First match abandoned!!!!!

The series opener which could ve proved to b an humdinger was washed out by rain. The world cup champions in 20Twenty n in the odi's match was equally poised wen rain gods played the spoil sport. Earlier aussies recovered from an precarious position of 91 for 4 to 307 for 7 mainly to sensible but aggresive knock of 130 from Clark and 69 from Haddin. Sreeshanth for a change did more of the talking with the ball clocking 147 km/hr @ times. HE picked up 3 crucial wickets which bought India into the match wen gilchrist n hayden was getting on song.. Once haddin n clark came together there was no stopping for them they cruised all along until haddin fell. Aussies reached 307 in the 50 overs. Indians reply were 9 for 1 in 2.4 overs wen rain played havoc. Lets hope the series is kept alive by the rest of the matches...

Cricket vs Others in India!!!

Indian Hockey players won Asia Cup. Indian Cricket players won Twenty-20 world cup. And few days back Indian soccer players clinched the Nehru Cup. Three different sports, three different tournaments at different venues but common thing is that India is the winner.

Hockey and Soccer tournaments were held in India and Twenty-20 tournament was concluded in South Africa. In Twenty-20 total 12 countries participated. All the giants including Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and New Zealand were there and India won all the matches in tournament except one against NZ in Super Eight. Victory against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan was perfect example of Team Work.

In Asia cup hockey also India won all the seven matches they played. But winning was not the only positive outcome of the tournament. Indians struck 57 goals and accepted just five in tournament. They beat strong teams like South Korea and Japan in Semis.

Though situation was different in Nehru Cup, credit should certainly go to Indians for their victory. Only five teams were participated in it. Syria and Kirgizistan were two teams in tournament which had better performance than India in past. Other two teams, which played, were Bangladesh and Cambodia. In tournament India lost to only Syria in league match but took revenge after winning final against Syria by 1-0.

This is the performance of three different Indian teams, which participated in three different tournaments. After all win is win and nothing is better than success. But still there is controversy after grand reception that was given to Indian Cricket team in Mumbai.

Indian hockey team coach Jockim Carvalho was angry about the Red Carpet treatment given to Indian Cricket team by state Government and Board of Cricket Control of India. First of all we have to accept that though Hockey is National Sports of India Cricket is the only popular sports in India. That’s why people, media and sponsors are behind cricket. Till few years back our Hockey team had no sponsor. After that Castrol Oils came forward and sponsored the team.

Second thing is that if BCCI has welcomed the team and people have turn up to streets in huge numbers to welcome the team then why Mr. Carvalho is upset. It is the fact that Central and State governments are not appreciating victory of sports persons other than cricket. Cricketers are not dependent on government. They are earning lot from sponsors and advertisements. But this is not the thing for other sports. They have to depend a lot on aid by state and central governments.

I recall one incident of Indian archer Chakrovelu. She lives in northeast. She had to wait for more than two years to receive amount of just Two Lac. She fought against red tapism of government. After taking issue in court of central sports minister she got justice but only after two years. This is just an example of how other sports and sports persons are treated in India.

So the point, which Mr. Carvalho has raised, is not wrong but the time, which he selected, is wrong. He should have raised the issue just after Asia Cup victory. Because none can understand the situation of these winners except they raise voice. Unless you raise voice or fight you wont get anything in this country. This is the condition of sports in India.

Hockey players have done extremely well in Asia Cup. Soccer players took tremendous efforts to win Nehru Cup trophy. It is the thing with cricketers also. So government should also treat every sport with same yardstick.