We are the Champions

That was historic.

An achievement which we have only heard of and seen visuals of, that is what we got to experience now. India has lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 after a long gap of 28 years.

The crowd here was electrifying. People dancing on the streets, bursting crackers, singing, screaming,doing victory laps and what not. Even we joined with our own style of celebrations, honking our bike horns in tune with the music being played out, and teaching new tunes to the locals to dance to.

The sheer euphoria out there on the streets defines what the game means to us Indians. The victory is not just about Sachin, Dhoni or the Indian team. It is much much bigger than that. It is about a long cherished dream coming true and given as a dedication to a true hero of the game.

Having said all these, today's match was one helluva final. Both the sides put up a good show.
India did well in the initial overs by restricting the Lankans. But Mahela's hard work put them at a challenging position. And Sehwag's and Sachin's premature exit made everyone lose confidence on the team. But Gambhir did a terrific job of digging in and fighting it out, helped by Kohli initially and Dhoni later on. I felt very sorry that he couldn't make it to his hundred. And also I believed it was unfair to have given the Man of the Match award to Dhoni. Gambhir deserved it more.

The game had lots of funny instances like Sehwag holding Simon Taufel's arm when he signaled a No-Ball, the funny mixups in the presentation ceremony, Munaf's monkey like posture in the dressing room gallery and subsequent appearance in half-pants to collect the medals, and Sreesanth's stupid looking face appearing everywhere. He was pathetic in performance except a couple of initial overs, and his "Sai Baba"/"Humbidi" style hairdo made it look like a complete buffoon.

There are many more things about this match, which we can see in the media in the upcoming days. So sit back and enjoy this very special moment.

Hope the extra monetary rewards find good use.

Kochi IPL Team - The True Koothara

Ha the breaking news is that the much awaited Kochi IPL Team is named as Indi Commandos Kerala.
Omg what a sick name. And to add on that, they have frigging sick logo which looks similar to some mosquito killer brand. But they can argue that the logo was meant to be symbolic about Kochi's rich mosquito tradition.

My entire twitter timeline and facebook feed is filled with statuses and links containing swear words, mockery, war cries and even suicide notes about this sickening decision by the team owners.

So, what is so special about this team or maybe Kochi, that brings someone to a point where they can do such outrageous acts? Lets examine some facts.

The news of IPL Kochi Team came out of the blue, giving some good hope for cricket fans in Kerala, for we only had the superby veruppikaling(irritating under the skin , literally ) Sreesanth to talk about as ours.

All was well for sometime when the allegation of a 'sweat equity' with sweethearts blew over and a decent politician Mr.Sashi Tharoor had to resign from the minister's post. It was followed by some really nasty exchange of comments and allegations between high profile persons in cricket and politics, exposing the ugly underbelly of the sport in the nation. Then there was the exit of Mr Lalit Modi, the father of IPL.

When it all seemed good, came the auctions. Kochi fans were eager to see a fighting team to cheer for, but most of us fainted on seeing the absurd selections made during the auction. That was the day the fans started turning against the 'franchise'. The whole setup was turning out to be a big joke on the face of Keralites, especially Kochiites.

The fuming and heart broken fans who were shifting their support to the other teams received a critical blow when the final team name was announced. This is not just a disgrace to the cricket fans in Kerala, but also a shame to all the people in the small but proud community.

What were these buggers thinking when they auctioned for a team, and now chose a name? A peek into their site will tell you rest of the story. Headquartered in Mumbai, having no relation to Kerala other than having the supremely irritating Sreesanth, and now sporting the name 'Kerala' in the team name. They also have an 'About Kerala' section in their site which contains.... Kerala toursim related links. WTBF!!!
And lo, they have already applied to the IPL Committee to shift their homeground to Ahmedabad. Now did they think it qualifies to be within Kerala?

Truely, this is very disgraceful and irritating. I see no love for the sport in this outfit, but just some marvadis and big business magnets trying to rake in the moolah from the cricket-frenzy nation. Buggers, you could have let us alone without having to insult so much. I just hope this team does not come in the news again for such nasty things, adding to our insult. May the sport be the final winner.

Related articles
Banana Corporation- Indi Commando Fail! What were they smoking?
Times of India article on fan reaction

God's Magic

Let me put it straight. What difference did yesterday double-ton make to Sachin or team India? It is just another number for the master, and just another win for the team. Lots of these have already been done, and records mean little to the master. He himself acknowledges the fact that in the end, one era's record becomes just a statistic in the next.

But really, when I asked the first question to myself, I was taken aback by my own callousness. How could I ask such a stupid question? "Doesn't the master's show impress me, captivate me, free me, enchant me, and excite me? Humph!"

That is what a single man can do to, not one, but millions of fans all over the world. Busy people in offices drop their meetings and tasks, and huddle near sources of the score. It is an unofficial break for all. I am sure it happens at all offices across India. The air of tension and excitement is evident at all homes, roads, office, public areas, buses, trains…wherever human beings exist. I don't need to tell anyone in India, what it means to have a match in which the master shows his 'Visvarupa'.

So, why all this frenzy? It’s understood that he plays a wonderful game, and fans naturally throng around him. But it is not just that. Sachin, is an icon, he is GOD (Atheists, you have an answer). To follow his game is like prayer, and the day he is in form, it is the pure bliss of watching/listening to the 'Work of God'.

One single man's actions cleansed maybe millions of souls and hearts yesterday. People forgot their enmities and celebrated his victory with joy. If Sachin prevails, why can't hope and love ? He certainly is the bearer of hope and courage for millions around the globe, and will remain so for a long time to come. He can single handedly make millions of Indians proud of their nationality and even existence. I salute you, oh master.

Fans look forward to him, the same way devotees look forward to their deities. Faith in God helps a devotee to overcome his hard times, and it is the same effect Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has on his millions of fans. To be able to witness 'God at Work' is what each fan wishes to achieve.

Will anyone of his class come along in near future? Nay, at least not in my lifetime. I believe that geniuses like him come by only once in a century. So just revel in the glory of the era of God. Watch him in action and gain salvation.

Daredevilry all the way...

Its already started..and I am late to post..

The second edition of the Indian Premier League(or the indian 'paisa' league) has been moved to South Africa and have so far been quite a different show from last year's.
Though facing criticisms for the moving of location, which brought in bad weather and the introduction of the Strategy Break...Modi's boys seem to have pulled it off superbly.

The games are of higher quality this time, with all teams being better informed compared to last year about the format. All teams are looking good and there is lot for the poor Indians watching it over television to celebrate...

Speaking of the teams..my favourite is .. Delhi Daredevils lead by none other than the flamboyant Daredevil 'Viru'...accompanied by a pack of power hitters and sharp bowlers. Its a well balanced side with some serious daredevilry in the players which makes them more dangerous than the other balanced power teams..like the Chennai Super Kings(my second favourite)

Just now was a clash of the titans DD v/s CSK ...a truly enjoyable T20 game ...packed with all batting action of De Villiers and Hayden accompanied by the masterful bowling and fielding by both teams ( PS: Vettori is THE master.. :D )..and with such a gripping ending that saw the DD pulling it off...hats off to both teams..

The competition is just beginning to tighten..with more action and drama to follow...whoa..what a carnival this is turning out to be.lets hope the weather doesn't spoil all the fun... and may the best team take the honours (again)...