If One is looking for a perfect recipe for FUN-tertainment we have something called IPL for you.For those who might raise their eyebrows on my SHORTCUT language,excuse my language because the GEN-ext has hardly any time to read three different words and our language is also formatted like the new version of cricket,aint it FANtabulous? oops!I did it again! Right from Mccullum's swashbuckling innings to Gilchrist's pyrotechincs leaving a few questions on his retirement as how timely or untimely it was?; from Tendulkar's late debut in the IPL to techincally sound former captain Dravid's Royal Challenger's regular setbacks; From Harbhajan's SLAP-stick antics to Shoaib's volatile presence for the Knight Riders. The long awaited IPL started with the mercurial and expected success for the SRK's Knight Riders. Brandon Mccullum smashing established Knight Riders as a threat and the favorites in the glam and glitz bathed quickie format. "Lorbo-korbo-jeetbo"seemed to fall in place for the King Khan but after losing four matches in succession SRK could feel the heat along with his apple eyed and ' befriend with controversy ' boy there in Pakistan who was at loggerheads with the PCB struggling with a five year ban. Fates turn around for Knight Riders and Shoaib as he Shoaib managed to make it to the IPL, FINALLY ! not to the finals though. Shoaib emerged as KNIGHT in SHINING armour for the outSHONE KNIGHT RIDERS in the very first match he played, heralded his arrival with his breathtaking quickers. No wonder he did not get enough time to relax as another controversy was on its way tracing the fire left by his deliveries. Rawalpindi express was again derailed because of injury and supposed allegations of doping onc e again leaving 'The knights' without any weapon in the battlefield.'Lorbo-korbo-jeetbo' slackened off with the passage of time and could not do much except for an eye catching performance or two they could take solace from. Skipper Sourav Ganguly was adamant on finishing it on a positive note and his 56 ball 86 was endorsed with DADA's snazzy batsmanship. Shahrukh's dreams to BREAKFREE were torne apart with the untimely outser of the KKR's .

Mumbai Indians kept on winning and loosing alternatively as if they were not sure until Jayasuriya started blazing after finding a partner in Sachin who could not do much with the bat, but his motivating presence was doing some wonders for the team.

Royal Challengers Bangalore must have thoroughly pondered, wondered and pitied about their value in the IPL. Dravid's panicky captaincy and negative body language did the rest for the ROYAL challengers as they surrendered without any 'challenge'. All hell and heaven broke loose when the RCB’s skipper was treated like a ordinary sales executive who was unable to make any sales. Mr Maliya could not keep his cool when the chips were down, and in quest of a solution “SACK DE MALIYA” got in action showing the door to Charu Sharma ‘The CEO of Royal Challengers Bangalore.
After vying for over 45 days 4 teams qualified for the semifinals (the only way it could be ) . Derring-do Delhi Daredevils, Mighty Kings XI Punjab , Silent operators Chennai Super Kings and Visionary $ Star-Devoid The Rajasthan Royals made it to the KRAZZY 4 lot. Though KXIP and Delhi Daredevils got pipped at the post leaving Preity Zinta in dismay. What a p(re) ity execution , Miss Zinta?
The highest bid of the IPL on MSD seems to find its way to justification as he was able to infuse guidance and motivation after initial slight panic stations during the roller coaster ride throwing Yuvi’s KXIP in disarray.
Amidst all this people even threw questions at the short format and short hemlines of cheer-leaders. A few raised their eyebrows calling it a ‘NON –CRICKET ‘cricket. As per cynics the only reason behind the success of the pocket sized format was the shorter duration of the game. Nothing to be judgmental, but would one go to watch an inferior and absurd movie just because it is only 60 minutes long. No one would! People would watch 5 day test matches and then the 50 over format was introduced which was welcomed because it consumed lesser time but was it the only reason for ONE DAYER games to get applause. If you like cricket, you like it. If you don’t like it you won’t go to watch matches regardless of the format. Length of the game is not everything; it is just a part of it. Undoubtedly it consumes lesser time than to that of a 50 over game, evidently with no enough time to get your eyes on the ball. You cannot waste for three four deliveries, you are in to blaze. No wonder the opponent knows that so going for biggies is no a surprise but if you can still be unpredictable, it is a feat. There is no option to make a come back, either you are on the top or you are not. It takes a lot of talent, temperament and technique to be there.
Phew! Finally two gigantic and well deserved sides have made it for the final clash. The euphoria will reach its apogee and the atmosphere will be electrifying. The audience will be at the edge of their seats to get carried away with the high. “Survival of the fittest” is not out of vogue for ages. The heat will be felt by both the sides and the one with nerves of steel will carry the bell. The tug of war will take its onset in the next one hour time. The beats are already on. The breathtaking moments and deafening shouts and music blaring in the background are not for those with weak hearts. It is for those who are KRAZZY 4 IPL.

Hit me baby one more time

If I were to give team India a sobriquet i would say shylock.The men in blue are in full swing with uncountable lucrative endorsements coming their way after the emphatic win over the kangaroos.OZ tours have always been bristle-with on and off field controversies and this time was no exception either; however, Australian's well known or infamous distract and win policy was not good enough to see them through this time round. Bhajji, the man sought after was tested at almost every milisecond on this sojourn which was not unexpected, but was of course more than one could anticipate it would be. He should be given full marks to come out unscathed of this ordeal. Ponting was of course not in a very good shape and man used to win was pretty much on backfoot. The realisation of the same would have been very killing for him, peradventure Punter would have expected another cheek from the Indians for his well known antics.

This young brigade is different altogether and believes in "AN EYE FOR AN EYE,A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH." The best part of this was the hot blood did not loose the sight of them being on the field in the heat of the moment,if you are being targeted to distract it is fine to give it back to them, but if you get distracted in turn, you are doing what they want you to do. This "self destruction" mode is what Aussies developed over the last decade. Not only Indians, but all the teams did not see themselves through.This strategy not only included who are to be targeted, but also who are not to be targeted at any cost, If you trace the steps Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Inzamam were the ones on 'KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE' list, coz it might backfire and they tested and tasted it on quite a few occasions against these players. Punter's statement "third final would not be required " before the onset of the best of three finals was just a futile effort to show that he was mentally fit enough to distract Indians,though his prediction was correct to the T.Ponting also have a big share in india's win on this tour, India should be thankful to Mr Ponting for that.India's finds in Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar is a superb sign for Cricket India.

This series will be known for many reasons. A change of season also indicated curtains for Sourav and Dravid ODi career.One man who has seen change in seasons and is still there with a few more memories added to his memoirs but with a lot of cricket left in him.He rose to occasions to leaving his critics who were criticizing him a day before just smile as they are happy to loose it to him.Sachin Tendulkar is not an era,he is not a season,he is a human being playing cricket who will have him time to bid adieu to cricket.By the time he says goodbye to the game he will leave a lot of unbreakable records behind,flabbergasted opponents and critics of cricket rubbing their hands gleefully.This is a finish of an era and of course a commencement of a new one.Another change in the game of cricket spearheaded by India in Indian Premier League is eager to take an onset and there is still a lot to come.There would be clashes,there would be records broken as well as heartbreaks.There would be tears and smile.Moments of dispair and obessessed with freak will be there.It is all happening here. Stay Tuned!

Perfect "wrong one" at the right time !

Jumbo letting Brad hogg off the hook might have left a few people dumbfound.This Oz tour has been quite happening more than an average individual like me would have anticipated.Anil's changed response has left a few questions unanswered but the answers are right there and we must appreciate Anil's capability of killing two birds with one stone as long as he does'nt lose the sight of the purpose of taking this move coz this is the best time for him to grip his hold tighter on the situation.Anil's keeping this card up his sleeve to be thrown at the right time will allow BCCI Chief Sharad Pawar to have more points when they take Cricket Australia and ICC on a task in the coming days proving that they have done their bit in in the interest of the game.This knock out punch will be an ordeal for everyone down under and the heat must be felt by Punter and Cricket Australia if they have comprehended what does RECIPROCATE mean? An unexpected "generosity show" and earnest essay by the Indian captain to mitigate the everlasting effects in the interest of the game backed by the BCCI expecting a "RECIPROCATION" from Australia will force Australia to play their shots and as there is no room for an escapado.It is not going to be a clear sail for ICC as well which holds a substantial no of Australian representatives which has worked as a tonic for Australia to become law unto themselve.He has taken it in his own stride and demonstrated how Indian culture have an edge over the Aussie Culture,but that is very much true that Ricky Ponting and Co.would be last thing to be trusted in cricketing World coz they are the ones who just crave for win not winning on positive note,so I think we can still call the shots if BCCI sticks to their take in Bhajji's episode.India can still call off the tour and undoubtedly Aussies and only Aussies will suffer because of that as long as BCCI sticks to it.India has filled ICC's safe in leaps and bounds in terms of revenues.Needless to say that Indian Cricket has booned ICC alone as compared to the entire cricket fraternity put together especially after the advent of stars like Sachin,Sourav and Dravid.I must say that not only Anil is a calm and collected individual but also a one who knows when the iron is hot enough to be hit.Anil is far sighted and when Australia is looking to save their reputation,he has made most of it by showing generosity especially when Indian team has been heaped with praise for their true spotsmenlike spirit in the Sydney test,So it is nothing but a perfect wrong one from Anil at the right time,Good Move Jumbo!

Records are paramount,cricket is just a coincidence-Australia's New panache

Many Congratulations ! to the Australians to yield the result they were looking for playing with 14 players in the side.The debacle down under has taken the entire crickting world under its wings and the Harbhajan Singh's episode is not going to calm down as easily as Kangaroos might have perceived..It was pretty much evident that it was not about proving whether the Indians were right or wrong.Proving your innocence or to postion yourself righteously comes into picture when there six from one side and half of a dozen from the other side situation drops in.When the T.V replays,the 100,000 people on the ground the three umpires who are held in great esteem in the cricketing world were perpetrators ashaming cricket openly like psychopath rapists forcing the receiving side to prove how cricket was raped.Can anyone in this world expect criminal to be his own judge,ending up with a confession of the crime?In a catch-22 situation when the opponents are playing with 14 players and 4 umpires including the one standing in the slips,India has lost the clash by merely 122 runs, HATS OFF TO YOU BOYS! When you turn on T.V nowadays you find dignified names of cricket debating on how umpires performance should be gauged and what is the sell by date for them.Have those people called the administrators and almighty of cricket in the world or Indian cricket ,for that matter forgotten the criteria to sack a cricketer when he is not performing well? Is that age of a cricketer,the answer is no.A lot of people who understandably do not have any allebies for the advertent mental disintegration of the Australians,Bucknor,Benson and Oxenford would say that Bucknor has a record 167 test match stand as umpire.What happens when players like Tendulkar ,Ganguly or Inzamam holding zillions of records Under their belt have to prove that they still have enough cricket left in them,At least if they do not perform they are unjust to their respective teams and their own careers,At least they do not jeopardize an Ethnicity or sportsmanlikeship. Be that as it may ,even if the umpires including the third umpire are not physically fit(which of course is nbit the case)what are they doing on the field,waiting for the test match to finish to hide their shameless act by another one.Steve Bucknor did not find it unjust to nod his head in affirmation that Symonds was called a MONKEY by Bhajji coz he knows that this monkey word can do wonders on the cricketing field and this is one of those opportunities to vent out his frustration when he might have been called a Monkey by once upon a time Australian team.He forgot that it was nothing less than a BLOW-JOB. There is anger ,anguish and dissatisfaction in every nook and corner of the country. The BCCI should be patted on its back to be quick in the uptake and also to Sachin Tendulkar who sent the SMS to the BCCI making them aware of the dire consequences in the pipeline if no action was taken.He raised his voice only for the second time in his career after the Chappell's episode.The credit should be given to the PSB as well which supported India being a fellow sufferer. The chappell's episode should not be overlooked which might also have worked as a catalyst for the inglorious and cheap approach of Australians towards this series.Sitting in a press conference the winning captain loses his nerves in lieu of the losing captain.The losing captain enters like a hero and the winning captain...It reminds of a very interesting moment of the game when Dravid was given out and instead of showing any frustration he smiled while taking steps to the pavillion,taking a mickey in the faces of the umpires and the Australians leaving Australian skipper self sufficiently happy as if the entire world has also connived.Navjot Sidhu's comments on the same episode is something to watch out for as it will probably make everyone feel venting out their frustration and also for those who dont have good enough range of Vocab to vent their frustration in words,We have Navjot Siddhu for you. All the more the reknowned cricket journalist lost it to Siddhu by saying "Ricky must go". All is well if it ends well and no one knows better than Indian to show how to fight fire with fire .All of us Indians also have our share in this episode and congratulated to have won this unprecedented struggle because of the United voice of every Indian against the ICC and racism.ICC on the back foot,Howzz that ?