Ashwin Mankading : The other side of the story

A gentleman’s game. Thy name is cricket. It’s played with all seriousness and manly etiquettes or supposed to be played that way. But every action has an opposite reaction and sometimes demons, atleast that’s what the media calls them are born out of normal beings when they go overboard and challenge the set norm.

Ramchandran Ashwin is currently undergoing such flack as he ran out over enthusiastic Jos Buttler in an IPL match. The run out divided cricket fraternity into 2 worlds, confused BCCi for their official stand and made fans getting biased as per their local team affiliations.

Sportsmanship will always give verdict against Ashwin but one needs to look into this episode beyond virtuosity and revisit few basics through which the game is played.

Over the years, the game of cricket, atleast the limited overs format has become batsman friendly and rules tilt more in favour of them rather than the bowlers. 

Gone are the days, fearsome fast bowlers had the liberty to scare batsman. The surprise element with bouncers are now under restrictions per over. The batsman then sorts out even the lethals amongst the lot.

Spectators pay to watch the batsman score and feel dejected if wickets tumble. The game is moving towards box collections which ultimately have reduced the sporting pitches and made bowlers mentally prepared to get hammered. A strike rate of under 30 and economy rate below 7 are hugely appreciated against the old standards of the game.

The field restrictions add to the woe of the bowlers all the while. Batsmen are assured with restrictions and wilfully play for the gallery as records tumble, bowlers fumble and spectators roar.

The extras, especially no-balls changed the way they behave in contemporary cricket. They have become boon to batsman with the new rules incorporated few years ago.

Not the least, DRS has taken away the X-Factor of human errors which used to add spice to the game with human umpiring and many times, the bowlers getting it their way if not always !

So where does the bowler stand in today’s cricket?

He has to become more innovative and bring the variations all the while and add additional skills.

The competition for spot in 11 is extremely tough with youngsters tottering all the way.

With replacement options easily available, pressure to perform and provide results loom over the mind.

Ultimately, it’s out of box thinking and going against the tide bring wickets to the bowler.

With corporate IPL, the pressure to contribute has reached sky high and especially if you are a captain of struggling side, everything seem to be fair to win the game. That’s what precisely happened in the game between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals. Staying within the rule books, Ashwin did what many perceived as unwarranted. 

The discussions would drag on for fair play, but the game is bound to face challenges if rules of the game are written with spectators as top priority, then batsmen and bowlers being last on the list.

Disclaimer : The blog primarily looks to bring two sides of coin when the game of cricket is looked into batsman versus bowler sport. The opinion is individual and does not not intend to be judgmental on any specific individual or team.

Image courtesy: newsd. In 

- Jayawant 

IPL: Cricket and Political League

IPL, Indian Premier League and Indian Political League, the two big extravaganzas are getting kickstarted almost at the same time and we will know the winner for both of them in May 2019.

Both IPLs follow the schedule of multiple phases and each phase provides ups and downs to keep the followers excited on their toes all the while.

As the grand bonanza approaches, typical flow of players (or politicians) shifting teams for better opportunities is natural and we saw a lot of movement politically as well as in cricket franchises in recent times.

The captain and the coach are primary driving force for any team. Both of them, form core to build a team to take on any opposition. Howsoever good are the coaches or captains, the teams need to be potentially talented and own enough responsibility to bring victory. 

That’s what is required in cricket as well as politics. 

The Cricket League 2019 will revolve around few greats like Dhonis, Kohlis whereas political league will have Modis, Gandhis and Bannerjees hogging the limelight.

The political league is virtually split into 3 major teams NDA, UPA and Third Front. The captains are in saddle for NDA and UPA whereas the third front has kept it as an open question to sort it out at appropriate time. 

The NDA is led by NaMo backed by super proactive coach Amit Shah. They know their strengths and weakness and have pulled strong leaders from other parties to improve winnability. Both of them are experts in playing the mind games and invoke emotions in self as well as opposition which will make any cricket captain proud of the shrewdness.

The UPA is undergoing a phase where they have a captain who himself has not been able to rise to occasion. With the constraint of not being allowed to change the captain, the coaches are securing their careers rather than mentoring and overruling the struggling captain. Remember Ponting and Gambhir left their roles when coaches told them in past IPLs. Unless and until, such strong message is passed by the coach, the UPA will continue to remain under illusion of winability for 2019.

The third front is like those teams who tend to believe in match fixing rather than putting a spirited fight. The coach, the captain and team members are focused on self gain rather than strategy to defeat the top teams. However, such teams are bound to extract their pound of flesh and create bottlenecks for the progress for rest of the teams whether in cricket or politics.

No bonanza is successful if not backed by the followers whether as spectators or as voters. Supporting your team is a must to make them through in next two months.

The winner in cricket league may give few heartburns but won’t impact our lives, but the political league is way far different. It will decide the future of the country and its citizens. 

We need to be alert, aware and pragmatic enough to choose the right team, captain and the coach when the opportunity is presented and at the of the day, we normally get what we deserve.

Till May 2019, time to enjoy the league and may the best team whether cricket or political, win.

• Jayawant 

Disclaimer: The comparison between cricket and politics is mere imagination of the blogger and only highlight the similarities of super emotions they invoke.

All posts  on this blog are the works of Jayawant and any unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without the express and written permission of the author is strictly not allowed. You may use excerpts and links or repost of this material provided that complete and clear credit is given to author and with clear directions to the original content.

Image courtesy: ‘ ipl20. com’ & statesman. com

Manohar Parrikar : A soldier par excellence

A rare phenomenon in politics called honesty, simplicity and integrity made an untimely exit today. 

Manohar Parrikar, an ideal role model for younger generation of politicians, an engineer par excellence and above all, a person full of modesty and humility was needed most when the nation is undergoing a makeover to its image to call itself a resurgent India.

Parrikar came from a state known for its natural beauty, beaches, adorable people and having least impact on national politics.

A state dominated by Pratapsinh Rane, Ravi Naik and natural occupier of the CM’s post called Congress, it was Parrikar who slowly but firmly built his party BJP and created an aura for himself and his party which will be indomitable to overcome in the state of Goa for years to come.

Sincerity and integrity are said to be two most important parameters for any engineer who wants to build a platform for the future. Parrikar used these qualities par excellence to make a difference to Goa when it was more known for Casinos and mining mafias and then as obedient servant of BJP to move to Delhi as Defence Minister without even a flip in his thoughts.

Whatever the role, it was always a matter of analysis and getting into new shoes for Parrikar. A transition from Panji to Delhi with full of uncertainty in a new city, seasoned bureaucracy and no prior experience of handling the central ministry would have given jitters to any leader but not Parrikar.

As Chowkidar of defence ministry, he was part of a legacy which made two biggest contributions to the nation, one being the surgical strike on our notorious neighbour and then giving India’s depleted forces a much awaited combat aircraft in the form of Rafale 

For ages, we have learnt and read Indian forces are capable to combat but it was under Parrikar that the forces could open the fire to showcase the supremacy.

As they say, party is supreme, so said Parrikar and he left back to Goa never to return to Delhi and limelight.

It was extremely disappointing to see him being dragged in Rafale controversy when he was counting last days of his life. As part of tradition, those who were behind him will definitely pay condolences but the scar left on a man with ‘Nation First’ psyche will be difficult to accept and understand.

We will always remain indebted to him for it was he who taught us to rejuvenate and respond ‘High (Parrikar) Sir !’ when anyone pushes us to test our spirits and make us respond to “How’s the JOSH?” 

Goans have lost their son and the nation faces  an irreplaceable loss of one of its most humble brave soldier in Parrikar. 

May the soul of Manohar Parrikar rest in peace and his smiling face remain in our hearts forever. 

Disclaimer : The blog is primarily written as a mark of respect to one of the most respected and honest politicians of our times and does not extend to current politics and any political parties. 

Image Courtesy: India TV

- Jayawant

Rise of the Son in law : Robert Vadra

Moradabad is a city in Uttar Pradesh which was named after prince Murad Baksh way back in 1600s.

Literal meaning of the word ‘Murad Baksh’ somewhere correlates to fulfilment of wishes.

With elections and aims looming around, the only son-in-law of grand old party Congress(I) Robert Vadra is pondering to bring his Murad to a reality through this ancient city of Moradabad.

With the intent known, a natural leader is born and many followers automatically generated. However the words publicly uttered are now subject to legal clearance on account of morality and time will decide whether Murad is BukshED or its an end of a political career even before it is Aabad.

The ancient history across the world follows the path of handing over the reins of kingdom to the eldest son,eldest daughter, daughter in law and in exceptional cases to nephews but hardly ever any son in law was made the ruler and the congress party has followed this lineage theory over the years.

A look back into congress history going before partition had Motilal Nehru being the President of Congress.He had 2 daughters namely Vijayalakshmi and Krishna and son Jawahar. However when it mattered to handover the party reins, it was the son who was chosen over daughters and the baton did not go to any of the daughters and son in laws thereof. The handover of President’s post to son is said to be one of the most emotional moments for the father.

Few years down the line, Jawaharlal Nehru had a competent daughter and firebrand son-in-law in Feroze Gandhi. When it came to passing on the baton, daughter scored over Feroze Gandhi and he lead a life in oblivion. 2nd time son in law lost the race.

History beckoned to handover reins of party to Rajiv Gandhi and then power accumulated with the daughter in law Sonya Gandhi, making her one of the most powerful ladies in the country.

With Congress getting a beating across the country and the first family needing unity, it was quite pragmatic for the daughter Priyanka Gandhi to step in for the mother and support brother Rahul Gandhi. The followers were in a hooray mood with Priyanka arrival and then came the news of Vadra’s keenness to join the bandwagon.

It would be quite interesting to see how far the political career of Robert Vadra goes. Whether it will follow the tradition of hundred years of sidelining the son-in-law or will he be instated in a major role?

Whatsoever, the grand family will have to prove its mettle going forward as emotions won’t assure the public popularity. The times have changed and only a real leader who can make a difference to people’s lives will cut the edge and legacy (or no-legacy) will not make anyone an acceptable leader.

Interesting and crucial times ahead for the grand old party and testing times for the voters. Real time for voters to conclude “Janta Sab Janti Hai” (जनता सब जानती है )

Image courtsey : NDTV

Disclaimer : The view published in the blog is a personal opinion of the author and does not intend to make any comment or judgment on the grand old Congress Party.

- Jayawant