Shoaib and our reaction to Shoaib.

Well, have you ever tried telling a Bengali that the Pani Puri shouldn't have potato fillings but instead have chickpeas - if you haven't, then I would suggest that you dont try this - cause this will ensure a reaction that is better not measured or tested! When I think of how we have reacted to Shoaib Akhtar and his recent autobiography, I keep going back to my previous example about Pani Puris and Bengalis'.



So Shoaib thinks Tendulkar and Dravid are not matchwinners - and that Tendulkar actually feared him at one point of time in his career. Well his point and he has all the right to stick to it. Its for us to believe it or not. But no - any insult on Sachin and Dravid has to be taken as a crime larger than mining scam or the 2G( but then again according to one Mr.Sibbal there was no loss for the 2G spectrum allocation)! So we have all his book launches being cancelled, motor mouth Rajeev Shukla demanding an apology, Hanna Azzare has threatened to go on a fast, Poonam Pandey has offered to offload her clothes to bring up the morale of the two individuals! Still awaiting Rahul Gandhi to pass a comment........., and the Prime Minister is to comment once he has consulted Sonia. Give the guy a break - he is just trying to add some spice and ensure that his book is bought in India- he had to cancel all book launches in Pakistan as he feared a drone attack to take out possibly take him out!! he does have a right to earn his retirement money, doesn't he?




But I think what this really shows is that we don"t take criticism well or objectively but rather take it personally. An individual is entitled to his views - regardless of whether if it is agreement with the majority. But yet again we show our underlying thread of non tolerance. A mature society should, I believe, should have reacted differently and just given it a shrug, and walked on. So we may call ourselves educated, but till we can learn to include everyone's point, however ridiculous or radical that it may be, we cant call ourselves a democratic, tolerant society.

The cup called World Cup

How does it feel when you stay back on a friday night to attend a call at 00:30 hrs on Saturday and at 00:03 hours you get a mail stating that the call got canceled. Ah well - made my Friday night!! WTF...

Anyways point is that there is a lot going on all around...a possible nuclear catastrophe, a very possible and likely vote for cash scandal, a possible suicide or murder....and amidst all this we have a World Cup going on. Oh something stay status quo - Kamran Akmal still wears a glove and doesnt know why - each time he drops a catch and the management must go - how much did he make this time?? The world cup to me has been supremely boring..few decent matches here and there but the itinerary is far too stretched. Heard that ICC is making good money on this cup...i know - where else would see people line up to see Kenya play Canada- not in Kenya or Canada I am sure. Much has been said and said again about the men in blue under MSD. Well the team is built around one of the most destructive batting line ups- 'nuff said but the bowling has always been India's Achilles heel. So what can we do..ask Zaheer to bowl 25 overs?? Damn cant do that. So then we need to figure out the best from the rest - Harbhajan, Munaf, Yuvi, Yusuf and Ashwin. I am sorry from what I have seen PC doesnt cut it, and Sree is a bigger headache..he bleeds too many runs. Yes you dont have a genuine leggie...but then live with it. On the batting front I dont think the Indian batting line up enjoys shuffling too much - havent seen them come across well - so stick to your original line up. Leave Yusuf at number seven..thats where he is most destructive in the International arena. Maybe because the ball is softer by that time and get to have an eye in against the Yardys of the game. So leave your super computers and stick to the basic adage - play to your strength. Btw did anyone notice how good is MSD now behind the stumps..he has made some serious progress on his glovework.

Amidst all this I was able to generate a big debate on Nehra when I said that it was great to see MSD stand by Nehra at the press conference. I was simply looking at it from a leader perspective - a leader should always stand by his wards. But the leader also needs to drill some sense into his wards at times. Sometimes you need to call a stick a stick. Last heard Paddy Upton was working with Nehra on his line and length..yes Paddy you are man Friday for the job.

India may go on to win the world cup from here on but I think plain logical thinking seems to get diluted at times. Hence you never follow what 'proverb a line Sidhu' is trying to say..i pity Harsha...his expression underlines his helplessness....but I will save that for another day!!!