Selection Decision

When it comes to selection of choosing the correct XI, you have to look at the opposition team. Australia has only one left handed batsman in their XI: Michael Hussey. It is highly unlikely that Indians go for three off spinners against them.

So, What do Dhoni/Indians do in terms of selection. Hoping that Sehwag will return to open the inning with Sachin Tendulkar, Top 6 (Sehwag, Sachin, Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj and Dhoni) gets selected on the basis of their current form.

In bowling department though, there are lots of question marks other than Zaheer Khan.

Raina can safely put himself in number 12 position and rest assured will be used for at least 15 overs in fielding department to cover Sehwag and/or Sachin.

Pathan, Ashwin, Harbhajan, Nehra, Munaf, Sreesanth and Chawla; Seven Stars and 4 Positions. It is very certain that India will at least go for one fast bowler to support Zaheer.

Lets look at PROS & CONS between three seamers.

Nehra:
PROS: Wicket taking option in the middle overs.

He is pretty effective in the depth overs (compare to Munaf and Sreesanth)


CONS: With Zaheer he will be second left arm seamer which gives less variety.

Can go for Plenty of runs and can be wayward under pressure.



Sreesanth


PROS: Better Fielder compare to Munaf and Nehra.

Better Batsman compare to Munaf and Nehra.

Better Wicket Taking Option in first 10 overs


CONS: Bad Temperament.

Can go for plenty of runs at the start and end overs if put under pressure.


Munaf

PROS: Better Line & Length bowler compare to Sreesanth and Nehra

Better economy rate.

Wicket taking option in the depth overs

CONS: Worst fielder/batsman compare to other two.

Least likely to take wickets in first 10 overs puts ressure on Zaheer

Ahemdabad track will not have lot of grass or bounce which means three fast bowlers is highly unlikely scenario. This means, Dhoni will go for 3 spinners out of 4 available (Pathan, Ashwin, Harbhajan, Chawla).

Pathan is most likely to get in the playing XI. Ahmadabad is close to his home town. He is match winner in terms of his batting. He is better fielder among the other 3 spinners. Dhoni likes playing seven batsman and hence he gets in.

2 Spots and 3 Spinners much like , “Aadmi 2 aur goli 3, bahut na insaafi hai re.”

Problem in going with Ashwin and Harbhajan is that, then India will have 3 off spinners against Australians who has only one left handed batsman. That will certainly make India’s bowling one dimensional, no matter how different all three off spinners are.

Problem in going with Chawla is that he is short of confidence plus after both the off spinners performed so well, Ashwin and Harbhajan in last game, who should be left out?

Can Dhoni take a risk of dropping Pathan and go with three front line spinners and 5 front line batsmans, considering that Yuvraj has also found the lost form in last game by scoring a hundred. My recommendation is to go with five bowlers and make a statement. After all, What do seventh batsman can do that six couldn’t? There can be a calculated risk taken and send Harbhajan as a pinch hitter in between Gambhir and Kohli somewhere around 20th over when Kretza and Watson are bowling to nullify the need for Pathan at the depth overs.

We have to wait and see what is the strategy Indian think tank come up in terms of selection of playing XI before the game.

Playing for India or Indians?

Dhoni posted a strong post match comment saying some of the players were playing for crowd (indians) rather than team. Actually, it is quiet true, not just for one player but most players within team. There is hardly anything called "TEAM" when team India plays; Its always individuals. Personal glory and milestones matters more than a team victory. Some fans consider, giving Nehra the final over was a ridiculous decision, I bet Had Dhoni thrown a ball to Bhajji and he would have went for 13 runs, same group of people would have criticized and revesed their statement asking; "Why Bhajji"?

It wasnt the final over where India lost the game. India for more than decades have one major problem, They do not have bowlers who can bowl at the death overs. We dont have it, not even Zaheer Khan is good enough consistent bowler to bowl at the death overs. Yes, he was lucky enough to give only 4 in second last over of the match however same Zaheer khan in his 9th over gave away 17 runs to put S.Africa right back into the game. (40th over Zaheer conceded 17 runs after which S.Africa needed 79 runs in last 10 overs with 7 wickets in hand , kind of cake walk).

India knows very well, they do not have bowlers who can defend in last 10 overs. Its very important for India to post over 350 runs target every time they bat first in sub continent pitches. With over 350 runs on board, while chasing, opposition team is more likely to make more mistakes in first 40 overs and hand over Victory to India. IF the team has lost just 3 wickets and 80 runs are required in last 10 overs, India is never going to be able to defend it.

While batting as well; there were lot of mistakes made. First 15 overs when India batted; there was not a single mistake from either Sehwag or Tendulkar. However thats when India had a chance to make a move. India should have took "BATTING POWERPLAY" on 16th over. G.Smith was clueless when India posted 128 runs with no wickets down in first 15 overs. Wouldnt it be great to just push him at the corner, I wonder. Smith was hoping that India do not take the power play and he can bring his spinners and restrict India to under 350. Batting powerplay at that time, could put India well within the reach of 400 runs.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 50 in 33 balls. After 15th over he was 37 balls 57 runs. Till that time, he was playing for Country and he was playing great. Compare 37 balls 57 runs against 92 balls 100 runs. From Strike rate of 154 to 108; thats a lot of change. If this is not playing for your own records, playing for scoring centuries, playing for Crowd, playing for Indians then what it is? Now Quickly lets glance through S.African scoreboard, Did anyone scored a century? Every one contributed to the Team's Victory. Not to forget, Sachin Tendulkar denied India 10 runs through his "defensive", "unfit" running between the wickets. However, Lets forget Tendulkar for a while, because Tendulkar's batting is not the concern for Team India. After all, he still hit a century with more than run a ball strike rate. Its what happens, after Tendulkar gets out in this particular game was horrifying.

Sending Pathan after the fall of Tendulkar's wicket was a bad move. Pathan hits the ball so powerfully and can clear the ground easily, he does not need to play inside the Power Play. In fact had Pathan not there in Power Play, fielder who caught might not even be there and it would have been a easy single for him. Lets give credit to Yuvraj and Dhoni for playing cautiously for couple of overs once they lost Pathan, Gambhir and Tendulkar in power play. Lets not blame Yuvraj too much for going for a shot on the last ball of a Power play, after all he did hit the six in previous over.

What happens after 43rd over, is clear lack of application from Indian lower order. Specially the dismissal of Kohli and Bhajji and Zaheer were just not acceptable. There needs to be a bit of blame need to go to Dhoni as well over there. He was in the middle with them and if he can not motivate them to play for India, then he is failing as a captain and as a premier batsman. He should have been talking with them every ball, and what is the requirement of Team India. From 283 for 5 to 296 all out is lack of determination.

Fitness or Talent

Tendulkar played a magnificent inning against England. He was focused and frozen while Sehwag was bombarding. He launch into the inning after the departure of Sehwag. He played cautiously, with a big score in mind; perhaps a century and he achieved his target. He is astute reader of media reports and statements prior to the game. He listen Swann to silence the Indian crowd and replied him with an elegant assault and hips of sixes.

India was outplayed in the run-chase by Strauss and Bell. England was cruising for a victory until Dhoni brought in Zaheer Khan as almost last throw of a dice. It’s amazing how 600 ball game gets changed in the span of 3 balls. Zaheer’s first over of third power play converted a soap opera into a top-notch Thriller.

Clearly, If India has to pick two match winners; they are Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan for their batting and bowling respectively. However they lacked so poorly in the third department called “Fielding” which actually cost India the game and one extra point.

There is no way to prove statistically, “the lack of effort” in the team game. Dhoni’s post-match comment of “We can not improve much on our fielding” was a honest confession of a team lead who is practically aware of the situation. Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan are perhaps spearhead of India’s batting and bowling department but they are no where close to being the Match-Fit.

You can not prove you are match fit, by scoring a hundred or taking 5 wickets. Match fitness is about being active and remaining actively involved throughout the span of 7 hour game. What was more disturbing was there was a lack of effort for fielding from both. Virat Kohli misfielded and dropped a catch, Harbhajan singh did not put 2 hands to try a catch, Raina took the eyes of the ball and misfielded, Gambhir’s throw was not good enough to reach the crease, are some of the examples which show India was poor in their fielding but there was no “Lack of effort” in above examples. In case of Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan; it was lack of effort. Lack of effort was due to the fact that they are scared that if they try harder in the field, they can pull a muscle or two and perhaps have to sit out from the rest of the tournament.

It’s almost like you are going in a war with 9 soldiers and you have to protect other two throughout 50 overs. They surely have the talent to produce match winning moments but do they have the match fitness? Answer is clearly No, they are not match fit. Next Question is to the selectors of the Indian team; would you select players in the team based on mach fitness OR that’s not a criteria at all. Is Indian team going back to the days of Nabjot Sidhu and Sanjay Manjrekar where, if they played a good knock; they would be sitting in the dressing room and 12^th man will be utilized of their “Lack of Effort”.

Take a leaf out of Australian’s book; Michael Hussey, their best batsman in one day format, is not in the team because he was not match fit. Can India do that for Sachin Tendulkar? Would India have not scored the same amount of total had Sachin not present? Would Sehwag and Gambhir are less threatening pair compare to Sachin and Sehwag? Wasn’t there occasions when India was bating where Sachin denied singles 3 or 4 times as it would stretch his thigh muscle? Wasn’t there a sign after scoring a century that Tendulkar was looking tired (compare the freshness of Strauss after fielding for 50 overs and then scoring a hundred)

Australians dropped out Symonds long time ago, because, he was not creating a good environment in the dressing room. Can India do that for Sreesanth?

There are questions with only one possible answer. “Yeh India hai yaar, yahan pe sab chalta hai”. Hopefully we get out of this, “Sab Chalta hai” mentality and start giving preference to what is right rather than what is politically correct.

Zindagi !!!

कुछ ख्वाब ऐसे देखे हमने, अनजानी सी बन गयी यह ज़िन्दगी !


प्यार,पैसा, शोहरत बन्दे के पास है न है सिर्फ अपनों की बंदगी !!



कभी वक़्त को भुला करते थे हम, अभी वक़्त ने हमें भुला दिया !!!

कुछ पाने की लालच ने , बहुत कुछ हम ने गवा दिया !!!

कभी हसी हमारे दामन में थी, अब रोना भी मुश्किल होने लगा !!!

जस्बात कुछ ऐसे होने लगे है, न दिल है, न यारो की दिल्लगी !!!

कुछ ख्वाब ऐसे देखे हमने, अनजानी सी बन गयी यह ज़िन्दगी !!!!!!!



साए को चुने की हमारी चाह थी , अंधेरो में लिपटी हमारी राह थी

जूनून ने जब दस्तक दी थी , चुपके से सुकून ने रुक्सत ली थी !!!

कभी दुनिया हमारी सुनथी थी, अब कहना मुश्किल होने लगा !!!

हालत कुछ ऐसे होने लगे, ना सांसे है ना है कोई दिलकशी !!!

कुछ ख्वाब ऐसे देखे हमने, अनजानी सी बन गयी यह ज़िन्दगी !!!!!!!

Ajay Devgan

He is the only actor whose voice I heard first and then saw in the movies/television. It was sometime during 1991 when his first movie, Phool aur Kaante was about to release. I used to listen to Radio lot often during those days. He was introduced as the "STAR" being born before the movie got released.

Early 90's, in Bollywood movies, if the music of the movie is good, it was bound to do good business. Phool aur Kaante's music was awesome by Nadeem Shravan and it was topping the chart and hence the stardom to newcomer, son of Action Master, Mr.Veeru Devgan.

I still wonder why he prefer to change his name from Vishal to Ajay. Vishal Devgan is equally impacting name as Ajay Devgan.

Ajay Devgan has awesome 2010 with wide variety of movies released. I am surprised he has done over 90 movies in last 20 year or so. Thats lot of movies compare to other 3 Khans or Akshay Kumar.

Ajay Devgan do give lot of flops too but he is a "genuine" actor and a person. There are more than 25 movies which are notable from his long list of 90+ movies.

Phool aur Kaante


Dilwale

DilJale

Ishq

Pyar To Hona Hi Tha

Zakhm

Kachhe Dhage

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Company

Gangajal

Khakee

Yuva

Kaal

Golmaal 1, 2, 3

Omkara

Raajneeti

Once upon a time in Mumbai

London Dreams

Sunday

Halla Bol

Masti

Raincoat

LOC Kargil

Top 10 of 2010

One of my new year resolution is to write more blogs than what I have done in the past. Hindi Movies are lifeless without its music. Over the years, if the music of the film does well, its bound to do well at Box-Office as well. For almost 40 years, Hindi Music's success barrier was Radio Show called, "Binaca (and later, Cibaca) Top 10 Songs" hosted by none other than Amit Sayani.

Later on, during my jawani (and not Sheila ki jawani), it was SuperHit Muqabala on doordarshan which gave the pleasure of top 10 songs. Later on we had MTV and VTV and many other tv channels such as Zoom TV, B4U etc, as full time music channels. So, Let me present what I think are the Top 10 songs of year 2010.

10) Sheila ki Jawani from the movie TEES MAAR KHAN.

Although, I particularly does not like the song, but nevertheless its quiet famous, and it has catchy tune for sure. It would be unfair to leave out this song from Top 10 considering it has quiet a big fan following.

9) Tere Naina Re --My Name is Khan

Although, Noor -e Khuda and Sajda (which also sung by my fav. singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan) were much more famous than Tere Naina Re, but as far as melody is concern, this one makes it to my Top 10.

8) Anjaana Anjaani -- Title Song

Typical Vishal-Shekhar music. They are the modern day, Shankar-Jaikishan/Laxmikanth Pyarelal. They give the music which works for that 3 month period (1 month before the movie release, and 2 month after the movie releases), Their Music has enough catchiness to work. Problem is they give very similar music, be it I hate Love Stories or Break ke Baad or Anjaana Anjaani. Out of those 3, title song of Anjaana Anjaani was much better and ofcourse it was sung by Monali Thakur (who came from Indian Idol, my fav.show).

7) "Gal Mitthi Mitthi" - AISHA

Actually its the choreography of the song which gives this song the feeling of nice to see. It has catchy lyrics (most punjabi lyrics are nice to listen to), and rhythmic tune as well.

There was another song, "Tere Bin" from I hate Love Stories, but I so hate Karan Johar, Dont I? Just Kidding. Tere Bin has better cinematography but choreography wins against cinematography, isnt it?

6) Surili Ankhiyon Wale -- VEER

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has so many hit songs this year, isnt it? Again the movie wasnt that good, neither the other songs but this one is so pleasant-sounding track.

5) Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si -- Raajneeti

Mohit Chauhan and Antara Mitra (again, Indian Idol fame), sung this song very beautyfully. Not that lyrics and tune is not that good, its good, its catchy but its the singing which is making this song to listen again and again. Entire movie is so intense drama that this song comes in between like a sweet river in a desert.

4) Zor Ka Zhatka -- Action Replayy
I agree the movie is super flop. But the song is the most catchy and one of the best dance number of 2010. The dance step was the most unique and most successful dance step of the year. Besides, Aishwarya Rai rocks and Daler Paaji can still deliver.

3) Munni Badnaam Hui

For many, This would be number 1 song of the year. I dont blame them, for me as well, it was quiet a difficult task not to put this song as number 1. However, I guess I am so much into Rahat Fateh Ali Khan singing and the other two songs which are at respective number 2 and 1 number are more sweet numbers that this one takes 2 steps back. Nevertheless, this one is definately the most played song in the entire year in entire India for sure. Munni fetch audience to the theater and Salman made sure they go happy, thats the story of DABANGG.

2) Dil To Bachha Hai Ji -- ISHQIYA

Music Director Vishal Bhardwaj's forte is actually film making. So, when he gives music, he tries to make it so simple and within the script of the movie that it actually works like a charm. Such is the effect of the song is that, there is a movie coming up with the title "Dil To Bachha Hai Ji" in less than a year after the song is released. Lyrics are just so awesome and my strong recommendation to win the award for Lyrics would be this song. "hum jaisa haaji hi hoga" is simply wow.

1) TERE MAST MAST DO NAIN -- DABANGG

Its a classic. It starts with classical note, and then it catches up and becomes as a typical hindi movie song of 90's and performance of Salman Khan makes this song as not only the best song of the year but perhaps may also qualify in top 10 songs of the decade. Its just to good a song. Simple Lyrics, Nice Tune, Awesome singing and mind-blowing performance by Salman. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan also deserves an Award for the song.

NARIMAN POINT

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Mumbai’s heart lives at this southern most part. It actually describes Mumbai and Mumbai spirit at its best. For the years, this place has a special place in my heart.

I have tried multiple occasions to describe the feeling of being at Nariman Point/Marine Drive but unable to do so. I have never been so successful in finding words to describe the feeling of being at Nariman Point/Marine Drive.

Perhaps, It is the waves and the sound of sea which makes me calm down. Perhaps it is the bright lights of Mumbai Street which enlightens me. Perhaps it is the life surrounding the place, million people that you see at this place with all kind of different talks. Perhaps it is the skyline of Mumbai which inspires me and motivates me. I still don’t know whats the magic that this place has but whatever it is, it is simply awesome.

Be it the old people from Gujarat who would describe this as “Mumbai Ni Ronak Ajab Che , Ho Bhai” OR It is the people from UP/Bihar describing, “bumbai ki to baat hi nirali hai”. There are young students who would come there with bag packs and tons of tension of school/college/groups to have a group conversation.

Also, there will be plenty of romance at this place. Be it young married couple from outside Mumbai, OR you would find young college couple. You will also find 60 year old Parsi Couple Romance. You will also find young middle age couples (some times people with extra marital affair, trying to hide themselves). You would find, young friends with opposite sex trying to give each other advice, stuff like, “You know my mother still loves you, before this vikrant thing happened, she used to tell me, why don’t you go out with Girish, he is so cool” (Poor girish would be all blushing).

I think, what works for this place, is the curve that it has with bright lights and the steps build around it, so all kind of people can come and have a seat. It is like “Life” sitting their surrounding the “Curve of Life”. Waves of water help you relax also if it is day time, you can see long way out and it gives the feeling that, “Life is long, if you use it wisely”. You turn your head and see big buildings which inspire you to go long way ahead in your career. It motivates you to earn big sum of money. It encourages you to be successful in your life. To Me (and many of my friends), it is one of the 1000 things to do in life, is to have a Office at Nariman Point.

If you are walking across marine drive, you can hear million of conversation from different people. I wish and pray that our bollywood film makers and story writers should visit this place; they will find 1000 good stories, especially film makers such as Karan Johar who are stuck with Raj/Rahul stories.

I have always found that this place whenever I visit, brings amazing amount of revive me energy in me. It breathes new life into me. It makes me go numb. It amazes me. It inspires me. This place makes me blush. This place rejuvenates me.