IPL - Arbit Observations

1. Bhajji's slaps could have been better used on Shiv Pandit, Samir Kocchar and gang. Its wasted on Sreesanth. Sreesanth was funny enough without the supreme funniness of his crying uncontrollably after the match.

2. The commentary is consistently bad. Today when Tony Cozier made a witty remark after Kalyanakrishna threw down his second slipped ball (the ball flew from his hand behind the umpire) - Tony commented "We should call this the doosra - one that goes the other way" - Arun Lal responded with his best 'Oops - I have nothing witty to respond with' fake guffaw and then added this 'gem' - "Tony - the doosra is already taken, we should call this the Teesra - Ha Ha!"

3. If your team isnt performing well enough you should support the Mohali team - Priety Zinta just might throw in a free hug.

4. Who is Mussavir Khote? Why is he in any team? I want to play for the Mumbai Indians too if Khote can qualify so can I.

The Mandatory Post

35 and a year is up. This time last year people were wondering if it was time. This time this year the speculation is not if its time but if time can last till 2011 for one last shot at the Holy Grail.

The year before had seen a journey from Great to Good. This year has seen him storming back to the greatness that was always his. Determination in England in Tests, Sublime Touch in the ODIs - an encore against Pakistan. A ride down under - sublime touch and total complete mastery in both tests and ODIs. A throwback to the 1998 Sharjah days with twin supreme innings in the finals.

A year that started with the stigma of the WC disaster saw a return of the sublime genius who was again lording over all proceedings. Taking charge of things to once again dictate his terms.

No one dares ask if he should make way now for the only question is will his overabused body be up for one last fling in 2011. That and a triple ton down the line in tests should be sweet.

Happy Birthday. Heres to many more such years.

Bowl Outs

The T20 WC saw the first bowl-out of its kind between India and Pakistan. While Sehwag Bhajji and Uthappa hit the stumps giving India a 100% hit rate - the Pakistanis missed on all 3 chances.

Now today in the ICL final (why oh why is there a bowl-out in a best of three finals anyway??) - the match between the Heroes and the Badshahs was tied. Out came the bowl-out and yet again all three Pakistanis missed.

And with sufficient minimum datapoints - we have the Bowl Out Theory. "Pakistanis cannot hit the stumps."

QED

Till such time. .

We are welcomed at Lords with a dusty turner and bright sunshine, At Perth and Brisbane and Melbourne with a flat - 4th day deteriorating track or at Wanderers with a brown surface - Our pitches should - nay let me emphasise that - our pitches SHOULD be pitches that turn square.

Thats what they call Home Advantage.

Of course 76 all down deserves a loss on any surface (apart from the meadows that masquerade as pitches in New Zealand.)