Concentration

Concentration

Concentration is a word which is most required in each and every one's life in any matter.

here is one in respect of a sport.

I am a State Qualified Cricket Umpire from Karnataka.

I was officiating as umpire in a match between BUCC and Socials during 80's which is a major tournament conducted by The State Cricket Association.

Mr.Rahul Dravid and his friend Mr.Fazal Khaleel were batting with Rahul Dravid being Striker. I was at the Striker's end ( Square Leg end Umpire ).

During those days an umpire was counting the balls bowled either with marble or coins. I was using one rupee coin to count. Those days umpires were in the habit of wearing white coat too with big pockets. i was putting coins from right pocket to left pocket. Every time i put the coin, light sound was coming.

Suddenly Mr. Rahul Dravid who was the striker, came to me and politely requested me that he is hearing that sound which is disturbing his concentration. I was bit surprised and at the same time i was bit happy to about him regarding his concentration as well mine to improve the same in my umpiring career.

Today the same player has earned world record in the same game with high concentration.

Congrats Mr. Rahul Dravid.

Courtsey : Mr. Nagraj Sanameshwar, Karnataka State Cricket Association's qualified Umpire and Scorer on BCCI panel

Chris Lewis found guilty in smuggling of cocaine

Chris Lewis, the former England all rounder has been found guilty for smuggling cocaine. 41 year old Chris Lewis was arrested last year in December.He was carrying cans of fruit juice in which the custom officials have found cocaine and was arrested. The total value of the haul is estimated at £140,000, yet while Lewis told the jury he smoked cannabis while in St Lucia, he said he was "completely innocent" of knowingly smuggling in drugs to the country.

Angus frazer his former team mate said its sad incident and when Chris Lewis was playing he was used to buy only good things but since his cricket career is over the source of income has been reduced.

Kolkatta spoiled the party of Rajasthan

Kolkatta have spoiled the party of Rajasthan. Kolkatta defeated Rajasthan by 4 wickets. Laxmi Ratan Shukla played a brilliant inning of 48. It means last year's champions will have to pack their bags to home now.

They scored 101-9 in their alloted 20 overs. None of the batsman able to capitalize after getting start and their poor performance with the bat is continued.

Racism controversy hits Kinght Riders

Ajay Jadeja, a former cricketer told a TV channel yesterday that he had evidence and information from an Indian player in the KKR team who was racially discriminated by Andy Bichel, the bowling coach of the team. John Buchanan is their main coach. TV channels are claiming that player is Ajit Agarkar.

He was asked to come off the field and when he asked why, one of the KKR coaches told him, ‘You bloody Indian, you do what I ask you to do.”

KKR was hit earlier by many controversies including four captains theory and then bashing at senior cricket expert, Sunil Gavaskar by owner Shahrukh Khan. John Buchanan given all the rights during this season has dismissed Sourav Ganguly from Captaincy.

No wonder, they are out of this tournament and their presence is sheer formality. This season was nightmare for them.

It has been proven after two incidents, Indian cricketers are not comfortable with aussies. Greg Chappel and John Buchanan both had let down their team. Similarity between Greg Chappel and John Buchanan, thier team didnt qualify even in second stage. In World Cup 2007, India's jinx has been ended in 1st round under coaching of Greg Chappel and in IPL 2009, KKR couldnt give a single hope of qualifying for a semi final.

Mr. Shahrukh Khan - Jaago !! (be alert!!) get new coach but not an aussie. There are many free former players who are capable of coaching. Atleast you wont be having these much negative controversies.

Unsung heroes of the IPL 2009

Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha had made his impact in IPL 2009 with taking 11 wickets from 9 games.

His Record
Matches - 9
Wickets - 11
Economy Rate - 5.94
Average - 18.02

With such a good economy rate and where bowlers are bound to hit by the batsmen he managed it well and proved his part many times in the DC team. He is not afraid to bowl flighted deliveries and purchasing some turn from the South African pitches.

Shadab Jakati

Goa's slow left arm spinner, playing from Chennai Super Kings has taken 9 wickets from 5 matches so far.

Pinch Hitter or Night Watchman?

We see a lot of pinch hitters coming at no.3 when team need to score at higher strike rate. But it will be surprising to see who has started it? I remember one incident in 1989 India hosted Nehru Cup. In 9th match of the series at Kanpur against England, India won the toss and put England into bat. England scored 255/7 in 50 overs. It was tough score to surpass then. India had lost both the openers, Raman Lamba and K. Srikanth at the score of 65. With asking rate climbing over 6 it was very difficult situation to reach to the target. But with all surprises Captain, K Srikanth sent Chetan Sharma at no.4. Commentators were all in surprise. They didnt have word even for this situation. They knew that lower order or tailender batsman coming at no. 3 or 4 would be called night watchman in tests. But they didnt had a word for ODIs then.

Proving his captain's trust, Chetan Sharma scored his 1st and only ODI century and take India to home. In 1989 strike rate of about 75 was considered good but Chetan Sharma scored his 100 in just 96 balls and guided India to a victory.

I think this was the first ever incident when pinch hitter was used.

Do you agree with John Buchanan for more International players in IPL?

John Buchanan has said that there should be more International players in IPL.

John Buchanan forgot that it is a IPL - Indian Premier League and not International Premier League. BCCI has started this league to counter with ICL. Though its main objective is to earn money but still it is started to find young talent of India and to motivate them.

Looking at Kolkatta Knight Rider's performance in both the season it has been clear that Mr. Buchanan is not able to create any enthusiasm or any instinct in players.

Lets see Kolkatta Knight Rider's performance in both the IPL till date

Performance in first IPL

Kolkatta was placed 6th in IPL 2008, They started well with win over Vijay Malya's team Royal Challengers Bangalore but then failed to capitalize and then they started losing. Shahrukh Khan, the owner of Kolkatta Knight Riders had attended almost all the matches when Kolkatta played.

Captain - Sourav Ganguly
Matches Played - 14
Won - 6
Lost - 7
No Result - 1
Highest team Score - 222
Highest individual score - 158* (McCullum)

Overall points they got - 13

The fourth semifinalist team was Delhi Daredevils and their total points were 15.
They lost the semifinal place with just 2 points. McCullum played only 1st part of the IPL-2008.
Chris Gayle was injured so he didnt play a single match.

Now lets see the performance in IPL-2009 (records till 7/5/2009)

Captain - Brendon McCullum
Matches played - 9
Won - 1
Lost - 7
No Result - 1
Highest Team Score - 154/3
Highest Individual Score - 73* (Bradd Hodge)

Overall Points - 3

Even after scoring 154/3 their tournament's highest total they lost the match. They put down a lot of catches. They missed many run out chances. Their fielding was sloppy. Shahrukh Khan has spent 300 crores on team. He is paying John Buchanan a handsome amount. That is almost 4-5 crores. With dismal performance of Kolkatta, Shahrukh Khan had to come back home saying " Unless Kolkatta start winning he will not return to South Africa". Given all the authority and all the powers to John Buchanan he removed Sourav Ganguly from captaincy. I doubt he wanted him to be in team like his Austrlian fellow Greg Chappell. John Buchanan used all the International players more than Indian players. Still their performance in this tournament is pathetic so far.

Now Buchanan is asking for more International players in format.

He should look at Rajasthan team. Where all the Indian players are contributing. Yusuf Pathan, when seleted to IPL-2008, he had just one international match (T20I - World Cup final against Pak) on his name. Ravindra Jadeja, U-19 at that time had no international experience. Munaf Patel was struggling to get the place in Indian team. Mohd Kaif, sacked from Indian team. Rest all players were unknown in the circuit. He had few international players like Sohail Tanvir, who joined in second part of the IPL-2008. Shane Watson starred in that tournament. Mascarenhas didnt get much opportunities. Still they managed to win the torunament, courtsey Shane Warne's inspiring captaincy. Watson's all round performance and some heroic performances from Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Sohail Tanvir, Munaf Patel and Niraj Patel.

If you look at their performance in current tournament they are still one of the main contender for the semi final spot. This time they dont have Shane Watson and Sohail Tanvir and yet they are performing very well. Yusuf Pathan once again giving them many memorable wins. In last two matches Amit Singh took 8 wickets. Ravindra Jadeja contributing with both bat and bowl.
Kamran Khan, out of action right now due to suspicious bowling action, he has performed well. Munaf Patel at the death producing some super spells.

Mr. Buchanan its not compulsory that you can win with only foreign players, take some coaching tips from Shane Warne.