Saturday, October 16, 2004

It's HomeComing Time

This is the last day of this trip here at the United States. Home is still 2 days and 35 travel hours away. Will be meeting my folks after a long time.. And Would be attending Durga Puja at home after 4 long years.. Cant wait for it.. ITs starting to get pretty cold here.. Am glad I am escaping the extremes .. .

Shane Keith Warne just overtook Muralitharan as the highest taker of test wickets.. He is an awesome leg spinner.. The best ever... I still remember seeing the ball of the century bowled by him to clean bowl Mike Gatting out from behind his legs.. (though I would contest this ball with the Alan Donald stunner of a off cutter that ripped off Sachin's woodwork during the first trip to ProteaLand) .. Warnie is true class.. The oNly thing that has detterred him is injuries .. and sporadic controversies.. But its the kind of control in flight and the deception in turn that they say make him a truly special bowler..

But An Average of 54 vs India is really noteworthy.. given the fact the against all the others its less than half of this... India has been the only big thorn in the crown.. I think he desperately wants to perform well here .. After All India over the recent years have repeatedly proven to be the nemesis for Australians, both as a team and as individuals. The team they lost their 16 match winning streak too... The elusive Border Gavaskar for years.. the Spoilt Steven Waugh Party... And a captain willing to give one back by the mouth.. they have had it all.. I dont think it gets better than this..

However it amazes me how much.. professionalism these cricketers put into the game.. I dont thnk any country can come close to them in this regard. Most of the players are not exceptional players.. but together they gel to form the unbeatable unit...

What can the Indians learn from these
a) Training Regimen..
b) No Ones the "God" in my team. No Ones "God" in the other.
c) Total belief In the captain -> "I will run into a brick wall if Steve tells me to" - > Justin Langer speaking to the media about Steve Waugh
d) Relentless. Ruthless..The Killer Instinct
e) Very good Inter State Cricket and a transparent selection policy.
f) Belief that they can win almost anything,That they are the best.
g) Endorsements are not the biggest part time activity.

Anyways.. I do hope The Chennai test is won and we square the series.. I will be in India to watch the 3rd one at Mumbai .. Lets hope for good quality cricket from both sides..







1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Have a safe journey home. Best of luck.
Kd