Sachin: A Billion Dreams

Sachin: A Billion Dreams

A documentary on Sachin, presented to you by Sachin himself…..overloaded with nostalgia and revisiting the key milestones of his 24-year-long career.

One walks away with nothing new about Sachin. His partnership with Ganguly, Dravid, VVS and Kumble is totally ignored. The controversies and rivalry with Azhar is not addressed. His fallout with Kambli is missing. The failed captaincy and match fixing scandal is not properly covered. The documentary does not touch up on anything that could be uncomfortable for the master.

The documentary is inspiring and emotional. Be prepared for some tears on the way.

Sachin… Sachin… chant is a big highlight. 🙂

Must see for all Sachin fans.

Rating: 2.5/5

4.5/5 for Sachin Fans 🙂

Stuffed Peppers (with Rice, Vegetables and Pine)

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 10 Scallions, finely chopped
• 2 Red bell pepper, cored and cut in half
• 2 Yellow bell pepper, cored and cut in half +1 Yellow bell pepper, cored & diced
• 1 Green bell pepper, cored and diced
• 1 Zucchini, diced
• 2 Tablespoons pine nuts
• 300g (1 ½ cups) Arborio rice
• 1 Tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• Sea salt

Method

• In a saucepan bring water to a boil (or preferably Vegetable Stock if you have it available), then add the rice and a spoon of salt and cook until the rice is done, preferably al dente.
• Drain the excess of water.
• Have all the vegetables well washed and prepared as indicated in the ingredients description.
• While the rice is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a stir fry pan over medium heat, add the pine nuts and sauté for around 1 minute until golden.
• Add then the scallions, and the yellow and green bell peppers.
• Add 1 teaspoon salt (or salt to taste), sprinkle the ground pepper and stir and cook for around 3 minutes until lightly soft but not brown.
• Remove the stir fry pan from the heat. Add to the vegetable and pine nuts mix the drained rice and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Mix it all together well.
• Stuff the peppers with the rice mixture and serve.

Variation

• You could also serve it after Baking
• Preheat oven to 200°C (400° F).
• Top the stuffed pepper with Parmesan cheese.
• Set peppers upright in an 8×8-inch baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and the peppers are tender, about 10-15 minutes.

India legend Tendulkar to retire after series with England

Sachin Tendulkar finally admitted that age has taken its toll on him and he has decided to retire after the home series against England.  He also admitted that he has been considering his retirement date lately and acknowledged that he knew before the series that  the end of his extraordinary cricket career was not far away.

‘I’m 39 and I knew don’t I have plenty of cricket left in me, and my performance have not been good.  I am not delivering what is needed.  It is time for me to call it a day.’ Tendulkar told the news channels.

Tendulkar, who holds many major batting records including most runs and most centuries in both tests and limited-overs internationals, said it was natural to think of retirement especially considering his poor performance in the last 15 test matches. ‘It was not abnormal for me to think of it. At that moment, I will concentrate on the rest of the series,’ Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar, who has restricted his participation in one-dayers over the past few years and does not play Twenty20 internationals, said finally quitting all international cricket was a tough decision to make. ‘It’s… been my life. All of a sudden there has come this moment when I have had to say I can’t go on,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what is in store. If I knew, I would not have to wait 22 years to lift the World Cup. Perhaps, I would have done it the first time in Australia in 1992.’

A World Cup title had eluded Tendulkar until India finally clinched it in his home town of Mumbai last year. Speculation about Tendulkar’s future plans was heightened after senior batsmen Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman announced their retirements this year, and especially after he struggled during a two-test home series against New Zealand in August and September.

Tendulkar was bowled through bat and pad by Kiwi pace bowlers all three times he got to bat, with critics attributing it to his age.  He performance were no different in the first two test against England.

Tendulkar  had earlier said before the series, ‘I need not take a call right now. When I play in November (against England), I will reassess things. I’m still the best judge of what happens to my mind and body. When I feel it is time, I will take a call.’

Earlier this year, Tendulkar became the first batsman to complete a century of international centuries. He has scored 51 centuries in Tests and 49 in one-day internationals – accumulating 15,533 runs in Tests, and 18,426 in one-day internationals.

And suddenly, Chotu was woken up by the noise from the next room, only to realise that he was only dreaming about the news of Sachin’s retirement.  He prayed that his idol for 23 years would go out on a high and not finish his great career in such a pathetic way.  It was time get ready and rush to office.

Disclaimer :

The above post is a fictitious and imaginary story and has nothing to do with any real person.

Classic Article on Sachin by Harsha Bhogle ( Written on the eve when India lost to SA )

Dedicated to all those inconsequential creatures who mindlessly bash the man 

Remember when you failed an examination. How many people recall that, your class, friends, relatives? You failed to make it to the IITs or IIMs. Who remembers. How many times have you had the feeling of being the best in your class, school , university, state….., you failed to get a visa stamped this quarter…, you missed a promotion this year…, how did it feel when you dad told you in your early twenties that you are good for nothing…..and now your boss tell you the same…

You keep introspecting and go into a shell when people most of whom don’t matter a dime in your life criticize you, back bite you, make fun of you. You are left sad and shattered and you cry when your own kin scoffs at you. You say I am feeling low today. It takes a lot from us to come out of these everyday situations and move on. A lot??? really?

Now here’s a man standing on the third man boundary in the last over of a world cup match. The bowler just has to bowl sensibly to win this game. What the man at the boundary sees is 4 rank bad bowls bowled without any sense of focus, planning or regret. India loses, yet again in those circumstances when he has done just about everything right.

He does not cry. Does not show any emotion. Just keeps his head down and leaves the field. He has seen these failures for 22 years now. And not just his class, relatives, friends but the whole world has seen these failures. We are too immature to even imagine what goes on in that mind and heart of his. That’s why I would never want to be Sachin.

True, he has single handedly lifted to moods of this entire nation umpteen number of times. He has been an inspiration to rise above our mediocrity. Nobody who has ever lifted the willow even comes close to this man’s genius. His dedication and metal strength is unparallel. This is specially for those people who would have made fun of him again last night when India lost. They are people who are mediocre in their own lives. Who just scoff at others to create cheap fun. Who have lived in a small hole throughout their lives and thought they have seen the oceans.

Think about the man himself. He is 37 years of age. He has been playing almost non stop for 22 years. The way he was running and diving around the field last night would have put 22 year olds to shame. The way he played the best opening quickies in the world was breathtaking. He just keeps getting better which is by the way humanly impossible. Its not for nothing that people call him GOD.

But still I don’t want to be in those shoes. We struggle in keeping our monotonous lives straight, lives which affect a limited number of people. Imagine what would be the magnitude of the inner struggle for him, pain both mental and physical, tears that have frozen with time, knees and ankles and every other joint in the body that is either bandaged or needs to be attended to every night, eyes that don’t sleep before a big game, bats that have scored 99 international tons and still see expectations from a billion people.

And he just converts those expectations into reality. We watch in awe, feel privileged.

Well I think its time that his team realizes that enough is enough. They have an obligation, not towards their country alone but towards sachin. They need to win this one for him. Stay assured that he himself will still deliver and leave no stone unturned to make sure India wins this cup.

This is not just a game, and he is not just a sportsman. Its much more than this. Words fail here…..

— HARSHA BHOGLE

Gambhir is India’s best batsman

Gambhir is India’s best batsman

Right from the toss things went right for India in Kanpur, leaving Sri Lanka with plenty of thinking to do, especially on the bowling front

Sourav Ganguly

November 28, 2009

India won the second Test convincingly in Kanpur. MS Dhoni and the boys will be surprised with the ease with which they won, specially after the resistance Sri Lanka put up in Ahmedabad. They dominated the Test there but it was an absolute no-show here; it was a soft performance from them and I’m sure Kumar Sangakkara will be disappointed with that.

Winning the toss will always be an advantage in India, and Dhoni has done that job well in the two Test matches. The Indians once again batted brilliantly, which is so important on the first day of a Test as it just sets up the game for the team.

Virender Sehwag must be a satisfied man after the hundred – his last Test century was nearly 15 months ago, which is not something you associate with him in Tests. His success rate is superb and it amazes me why he doesn’t replicate it in one-dayers. Every time he bats, he scores at such a pace that it puts the team in a winning position, and it was the reason India got to 400 on day one in Kanpur. He played some breathtaking shots against the spinners and that’s where he is so good. He has to learn to do that in one-day cricket as he has not performed to his potential in that format.

Gautam Gambhir once again batted beautifully. He is in the form of his life and just doesn’t look like getting out. He said that the reason he is playing well is because he feels secure in the team. This is true, and this should be applied to every player; the captain’s faith is very important in a player’s career, and Dhoni has given Gambhir that. He just gets better and better every day, and is the best Indian batsman at the moment.

I also admire his mental state. He decided to take the final Test off for his sister’s wedding. A lot of people will jump off their seats on hearing that, but I think he has done the right thing. Family is always first and sisters’ weddings are special for their brothers.

Sri Lanka will have a lot to worry about before the next Test in Mumbai. They will have to rethink their combination, as playing three spinners is a luxury against India. They must remember that if two can’t deliver the third one won’t. The extra spinner will always be under-bowled. The best combination for Sri Lanka on Indian soil is two spinners and two fast bowlers.

Sri Lanka need to rethink their fast bowling attack as well. Winning a Test in India with Angelo Mathews taking the new ball is absolutely impossible. Sri Lanka may want to think of Dilhara Fernando in place of Mathews in their side for the third Test. The track at the Cricket Club of India will be helpful for fast bowlers and Dilhara would be the better option with his extra pace and bounce.

I am also eagerly waiting to watch Muttiah Muralitharan at his best in Mumbai, because it is probably his last series in India. That fact should provide some extra motivation for him to mark the Test with an extraordinary performance. To do that he needs proper bowling support from the other end. Here Ajantha Mendis comes into the picture. I strongly believe that Mendis is a class bowler and class is always permanent.

Sri Lanka need to rethink their fast bowling attack. Winning a Test in India with Angelo Mathews taking the new ball is absolutely impossible

I think he lacks confidence, but he can bring out his excellent bouquet of variations any day. The reason for Mendis’ success has been his accuracy and of late he has lost that. He needs to spend some time in the nets and it will come back soon. He must also remember that with the start he has had in his career, he will go through a phase like the one at present, and he needs to hold his head high. Players around the world will work him out and he needs to get it right so that he again becomes the threat he used to be. His and Murali’s performances will be key in the final Test, on a pitch that will assist them.

As for India, I am very happy with Sreesanth’s performances. I have always had huge faith in his talent. He is one of the rare fast bowlers who can use the seam properly both ways. I hope Sree will not look back from here and will justify his talent properly. He can do everything else for the rest of his life but he cannot get back this golden time of his cricket career. I strongly feel that the Indian fast bowling attack with Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma can do well both home and abroad. Now it’s Sree’s turn to take this opportunity and become a permanent member of the team.

It will be a good Test in Mumbai as the pitch will provide a fair contest between bat and ball. The Sri Lankans will have to improve their performance or it will be an uphill task for them right till the end of the one-day series.

Sourav Ganguly led India in 49 Tests between 2000 and 2005, winning 21

Warne rooting for Kolkata, not Gilly

Warne rooting for Kolkata, not Gilly

New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan seems to have worked his charm on Shane Warne. While many would have expected him to support former team-mate and Deccan skipper Adam Gilchrist ahead of the opening game against Kolkata in Mumbai on Friday, Warnie instead is backing SRK’s all-new purple and gold brigade.

“Ps hyderabad or kkr today? Good luck to srk and his team!! am a big fan of his!!!,” Warne tweeted this afternoon after a practice session with his own team, where Shaun Tait impressed him with his speed.

The Aussie pacer, Warne wrote, was “scary fast” and “bowling so quick no one wants to face him in nets”. However, it’s Munaf Patel who is “the leader and captatin of our bowling team”.

Warne tweeted that he was looking forward to some good performances from the overseas player. “Lumb excited and smashing them. Smith looks focussed and determined. Martyn looks in silky touch, Dimma hitting them long and clever bowling.”

The skipper also had a special word for Yusuf Pathan, who is in “amazing touch. Hit 10 6’s yesterday off 28 balls! wow.”

Warne said he was also looking forward to “resuming my 20 year battle with my good friend the little master (Sachin)”.

Rajasthan Royals take on Delhi Daredvils in their first game on Monday at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.

‘Smith, Tait the key for Rajasthan Royals’

New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has pointed out that South Africa captain Graeme Smith and Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait hold the key to the team’s success in the IPL.

Warne wrote on his Twitter page that the South African opener has arrived in India and so has Tait, and have started practising.

“A huge welcome also to Smithy and big Taity. Also Naman Ojha to training… great to see the lads.. They are all big keys to our campaign IPL3,” Warne wrote on Wednesday.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha is also a key player for the team as the player has had a good domestic season

Warne also added that his spin bowling mentor Terry Jenner joined the Royals training camp who handed out tips to players.

Warne gushed about his own bowling form in the practice session as well.

“…Had a really good bowl today… felt great! My bowling mentor Terry Jenner alias (the) spin doctor has come for a few days,” he wrote.

The Aussie spin legend, also the coach of the Rajasthan Royals, was positive about his team after a training session along with Jenner.

“It’s great to be back working with him and seeing results. The Royals had the best session so far. Everyone worked hard. Good skills in group 4,” he said.

Jadeja’s absence won’t hurt Royals, says Warne

Jadeja’s absence won’t hurt Royals, says Warne

Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals would miss their star performer Ravindra Jadeja in the third edition of the Indian Premier League which starts from March 12, but Shane Warne thinks that team has enough arsenal to lift the title for the second time in three years.

“Jadeja had performed extremely well in the first edition and even at the international stage he is doing very well. He would be definitely missed but we still have the likes of Abhishek Jhunjhunwala who can perform well and prove themselves on this stage,” Warne said.

Jadeja’s hope of playing in the event went up in smoke after the IPL governing council turned down his appeal against a one-year ban, which was imposed for negotiating a contract without informing his side.

The Australian spin legend said they would start the season as underdogs and that would work to their advantage.

“Nobody gave us chance in the first IPL and despite that we emerged the champions,” the leg-spinner added.

Sounding a warning to all other teams, Warne said they are ready to surprise rivals with their own brand of game.

“After two years of competition the teams are predictable but there is always an element of surprise. We did it in IPL-I and that was our brand of cricket.

“The other teams copied it, which proves that our brand was successful. This year too, we have a number of options and that might be used as secret weapons,” Warne said.

Knight Riders hope new jersey changes luck

Knight Riders hope new jersey changes luck

Mumbai: The Kolkata Knight Riders have changed their jersey colour. And it could be to lure Lady Luck onto their side.

The Knight Riders, who had in the earlier two editions turned out in black and gold jerseys, will now be seen in purple and gold. While unveiling the new jersey in Mumbai on Tuesday, team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan said he was hoping the purple jerseys would attract more women fans to his team.

The Bollywood superstar emphasised that superstition wasn’t the reason behind the change, but the changes were to allow the Knight Riders to have a fresh start in the 2010 season. “We have not changed because of superstition,” Shah Rukh said. He said he wanted his team to leave the past behind and look ahead.

“It’s difficult to be upbeat when you are not doing well but that is where I come in. We can’t keep on living with what happened in the last two years and keep on thinking ‘aisa hua, waisa hua’. I want the team to make a fresh start,” Shah Rukh said.

“I am told the girls like it (the purple colour). So we hope to make a lot of money and have the girls on our side and hopefully we will win,” the star said in a lighter vein.

Shah Rukh also rubbished the notion of him quitting the franchise due to his team’s bad run in the tournament. “I have never equated the team’s performance with making money. Hopefully, however, the team will start to win more matches in the coming weeks,” he said.

The Knight Riders captain, Sourav Ganguly said that he wanted his team to play without fear of failure and expressed the hope that the local players would do well. “I want the team to play freely; have fun, and let there be no pressure on anyone. Hopefully the local players will fire for themselves and for the team. A good performance in the IPL would get them a look-in into the national team.”

The team’s bowling coach, Wasim Akram said, “I have not done something like this before. This team has a lot of talent and the boys have worked hard. I believe they will do well.”

Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders had a practice game in Mumbai on Tuesday against a local club. The Knight Riders won the match by 27 runs, with Englishman Owais Shah and Rohan Gavaskar delivering solid knocks and most of the bowlers finding their rhythm.

Akram helping Ishant regain form

Akram helping Ishant regain form

Kolkata: IPL 2010 will see Ishant Sharma back at his menacing best, Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling coach Wasim Akram has asserted.

“Ishant was down when it came to self confidence and belief. His morale was low which can happen to any cricketer but you will see a change in the IPL,” Akram, who took over the bowling coach duties from former Australia paceman Andy Bichel, told Mid-day.

“You will see him performing at his best. The rhythm is back too,” Akram said.

The former Pakistani paceman has been spending quality time with the Knight Riders’ pace spearhead during the last few days. The 21-year-old pacer has been sweating it out at the nets under the watchful eyes of Akram. The former Pakistan captain has been observing every detail about Ishant’s bowling, from his head position to grip and follow through, and pointing out corrective measures.

Ishant has been struggling for form since his breakthrough tour to Australia in 2007-08 where he troubled the best Australian batsmen, especially Ricky Ponting.

The Indian paceman was grateful to Akram for the extended session. “Having Wasimbhai here is great. I can’t ask for a better opportunity to learn and improve,” Ishant told the newspaper.

KKR coach Dav Whatmore stressed that Akram’s tips to Ishant would have an all-round effect. “Wasim’s tips to Ishant will not only help our team, but India as well,” he said.

Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be delighted to hear that but Deccan Chargers, the Knight Riders’ opponents in opening encounter of IPL 2010 on March 12 may not be rejoicing.