Dhoni just hasn't been the same over the past test. The gutsy, innovative, intuitive and sometimes even impulsive Captain Cool seemed overcome by doubt, opting for a tame draw when the stage seemed set for a fantastic showdown, with 86 runs needed form 90 balls and two fantastic batsmen at the crease.
If the Chennai Super Kings, again captained by him, can score 205 off 120 balls led by the oscillating M Vijay, surely India, loaded with world-class palyers can go at under a run a ball to seal a series? Fear of a demoralising loss ruled the mind of the World Cup winner, pressing him to shake hands with Darren Sammy and walk off, shocking numerous excited spectators and TV watchers on the way.
On top of that, Daryl Harper is accusing the man of intimidating the umpire. That a grown man should get intimidated by a simple 'We've had problems with you before', is another thing, but that is unlike Dhoni. The umpire wants the captain to be punished for that silly statement. Now that's funny.
I hope Dhoni finds his old self back before they begin the examination from England. India have to consolidate themselves on top of the Test rankings, and there's no man better than Dhoni to lead the side there. Facing the resurgent Three Lions with short balls as the side-dish won't be easy and the boys will have to get their act together.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Vettel's Absolute Dominance
The F1 championship 2011 is as good as decided, with the defending champion Sebastian Vettel winning six out of eight races and finishing second in the other two. The German seems set to retain his title in style, reminiscent of his compatriot and legend Michael Schumacher's dominance at his peak. Sadly, the latter has looked less then a shadow of his earlier self since his return.
My mind travels back two years, when Jenson Button won six of the first seven races, a minor difference in stats, and went on to win the title. Last year, Mark Webber started really well but lost out to his teammate in the last few races. But this year, Vettel's lead is of such large proportions that even if he holidays in Seychelles and misses two races, he will still be on top of the standings.
While the 2010 champion is enjoying himself at the top, the 2008 winner seems to be having trouble completing races and allowing others to complete them. Lewis Hamilton, according to Niki Lauda, is endangering lives. It might not be that serious, but he needs to race less crazily and more humanely. Even Vettel was once causing crashes routinely, and was labelled a 'crash kid' before proving his racing prowess.
So the winner is all but decided, and the actual fight now seems to be for second place. But with the new video-game-esque additions and funny points system, things can change.
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is due to begin in a few hours. It's an all-Red Bull first row and an all-Ferrari second row. And there are bound to be surprises.
My mind travels back two years, when Jenson Button won six of the first seven races, a minor difference in stats, and went on to win the title. Last year, Mark Webber started really well but lost out to his teammate in the last few races. But this year, Vettel's lead is of such large proportions that even if he holidays in Seychelles and misses two races, he will still be on top of the standings.
While the 2010 champion is enjoying himself at the top, the 2008 winner seems to be having trouble completing races and allowing others to complete them. Lewis Hamilton, according to Niki Lauda, is endangering lives. It might not be that serious, but he needs to race less crazily and more humanely. Even Vettel was once causing crashes routinely, and was labelled a 'crash kid' before proving his racing prowess.
So the winner is all but decided, and the actual fight now seems to be for second place. But with the new video-game-esque additions and funny points system, things can change.
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is due to begin in a few hours. It's an all-Red Bull first row and an all-Ferrari second row. And there are bound to be surprises.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Kvitova's Fine Win
Not many open their Grand Slam accounts at Wimbledon. Arguably the most prestigious of the four Grand Slams, the Venus Rosewater Dish and the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy are generally claimed by veteran major winners who are really comfortable on grass. But wait, Wimbledon 2011, the 125th championships at the hallowed All England Club, was just proven to be an exception. The charmingly cool Petra Kvitova captured the Ladies' Singles title, after the top seeds all fell one by one.
Kvitova was only the third Czech woman to walk away with the dish, after the legendary Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna. Both her illustrious compatriots were present at the Centre Court in the box to watch a famous win for their country. Navratilova has nine singles titles at Wimbledon alone, but Kvitova is not aiming as high just yet.
I didn't expect her to win at all, let alone in straight sets. But Sharapova's weakness when it comes to holding serve was exploited in full by the eventual champion, with fatal consequences to the Russian's dream of a second win at the All England Club. Kvitova was calm and composed after her win, very much unlike Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's wild happiness after simply securing a break point when he didn't even go on to win the match. She went down on her knees after a superb ace, grinning from ear to ear, applauded by her compatriots and an appreciating British crowd.
Sharapova wasn't downhearted either. Perhaps it had sunk in as she got broken repeatedly through the match. She acknowledged the crowd, then stated she would be back to aim for the big prize. The players did the ceremonial lap of honour, photographed and lauded.
There's more to come. Hours away is the mouthwatering clash of new World No. 1 in-form Novak Djokovic and holder Rafael Nadal. Both men are confident, but only one will have the last laugh!
Kvitova was only the third Czech woman to walk away with the dish, after the legendary Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna. Both her illustrious compatriots were present at the Centre Court in the box to watch a famous win for their country. Navratilova has nine singles titles at Wimbledon alone, but Kvitova is not aiming as high just yet.
I didn't expect her to win at all, let alone in straight sets. But Sharapova's weakness when it comes to holding serve was exploited in full by the eventual champion, with fatal consequences to the Russian's dream of a second win at the All England Club. Kvitova was calm and composed after her win, very much unlike Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's wild happiness after simply securing a break point when he didn't even go on to win the match. She went down on her knees after a superb ace, grinning from ear to ear, applauded by her compatriots and an appreciating British crowd.
Sharapova wasn't downhearted either. Perhaps it had sunk in as she got broken repeatedly through the match. She acknowledged the crowd, then stated she would be back to aim for the big prize. The players did the ceremonial lap of honour, photographed and lauded.
There's more to come. Hours away is the mouthwatering clash of new World No. 1 in-form Novak Djokovic and holder Rafael Nadal. Both men are confident, but only one will have the last laugh!
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