Visitor’s Diary – Obama In India !!

India’s 66^th Republic day will go down as one of nation’s grandest and most special National Day celebrations ever . It’s not every day that you have the leaders of the oldest and largest democracies on globe , share the ranks to witness the flourish of the largest democratic nation – the Constitution of India .

The buzz meters got going when Prime Minister’s Office first dropped hints of the how big and special plans were on for the gala event , when an official affirmation of efforts and invite to get POTUS in India as chief guest for the first time appeared on microblogging site Twitter . And soon to follow was the White House to accept the honours , again on the same social networking domain . And since then , apprehensions and calculations of how big and different Republic Day India was going to witness took over the trends .

President Obama was going to be the creator of many firsts . For a beginning , he was going to be the first POTUS to visit India twice in tenure ; he was also the first US President to be chief guest of an Indian National Day celebration ( or perhaps any National Day Celebration ) , and the list went on . This visit was seen with varying lights , by different sections . Whilst some saw this to be the mark of a greater India’s advent on-globe , some saw this to be the US finally moving on from partnering in-reliable nation with a dual , biased policy approach to global terrorism , to a politically and policy-wise stable India , some saw the intimacy in Namo-Obama ties to be the cause for this gesture , whilst other saw POTUS’s inclination to our Nation’s father to be the spark behind this .

Whatever the speak was , this trip attracted the vision of the globe to the sub-continent and so did it to the hardliners and massacre-specialists ( read terrorists ) . POTUS visit to India was a challenge , for the Indian intelligence , security forces , all in all to the Indian defence .

to be continued ……..    

“ The Match that it Was ”

Carlton Mid Triseries  Match 1 (Ind vs Aus) Report 

It was a return of familiar scenes as M S Dhoni finally marshalled Team India into the all important tri-series leading into the World title defence . After winning the call in a typical Australian drop-in pitch , skipper decided to have a bat first .

But his decision was put into scrutiny as soon as the top order beginning to falter , with Shikhar dhawan  2(3) , Rahane 12(28) and new test skipper Kohli 9(24) , failed to consolidate their innings after being in for a while . This lead to fears of another batting collapse with the Indian innings meandering around 59-3 , when Suresh Raina walked out to the middle .

Raina , who had raised quite a few eyebrows with his dismal show in the preceding test series , however , steadily built the innings with the ever elegant Rohit Sharma , and soon both were off to a start . The partnership between the duo flourished which not only get India out of trouble but also allowed to accumulate runs at a brisk pace .

Australia next had the taste of success when Raina fell after scoring yet another fifty , just at the nick of the batting power play . Next to walk in was Captain Cool who received an enormous reception by the crowd , who were dumb shelled by his sudden decision to quit tests . Though his stay at the crease was short one , he stayed to see Rohit score yet another magnificent century , thus settling the opening debate for a while . After Dhoni perished , the lower middle order and the lower order faltered , to some extent , among some excellent death bowling by the aussies . Indian innings finally came to a halt at 267/8 .

The second half saw some really erratic bowling bursts by the Indian quirks , coupled with some lightning quick attack by the aussie openers . India had the first victim as David Warner , who perished , trying to pull a short of length delivery from Umesh Yadav . Then on , Australia seemed to be on song , with late set backs , making in roads for India , to some extent . Finally , Australia managed to wipe out the requisite by the final over , after India showed varied characteristics with the same attack .

In the post match presentation , Dhoni asked for more responsible approach by both the new ball bowlers and batsmen of the top order . Though Mitchell Starc was clearly the difference between the two sides .

Team India’s new avatar

Team India today unveiled their new team jersey designed by Nike for the World title defenders . It was found to having new thin colourful strips as some minor change in shades were marked for the Bleed Blue jersey . Also , the fit seems to be a leaner to give an athletic finish to the reigning champions .
The launch event marked an return of India’s charismatic leader MS Dhoni into the media light after his silent yet dramatic exit from the test arena . The designs clearly had Captain cool’s desires in mind , while test skipper Kohli expressed his happiness at the fitter look . The new jersey will be the one donned by team during it’s world cup campaign beginning in 30 days from now barring minor mandatory changes such as removal of the team sponsor and introducing the tournament logo .

Team India begin their campaign to defend the title against arch-rivals Pakistan , hope that the new outfit turns out to be a lucky mascot for the men in blue !!

PK – just another movie , a defamer or simply an Enigma !!

Right from the day of idea bloom , PK has been making news . Be it the perfectionist being roped in to the movie , extraordinarily long shooting schedules ,  to controversy and disruptions arising straight out of the sets , PK has been hogging around the lime light ever since . But these all blew out of proportion with a bold , nude motion poster release that sparkled up the debate if India was ready

for male nudity in Bollywood . Thus , PK had all stage set for a high – voltage release , with enthusiastic parties – audiences and protestors waiting for the earliest possible sneak into the movie .

So , when PK hit screens , it didn’t raise many a eyebrows with the galloping pace it raked in numbers with . It was as if the whole nation had given a thumbs up and Bollywood was amidst a quality release , some thing expected out of the elite team behind the screens . But amongst all the back-pat and engrossing numbers , there were also heart burns . PK , had touched something that has been a taboo for most parts of our right to expression – Religion .
The Aamir khan starrer had a beautiful story line , with an equally meaningful lesson beneath , but , this message had several factions hurting their  vested interest . Also , the artistic presentation made to spread the message was un-acceptable to many for instance , an actor dressed as  the presiding deity of one religion offering a ride to passengers of another religion to escape a burglar wasn’t held on a high note . this saw religious hard liners take a staunch dislike and launch anti-viewership movements across the nations . Thus PK was not only gaining multiple millions of box-office collections , it was also being collared by several factions under different umbrellas for numerous reasons . As speculations spread of the feature getting banned across silver screens , thousands flocked to catch up

with what might be the last show , before another masterpiece is sacrificed to the easiest possible allegation in the nation . The air was finally cleared when the Chief Justice of India delivered the verdict against banning of the movie , and adding a strong observation that “If some one feels that his/her religious believes are hurt by the movie , then the individual had all the rights to decide against viewing the movie ” , at the same time the Apex court refused to put in any limitations on the movie stating that it could restrict “ innovation and creativity ” in Bollywood movies , some things that are a rare indeed .
Thus , While PK runs with tight-packed houses , loading bundles into the box office , we also get in the odd report of another heart burnt faction pelting a show and meting out harsh lines for the makers , thereby it makes difficult to conclude what the movie actually is – a “ Block-buster ” , as charted by Bollywood pundits or a “ Misleading  story , maligning religious feeling ” . We leave it for the readers to decide and take it to one of the two poles and conclude it to be an “ Enigma ” .

India’s Lord Protectors – Team India for defending the Crown !!

Team India are the defending Champions of World Cup 2015 

The coveted World Cup Trophy

Amid all speculations and expert opinions the much talked about Team India squad for the upcoming World Cup 2015 ( Australia and New Zealand ) has been declared . The team reflects the present
The team selection has been causing speculations in the minds of all cricket loving individuals and even stalwarts of the game . In particular , the late but shining resurgence of the last world cup triumph heroes such as Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj had sent in hopes of their making the cut . Also , some promising , consistent show by individuals like Manoj Tiwary , Robin Utthappa and Mohit Sharma also spiced up things . Adding to this was the injury concern of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made the making of the squad an interesting turn out .
Another point which was catching the media speculation was if and whether Ravi Shastri , the team director will have any say in the team selection process .

scenario of the Indian cricket team which has seen the baton passed on to promising young generation from the past match winners .

Finally putting all speculations to rest the All India Senior Selection Committee of the BCCI met at the Cricket centre , Mumbai and after a un-official consultation of the physio , started the process . It was attended by the five selectors , Coach Duncan Fletcher and India’s talismanic skipper M S Dhoni .

The team selected after vivid discussions on several players within and outside the probable 30 were :

 MS Dhoni ( Capt. & WK ) , Virat Kohli , Suresh Raina , Shikhar Dhawan , Rohit Sharma , Ajinkya Rahane , Ambati Rayudu , Ravindra Jadeja , Ravichandran Ashwin , Akshar Patel , Stuart Binny , Bhuvaneswar Kumar , Mohammed Shami , Ishant Sharma , Umesh Yadav .

Speaking of the selection , Chief Selector Patil said that Jadeja , who is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA is expected to be match fit in next 10 days , Ishant whose omission from the ongoing test has raised eye brows is also with a sore knee and has been advised not to be fielded for the present test . The omission of Yuvraj and Sehwag indicates their success has been too late too little . In addition to the above 15 , Mohit Sharma and Dhawal Kulkarni have been included in the squad for the tri-series following the present test schedule .  

India will be looking to rewrite the magical tale under their charismatic Captain Dhoni

Playing Tests the other way – the Mahi-way !!

M S Dhoni  , a super brand representing the new India , more so the small town India has been high on talking points throughout the decade long run of Dhoni-sm . The Indian skipper has been the strongest evidence of how believe and confidence , when hand in hand can reach for the pinnacles of glory .

It all began with a regular school team goal keeper asked to fill in for his school cricketing squad’s wicket keeper’s position . Little did the Coach knew , that this seemingly ordinary move of his was going to lead the birth of the most powerful sporting persona India has ever seen , little did he knew

that his move would awake the fore long sleepy small-towns of India , little did he knew that he was creating the greatest captain , leader Indian cricket has ever seen or will probably ever see .

M S faced all types of odds faced by any mundane small-town lad with a high ambition  , whether it be searching all quarters for proper practice grounds , equipment , or financial assistance . But all those hurdles did not stop him from making spectators spellbound of his hard hitting aggressive batting skills , he had turned into a local hero for the ruthless bashing he handed to every other bowler down the dusty lanes and grounds of Ranchi .

But as is the case with most small-town Indian struggle story , his cricketing career was bogged down with financial crisis his family was running through . So , for a brisk period he had to tick tickets at one of the departure terminals of Kharagpur railway station , as a TTE .

He eventually had his blow of luck when he was picked up in a talent search program conducted by BCCI , to fill up the huge gloves since Dravid had left keeping . His flamboyant style of batting caught every ones fantasy as did his long mane ( hair ) . It wasn’t long when Dhoni was tried out as one of the many probable for a wicket-keeping – batsmen for team India .

Some truly spectacular and solid performances saw Dhoni elevate in the selectors list and soon enough he made his debut for the whites .

Dhoni and Test has always been a sport experts enigma . Most thought a swashbuckling batsman as Dhoni was made it improbable to have a long run for India as a test cricketer . But , Dhoni being the incredibly talented performer that he is , has always shut all hiss and puffs with his game by equally strong performances , than be it the test century against a testing Pakistan squad , or a match saving

76* against seaming and swinging conditions against a charged up English attack , Dhoni proved his mettle to every stake holder of Indian Cricket .

He was not only a selfless team man , but was as sharp tactically as he was with the gloves and the blade . One of his biggest fans , the master blaster suggested him to be the perfect future of Indian cricket and true to the verdict of the cricketing God , Dhoni was out leading India in whites , few years later . It was though the biggest challenge he had faced , to lead a team comprising of veterans such as Sehwag , Sachin, Ganguly , Dravid , Laxman , Zaheer , etc . was no joke . And yet Dhoni passed the test with distinction , handling all those seniors with the respect they deserved and yet ensuring his say in the scheme of things . He led India to maiden test series wins overseas , as did he lead India to the apex of Test rankings . He maintained the team in the highest glory for an extended period , until 2010 when the fab four had began to wear down , and so had the team’s performance .

Then came the worst night mares , successive white washes at the hands of England and Australia , and recurring break downs of veterans compounded the problem . This was afresh challenge for Captain Cool , who not only maintained his composure through the wild patch , but sportingly took

up all blames for the team . He the masterminded the transition into searching a younger bunch who could match steps with the veterans . He nurtured blossoming talents , the likes of Kohli , Rohit , Rahane , Vijay , Pujara , Rayudu , Ashwin , Jadeja , Umesh , Varun , Shami , Mohit , Bhuvi , who are today the main stead of Indian cricket . It was under his protective cocoon , that the young India that has stood up today baked itself up , whilst Dhoni was saving them from the un-forgiving  and ever probing Indian media . He who had been once at the pinnacle of success by successive test wins home and abroad was now under constant probe .

But again , like it is with most captains , Dhoni the captain wasn’t only about Dhoni the skipper only , it had Dhoni the finisher , Dhoni the saviour ( batsmen ) , Dhoni the keeper , and even Dhoni  the bowler sometimes . Dhoni was the other term for un-orthodoxy in test cricket . Then be it bringing in shots that are not even far cousins of the traditional defence , cut , drive ; or his unique sense of stump work , he made test cricket more

excitement . If Dhoni is some where near the square , its eye-catchy and entertaining always . Whether it be standing in for long innings in seaming and swinging conditions with none of the traditional survival skills in his kitty , or breaking taboos of test cricket with his mysterious field placings , Dhoni was the hardest mind to read on field .

His calmness under pressure was something that most envied . While all run helter-schleter , he remained un-scuffled . Victory or loss , he was always the same smiling self . And what about the leg slip , his favourite position , he had the best cricketing brains scratching their heads in trying to emulate the reason behind . Dhoni was always mirrored as some one who is a no-fuss personality , always practical in his approach , some thing he has potrayed both in his life , on and off the field .

But as is with all success stories , the arc of victory was bound to inch downwards , which in case of Captain Cool was an ageing and wearing body and a tired brain . Constant pressure finally had his say on the maestro , when he decided to step down both from captaincy and the whites , soon following the conclusion of the MCG test ( 26-30 december , 2014 ) .

A bombshell had dropped out of the blue !!

Tributes and well wishes started dropping in as social networking networks went tizzy with the news . Fans were engrossed in sorrow and disbelief , and so was all of the cricketing fraternity , as Dhoni decided to march forward in life’s highway , the Mahi-way .