Pinch Hitter - All Comments

re: Spare Sachin

Sajith — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:51:37 GMT

Twin - I agree with you. One bad series does not a career make or should be judged by. THese players have achieved a lot more than that. Laxman continued to score though didn't get the support to carry on for a big one and couldn't quite push on himself. Dravid finally found some form in the last innings. Sachin played them with no apparent discomfort but never quite converted. However Saurav looked a bit out of his depth. He plonked his front foot forward and would then try to play around it. Also he begins to get an even greater liability on the field, something which neither Sachin (a very good first slip as well as outfielder) and Dravid and Laxman (both excellent slip fielders) are not. Saurav is an amazing player, a fighter with tremendous mental strength. But his time is nigh - he ought to bid good bye. As a selector, I would tell him so.

re: Cricket Tickles

A.B.Lal — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:56:58 GMT

Notwithstanding the statistics given, I think several cricketers in the past have praised Keki Tarapore's coaching skills. Incidently, Rahul Dravid, arguably, one of the best and most consistent batsmen of all times, was also coached by Taraporewala. So has Dravid become 'the Wall' despite Keki's coaching? May be, one doesn't need to be a great player to become an effective coach.

re: Coaching Blues

Manoj Madhavan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:03:43 GMT

i think the key word here is perspective. it is not possible for the young (you are coaching the 15-20 year-olds, i guess, give or take a few years here and there) to fully understand what perspective is. that comes only with experience, and you wil know this well, of having faced the bouncers, of having got out first ball, of having hit that six, of having dropped that vital catch and lost the match, of also hitting that winning run and being held aloft by your team mates, its all about lying awake in the dark and wondering why you lost and also about lying awake for the sheer happiness at having won.

yes, its all about perspective. they wont know it just yet. but you need to tell them. its good you are able to do it. one day, they will know what it means and how to apply it to life.

elsa

re: Coaching Blues

Kaushal — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:38:29 GMT

I can also coach somewhat on XBOX!! :-p

re: Boon for batsmen, a nightmare for bowlers

Kaushal — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:31:14 GMT

I think the rule would be tested in the India-SriLanka series on a trial basis and not in the Asia Cup as suggested by you.

re: Coaching Blues

rajesh mishra — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:51:45 GMT

Am a great one for insider perspective. Having played the game at a fairly high level, you bring a level of understanding beyond most of us. And your approach of doing the hard yards with the boys stands testimony of your hands on approach. And this is a quality that you take beyond the sports arena. Sport, it is said, is a microcosm of life. Good shot partner. Keep them coming!

re: Coaching Blues

Sajith — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:42:53 GMT

Twin, I have never been prouder of you. Your approach of humility combined with camaraderie will inspire the children. And if you can influence even one, and I mean just one, of them to be a better person; to play the game and excel in it; to study hard and do well - you will have achieved more than what 99.9999% of the rest of us can ever aspire to. Cricket is more than anything else a mental sport. And if the qualities you espouse above are ingrained in the children, they will be successful in any and all spheres of life - on the field and off it. Well done twin and keep letting us know about how and what you are doing while coaching them.

re: Boon for batsmen, a nightmare for bowlers

Whydoyoucare? — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:05:44 GMT

Wow! What an amazing write up on a blog that goes up on a national newspaper's website. *clap clap*. No wonder they have editors for newspapers.

re: Virendra Sehwag: This general needs new tactics

Test — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:57:36 GMT

Does it show up here?

re: What next after T-20?

Kaushal — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:10:25 GMT

Loved the Rona-Dhona vs. Raina-Dhoni pairing Venky!

re: ALL FOR THREE

Kaushal — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:07:23 GMT

I'd have Virendra Sehwag to open. But since you already have Sachin and Gilchrist, Sehwag won't be useful at all except in tests where neither opens. Same goes for Jayasuriya. Need to find two of the four. Actually, Sachin is beyond selection fancies so choose one between Sehwag, Jayasuriya and Gilchrist. I'd like to see Sachin in the Legends XI as well. Well, if it can accomodate Wasim Akram, sure there is room for Sachin. How about Lara instead of Greg Chappel?

re: ALL FOR THREE

Manoj — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:48:55 GMT

Hi Venky Icon XI Given a second chance i would have preferred Brian Lara instead of Virender Sehwag. And yes Mathew Hayden was another choice. 12th Man -- Herschele Gibbs I would pick Shane Warne to lead Icon XI Legend XI Sad no Indian in the lineup. 12th Man - Jhonty Rhodes Sir Bradman to lead Legend XI

re: ALL FOR THREE

venky — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:08:56 GMT

what a pity....there is no Indian in the LEGEND XI. who according to you should lead either teams?? how about the Xtras...is there any more players who can be squeezed in??

re: For my 'name' sake

Ria — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:58:20 GMT

Indeed u found something different..enjoyed reading it..fantastic.We may have to go n search the people who decided the norms 4 writing/addressing names specially in passports;may be v've to travel yrs back..anyway good finding.

re: For my 'name' sake

Ria — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:57:30 GMT