Tribute or just a BCCI gimmick??

Sachin to decide his 200th Test venue

Looking at how much he has contributed to World Cricket in general and to Indian Cricket in specific, Sachin Tendulkar deserves any tribute one pays to him. And as Cricket’s regulator in India, BCCI decision to pay a never heard before tribute to this great man shouldn’t raise many eyebrows. So why is there a storm of controversy around BCCI’s latest decision?

Sachin Tendulkar is just two match away from the milestone 200th Test match. Although Tendulkar owns almost every known batting record, playing 200 test matches is no ordinary feat and has almost no practical possibility of being achieved again. Hence it would be of great pride for India to host its champion’s landmark test match. So why is the noise all around it?

India is scheduled to tour South Africa this December and Tendulkar is all set to play his 200th Test match there. Don’t know what has happened but West Indies tour of India has come on cards all of a sudden. The Caribbeans will be playing 3 ODI and 2 Test Matches in India from 31 October to 27 November. Now Tendulkar is expected to complete his 200 tests landmark in this series.

Sachin didn’t play his 100th Test Match in India and hence it will be a great opportunity for India to host the 200th Match for the sport’s true champion. After arranging a tournament in haste for him, BCCI further decided to leave the 200th match venue to Sachin Tendulkar himself. Wankhade is competing with iconic Eden Gardens to host the landmark test match. Both Eden and Wankhade are not eligible to host this series as per BCCI rotation policy. But Wankhade, on grounds of being the master’s home pitch, is fighting for the opportunity to host the match while Eden, on grounds of being India’s iconic stadium and master’s favorite hunting ground, is pitching equally strong for the oppurtunity. Leaving venue fixture choice to a player is never heard of before in world cricket.

Although there is no doubt that Tendulkar deserves more than anyone can offer, BCCI’s latest decisions are infuriating the cricket sport lovers. No player can be put above the sport irrespective of him being one of the sport’s greats. By arranging a tournament just to allow him complete his 200th test on home soil, BCCI has put him ahead of cricket itself. And now by offering the choice of venue to him, BCCI is denying to give the sport its due. But the question here is that has BCCI crossed limits just to honor this man or for its selfish propaganda?

No denying the fact that Tendulkar has been the golden goose for BCCI. Tendulkar name itself ensures that stadiums are packed to capacity and TRPs are spiked to max. Tendulkar has played a crucial role in shaping current India’s influence on Cricket while BCCI has successfully converted the popularity he brought to sport into money. As the story goes, the farmer kills the goose in greed of more gold. Is the BCCI doing the same with Sachin?

Looking at BCCI’s never quenching thirst to fill its treasury, one suspects that the main motivation behind West Indies tour is that BCCI plans to commercialize the landmark moment. With the buzz around it, 200th test match for Sachin will open a lot of commercial opportunities for BCCI and BCCI can’t let the moment pass of with minimal money-making opportunity in SA. This also explains SA disappointment over WI tour of India; they have lost the opportunity to cash on Sachin 200th test. Some also say that BCCI desperately wants to push the limelight it has currently found itself under to someone who can handle it. BCCI is lately associated to all wrong reasons and is losing it credibility with every passing day. Analysts say this is the reason the WI tour was brought on cards; to allow the buzz of Tendulkar playing 200th test on home soil take over the news and buzz over corruption at BCCI.

Sachin Tendulkar is a man who plays his cricket with lot of devotion and reverence. He wouldn’t like himself to be put over the sport and he wouldn’t have any personal choices of where to play his cricket. Although I have no clue if BCCI truly feels it has been paying proper tribute to the legend, I sincerely feel that its more of  gimmick than a tribute.

Related articles:

• BCCI to let Sachin Tendulkar choose venue for his 200th Test (sports.ndtv.com)
• Exlusive: Sachin Tendulkar and the burden of expectation (cricketbadger.com)
• BCCI ‘using’ Sachin Tendulkar to mint money? (ibnlive.in.com)

Zaheer Khan: The Hero Team India needs!!

Can Zaheer make it back?

If asked who is India‘s best strike pace bowler, most would say Zaheer Khan. Zaheer Khan is a world-class bolwer, no questions about it. So why has he lost his place in the team? No matter however good, if you aren’t fit then your career as a fast bowler will be cut short. Same has happened with Zak. But it isn’t his loss alone, it’s team loss as well. After Zaheer, India is yet to find a bowler who can be entrusted to lead the pace attack.

With his ability to swing ball both sides, this 34-year-old left arm pacer had given great starts to India in Test matches. He had the habit of providing breakthrough in the first fifteen overs of the innings. Although very effective against right handers, Zak reserves his best for lefties. His balls that pitch on off & outside line and swing back into left handers are very difficult to negotiate. Zaheer isn’t only a talented bowler but also a smart bowler. Through years of experience, Zak has developed a sharp cricketing mind. Zak took 295 test wickets in 88 appearances for India with an average of 32.35.

Zaheer has recently returned from  France after attending fitness training sessions along with Yuvraj Singh. He will be leaving shortly to South Africa to work on his fielding skills. Zaheer has made it clear that he aspires to return to Indian dressing room and he is working hard to achieve match fitness.  It is of no doubt that he has set his sights on forthcoming Proteas tour. He will be participating in domestic circuit to gain some match practice. Although Zaheer is putting full spirited effort to return back, will he find a place in current team?

Although it is unto the selectors and team management, I feel there is a strong need for India to have Zaheer back in its ranks. Although we have talented young bowlers like Umesh and Bhuvi, there is a need of sensible head to lead them in South Africa. Not denying the fact that Ishant is maturing over years, he is no way spearhead of our attack. Bowling in a test match is touch different from bowling in limited over fixtures. Our young bowling talent needs to mature at test cricket level and they can learn a lot under Zaheer’s watch.

Barring Australia tour of India, Indian test performance is very poor since Zaheer left the squad due to injury. Although poor batting is a cause for that debacle, Indian bowlers failed to create an impact where opposition bowlers wrecked havoc. Except in spin paridises, India’s wicket taking ability has suffered during Zaheer’s absence.  In most of those matches, Indian bowlers ran out of ideas to contain the opposition team and none of the bowler could put up an inspiring performance. This where India needs Zaheer; to think sensibly according to the situation and inspire the bowling attack to do better than what they have been doing.

Last spell Zaheer bowled for RCB in IPL 2013, it was a mesmerising spell. This proves Zaheer has still got what it takes to perform at international level. It is remained to be seen if Zaheer can attain match fitness and win selectors’ nod to join the squad again! I for one hope to see Zak in Whites for India again! And I am certain tha Graeme Smith would be praying for the contrary!!

Related articles

• Zaheer Khan: ‘My fitness has let me down’ (icricketbuzz.com)
• Zaheer Khan working on his fitness issues – Indian Cricket News (blogs.bettor.com)

Thanks for the memories Tendulkar!!

Sachin retires from IPL

Sachin Tendulkar has retired from IPL. The master batsmen surprised everyone by saying that he played his last IPL season while being casually interviewed by Harsha Bhogle after his side won its maiden IPL title.

Tendulkar led Mumbai to IPL finals in 2010 where they were defeated by Chennai despite Tendulkar’s half century contribution. Tendulkar’s last IPL match was against Sun Risers Hyderabad in Wankhade and picked up a tendon injury in that match. Sachin sat in sidelines for the next matches due to this injury.

It is yet to be known if Tendulkar will play the Champions League T20 this season. As nothing was mentioned about Champions League T20 in Sachin’s statement, his fans are expecting him to play this season Champions League. Tendulkar played 78 IPL matches scoring 2234 runs with an average of 34.83 and a strike rate of 119.81. He scored 1 century and 13 half centuries in that process. Tendulkar also holds the record for scoring highest number of 4s in IPL.

Tendulkar may be spotted playing few Ranji matches for match practice if he has decided to tour South Africa in this year-end.  Then he may be a part of test squad touring South Africa.

Sachin’s decision has come as a heart-break to millions of his fans. They have made their disappointment evident all over the web but also supported the decision of their God.

IPL has lost the most celebrated cricketer of world history. IPL is already being tormented by the spot fixing scam and now Tendulkar decides to retire from it. It won’t help its TRP ratings any better!!