If you observe semi-final line-up of 2010 T20 world cup, one can easily find one interesting thing. Those countries whose players have not participated actively in the 2010 IPL have reached semi-finals in T20 Cricket world cup. T20 World cup semi-finalists: 1. Australia: They are not defeating teams but are decimating. Most of them decided to take rest and prepared well for T20 world cup. Others have participated in just few games. 2. Pakistan: No one played in IPL and luckily reached semi-finals. 3. England: Wonderful performance and performed well. Pietersen is an exception. 4. Sri Lanka: They are drained out but weak opponents in super 8 helped them to reach semi-finals. Worst performers: 1. India: They lacked hunger. They lacked fitness. They lacked seriousness. It is waste to discuss about these Indian cricketers. It is waste to talk about Dhoni’s captaincy in this tournament. 2. South Africa: These players are chokers at big tournaments but this year’s performance is pathetic. They drained out after playing extensively in 2010. 3. New Zealand: I failed to understand. They used to play well at big tournaments but.... 4. West Indies: Pollards are drained out. Others failed to adjust their game to T20 format. Final note: Except Australia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, no team played with zeal. It is a world cup cricket tournament. But, I failed to find such seriousness among cricketers. These cricketers should be trained by patriotic players like Kapil Dev, Javed Miandad, Steve Waugh and Mohinder Amarnath. Yuvrajs and Gambhirs should learn from Clarkes and Johnsons. If they are not interested to die for country, just replace them with Robin Uthappas, Sourab Tiwarys and Ambati Rayudus. Cricket is a war. You are fighting for your country. You should prepare to die for your country on cricket field. Please share your opinion on T20 world cup. … [Read more...]
Umesh Yadav: Ace of Pace
It is official. Praveen Kumar is out of the T20 World Cup and Umesh Yadav is in. It is difficult to believe that at the age of 19, when young cricketers start working hard to secure a place in the Indian team, this young man, Umesh Yadav, had not even played with a leather ball. Even now, he is not even 2 years old in domestic cricket, has played only 11 first class matches and 9 T20 matches. His father is a coal miner and his home is in a village, a stone's throw away from Nagpur. This youth's initial aim was to be a policeman. Well, fate had other things in store for him. He started playing in tennis ball cricket tournaments, earning some money which the family badly needed. Former Vidarbha player Pritam Gandhe noticed his pace by chance and the rest is history. He debuted for Air India in the All-India Invitation Tournament of 2008-09. Immediately after that, he played for Vidarbha Cricket Association XI in the Butchi Babu Invitation Tournament. He was in the Vidarbha Under-22 team in the CK Nayudu trophy. In his first class debut in late 2008, he got to represent Vidarbha in the Plate League of the Ranji trophy tournament. He got 20 wickets in 4 games. He got to play in the Duleep Trophy in 2009 representing Central Zone. Imagine his delight when he dismissed batting greats like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. This performance secured for him a contract with the Delhi Daredevils. In the 7 IPL matches he played in the 2010 season, he scalped 6 wickets at an average of 30. He has consistently bowled at a speed of over 140 kmh and that has created a great impression. Though his IPL performance had given his confidence a boost, by his own admission, he did not expect to get a call to wear the Team India colours so soon, that too at the World Cup level. Leave alone being not included in the 15 member team announced on March 26, he had not even been included in the list of the 30 probables. Due to this reason, his appointment will have to be cleared by the ICC’s Event Technical Committee. Team India suffered a blow when pacer Praveen Kumar sustained a side strain in a practice session and an MRI scan revealed an abdominal … [Read more...]
