming the forgotten men of Indian cricket!
With the exception of Tendulkar, did any of the others from his generation come anywhere close to the stresses and pressures the "IPL" kids face?
Manish Pandey - India's Latest Star?
An unbeaten 114 in a crunch game, followed up with a 48 in a semi final has caught the imagination of a number of people.
After his unbeaten 114 against the Deccan Chargers, I did some digging on Manish Pandey, which I wrote about here.
As it figures, there's more to it than just that.
His 114* was not only the 1st century by an Indian in the IPL, it was only the 2nd century by an Indian in all Twenty20 cricket. Rohit Sharma is the other one.
What's more is that it is the highest score by an Indian in all Twenty20 cricket.
That is some achievement.
Particularly when its his first ever hundred in all forms of the game at the first class level.
In 5 first class matches, 6 List A games, and 12 Twenty20 matches, before the one against Deccan, Pandey's highest score was 69.
In his last 2 innings of 114* and 48, Pandey scored more runs than he had in his 10 Twenty20 innings before that.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have unearthed a new potential star for India.
Maybe a lot of you in India knew about him before Friday, but the IPL has in all probability provided a launch platform like no other for Manish Pandey.
What do you reckon then - has a new star for India been born?
B the moment of the match
Bangalore playing Deccan
Such an important match it was touted to be. Many people wrote many things about what these two teams should do to qualify. And most importantly keep Punjab at bay.
But then as luck would have it, Mangal Pande... err.. Manish Pande scored an amazing century and the so called test team, reached a (what seems like winning) 170. This not withstanding a scrum half-like fielding performance by Deccan's Gibbs assisted by Symonds.
All that said, my moment of the match would be that second when Kumbles called Virat Kohli to bowl.
Having seen Mr Kohli's record just when he had hit RP all over the park in over no 20, I was amazed he was called in to bowl.
Is it arrogance ?
Or wisdom ?
So far it looks like wisdom, but who knows...
In T20 I am told the wisemen speak after 40 overs and 15 minutes
Have they won yet??
Pump up the Pandey
Manish Pandey, pumped up Pandey
Clearing his front foot
Clearing thru covers
Pump up the Pandey
Manish Pandey, pumped up Pandey
Straight hit, straight six
Straight walk, straight talk
Pump the Pandey
Manish Pandey, pumped up Pandey
Thank you Pandey
Thank you Singh
Pump up the Pandey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
