Do Torres and Reds have the nerve?

Everyone in India is spiced up for the IPL to begin, but there is much better and thrilling encounter happening in the other side of the globe. The Champions League quarterfinals second leg is happening tonight. What can be a better day for a Manchester United fan than having to watch a Liverpool and Chelsea match showdown! 

Liverpool was beaten at Anfield by Chelsea 1-3. Reds were limping towards the end of the game. Now they got to face the blues in Stamford Bridge. Bet you! They are not a predictable side when they play on their own back yard. It's evenly poised between the two teams. Torres in top notch with loads of goals in EPL. Will the golden boy Gerard be able to take Liverpool past Terry and his men? Liverpool have this tail up after a win at England last week, where as Chelsea had a nail biting finish to earn the 3 points. Tough ask! Will have to watch it from whistle to whistle, its a cracker.

My money is on Liverpool... I know I'm gonna lose my money!

We are in no better position. Just that the goal difference is equal between ManU and FC Porto. The two away goals is the only advantage that Porto has. I guess Sir Alex Ferguson will have the trump card team for the match. Surely he would gamble with Ronaldo.

Its been so far a fantastic season in the Barclay's English Premier League. Just 1 point separating 1st champions ManU and 2nd place Liverpool with one game less for ManU. Its been a fantastic climax I would believe. That one game, that one goal will make a difference.

IPL Fame to Shame

The "Indian" Premier League will be hosted outside India. Primary reason, the General elections will be held at the same time and security will not be adequate to cover both the events at the same time. Fair Enough.

First the UPA Government should have taken all the necessary measures to see if they could host both the event at the same time. A body on power showing its incapability to give adequate security is a shame. Esp from the Mumbai and Andra Pradesh police withdrawing to give security for IPL. This will project a wrong image on the nation and its security. Yes the general election is a big event, but so was the IPL. India should not be a portrays as second Pakistan in the eyes of the other nation. What if in future another international event like the common wealth games or Cricket world cup is on schedule and a general election falls at the same time?

IPL season1 was a super hit for Indian Cricket and Lalit Modi. But season2 beginning was a disappointment. What is IPL all about? Its about Cricket, Super starts, Sixes, Fanatic Fans and Indian atmosphere. Its not about SKhan, PZinta, VMaliya, LModi and ICC. But now who is taking charge. Its the stakeholders who invested are the rule makers. Whats the whole benefit in watching the whole event in TV. Damn! Tell me a crowd that makes more noise than Chennai, Mubai, Kolkatha! Will this event get the atmosphere we wanted. A BIG NO from me. Its not just the fans who are disappointed since they cant watch the match. Its the small businesses that run around the whole event, from a T-shirt manufacturer to a Pan shop owner will not see profit. Its gonna hit them badly. Indian economy/sports will not grow if this happens again and again.

Angel in disguise of the young players who will get a chance to play in South Africa or England. Something what I would suggest would be play all the league matches in what ever foreign venue you want to. But play the knockouts in India. Yes, its hard for the players to adopt for different conditions. But still its more fun you know.

F1 2009 rule changes

Well narrated and animated Video. Worth a watch! Vettel takes you through.

Rafa Rafa and Rafa

I'm living in the Golden Era of Sports

Congrats Rafa

He did it again, he did it again with a Force. Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open 2009, first grand slam in the calender. 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2 Did you witness the match? Did you see those forehand and backhand shots from both the champion tennis players. They just re-wrote the history books for a tennis game. It would be fair to say that Rafa would have covered a distance of a full marathon during the match. It was a fight between skill, determination, temperament, physical and mental strength. The better stood out at the end. He ruled "The Clay", he went and conquered the grass. Now he is here are his first hard court grand slam and proving every critique wrong and thus conquering. With a total match time of about 10 hours in 3 days is like super human.  Congrats Nadal..

Whats next for Federer?

"God - This is killing me?" - It was not Federer who was beaten, It was Fed's Morale that was beaten. All the tears at the end of the game spoke for it. He was once written as a champion who is supposed to equal pete's record with this win. He din lose because he din have the skill or he din have the stamina to stand at the center court for 5+ hours. Its because he din think he can win. 3rd set was the turning point of the match. Twice Nadal was able to save him to 0-40 and take the game. I can say loud and clear that Fed tenure is over. If he got to take an other championship, he need to give double best. He needs to cross people like Nadal and Verdasco in his path.

For Federer fans

My friend said, "Federer Failed, Not Destroyed". I say this is what they call step1. You guys take a break and great ready to fanatically follow your legend and keep your biased review and comments about Nadal coming. We love feedback.

WTF was that?

Arun has captured it here (Rafa means Positive Energy). Adding to it, I was totally annoyed by the commentary given by Espnstar commentator Vijay Amritraj. At least he annoyed less towards the end of the game. For a winning Federer point, he has these flamboyant commentary to praise Fed. But in case of Nadal he says, "That was close to the line and Fed misses it."

Ladies, you are boring

I have stopped watching Ladies tennis for good. They have lost the charm of Steffi, Monica, and Hingis. It has become a muscle game. Who can hit the fastest! For instance both the finalist are like power houses. Ladies have learnt that speed and strength can beat skill. That is true. I wish the beauty will revive again soon. 

I'm living in a Golden Era

I learned first rules of tennis in my TV video game that my Dad got me. Whats a fault, double fault, tie breaker et al. Also I decided this was not the game for me in real life after playing few shots in my college days. I grew up in the era of Sampras and Agassi. Its was Federer who ruled after that with his class. He had his own style to be with. Less expressive and calm until he wins the game. Who can beat someone with such exquisite touch. Nadal proved it wrong, speed with skill can do it. What would be next? Who will conquer Nadal? Skill, strength or something different. 

Ice Man Magic

What a race it had been, its been so long since we had such an eventful race and drama. Finally Kimi Raikkonen crowned as the Formula1 World Champion 2007.

This race had all expectations, stunning qualifying, superb driving, over taking, strategy, professionalism, sportsmanship, retirements and of course tears. Myself and my friend was thinking where to watch this grandprix. Either enigmatic or the Legends way! After lots of struggle, the screen was clear and was able to watch it with ease. We even were not ready to miss the qualifying even. Like an engineer in the pit, we were watching the drivers race timing sector by sector. It was real fun, try it once! (Image: planet-f1.com)

My highlighted pick of this race were these,

• Massa start - What a drive to the first corner. Forcing Lewis Hamilton to slow down and allowing kimi to over take him before the first corner.
• Alonso move - Alonso using this Ferrari move on Hamilton took the outside curve and over took him. This is what a team rivalry can do!
  
• Hamilton's mistake - What else can this rookie do, push hard and overtake Alonso. Risks are costly at those high speeds. He paid penalty on loosing track positions.
• WTF - I expected a problem on Lewis car later on the race. But this were worse earlier itself. But his never quit strategy was great and he did his best.
  
• Kimi first pit stop - This changed the game for both the Ferrari drivers. Kimi was given slighty more fuel than Massa so that he can have more time on track before the second pit stop.
  
• WTF again - Why was Lewis given such a small pit stop? Is it to give him a drive on traffic free track, different compound tyres or less load on the car to fly faster. I was not able to understand what went into Mclaren's team radio.
• Kubica's cocktail punch - Alonso was gaining track position, while out of the blues came Kubica making a drive of his lifetime to say Alonso, "Buddy you are not the champion this time, so move away, I will try a podium finish." It was the best overtaking maneuver of the entire race!
• Kimi's championship laps - As soon as Massa entered pits, kimi had a fire in his tail. He was breaking sector timings and had the fastest lap of the race to come out of the pits ahead of Massa who was struck by traffic.
• Times up for Hamilton - As soon as lewis took his 3rd pitstop it was evident that he will not be getting his championship, he was 20 sec behind the Williams driver in 6th place with just 9 laps remaining. Kimi did not even celebrate as soon as crossed the finish line, he started only after confirming Lewis was in 7th place.

To roundup, it was an wonderful year for racing fans. The points tally says it all. Kimi - 110, Alonso - 109, Hamilton - 109. Kimi who deserved a win last year proved he was the best this year too. This rookie sensation Hamilton (My Hero) was impressive and sure will be a title contender for the coming season. Next season is all set for a bang with a three horse race with Alonso moving to Renault. More interesting is Dr. Vijay Mallya entry into F1. He's planning to rename this acquisition as team "Force India" which is subject to approval of FIA and other teams. This will push motor sport to next scale in India. Even more interesting was F1 image gallery showed picture of Vijay Mallya walking with Ralf Shumacher. Last but least, just before the clash between the Mclaren & Ferrari fans broke out in the place we watched. The commentators said, "Massa & Kimi are real team mates."

Chalo, Got office tomorrow morning. Good night.

Zero to Hero [Lance - Man on wheels]

Q: What would you say your greatest victory? 'Winning the Tour de France' or 'Fighting Cancer'.
Lance: Fighting cancer!

Both the words 'Tour de France' and 'Cancer' are frighting for us. Last Sunday (Nov 13) I saw a biography of the greatest sports man this world has ever seen, "Lance Armstrong". It was so inspirational and made me write this blog. Sharing them with you...

Lance was young lad from the town of Texas. He started his childhood career as a triathlon athlete. Then soon he found his Superior bicycling skills and became a professional bicycler. By the time he had a few Junior tournaments under his belt. He was recognised by few teams in USA and was funded. Then he joined team Motorola which was his major boost.

'Tour de France' - Most enduring test for any athlete. Toughest ever in a cyclist career. Tour de France is a 3 weeks race to cover various plains and hills of France. Extreme athlete dare to take it. Each county is represented by a coloured Jersey. The winner of a stage is privileged to wear his country's jersey. Lance won 8th stage in 1993. 18th stage in 1995, but he was not able to celebrate since his team mate 'Fabrio' lost his life in a crash.

Then it was 2nd October 1996, Lance had his first symptoms that he was not well. Then was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed of 'testicular cancer' in his lungs. He was immediately operated the next day morning and was successfully removed from cancer. Then after sufficient rest, he was back on wheels. But things became worse, once during a practice session in France he came to his feet. It was diagnosed as cancer again, but this time in Brain. It was well grown, that the doctors said Lance chances of survival was less than 50%. But he was operated and was removed from cancer cells. Lance also under went chemotherapy thrice. He felt it was the end of his career. His sponsors with drew from him. But he recovered and announced for a need of sponsor. No one turned back.

This motivated Lance to prove them all wrong. His turning point was 'US Postal team' that invited Lance. with the spirits running high,he came back with a bang. He won the 1999 Tour de France for every ones surprise. Then he was able to repeat it on 2000, also the bronze in 2000 Sydney Olympics was added to it. But the media tried to push him down with a doping scandal, which was proved wrong. Then he repeated again, again and again.

He was the Tour de France champion for a record 7 consecutive years. A person once thought that it was end of his life with cancer to come up and win such a demanding race both physically and mentally is miracle. Then he retired from racing. He then found the LiveStrong for cancer victims and survivors and to raise awareness about cancer.

Use full links helped me are
http://www.lancearmstrong.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Armstrong
[P.S: If some of the statistics provided in my post are wrong, please bear with me. Its up to my knowledge.]

My small cricketing Career!

As mentioned earlier, I joined my school cricket team in my 9th. Then in 10th lots of the big names in the team passed out after their 12th STD. So its the young boys to take charge. There were 4 quickies in the team then. Myself, karthi, Vinod, another one right hander. That year our school was the host of the games. So its our home ground. To be frank, it was a bad and small ground. A chip in the leg side will fetch a six. Rightly to be said as the Batsman's paradise. One big boot was our entire school was behind us including the staff, which was a moral boost for us. I remember our team wore a yellow tops for the game.

It was a one day event. League in the morning and finale by the end. 6 teams were there, I think. In spite we being the host we were the team to play most matches. We won the first one in ease. The other team did not have a good bowling attack and our batsman's took the match in ease. Then the lunch in annapoorna. Man good place to have a lunch, but keeping the upcoming matches behind my head, I ate little. Then it was the semi's our second match. It was said that team was a tough one to be beaten. But...

We are to bat first and put up a decent score on the boards. Surprisingly in spite there being 2 better pace bowlers in my team. I was given the second over :-). The entire atmosphere suited me. The ground, the mat (on which we bowl), the view of the batman from the bowling end. All was familiar to me. So all made to go well. I'm not sure about the exact stats. But believe me. My captain had faith on me. Then my magic second spell. I hope by that time 3 wickets had fallen. First ball was a dot ball. Went back, got the ball had my usual breath out to relax myself and started my run up. It was a straight ball, batman misjudged it, there flew his sticks. One down, I was not spirited with energy, then my next ball. Right in the block hole. Bang !!! flew his sticks. Then came the roar from my school crowd behind the wicket. Now everyone were excited! Then again for the next ball. I over stretched myself and just missed the batsman's pad to the leg side. Declared a wide. :-( Missed my hattrick. Then have to re bowl the ball. I collected myself, made me think that "I took no wickets". then bowled the ball. Good length, batsman misses it, again the sticks. Since it hit the top of the wood, the sticks travelled a few yards back. Ya! Wow. Three consecutive wickets. So a hatrick in my small career. I remember me making a huge run to the crowd and price(sir) was leading them. It was a memorable match which we won.

Keeping in mind we went to the finals. Again a good competitive team. We batted first for a decent score. Then to bowl. As usual I was given to open the bowling. Also it was getting late. So the overs were reduced to 8 I suppose. So 2 over quota for each bowler :(. I had the second over and then the last over. In between other bowlers backed up doing their job as directed. Oops last over and 7 runs to lose the game/tournament. Having confidence in me, captain gave me the ball to bowl. Tidy quick over, pitched up the ball well. "Did we win?" Yes was the answer. Running out in joy and screaming around all the campus.

That day evening I carried home the trophy. I had to return it to be kept in games room. Happy moments for me.

Memories and Fun:
Once, Suresh(sir) came along to the area where we were practicing. He gave a comment that "Karthik's batting style, looks like that of Rahul Dravid". Yeskay was flattered.
Ajay(thopai), during the evening when we were playing. He faced me for a ball. That was a cork ball and not a stitch cork. Unfortunately I lost the control of the ball and it went as a beemer to him. Without cleverly moving away, he tried some gilly pull shot. Sorry, he only tried, But missed the ball. The ball landed right on his left eye :(. Nothing was serious, but he had a black circle around his eyes soon after that. Remember Arjun used to laugh like hell when he hears this.
Bharath(sorry for him). During selection I suppose, He had to face my ball. I pushed the ball well inn. It went in a flash and hit his ribbs. He was down. Nothing was serious.
Next Charles, great fielder. I remember he using both his hands once, I mean throwing the ball.
Arun J Raja. Great wicky. It was too painful for him to collect balls from all the quickies in the team. some times shares his burden with charles.
Samyraj, stylish left hander and skipper when were on 12th.

Also the next consecutive year, we lost the tournament. but need not talk about that...