The Black Caps Run Aground

A Look at Team India's Comprehensive Whitewash of New Zealand in the Recent Test Series

By Pradyut Hande

Under the talismanic helmsmanship of MS Dhoni, Team India successfully quelled the spasmodic challenge put up by an erratic Kiwi outfit to clinch the Test series, 2-0, at home. Granted the fact that the opposition wasn't exactly the strongest on paper or on the field, but this series was critical on multiple levels for wide ranging reasons. In the absence of stalwarts such as Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Saurav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh; the Indian team presently finds itself in the throes of a gradual transition that will determine its "future course through the tumultuous waters of international cricket". Much was expected from the youngsters looking to cement their positions in the side. High on talent, exuberance and ability but low on experience; they rose to the occasion with aplomb.

For starters, India's batting was relatively consistent throughout the series. The Kiwi pace battery inclusive of Chris Martin (1st Test), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee (2nd Test) toiled away on wickets that always kept them interested. The Indian batsmen did enough to counter them but did find themselves gasping for breath from time to time. Gautam Gambhir had a subdued series by his standards and so did his opening partner, Virender Sehwag. Despite getting starts, Sehwag's impetuous and profligate approach diminished his potency. A veteran of almost 100 Tests, one would have thought that he would have learnt from his foibles. There is a fine demarcation between playing one's natural game and repeatedly committing hara kiri. That's something perhaps Sehwag needs to comprehend and soon. Sachin Tendulkar had a dormant series and was dismissed bowled by three different bowlers. A cause for concern? Perhaps or perhaps not. Only time will tell.

The insipid performances by some of the senior batsmen in the line up was in stark contrast to the sparkling form showed by the likes of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Suresh Raina (to an extent). Kohli continues to mature by leaps and bounds with each progressing series and is rapidly emerging as our best and most consistent batsman across all formats. His unflappable temperament, adaptability and insatiable appetite for runs saw him notch up a century and two half centuries in the three innings he played. Pujara too scored a brilliant 159 in the first Test at Hyderabad, underscoring his sound credentials as a long term Number 3 bat. Skipper MS Dhoni too had a good series, both behind and in front of the stumps; scoring vital runs and leading from the front when the chips were down.

On the bowling front, R Ashvin and Pragyan Ojha bamboozled the often hapless Kiwi batsmen into submission with their flight and guile on varying tracks in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. While Ashvin picked up 18 wickets in the series and walked away with the Man of the Series Award, one must not forget about Ojha's 13 wickets. The spin twins quite literally hunted in pairs, complementing each other brilliantly. The promising Umesh Yadav bowled a couple of hostile spells but lacked the control to remain consistent. The old warhorse, Zaheer Khan's statistics for the series do him grave injustice and he ought to consider himself unfortunate not to have picked up more wickets. On the whole, we bowled well as a unit and were penetrative enough to have the Kiwi batsmen guessing on most occasions.

The Indian fielding too looked sprightly with the impetus provided by the young brigade of Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Cheteshwar Pujara. Virender Sehwag made slip catching seem ridiculously easy at times. MS Dhoni's field placements were astute as he was quick to gauge the pace of the wickets and batsmen's weaknesses. He backed it up with timely bowling changes and smart glove work whilst keeping.

All in all, despite the best efforts of the Kiwis, the Indians were simply too puissant on home soil; winning the first Test by an Innings and 115 runs and the second by 5 Wickets. Cricket maybe a game of glorious uncertainties, but what is certain is that the future of Indian cricket definitely burns incandescent with the "young flame" of a new tomorrow. The boots of the departed maybe too big to fill, but these youngsters can certainly strive to emulate their courage, character and consistency in the years to come.

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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Gunning For Gold

India's Performance at the London Games, 2012 and a Harbinger of Bigger Things to come

By Pradyut Hande

The velvet curtains have recently come down on the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet, the London Olympics, 2012. Over 10,000 athletes from 204 nations strove unstintingly in the eternal quest for personal and professional glory. All those years of perseverance and preparation came to fruition for some; while the dreams of many others lay shattered on the floor, under the hospitable English sun. For many, it was their final shot at dazzling their ways into the haloed history books; whilst for many others, it was a stern baptism by fire.

The USA, China and the UK led the gold rush; leaving their respective stamps across multiple disciplines as the reigning sporting powerhouses of the world. India too came on by leaps and bounds as a sporting nation; clinching a record six medals at the Games. In the process, it finished 55th in the overall medal tally and also doubled its previous best figure of three medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. Even though there were no Gold medals to India's credit this time around; the two Silver and four Bronze medals transpired to make these Olympic Games a real watershed in its chequered emergence as a sporting nation of worth. Thus, the London Games were different for the country on numerous levels; assuming even greater significance.

For the first time perhaps, a nation fed on the steady comestible of Cricket and ordinarily starved of world class sporting icons; truly believed in the medal winning abilities of its largest ever Olympic contingent. The usually hopeless attitude was replaced by a refreshing air of optimism and confidence that pervaded the public consciousness in the run up to the Games. For the first time, we had athletes who could be deemed as legitimate medal hopes. Yes, the competition would be fierce; but the generic opinion exuded surprising confidence. The media frenzy surrounding these medal hopefuls reached a crescendo as the Games finally got underway. Would our heroes deliver on the grandest arena of them all?

As it transpired, India gave a respectable account of itself. Ace Shooters Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar bagged a Bronze and a Silver each; relegating immense pressure and cut throat competition to the back seat. Shuttler Saina Nehwal stormed the Chinese bastion to clinch a fortuitous Bronze in Badminton. MC Magnificent Mary Kom defied the odds and displayed tremendous resilience and fortitude to win a Bronze in the 51 kg Women's Boxing Event. Grappler Yogeshwar Dutt battled his way from a seemingly hopeless situation to win a fantastic Bronze in the 60 kg Freestyle Event. But it was perhaps Sushil Kumar who wrestled his way into the history books and every proud Indian's heart and mind; winning the Silver with a lion hearted effort in the 66 kg Freestyle Event. This made him the only Indian Olympian to win back to back individual medals - a truly incredible feat for an incredibly humble man. Along the way, the performances of Shooter Joydeep Karmakar, Shuttler P Kashyap, Boxers Vijender and Devendro Singh were also most noteworthy. The fact that Krishna Poonia and Vikas Gowda made it to the final rounds of their respective events is also creditable.

Despite tasting unprecedented success, one would be naïve to disregard the blemishes that marred our overall campaign. For starters, the Indian Hockey Team was pummeled into submission in each of their games to finish abysmally, without a single point. Terming their insipid displays a disgrace would be a gross understatement. The Indian Men's and Women's Archery teams crashed out without so much of a whimper. World Number One, Deepika Kumari clearly found the competition too intense, buckling miserably under pressure. Much was expected from the strong Men's Boxing contingent but they flattered to deceive. For all their posturing, the Tennis stars floundered. Medal hopes in Shooters Abhinav Bindra and Ronjan Sodhi too failed to perform to their potential. Thus, viewing our performance from a more discerning lens, some quarters would say that our campaign turned out to be the proverbial mixed bag.

Despite multiple setbacks and selective under performance, India's strongest ever Olympic showing has not just reaffirmed our faith in performing with aplomb on the international arena, but has also amplified it manifold. It is now up to the Sports Ministry and other concerned authorities to seize the moment, capitalise on this success and lay the foundations for a more robust future. International exposure and world class coaching has facilitated the development of many of our athletes. The Centre ought to draw up a clear cut action plan to further their development. Prudent investment to enhance existing infrastructure, provide better training facilities, coaches, physiotherapists and nutritionists would further augment the efficacy of the action plan. Furthermore, there needs to be greater emphasis on identifying and nurturing latent talent. Thus, talent scouts and ancillary training setups would have to play a more proactive role. India would be better served taking a few leaves out of China's sporting books. Granted the fact that their setup may not be ideal, but it certainly has many merits worthy of emulation. With the era of corporatisation and increased private sector support extending to the realms of Sport (and not just Cricket), existing and potential athletes have greater incentive to perform. However, there needs to be far greater investment and proper allocation of resources if India plans to embark on the path to a veritable sporting revolution.

We have every right to celebrate the rousing accomplishments of our sporting heroes but at the same time, we ought not to be content or complacent. Practicable ambition is essential to our future endeavours as a potential sporting powerhouse in the making.

Let us shoot for the stars with the accuracy of Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang...punch and jab our way ahead with the power of MC Mary Kom...smash forward with the ferocity of Saina Nehwal and battle past many an opponent with the heart and strength of Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt... The future is ours for the making, the future is ours for the taking.

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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Manipur's Golden Girl, India's Pride

 An Ode to MC Mary Kom

By Pradyut Hande



 
The competitive realms of sport often witness the emergence of certain personalities that do a lot more than just dominate their respective disciplines. In their quest for excellence and glory, they walk the path less travelled by, leaving behind an astounding legacy and a lot more. Star Indian Pugilist, MC Mary Kom is one such sports person who has defied all odds to blaze a trail all of her own, emerging as an unlikely sporting icon.

In a country with a weak sporting history; often force fed on the staple diet of the de facto National Sport, Cricket; genuine world class sporting heroes are hard to come by. Let's face it, at the cost of sounding harsh, apart from our glorious Hockey heritage (that's all that is left of it as of now, unfortunately), cricketing success and the odd Tennis, Golf or Shooting exploits; we aren't exactly the epitome of a nation with an inspiring sporting culture. Set in this backdrop, a feisty Manipuri woman picked up a well worn pair of boxing gloves and jumped into the ring; defying tradition, family, customs, stereotypes and what have you...

Suffice to say, MC Mary Kom took to the boxing ring like fish to water. Her rapid ascendancy as an Amateur Boxer on first the domestic stage and then subsequently the international arena was quite stunning. Her perseverance, grit, attitude and continual endeavor to improve soon saw her become a World Champion. But never one to rest on her laurels; "Magnificent" Mary went on to clinch four more World Titles; leaving flummoxed and battered opponents in her wake. Slowly but steadily, Mary Kom made the country sit up and take note of her talent, prowess and incredible exploits. Was she for real? How did we manage to produce a multiple World Champion? Wow!

A Commonwealth Games medal followed. Mary Kom was riding the crests of success and adulation; deservedly so. With Women's boxing making its debut at the London Olympics, 2012; she was being touted as a real medal hope in the 51 kg category. As the prestigious Games drew nearer, Mary Kom relegated all the hype, pressure, expectations and distractions to the back-burner; as she trained with ferocious tenacity, unwavering focus and unparalleled passion. She gained muscle mass to compete in the 51 kg category, moving up from her customary 48 kg division. In between all her training and tournaments, she found the time to be a home maker and a doting mother to her young twin sons. A billion dreams rode on her sturdy shoulders. Did that make her crumble? That would be an emphatic "No!" Mary Kom took everything in her stride and instead chose to focus on her preparation rather than the eventual culmination of her efforts.

India's pride MC Mary Kom with her Olympic bronze

The London Games, 2012 arrived. Mary Kom took to the ring amidst sizable Indian support at the intimidating Excel Arena. The diminutive Manipuri out punched, out jabbed, out thought and out performed her opponents to clinch a fantastic Bronze Medal; falling to the eventual Gold Medalist in England's Nicola Adams in a keenly contested Semi Final bout. She may not have struck Gold, but her medal certainly was more than its weight in Gold as the country hailed her spirit and accomplishment. Always one to set high standards, a dejected Mary Kom's first words in public after her defeat was a heartfelt apology for being unable to bring back the Gold. Here was an Olympic Champion at the peak of her career...a world class athlete par excellence with a sterling record...apologizing to her nation for letting them down. Her humility, passion for the sport and her country and her remarkable determination to excel shone through and through.

Her Medal and myriad accomplishments have done a lot more than bring glory to India. She has continued the legacy of competent boxers emerging from the North East. She has single handedly altered the perception of the demure, subjugated Manipuri woman. In fact, she has become an inspiration to an entire generation of young girls across the country from similar backgrounds to take up the sport. The impact of her feats is far reaching and quite astounding. Her amiable demeanor and off field persona have added to her aura (Yes! Aura!)

A Boxer, Athlete, World Champion, Olympic Medalist, Icon, Daughter, Wife, Mother and Sister; she's all that and a lot more! Take a bow MC Mary Kom...India's "Million Dollar Baby"!

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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A New Era Beckons

The Indian Test Cricket Team Looks at Life beyond its Retired Stalwarts

By Pradyut Hande

Farewell, legends!

The Indian Test Cricket Team finds itself at a critical crossroads after the departure of its batting bulwarks in Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. The departure of these mainstays may have been on the cards for a while but when it did assume an official hue, the sense of loss that followed was telling. After serving the nation unstintingly for over a decade and a half, both Dravid and Laxman can take pride in playing a leading role whilst transforming the fluctuating fortunes of an under performing side both at home and away.  Their retirement after the team's twin debacles in England and Australia has certainly left a gaping chasm in the line up. The "Fab Four" has been effectively dismantled with the retirement of Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman. The evergreen Sachin Tendulkar is the only one who remains.

With a frenetic season of Cricket at home in the offing that kickstarts with the two Test Match Series against a beleaguered Kiwi side, Team India now prepares to endure the rigours of Test Cricket without its sterling stalwarts. Granted the fact that life without the solidity of Dravid at Number Three or the lazy elegance and reliability of Laxman in the middle order will not be easy and is certain to take some getting used to; however, it presents a band of promising and eager youngsters the opportunity to usher in a brand new era. The likes of  Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, S Badrinath and Suresh Raina who have been on the fringes of Test Cricket for a while; now have the chance to cement their places in the Test side in the months to come. It maybe impossible to fill the void left by our "golden generation", but these gritty Cricketers certainly have the talent and temperament to not just carve a niche for themselves, but also seize the moment and put in performances worthy of emulation. The fact that India would be playing ten Tests in the near future, on predominantly batter friendly wickets at home would serve as an added advantage in aiding their gradual transition.

While one school of thought is in favour of blooding youngsters into the side at home, giving them ample time to find their feet and settle down; there is another quarter that questions the efficacy of the move. The likes of Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid made their Test debuts abroad against quality bowling attacks. For that matter, even Virender Sehwag debuted on a seaming wicket against South Africa in their backyard. All these players shone on their debut outings, despite the adverse conditions and match situations - a testament to their sheer resilience and hunger to succeed at the acme of competition. In a stern baptism by fire, even a young Virat Kohli came of age in Australia against a fiery attack that had instilled the fear of God into the Indian batting line up on the recent ill fated Tour, Down Under. Are our myopic selectors blundering by bringing in a few youngsters whilst playing at home, instead of throwing them into the deep end of the ocean whilst playing away? Does this reflect a telling lack of confidence in their abilities to perform admirably against more hostile attacks on difficult wickets? Are we grooming a "soft" set of future Cricketers?

Can Pujara make the step up?

Whatever be the case, at the end of the day, a batsman's true calling lies in preparing himself to perform in myriad conditions, on varying tracks both at home and away. No matter how much talent, prowess and natural ability one possesses; there is no substitute for exposure at an early age. Thus, the earlier these players are nurtured and prepared for what lies ahead; the greater the chances of them being able to live up to their potential. Granted they have humungous boots to fill, but with the right planning and investment in the future; the painful period of transition can be undertaken with greater ease and productivity. The BCCI and Selection Committee also ought to draw up prudent and carefully calibrated future courses of action that take cognizance of the imminent retirement of certain other players who are nearing the end of their respective careers; instead of adopting short term "band aid" measures that in the long run can prove to be counter productive. There needs to be adequate planning infused in the process; facilitating the growth of individuals and the team at large.

For now though, the future prospects of the Indian Test side do look promising in the hands of a talented crew of youngsters. However, there is a major disparity between potential and performance. Only time will tell whether they are up for the challenge and capable of translating potential into consistent performance. The heady tides of transition are striking the shore...a glorious era may have come to a denouement...a new era beckons with the fragrance of an exciting future.

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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Riding the Blue Wave

A Glimpse at Chelsea FC's Prospects this Season

By Pradyut Hande

I write this article minutes after Chelsea FC came back from 1-2 down to clinch a resounding 4-2 victory over a spirited Reading side in their second game of the recently underway 2012-13 English Premier League (EPL) season. As an ardent Chelsea supporter, I can pump my fists and celebrate in glee; but I also know that this is just the beginning of a long, arduous season rife with expectation and promise. Are they up for it?

After clinching the UEFA Champions Trophy and the FA Cup last season, Chelsea have been riding the blue waves of success, basking in their glory. They may have finished a deplorable (by their standards) 6th in the EPL but that didn't deter them from treading the path of resilience, fortitude and fortune to emerge victors in those two competitions. The Trophy cabinets may have been recipients of sterling new silverware and the dressing rooms may have been buoyant, but the players would be the first to openly admit to their glaring weaknesses and well documented inconsistency. Despite their success, the Club had to chart out a calibrated future course of action to address their shortcomings and revitalize their ageing squad.

A real Hazard to defenders!

The departure of talismanic Striker, Didier Drogba has certainly left a major void in the side. Additionally, the departures of Jose Bosingwa and Soloman Kalou compelled Chelsea to seek out suitable substitutes to further bolster their squad. Thus, with a proactive owner in Roman Abramovich and a sound bank account to boot; Chelsea have procured the services of sprightly talents such as Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar amongst its ranks. There maybe a couple more players coming in before the closure of the transfer window which would lend the squad with a greater degree of stability. In addition to the new recruits, Chelsea have made a prudent decision in offering a one year contract extension to the incumbent Manager, Roberto di Matteo. Standing in as an interim Manager last season, after the abrupt sacking of Andres Villas-Boas; di Matteo impressed one and all with his personnel management, uncluttered approach, tactical prowess and motivational skills to inspire a severely beleaguered outfit to soar towards the pinnacle of success and silverware. Thus, his presence and performance is critical to Chelsea's fortunes this season. With a spectacular wealth of talent at his disposal, di Matteo is sure to have his hands full whilst identifying the ideal team formation and composition. Also, it is imperative for the new recruits to quickly adapt to the English game, if they are to stamp their authority and make good on their promise. Star Belgian Winger, Eden Hazard has already made a robust start to his sojourn as a Chelsea man in the first couple of games; providing a majority of the assists that translated into goal scoring opportunities.

Thus, suitable squad selection and rotation would be of great significance. Chelsea require

Will it finally be his season?

to be more consistent, both at home and away. They also need to relegate profligacy and a well chronicled penchant of conceding "soft" goals at inopportune moments to the backburner. They ought to retain confidence in under-performing Striker, Fernando Torres upfront. Being a player who feeds on the staple diet of confidence; Torres ought to be handed greater responsibility in the absence of Drogba. In Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Ramires and Eden Hazard they have a reliable and creative midfield while the defense lies in the safe hands of John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole primarily. With Petr Cech manning the goal, the Chelsea starting eleven certainly does look imposing on paper. However, there is major difference between potential and performance. I, for one, sincerely hope that Chelsea are able to leverage their available resources judiciously, capitalise on their momentum and focus with new found vigor and confidence on winning every single game...the Trophies will subsequently follow.

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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From Gold to Ash and Gold Again

The Indian Hockey Team's Steady Decline and a Possible Road to Recovery

Indian hockey team's performance was demoralizing

By Pradyut Hande

The Indian Hockey Team arrived at the London Olympics, 2012 with starry dreams in their eyes, hope in their hearts and expectations on their shoulders. After having failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008, the air was rife with anticipation and promise. Unfortunately as it transpired, all they lacked was belief in their abilities and intensity in their approach.

Under a new Coach in Aussie Michael Nobbs and a squad bristling with youthful exuberance and time tested experience in equal measure, the Indians were expected to put in a commanding performance at the Games. Having made drastic improvements on their once flagging fitness levels and embracing a more offensive style of play, India did possess the merits on paper to go the distance; albeit with a few welcome "shots" of fortune. The eight time Olympic champions had a chance at redeeming their lost glory on the grandest arenas of them all. However, the bitter realization of the fact that there is a veritable chasm between promise and performance, soon dawned upon many ardent supporters. What followed was a dismal campaign that clearly delineated our inability to compete with the best in the business. Not only did India finish last in the competition, but to add insult to injury, they finished without a single point; surrendering tamely in the face of immense pressure exerted by stronger opponents. What was most disconcerting to watch was the abysmal manner of the side's capitulation in the absence of any intensity, fight, hunger or pride. The lack of direction and a befuddled game plan was apparent as the Indians got walloped game after game. It was a tragic commentary on our National Sport that has clearly fallen prey to the unfortunate spiral of inconsistency and non performance over the years.

Barring the odd triumph in every fourth Tournament, India has struggled to come to grips with the evolving rigours of modern day Hockey. Once a proud leviathan of the sport, today India is a meek bystander as other nations continue to catapult ahead of us with each passing year. How have we managed to fall so far back behind? Have we done enough to arrest our alarming decline? What future course of action could we adopt to improve ourselves?

For starters, Indian Hockey has suffered greatly at the incompetent hands of "sports administrators". Their myopic policies, lethargic attitude bordering on apathy and lack of initiative coupled with "Kafkaesque red tapist mentality" has cost us dear. Additionally, the Government at large has done precious little to develop the sport and stem the rot. In the absence of adequate training facilities, infrastructure, equipment, mentorship and talent management; the game's development at the grassroots level has been severely compromised. This then subsequently manifests itself at the senior levels. The authorities ought to realize that talent if not prudently identified, carefully nurtured and suitably motivated is tantamount to squandering valuable resources.

Down and out?

There needs to be a major overhaul of the prevailing decadent system that continues to hamper the sport's evolution in the country. Promising players ought to be identified at an early age and provided with invaluable international exposure. Creation of state-of-the-art AstroTurf arenas and training facilities in the tier 2 and tier 3 cities ought to take precedence. There needs to be a calibrated road map at the national level in place that eschews the constant changing of Coaches and dubious selection decisions. Merit and performance ought to be the only barometers for selection. The players would also be better served if provided with the services of counselors and sports psychologists that would aid their mental and emotional development. These are a few critical areas which the concerned authorities ought to take cognizance of...and soon.

Despite our pathetic showing at the Olympics, on the bright side, we can only move forward and upward from here on. But if we are to regain even a modicum of our lost glory as a Hockey powerhouse, there remains a lot of work to be done. We have seen the writing on the wall and there is no sugarcoating the bitter truth. We are aware of the impediments hampering our progress. We know the plausible solutions to address our woes. The question now though is, "Can we act?"

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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"Our Time is Now": A Glance at Indian Football's Chequered Past and Promising Future

The glory days of Indian football are long past

By Pradyut Hande

For decades, Indian Football has languished in the quagmire of mediocrity and inconsistency. After qualifying for the 1950 Football World Cup (India never played the Tournament for harebrained reasons); many would have thought that the country was well on its way to becoming a promising footballing outfit. For a while, India was one of the top Asian sides; stamping its authority with flair and panache over stronger neighbours at regional Tournaments. However, as has often been the case, the nation flattered to deceive and soon descended into the vicious spiral of non performance as many other countries leapfrogged us in the rankings. Over time a sense of despondency began to fester in the minds of the most jingoistic Indian Football aficionado.

Today, India languishes at a woeful 168 on the official FIFA rankings; much to the chagrin of those associated with the sport. This is the lowest the country has ever been on the rankings and certainly does not paint a positive picture. Why have we struggled to shirk off our lackadaisical attitude and infuse greater vigour and direction in our Footballing machinery? What are the ailments that have collectively crippled our quest to improve as a Footballing nation?

For starters, Indian Football has suffered from generic Government apathy for a protracted period of time. The association of power hungry politicos with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) who lack the experience, initiative and inspiration to helm a body of such significance has been a constant source of consternation. In the absence of proactive leadership at the top, the AIFF has continued to flounder akin to a rudderless vessel in the tumultuous waters of caprice. Additionally, poor infrastructure and logistical impediments have further added to our woes. The paucity of funds and deplorable mobilization and allocation of resources has also been a continual bugbear. Our system has also been found wanting with regards to the identification and appropriate grooming of new talent. The lack of international exposure, substandard coaching and limited training opportunities are also key concerns that ought to be addressed. These are but a few woes that have hindered our progress over the years.
 

India's football icon for many years Bhaichung Bhutia has now retired

As I write this, India is presently participating in the ongoing Nehru Cup in its quest to defend its title. Having beaten a higher ranked Syria in its opening game, an air of quiet confidence pervades the team. Under the aegis of a new Manager in Wim Koevermans and a refreshingly balanced squad; India look to embark on a bold, new journey. The retirement of reliable bulwarks such as Bhaichung Bhutia, Rennedy Singh and Mahesh Gawli has presented a talented crew of youngsters with the opportunity to shine on the international stage. The period of transition will be facilitated by the presence of experienced stars in Sunil Chhetri, Clifford Miranda, Anthony Perreira and Gourmangi Singh. With new talent coming through the ranks, the future definitely appears bright. The infusion of private investment, improving infrastructure and talent management stemming from the sport's rapidly increasing profile and popularity in the country augurs well for the future.

It is now a matter of laying the sound foundations for a dynamic future. Myopic initiatives undertaken at this point in time will only prove to be counter productive. We have the talent; we are witnessing the benefits of "incremental amelioration". All we need is the intent, ambition and belief to "kick goal-wards" if we are to "score" heavily in the future.

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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United with the Flying Dutchman

Robin van Persie's Move from Arsenal could Spark a Revival in Fortunes

By Pradyut Hande

After weeks of conjecture and protracted negotiations, the "Flying Dutchman", Robin van Persie finally made a move away from Arsenal to arch rivals, Manchester United. The former talismanic Arsenal skipper had a breakthrough season last year as he almost single handedly steered the Gunners to a third place finish in the English Premier League (EPL). His sterling individual performances, astute leadership and ability to inspire an often floundering outfit saw him win praise from both the fans and pundits alike. Along the way he also finished as the EPL's top scorer with 30 goals to his credit. More importantly from his point of view, the often injury prone Striker was able to remain fit for most part of the campaign; thereby enhancing his potency and consistency.

However, after eight long years with the Gunners and barely any silverware in the closet; van Persie decided to depart for greener pastures and refused to sign a contract extension. His decision to leave may have broken many an Arsenal supporter's heart, but at the age of 29; perhaps at the peak of his prowess; one cannot fault the Dutchman with choosing to sign for a major club in Manchester United. Fans may decree his move as a brazen act of betrayal, but when viewed from a more calibrated lens it is most pragmatic. With United, van Persie has the opportunity to taste serious success and "shoot" for silverware in a way he never could whilst at Arsenal. No denying the fact that the North London outfit is a great club with a wealth of talent at its disposal, but when it fails to land a single trophy in over six years; it is bound to cause a certain degree of consternation. So, if it was Cesc Fabregas who departed for FC Barcelona last year; it is van Persie and midfield engine, Alexander Song who have left the club for United and FC Barcelona respectively.

Robin van Persie's arrival at Old Trafford spells myriad ramifications for both the player and the club at large. In van Persie, United have an out and out Striker with a versatile presence and stinging left foot. His ariel ability, eye for goal and creativity honed at Arsenal will further bolster United's offensive options. van Persie can feed off the likes of Nani, Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia and Danny Wellbeck and at the same time assist the bombarding likes of Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young (if need be). He is bound to take some time adapting to United's formation and style of play; as was evident in their EPL 2012 season opening loss to Everton. However, his inclusive integration into the "Red Devil" fabric is also subject to his adaptability and fitness. His alliance and understanding with Wayne Rooney will also be critical to United's fortunes this season as they hope to push for glory after a barren last season.

RvP's arrival may have provided an additional attacking asset but it has also put the future of upcoming Mexican star, Javier "Chicarito" Hernandez into a modicum of uncertainty. After falling further down the pecking order with regards to the deployment of offensive options, Hernandez's role may now be limited to being an "impact substitute". However, whilst saying that, an astute Manager in the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson is sure to get the best out of him and the squad at large.

The "Flying Dutchman" certainly has the skill and potential to make a serious impact in a United jersey. Only time will tell whether he is able to seamlessly adapt to their game plan, capitalise on his rich vein of form and "strike" his way to glory or metamorphose into an ineffectual, underperforming, big money purchase (a blonde haired Striker in Blue springs to mind!). At the other end of the rainbow, it will also be intriguing to watch Arsenal come to terms with his loss and rebuild yet again in their eternal hope to challenge the other heavyweights for a trophy this season. The stage is set, the players are ready...let the games begin!

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is a Business student with a degree from NMIMS, Mumbai. He is presently working as a Senior Executive with a leading Public Relations firm in Mumbai. He has over 200 publications to his credit in some of the leading national dailies and weekly magazines across the country. He is also a keen Debater, Munner, Quizzer, Painter and Amateur Freestyle Rapper. His other interests include Sports, Music, Reading, Travelling and Social Entrepreneurship

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Mr. Warne, Take A Bow

By Ameya Lonkar

The Christmas vacations had been utterly boring. I had nothing to do; of course there were errands to run but nothing fun. I was so bored that I even voluntarily started arranging the utensils. On a particularly weary afternoon I turned on the television and started mindlessly sweeping through channels; till then I had completely forgotten about a certain Star Cricket channel. Now much to my joy, there it was, a live match!!!! Who gives a damn which teams were playing; it was a friggin’ cricket match. It was a Big Bash League match played between two teams whose names I don’t remember. 

I put the remote aside and started watching the match. The match itself does not matter to me now, and I ain’t going to talk it. I was overjoyed to see the King of Spin, the great Shane Warne operating. The commentators had just pulled out a stat, the XYZ stadium where the match was being played had recorded its highest attendance in the ongoing match and that may well be due to Shane Warne agreeing to play the match. Man this guy is a real crowd puller. The match was going on but I kept waiting for the Wizard of Oz’s over. My wait finally came to an end somewhere near the 11^th over of the innings.

Shane Warne had ball in his hands. He had a mic on him and was chatting with the commentators upstairs. So whatever he was saying could be heard on television. That was a rare opportunity; you don’t know much what the bowlers are planning unless you are hopelessly good at lip reading or if the stump mic catches a word or two. But here he was live on the mic walking the commentators through his tactics. Before the first ball was bowled I saw how meticulously he was setting the fields, moving around the fielders so that they were just in the places he wanted them to be, covering for all angles he was working on. Just before the first ball was bowled the commentators upstairs asked him “Warney, how are ya feeling?” He replied “Don’t know I’ll let you know after the first one”. After the first ball he replied “I think I am good to go”. 

It was then I thought I could be in for a real treat here. Now I can say that it was truly a treat. Though it was not the foot long turning of the ball or his endless bag of tricks but what was on display was the sheer class of the great man and his experience. At forty years of age no one expects him to turn the ball squarely as he used to do in his heydays, even he was aware of the limitations. Though the turn was missing the guile was still there. Frequently he tossed the ball up above the eye line of the batsman tempting him to go after his bowling lest he should mistime it and holes it out in the deep or misses the ball and leaves the clean-up job up to the keeper. The Wily Old Fox still had the thinking cap on. Though not as pronounced he was mixing up his subtle variations and was relying mainly on the variations in his speed. What was even more pleasing to see was the respect he commanded from the batsman. Though he wasn’t “The Shane Warne” he used to be seeing the batsmen playing his balls with respect was a treat to eye. 

The most apt instance to show the class of the Great One was a particular streak of four balls in one of his overs in the match. Ball one he spoke into mic that he would toss the ball, toss the ball he did. The next one was a bit flatter one. Again he prompted that he would toss the ball up. He did exactly that. Maybe he had gauged the batsman by then, spun a web safely around him only to devour him on his next move. He said he would pitch the ball further, he had the ball in his hand, strolling towards the crease, with the tongue sweeping across his lips, his eyes firmly set on batsman trying to gauge his move and with an the ever so casual action he delivered the ball. The ball was travelling through the air, the batsman got his feet moving, the batsman has walked across his stumps only to discover the ball has been pitched a fraction fuller, the batsman makes a futile attempt at sweeping the ball. The ball lands on leg stump line turns and hits the top of off stump. The batsman had been foxed, the prey slain, the Wily Fox delivering yet another master class. The stadium is up in celebration, all the team mates gathering around Warney, giving a pat on the back and surely having goose bumps on the back of their necks to bask in the aura of the true champion. 

The wicket that he took was the only one in the match. He returned with figures of 1 for 19 (not entirely sure, but something of that sorts). Though this is not the best of his performances I just wanted to put forth the fact that despite the tired fingers, despite the absence of those spinning cobras, despite the match being a T20 game (the format touted for the youth) despite everything, Shane Warne was delivering the goods for his team solely on his experience. It gets interesting to see veterans operate when they are past their best, when they have exhausted a good portion of their abilities all that remains with them is the distilled product of their vast experience. After seeing the performance I say it was a pleasure watching you bowl Mr. Warne as it always had been for all these years and I hope to see more of you in future.     

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The Agneepath Series

By Pradyut Hande

A Glance at India and Australia before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy gets Underway

A cricket crazy nation waits with bated breath as Team India; the second ranked Test team in the world takes on a significantly attenuated Australian side Down Under. Come this Boxing Day, the two sides will renew their fierce rivalry on the haloed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, going head to head in a highly combustible four test match series. Pundits and jingoistic fans are liable to pick the Indians as marginal favourites to clinch their first ever test series win against a doughty opponent at home; a feat they have failed to accomplish in over 9 visits, 36 Tests and 64 years! However, one would be naïve to write off Michael Clarke and his wards just yet. Team India may have a tremendous amount of experience to bank on as compared to the Australians, but games are never won on paper and words alone.

Riding high on a wave of moderate momentum after having beaten the English in a 5 game ODI series and then subsequently crushing a plucky West Indian side in a Test and ODI series, the Indians have arrived with a spring in their step and the winds of confidence in their sails.  However, one must note that these victories were all secured at home in batsman friendly conditions. Hence, there is a need to remain grounded and guarded. The severe drubbing they received at the unforgiving hands of the ruthless Englishmen on their last tour abroad will remain a grating abomination, indelibly etched at the back of their minds. Their away record may have undergone a gradual metamorphosis over the last few years under the talismanic MS Dhoni, but form and confidence can desert you at an alarming rate in alien conditions away from home (the Indians are no strangers to this bitter truth). The incentive to rectify their away record and that too in the backyard of a spirited adversary ought to propel them to rise to the occasion and play some quality cricket. An opportunity such as this seldom presents itself and it is imperative that Team India plays to its strengths and simultaneously exploits the fissures in the vulnerable Aussie team.

India’s strength indubitably lies in its batting line up that is capable of grinding the best bowling attacks in the world to dust when on song. The opening alliance between Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir will have to put its hands up and counter the new ball effectively in an attempt to set the foundation for sizable totals. The middle order lies in the reliable hands of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni himself. Young turks, Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma will fill the remaining specialist batsman’s spot. The pitches will aid bounce, pace and movement. The Indian batsmen are well aware of that fact and ought to know precisely what modifications to make to their existing techniques to adjust accordingly. Handling the short ball, which is the weapon of choice on these wickets, is of critical importance. The Indians’ frailties against bounce and seam away from home against even mediocre attacks are well documented. However, they need to bring all their experience into play against a relatively inexperienced Aussie attack. There also needs to be an emphasis on the rotation of strike and running between the wickets. These are cricketing fundamentals that may appear inconsequential at times but against a quality fielding unit, these minor elements can make a major difference in the cumulative scheme of things.

The Indian bowling line up although wears a forlorn look with the likes of Praveen Kumar, S Sreesanth and Varun Aaron ruled out with injury. The wily Zaheer Khan will be back to spearhead the attack; a palpable shot in the arm for the inexperienced bowling unit. However, it remains to be seen whether his fragile body that has a proclivity of often breaking down at the most inopportune of moments, is able to withstand the rigours of high intensity international cricket. The likes of Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Mithun and R. Vinay Kumar will have to step up to the plate and make healthy contributions. Moreover, this being their first trip Down Under, they need to make the critical adjustment in line and length as soon as possible. It promises to be a fruitful albeit steep learning curve for the young pace battery. Cricket aficionados the world over are eagerly awaiting the lip smacking duel between Ishant Sharma and the under fire Ricky Ponting which ignited during India’s previous tour to Australia. However, a plausible ankle injury may relegate Sharma to the bench, depriving India of some much needed experience. The spin department lies in the hands of the ever improving R Ashwin and the enterprising Pragyan Ojha. Ashwin is likely to get the nod ahead of his left arm spin twin, given his additional batting capabilities. On the whole, the bowling attack though low on experience does have the requisite skill and temperament to unsettle a brittle Aussie line up. The Indians also need to back their bowlers in the field and can ill afford to let slip too many chances against an unforgiving opposition. Their fielding has cost them dearly in the past and it is highly imperative that they lift themselves in that department.

The Australians for the first time appear to be grossly vulnerable at home. Gone are the days when they would dominate and pulverize opponents into submission. After the departure of sterling stalwarts such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer over the last few years; the team is undergoing a period of transitional rebuilding under Michael Clarke. The batting line up is relatively inexperienced with an unsettled opening combination. The poor form of senior pros such as Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey is a cause for concern. A spate of injuries to several players off late, particularly their potent bowling unit, has also added to their woes. The absence of upcoming talents such as Pat Cummins and Shaun Marsh is a major body blow to the home team. All in all, the squad lacks experience and depth. Add to that mix, low confidence fuelled by some horrendously inconsistent performances and the concomitant pressures of playing at home against a difficult challenger in India; and Australia’s job becomes all that much tougher. However, they definitely have what it takes to put paid to India’s elaborate plans and come out trumps.

The verbal salvos have been fired, the mind games are already underway and the stage is set for one humdinger of a series. Only time will tell whether India actually utilizes this priceless opportunity to drive home its advantage and conquer the “Kangaroo Frontier” or

whether Australia redeems itself by vanquishing the visitors in its own backyard…yet again. Who will walk the “agnee” path?

Who do you think will be the most influential player in this series? Leave your comments.

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Pradyut Hande
The Writer is presently pursuing his Bachelors in Business Administration at NMIMS, Mumbai. He attempts to address myriad issues of both domestic and global consequence, ranging from Business and Economics to Geopolitics...from Sports to Arts and Culture.

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