ABSOLUTELY AWESOME was Sunday the 12th March 2006 for the cricket fans….around the world…Not only in South Africa, Australia or India…….
The ecstatic South Africans starred in the end-game as the home team chased down a world record 434 posted by Australia. Powered by Herschelle Gibbs's 175, the South Africans raced to an improbable 438 for 9 to win the fifth ODI with a ball to spare and clinch the series 3-2. It was a remarkable day when a world record 872 runs were scored, at the Wanderers in The City of Johannesburg the most populous city in South Africa on Sunday. (The SA 438 Vs Aus 434 match)
The previous highest scoring ODI was the one in which India beat Pakistan by five runs in Karachi where 693 runs were scored. Also I remember have watched another exciting match between India and Bangladesh, then periodic super runs by Ajay Jadeja and Azharuddin, but nothing like that on Sunday….It was Eak se badkar eak…..a true team effort…..Indeed, the strength of a chain is determined by its weakest link, and in the match on Sunday, there was no weakest link……….It was indeed something incredible, unbelievable.
Some play cricket for fun, for some it is another game of sport, for others it’s a matter of supremacy, for some it’s a matter of pride, for some it is life, for some, it is the way to make money. The Match-fixing (cricket) , the headlinegrabber scams, have brought down the interest in cricket from the minds of many.
Cricket like most other sports, is not just a game, but an art, which involves a skillful portrayal of ones talent, and an extraordinary display of hand-eye coordination, accuracy, power, ability, and attitude…….Concentration, is the key for success.......
When I had been engrossed in watching cricket, next day at office, Our sir asked me, “By the way have you heard of a movie called iqbal., directed by a person called Nagesh Kukunoor, of the hyderabad blues fame, it was a kind of Hinglish movie, about a deaf and dumb peson who wants to become a cricketer, and he finally becomes successful, very touching………. To add to the cricket mania this movie too was shown on Sony Max on Sunday……”
Some how I missed it, it is a movie, worth watching………teaching you many things……….
As most Indians are obsessed with the game of cricket, Sports-based themes are seen in Bollywood films like Chamatkar, Lagan and now Iqubal.
Nagesh Kukunoor's IQBAL not only looks at the sport and the politics that come with it IQBAL works due to [a] Straight-out-of-life setting, [b] Never-say-die spirit [c] Strong undercurrent of emotions throughout [d] the footage devoted to the training [Naseer-Shreyas] and [e] Expert performances by every member of the cast.
Cricket is the religion, of Iqbal, and he aspires to join the Indian cricket team some day. Iqbal faces obstacles at every step. His father dislikes cricket. Iqbal has no means or financial help to undergo training. But his school-going sister [Shweta Prasad] encourages him to pursue his dreams. Subsequently, Iqbal convinces a village drunkard, Mohit [Naseeruddin Shah], to coach him. But the road to victory is far from rosy. The rival coach [Girish Karnad] acts as a major impediment. But Iqbal overcomes all obstacles in the end. The constant bickering at home, the relationship between Iqbal and his father, mother and sister, the clandestine training sessions, the dirty politics that the budding cricketer faces and the finale -- these are moments that cannot be erased from your memory!
Also on this day, Indian cricket team, edged ahead on penultimate day, at Mohali, India, Weather permitting and God willing, where, a test between India, and England, wending its way to a weather-blighted draw, shook off and transformed on Sunday. After only 65 overs of play were possible on the first two days, due to bad lights, and drizzling rain, middle Saturday gave a little teaser. Holiday crowd was treated to an even better fourth day that has set things up rather nicely. Dravid considered one of the finest practitioners of his art, conceived some memorable strokes, but for the 9th time was dismissed in nervous 90’s scoring 95 runs. Then things began to happen. Anil Kumble scalped three as England spluttered to 112 for five. India wrenched a 38-run lead from England's jaws. India won the test the next day. The opening match of the three-test series ended in a draw in Nagpur last week. Just the day before, accolades poured in for leg spinner Anil Kumble who became the first Indian to claim 500 wickets in the second cricket Test against England at Mohali. It was Kapil who held the Indian record with 434 before the Karnataka bowler surpassed him during a Test against Bangladesh in 2004. The man of the match was Anil Kumble for having taken 9 wickets, and in Indian express on 14th March 2006, there was an article saying Is Kumble a keralite, Lok Sabha debate????? Laugh, and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone……. Do you remember Ganguly- Saurav?? For Dravid, the win proved, the five bowler theory right. Best Wishes to him, and our cricket team...........And to all.............
Thought for the day: Thinks are not what you feel it to be……. Impossible itself say I’m Possible-Whether it be life or cricket…….So let us then be up and living, with a heart for any race……Desire, dream Do………Mission, Vision, Action…….Act!!! Only when you start doing something, you will reach your goal…..
Good one!!!
ReplyDeleteTrue, on hearing the news thought Australia Vs. South Africa was a test match......
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