Dhoni lead with Modesty and Example !

PIC - BCCI

Dhoni, A man of sheer modesty, a leader who lead by example and a great captain who has bags of milestones has stepped down as captain at the helm right time. There is no dearth of doubt that any body in cricket fraternity would ever debate his legacy !!! He is the Greatest captain ever and will be in times to come.

Giving up captaincy for team's future is a small sacrifice for a man who has always come late in batting order in entire career for the team. Now Virat would lead the team in Champions Trophy and world cup as well. Probably Dhoni was knowing the "best time" had talked at lengths with the Chief selector MSK Prasad during a semi final match in Ranji Trophy and handed over the baton to the man who is leading in best fashion !!! It may be his mistake of his life as he would hardly find his place on regular basis in the limited overs as well.

Cricket is the game of uncertainty so is the captaincy in India. His mindset is not of a typical Indian player who would struggle to hang his boots. Let the time come and he would do so and people would be just guessing...Oh it was his day.


Dhoni had given up the Test captaincy in December 2014 and had uttered that let the time come I would take a call. Probably he is the best perso who knows his best...may be the gambling of handing the ball to Joginder Sharma in 2007 T-20 world cup or taking this decision.

He was India's most successful captain, leading the team to victory in the 2007 World T20 in South Africa, the 2011 World Cup in India, and the 2013 Champions Trophy in England. Dhoni captained India in 199 ODIs, of which he won 110 and lost 74. He was captain in 72 T20Is, of which India won 41 and lost 28. He was also India's most successful Test captain, with 27 wins, 18 defeats and 15 draws.

When I was just going through some stats came to know that Dhoni is also the only captain to have led India to ODI and T20I series wins in Australia, and an ODI series win in New Zealand. He is also the only man to win all 3 of the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Twenty20, and ICC Champions Trophy as captain!

PIC- AFP

He would be remembered for his stats and record and so many trophies and one more thing for collecting the middle stumps. Probably the time would come when i would be able to pen down something on this habit and putting a fielder on leg gully that was his master stroke to get a wicket !

It was March 31, 2016 when MSD shared a banter in his own typical style with a reporter who asked him about retirement, after India v West  Indies, World T20 2016, semi-final at Mumbai. No body would be thinking that the decision would come so quickly. We Indians  have tendency to something more from somebody but he has given his all to the service of his nation. He is a true champion who rose from a very small town and ruled the second religion of India for so long. The captaincy takes a heavy toll on the beard as it was becoming grey two years back and virat has right now. Hope Virat would take this load to be the best in all formats! Many Memories Many emotions for which he will be cherished !

There are some If and buts to his life kit as well but this is not the right time. As an ardent fan of cricket I wish him the luck and good family life post this captain era.

The curious case of Anil Kumble !!!

It was a usual Thursday Evening in the office. A big event was on the Trot. The Clock was ticking to almost 05:00 PM as it was scheduled for an announcement of India Head Coach. The announcement delayed by more than an hour & 15 minutes. I was trying to make the bestest canva cards to flash the breaking.

Finally the melodrama of BCCI came to an end at 06:15 PM and the new boss of BCCI Mr. Anurag Thakur declared Anil Kumble as the coach of Team India for one Year ! The decision was welcomed by one and all with sheer joy across the cricketing fraternity. (On and Off the Field)

956 International wickets in his career, one of the best cricketer India has ever produced. The guy who batted and bowled with a broken jaw, owns a record of taking 10 wickets in his kitty in one inning after Jim Laker. Once his name was there in the ring. Probably it was hard for anybody to cross this challenge to be the favorite of Indian Trios (Sachin- Sourav-Laxman) who were bound to suggest some names to the BCCI.

As a coach his coaching credentials are very limited. He has mentored the two IPL Franchise RCB and Mumbai Indians but it is said that it takes a lot being the coach of team India. I am no body to raise a finger or pin point the selection but his sudden rise amidst those 57 applicants are bound to raise some eyebrows.

As an individual I admire him a lot, his determination, grit and prowess are worth an institution and lot to be admired but as BCCI had made this application public. The "Jumbo" probably fails the first criteria; he has never coached an international or first-class team, which was one of the criteria the BCCI had listed in its job description. Even in professional streams we come across such examples where criterias are just limited to the rule books. I have no dearth of doubt that he may prove an excellent coach and administrator. There’s no doubting his intentions and cricketing credentials, but it’s the manner in which he was selected that raises some questions.

This is a very serious question to the new Boss of BCCI. I am no body to raise a finger or pin point the selection but his sudden rise amidst those 57 applicants who had applied for the same posts are bound to raise some eyebrows. Even Sandip Patil didn't get any mention or invitation courtesy the final round of interviews.

Create pie charts

In a routine work I was just going through some classy piece of ESPNCricinfo where I found an interesting bit According to a report published in Cricinfo, Kumble had not made that 21-man shortlist.

It was on the insistence of Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman that his name was added to the pot. If this is the transparency then pardon me BCCI should think to change their some of the policies on which they are working right now. As stated by BCCI President Anurag Thakur on a serious note for god sake make BCCI "more transparent". The news were also rife that even Ravi Shahstri had the backing of Virat Kohli, the captian who is going to lead team for miles. 

May be as he later stated that Rahul Dravid was the first choice and he refused to go with the post and work but it seems that Indis's Fab Five would rule Indian Cricket for some time. Kumble to coach senior team, Dravid to nurture future stars of team India and the trio of Sachin, Ganguly and Laxman in Advisory Committee we can probably hope for the best of team India as it was in 90s when they were the part of dressing room. As I think giving "JUMBO" this responsibility is on a trial and error process; If it goes with the plan they may carry forward unless would look for a change. 

Knowing the way the BCCI functions, it is unlikely these questions will ever be answered. More or less The Jumbo has 365 days to prove his credential as a coach and I hope that he would do so!  

India are set to play 17 Tests mostly on home soil. we may hope that the aggression of Virat and the coool, calm and composed nature of Kumble may bring some good results, and why not the greatest cricketer of our country deserves a chance...As an avid fan of cricket Good luck, Jumbo, and hope it all works out for the best!

In quest of Team India Coach

I don't know why but whenever I try to pen down something digitally so often it is cricket. May be it has become my forte to write something on cricket but next time to be on some really serious issue......though searching a cricket coach through my words was a serious job.

The 'New Boss' of BCCI has invited an open application process for the Coach of Team India. Even the team is without a fix time coach since last one and half Year and has done well  in the recent past but the long quest for this post must come at a logical conclusion.

Rahul DravidFB Wall 

I was listening to Mr. Anurag Thakur after being chaired as the BCCI Boss. It  hardly reflected that team IND is looking for a foreign National Coach. I lend my voice and support to the "Marathon Man" of India Rahul Sharad Dravid for this post. May be you can take me a biased but he looks as a good option  though.

Few can rival his invaluable experience as a player, having scored over 24,000 runs and 48 centuries in his international kit. Dravid is a modern-day cricket legend and his understanding of the intricacies of the game, including the T20 format, will be of immense value to this young Indian team.

Besides, he has done the hard yard as coach, having mentored IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils, apart from coaching junior Indian teams (Under-19 and India A). He understands the rigours of the job.

Rahul DravidFB Wall

A man known for his discipline, calm, composure, class, grit and dizzy will would be fit enough to fill in the Big Shoes of India Coach. It is just not about me who admires him as a human more than a cricketer but entire cricketing fraternity loves him specially the young guns; Mr. Dependable gets word of praise from the likes of young kid Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant to Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane).

He is somebody who has always received heap of praise for everything what  he did on and off the field. Be it being the Classy World No-3 Batsman, when thrown grabbed the wicket keeping gloves and at any point of time ready to fit in any kind of situation and even off the field a "Super cool dad" who drops and picks his kids to and from school and goes to collect his LPG on his own... he has got the back of likes of Sunil Gavskar and Ricky Ponting who consider him as the "best guy" to be a lead in this role mentally and physically if he is ready to take this one.

Fit in the shoes of Coach :

To coach a National Team like India is one of the toughest  task. The road to excellence can be brutally lonely and monotonous for a player. We hardly come to know the dedication, devotion and discipline behind a successful cricketer. We just see their success and take it as a piece of cake. 

Just like same a coach who has accomplished success at the highest level can inspire players to realize the importance of routine training regimens, sacrifice and commitment needed to excel in international cricket. What separates the greats from others is work ethic and mental toughness. Dravid has it all in his kitty if BCCI is looking for an Indian Coach.

Being one of the finest batsmen of his time, he can provide the right ecosystem for the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma....some of the most promising batsmen in international cricket. Dravid can help convert their potential into consistent performance, more so in tough overseas conditions where glory can be elusive..

Rahul DravidFB Wall 

Be at  Best in Test :

Another skill for which Dravid hasn’t received enough credit is fielding in the slip cordon. He holds a world record of 210 catches, mostly in slips... where most players except Rahane have struggled. I was listening him on a TV channel uttering what  it  takes to be the best slip fielder. 

A special practice and sheer concentration makes you the best slip catcher in the world. In my opinion thi place in Test cricket plays a major role. This is one area where Dravid may have to work the hardest as it needs specialized training and understanding of the field position.

Being an avid fan of Cricket and Dravid i think that "The wall" hardly got for what he did for prolong 16 Years. An unsung HERO of cricket  could have deserved more ! It was march 09, 2012 when he hanged his boots and left the room and international cricket as he had walked in......swift and smooth and some tears in his eyes..... He could have been given a chance to a fitting farewell with even a Home Test as BCCI  did for the legend Sachin.

Rahul DravidFB Wall

A role model for Many : 

Dravid is a role model for hundreds of  thousands of youngsters in India and deserves a special  feel in millions of cricket loving fans across the globe but sometimes i  do feel sorry for the most  loved gentleman of cricket ......a great player, a great mentor, a great human being but ends up being on the losing side always !!! BCCI should at least give him one chance to don the role of "somebody" who had once made country proud by making it a World Number One and will again do so by nurturing the young kids.        

Can the Indian cricket board get a better endorsement for Rahul Dravid as coach? I don’t think the BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him. He has given everything to cricket now cricket has a chance to pay him back....isn't it ?

Team India is an Enigma?

Team India is an enigma hard to understand, a 'food' hard to digest and a TEAM hard to buy time on watching? May be a little harsh but team BCCI sorry... India is loosing its shine from one to another overseas tours!

Dhoni, hard to understand or speculate leads a team which is an unsolved puzzle. As a captain MSD has lost his aggression (Internal), charm, Glitter, Shine, temper and probably the zeal to win the match. When the 'Captain' lacks the potential, temperament and grit the "ship is bound to sink".

His body language (even after retiring from fatigue test as he had termed it) even in ODIs look like just as a professional (who is just playing to get some crores to his kitty) not as a player who plays to win or to get result.

There is no dearth of doubt that as stat suggests he is one of the most successful captain IND has ever produced till date but for me he is just a gambler who gambles and sometimes get success.

Causes of Enigma:
Is it the same Rohit Sharma? An absolute time bomb in limited-overs cricket, but an equal disaster in Tests. Is it the same Ravichandran Ashwin, the ‘best’ spinner in the world? Or is he a square turner bully? Ravindra Jadeja is unplayable at home. Very playable and in fact  become the 'target' of rival batsmen away. Or is it the same Mahendra Singh Dhoni? Unbeatable for so long, quite beatable now?Cricket is not a gamble and you can't put money every time on a horse who is injured from one foot. You can only win games by a team effort and the right kind of attitude and spirit.

Team India probably has surpassed the transition phase of Sachin-Dravid-Laxman-Ganguly era and are winning at home on an altered pitch courtesy team director Ravi Shastri.

This is such a bizarre that you call a team (RSA) give them a pitch suited to your own potential and hashtag yourself as the 'HERO' of cricket and questions the hype about pitch! Just after a month the same team goes on a tour and find it hard to defend the total of 300+ in ODIs.You become flat on flat pitches of WACA & GAWA. The same bowler who became world number one in test cricket finds it tough to even throw a DOOSRA or TEESRA. It was 2nd ODI at Gawa and once again Australia paced their pursuit to perfection.

Excuse King DHONI :

I have never heard/seen the biggest excuser than Dhoni in cricketing fraternity! Accepting the defeat is a biggest victory, admit it of you have lost! Only accepting the defeat will strive you for victory. you will not be sacked from ur captaincy just for acceptance.

This 'back bench leader' is immensely talented in readymade excuse after every single defeat either at home or overseas. You may not agree with me but listen Dhoni after any defeat you would probably get this for sure.

"The breeze was not flowing in one way, it was circulating around. It made slightly difficult for Ishant: MS Dhoni" after loosing 2nd ODI in Australia while Ishant bowled well. sometimes back when South Africa defeated he uttered "we lost the match just because there was not so much due" As a captain you can't hide ur failure via excuse. On the contrary Australian bowlers tightened the grip in last 10 overs despite some good hittings from Rahane.

Poor Chap Dhoni :
When a reporter asks you the question of hanging ur boots..take it as an alarm. The OLD Dhoni is probably missing! OOOPS he has gone slimmer during breaks and turned his grey hair black through cosmetic ink, runs even more harder between the wickets but finds it difficult to hit those most non-technical Helicopter shots and make runs since the last T-20 World cup against Srilanka.

(1stODI :18 runs on 13 balls, 2nd ODI:11 runs on 10 balls no boundary against AUS) He probably is the not "the finisher" he was known for. Team India couldn't hit a boundary in last 19 balls. No body knows what would be the right time for Dhoni to hang his boot but he doesn't really look like the OLD Dhoni on the field. Every single defeat against his name is bringing the curtains down on his career as a player. Take my word the next T20 world cup may be his last stint as a player if wind doesn't go in his favour! 

'Sir Jadeja' a constant headache :  

Whether Jadeja plays well or not Dhoni gets an excuse to rate him as the biggest all rounder to be included in team. I hardly remeber a match victory through Jaddu's clinical performance. Axar is warming the bench who could be more worthy than him. 

Ashwin is again his best mate who stood for him in both good and bad times so he is always in the team if MSD is captain. Score of players are waiting on the bench for their turn.

The team India needs a change either in attitude or in the captain. Team India was an enigma even in 90s and is still an enigma in 2016. 

This is not the good beginning for team India in New Year.

   

सोशल मीडिया पर कितने 'सोशल' हैं लोग?

सोशल मीडिया इंसान के जीवन का अब वो 'आठवां रंग' है जिसके बिना बाकी के सात रंग फीके लगने लगे हैं मीडिया की यह दुनिया अतरंगी और बहुरंगी है पर विडम्बना ये है कि इनमे रंग कम और रोगन अधिक है, तालियां कम और गालियां अधिक है।

आप मानें या ना मानें लेकिन (कथित रूप से) एक-दूसरे से जुड़े रहने के इस माध्यम ने इंसान को पास करने से अधिक दूर किया है, किसी को रातों-रात हीरो तो किसी को जीरो बना दिया है।

इस माध्यम ने ही जहां लखनऊ के टाइपराइटर बाबा किशन कुमार को सुरक्षा गार्ड तक मुहैया करवा दिया, वहीं अलयान कुर्दी की तस्वीर ने मानवता को झकझोर कर रख दिया, मोहम्मद अहमद को मिले विश्व भर से समर्थन ने उसे रातों-रात हीरो बना दिया।

लेकिन इस माध्यम की अपनी सीमाएं और बंदिशें भी हैं। आज मैं आपको इस सोशल दुनिया के 'अनसोशल सच' से रू-ब-रू कराता हूँ। यह जरूरी नहीं कि आप मेरी राय से सहमत हों लेकिन इस मीडिया का एक सच (पक्ष) यह भी है। इस माध्यम के बारे में आपकी भी सकारात्मक या नकारात्मक राय हो सकती है और होनी भी चाहिए।

दरअसल भारत जैसे 'बाजारू' (बाजारवाद की ओर विकासशील) देश में इस माध्यम ने आज अपना पैर 'चादर' से बाहर पसार दिया है इसलिए अब हमारी मूलभूत आवश्यकताओं की रेडीमेड सूची कुछ इस तरह पढ़ी जाती है ....रोटी, कपड़ा और मोबाइल और हो भी क्यों ना जब दुनिया में ही लगभग हर तीसरे व्यक्ति के पास मोबाइल है और उस मोबाइल में उनकी 'अपनी तथाकथित एक सोशल दुनिया'। यहाँ अब लोगों के दिनचर्या का अपडेट .....खाते हुए, नहाते हुए, कॉफी पीते हुए, वायुयान से घर जाते हुए और वश चले तो "फीलिंग रिलैक्स्ड आफ्टर डूइंग पोटी" के प्रारूप में मिलते हैं।

पिछली बार हमारे खेत में काम करने वाला चंद्रशेखर भी कह रहा था भैया एक ठो हमरा भी खाता (एकाउंट) बना देते इसमें बतियाते सबसे हम भी।

यहाँ ये ध्यान रखने वाली बात है की हमारे देश में आज भी सोशल मीडिया का मतलब पहला फेसबुक और दूसरा ट्विटर ही है। विगत 27 अगस्त को इस ब्रहमांड के 'हर 7 में से एक शख्स' ने अपने दोस्त या रिश्तेदार से जुड़ने या बातचीत के लिए फेसबुक का उपयोग किया लेकिन इसकी दुनिया बड़ी है लेकिन इसकी दुनिया बड़ी है, व्हाट्सऐप, वी चैट, लाइन, टिंडर (डेटिंग ऐप), याहू मैसेंजर, फेसबुक मैसेंजर, हाइक, पिनट्रेस्ट, गूगल प्लस, टंबलर, इंस्टाग्राम और ना जानें कई जिनके नाम मुँह जबानी याद भी नहीं हैं। 140 शब्दों की सीमा में चहकने वाले माध्यम (ट्विटर) का नाम लोगों ने तब जाना जब शशि थरूर ने चहकना शुरू किया था, आज यह समाचार प्राप्त करने और देने का सबसे बड़ा माध्यम बन चुका है। ब्रेकिंग खबर यहीं से मिलती है। वैसे कभी-कभी अनुराग कश्यप जैसे लोग 'मिस कॉल देकर मीडिया की फिरकी भी ले लेते हैं', वहीं फेसबुक किसी डॉक्टर के चीट्ठे की वो दवा है जिसे लोग सोने से पहले और जागने के बाद नियमित सुबह-शाम गरोसने लगे हैं।

अब बात अपनी ही कहूँ तो पिछले सात सालों से इस माध्यम का हिस्सा हूं, इसे सीखने और जानने की कोशिश की है, इसे अपनाया है और मन ही मन यहां मौजूद लोगों और उनके क्रिया-कलाप पर एक रिसर्च भी किया है। सन 2008 में दिल्ली आया था, इससे पहले इंटरनेट और उनकी सुविधाओं का उपयोग अमावश्या-पूर्णिमा ही करने को मिलता था। दोस्त सीमित थे और उनसे जुड़े रहने के लिए (विष्णु सिनेमा हॉल के सामने दशरथ के चाय की दुकान या जी डी कॉलेज) शहर के एक चाय की दुकान और एक कॉलेज का मैदान काफी था। लाइव (शाब्दिक) बातचीत के लिए जिस जादुई माध्यम का पहली बार इस्तेमाल किया वह था (Gtalk) जी टॉक, उस समय ऑरकुट का भी क्रेज था। अधिक दोस्तों की संख्या वाले लोग 'पद्म-भूषण' या 'भारत रत्न' टाइप फील करते थे और चिरकुट टाइप स्क्रैपबुक लिखते थे जैसे उनके शब्दों से देश में सत्ता परिवर्तन या कोई बहुत बड़ा बदलाव आ जाएगा।

लुब्बोलुआब ये की यही मनोदशा बदस्तूर आज भी जारी है, ये आप भी अनुभव कर सकते हैं या कर ही रहे होंगें। सिर्फ बदलते समय के साथ सोशल मीडिया का रंग, रूप, आकार बदल गया है। नई बोतल में पुराना माल। यहां अगर आप ढंग का या सार्थक लिखते हैं तो इस कलमुँहे समाज से अनमने (बिना पढ़े) ढंग से भी "लाइक के लाले" पड़ जाएं (क्योंकि अब लोग शायद लाइक के लिए अधिक लिखने लगे हैं) या अक्सर दोस्तों को कहना भी पड़ता है भाई कुछ लिखे हैं मेरे वाल पर आकर देखना। लेकिन अगर कोई लड़की 'फीलिंग इन लव विद 'फलाना कुमार' एंड 27 अदर्स भी लिख दें' तो उनकी मित्र सूची में नहीं होने की बावजूद 400-500 लाइक तो गिर ही जाते हैं जो अगले दिन मेट्रो में ऑफिस जाते वक्त चर्चा का विषय बनता है। 'यू नो मेरे उस वाले 'पाउट' पे ना आई गॉट 300 लाइक्स' और अगले दिन उनका स्टेटस होता है फीलिंग प्राउड।

यहाँ बौद्धिकता से लबालब भरे कुछ कथित लेखक 'चेतन भगत' बनना चाहते हैं तो कुछ कथित लेखिका 'तस्लीमा नसरीन'। इस माध्यम पर मौजूद लोगों में से अधिकांशतः चाइल्ड ऐज सिंड्रोम (Child Age Syndrome)  या आइडेंटिफिकेशन क्राइसिस (Identification Crisis) जैसी जानलेवा बीमारी से जूझते मिलेंगे भले उनकी मित्र सूची ठसाठस क्यों ना भरी हो। अगर उन्होंने एक पोस्ट लिखा और 20 मिनट होने तक भी कोई प्रतिक्रिया नहीं आयी तो एक बार दुबारा उसी पोस्ट को एडिट कर पुनः कुछ दोस्तों को टैग करेंगे या खुद ही लाइक कर उस पे प्रतिक्रिया लिखेंगे "क्या आप दोस्तों को मेरा फीड दिख रहा है टाइप"। कुछ अच्छे लोग भी हैं यहां बढियां लिखते हैं, जिन्हें पढ़ना अच्छा लगता है लेकिन उन्हें भी गालियां पड़ती है और वो यहां से कट लेते हैं।

पिछले एक डेढ़ सालों में इस माध्यम ने नकारात्मक लिखने और बोलने वालों के लिए सकारात्मक परिणाम दिए हैं। पिछले लोक सभा चुनाव का परिणाम इसका जीता जागता परिणाम है। पिछले कुछ दिनों में यहां वैमनष्यता बढ़ी है। गंवार, जाहिल और 'पढ़े लिखे जाहिल' का संख्या विस्फोट हुआ है। अब ऐसा मालूम होता है जैसे समाज वर्गों में बटा है "भक्त टाइप,  फैन टाइप" या "भुक्तभोगी टाइप", मेरा भी कोई एक टाइप होगा जो आप चुन लें या समझें। मुझे तो शायद ही याद हो जब आखिरी बार (बिना काम के) हमने किसी दोस्त से (अंतरंग) सबसे लंबी बातचीत सोशल मीडिया के किसी भी माध्यम से की हो। हम में से अधिकांश लोग ऐसे ही हैं।

24x7 ऑनलाइन होते हुए भी हम सबके लिए ऑफलाइन होते हैं, कोई दोस्त पिंग ना कर दे, कोई मदद ना मांग बैठे इसलिए हम अकसर ऑफलाइन हो जाते हैं। ऐसी स्तिथि से रू-ब-रू होने पर  किस एंगल से कोई किसी को सोशल और इस मीडिया को एक सोशल मीडिया कहना उचित समझेगा? दरअसल, इस माध्यम का नाम भले ही 'सोशल मीडिया' रखा गया हो लेकिन यहां आपको सबसे अधिक 'अनसोशल लोग' ही अब मिलेंगे।

इसलिए बेहतर है कि गंभीर और सार्थक बहस के लिए सोशल मीडिया का सहारा बिल्कुल ना लें वरना आपको लोग यहां बेसहारा मान बैठते हैं।

इस माध्यम में टाइप्ड होनी की आजादी है लेकिन यह टाइप्ड  होना आपको एक ऐसी दिशा में ले जा रहा है जहां से 'घरवापसी' मुश्किल है। इसलिए लिखिए, पढ़िए, फॉलो कीजिये लेकिन टाइप्ड होने से बचिए।