Mahendra Singh Dhoni is India's new ODI Captain

The news channels are abuzz with news of Twenty20 captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's selection as the new India cricket captain - for the time being, for one-dayers only. Apparently, Sachin Tendulkar declined the captaincy offer which was first made to him. On the recent England tour Sachin had remarked on the increasing time his body was taking to recover from the ravages of a one-day match and it's therefore hardly any surprise that the maestro didn't take up the challenge thrown to him in the late evening of his career.

While this news is not official - the BCCI is yet to make a formal announcement, it is most unlikely to be a rumour. Dhoni's elevation to ODI captaincy was widely expected, while Sachin may take up the role for the challenging test series against Australia and Pakistan. For Dhoni, who had described his ascension to the T2o skipper's postion as a fairy-tale come true, this one will surely be a dream come true. ( assuming Dream > Fairy-Tale !!! )

However, the lack of discussion or buzz around Saurav Ganguly's name is mysterious, considering that unlike Sachin, he was a big success as captain of India. What's more - Sachin has already been given 2 chances in the past and a 3rd run as captain would have very few precedents across the world, if there are any.

Tendulkar's Magic Bails

In a most bizarre incident today during the 1st ODI between India and England, Tendulkar survived after the ball hit his off-stump on the full. The ball passed Tendulkar's pads, hit the top of the off stump ( no, no brushing but a proper hit - a clear sound on the stump mike), yet the bails didn't dislodge! Sunil Gavaskar, commenting for ESPN/Star Cricket remarked he had never seen such a thing before - yes, he said, the ball has in the past rolled onto the stumps harmlessly, but an impact of this force - it was a fast bowler bowling - not being able to disturb the bails was most surprising. Watch this video: ( not the best i'm afraid but it will give you a fair idea )

Rash of Blood

Inertia can be a dangerous thing. Ever since India's ignominious early exit from a World Cup which itself was no less ignominious, the ink in my cricket-pen dried up never to show signs of life, until today, when in an unlikely venue, in distant Ireland, Sachin Tendulkar showed life, after a long, long time.

However, what has prompted me to be back from this self-imposed hiatus was not the beauty of Tendulkar's strokes, but the high stupidity quotient of his opening partner, Saurav Ganguly. Everything was hunky dory, till Saurav began to display his regular mid-inning impatience. It's been happening for quite some time now...Remember the Bangladesh match ? India may still go on to win today's match, but that's beyond the point. What should have been a cake-walk has been converted into yet another unnecessary struggle.

I can understand one getting out at any point of time to a good delivery. I can also accept the occasional rash of blood! But a regular bout of stupidity from an ex-captain is not acceptable. If you were watching the match today, you could have almost predicted that Ganguly's fall was round the corner.

It's too late in the day to explain to Ganguly the merits of patience. Sadly instead it's time to show India's finest ODI southpaw the exit door.

The Chappell Report

Saurav Ganguly - plays for personal records ( other seniors in the team think that though his record since his return looks good, he doesn't play as per the team requirements but to retain his place in the India team)

Zaheer Khan - ill treats juniors ( the Zaheer - Sreesanth fracas in West Indies)

Sachin Tendulkar - The master is not a team man

Virender Sehwag - He is too stubborn

Yuvraj Singh - Has an attitude problem

Harbhajan Singh - He too has an attitude problem

Cricket Etcetera: "Suresh Raina is the perfect embodiment of a gentleman cricketer."

Sachin's new Adidas Commercial: A Video

"I'm Sachin Tendulkar. This is my story - My coach used to put this one rupee coin...".
Adidas seem to get it right with Tendulkar each time. As you watch this beautiful commercial, pray that he fires against Lanka on 23rd. Else, the crazy Indian mobs will cite this advertisement as another reason to hang him. Nuts.

Monday Morning Blues for the Greens

No one can bat like Tendulkar used to. Not even Tendulkar! The Tendulkar we see nowadays is not the real thing - except sometimes when he decides to surprise us. Today was one such day. Twenty precisely struck boundaries and four beautiful sixes - each one with the Maestro's class written all over them made it a very special holiday - as if a Sunday, Dusshera, Vijaya Dashmi and Gandhi Jayanti already coinciding were not good enough!

When Lahiri finally ended the Green's miseries, Tendulkar had already compiled 139 of just 100 balls - this desipite the fact that an early fall of wicket had caused Tendulkar to start his innings catiously. The score had already raced to 226 and this was only the 33rd over. Dravid's and Dhoni's half-centuries ensured that Sachin's good work was not undone and with the Blues ending their innings at a mammoth 381, the cricket match was as good as over. Except perhaps for one aspect - Saurav Ganguly. The new chief selector, Dilip Vengsarkar had ignited hopes by saying that they would be watching Ganguly very closely. Ganguly began well and he pierced his favourite off side field succesfully to notch three beatiful boundaries. But that was just about it. He soon perished for 24. With him gone,and the result
already decided (well almost), the match was as good as over.

A 268 run defeat victory means that the Blues have virtually ensured themselves a place in the finals. And so have the Reds?

( NKP Salve Challenger Trophy, Match 2: Blue vs Green, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, 2nd October 2006)