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Salesh Dipak Fernando

Tag: CRICKET

BIRTHDAY WISHES TO KING KOHLI

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On November 5, 2017

In SPORTS

 I wrote Kohli off both as a batsman and a captain when he started off. But he’s made me eat my words again and again until he transformed into one of those permanent impressions that I would always associate with cricket.

A lot of people mistake his relentless passion and intensity as an excessive show of emotion. But that intensity on his face matches every shot that comes off his bat. He walks the talk every single time like a true leader. When the captain is leading from the front every single time the other players in the team have no choice but to give their best.

There are no ways when it comes to Kohli. He bats, fields and leads as if his life depended on it. He approaches every match as if it is the last match he’s ever going to play. It is not 100 percent commitment. 100 percent is an understatement. Multiply it by 2 or any number you want and that’s what Kohli is 200, 500 or maybe 1000 percent.

And there’s that little thing called the willingness to learn. He rarely repeats mistakes. Once a bowler figures out his weakness he works on it and converts them into his area of strength.

His relationship with his former captain is a sight to savor. In all my years of watching cricket, I have never seen two players working together like Dhoni and Kohli do. That awareness of each other’s space the bonding and the friendship is a lesson for all aspiring captains.

He will probably retire as one of the greatest cricketers if not the greatest to ever play for India. Make way for the king. He’s arrived and he’s here to stay.

Happy birthday King Kohli!

 

 

MSD – A VVS 92

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On October 14, 2015

In SPORTS

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I have been waiting for this moment for quite a while. There were people crying for his blood. The so called Indian cricket experts wanted him to be stripped of his royal robe. Cricketers who were just average in their playing days voicing their opinion on Dhoni’s playing abilities just irks me. Just because you have the mike in hand doesn’t mean u have to blabber.

Have any of the greats from other nations voiced their opinion in the same way. It is because they know Dhoni’s value as a player or is there something happening behind the scenes which forces the Indian cricket experts to say so.

 I have been watching cricket since 1996 even before cricket became a religion. It was a defining year for Indian Cricket. It was only after 1996 cricket turned into a marketing phenomenon.

A lot has changed since then India has become cricket powerhouse. T-20 has turned into the most lucrative opportunity for cricketers who cannot make it to the big league. But one thing has remained a constant, the fragile nature of the fans. Just a couple of failures and people write him off. It didn’t surprise me when I heard similar voices when Dhoni failed.

I waited like an eager fan waiting to see the vintage MSD once more. There’s quite a distinct quality about Dhoni – He knows when to make a statement. He knows his stage. His 100th ODI in India and he made it his own with absolute gusto like a king who regains his throne. 92 precious runs with the team in trouble, 92 runs which showed why he’s still vital to India’s limited overs unit despite the emergence of the younger generation. A very very special 92.

The bowling effort too was top notch and Dhoni once again came into his own with 3 catches, a stumping and his trademark moments of brilliant captaincy. The fact that he did it without his two main spinners Ashwin and Mishra made it all the more special.

Age might be catching up with him but he is not finished yet. Dear cricket fans before you write off a player try to evaluate what the team’s position would be without him. Of course there will definitely be life after Dhoni but give him a chance to time his own swan song.  He deserves that for the way he’s served Indian Cricket.

Dhoni himself has said he will re-evaluate his position after 2016. I guess he’s eyeing another ICC trophy- The World T-20 to be held in India.  Going by his past record in ICC tournaments there’s a very good chance that Dhoni might hold the trophy again.

For now keep calm and cherish Dhoni the player and captain until he fades away from limelight and be a little more graceful in victory and defeat.

 

 

 

DEAR ICC – THE BALANCE IS MISSING

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On March 4, 2015

In REFLECTIONS

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I still have vivid memories of my first cricket match – India vs Pakistan Quarter-Final 1996. How time flies by.  The gentlemen’s game has come a long way since then. It has evolved but I am not sure for better or worse.

Sixes were supposed to be a rare event waiting for that elusive six with bated breath. Somehow I loved that. The batsman coming out on top despite the fielders all around him. It was cricket at it’s best. There was something for the bowlers as well as the batsman. It was an even contest. A 50-50 scenario.

The present rules are tilting the game heavily in favour of those wield the willow. If 400 becomes a norm then it’s a signal that all is not well with the rules. If every Tom Dick and Harry can hit a six then what’s the fun.

Don’t get me wrong I still love the game but I hate a scenario where it seems like the batsmen are in power play mode for the whole of 50 overs

Dear ICC it’s time for a revamp. Please re-think the rules for the good of the game.

 

MY ROLE MODEL – RAHUL DRAVID

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On June 24, 2014

In REFLECTIONS

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Welcome to the world of Rahul Dravid – A world characterized by words like selflessness, hard work and dedication. He will always be my favourite Indian cricketer for one simple reason – He showed that inherent flaws can be overcome through sheer hard work and dedication. He showed us that in a world obsessed with finding the next Tendulkar even the Dravid’s have their own space.

He is the perfect example of how to be the perfect team man. Need a captain to stand in – Call Dravid. A keeper to accommodate an extra batsman – it’s Dravid again. Need a wall to shield the God of cricket it’s Dravid at number 3. Such diverse roles yet greatly underappreciated and over shadowed for most of his career yet he performed his roles to perfection.

Tendulkar was a born genius – a prodigy destined for greatness. Dravid on the other hand had flaws when he started his career. He transformed himself to become of the game’s likeable legends. Some are born great; others have greatness thrust upon them. Dravid belongs to the later.

If you ever feel that your work isn’t getting the appreciation that it deserves just think of one name – Rahul Sharad Dravid.

  I am writing about #MyRoleModel as a part of the activity by Gillette India in association withBlogAdda.com.

 

CRICKET – NOT JUST A GAME

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On May 16, 2014

In REFLECTIONS

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Where should I begin.. ? Should I begin with March 9th 1996 – the day I watched my first cricket match or should I begin with how my cricketing timeline is similar to that of Dravid’s and Ganguly’s career. Let me just say cricket is my passion much like writing. There’s something about cricket which makes me jump with joy every time a batsman plays a wonderful shot or when a bowler takes a wicket with an awesome delivery. The last over finishes give me an adrenaline rush.

No wonder some of the craziest days of my life involve cricket. I have done it all right from falling sick to bunk college and watch a match to planning my block leave so that it coincides with the IPL.  The best though was falling down and injuring my hand just so I can watch a CSK match in the comfort of my home. The injury was real so nobody questioned my intentions.  Mind you I am the sole owner of the remote when the match is going on. Nobody gets to snatch it away from me while I watch my favourite game.

I like the way the game has evolved. Apart from the satisfying the old school purists with Tests and ODI’s now we have one more which caters to the younger generation – T -20. T-20 brings in a wonderful marriage of old school skills with entertainment. As much as we criticize IPL and other T-20 tournaments there’s no doubt that it guarantees three hours of entertainment.

Star Sports has been my go to channel when it came to cricket and other sports. Much like the game the channel has evolved too. STARSPORTS.COM serves as a one stop destination if we want too re-live those wonderful sporting moments again without ever compromising on the quality.

All said and done IPL will always hold a special place in my heart for it was the last tournament me and my Dad watched together before he breathed his last. Cricket has always served as the special bonding factor for both of us.

This post is a part of  Cricket just got better! Activity by starsports.com in association with BlogAdda.com.

 

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