My dearest one

Tough guy, resilient, a hero!! No big scores for an year, but still no sms jokes about Rahul. Thats him!! Who can hate Rahul Dravid the resilient fighter. Let anyone come, let anyone go, Dravid will still stand tall.

The above picture has been posted because after Rahul gets just one good knock, we wont be seeing it too often. My dear jammy, I dont think there can be anyone who admires you more than I do, and you are just one knock away from continuing to do waht you do best - make the opposition toil and toil and toil for your prized wicket. I know for sure that you will just keep coming back. It is just one of those rare series which has gone India's way without your contribution, but we cant repeat it. We cant do it without you jam. The team against which you started big is here, dont spare them! You made moved me to tears when you got out in the first innings in Nagpur, I couldn't believe you dropped a sitter from Katich, I was rubbing my eyes when you were sent out at no.3 again in the second innings, of course, the team man you are, you would not have said no when the asked you to go, but then, you went back in sooner than I thought. Every innings you step out of the pavilion, I pray, and every time you go back in, I have tears; but I am not complaining, I can give you all the tears and all the prayers you want for all that you have done for the team. Just get back soon jam, i am missing your flicks and drives!!

The Last Bow

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly. He made my eyes wet. The aggressive, bold, striking God of the off side; made my eyes moist with his absolutely unassuming re

action after playing early to a ball bowled by Jason Kreyzja and going out for a golden duck in his final innings. A man who made his entry with a dazzling century in cricket's heavenly abode, went out in the most contrasting manner possible; a golden duck. Thats just what Ganguly is, contrasting - you can either be an ardent admirer of his abilities or you can hate him with all your hatred put together, nothing in between. In the end of it all, I am very, very glad of what I chose to be.

He was not the most gifted batsman in the w

orld, but I daresay he did everything he could with his limited abilities. Be it cutting and sqare driving fast bowlerrs on the off side; or dancing down the wicket and lofting the ball over the head of a spinner, Ganguly was majestic to watch. Ganguly was never quoted by anyone to be a stylish batsman; but he did have it in him. Those drives that came square of the wicket and when he came down the track, true to his nick Maharaj, it was a majestic and breath-taking sight to watch.

The spirit of Dada made a bunch of talented 

youngsters take notice of their talents, beofre which they were directionless. The spirit of Dada carried the cricket team to many famous victories and made nations take notice of it at a time when the cricket team was the butt of many jokes. The spirit of Dada taught the world that Australia can be beaten. And it is the spirit of Dada that dared the man to wave his shirt from the Lord's balcony on Flintoff's face.

The second wicket partnership for a smal

l matter of 318 runs with Dravid, with two balls into the nearby stream at Taunton, that day reamins fresh in my mind. During the presentation ceremony, I was deeply touched when Dada made the same statement three times - This trophy (Man of the Match) should have been shared (with Rahul). The 1997 Sahara cup in Toronto, Dada won the man of the series award not only for his performance with the bat, but also because he decimated Pakistan with the ball; that series will remain a memorable one forever. After taking over captaincy at a stage when the match fixing scandal had

 left an already down trodden Indian team in further tatters, Dada regrouped them all and made them men. It was in the year 2001 that Dada had a turning point in his career, the Aussies under Steve Waugh came to India with 15 wins on the trot and went on to make it 16 not much later. Then the juggernaut was stopped, and how!!! Dada would then travel with his troops to Australia to spoil Steve Waugh's swansong. In the first match at Brisbane, Dada found himself at the crease when the scorecard read 62-3. Where anyone else would have defended to steady the innings, Dada wal

ked back to the pavilion with his score reading 144 of 196 balls. Who can forget the test math at Leed's where the terrific trio set the ground ablaze with a century each?

Well, we can analyse so much history and many of Dada's magic moments. Not even Dada's hardcore haters can refuse the fact that he made it all happen. He induced self belief in the current bunch and Dhoni will carry on with what was inspired by my Dada. I believe and hope he cant stay away from the game and will be back in some way to toughen up the youngsters.

Dadagiri Forever!!

The Ultimate Warrior

The blog is most definitely not about the WWF or WWE (or whatever they call it these days) superstar who comes dressed(?) in a tribal costume, shakes the ring up and disappears suddenly and re appears at will. This is a post about a man whose abilities to spin the ball has been questioned by many critics, but not even the harshest of critics has dared to question his commitment. You can really see the commitment and hunger for success when someone who is 38 years old, having played 132 matches, who has left nothing to be proved, runs back to take a catch of his own bowling to dismiss a number 10 batsman. You know how committed he is when a player who is synonymous with the term 'determination' says "He does not know what 'give up' means". Add a ten wicket inning in Delhi, a 14 over spell with a bandaged broken jaw at St.John's, 24 wickets in arguably India's most successful tour DownUnder in 2003-04 and apart from all this a determined, resolute, unbeaten century at Kenningston Oval against an English bowling attack that was made to look tame, which handed India a series win in England.
What more can I write about someone whose record stand as an article singing his praise by itself. A 132 test matches with 619 wickets at an average of 29.65; it looks impressive enough without adding the fact that he has 35 five wicket innings and 8 ten wicket matches; and also 1 ten wicket innings, only the second bowler in the history of the game to have achieved it. I am totally at a loss of words and cursing myself for my limited vocabulary and creativity at writing. There is just so much I want to say about this cricketer who never gives up. The bandaged jaw in West Indies will be there in every cricket lover's mind. Kumble just keeps coming back!!
Hope you dont stay away from the game Jumbo.

Disappointment!!

A post coming far too late. The tour to SL has been downright depressing for me, with every failure my love for Dravid is just increasing exponentially, for some strange reason I am so wild at Sachin and feeling terribly sorry for Dravid and harbour no feelings for Ganguly. For those who dint know, this is how they feature on my list of favourites:
1) Dravid
1.1) Ganguly
2) Kumble
3) Astle
4) Bond
5) Damien Martyn
6) Laxman
7) Tendulkar
I dont know why, but while coming back from work, I FEARED for Dravid's career, started to wonder whether for the first time in his career, he was gonna be DROPPED for a test series. The thought of the team for Australia test series is frightening. I hope to God, he is picked, shows the rock stuff he is made of and retires. This is the first time I am hoping India succeeds because and only because of an individual (I know thats bad). Dravid needs and DESERVES to be worshipped before he leaves the arena. He deserves to be glorified for the unnoticed deeds he has done to Indian cricket in all forms of the game.
He belongs to the rare breed of cricketers who dare to pull or hook and is the master of the flick; please dont disappoint us Dravid, you dont deserve to be KICKED out. :(

My Visual DNA.. Explained..

There's a widget called 'My Visual DNA' on the right side of this page. Quite interesting, you guys can give it a shot when you have the time. This is just a vetti blog to say why i chose those specific pictures out of the lot. Am not quite convinced by the explanation given by the website :)

1. Art is... I am not someone who is really into paintings and stuff, and I am not really the creative type as the website claims as the reason for choosing this. I just loved the innocence in the art created by the little one.

2. This is how I like to enjoy music... I really do love music. Nothing like good music to raise my spirits. Though you might not find me in such a place listening to music :P, I love listening to it lying down and eyes shut.

3. My Kind of Treat... I've always dreamt of a walk in woods, among chirping birds and rustling leaves.

4. Freedom is... Freaking out with my best pals... Do anything.. anything at all.. nothing can beat that!!

5. Thats gross... I HATE cigarettes. Period.

6. Right now what I would most like to be doing is... Well, am not actually a person who prefers loneliness, but this is what I would have loved to do at a place like that!! If I go to a place like that, it would have to be with my pals.

7. My kind of bedroom... Messy!! :P

8. My kind of holiday... An African animal safari with my friends :) Dream!! :)

9. My kind of excitement... In a cricket or football stadium, cheering for my team, cheering so much that I cant talk the next day!!

10. My favorite type of landscape... The mountains always fascinate me!! Serene spots!! beautiful from below.. even better from above!! :)

11. My kind of drink... No drink has ever done what a cup of hot tea does to me :)

12. The best thing about friends... Most of the things a friend does, anyone can possibly do, but to lend a shoulder to cry on, when u need it most.. well :) the picture really does say a lot!! :)

Arbit!!

jus to wake my blog up :P

Got to see 3 movies in the past month. considered as a "movie watching spree" by my standards :P (considering the last movie i saw in a theatre was Evano Oruvan).

Saw Dasavatharam, Hulk-2 and Jaane Tu. Jaane Tu was easily the best of the lot. Did not understand Hulk-2 much as I never saw part 1 and Dasa thoroughly disappointed - let down by Kamal. Hope he more than makes up with Marma Yogi (think thats what its called).

Jaane Tu was a breath of fresh air.. comic relief. Nothing spectacular about the movie but it was a thorough entertainment for 2 hrs and 30 mins. Imran Khan can go a long way. Great looks and nice acting. Genelia has come a long way from her absurd expressions in Sachin, she has done a great job in Jaane Tu and also looks her stunning best (except in the last scene :| :| bad hair do :| :|)

There was nothing impressive in Dasa except the first ten minutes and the acting of Rangarajan Nambi and Balram Naidu. Asin's screeching managed to get me impatient and the movie also bored at times.

Hulk-2, well, proves yet again there's nothing to beat Hollywood when it comes to graphics. Couldn't catch up with much of the movie having missed the first part. Worth a watch though.

Also saw MMKR and Thillu Mullu for the billionth time on CD's sitting at home. They still manage to keep me in splits. Amazing movies, really!!

Then we had a new wimbledon champ crowned. Really happy for Rafa, felt bad for Fedex though. Asia cup was a total disaster, these guys never learn!! One day they chase 315 and they cant chase 270-280 odd on a final!! :| :|

Bunked office on friday and had a 3-day weekend. Great break and thorough relief. Strayed around aimlessly with Dhana on friday, reaching home at midnight :P and went out for a lunch at Eden, Besant Nagar on sunday with colleagues. It was a treat, of course :P. Great lunch, people should try that place, really amazing!!

Nothing much to type out. Waiting for another boring week to start. Saturday is heaven!!

Insomnia!!

Its kiling me. Cha.

Why Warney, Why??

If Australia really needed me and there was no one else around, and Ricky Ponting thought I could do the job, you would weigh up the options," Warne told the Herald Sun. "If Stuey MacGill fell over and broke his leg, and there were no other spinners around, and Ricky came out and said, 'Mate, can you please help us out for this one-off tour? We need you', that is something I would weigh up.
Mate, DONT DO IT!! We have all seen you haven't lost your sheen from your form in IPL, but Warney, a 38 year old making a comeback into test just seems to be a sure shot method of plunging to nothingness from worship-worthy!!
Please, lets not have the world's craftiest spinner be dropped after playing one test match coming back from retirement. Please dont let the leggy legend be humiliated!!
Stay in Rajasthan (amidst bombs, if you have to). The legend Shane Warne needs to be immortal!!

Great News!!

As the decline in tiger population in the country continues to be a case of concern, a 25 per cent increase in the number of big cats in Tamil Nadu's wildlife sanctuaries has brought smiles on the faces of conservationists in the state.

"The number of tigers have gone up from 62 to 76, thus registering a 25 percent increase," Tamil Nadu Environment and Forests Minister N Selvaraj said. "The tiger population in India has come down from 3,642 in 2001 to 1,411 in 2008," he said, quoting a report by the Wildlife Institute of India while speaking on the grants for his ministry in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday.

Selvaraj said the declaration of the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary as new Project Tiger areas in 2007 helped the population of big cats to pick up. "It proved that the state was a frontrunner in tiger conservation and the priority placed for this cause by the state," he said.

The Centre provided 100 per cent assistance in the areas of tiger habitat conservation, ecological development and protection, forest fire control measures and human-wild conflict resolution in Project Tiger areas. The state would also spend Rs crores on tiger conservation activities in the Kalakkad-Mundathurai, Anamalai and Mudumalai sanctuaries, Selvaraj said.

Source : The Hindu

Lets hope the pride of India and the majesty of the wild keeps growing!!

Hope the royal stripes continue to rule the wild FOREVER!!!!

IPL - What They Say

"The IPL has taken the game to virtually every house in the world."
- Sachin Tendulkar

"What? Six weeks' razzle-dazzle enough to consign over a hundred years of Test cricket to the dump? You must be off your rocker."
- David Gower

"The suggestion that the Indian Premier League is a runaway success has been completely manufactured. Even at this early stage, when the paint is still drying on the grounds, they are already giving away stacks of tickets."
- Geoffrey Boycott

"This is not cricket. This is the greatest divide between the rich and the poor. With that kind of money, you could have built another cement factory."
- Jaswant Singh

"Violence between players? Scantily clad cheerleaders? Toss in a rant by Charles Barkley and three minutes of commercials for every 45 seconds of actual game time and cricket may finally be ready for a mainstream American audience."
- The Los Angeles Times warms to the idea of Twenty20 cricket after hearing about the IPL

"All the organisers are doing by making scantily-clad white women dance in front of huge crowds is to stoke the base voyeuristic and sexual insecurities of the Indian male. It is revolting, appalling and shows the game in very poor light."
- Ramachandra Guha, Cricket historian

"I do not wish Twenty20 well, though I welcome new funds for cricket and cricketers. I think Twenty20 is a decadent, dumbed-down, third-rate formula for sub-prime cricket."
- William Rees-Mogg, Former Times editor

"It's really unusual to come to Bombay, hit a four and see nobody clapping for you."
- Rahul Dravid

Five full days of cricket with batsman stroking balls along the ground and bowlers uprooting stumps after toiling for long hours in white kits is better any day.

- Keshav, jobless blogger :P

All quotes, except the last one taken from cricinfo.

Putham Pudhu Bhoomi Vendum

Rules:
1. Put your MP3 player on shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write the name of the song no matter what. No cheating!

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY?” YOU SAY?

Annathe Aaduraar - Aboorva Sagodharargal

:)) =))

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

Ik Onkar - RDB

Thats a Prayer I guess!!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Yamunai aatrile - Thalapathi

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

Mann Mohana - Jodhaa Akbar

Not making much sense, am I?? :P

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

Arjunaru Villu - Ghilli

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

Kannuku Mai Azhagu

Definitely not my motto. :P

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

:O :O Cant beieve this!!

Maddy!! Maddy!!

Am blushing!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?

Tu Bin Bataaye - RDB

:-?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Its the Time to Disco - Kal Ho Na Ho

I have never been in the vicinity of a Disco in my Life :P

WHAT IS 2+2?

Mazhai Mazhai - Ullam Ketkume

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Yaar Yaar Sivam - Anbe Sivam.

Ermm..

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Hello Mr. Ethir Katchi - Iruvar

:))

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Good one!! :-D

Chale Chalo - Lagaan

=))

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Urvasi Urvasi - Kaadhalan

I definitely dont wanna be some Urvasi :|

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Suthum Vizhi Chudare - Ghajini

I guess I might :P

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Mitwa - Lagaan

Oh Really??!!

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

Pal Pal hai Bhaari - Swades

:)) =)) will I really?? =)) ;;)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Stranded on the Streets - Nala Damayanthi

How Fitting!! :P

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Lose Control - RDB

:O

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Kehne ko Jashn e bahaara - Jodhaa Akbar

Oh Ya!! Incedentally, my current fav song.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Yun Hi Chala - Swades

:D

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?

Putham Pudhu Bhoomi Vendum - Thiruda Thiruda