It has been a mind-boggling month of events in the world of cricket. The test series between India and Australia was a spectacle of neck and neck battle. In amidst of the battle, announcement of Gichrist’s retirement was an unfathomable and unanticipated loss to OZs. They could stand up to the wave even after the bow out of Langer-Damien-Warne and McGrath. Can they, this time, again?
Unfortunate events that happened at Sydney definitely spur the momentum of Team India. They played extraordinary cricket at Perth. Perth, supposed to be an easy walk for OZs, but turned out to be a nightmare. They talked the talk, but couldn’t able to walk the walk. Indians played a like bunch of hungry cricketers. Their batting was immaculate, and bowling was spot on. Young Indian bowlers showed the charisma of orthodox and unorthodox swing bowling. They swung viciously with the new ball, especially Irfan and with the old ball; RP brought the reverse swing into picture, which is where the OZs were clueless against Poms, which cruised through the gate of OZs defense. Even though India lost the series by 2-1, but the fight they put up was something to relish in the coming years. It’s amazing to know that, India have been the only team where the OZs hurrah has been faltering. It was one more enthralling batting display by secular saint, Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
The fourth day of fourth test was something special, Gilly announced his retirement. He decided to bow out of intern
ational arena. I felt he chose the perfect possible time to bow out (very few made this decision at right time). Gilly brought special significance to the keeper in a cricket team. Before his emergence into cricket, Keeper was considered to be a part time batsman and his primary job is to pouch the ball. But Gilly changed the facet of keeper criterion. He set the standards for the selection of keeper. He was the only player, who every team wished they had him. His aggression in the first fifteen overs was immeasurable. His strike rate is 96 in ODIs, who wouldn’t want him? Unlike his aggression, he is known for his humility and integrity and sportsmanship. He is the only player who would walk if he nicked the ball (Which is seldom in current bunch). Gilly will be remembered for his batting more than his keeping skills (remember 149 in the 
2007 world cup final).
Shaun Pollock had the same thoughts as Gilly; even he retired from international cricket. Pollock, 34, made his decision to quit a bit sooner than expected. Pollock who started the career under the shades of his predecessors, made his own mark sooner than expected. His medium paced off cutters proved to be lethal. Even the best of the bests had no answer to his nagging off stump line. His meager runs per ball shows the evidence of his consistency. His batting skills were also handy, at times. He pulled out the Proteas from dire situations many times. But his miscalculation in 2003 world cup will remain as blemish in his illustrious career.
The irony in loosing these two players to their corresponding teams is, they lost two at the exit of one. Both in their primary job were as good as in their batting. Its a tricky trauma for the two sides. Anyway, Gilly bowed out, Pollock bid adieu. I wish, these two will have a great life after cricket.
Unfortunate events that happened at Sydney definitely spur the momentum of Team India. They played extraordinary cricket at Perth. Perth, supposed to be an easy walk for OZs, but turned out to be a nightmare. They talked the talk, but couldn’t able to walk the walk. Indians played a like bunch of hungry cricketers. Their batting was immaculate, and bowling was spot on. Young Indian bowlers showed the charisma of orthodox and unorthodox swing bowling. They swung viciously with the new ball, especially Irfan and with the old ball; RP brought the reverse swing into picture, which is where the OZs were clueless against Poms, which cruised through the gate of OZs defense. Even though India lost the series by 2-1, but the fight they put up was something to relish in the coming years. It’s amazing to know that, India have been the only team where the OZs hurrah has been faltering. It was one more enthralling batting display by secular saint, Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
The fourth day of fourth test was something special, Gilly announced his retirement. He decided to bow out of intern
ational arena. I felt he chose the perfect possible time to bow out (very few made this decision at right time). Gilly brought special significance to the keeper in a cricket team. Before his emergence into cricket, Keeper was considered to be a part time batsman and his primary job is to pouch the ball. But Gilly changed the facet of keeper criterion. He set the standards for the selection of keeper. He was the only player, who every team wished they had him. His aggression in the first fifteen overs was immeasurable. His strike rate is 96 in ODIs, who wouldn’t want him? Unlike his aggression, he is known for his humility and integrity and sportsmanship. He is the only player who would walk if he nicked the ball (Which is seldom in current bunch). Gilly will be remembered for his batting more than his keeping skills (remember 149 in the 
2007 world cup final).Shaun Pollock had the same thoughts as Gilly; even he retired from international cricket. Pollock, 34, made his decision to quit a bit sooner than expected. Pollock who started the career under the shades of his predecessors, made his own mark sooner than expected. His medium paced off cutters proved to be lethal. Even the best of the bests had no answer to his nagging off stump line. His meager runs per ball shows the evidence of his consistency. His batting skills were also handy, at times. He pulled out the Proteas from dire situations many times. But his miscalculation in 2003 world cup will remain as blemish in his illustrious career.
The irony in loosing these two players to their corresponding teams is, they lost two at the exit of one. Both in their primary job were as good as in their batting. Its a tricky trauma for the two sides. Anyway, Gilly bowed out, Pollock bid adieu. I wish, these two will have a great life after cricket.
On the whole, January was exciting, action-packed welcome to untiring cricket. Sachin belted some runs; Lee knocked over stumps, and cricket was the ultimate winner, again.
No comments:
Post a Comment