The Cricket Thread

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Its much easier to blame the BCCI for everything but wasn't it the players themselves who agreed for the series,

Presently there is only one player in the world who can go against BCCI. Note: I say world and not only India.

And that is Sachin Tendulkar.

A player or a group of them can't do jack against BCCI. Forget BCCI, players cant do jack against a State level cricket board for that matter. I know this much better then anyone

Money is Power and Power is everything.

You want rest, you go home. Simple.

[WindRide]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Presently there is only one player in the world who can go against BCCI. Note: I say world and not only India.

And that is Sachin Tendulkar.

...

And he is exactly the guy who won't do it. Why would he rub BCCI the wrong way, now that he is on the verge of retiring. He is looking at a cushy retirement courtesy BCCI.

Tendulkar has always put himself before country, ALWAYS.

Wonder if the selection panel would swallow the bitter pill and dare drop the grand old man atleast now?

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by WindRide

And he is exactly the guy who won't do it. Why would he rub BCCI the wrong way, now that he is on the verge of retiring. He is looking at a cushy retirement courtesy BCCI.

Tendulkar has always put himself before country, ALWAYS.

Wonder if the selection panel would swallow the bitter pill and dare drop the grand old man atleast now?

Do you know what his average (for the last year) is, coming into this series??? He was in the form of his life, not just in tests but in all forms of cricket (test + ODI + T20)!

If Tendulkar doesnt play for the country then nobody in the world does! No other batsman gives same joy to a bowler for taking his wicket as Tendulkar, for his wicket is the most prized one in world cricket. And yet people doubt him!

He might be old but he is not done yet. And there are no "youngers" around the scene capable of replacing him. One day, when he is long gone, we'll all remember this "grand dady" and cherish the memories (At least I consider myself fortunate enough to have seen him play for large part of his career). If only his support cast was a bit better in early part of his career he would have achieved lot lot more in cricket (there will always be "what if he was born in Australia.." question associated with him).

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by WindRide

And he is exactly the guy who won't do it. Why would he rub BCCI the wrong way, now that he is on the verge of retiring. He is looking at a cushy retirement courtesy BCCI.

How many know that there were protests against the players who were banned when ICL was formed and the way BCCI ruined the careers of the players? Know anything about it?

Tendulkar has always put himself before country, ALWAYS.

And that brought him the recognition that he has today? Pointing fingers at the way he plays is alright. Getting personal is totally uncalled for.

How does he prove that he considers country more then himself to you?

Wonder if the selection panel would swallow the bitter pill and dare drop the grand old man atleast now?

Remember BCCI and the player you don't have much regard for aren't mates like you think they are. If it was not for his batting and the fan following he got because of his hardwork. You believe BCCI would let someone sideline them?

Its a dog eat dog world here. Where money is the mantra. Get into the system you will understand the bad.

Having said that its not all downhill though. Tough measures from the government has kept the Board on leash.

But they believe they are bigger then themselves.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by joslicx

Do you know what his average (for the last year) is, coming into this series??? He was in the form of his life, not just in tests but in all forms of cricket (test + ODI + T20)!

If Tendulkar doesnt play for the country then nobody in the world does! No other batsman gives same joy to a bowler for taking his wicket as Tendulkar, for his wicket is the most prized one in world cricket. And yet people doubt him!

He might be old but he is not done yet. And there are no "youngers" around the scene capable of replacing him. One day, when he is long gone, we'll all remember this "grand dady" and cherish the memories (At least I consider myself fortunate enough to have seen him play for large part of his career). If only his support cast was a bit better in early part of his career he would have achieved lot lot more in cricket (there will always be "what if he was born in Australia.." question associated with him).

Why Tendulkar's place, there is no one to fill raina/yuvraj/dhoni's places in the side. That is how bad our bench is. And all you 10dulkar bashers, will you be happy if he hangs up his boots and gets his "cushy" retirement ?

To start with, why don't we ask why BCCI is paying 3.6Cr annually to the two jokers from mumbai ?

[SilentEngine]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

To start with, why don't we ask why BCCI is paying 3.6Cr annually to the two jokers from mumbai ?

That is simple, it is to keep their mouths shut.
A good article by guha on these two:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine...ry/527363.html

[Daewood]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

How does he prove that he considers country more then himself to you?

Is proving that so difficult?

Did you watch the the last ball of MI's innings, in the IPL match against Kochi.

GOD was on 99,
one ball to go..
he had 2 options
a) try to score as much as possible
Result: he will get his hundred and also increase the run rate of his team
b) Be cautious and get a single
Result: he will get his hundred but run-rate goes down.

No prizes for guessing which option GOD chose.
These small but significant decisions in the recent years by GOD, has made even his fans question his priorities. It's just facts that make people to talk like that.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by SilentEngine

That is simple, it is to keep their mouths shut.

Not really.

There is a give and take relationship here. BCCI needs people who can "talk" on foreign channels and not make a well Ramiz Raja of themselves. One does not really talk against the partner right?

About MCA elections. That is one mess buddy. In cricket it is simple. If you are a strong state board then a politician will be at the helm. No player will get a easy chance unless he is a politician too (and I dont mean an elected one).

Poor Vengsarkar some of his earlier straightforwardness is coming back to haunt him.

Originally Posted by Daewood

Did you watch the the last ball of MI's innings, in the IPL match against Kochi.

I stopped watching IPL after the first season. My buddy from the state team (whose IPL team won the first one) told me about the muck there.

b) Be cautious and get a single
Result: he will get his hundred but run-rate goes down.

You think he cares about "IPL" run-rate?

It's just facts that make people to talk like that.

Oh well we are in a free country. So people can talk. But agreeing to it because people talk is a personal decision. And I dont agree he plays for himself.

If he had he would have scored a hundred in every innings after he became the opener - refute that?

[WindRide]

The jury is certainly out on whether SRT plays for himself or for team. Iam convinced he puts self before team, many don't. Fair enough. Each to his own.

Problem with greatness is the bumpy landing once the era has passed. SRT should prepare for it.
I, as his fan, wish to remember him as a champion, not as a selfish cricketer, just like his state-mate, another former great opening batsman.

Also, isn't it funny the stats look better the more selfish you get ;-)

Any discussion on SRT is bound to raise emotions, so lets pass on that and discuss on how this team extricates itself from the hole it finds itself in.

[Spitfire]

I dont know which jury you are talking about. But his country before self is a documented proof. Before you ask me what? Check on the easiest one Who has the highest number of Man-of-the-Match awards? Now for a skeptic (the buzzword these days) that would be a selfish player right there. But then we will need a jury.

[SilentEngine]

Originally Posted by Daewood

Is proving that so difficult?

Did you watch the the last ball of MI's innings, in the IPL match against Kochi.

This example doesn't prove anything because MI is not a country, it's a private team.

[Daewood]

Originally Posted by SilentEngine

This example doesn't prove anything because MI is not a country, it's a private team.

Yes, it's private but it's a TEAM.

In that case, technically even BCCI is a private body!!!

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Who has the highest number of Man-of-the-Match awards?

Actually, the Man of the Match awards are anyway more partial to the batsmen. So, this "stat" also does not really prove anything.

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Actually, the Man of the Match awards are anyway more partial to the batsmen. So, this "stat" also does not really prove anything.

But you get MOM for performance, not for non-performance isint it?

So the bigger question is, why cant others perform as good (or better) than Tendulkar? What stops others from being the best ? And this when Tendulkar is not even the most talented batsman (doesnt compare to the likes of Lara, Ponting) but he is honestly the most hard working player to come out of India ever. he is where he is because of his hard work and dedication. Respect the man for that. He is a real role model for everyone!

Today our team is in a transitional phase, which so many older players on verge of retirement. So many opportunities are there, both for bowlers and batsmen. My question is, why dont the younger players grab these with both hands? None of the new bowlers that have emerged in last few years are consistent enough to be even called club class, forget them being world class. Same is for batsmen. No consistency. How many chances did guys like Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Raina and others have got! I am sorry but none of them have shown the temperament to play test cricket so far. Hence the reliance on our golden oldies.

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by Daewood

Yes, it's private but it's a TEAM.

Who cares for MI!!? They are just a rich man's toy!

And wasnt Tendulkar the top scorer for MI this year anyway?