India vs Pujara

"Pujara’s work is never done. Not after he’s made a hundred, not after the hundred becomes a big hundred or a double hundred or a match-saving hundred or a match-winning hundred. 

There will be those that will find faults with that hundred. Those on air, those off air, especially those on air. Pujara is far from being the chosen one of Indian cricket. If he’s anything, he’s the forgotten one of Indian cricket. He might well become the chosen one of world cricket before India acknowledges even half of what he’s done. Nothing he’s done, today or yesterday will ever be enough. He will have to do that extra something tomorrow."

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When Dhoni was the Queen

Into the eighth over, India was 63/2 – good on paper, but not so great on this particular board that compels you play Blitz Chess. Also two key pieces had been sacrificed. England had shown their hand, and was making their move with spin and Moeen Ali – another reason for Dhoni’s promotion, also reminiscent of the move in the 2011 World Cup final against Muttiah Muralitharan.

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Why there's no such thing as a free lunch for Rahul Dravid

One of the common stories doing the rounds is of a young, impressionable Dravid, still in college, pursuing his B Com in Bangalore, invited to a friend’s place for lunch. Dravid stunned his friend’s mother when he refused lunch, stating in no uncertain terms, “My contribution to this meal is zero. Just like cricket is a team sport, I think, sharing a meal together should also be a team sport, aunty”. Dravid’s friend’s mother was puzzled by the teenager’s eloquence in thought; so she simply asked, “Rahul, what are you trying to say, son?”

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Virat Kohli Open

"It’s turning out to be that kind of month for former India cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi. First, the Supreme Court did to the Board of Control for Cricket in India what he’s been itching to do to them for years; then, his protégé, Parvez Rasool, is picked for India’s Twenty20 squad against England. What could possibly happen next for the straight shooting Bedi?"

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Kohli's future as captain

"Kohli’s true test as captain will come if and when his magnificent form dips to that of his peers. How he copes then could be the making of an even better player than we’re seeing now."

First posted here 

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The BCCI lost in a court of love

You are either in love with the sport or not. You could be a cricket chief, a cricketer or a cricket writer, but that does not mean you are in love with the sport. Sometimes, you fall out of love. Or the lines between the sport and power and money and influence blur.

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Drowning (And why 4-0 was way better than 5-0)

And how he swam. He drowned an already sunk England even deeper. 4-0 India. The much chronicled triple hundred was all about the belief Virat Kohli picked up in Rajkot – and smeared on his 11 men. No matter who those 11 were. No matter who came in for whom – Jayant Yadav for Amit Mishra or Amit Mishra for Jayant Yadav. Bhuvneshwar Kumar for Mohammad Shami or Ishant Sharma for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Parthiv Patel for Wriddhiman Saha or Parthiv Patel for KL Rahul or Parthiv Patel for Murali Vijay. KL Rahul for Gautam Gambhir or KL Rahul for 199. Karun Nair for KL Rahul or Karun Nair for Ajinkya Rahane or Karun Nair for Karun Nair or Karun Nair for 303 not out.

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After Dubai, where should England runaway to now?

After losing in time for Yuvraj Singh’s wedding, England went and lost on Yuvraj’s birthday. After an early finish in Mohali, the Indian team just had to drive down the block to Yuvi’s wedding. Now after the Mumbai Test, the Indians probably headed to Yuvi’s birthday celebration.

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Paranoid about Pujara

"Pujara should know better than most, it takes very little for form to escape. It will when it has to, it always does. Just don’t help it get away. Hold on to it, like you hold that bat, brandish it like a sword between deliveries, and swear to fight for it. For form may not be a lady, but it can still be pretty damn fickle."

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Rahane's rope

"Being the chosen one has its perks, just as being Ambati Rayudu does not.  

You are given a much, much longer rope. To first, string yourself up, repeatedly, and then, your demons, and once you have rid yourself of all that baggage, you can get on with it, much like Sharma has lately."

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Is Pujara too much of a nice guy?

"Does not India’s No. 3 in Tests with a batting average of 49.95 warrant that much? Kohli’s batting average is 46.11, his deputy, Rahane’s 49.40. Kohli has 13 centuries, Rahane has eight and Pujara nine. This is the present, and if sense and fitness prevails, the future. What was Kohli’s reaction when Rahane spilled a sitter on the third ball of the first innings? That was Cook too. What if it had not been India’s best fielder? What if Pujara had dropped Cook on the third ball?"

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Dhoni the ventriloquist

Dhoni spends hours locked up in his Trophy House talking to his stumps. Not just that, he even plays ventriloquist and speaks for the stumps. Once overheard, “Oh Mahi, I still remember when you picked me up, me, the middle stump, off and leg were so upset, but ME in the middle, that was a lotta fun.” 

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The nudge

"Well before Rohit Sharma started to flirt with the longer format, Suresh Raina and Yuvaj Singh were given the nudge. Followed by yet another nudge. And another. And another. It just didn’t work out."

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Ashwin & Kohli

"Part of Ashwin’s awkward charm is that he’s far more real than today’s stubbled Indian cricketers. He’s clean-shaven. He’s not as athletic as they are. A second run with Ashwin invariably ends in hilarity. And Ashwin chasing a runaway ball is like watching your uncle warming up at jogger’s park."

For the full article, here you go 

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