27 September (Sunday)
Driving to the ground, 1992 world cup finals between England and Pakistan came to my mind. For folks who are old enough to recall, that finals was between England, who were outstanding throughout the tournament, beating every one with very professional cricket. On the other hand, Pakistan were very nearly out of the tournament and very few predicted them to come this far. It is a matter of folk fare that the great Imran Khan Niazi led them to a fantastic win in the back-drop of some wonderful swing bowling from Wasim Akram and brilliance of Inzi.
Coming to our own finals, just like England, Tigers have been so professional, winning every game with consummate ease as they chased stiff targets many time with no fuss and clearly looked like a very champion side. On the other hand, United, like Pakistan, were nearly out of the tournament and very few predicted them to make it to the play-offs, let alone beating Warriors and then MCC.
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| 2015 Regal champions - Tigers |
Needless to state, such an analogy kept me very excited as I drove to the ground, expecting a cracker of a finals.
First piece of good news for Tigers was that they will be bowling first. In the last few games, team batting first hardly made 100 with top order batting collapse, mostly within the first 6 overs. Lot to do with the heavy atmosphere with damp outfield, coupled with the indecisiveness of batsman not knowing whether they should set a target in excess of 130 or not.
Thus, it was vital for the team batting first to do very little, except to blunt the new ball attack without losing too many wickets in the first six overs. If they can make it to 25 by the first six overs, it is OK since any target in excess of 100 will be stiff in the finals. Unfortunate as it is for United, it just didn't happen.
Arvind Sunder-Rajan, who had been outstanding through the season, was knocked out by a beauty of a delivery from Sunny Jr. I was watching straight from behind while I was walking into the ground and it is certainly a ball a batsman never wishes to get upfront. Poor Arvind-Sundar. A big, big breakthrough for Tigers very early since Arvind could have knocked around, safeguarding the wickets.
Ravi Pakala is another smart opening batsman, who understands the need for a solid foundation as he demonstrated during winning knock against Lions, earlier in the season. In that particular game, he stayed around for the first 12 or 13 overs. Although he was not creaming the ball, he stayed around, scoring at run a ball which was vital for United, batting first to make a good score that they ultimately defended with ease. Having seen the loss of Arvind to that peach of a delivery, I was surprised to find him, trying to chase balls with the intent of accelerating the score very early in the innings. Very soon, he was also knocked out by a swinging delivery from Sunny Jr. Frankly speaking, I expected Ravi to understand his role and play accordingly, considering that their big, big player Arvind Manjegowda was not playing today.
I have only one word to describe Amandeep, who made a hara-kiri to get bowled all around, going for a wild swish. Disappointing. Again, didn't expect this from someone who has made so much of promise through the season with his calm demeanor and measured approach. A shot, am sure he will be very disappointed off.
In the meanwhile, the dependable and stylish Javed had walked in and I was expecting Sashi to walk in then. This was very decisive moment. In the absence of Arvind M, the captain should have thought through and sent him in. Sashi is such a confidence player and adapts easily to the situation. I have seen so many times when he is send up the order, taking his time to settle down, playing straight and scampering singles to slowly erode the confidence of the bowling unit. But for some strange reasons, in this season, he is coming too low in the order. To my amazement and to my dismay, in this very vital game, he came in only as #8 or even #9 in the batting order. This was a crazy decision and does not make any sense at all. If he had been sent in at #5, am sure that he would have bolstered the batting by sensible play which was ideally required then. But it did not happen.
Coming to Javed, he was out almost immediately. It was an unfortunate dismissal since he attempted an inside-out shot very early. Since he was still new to the crease and the atmosphere is lot more heavier, the ball came in a little slower than he anticipated. This resulted in the ball, instead of going lot straighter, skewing to widish deep cover where he was gleefully caught. A crunch moment of the game. As much as it was an unfortunate dismissal, it was not called for at that time. But again, cricket is such a strange game where it only takes a ball to get out. Things happen in a blink of any eye as Javed found out that day.
Not only with Sashi's batting order, there were strange batting order for other batsmen as well, particularly the middle order. Instead of experienced batsman like Roshan and Lakshmi coming up the order, I saw new faces. Although they may be good players, given that this is the finals, it is for the experienced players to come up and show the way. Alarmingly, Lakshmi batted at #11 and Roshan, probably #8. Just does not make sense. In the meanwhile, the other opener Bhuvnesh was playing well, knocking around with very sensible play. But with wickets tumbling around, he could do very little without any support.
Coming to Javed, he was out almost immediately. It was an unfortunate dismissal since he attempted an inside-out shot very early. Since he was still new to the crease and the atmosphere is lot more heavier, the ball came in a little slower than he anticipated. This resulted in the ball, instead of going lot straighter, skewing to widish deep cover where he was gleefully caught. A crunch moment of the game. As much as it was an unfortunate dismissal, it was not called for at that time. But again, cricket is such a strange game where it only takes a ball to get out. Things happen in a blink of any eye as Javed found out that day.
Not only with Sashi's batting order, there were strange batting order for other batsmen as well, particularly the middle order. Instead of experienced batsman like Roshan and Lakshmi coming up the order, I saw new faces. Although they may be good players, given that this is the finals, it is for the experienced players to come up and show the way. Alarmingly, Lakshmi batted at #11 and Roshan, probably #8. Just does not make sense. In the meanwhile, the other opener Bhuvnesh was playing well, knocking around with very sensible play. But with wickets tumbling around, he could do very little without any support.
Tigers is an outstanding bowling unit, as they have time and time again proved in this season. Almost all their bowlers understand their role and bowl within their capability, without experimenting too much. It is simple line and length on the off stump, day in and out. With the heavy atmosphere, it makes even more sense to keep is straight and simple.
But the man of the match was the ever looming and towering Regal personality of Juniad. He is one of my best friends in the league with his charming smile and lacklasidal approach to the game. What a bowling performance by him. He took four wickets within no time, with impeccable line and length bowling and just showed what a great player he is even without any practice, having played very few games this season. It is so nice and refreshing to see his bubbly enthusiasm and he is one of the stars of our Regal league and certainly the man of the match as he made quick in-roads at the confidence lacking and inept United batting. He got tremendous support from the rest of the bowlers as well.
Sashi came in at #9 I guess in the 12th over or so with the team tattering around 40 for 7. This is not the batting order for him. Like in many other innings this season, he was caught in no man's land, whether to go with his natural game or getting through the 20 overs. Although for an over or so, he played sensible, after hitting a boundary, he got out going for yet another hara-kiri shot. He was certainly running out of partners and the what was important was that this happened in the 15th over with still another five overs to go. What a great waste of talent.
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| Cafe India, excellent lunch |
Luckily, we were presented with a sumptuous and tasty lunch from 'Cafe India' which is owned by another great friend of Regal, Rakesh Rehan. Many folks commented about how nice the food is and I wish him well with his business and will look forward to visiting 'Cafe India' shortly.
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| Modi |
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| SanketKumar |
Their other opener, Sanket went even better. He has improved so much in his batting. Repeatedly, he has played the anchor role to perfection. He understands the game situation very well and he can easily transition from the mode of blocker to attacker. What was amazing that he can change his shots at the last minute which shows how much he watches the ball. Twice against Lions, they chased scores in excess of 140. thanks to his calculated, matured and controlled batting.
Tigers won the game within 10 overs, having lost only one wicket that of Sanketh. It was a easy cake and at no time, looked in discomfort all although there was one easy dropped catch very early in the innings. I doubt whether that would have made a difference, considering the depth in their batting and above all the confidence of each and every one of those Tiger players.
Really a fabulous achievement by Tigers, which is amplified many times because every one in the team contributed to the success and they certainly did not win any game with individual charming performance of any one person throughout the tournament. That is what you want to see in a champion team. Hats off Tigers.
Although this does not belong to this game, I would recall a stellar performance by Rinav in a game against Lions. He did this win an inspiring bowling performance where no one expected him to bowl at all. In that game, Lions were placed very happily with 112 or so for the loss of only two wickets by the 13th over. Rinav came and in a matter of four overs, Lions stumbled to 120 for 8. Instead of a score of 160+, Lions could only muster to around 140 which was again easily chased by Tigers. Tiger's captain, Harsh who is so gentle and pleasant had a fabulous all-round performance also. Other folks like Amit, Sardar, Sunny Sr. and many others also have made steady contribution for the great success of Tigers.
Not only was the weather and food great during the game, even the friends and families who miled around were so pleasant. I wish I had taken photographs of some of the spectators (if anyone has photographs of these folks, please send it across). Saw Arvind-SundarRajan and Javed's mothers, sitting next to each other, enjoying the festive atmosphere from their picnic chairs. What a great moment to watch their sons perform!!! Are these not the ladies who packed lunches to their boys when they were running to the ground as boys. What a feeling for them to witness the finals on such a great day.
Really a fabulous achievement by Tigers, which is amplified many times because every one in the team contributed to the success and they certainly did not win any game with individual charming performance of any one person throughout the tournament. That is what you want to see in a champion team. Hats off Tigers.
Although this does not belong to this game, I would recall a stellar performance by Rinav in a game against Lions. He did this win an inspiring bowling performance where no one expected him to bowl at all. In that game, Lions were placed very happily with 112 or so for the loss of only two wickets by the 13th over. Rinav came and in a matter of four overs, Lions stumbled to 120 for 8. Instead of a score of 160+, Lions could only muster to around 140 which was again easily chased by Tigers. Tiger's captain, Harsh who is so gentle and pleasant had a fabulous all-round performance also. Other folks like Amit, Sardar, Sunny Sr. and many others also have made steady contribution for the great success of Tigers.
Not only was the weather and food great during the game, even the friends and families who miled around were so pleasant. I wish I had taken photographs of some of the spectators (if anyone has photographs of these folks, please send it across). Saw Arvind-SundarRajan and Javed's mothers, sitting next to each other, enjoying the festive atmosphere from their picnic chairs. What a great moment to watch their sons perform!!! Are these not the ladies who packed lunches to their boys when they were running to the ground as boys. What a feeling for them to witness the finals on such a great day.
Then there was Juniad's dad who witnessed a wonderful performance by his son. Although I was so unhappy that he ruined the finals, it was great to see a champion. Also many other family members from both sides. Crap!! should have take some pictures of those families, including Sashi's greatest admirer, his charming daughter.
Overall, a game which was looked upon with so much enthusiasm, fizzled out into a one-sided game. Tigers were the deserving winners and played admirably through the season indeed. If someone looks at their statistics, one will realize that they did not have any all-rounder. Other teams need to learn from this since it shows that if we have players with focus on batting and bowling, you not only get to provide changes to everyone, but also can win championship. I am not suggesting that we don't need all-rounders. Take the case of Kabir. He should always get to bat and bowl since he can change the outcome of the game with bat or ball. But what we don't need is a team with 4 or 5 all-rounders who not only bowl but also will play in the top order every game. Cricket is a team game and we need to provide opportunities to everyone to perform through the season and that can only happen if we nurture individual talents rather than at the pretext of winning, glorify all-rounders. Two all-rounders is more than plenty.
A sweet revenge for Tigers who I believe lost to United in the last year finals.
United certainly missed Arvind Manjegowda. They can keep their head high for the way they came back from the depth of near elimination and have shown the way for other teams to never give up . Over the years, they have bolstered the image of cricket by repeatedly demonstrating that a team that believes in one cause can do wonders. Hats off United.
Another season is done and dusted. Enjoyed every moment of it with my dearest and nearest friends. Thanks to each and every one of you who walked into Lindsay. Although I did not get to perform that much through the season, I am certainly thankful to Lions who embraced me into their team.
Congrats champions Tigers and hard-luck to United the rest of the teams
Go Regal.
Tigers winning moment
Overall, a game which was looked upon with so much enthusiasm, fizzled out into a one-sided game. Tigers were the deserving winners and played admirably through the season indeed. If someone looks at their statistics, one will realize that they did not have any all-rounder. Other teams need to learn from this since it shows that if we have players with focus on batting and bowling, you not only get to provide changes to everyone, but also can win championship. I am not suggesting that we don't need all-rounders. Take the case of Kabir. He should always get to bat and bowl since he can change the outcome of the game with bat or ball. But what we don't need is a team with 4 or 5 all-rounders who not only bowl but also will play in the top order every game. Cricket is a team game and we need to provide opportunities to everyone to perform through the season and that can only happen if we nurture individual talents rather than at the pretext of winning, glorify all-rounders. Two all-rounders is more than plenty.
A sweet revenge for Tigers who I believe lost to United in the last year finals.
United certainly missed Arvind Manjegowda. They can keep their head high for the way they came back from the depth of near elimination and have shown the way for other teams to never give up . Over the years, they have bolstered the image of cricket by repeatedly demonstrating that a team that believes in one cause can do wonders. Hats off United.
Another season is done and dusted. Enjoyed every moment of it with my dearest and nearest friends. Thanks to each and every one of you who walked into Lindsay. Although I did not get to perform that much through the season, I am certainly thankful to Lions who embraced me into their team.
Congrats champions Tigers and hard-luck to United the rest of the teams
Go Regal.
Tigers winning moment
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