Mumbai Indians

It has been ages since I have wrote. I actually wrote couple of blogs but didnt felt to publish it for some reason.

I definately wanted to post my views on IPL 1, but missed it dearly.

As far as IPL 2 is concerned, following are more thoughts on Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai Indians will be very strong team in the second IPL.

With Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasurya opening the inning. Robin Uthappa will continue to play @ number 3 unless and until, There will be a deal to transfer him to Bangalore his home team). But In Return, Ambani would like to take a very bright prospect. May be a 3 way deal of Uthapa going to bangalore and Kallis goes to Hyderabad and Rohit Sharma goes to Mumbai.

But Surely, Mumbai Indians would not allow Uthapa to go unless they are getting equally talented Rohit Sharma back.

Also, Talks are already on to get Kevin Pieterson for Mumbai Indians to make the batting line up strong.

This will make 5 Strong Batsmen for mumbai Indians : Tendulkar/Jayasurya/Uthapa/Nayar/Pieterson.

However, what makes Mumbai Indians more strong is the number 6 and 7. Bravo and Pollock are the best possible all rounder that any team can get and that will make the team's batting line up very very strong.

2 Other Indian Bowlers would be Harbhajan Singh and Aashish Nehra. There might be a transfer chances for Harbhajan Singh to Punjab, his home team, however, having Sreesanth in the Punjab team would make this deal go wrong. But Piyush Chawla for Harbhajan Singh is something that Mumbai Indians could settle for.

Also, Nehra would be a great partner for McGrath in Delhi but Delhi has very little thing to offer to Mumbai Indians. Plus Nehra did phenomenal job with Mumbai Indians and his left arm fast bowling is the best possible option for Mumbai Indians.

All in All: with 9 good players in the team and couple of youngstars like Kulkarni and Raje and Takawale and P. Shah will make a very strong team.

There is enough depth in the bowling line up with the return of specialist spinner, Harbhajan Singh.

Pollock and Nehra were outstanding with new ball bowling. Bravo when he was there was quiet good first change bowler. In the Middle Overs, Bhajji's wicket taking ability will give them the edge and plus there is experience of Jayasurya for couple of overs in case, Kulkarni or Raje fall apart.

If Pollock or Bravo, gets injured, There is a good back up in the name of Malinga and Andre Nell and Fernando.

However, The Only drawback that I could see rightnow is the old age of Jayasurya/Tendulkar and Pollock. This game 20-20 is made for young people. Not only that they dont have the back up plan for Jayasurya/Tendulkar or one of them getting injured but also they are not greatest in the field. Ofcourse add Tendulkar's leadership to it, and same old 1998 going to the bowler for each and every ball would shut down the confidence level.

Although, this transition (going my age from 20's to 30's) have changed me to more SRK fan than Aamir Fan, one thing has not changed, I still hate Sachin Tendulkar and specially his captain skills. When the team needs you the most, when the expectations are sky high, Whether it is 1999 Super Six stage or IPL first league this guy gets out.

Cricket_Team

The Test series is almost getting over and Indian Selectors must be getting ready to name the squad for the One Dayers against Australia.

Personally, in the entire series against, England and Pakistan, I observed, Wasim Jaffer scored most of his runs when the bowlers were aiming for his stumps. He is a good on side player and rely heavily on the fact that, Bowlers in order to get him out, will be aiming for the stumps. however, Australians were prepared and very methodical to get him out. They didnt gave him any opportunity to score runs on the on side and he had to force the issue by playing the ball tentatively outside the off stump.

After Watching the Yuvraj bat in the first test match, I think, Indian Think tank missed the chance of resting him and going for an extra bowler. Ideally,

Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman (key # 3), tendulkar, ganguly, dhoni, pathan, kumble, bhajji, rp and ishant would have contructed the best possible XI within the squad given.

I wonder, down the years, that is after 5 years when India would be touring the Australia..India would be without, Jaffer,Tendulkar, Laxman, dravid and Ganguly, perhaps without Sehwag as well. India would go in with allmost the new batting line up...Likes of Badrinath or Raina or Rohit Sharma and of course, Yuvraj Singh. It would be great, if Indian Selectors send this youngstars to go to Australia with India A team to get more and more experience of playing in Australia. One Day Series would be a good start.

However, there is no point in looking back, Time is now for the selectors not to make the mistakes for the one-dayers. Although, Dravid has gained lot of confidence and it would be mistake to drop the capable player like him out, however, in order to look @ the future, it is very necessary that, Team India go for the youth in the middle order.

It is almost certain that, Tendulkar and Ganguly would be opening the inning unless and until any one of them is injured. Down the years, I would probably guess, Sehwag and Gambhir would take over from them. It is also certain that, Yuvraj and Dhoni would be our number 4 and number 5 batsman. This leaves, key number 3 position open. Ideally...Gambhir would fit in but I sincerely feel, Rohit Sharma should be given a chance to take that position. This is a time to develop the youngstars and India do not get much opportunity to play in Australia. I feel, we should keep, Gambhir and Sehwag in the reserve and gave them games by resting Tendulkar or Ganguly in every other games.

So, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni (would be top 5) with Gambhir and Sehwag in the Reserve.

Before discussing 6,7 and 8. Lets Finalize 9 10 and 11. Number 9 would be certainly for the spinner in the team. Most Likely it will be Harbhajan Singh. But we should also give Piyush Chawla few games. This will keep Bhajji on the toes and on the tracks, like Sydney or Hobart where it is more spinner friendly tracks, should give Chawla a go. As far as number 10 and 11 is concerned, RP Singh is a must and most likely will be there since Zaheer Khan is injured. To give him the Company, Front Runner would be Sreesanth. As far as thinking of the reserved fast bowler is concerned, India should persist with Ishant Sharma.

Talking about number 6, 7 and 8; One man is confirmed that is Irfan Pathan. now who could be at number 6 and 8 depends upon lot of factors. Pitch Conditions, Captains Choice, Opposition's Game Plan, Coach's Idea and Selectors Pressure. There is no harm in giving the reserve a chance. For Example: if the pitch is assisting the pace bowlers, go in with Ishant Sharma. If Pitch is offering a bit of turn, Go in with two spinners. If the Pitch is ideal for batting, Go in with Sehwag @ number 6. But With Pathan to be sure @ number 7, Either India may go with Sehwag @ number 6 or Spinner/Bowler @ number 8 but not both. This would give a chance or opening for another youngstar a chance. Praveen Kumar is performing nicely in the domestic cricket as an All Rounder and might be a good fit in number 8 position. Perhaps, Robin Uthapa deserve another chance to establish himself at number 6.

In a nutshell, my squad would be: (with playing XI as first XI)

Tendulkar, Ganguly, Sharma, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Sehwag, Pathan, P.Kumar, Harbhajan, Sreesanth and R P Singh.

Reserves: Gambhir, Piyush Chawla, Ishant Sharma, S.Badrinath.

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This was my e mail to the ICC to solve the Elite Umpire Problems.

There was a discussion going on about the 8 Elite Umpires and lot of cricket. I have a solution where ICC has to make couple of rule change.

1. Keep the Local Umpires (both of them from the home side) on the field with Elite Umpire sitting as the Third Umpire. Third Umpire will hold the key and will be the final decision maker of all the decisions. Instead of On Field Umpires contacting him, He will have the Power to Contact the On Field Umpires whenever they make the mistakes.

Advantage of this method.

1. It will not tire the small panel of Elite Umpires. This will make their work load by half.
2. It will give lot of exposure to the Home Side Umpires and over the years more and more Umpire will be developed who can be drafted into the Elite Panel.
3. Although, It may appear that it will be advantage to the Home Team, since, they have their own umpires but giving the key and all the Power to the Third Umpire, there are more likely to be less umpiring mistakes.

4. This Umpire will be more active.
5. Current Problem of ICC, that they do not have good enough Umpires to put into Elite League would start to go away over the years to come.

Movies_2007

When the last month of year 2007 came, I thought I must have saw about 20 movies in theater. I normally plan to watch couple of movies in theater a month which makes it 24. However, to my surprise, when I counted this year, I saw only 12 movies in the Theater.

Movies That I saw in Theater:

Om Shanti Om *****
Chak De India ****
Partner ***
Guru ****
Heyy Babyy ****
Bhool Bhulaiyaa *****
Tara Rum Pum **
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal *
Namastey London **
Dhamaal **
Salaam-e-Ishq ***
Naqaab **

Movies that I saw in DVD/TV/Laptop:

Life in a Metro
Aap ka Surroor
Jab We Met
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Saawariya
Eklavya – the Royal Guard
Cheeni Kum
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Cash
Apne
Dhol
Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd
Traffic Signal
Bheja Fry
Aawarapan
The Namesake
Dus Kahaniyan
Nishabd
Johnny Gaddar
Just Married
Dil Dosti Etc
The Train
Risk
Kaafila
Go
Manorama Six Feet Under
Good Boy Bad Boy



Yet To See This Movies:

Taare Zameen Par
Welcome
Shoot Out @ Lokhandwala
Aaja Nachle
Fool n Final
Black Friday
Ram Gopal Verma ki Aag
Gandhi My Father
Khoya Khoya Chand
Darling
Ek Chalis ki Last Local
Dhokha
50 Lakh

Rated Movies (Based on what I saw): (TZP and Welcome cant be the part of list as I have not yet watched them)

Om Shanti Om
Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Guru
Chak De India
Heyy Babyy
Salam e Ishq
Cheeni Kum
Life in a Metro
Jab We Met
The Namesake
Partner
Manorama Six Feet Under
Johnny Gaddar
Namastey London
Dhol
Dhamaal
Eklavya- The Royal Guard
Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd
Dil Dosti Etc
Naqaab
Risk

Apne
Just Married
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal
Dus Kahaniyan
Ta Ra Rum Pum
Zhoom Barabar Jhoom
Aawarapan
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Cash
The Train
Saawariya
Good Boy Bad Boy
The Train
Nishabd
Go
Kaafila (Worst Movie of the Year)

Indian Team for Australia

I should say sorry to myself, as I am not able to write anything. Till Last week, I was busy watching Om Shanti Om. I have watched the movie now for about 11 times and Finally, I am out of Om Shanti Om Fobia. Couple of songs from Tare Zameen Par fetched me back to being Aamir Fan and I am over with OSO.

College Football Regular season is over and Saturday are now officially shopping days. Moving requires a lot more preparation and I am going through it. I didnt knew selection of Sofa and Love seat could be so dramatic and painful.

I placed the order of, DirectTV and Dish Network both, Wow..Sony/SetMax/Zee Cinema/B4U as well as Cricket Plus and Star One. Wow, I think I will be damn occupied with TV more and more after one week.

Back to my fav. subject, Cricket. Following is my team (not sure what would BCCI select).

Openers: Jaffer / Gambhir (Reserved : Dravid / Karthik)

Middle Order: Dravid /Tendulkar/Ganguly /Laxman (Reserved: Yuvraj)

Keeper ( Dhoni (Reserved: Karthik)

************ 9 Batsman/Keeper************

Spin Bowlers: Kumble and Harbhajan.

All Rounder: Irfan Pathan.

Left Arm Fast Bowlers: Zaheer Khan and R P Singh.

Right Arm Fast Bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel.

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Om Shahrukh Om

I hate Shahrukh Khan.

I wanted to begin writing of this blog with the statement which is as true as “Sun rise from East”. I would probably end the blog with the same statement which would be as true as “Sun sets in West”.

When I was in India, to watch any movie twice or may be more than twice was as normal as eating 4 times a day. You normally don’t eat 4 times a day, but there are days, when you end up eating more times. I saw Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, 19 times in the theater mainly because; we had nothing to do those days apart from watching Madhuri Dixit and sitting in the Air Condition Theater for 4 hours. I had watch many movies more than one occasion, Saudagar, Khuda Gawah, Rangeela Sarfarosh, DDLJ are the few that comes to my mind instantaneously.

I have been living in USA since last 6 years and there was not a single occasion when I felt watching any movie second time. Perhaps, If I would have had money, I might have scene “dil chahta hai”. There are numerous movies which were very good movies, which could have tempted me to watch it twice, for example, Rang De Basanti or Lage Raho Munnabhai or Dhoom 2.

After watching “Om Shanti Om” on Friday last show, I went to the theater (which is about 20 miles from my apartment) to see the Om Shanti Om second time in a next day. This is just to show, the impact of the movie. Instead of normal 1 show from 9 to 12, that theater had actually 5 shows on Friday and Saturday evening and guess what, all 10 shows were sold out. I would be surprised if this movie does any less than 20 Carore of Business in the first week and eventually cross the 100 carore mark from India and Overseas.

People, who know me, know How Much I hate SRK. It is just not because, I am a big Aamir Khan Fan or Amitabh fan but SRK, to me is “HAKLA” and “Most Overrated Actor”. But this movie, whose heart and soul is SRK, proves me wrong one more time. I say one more time because, I loved SRK in Swades and I loved him in Devdas as well.

For the entire first half of Om Shanti Om, I was trying to find out, the “overacting” of SRK. I would say, SRK was under the observation room under me for the first half. I would say, I found him out of place for just couple of scenes. He was amazing in the comic timings, He as a junior artist in the first half, had to act on the scenes where he is copying some actor, but he managed to generate his own style for the part of “Om Prakash Makhija”. His style of walking, explaining things, falling in love expressions all were just amazingly real.

I think, Aamir Khan performs emotional scenes and songs @ the best. Remember the song in Rangeela and Tanhayi from Dil Chahta hai, However, SRK was equally good or should I say brilliant in the sad song in the first half. The only song in the movie which is not famous or equally brilliant as other songs, “MRUGNAYANI” was made special by the choreography. It is not easy for a big star to make mimicry of Past Stars but SRK does it efficiently. Specially, the “Jeetendra” steps in the songs are aesthetic.

SRK, looked at his best, in DDLJ, @ the end of the song “Najane Mere Dil Ko Kya Ho Gaya”, wearing red t shirt and waving the hand saying goodbye to Simran (Kajol). And after 12 years, he looked @ his the best, when he drives the bike in the form of OK (Om Kapoor).

I thought, he acted beautifully in the first half but I was so wrong again. He acted magnificently in the second half. In the role of Aby Baby, (transformed into OK), he acts walks, talks exactly the way, you would imagine the star sons might be doing.

Dialogues of the movie are also written sharply. My all time fav. Dialogue of the movie is from “Lamhe”, when Anil Kapoor’s friend says, “She is loving Anil from last 5 years” and Sridevi replies, “I am loving him since I was 5 year old”. Similar line of dialogue is written when Arjun Rampal says “Call me Mike, Everyone in Hollywood do”, OK replies “Call me OK, everyone in bollywood do”.

Short One Liner stories from bollywood are nicely captured in the movie, For Example, the name of Govinda and Sooraj barjatya taking the Maine Pyar Kiya Dialogue. One minute detail captured nicely was the Poster of Sholay with the title “Still Running”. The story is based on 1977 and Sholay released in 1975 and was still running in the theaters in the year 1977 successfully.

Second half highlight was the song “Deewangi Deewangi”. It is a treat to watch, Mithunda and Govinda and Saif and Salman and Sanjay and Dharmenda and Jeetendra together dancing in their traditional style.

Second half looks long enough and there were about 15 or 20 minutes of time, when the boredom takes place. However, what comes after that 20 minutes is the Climax scene and that was the best part of the movie. The last 10 minutes of the movie, were shockingly and surprisingly the best part of the movie.

I think if I have to find the things which could have been done better would be:

Picturization and Dance Steps of “Dard-e-Disco”. I mean the song is the best song of the movie and no doubt SRK and his look is in a lot of talk, what lacks actually in the song are the steps. It is very a good dancing song and I felt, it was little let down by the steps, SRK movements or perhaps even choreography.

Editing of the Movie. Although Sirish Kundar has done marvelous job of making sure that second half does not look long and boring enough but eventually it does for 10 minutes or so when story kind of stops and does not move with the pace. I felt, little editing would have helped in the first half, where couple of scenes when SRK was acting as a Southern Superstar could have been cut down from 4 minutes to 2. May be one of two scenes from Kiran Kher could have been chopped.

I just felt sorry for Ranbir Kapoor and SLB for not being able to watch, “Saawariya” this weekend due to the fact that I am still under the phobia of “how can I like SRK movie?” J

The fact is: it is completely fun loving movie, an entertainment and I would not be surprised if SRK wins many awards along with lot many $$$$$$ with this movie.

The other fact is: I hate Shahrukh Khan.

Om Saawariya Om

At least since Last one month, there is not been a single day when this question has not haunt in my mind, Saawariya or Om Shanti Om. Perhaps, I may end up watching both next weekend, but now, which one should be the First One?

Let’s Look at the PROS of SAAWARIYA:

· SLB (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) Movie ..Director of Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Black.
· Star Son and Star Daughter’s Debut Film. (Last time It happened was BARSAAT, when Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna came together a decade ago)
· Guest App. By Salman Khan (equally important as SRK in India) and Rani Mukherjee (desperately looking for the Hit Movie and last time in Bhansali movie, she performed Award ( Oscar) winning performance.
· Music of the Movie is far more different than usual.
· One Song Sung by Shaan ( I am listening this song like a prayer everyday)….JAB SE Tere Naina (It reminds me of 1942 a Love Story song, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To)
· First Movie Made by Hollywood Production Company.

Let’s Look at the PROS of Om Shanti Om:

· Produced by SRK (King Khan who Rules Overseas Market) and Directed by Farah Khan (Main Hoon Na and Spouse of Jaan-e-Mann Director Shirish and Sister of Hey Babyy Director Sajid Khan).
· Looking @ the Track Record and Promo, this seems to be a Complete Entertainer.
· Possible Remake of 80’s Hit KARZ (Double Role of SRK) and even carries the replacement chartbuster of Dard e Dil from Karz to Dard e Disco in Om Shanti Om.
· Deewangi Deewangi Song carries 31 Stars (an Attraction for sure)
· Ajab Si Song could have been as good as Jab Se Tere Naina from Sawariya, (Key Omission of CHORUS who makes the Sawariya song more enjoyable).
· Debutant Actress, Deepika’s Link with Cricket Star Dhoni would give much needed Publicity.
· Strong Supporting Cast in the movie.
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When “Khamoshi” released some 10 years ago, I didn’t went to theater by looking at the tailors of the movie. I think the music of Khamoshi is till date the best music given in the SLB movies. The Film, when I watched in the Video, I was stunned. How come a debutant director makes such a sensitive movie. I decided to watch his next movie, First Day First Show and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam didn’t disappointed me for a single second. I don’t think so the Character of “VANRAJ” could ever disappear from my memories and so is the character of “Nandini”. I don’t think so, After Subhash Ghai and Raj Kumar Santoshi, there is any director who can say the Story so brilliantly.
SLB climbed one more floor when he took the subject of Devdas. I still remember the expression of my face, when I came out of theater near Boston alongwith Rohan, my room mate. We were stunned by the whole experience. But What came after Devdas, was more than a movie experience. I consider, watching a movie “BLACK” was definitely one of the best experience of the life. Watching “BLACK” could be described like, Watching “Taj Mahal” or perhaps “Watching Wimbledon Final” or “Watching a Cricket Test Match @ LORDs” or “Being in Michael Jackson Show”. Black was not phenomenal movie but whole new experience. I wonder what SLB is going to give me next. I think just because, it is a SLB movie, I would be dare to go irrespective of cast.

After Hrithik Roshan came in “Kaho Na Pyar Hai” and Shahid Kapoor in “Ishq Vishq”, there is not much of hype or curiosity created like there is one for Ranbir Kapoor. Ranbir comes from the family that creates enough interest to go and Watch the movie once. I think Sonam reminds me the innocent young face that, Manisha Koirala brought in Saudagar. She has simple yet effective look. She looks graceful enough to sustain the screen presence and certainly holds better future.

Music of the movie is certainly different. It is about 2 hour movie with 8 songs, so I guess all the songs would move the story or have something to say about the story. Title Song is topping the chart and overtaking Om Shanti Om, while Jab Se Tere Naina sung by Shaan is my personal favorite. Especially the song has very valuable use of Chorus which takes the song to the entire new level.

Less you know about the Story of the movie, More It is better. That will motivate the moviegoers to know, what would happen next. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, was more colorful and lot of use of Blue and Green Color in the movie ( be it in the saree or dresses or background or shirts). To Give Old Age Feeling, Devdas was given more Golden Color use. Black as the name suggests had certainly more dark scenes. I am eagerly waiting what sort of treatment Saawariya is going to get.

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Gotto catch some sleep, will edit this post tomorrow..or in the middle of the week…do you people wanna know more???

Team Selection

Australia declared their First Test Match Squad and the SQUAD consists of 13 players unlike India who declared the team of 15 for 2 one dayers against Pakistan.

Australian selection committee has decided who would be the nine out of playing XI. They keep/give the option to the COACH/CAPTAIN to select the last 2 by looking at the pitch. They didn’t selected 4 Openers and said to Ponting that now decide which 2 Openers you feel would bat better in this conditions.

Point is, It is not Ponting’s job to go and find out and look bad by saying, “hey mate, you wont be playing today”. The whole world including those 4 players know in the squad that 9 men are final in the playing XI and 4 are fighting for the last 2 Spots. There is no love-lost situation.

However, If we look at the Indian XI, except, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Dhoni and Zaheer no one else in the team is sure about them playing in the game.

There is a good chance, that, Ganguly could be dropped, and we may go for, Tendulkar/Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvi, Uthapa and Dhoni.

There is a good chance, that, Sehwag might be dropped, and we may go for, Tendulkar/Ganguly, Gambhir, Yuvi, Uthapa and Dhoni.

There is same true for Uthapa by selecting Rohit Sharma.

Spinners can not say they would be in playing XI. They may say, out of those 2 one of them might be playing or perhaps both might be playing but not sure which one. India can very well opt for 6 Batsmen/1 WK/3 fast bowlers and 1 Spinner.

Zaheer Khan doesn’t know who would be his partner. Whether Dhoni will have enough trust on Sreesanth or RP Singh? Will India go with one front line bowler and 2 All rounders??

There is too much uncertainty. There are too many pieces which are broken. There are too many questions that are revolving. Is dropping dravid a big thing? Not really. India has to find so many other answers first before asking which one of three should be rested.

There is one key job that BCCI had to do in last 2 months was to appoint a COACH, which they still have not done. Instead of that just to compete with ICL, they launched IPL and started putting time and effort on signing different players so that they don’t join ICL. BCCI selectors are doing hopeless job or selecting the uncertain team combination. In fact, I would say, there are not even doing a job. After watching 33 players compete in the Challenger Trophy, they could just identify a single new player, Praveen Kumar? What about Niraj Patel? What about Bose? Why Chawla was not preferred? Why Raina/Badrinath was not replacing middle order Dravid? Why Other players easily opt out from the playing?

Fact is, BCCI is the worst organization and most corrupt one too. I am just glad that ICL is putting too much pressure on them to act on things quickly. I also feel, media should become more and more harsh on every decision of BCCI rather than harsh on players. People’s Union should go and do what they do in front of players houses to the Vengsarkar’s houses. Fact is they selected the 15 player but selection of XI player and the key job was left to Dhoni/Rajput. This makes me wonder, who is doing the Selection? Selectors or Captain only? If the hard job is being done by Captain and Manager then why we are paying to the Selectors, Oops, Why we are paying to the BCCI who in turn after taking significant amount of money in his pocket (Pawar’s Pocket) pays Selectors.