I did not want to have to subscribe to this channel - ARY Digitial. Apparently, based in Dubai and having predominantly Middle Eastern content. But they are the only ones televising it in North America, as far as I know.

So I did what I was resisting for so long. Signed up for that channel, just to see the boys play some cricket for the first time this season.

Let’s hope the rain Gods don’t dance around the time India plays :-)

Read this! Amazing. How can they come up with such a gimmick?

Well, on second thoughts, it seems like it is a nice one. People will watch the game, and see who is the winner of the USD 1000 :-)

And of course, be happy that Sachin is dismissed ;-)

Left threatens to withdraw support. How many days since the new guys were in power?

I am telling you, these Left parties are going to create havoc for the Government. Let’s hope for the best.

India cannot afford another election. Too much to handle.

Poor guy. Seems to be disappointed a lot. Let’s hope he gets back into the test team at least.

It’s going to be a long season behind the wickets

Can’t wait. Though I must say I am not so excited about India facing the likes of UAE, Bangladesh and HK.

But looking ahead to the major series - Australia at home and South Africa at home, for tests, it is important to talk about the openers.

I understand that Sehwag turned into a decent opener despite being a middle order batsman. I am feeling bad for Chopra who has been conveniently pushed out of the squad with all the talk about Yuvi opening with Sehwag.

First of all, I have no problem with ‘middle order’ batsmen becoming openers. But talking about Yuvi as a test opener for the Indian national team without truly testing him in that position is unfair to him as well as Chopra. He is kinda set up for failure and Chopra is unnecessarily thrown out of the playing XI.

Of course, time will tell what the real deal is, but on paper, it does not make sense to shake the existing XI, except tweaking the bowling combination based on fitness as well as pitch conditions.

But Ganguly’s talk of Yuvraj being a ‘class act’ and one that ‘cannot be ignored’ is again a pointer to what I think is favoritism. ;-)

Ganguly’s comment that it was a tough call between Agarkar and Nehra makes me think about what I said earlier.

I think he still has his favorites, and does back them more than the others (ex Powar and Karthik vs Bhajji), but he is man enough to come and justify most of his decisions.

I have never doubted him. I just have a stinky feeling that if you are not in his good books, he may not support you as much as he could.

Comments posted on my earlier post were all good, but don’t you guys think that there may be some truth in what I am trying to say?

Bollywood Inspired clothing

Take a look at the collection.

They have not come up with a plan of showing the first cricketing action in the Indian cricket season. I hope they do, because I don’t want to sign up for computer-based cricket action.

And I do want to see this one. Though I am pissed at the selected team. I do believe that Agarkar needs to be in the team ahead of Nehra. Ah well. C’est la vie.

I like Ganguly as a captain. He has always backed his players and formed this team. In fact, he has, over time, earned the respect of his teammates. Especially the youngsters.

But he does play favorites. Well known examples are, he loves Nehra and Bhajji. And he does not like Agarkar and Powar.

Granted that Powar is not a certain inclusion, he was still dropped from the side after decent performances in Pakistan.

But dropping Agarkar is even more shocking. Is Nehra a better bowler than Agarkar? Who knows? Both are on-and-off bowlers and both need their ‘days’ to shine. On their off days, both are quite pedestrian. So what made Gangs choose Nehra?

Because Nehra probably brings him his morning tea with biscuits and newspapers. And Bhajji probably irons his clothes for him before he goes into the shower.

This attitude just sucks.

He is now made the Asian Cricket Council president. Is this guy the best diplomat in cricket today? Ever??

Considering that the Indian cricket season is about to start, this would be a great topic…who has been more valuable to the Indian cricket team in his career?

On one hand, when Tendulkar started, he was young and he showed the signs of never-say-die from the get go. He has been the pillar of the Indian side for 15 years now. Of course, in the past few years, he’s had some other pillars to help him, but in the first 10 years of his career, he’s been the one who has scored the runs for India. In fact, he has also been instrumental in Indian wins with the ball (Hero cup against South Africa - the last over). There is of course no question about his winning matches for India with his bat.

And on the other hand, there is the rock solid Dravid. He came late to the team, at least in comparison to Sachin, but he is now almost indispensible. I would hate to woof him before the season starts, but that is what he is. The Wall. Dependable. Classic. Whatever you say. But, he has struggled a lot in one dayers. And he has started blossoming only in the past few years. He was good in general from the start. But he has started becoming all the solid stuff only in the past few years. I would not hesitate to agree with the tags he has got today, but only looking at the most recent form. Not for his career. And once again, the knock that Sachin gets for India not winning much, should apply to Dravid too. India just didn’t win much in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Right?

Of course, this is not to say that one is bad and the other is good. Both are GREAT. Both are needed for India to succeed. But to score 13,000 runs in one day matches and almost 10,000 in test matches is no mean feat.

My opinion is that today both are too valuable to the team. But over a career, Sachin has been more valuable to the Indian team than Dravid has been.