The Master's back !!
Was I lucky or what ? I got to see the Master's return to International cricket live. And what a nice way to come back. From ball one, he played with an assurance that was clearly missing for about 3 years now. It felt like he was spending the last 6 months listening to people calling out his cricketing demise.The picture perfect on-drive more than validated all our little efforts to stay awake on a week day. Watching him bat yesterday,made me feel that he is out to prove to all his critics, that he can still demolish any attack if he wishes to. Expecting to see a lot more from him this series !
Irfan pathan gave him admirable company and showed that he had a very good head on his young shoulders. The refreshing thing was that every boundary of his was almost always followed by a tame and intelligent single. In spite of his terrific innings,
Dravid called him a "bowler who could bat". Although Irfan has a long way to go before he can be called an allrounder, that statement from Rahul surprised me a little. Agarkar was called an all rounder for a long time before he was downgraded to a "bowler who can bat" ( a "bowler who can hardly bat" would have suited him better).Kumble and Harbhajan singh were hugely hyped when they got 30's and 40's for the first time, as India's budding all rounders. Considering all the hype in the past, it does surprise me that Pathan who has a batting average in excess of 25 and has 3 50's already is still considered a bowler who can bat. I don't disagree with the evaluation, but this "take it slow" attitude has never been India's attitude in the past.
Irfan pathan gave him admirable company and showed that he had a very good head on his young shoulders. The refreshing thing was that every boundary of his was almost always followed by a tame and intelligent single. In spite of his terrific innings,
Dravid called him a "bowler who could bat". Although Irfan has a long way to go before he can be called an allrounder, that statement from Rahul surprised me a little. Agarkar was called an all rounder for a long time before he was downgraded to a "bowler who can bat" ( a "bowler who can hardly bat" would have suited him better).Kumble and Harbhajan singh were hugely hyped when they got 30's and 40's for the first time, as India's budding all rounders. Considering all the hype in the past, it does surprise me that Pathan who has a batting average in excess of 25 and has 3 50's already is still considered a bowler who can bat. I don't disagree with the evaluation, but this "take it slow" attitude has never been India's attitude in the past.
posted by dinesh at
2:00 PM
10 Comments:
Sachin's injury woes must have been the reason for his subdued batting. Anyways, it is really great news for us. Hope Gangs strikes form and finds his place in the team. Sachin, shewag, ganguly, dravid, kaif/VVS, yuvraj, Dhoni will form a great batting line up for 2007 world cup. If irfan turns out into a alrounder will there be any reason for us to lose 2007 world cup?
By
P B, at 3:10 AM
Agarkar- a “player” who gets million opportunities in spite of pedestrian performance, Why was Balaji dropped Balaji bowled well in Pakistan was in lime light, got injured, failed in Sri Lanka, he was shown the door, while Agarkar who fails at regular intervals and inconsistent
Some how still finds a seat in the main eleven. How? Someone needs to learn his art of survival
Ravi Shastri still talks about this “unknown batting talent” of Agarkar” Duh.
By
Sriks, at 8:57 AM
"bowler who can bat"
something like
"a batsmen who can keep"
:)
By
Sriks, at 8:59 AM
Pathan definitely not yet graduated to be called as an alrounder, just because Agarkar was earlier or even now is called as alrounder. Lets not already keep him on the top and ruin his career. Dravid's qualfying remarks are right about Pathan. Let me make a sweeping statement, when Dravid says something it seems to be facts-without-frills (this includes his recent remark, a well known thing, about sachin) :)
Sriks,
By saying, "a batsman who can keep", I am sure that you have not mentioned "wicket-keeping talent" of Agarkar...i guess, rather you mentioned, wicked keeping of Agarkar act :)
By
Anonymous, at 10:15 AM
PB - Yeah, solradhellam nalla dhaan irukku. But nadakkaradhu ellam avlo easy ille raja !
Sriks - It is indeed irritating. I share the same view about Balaji. Balaji, was terrific all along..was a very hard worker with very good mechanics. Agreed, he didn't have the talent that Irfan has. But why kill somebody's confidence ? Balaji was regularly providing india with break throughs and toiled through difficult phases. And who do you replace him with ? Agarkar ? It was ridiculous !
Sridhar - I agree with your characterization "facts without frills". I am just saying, that nobody's ever done that in india before. It's always been hype, hype and more hype.
By
dinesh, at 8:51 AM
if at all i watch cricket again, it shud be for the little big man's straight drive with minimum follow through and that slight nod of his head, after a moment.
By
expertdabbler, at 6:11 AM
Seriously da Dinesh.. the absence of Ganguly has totally revived Cricket in me.
As far as Dravid's comment, I was surprised by it also, but I think it was a deliberate move to keep Pathan's head in check and also prevent the media from going nuts over a one-off game. A good comparison might be Wasim Akram. Regardless of his overall ability, Akram was never really tabbed as a genuine all-rounder, was he? I guess Pathan needs a few more knocks to start getting some serious attention as an all-rounder.
By
Sriram, at 9:14 AM
unga blog pakkam ponnunga varave vendaamaa!!!
By
Maayaa, at 10:28 AM
PK - oh yeah man, we got a lot of what you talk about these 2 games. What a feeling !! And the swwp of vaas in the 2 nd game..must have been embarasssing to vaas !
Sriram - yeah, you're right...akram was never tabbed an all rounder. And yes, it is a reasonable analogy. And with the bowling as well, pathan might be a yard shorter in pace. But otherwise, he's the only one thaht has a chance !
Priya - cricket therinja ponnungala irundha better nu paathen ;)
By
dinesh, at 10:59 AM
cricket therinja ponna..ok ok!
GOt it.
By
P B, at 1:21 PM
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