http://papayas.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/world-cup-25-sanath-a-full-house-and-more-sanath/ But, this doesn't make any sense! No, wait . . . Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:21:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://papayas.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/world-cup-25-sanath-a-full-house-and-more-sanath/#comment-169 raj Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:03:40 +0000 http://papayas.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/world-cup-25-sanath-a-full-house-and-more-sanath/#comment-169 I dont think you are correct about India. Even England ran SL close- and they are not even half-close to India's preparedness, skills, powerplay abilities or bowling suited to the conditions. Fact is Bangla have improved their level and are capable of one upset in a bluemoon against top countries. REad that as one upset per year. In 2005, it was Aussies, 2006 was SL's turn and this year's quota has been done with India. Too bad it happened in the WC First round. Too much is being made of this and the Indian team ridiculed for that. I would have fancied India's chances against all teams except A & SA in the Super 8. Thats how things stand today - A & SA are in a league of their own with SL and NZ closely behind. India vs NZ depends on conditions - we are not far behind NZ. That is to say, NZ are ahead of us because of their athleticisim, preparedness, and professionalism. We are not far behind simply because of the skill and talent factor - the chasm is huge and only NZ's aforementioned 3 qualities bring a balance between NZ and India. This is not being acknowledged. India on their day , and that would be 50% against top opposition, are 1034 times more watchable than NZ, England put together. SA with their automaton bowling attack are also unattractive with Smith and Gibbs salvaging their batting attractiveness. I'd say, Cricket would go the Hockey way soon if everyone is obsessed with professionalism and power play - we need the Laxmans, the Martyns, Younis Khans and the Jayawardanes for Cricket to maintain its status. We are falling in the trap of the "white man's game is the best - follow him ". In the case of Hockey, it was trying to adapt to Turf which wasnt suitable for our artistry and never will be. In the case of Cricket, the obsession with fast bowlers and powerr batsman and atheltic fielders is threatening to reduce the sport into a robotic array of similar teams. India and Pakistan, ofcoruse,will never reach that levels. But soon, we will have a supremely fit Ireland locking horns with Australia and SA- India and P will wither to the second division and I bet that wouldnt make a pretty watch. I dont think you are correct about India. Even England ran SL close- and they are not even half-close to India’s preparedness, skills, powerplay abilities or bowling suited to the conditions. Fact is Bangla have improved their level and are capable of one upset in a bluemoon against top countries. REad that as one upset per year. In 2005, it was Aussies, 2006 was SL’s turn and this year’s quota has been done with India. Too bad it happened in the WC First round. Too much is being made of this and the Indian team ridiculed for that. I would have fancied India’s chances against all teams except A & SA in the Super 8. Thats how things stand today – A & SA are in a league of their own with SL and NZ closely behind. India vs NZ depends on conditions – we are not far behind NZ. That is to say, NZ are ahead of us because of their athleticisim, preparedness, and professionalism. We are not far behind simply because of the skill and talent factor – the chasm is huge and only NZ’s aforementioned 3 qualities bring a balance between NZ and India. This is not being acknowledged. India on their day , and that would be 50% against top opposition, are 1034 times more watchable than NZ, England put together. SA with their automaton bowling attack are also unattractive with Smith and Gibbs salvaging their batting attractiveness.
I’d say, Cricket would go the Hockey way soon if everyone is obsessed with professionalism and power play – we need the Laxmans, the Martyns, Younis Khans and the Jayawardanes for Cricket to maintain its status. We are falling in the trap of the “white man’s game is the best – follow him “. In the case of Hockey, it was trying to adapt to Turf which wasnt suitable for our artistry and never will be. In the case of Cricket, the obsession with fast bowlers and powerr batsman and atheltic fielders is threatening to reduce the sport into a robotic array of similar teams. India and Pakistan, ofcoruse,will never reach that levels. But soon, we will have a supremely fit Ireland locking horns with Australia and SA- India and P will wither to the second division and I bet that wouldnt make a pretty watch.

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