It doesn’t make for great viewing when the Hyderabad Queen is at the receiving end. On Thursday, the tense look on Sania Mirza’s face got magnified as she was up against World No.7 Ana Ivanovic, who hails from Serbia.
We did not get to see a battle at the French Open which could have been compared any way to what has happened in Ivanovic’s country in the recent past.
But what really caught the eye was Ivanovic’s cool demeanour on court. Her face was cold almost right through the one hour plus contest, and I had this nagging suspicion the Serbian was expecting Sania to throw up some surprise stuff.
Sania has done that in the past against the bigger players, but when you have been on the Tour for a few years, people start reading your game. I am not saying that Sania played junk tennis, but for someone known to come up with the laser-sharp stuff on the forehand, she wasn’t hot today.
She looked tentative and was not relaxed in the match, which suggested she was feeling the pressure of playing at a high level. I had written just yesterday, Sania looked composed and cool. But 24 hours is such a long period in a player’s life, it can make you look so different.
The Sania we saw on Thursday was very different. I know it is very tough to comer back from a first-set thrashing. Yet, if Sania was nursing hopes of staging a fight-back, she would have had to come up with the big stuff.
Big stuff? The only thing which grew big was the unforced errors. The forehand was spluttering and the backhand a shot with which she could not have got winners. So what does one do in a stage like that?
Sania, perhaps, had no answers while thinking on court as Ivanovic stroked with purpose and covered the court with grace. When it came to Ivanovic’s serve, she was almost invincible. The first serve was smart, and if she was getting to hit second deliveries, Sania was not ready to test her with the returns.
It was almost like a waiting game for Ivanovic in the second set, which is what most professionals do. She waited for her chance on Sania’s serve -- the ninth game – and pulled the trigger.
Sadly, Sania slumped into errors and the contest was almost gone. The crowd which turned up to watch this match was sizeable. For Sania, it’s back to doubles and mixed doubles.
Two Grand Slams of the season are over and Wimbledon looms large. Sania has to work hard on her serve and get consistent if she plans to beat the tougher pros.
Easier said than done?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Trigger happy guys
This guy ‘Goldfinger’ has finally proved to critics that his performance at the Commonwealth Games last year was no fluke. OK, in case you have forgotten who I am talking about, it is none other than bulky Samresh Jung, who finally clinched an Olympic quota place in Munich today.
I had actually begun to think that with seven shooters already having made the grade for Beijing 2008, Samresh would have just lost the quota battle. More so, after he failed to come good last December at the Doha Asian Games.
One thing I can say with certainty is, if anyone is really relieved, it can be none other than the ever-smiling Samresh himself, his wife Anuja and the Jung family members. To be sure, Samresh’s showing at the ISSF World Cup in Munich wasn’t about winning a medal.
The Delhi-based shooter, who toils as hard as a beaver, finished fourth, but as the others ahead already had a quota place, he got through in the slow-fire air pistol. I had spoken to a lot many shooters and those connected with the sport last year as to why Samresh was struggling to get a quota place. Most of them had one thing to say in common: Samresh was putting too much pressure on himself trying to qualify
In modern day sport, it is impossible to realise your dreams unless you enjoy it. Perhaps, had Pete Sampras enjoyed clay, he would have won the French, had Ivan Lendl not looked at grass with suspicion, he would have been champion at Wimbledon.
Why go that far, I guess, today, even Sania Mirza is enjoying herself on clay. She won a round at the French Open beating an old Italian pro, where the Indian’s tenacity was there for all to see.
If anyone reading this blog thinks I am digressing from what I had started with -- Samresh Jung -- let me make it clear Sania also needs encomium. In a way, for both Samresh and Sania, the period behind has been one of agony, though in different ways.
I can well visualize Sania brooding in the last two weeks, not having won one round in singles. So when you come out firing all of a sudden, it does immense good to the confidence. And sport is all about confidence, where on break of serve does not mean you lose the match.
Similarly, Samresh knows if he squeezed the trigger right today, everything was fine. His breathing, his concentration, his focus and his sight.
For once, this was a day when Indian sportspersons were not blaming bad luck. Don’t we hear that excuse over and over again?
I had actually begun to think that with seven shooters already having made the grade for Beijing 2008, Samresh would have just lost the quota battle. More so, after he failed to come good last December at the Doha Asian Games.
One thing I can say with certainty is, if anyone is really relieved, it can be none other than the ever-smiling Samresh himself, his wife Anuja and the Jung family members. To be sure, Samresh’s showing at the ISSF World Cup in Munich wasn’t about winning a medal.
The Delhi-based shooter, who toils as hard as a beaver, finished fourth, but as the others ahead already had a quota place, he got through in the slow-fire air pistol. I had spoken to a lot many shooters and those connected with the sport last year as to why Samresh was struggling to get a quota place. Most of them had one thing to say in common: Samresh was putting too much pressure on himself trying to qualify
In modern day sport, it is impossible to realise your dreams unless you enjoy it. Perhaps, had Pete Sampras enjoyed clay, he would have won the French, had Ivan Lendl not looked at grass with suspicion, he would have been champion at Wimbledon.
Why go that far, I guess, today, even Sania Mirza is enjoying herself on clay. She won a round at the French Open beating an old Italian pro, where the Indian’s tenacity was there for all to see.
If anyone reading this blog thinks I am digressing from what I had started with -- Samresh Jung -- let me make it clear Sania also needs encomium. In a way, for both Samresh and Sania, the period behind has been one of agony, though in different ways.
I can well visualize Sania brooding in the last two weeks, not having won one round in singles. So when you come out firing all of a sudden, it does immense good to the confidence. And sport is all about confidence, where on break of serve does not mean you lose the match.
Similarly, Samresh knows if he squeezed the trigger right today, everything was fine. His breathing, his concentration, his focus and his sight.
For once, this was a day when Indian sportspersons were not blaming bad luck. Don’t we hear that excuse over and over again?
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
No guesses for right choice
Don’t mind this topic reappearing in my blog within a week, but the fact is the Leander Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi love-hate relationship will make news as long as they are alive.
What is new in it? Well, it was just last week, Mahesh, when asked specifically if he would pair up again with Leander, had said he would do it with the 2008 Olympics in mind. Five days later, Leander reacts in a very terse manner that he has options other than Mahesh for Beijing 2008.
It is the choice of any professional in any sport to choose where and with whom he wants to play. It may be recalled, last summer, too, when Mahesh was launching MBTA (Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy) in Gurgaon, he had talked on the same subject and he did not got a very encouraging response from a partner with whom he has created magic in the past.
The timing of Leander’s interview to a TV channel is very clear: The French Open is on and if he is going to be asked for his opinion, he will air it loud and clear.
My point is, what are the options which Leander is talking of? I, for one, know that the AITA ‘talked’ Rohan Bopanna back into the Davis Cup squad after he had missed the tie against Uzbekistan earlier this year. Choice No 2, Prakash Amritraj. Given Prakash’s suspect fitness and low ranking, would Leander pair up with him? No way.
If one wants to take names just for the heck of it, I can talk of even Harsh Mankad, a man who long back made it clear things between him and Leander were not fine. Unless, of course, Leander had also spoken of other choices being rookies like Vivek Shokeen.
Olympics is serious business and nobody knows it better than Leander himself. He has seen the highs and lows in it from 1992, when he first paired with Ramesh Krishnan in Barcelona. In Atlanta, Leander won singles bronze in 1996, though a lot many have forgotten he did play doubles there with Mahesh.
The period between 1996 and 2000 was the golden one. The duo won, fought, quarrelled, regrouped… The biggest mistake was when they joined back for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, their own doubles rankings had dropped. They went into the draw unseeded and ran into the famed Woodies in the second round. Everyhting ended there.
History repeated itself between 2000 and 2004, and when they went into the Athens Olympics, they came short in the bronze medal playoff. Still, it was a much better performance than Sydney. At this stage, Beijing is still a long time away.
And Leander is perhaps justified in saying he is now looking at doing well in the remaining Grand Slams of 2007. What happens in 2008 is hard to predict.
As I see it, Leander and Mahesh will strive to keep their individual doubles ranking as high up as possible. So is Mahesh going to be at Leander’s mercy next year. I really do not think so.
If there are going to any negative vibrations emanating, I know Mahesh will not even go to Beijing. He is far too mature to risk anything like playing in an Olympics just for the sake of being there on the world’s biggest stage.
Having said that, I know Leander, too, will not go to Beijing for fun. He wants another Olympic medal. And Leander knows with which partner he has the best chance.
Is your guess as good as mine?
What is new in it? Well, it was just last week, Mahesh, when asked specifically if he would pair up again with Leander, had said he would do it with the 2008 Olympics in mind. Five days later, Leander reacts in a very terse manner that he has options other than Mahesh for Beijing 2008.
It is the choice of any professional in any sport to choose where and with whom he wants to play. It may be recalled, last summer, too, when Mahesh was launching MBTA (Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy) in Gurgaon, he had talked on the same subject and he did not got a very encouraging response from a partner with whom he has created magic in the past.
The timing of Leander’s interview to a TV channel is very clear: The French Open is on and if he is going to be asked for his opinion, he will air it loud and clear.
My point is, what are the options which Leander is talking of? I, for one, know that the AITA ‘talked’ Rohan Bopanna back into the Davis Cup squad after he had missed the tie against Uzbekistan earlier this year. Choice No 2, Prakash Amritraj. Given Prakash’s suspect fitness and low ranking, would Leander pair up with him? No way.
If one wants to take names just for the heck of it, I can talk of even Harsh Mankad, a man who long back made it clear things between him and Leander were not fine. Unless, of course, Leander had also spoken of other choices being rookies like Vivek Shokeen.
Olympics is serious business and nobody knows it better than Leander himself. He has seen the highs and lows in it from 1992, when he first paired with Ramesh Krishnan in Barcelona. In Atlanta, Leander won singles bronze in 1996, though a lot many have forgotten he did play doubles there with Mahesh.
The period between 1996 and 2000 was the golden one. The duo won, fought, quarrelled, regrouped… The biggest mistake was when they joined back for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, their own doubles rankings had dropped. They went into the draw unseeded and ran into the famed Woodies in the second round. Everyhting ended there.
History repeated itself between 2000 and 2004, and when they went into the Athens Olympics, they came short in the bronze medal playoff. Still, it was a much better performance than Sydney. At this stage, Beijing is still a long time away.
And Leander is perhaps justified in saying he is now looking at doing well in the remaining Grand Slams of 2007. What happens in 2008 is hard to predict.
As I see it, Leander and Mahesh will strive to keep their individual doubles ranking as high up as possible. So is Mahesh going to be at Leander’s mercy next year. I really do not think so.
If there are going to any negative vibrations emanating, I know Mahesh will not even go to Beijing. He is far too mature to risk anything like playing in an Olympics just for the sake of being there on the world’s biggest stage.
Having said that, I know Leander, too, will not go to Beijing for fun. He wants another Olympic medal. And Leander knows with which partner he has the best chance.
Is your guess as good as mine?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
He is no longer V V S
I pity VVS Laxman. Not long ago, VVS meant very, very special. Right now, I feel the stylish Hyderabad batsman is anything but special as far as Indian cricket is concerned.
For long, I have been fascinated by Laxman’s style of batting. I remember, when I was in school and Mohd Azharuddin got into the team in such a forceful manner in 1985, banging three Test tons in a row, it was sheer joy.
And when from the same city, VVS emerged as a class act, I knew he had the style, substance, and stamina to battle the best of the quickies in the world. VVS came across to me as someone very level-headed but never got his due.
People have been talking for years, how he is not good for the ODIs because he is not a natural fielder and so on. All that is bunkum. It is not as if we have a Jonty Rhodes in every Indian who fields.
So when VVS was dropped for two successive World Cups, I was even more annoyed. When the Test team for Bangladesh was announced, I felt happy VVS was back. But what has Rahul Dravid done to boost his ego/confidence? Nothing.
I get this feeling VVS was better off in the ‘scheme’ of things when Dada was the captain. I am sure, when the team for England is chosen, they will look at the performances in Bangladesh. A certain Virender Sehwag, yes the same Najafgarh nawaab who scored a triple hundred and then a double ton against Pakistan has been finished in Test cricket.
I can see the writing on the wall. Not just Messrs Dravid and company, even the state selector Venkatapathy Raju does not seem to be speaking up for VVS. As for Dravid, he says: "Laxman has been picked as a middle order batsman. We felt that on this tour especially in these conditions we are very keen on playing five bowlers. So he is fighting for one of three slots in the middle order. Between myself, Sachin, Sourav, Yuvraj and Laxman, we are fighting for three spots.”
What fight are you talking of Mr Dravid? Have you guys not dug the grave for Laxman? I am sure the epitaph will also be written soon.
For long, I have been fascinated by Laxman’s style of batting. I remember, when I was in school and Mohd Azharuddin got into the team in such a forceful manner in 1985, banging three Test tons in a row, it was sheer joy.
And when from the same city, VVS emerged as a class act, I knew he had the style, substance, and stamina to battle the best of the quickies in the world. VVS came across to me as someone very level-headed but never got his due.
People have been talking for years, how he is not good for the ODIs because he is not a natural fielder and so on. All that is bunkum. It is not as if we have a Jonty Rhodes in every Indian who fields.
So when VVS was dropped for two successive World Cups, I was even more annoyed. When the Test team for Bangladesh was announced, I felt happy VVS was back. But what has Rahul Dravid done to boost his ego/confidence? Nothing.
I get this feeling VVS was better off in the ‘scheme’ of things when Dada was the captain. I am sure, when the team for England is chosen, they will look at the performances in Bangladesh. A certain Virender Sehwag, yes the same Najafgarh nawaab who scored a triple hundred and then a double ton against Pakistan has been finished in Test cricket.
I can see the writing on the wall. Not just Messrs Dravid and company, even the state selector Venkatapathy Raju does not seem to be speaking up for VVS. As for Dravid, he says: "Laxman has been picked as a middle order batsman. We felt that on this tour especially in these conditions we are very keen on playing five bowlers. So he is fighting for one of three slots in the middle order. Between myself, Sachin, Sourav, Yuvraj and Laxman, we are fighting for three spots.”
What fight are you talking of Mr Dravid? Have you guys not dug the grave for Laxman? I am sure the epitaph will also be written soon.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Not again please
This is one soap opera which will continue as long as these two guys are standing on their legs. You still haven't got it? I am talking about the derailed Indian Express which now and then wants to be back on the rails, even if they fight and cry like kids who have lost their marbles!
I had this strong feeling, after what happened at the Doha Asian Games, when Mahesh Bhupathi swore he would never ever play with Leander Paes again, he would stick to his decision.
First, in Mumbai last month, and today in New Delhi, Mahesh has again said he would be willing to play at the Beijing Olympics with (old foe) Leander. Now, what is it that these two, who cannot stand each other, want to be playing again and again after dramatic verbal volleys have been exchanged.
Not just that: Back-biting, bad mouthing and much more, both have been guilty, as it takes not just two to tango but it also takes two to quarrel.
Both are approaching the twilight of their careers and if anything, they should simply be enjoying whatever tennis is left in their system. But as I see things pan out, I would not be surprised if next autumn, we get to see Leander and Mahesh flying to Beijing for the Games.
I can even read out the lines which you will hear from them "It's an honour to be representing the country. An Olympic medal is the ultimate honour. We are professionals, we put aside differences when we play for the country. "
It is said, at Doha, Leander had told Mahesh on his face he did not want to play with him. That they got together was at the insistence of the All India Tennis Association secretary Anil Khanna. The Olympics is about the right spirit, and competing fair.
I guess there's been so much bad blood between these two guys, Beijing can become a joke for them.
No, not again please..
I had this strong feeling, after what happened at the Doha Asian Games, when Mahesh Bhupathi swore he would never ever play with Leander Paes again, he would stick to his decision.
First, in Mumbai last month, and today in New Delhi, Mahesh has again said he would be willing to play at the Beijing Olympics with (old foe) Leander. Now, what is it that these two, who cannot stand each other, want to be playing again and again after dramatic verbal volleys have been exchanged.
Not just that: Back-biting, bad mouthing and much more, both have been guilty, as it takes not just two to tango but it also takes two to quarrel.
Both are approaching the twilight of their careers and if anything, they should simply be enjoying whatever tennis is left in their system. But as I see things pan out, I would not be surprised if next autumn, we get to see Leander and Mahesh flying to Beijing for the Games.
I can even read out the lines which you will hear from them "It's an honour to be representing the country. An Olympic medal is the ultimate honour. We are professionals, we put aside differences when we play for the country. "
It is said, at Doha, Leander had told Mahesh on his face he did not want to play with him. That they got together was at the insistence of the All India Tennis Association secretary Anil Khanna. The Olympics is about the right spirit, and competing fair.
I guess there's been so much bad blood between these two guys, Beijing can become a joke for them.
No, not again please..
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Get well Kumble
You need to take 20 wickets to win a Test match, even if the opponents be a team as inexperienced as Bangladesh. As the rain-battered first Test ended in a draw, two things stood out clear: The elements had their say and India sorely missed Anil Kumble.
Bangladesh’s Test (in)experience is something the whole world knows about. Yet, after losing the ODI series 0-2, they would have been worried what to do in the longer version of the game.
In an age where instant cricket is the flavour and even Twenty20 will become more and more popular, Test matches are special. The Ashes series produced thrilling action two years back, though the last series Down Under was just too predictable.
For long, India have experimented with going into a Test match without five regular bowlers. More often that not, they have had someone chipping in, instead of having a fifth bowler.
So this time, when Kumble and Ramesh Powar were also in, I thought we were in for a lot of spin. Sadly, even though the hosts were struggling at 149 for eight in the first innings, they managed to slip to safety as Kumble spent the better part in the dressing room after being laid low by fever.
The point is, in a Test where the old guard – Sachin and Sourav -- helped themselves to hundreds, it would have been good if the remaining four bowlers could have struck. In the end, when Rahul Dravid made a ‘bold’ declaration and gave Bangladesh a total to chase, it didn’t look too exciting.
I am sure, had Kumble been there, it would have been worth watching. More so, as Sachin Tendulkar’s mixture of deliveries did see plenty of lateral movement.
Young faces and new talent is something nice to talk about, but I still think if you talk of bowlers who can win India a Test, Anil Kumble is still the flavour.
Anil, I do hope you are fighting for the second Test starting in three days time. The Bangladesh batsmen must face the music!!
Bangladesh’s Test (in)experience is something the whole world knows about. Yet, after losing the ODI series 0-2, they would have been worried what to do in the longer version of the game.
In an age where instant cricket is the flavour and even Twenty20 will become more and more popular, Test matches are special. The Ashes series produced thrilling action two years back, though the last series Down Under was just too predictable.
For long, India have experimented with going into a Test match without five regular bowlers. More often that not, they have had someone chipping in, instead of having a fifth bowler.
So this time, when Kumble and Ramesh Powar were also in, I thought we were in for a lot of spin. Sadly, even though the hosts were struggling at 149 for eight in the first innings, they managed to slip to safety as Kumble spent the better part in the dressing room after being laid low by fever.
The point is, in a Test where the old guard – Sachin and Sourav -- helped themselves to hundreds, it would have been good if the remaining four bowlers could have struck. In the end, when Rahul Dravid made a ‘bold’ declaration and gave Bangladesh a total to chase, it didn’t look too exciting.
I am sure, had Kumble been there, it would have been worth watching. More so, as Sachin Tendulkar’s mixture of deliveries did see plenty of lateral movement.
Young faces and new talent is something nice to talk about, but I still think if you talk of bowlers who can win India a Test, Anil Kumble is still the flavour.
Anil, I do hope you are fighting for the second Test starting in three days time. The Bangladesh batsmen must face the music!!
Monday, May 21, 2007
What more does the Board want?
Now that the high priests of the Indian cricket board have met Dav Whatmore in Bangladesh, I wonder what all this fuss is about that they will soon finalise the India coach.
I am actually a bit fascinated by the shrinking of his name, because when he played, he was called Davenell Whatmore. In the last 11 years, he has become Dav, a popular man who guided Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996 and is now remembered for moulding the Bangladeshis into a good one-day unit.
It was a bit strange when four teams from the sub-continent were there at the World Cup in West Indies, three teams had coaches from Australia – Greg Chappell, Tom Moody and Whatmore. I was sure, given the madness that was the World Cup, not all four teams from the sub-continent would be in the semi-finals!
Yet, after having seen Guru Greg go out so unceremoniously, what is it that has made Whatmore fall in love with Indian cricket. Perhaps, when he was coaching Lanka, he would have had few hassles coaching a side which had such a profusion of talent that the ‘superstar’ nuisance value did not exist.
And when he moved over to Bangladesh, Whatmore was a glorified coach, a man who had done wonders. So is Whatmore wanting to come to India hoping that India go on to win the World Cup, when the final is held in Mumbai in 2011.
I really do not know whether Whatmore will get the same freedom in India which he got in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Indian cricket team has not star value but superstar value. The Board may have kept Dada and Sachin out of the ODI series in Bangladesh, but they are still in the Test squad and ‘performing’!
The things is,when you have a raw side, it is very easy to mould it as the players will listen to you and there will be no conflict. But if in the coming future Whatmore has to handle THE Indian Test team --- Dravid, Sehwag, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman and the rest -- how is he going to do it?
Bloated egos, stars with swagger and style, I would shudder to think how Whatmore would deal with them at practice sessions and on the field. If someone like Guru Greg failed, is Whatmore going to be more successful and rule with an iron hand? I do not know, as a lot will depend on what the Board expects from him and what power he gets.
My personal feeling is, Whatmore will be a much more mature coach than Guru Greg. Maybe, a man who will stay low profile like John Wright and got the job done.
All I can do is wish Whatmore good luck. He is lobbying for the India coach’s job and is bound to get it.
I am actually a bit fascinated by the shrinking of his name, because when he played, he was called Davenell Whatmore. In the last 11 years, he has become Dav, a popular man who guided Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996 and is now remembered for moulding the Bangladeshis into a good one-day unit.
It was a bit strange when four teams from the sub-continent were there at the World Cup in West Indies, three teams had coaches from Australia – Greg Chappell, Tom Moody and Whatmore. I was sure, given the madness that was the World Cup, not all four teams from the sub-continent would be in the semi-finals!
Yet, after having seen Guru Greg go out so unceremoniously, what is it that has made Whatmore fall in love with Indian cricket. Perhaps, when he was coaching Lanka, he would have had few hassles coaching a side which had such a profusion of talent that the ‘superstar’ nuisance value did not exist.
And when he moved over to Bangladesh, Whatmore was a glorified coach, a man who had done wonders. So is Whatmore wanting to come to India hoping that India go on to win the World Cup, when the final is held in Mumbai in 2011.
I really do not know whether Whatmore will get the same freedom in India which he got in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Indian cricket team has not star value but superstar value. The Board may have kept Dada and Sachin out of the ODI series in Bangladesh, but they are still in the Test squad and ‘performing’!
The things is,when you have a raw side, it is very easy to mould it as the players will listen to you and there will be no conflict. But if in the coming future Whatmore has to handle THE Indian Test team --- Dravid, Sehwag, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman and the rest -- how is he going to do it?
Bloated egos, stars with swagger and style, I would shudder to think how Whatmore would deal with them at practice sessions and on the field. If someone like Guru Greg failed, is Whatmore going to be more successful and rule with an iron hand? I do not know, as a lot will depend on what the Board expects from him and what power he gets.
My personal feeling is, Whatmore will be a much more mature coach than Guru Greg. Maybe, a man who will stay low profile like John Wright and got the job done.
All I can do is wish Whatmore good luck. He is lobbying for the India coach’s job and is bound to get it.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
81 and finally out
I am not describing a cricket match, but the end of Rafael Nadal’s winning streak on clay which seemed rolling towards the triple digit mark.
The fan following of Nadal, and then man who snapped it, Roger Federer is very sharp and divided. But what came as a revelation in the Hamburg final was Federer’s aggression on clay.
He was not born for this surface, yet seemed so well in control of the proceedings, it did not appear even once this man has gone through tough times of not having won a title in his previous four tournaments.
A 6-0 whitewash in the final set in a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 win for Federer would have seemed alright against any other opponent. But to do it to Nadal was nothing short of humiliation in a season where the numero uno’s emotions have oscillated between the crest and trough.
It was just last week Federer said he was firing Tony Roche and going to do things his own way for the time being. I am not saying that firing Roche was the best thing to do, but the way Federer played in the final, there was something refreshing about it.
His movement was slick, and to see him slide on clay was a revelation. If Federer’s strong legs are going to be doing exactly that at the French Open, his opponent’s better watch out. Past stars have often suggested that for Federer to win on clay, he needs to play his own game. And that is being aggressive and not trying to beat Nadal at the baseline game.
So to see Federer volley and hit some smart, hard groundstrokes was nothing but a clear intent of his hunger to break the jinx. And in that process if he has spoilt Nadal’s party, people should not be complaining.
Records are made to be broken, but the one which Nadal has set will take a long time to be wiped out. It requires a superhuman effort not to lose 80-odd matches on clay and keep that streak going for two years.
Any solace for Nadal?
Yes. He lost to the best tennis player in the world on Sunday and not some Tom, Dick or Harry.
The fan following of Nadal, and then man who snapped it, Roger Federer is very sharp and divided. But what came as a revelation in the Hamburg final was Federer’s aggression on clay.
He was not born for this surface, yet seemed so well in control of the proceedings, it did not appear even once this man has gone through tough times of not having won a title in his previous four tournaments.
A 6-0 whitewash in the final set in a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 win for Federer would have seemed alright against any other opponent. But to do it to Nadal was nothing short of humiliation in a season where the numero uno’s emotions have oscillated between the crest and trough.
It was just last week Federer said he was firing Tony Roche and going to do things his own way for the time being. I am not saying that firing Roche was the best thing to do, but the way Federer played in the final, there was something refreshing about it.
His movement was slick, and to see him slide on clay was a revelation. If Federer’s strong legs are going to be doing exactly that at the French Open, his opponent’s better watch out. Past stars have often suggested that for Federer to win on clay, he needs to play his own game. And that is being aggressive and not trying to beat Nadal at the baseline game.
So to see Federer volley and hit some smart, hard groundstrokes was nothing but a clear intent of his hunger to break the jinx. And in that process if he has spoilt Nadal’s party, people should not be complaining.
Records are made to be broken, but the one which Nadal has set will take a long time to be wiped out. It requires a superhuman effort not to lose 80-odd matches on clay and keep that streak going for two years.
Any solace for Nadal?
Yes. He lost to the best tennis player in the world on Sunday and not some Tom, Dick or Harry.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Stop the slide Sania
I do not know what to make of Sania Mirza’s ‘stay-positive-all-the-time attitude’; whether she is winning, losing, or slipping down the ranking ladder.
It has become almost a habit for the Hyderabad queen to be laid low early in the season when players should be fit a fiddle. The end result, Sania misses vital tournaments after the Australian Open and is under-prepared and rusty for the challenges which clay pose for her.
Yet, even after her first round loss to an unknown player in a Tier 4 WTA event this week, Sania has not sounded despondent. To be sure, I am actually surprised she has started talking to Indian wire services even after a first-round loss.
For long, Sania has kept the media at a safe distance. She sees journos as a major irritant, and I guess I also fall in that category? There is this famous story about Mohd Azharuddin in his heydays, when he ignored the media at home. And when bad times came, the knives were out for Azhar.
I am not wishing Sania ill-luck, but I am just happy she has become mature, and is now speaking to the wires. They are the ones who carry news to the world.
But this is just one part of the story. Talking about her attitude, it is good to have a swagger, or almost be arrogant when playing. But there does come a time, when one has to temper oneself, a stage which every superstar goes through.
I know this is a season when it is not our own Sania who is struggling but also Roger Federer. Well, the similarities end there, and I am sure FedEx will devise a way to get out of the rut.
As for Sania, I am still waiting for that day when she gets more consistent in her game, because even the men with the biggest and boldest groundstrokes have not won points on clay without working for it.
This clay season is as good as over now for Sania, and an early exit at the French Open will mean, changing shoes and apparel quickly for the grass season. I think the rust will be out of her game by then and she will play with less inhibition.
But what has happened to her personal coach? I have not heard of a single name in all these months, and I do hope she will look into it. A coach does not just organise practice sessions and travel, he/she does a lot more than that to shape a player’s career.
Sania certainly cannot stay without a coach for long. The comeback trail is going to be very, very tough in 2007.
It has become almost a habit for the Hyderabad queen to be laid low early in the season when players should be fit a fiddle. The end result, Sania misses vital tournaments after the Australian Open and is under-prepared and rusty for the challenges which clay pose for her.
Yet, even after her first round loss to an unknown player in a Tier 4 WTA event this week, Sania has not sounded despondent. To be sure, I am actually surprised she has started talking to Indian wire services even after a first-round loss.
For long, Sania has kept the media at a safe distance. She sees journos as a major irritant, and I guess I also fall in that category? There is this famous story about Mohd Azharuddin in his heydays, when he ignored the media at home. And when bad times came, the knives were out for Azhar.
I am not wishing Sania ill-luck, but I am just happy she has become mature, and is now speaking to the wires. They are the ones who carry news to the world.
But this is just one part of the story. Talking about her attitude, it is good to have a swagger, or almost be arrogant when playing. But there does come a time, when one has to temper oneself, a stage which every superstar goes through.
I know this is a season when it is not our own Sania who is struggling but also Roger Federer. Well, the similarities end there, and I am sure FedEx will devise a way to get out of the rut.
As for Sania, I am still waiting for that day when she gets more consistent in her game, because even the men with the biggest and boldest groundstrokes have not won points on clay without working for it.
This clay season is as good as over now for Sania, and an early exit at the French Open will mean, changing shoes and apparel quickly for the grass season. I think the rust will be out of her game by then and she will play with less inhibition.
But what has happened to her personal coach? I have not heard of a single name in all these months, and I do hope she will look into it. A coach does not just organise practice sessions and travel, he/she does a lot more than that to shape a player’s career.
Sania certainly cannot stay without a coach for long. The comeback trail is going to be very, very tough in 2007.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Men who love hockey
‘Forgive me, Amma’. What kind of a title is this for a book on one of India’s most famous sporting stars? I have not yet read the book, but the title itself is so thought-provoking, I am sure people will find time to pick it up and flip through the pages written by my former colleague Sundeep Misra.
If you think I am attempting a book review of what I have not read, please, that is not the case. But I do think if an emotional and temperamental character like Dhanraj has spent time with Sundeep and this book has hit the stands, it is something to feel excited about.
Sundeep’s love for hockey cannot be described. It was not just the clamour for international matches, but 15 years back, when sports pages carried local sport big, Sundeep actually had a column called ‘Academia’ running in Indian Express. And that, after being pushed and provoked by sports editor Suresh Menon. If memory serves me right, Sundeep was not too keen on getting into writing a column then. Well, he has grown.
Back to the book and the man being portrayed, it is not as if Dhanraj has been forgotten. For a man who served Indian hockey with heart and soul, he never got the best treatment. Be it the Indian Hockey Federation, or players from the North or even past national coaches, Dhanraj was hated.
I have seen matches where players just would not pass the ball to him. Pray, for someone with a body as flexible as rubber yet as sturdy as a rock, he could torment rival defenders. Yes, like Mohd Shahid, he was a bit selfish, holding onto the ball too long and then losing possession.
But could any coach have changed Dhanraj? No, never. The hockey he played was from the heart, and quite often, despite being less than fully fit, he took the field. This time, let me tell you, not for selfish reasons but win matches for India.
The title of the book has obviously come, as the author tells us, from a conversation he heard on phone when India blew it against Poland at the Sydney Olympics. I was lucky enough to be in Sydney when Malleswari lifted bronze. And I was also a tormented soul seeing India botch up against Poland with hardly any time left for the hooter in that unforgettable (for the wrong reasons) hockey match.
After that match, Dhanraj wept like a child. Tears flowed in a torrent down his cheeks, and no consoling could help him. He knew, this was one great chance gone, where India could have made the semi-finals and a possible contest against Pakistan.
Well, that was not the end of Dhanraj’s Olympic career. He went to Athens in 2004 and the less said about it the better. Talk of playing for the country and winning, there is a huge similarity between Dhnaraj and Leander Paes, another emotional man who used emotion to psyche out opponents’ on the court.
If you ask me why I am trying to make a comparison it is just because at 33, Leander is talking of playing his fifth Olympics in 2008. So unless, you happen to be in a position to know these two men well-enough, you can’t figure out what drives them to go on and on in search of Olympic glory. Down South, ‘Forgive me, Amma’ could well be mistaken as some AIADMK psycophant pleading with J. Jayalalitha!
But if 38-year-old Dhanraj, a man loud and clear has suffered in life , it is because he chose a team sport. Given his creativity, eccentric genius and speed, he would be a winner if he could be reborn and play an individual sport.
I know Dhan, as friends call him, today plays from memory on the field. Would he be ready to go for the 2008 Olympics (of course if India qualify and the IHF selects him), I am ready to beat my wallet, he would say ‘yes’ even though he is past his prime.
That is the problem with Dhanraj, he never knows where to stop. His unfulfilled Olympic dream will disturb his sleep for many more years to come..
If you think I am attempting a book review of what I have not read, please, that is not the case. But I do think if an emotional and temperamental character like Dhanraj has spent time with Sundeep and this book has hit the stands, it is something to feel excited about.
Sundeep’s love for hockey cannot be described. It was not just the clamour for international matches, but 15 years back, when sports pages carried local sport big, Sundeep actually had a column called ‘Academia’ running in Indian Express. And that, after being pushed and provoked by sports editor Suresh Menon. If memory serves me right, Sundeep was not too keen on getting into writing a column then. Well, he has grown.
Back to the book and the man being portrayed, it is not as if Dhanraj has been forgotten. For a man who served Indian hockey with heart and soul, he never got the best treatment. Be it the Indian Hockey Federation, or players from the North or even past national coaches, Dhanraj was hated.
I have seen matches where players just would not pass the ball to him. Pray, for someone with a body as flexible as rubber yet as sturdy as a rock, he could torment rival defenders. Yes, like Mohd Shahid, he was a bit selfish, holding onto the ball too long and then losing possession.
But could any coach have changed Dhanraj? No, never. The hockey he played was from the heart, and quite often, despite being less than fully fit, he took the field. This time, let me tell you, not for selfish reasons but win matches for India.
The title of the book has obviously come, as the author tells us, from a conversation he heard on phone when India blew it against Poland at the Sydney Olympics. I was lucky enough to be in Sydney when Malleswari lifted bronze. And I was also a tormented soul seeing India botch up against Poland with hardly any time left for the hooter in that unforgettable (for the wrong reasons) hockey match.
After that match, Dhanraj wept like a child. Tears flowed in a torrent down his cheeks, and no consoling could help him. He knew, this was one great chance gone, where India could have made the semi-finals and a possible contest against Pakistan.
Well, that was not the end of Dhanraj’s Olympic career. He went to Athens in 2004 and the less said about it the better. Talk of playing for the country and winning, there is a huge similarity between Dhnaraj and Leander Paes, another emotional man who used emotion to psyche out opponents’ on the court.
If you ask me why I am trying to make a comparison it is just because at 33, Leander is talking of playing his fifth Olympics in 2008. So unless, you happen to be in a position to know these two men well-enough, you can’t figure out what drives them to go on and on in search of Olympic glory. Down South, ‘Forgive me, Amma’ could well be mistaken as some AIADMK psycophant pleading with J. Jayalalitha!
But if 38-year-old Dhanraj, a man loud and clear has suffered in life , it is because he chose a team sport. Given his creativity, eccentric genius and speed, he would be a winner if he could be reborn and play an individual sport.
I know Dhan, as friends call him, today plays from memory on the field. Would he be ready to go for the 2008 Olympics (of course if India qualify and the IHF selects him), I am ready to beat my wallet, he would say ‘yes’ even though he is past his prime.
That is the problem with Dhanraj, he never knows where to stop. His unfulfilled Olympic dream will disturb his sleep for many more years to come..
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
This Armando is no Diego!
You have to grant it to Armando Colaco. Sitting in Goa on Tuesday evening, the thinking coach was not exactly chewing his nails when East Bengal were playing Mahindra United in the City of Joy.
When word trickled in EB had won, Colaco and the bunch must have celebrated because the win in this edition of the NFL is very special. When you talk of Indian soccer , sorry football, it always has had to do with the Kolkata giants.
This time, there has been such a dramatic change in the script, and none of those teams from the Maidan looked capable of coming big in a competition which obviously is a blue-riband event at home.
I am no great follower of Indian football, but let me tell you, whenever the Kolkata teams have done well, it was not because of talent they raised on their own. It had to do with the moolah being shown to ‘star’ players from outside the state or even overseas.
Perhaps, in this edition of the NFL, names like John Dias, Clifford Miranda and Climax Lawrence have been heard so well – all from Dempo – we have not had to worry about getting the names right of the Nigerians or other foreign imports!
What good is this win going to do Dempo? I, for one, think, their win this time was more forceful than the one in 2005, and Kolkata clubs really would like to begin the post-mortem(s) rightaway.
And for coaches who make their living from Kolkata soccer, I bet the days ahead are going to be real tough. We have had someone like Sukwhinder Singh (JCT coach ) being thrust as national coach now and then. He has perhaps made more ‘comebacks’ then players.
My question to Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and other AIFF dadas is , will Armando Colaco get some recognition? I am not saying sack Bob Houghton, but let’s give this man Colaco something to do.
No?
When word trickled in EB had won, Colaco and the bunch must have celebrated because the win in this edition of the NFL is very special. When you talk of Indian soccer , sorry football, it always has had to do with the Kolkata giants.
This time, there has been such a dramatic change in the script, and none of those teams from the Maidan looked capable of coming big in a competition which obviously is a blue-riband event at home.
I am no great follower of Indian football, but let me tell you, whenever the Kolkata teams have done well, it was not because of talent they raised on their own. It had to do with the moolah being shown to ‘star’ players from outside the state or even overseas.
Perhaps, in this edition of the NFL, names like John Dias, Clifford Miranda and Climax Lawrence have been heard so well – all from Dempo – we have not had to worry about getting the names right of the Nigerians or other foreign imports!
What good is this win going to do Dempo? I, for one, think, their win this time was more forceful than the one in 2005, and Kolkata clubs really would like to begin the post-mortem(s) rightaway.
And for coaches who make their living from Kolkata soccer, I bet the days ahead are going to be real tough. We have had someone like Sukwhinder Singh (JCT coach ) being thrust as national coach now and then. He has perhaps made more ‘comebacks’ then players.
My question to Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and other AIFF dadas is , will Armando Colaco get some recognition? I am not saying sack Bob Houghton, but let’s give this man Colaco something to do.
No?
Monday, May 14, 2007
Pity Federer
This is the story of two men who play tennis: One enjoying the most exalted status of his career where winning a match can be taken for granted. And the other is the numero uno going through the most wretched time of his career.
Alas, of what use is an ATP No.1 ranking when you slip on clay like a novice; where even a nobody called Filippo Volandri becomes a somebody just because he is kicking the backside of Roger Federer.
This is, perhaps, the craziest way the two gun-slingers could be heading into French Open in less than a fortnight’s time at Roland Garros. I remember these two men playing the final the last time, but so pathetic is Federer’s mental state at this time, he is bound to feel pressure like a wild card being told to play on the show court.
Tennis players are a volatile lot. Manifestations of temper and fury can be very different, from smashing a beautiful racquet to sacking a coach. I guess, Federer won’t break his racquet as yet, but sacking Tony Roche did come to me as a surprise.
I have seen Roche at work in my city – New Delhi – and overseas. He has moulded the careers of superstars and was perhaps unlucky he could never make a Wimbledon champion out of Ivan Lendl. Lendl never held that against Roche, an Oz who even at this age works like a beaver.
But the fact is, if Federer, who has so many ranking points, can stay No.1 for a long time, he has lost it in his mind. I remember, for Pistol Pete, the clay-court season had almost become an obsession in the twilight of his career. And each time the media wrote about “Who is the greatest” with a reference to Pete not having won French, it became clear the debate would never end.
Watching Federer struggle today, it is clear the weaker side of him has now come to the fore, where he has lost faith in not just his own abilities, but also coach Roche. I am no shrink or psychoanalyst, but I am convinced Federer will take some time to come out of this rut.
The thing is, when you keep winning, deficiencies, chinks and minor glitches are forgotten. I am not suggesting that Federer had a host of problems to deal with as in an erratic serve, wrong timing in backhand or some footwork delay. Just that, he has become vulnerable, which should not be the case when the chips are down.
I know, even if I ask Federer to SMS Roche and ask him to come back, it will not happen. But given the gap between French and Big W and the time it takes to settle down with a new coach, Federer has made a mistake.
Look at Nadal, his career seemed almost over last year with that foot injury. He has come out well, even though he had a shaky start to 2007 in Chennai. I guess, this is the kind of turnaround Nadal needed.
And for the tennis world, the human side of Federer has come to the fore: Fire coaches!!
Alas, of what use is an ATP No.1 ranking when you slip on clay like a novice; where even a nobody called Filippo Volandri becomes a somebody just because he is kicking the backside of Roger Federer.
This is, perhaps, the craziest way the two gun-slingers could be heading into French Open in less than a fortnight’s time at Roland Garros. I remember these two men playing the final the last time, but so pathetic is Federer’s mental state at this time, he is bound to feel pressure like a wild card being told to play on the show court.
Tennis players are a volatile lot. Manifestations of temper and fury can be very different, from smashing a beautiful racquet to sacking a coach. I guess, Federer won’t break his racquet as yet, but sacking Tony Roche did come to me as a surprise.
I have seen Roche at work in my city – New Delhi – and overseas. He has moulded the careers of superstars and was perhaps unlucky he could never make a Wimbledon champion out of Ivan Lendl. Lendl never held that against Roche, an Oz who even at this age works like a beaver.
But the fact is, if Federer, who has so many ranking points, can stay No.1 for a long time, he has lost it in his mind. I remember, for Pistol Pete, the clay-court season had almost become an obsession in the twilight of his career. And each time the media wrote about “Who is the greatest” with a reference to Pete not having won French, it became clear the debate would never end.
Watching Federer struggle today, it is clear the weaker side of him has now come to the fore, where he has lost faith in not just his own abilities, but also coach Roche. I am no shrink or psychoanalyst, but I am convinced Federer will take some time to come out of this rut.
The thing is, when you keep winning, deficiencies, chinks and minor glitches are forgotten. I am not suggesting that Federer had a host of problems to deal with as in an erratic serve, wrong timing in backhand or some footwork delay. Just that, he has become vulnerable, which should not be the case when the chips are down.
I know, even if I ask Federer to SMS Roche and ask him to come back, it will not happen. But given the gap between French and Big W and the time it takes to settle down with a new coach, Federer has made a mistake.
Look at Nadal, his career seemed almost over last year with that foot injury. He has come out well, even though he had a shaky start to 2007 in Chennai. I guess, this is the kind of turnaround Nadal needed.
And for the tennis world, the human side of Federer has come to the fore: Fire coaches!!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Did you guys miss Schumi?
When Michael Schumacher retired last year, I thought Formula One would never be the same again. I thought I would have to reconcile to watching Fernando Alonso win his third World Championship drivers’ title on the trot.
And let me be honest, I always had this suspicion, Kimi Raikkonen could never live up to the hype of being projected as the next Speed King. It was, perhaps, by sheer chance I watched a major part of qualifying at the Circuit de Catalunya on Saturday where Feranando Alonso clocked that stunning lap to park himself on pole.
To be honest, I was actually zapped that more than 1,00,000 spectators were there at qualifying to see those speed demons screech in Europe’s first Grand Prix of this season.
Nevertheless, when I actually prepared myself for Race Day, sitting in the office, my eyes were on Lewis Hamilton. My good friend Narain Karthikeyan had told me just last week what an exciting bundle of talent this Briton was. Karting champ in teens and then handpicked by Ron Dennis, I was keyed to watch Hamilton.
First things first, when I saw GOD on telly, it had my adrenaline rushing. If you still do not know who or what I am talking about let me spell it out: MICHAEL SCHUMACHER. Looking as fit as ever and with those headphones on, Schumi could have even told Jean Todt: “Let me have a go.”
Alas, within the first half of the race, when Schumi’s replacement Kimi (I did not give him that nomenclature) returned to the pit with a Bridgestone tyre ripped apart, it was all “live and happening” as TV commentators could have screamd.
And when I saw Alonso also struggling in front of his home crowd, I was convinced this F-1 season is going to be happening. Hey, come on, I juut was not missing Schumi, even though he was being shown on the screen now and then.
So what was the final script going to be, another Alonso win at home. No, it was Felippe Massa, the man who has raced under Schumi’s shadow take the chequered flag. And Hamilton was second.
So what? I am not one of those who loves to read too much of stats. But all the F-1 sites are saying Hamilton now leads the drivers’ points’ tally.
Mate, surely there could never have been anything better than this to happen on Race Day in the post-Schumi era?
And let me be honest, I always had this suspicion, Kimi Raikkonen could never live up to the hype of being projected as the next Speed King. It was, perhaps, by sheer chance I watched a major part of qualifying at the Circuit de Catalunya on Saturday where Feranando Alonso clocked that stunning lap to park himself on pole.
To be honest, I was actually zapped that more than 1,00,000 spectators were there at qualifying to see those speed demons screech in Europe’s first Grand Prix of this season.
Nevertheless, when I actually prepared myself for Race Day, sitting in the office, my eyes were on Lewis Hamilton. My good friend Narain Karthikeyan had told me just last week what an exciting bundle of talent this Briton was. Karting champ in teens and then handpicked by Ron Dennis, I was keyed to watch Hamilton.
First things first, when I saw GOD on telly, it had my adrenaline rushing. If you still do not know who or what I am talking about let me spell it out: MICHAEL SCHUMACHER. Looking as fit as ever and with those headphones on, Schumi could have even told Jean Todt: “Let me have a go.”
Alas, within the first half of the race, when Schumi’s replacement Kimi (I did not give him that nomenclature) returned to the pit with a Bridgestone tyre ripped apart, it was all “live and happening” as TV commentators could have screamd.
And when I saw Alonso also struggling in front of his home crowd, I was convinced this F-1 season is going to be happening. Hey, come on, I juut was not missing Schumi, even though he was being shown on the screen now and then.
So what was the final script going to be, another Alonso win at home. No, it was Felippe Massa, the man who has raced under Schumi’s shadow take the chequered flag. And Hamilton was second.
So what? I am not one of those who loves to read too much of stats. But all the F-1 sites are saying Hamilton now leads the drivers’ points’ tally.
Mate, surely there could never have been anything better than this to happen on Race Day in the post-Schumi era?
Friday, May 11, 2007
Chappati shot
I always thought Andre Agassi was the inveterate Las Vegan gambler and Greg Chappell was his successor! Alas, I was proved wrong on Thursday when stand-in manager (OK, coach) Ravi Shastri promoted MS Dhoni to the No.3 spot in the bating order in Mirpur (Dhaka).
Had Guru Greg done anything like that, I bet it would have amounted to blasphemy, promoting a hard-hitting middle order bat to the top. He had got the same flak when he pushed Irfan Pathan to that spot not long back. And if memory serves me right, it was not in an ODI but a proper Test match against a strong team.
I am not trying to make any comparison between Guru Greg and Shastri, simply because the Aussie is a professional coach and the Mumbaikar is just doing a stand-in job. But would anyone have pulled up Shastri if Dhoni had failed on Thursday against Bangladesh and India were doomed.
No.
I have this nagging suspicion that Shastri has already become the hero when he first put up his hand and “wanted to be counted” when Team India were looking for Guru Greg’s replacement. My point is, when you know your term as manager lasts just one series, you can go and take any chance. And even turn the batting order upside down without having to worry about what the BCCI bosses or the media will say.
If I am already sounding like a Shastri-baiter, please bear me out. All that I am reiterating is the way India huffed and puffed for a win against inspired Bangladesh, I am sure Shastri would have been wondering how thankless this manager’s coach job can be.
After the World Cup fiasco, Indian cricket would not have got a new coach in a week’s time. But now that names like Dav Whatmore and more are doing the rounds, I would be happy if the BCCI actually sits down and pours over the various CVs which are going to land on Sharad Pawar and Ratnakar Shetty’s tables.
If first impressions are the best impressions, Shastri’s readiness to experiment is something which might bring a wry smile on Greg’s face Down Under. So, would it be in the fitness of things to settle for Shastri as manger-coach for some time ? I know, Shastri makes a lot of money doing TV commentary.
But if the cash-rich BCCI can actually protect Shastri’s projected earnings/income from TV for the next few years, would they be bold enough to appoint him for a longer duration?
OK, is someone already cursing me? I don’t care.
If experimentation has to continue, why not begin with an Indian coach. By the 2011 World Cup, nothing can get worse than what happened in the West Indies.
A first round exit.
Had Guru Greg done anything like that, I bet it would have amounted to blasphemy, promoting a hard-hitting middle order bat to the top. He had got the same flak when he pushed Irfan Pathan to that spot not long back. And if memory serves me right, it was not in an ODI but a proper Test match against a strong team.
I am not trying to make any comparison between Guru Greg and Shastri, simply because the Aussie is a professional coach and the Mumbaikar is just doing a stand-in job. But would anyone have pulled up Shastri if Dhoni had failed on Thursday against Bangladesh and India were doomed.
No.
I have this nagging suspicion that Shastri has already become the hero when he first put up his hand and “wanted to be counted” when Team India were looking for Guru Greg’s replacement. My point is, when you know your term as manager lasts just one series, you can go and take any chance. And even turn the batting order upside down without having to worry about what the BCCI bosses or the media will say.
If I am already sounding like a Shastri-baiter, please bear me out. All that I am reiterating is the way India huffed and puffed for a win against inspired Bangladesh, I am sure Shastri would have been wondering how thankless this manager’s coach job can be.
After the World Cup fiasco, Indian cricket would not have got a new coach in a week’s time. But now that names like Dav Whatmore and more are doing the rounds, I would be happy if the BCCI actually sits down and pours over the various CVs which are going to land on Sharad Pawar and Ratnakar Shetty’s tables.
If first impressions are the best impressions, Shastri’s readiness to experiment is something which might bring a wry smile on Greg’s face Down Under. So, would it be in the fitness of things to settle for Shastri as manger-coach for some time ? I know, Shastri makes a lot of money doing TV commentary.
But if the cash-rich BCCI can actually protect Shastri’s projected earnings/income from TV for the next few years, would they be bold enough to appoint him for a longer duration?
OK, is someone already cursing me? I don’t care.
If experimentation has to continue, why not begin with an Indian coach. By the 2011 World Cup, nothing can get worse than what happened in the West Indies.
A first round exit.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Joe getting the lines right
This guy Joaquim Caravalho is unassuming, modest to the core and he does not know how to play politics. So when he finally got the Indian hockey chief coach’s job in March, I felt happy.
Much before the official announcement came from the Indian Hockey Federation that they were going to boot out V.Baskaran and appoint Joaquim, I happened to congratulate Joaquim. His first reaction was: “Thanks Kannan, but till the IHF makes the announcement officially, I am not going to talk to the media about this!”
Joaquim had got his lines right from Day One, he had learnt how to be diplomatic and not brash because dealing with the IHF is one of the most difficult, thankless jobs on earth. As Joaquim prepares his brand new bunch of boys for the semi-final against Malaysia in the Azlan Shah tournament in KL on Friday, it is heartening to read the Mumbai coach’s honest assessment of the situation that the pressure will be intense.
Past Indian coaches, Cedric D’Souza downwards, have promised us the moon and when they returned empty-handed, looked for every possible excuse. It ranged from “biased umpiring” to “bouncy astro-turf pitches.”
So far, Joaquim has not had to look for excuses as the inexperienced squad has done much better than expected. They beat China and then did well to slam in two goals against Argentina, an IRRITANT which needs no detailing.
Watching Joaquim bark orders towards close of play against Argentina (of course on telly) , it was clear the coach was not flummoxed. His swift substitutions to provide thrust to the attack worked. And in the end, the boys came out winners. After the match, there was no rhetoric from Joaquim, he has just asked the boys to be ready for the semi-final against Malaysia.
I would like to rewind to 2005, when Joaquim was nowhere near getting the national coach’s job. He was lobbying, if that be the right word, for the Dronacharya award. Sadly, people he trusted like MP Ganesh at the SAI headquarters let him down.
Joaquim was hurt, he went to the media and vowed he would fight it out. “I have the best credentials, ask Dhanraj (Pillay) who his coach is and he will take my name,” said Joaquim. Not many heard out Joaquim, but just after he got the plum job last month, it was nice of Dhanraj to wish the coach good luck.
The last time at the Azlan Shah, India returned with a bronze. Maybe, this time, they will again return with a medal. And even if they don’t, we should not rile Joaquim and his boys. Without stars like Dilip Tirkey and Gagan, it’s been a decent job till now.
And let us give Joaquim some credit for a good beginning after being shamed at the Doha Asian Games last December. So does he now deserve the Dronacharya?
Joe, one small request, don’t lobby for the award this time. Wouldn’t it be better if the recognition comes naturally?
Much before the official announcement came from the Indian Hockey Federation that they were going to boot out V.Baskaran and appoint Joaquim, I happened to congratulate Joaquim. His first reaction was: “Thanks Kannan, but till the IHF makes the announcement officially, I am not going to talk to the media about this!”
Joaquim had got his lines right from Day One, he had learnt how to be diplomatic and not brash because dealing with the IHF is one of the most difficult, thankless jobs on earth. As Joaquim prepares his brand new bunch of boys for the semi-final against Malaysia in the Azlan Shah tournament in KL on Friday, it is heartening to read the Mumbai coach’s honest assessment of the situation that the pressure will be intense.
Past Indian coaches, Cedric D’Souza downwards, have promised us the moon and when they returned empty-handed, looked for every possible excuse. It ranged from “biased umpiring” to “bouncy astro-turf pitches.”
So far, Joaquim has not had to look for excuses as the inexperienced squad has done much better than expected. They beat China and then did well to slam in two goals against Argentina, an IRRITANT which needs no detailing.
Watching Joaquim bark orders towards close of play against Argentina (of course on telly) , it was clear the coach was not flummoxed. His swift substitutions to provide thrust to the attack worked. And in the end, the boys came out winners. After the match, there was no rhetoric from Joaquim, he has just asked the boys to be ready for the semi-final against Malaysia.
I would like to rewind to 2005, when Joaquim was nowhere near getting the national coach’s job. He was lobbying, if that be the right word, for the Dronacharya award. Sadly, people he trusted like MP Ganesh at the SAI headquarters let him down.
Joaquim was hurt, he went to the media and vowed he would fight it out. “I have the best credentials, ask Dhanraj (Pillay) who his coach is and he will take my name,” said Joaquim. Not many heard out Joaquim, but just after he got the plum job last month, it was nice of Dhanraj to wish the coach good luck.
The last time at the Azlan Shah, India returned with a bronze. Maybe, this time, they will again return with a medal. And even if they don’t, we should not rile Joaquim and his boys. Without stars like Dilip Tirkey and Gagan, it’s been a decent job till now.
And let us give Joaquim some credit for a good beginning after being shamed at the Doha Asian Games last December. So does he now deserve the Dronacharya?
Joe, one small request, don’t lobby for the award this time. Wouldn’t it be better if the recognition comes naturally?
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Bye guys
In India, sportspersons dare speak up against their federation even if they are right. In the past, we have seen superstars like Dhanraj Pillay, Ashish Ballal and company suffer because they voiced their frank views.
And it is not just players but even coaches of MK Kaushik’s calibre who were dealt with sternly for taking an anti-Indian Hockey Federation stance. On Wednesday, as the Badminton Association of India tossed Chetan Anand, Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien out of the team, it became clear: Player power does not exist in Indian sport.
It is ridiculous in today’s world of modern sport, the Indian sports federations have such unlimited power, they can deliver benumbing body-blows. Who is the winner in this BAI versus players ego battle, where these players spoke of the long camps being meaningless? Certainly the BAI, as the players have been shown their ranking, form and caliber does not matter as they refused to attend the trial for the Sudirman Cup.
Talk of camps and trials, nowadays even the Indian cricketers are not allowed the luxury of staying away from the camp unless there are genuine reasons. Then again, Indian shooters, despite proving themselves regularly in the international arena, have no choice but to attend trials. The have not been able to grudge it because in the end, the NRAI is clear in its mind: They want shooters in best current form to go for the competitions abroad.
Does Indian badminton have the same depth like shooting? Certainly not, but BAI bosses like VK Verma and his cronies like TPS Puri just don’t care a damm. And what of our former All England champion P.Gopi Chand, who is the coach? He feels long camps were started by his predecessors, so why attempt to change it?
Come on Gopi, I respected your for your sublime skills with the racquet. Henceforth I will remember you as just another BAI bum.
It’s sad.
And it is not just players but even coaches of MK Kaushik’s calibre who were dealt with sternly for taking an anti-Indian Hockey Federation stance. On Wednesday, as the Badminton Association of India tossed Chetan Anand, Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien out of the team, it became clear: Player power does not exist in Indian sport.
It is ridiculous in today’s world of modern sport, the Indian sports federations have such unlimited power, they can deliver benumbing body-blows. Who is the winner in this BAI versus players ego battle, where these players spoke of the long camps being meaningless? Certainly the BAI, as the players have been shown their ranking, form and caliber does not matter as they refused to attend the trial for the Sudirman Cup.
Talk of camps and trials, nowadays even the Indian cricketers are not allowed the luxury of staying away from the camp unless there are genuine reasons. Then again, Indian shooters, despite proving themselves regularly in the international arena, have no choice but to attend trials. The have not been able to grudge it because in the end, the NRAI is clear in its mind: They want shooters in best current form to go for the competitions abroad.
Does Indian badminton have the same depth like shooting? Certainly not, but BAI bosses like VK Verma and his cronies like TPS Puri just don’t care a damm. And what of our former All England champion P.Gopi Chand, who is the coach? He feels long camps were started by his predecessors, so why attempt to change it?
Come on Gopi, I respected your for your sublime skills with the racquet. Henceforth I will remember you as just another BAI bum.
It’s sad.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Plenty of vrooom
This is a very special weekend for motorsport, where not one but three Indians will be competing at almost the same time in two international events at the shortened Sepang track in Kuala Lumpur.
New kid on the block Armaan Ebrahim and Parthiv Sureshwaran will be competing in the reasonably competitive Formula Renault V6, while in the support race, Akhil Khushlani will be there in the Formula BMW. For the average racing fan at home, what matters is the ultimate stuff – Formula One.
But to get there, as our own Narain Karthikeyan has, it means going through a labyrinth of events, first at home and then abroad. Last season, Karun Chandhok won the V6 and is now in the GP2. But now we have two Indians in the V6.
It calls for a lot of money and without corporate support, none of them could have got even this far. The famous line in racing is: You keep paying to race and at the end one is left wondering whether the effort was worth it.
It holds even today in the highest echelon -- F-1 -- where to grab a seat even with a small team, there are people ready to spend the megabucks. Go to a country like Brazil, the drug-lords will raise it for their driver if they think he has even a ghost of a chance. And to look at smaller countries, how do we forget the case of Tiago Monterio from Portugal who raced for Jordan in 2005 and Midland F1 last season?
The point is, on a one to ten talent scale, drive and pure speed, Armaan or Parthiv do not lack compared to drivers from Europe and richer Asian countries. But if you talk of opportunities, the team management of Armaan and Parthiv have to struggle to meet the budgets.
Armaan, still in his teens, is lucky he has Akbar Ebrahim as father. Akku, as he is known in motorsport circles, has been there before and is trying very hard to push his son in the right direction. Of course, everything is again with corporate support.
In a nation where apart from cricket, almost no other sport gets monetary support, for every Armaan and Parthiv fighting to be there on the grid is something which has happened because of their talent. Should either of them do exceedingly well by the end of the season, they can perhaps aspire for something like the GP 2.
And as for Akhil, the Formula BMW is the stepping stone, From karting at home to BMW, it is an increase in thrust. But such is the competition even at this stage, you won’t survive unless you do well.
Perform or perish is the mantra. Oh, how often have we heard these words….
New kid on the block Armaan Ebrahim and Parthiv Sureshwaran will be competing in the reasonably competitive Formula Renault V6, while in the support race, Akhil Khushlani will be there in the Formula BMW. For the average racing fan at home, what matters is the ultimate stuff – Formula One.
But to get there, as our own Narain Karthikeyan has, it means going through a labyrinth of events, first at home and then abroad. Last season, Karun Chandhok won the V6 and is now in the GP2. But now we have two Indians in the V6.
It calls for a lot of money and without corporate support, none of them could have got even this far. The famous line in racing is: You keep paying to race and at the end one is left wondering whether the effort was worth it.
It holds even today in the highest echelon -- F-1 -- where to grab a seat even with a small team, there are people ready to spend the megabucks. Go to a country like Brazil, the drug-lords will raise it for their driver if they think he has even a ghost of a chance. And to look at smaller countries, how do we forget the case of Tiago Monterio from Portugal who raced for Jordan in 2005 and Midland F1 last season?
The point is, on a one to ten talent scale, drive and pure speed, Armaan or Parthiv do not lack compared to drivers from Europe and richer Asian countries. But if you talk of opportunities, the team management of Armaan and Parthiv have to struggle to meet the budgets.
Armaan, still in his teens, is lucky he has Akbar Ebrahim as father. Akku, as he is known in motorsport circles, has been there before and is trying very hard to push his son in the right direction. Of course, everything is again with corporate support.
In a nation where apart from cricket, almost no other sport gets monetary support, for every Armaan and Parthiv fighting to be there on the grid is something which has happened because of their talent. Should either of them do exceedingly well by the end of the season, they can perhaps aspire for something like the GP 2.
And as for Akhil, the Formula BMW is the stepping stone, From karting at home to BMW, it is an increase in thrust. But such is the competition even at this stage, you won’t survive unless you do well.
Perform or perish is the mantra. Oh, how often have we heard these words….
Friday, May 4, 2007
Hi Pete
Am I glad old Pistol Pete is back firing aces with his racquet even if it happens to be not on the lawns of SW 19 in London, but the senior tour.
On Thursday, the Greek-American, symbol of supremacy in men’s tennis till
Roger Federer took over, finally decided to step on court. After his famous win at the US Open in 2002, his last Grand Slam title, he had thrown his racquet bag into the attic.
Dusting the bag again and rewiring his racquets, Sampras came ready for none other than Petr Korda at Boston. Sampras won with ease, but that just was not the talking point. I have been lucky enough to see Sampras in action at Wimbledon from 1998 till he bid adieu. Believe me, as long as he could stand on one leg and serve, there was none like him and there will be none like him.
As I tried to visualise Sampras serving to Korda in Boston, it was hard not to rewind to Big W. Sampras was the master when he came to Wimbledon. And for a man who never touched his racquet after retirement, returning to the senior Tour must have been after a lot of consideration(s).
Having settled down with famous model Bridgette Wilson, Sampras, a very, very private man knows what it is like to be back in the limelight. Heck, you may wonder what is the big deal about a seniors’ tour. But I know that an ultimate professional like Sampras will never step on court unless he knows he can win.
I have seen Boris Becker in Chennai at the Gold Flake Open a few years back trying to play from memory. But Pistol Pete will never do anything like that unless he knows he can win a match. Past greats like John McEnroe – the biggest fan of Sampras and now Federer – said after Thursday’s match Sampras can go and again play Wimbledon!
Aww, cm’on, you think Pete’s going to play in Wimbledon again? No way. The Zen Master has seen it all and will never again attempt something he gave up. And if you are going to ask me whether he will play the seniors event at Big W, I will still say it is premature.
If you happen to walk from the Southfield tube station south west of London to the hallowed turf at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Pistol Pete is still fresh in the minds of the hard core fans.
They don’t want to see him a senior as yet….
On Thursday, the Greek-American, symbol of supremacy in men’s tennis till
Roger Federer took over, finally decided to step on court. After his famous win at the US Open in 2002, his last Grand Slam title, he had thrown his racquet bag into the attic.
Dusting the bag again and rewiring his racquets, Sampras came ready for none other than Petr Korda at Boston. Sampras won with ease, but that just was not the talking point. I have been lucky enough to see Sampras in action at Wimbledon from 1998 till he bid adieu. Believe me, as long as he could stand on one leg and serve, there was none like him and there will be none like him.
As I tried to visualise Sampras serving to Korda in Boston, it was hard not to rewind to Big W. Sampras was the master when he came to Wimbledon. And for a man who never touched his racquet after retirement, returning to the senior Tour must have been after a lot of consideration(s).
Having settled down with famous model Bridgette Wilson, Sampras, a very, very private man knows what it is like to be back in the limelight. Heck, you may wonder what is the big deal about a seniors’ tour. But I know that an ultimate professional like Sampras will never step on court unless he knows he can win.
I have seen Boris Becker in Chennai at the Gold Flake Open a few years back trying to play from memory. But Pistol Pete will never do anything like that unless he knows he can win a match. Past greats like John McEnroe – the biggest fan of Sampras and now Federer – said after Thursday’s match Sampras can go and again play Wimbledon!
Aww, cm’on, you think Pete’s going to play in Wimbledon again? No way. The Zen Master has seen it all and will never again attempt something he gave up. And if you are going to ask me whether he will play the seniors event at Big W, I will still say it is premature.
If you happen to walk from the Southfield tube station south west of London to the hallowed turf at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Pistol Pete is still fresh in the minds of the hard core fans.
They don’t want to see him a senior as yet….
Thursday, May 3, 2007
I don't buy BAI logic
I do not know whether to laugh or cry at the mule-like stand the Badminton Association of India has taken to force even top stars to attend the National camp of a crazy duration in Hyderabad.
It all began more over a fortnight back, when Chetan Anand his wife Jwala Gutta and a few more tried to reason logic with the BAI that a camp of such duration was not going to do any good. In no time, the reply they got from the bosses was: Attend the camp or forget being selected for major international tournaments.
In almost any racquet sport at home or abroad, the prime consideration for a player’s selection is his/her form and international ranking. There was a time in Indian tennis, when the AITA tried very hard to make sure Davis Cuppers take part in the Nationals. But never once did they try and tell players they have to attend camps which can be so long that staleness, wear and tear and fatigue will set in naturally!
All of us familiar with the geography of India know that Hyderabad in summer is boiling and not the best place for a National camp. Unless, this camp is being held just in Hyderabad just because it is National coach P. Gopi Chand’s hometown.
Unlike tennis, Indian badminton players’ do not make enough money as to plan their schedule of tournaments, nor do they have the resources to be based abroad and travel as they wish. But the best part in this camp drama and its lengthy duration is the BAI feels it is the best preparation for the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games.
As hosts, it is every federation’s dream that they go on to win maximum medals at home. But obviously, BAI boss VK Verma and his cronies – well TPS Puri is still there – have no clue of how players’ can never be at their peak for years.
Is it a realistic target to prepare for an event three years in advance with no respect for what players’ think? The worst is, like in the old East Bloc countries, the BAI is treating players so hard, if they are going to miss the series of events abroad, their rankings are bound to slip.
Not too long back, the badminton body was in turmoil just after ageless wonder Fazil Ahmed was forced out of BAI. Matters came to such a pass, rival bodies were formed and the people from the international world – Panch Gunalan -- came to sort out the mess.
Word has it that even Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has been asked to intervene in this current situation where players are being subjected to such pressure of being in camps. Camps, or are they some concentration camp?
The last word has not been written, but I hope the BAI will realise badminton players are not machines who can be made to work ceaselessly.
Unless, of course, one is ready for the breakdown and we have such a huge talent bank, the likes of Chetan, Jawala, Shruti Kurien and Anup Sridhar can be dispensed with?
It all began more over a fortnight back, when Chetan Anand his wife Jwala Gutta and a few more tried to reason logic with the BAI that a camp of such duration was not going to do any good. In no time, the reply they got from the bosses was: Attend the camp or forget being selected for major international tournaments.
In almost any racquet sport at home or abroad, the prime consideration for a player’s selection is his/her form and international ranking. There was a time in Indian tennis, when the AITA tried very hard to make sure Davis Cuppers take part in the Nationals. But never once did they try and tell players they have to attend camps which can be so long that staleness, wear and tear and fatigue will set in naturally!
All of us familiar with the geography of India know that Hyderabad in summer is boiling and not the best place for a National camp. Unless, this camp is being held just in Hyderabad just because it is National coach P. Gopi Chand’s hometown.
Unlike tennis, Indian badminton players’ do not make enough money as to plan their schedule of tournaments, nor do they have the resources to be based abroad and travel as they wish. But the best part in this camp drama and its lengthy duration is the BAI feels it is the best preparation for the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games.
As hosts, it is every federation’s dream that they go on to win maximum medals at home. But obviously, BAI boss VK Verma and his cronies – well TPS Puri is still there – have no clue of how players’ can never be at their peak for years.
Is it a realistic target to prepare for an event three years in advance with no respect for what players’ think? The worst is, like in the old East Bloc countries, the BAI is treating players so hard, if they are going to miss the series of events abroad, their rankings are bound to slip.
Not too long back, the badminton body was in turmoil just after ageless wonder Fazil Ahmed was forced out of BAI. Matters came to such a pass, rival bodies were formed and the people from the international world – Panch Gunalan -- came to sort out the mess.
Word has it that even Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has been asked to intervene in this current situation where players are being subjected to such pressure of being in camps. Camps, or are they some concentration camp?
The last word has not been written, but I hope the BAI will realise badminton players are not machines who can be made to work ceaselessly.
Unless, of course, one is ready for the breakdown and we have such a huge talent bank, the likes of Chetan, Jawala, Shruti Kurien and Anup Sridhar can be dispensed with?
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Game, set and match to....
Just as I was wondering how to keep my motivation intact with this blog comes the news Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will be playing an exhibition match.
What’s unusual about it? They win some and lose some. No, this time it is not on clay, hard or grass but a single tennis court which will comprise two surfaces! Dude, when I heard this, I thought somebody was kidding. It was only when I saw pictures of the surface on the wires did it strike me it was not a joke.
What is even more surprising is the surface has been made in Mallorca, the place from where Carlos Moya hails. This unique match will catch the tennis fans’ attention for sure. Decades back, when the (in)famous “Battle of Sexes” match was played between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, it drew rapturous applause.
But why a Rafa-FedEx match on a kind of hybrid surface? Do we not get to see them enough in the ATP Tour? Whoever came up with this idea, it deserves praise. When players prepare for a tennis match, a whole lot of factors are taken into account.
Is Nadal going to wear clay-court shoes – he’s most comfortable on it – and Fedex the one which will make sure he has the right grip on grass? As these questions crop up, it’s even more exciting to fantasise about a match like this.
As far as their invincible aspects are concerned, one doesn’t need to go too much into detail. Nadal’s 72-win unbeaten streak on clay will be talked of for a long time. And Federer’s 48-match streak on grass is equally impressive.
So for all those who get to see these two superstars on Wednesday in action – just an exhibition – it will be satisfaction guaranteed. All I can say is, the way the All England Club has slowed down grass at Wimbledon, the day is not far off when serve-and-volley will become EXTINCT.
Who knows, there might come a day when we have mixed surfaces as well for tournament play. Sounds ridiculous isn’t it? Don’t worry, that’s what many thought when hockey was shifted from natural grass to the synthetic surface. And the choices there are plenty from astro-turf to polygrass and what not…
What’s unusual about it? They win some and lose some. No, this time it is not on clay, hard or grass but a single tennis court which will comprise two surfaces! Dude, when I heard this, I thought somebody was kidding. It was only when I saw pictures of the surface on the wires did it strike me it was not a joke.
What is even more surprising is the surface has been made in Mallorca, the place from where Carlos Moya hails. This unique match will catch the tennis fans’ attention for sure. Decades back, when the (in)famous “Battle of Sexes” match was played between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, it drew rapturous applause.
But why a Rafa-FedEx match on a kind of hybrid surface? Do we not get to see them enough in the ATP Tour? Whoever came up with this idea, it deserves praise. When players prepare for a tennis match, a whole lot of factors are taken into account.
Is Nadal going to wear clay-court shoes – he’s most comfortable on it – and Fedex the one which will make sure he has the right grip on grass? As these questions crop up, it’s even more exciting to fantasise about a match like this.
As far as their invincible aspects are concerned, one doesn’t need to go too much into detail. Nadal’s 72-win unbeaten streak on clay will be talked of for a long time. And Federer’s 48-match streak on grass is equally impressive.
So for all those who get to see these two superstars on Wednesday in action – just an exhibition – it will be satisfaction guaranteed. All I can say is, the way the All England Club has slowed down grass at Wimbledon, the day is not far off when serve-and-volley will become EXTINCT.
Who knows, there might come a day when we have mixed surfaces as well for tournament play. Sounds ridiculous isn’t it? Don’t worry, that’s what many thought when hockey was shifted from natural grass to the synthetic surface. And the choices there are plenty from astro-turf to polygrass and what not…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
