More Than Six Sixes: Yuvi, the Fighter Within and Beyond the Boundary

Recently I read The Test of My Life, the ‘autobiography’ of Indian ex-cricketer Yuvraj Singh. While a lot of cricketers write autobiographies and take some help from more accomplished writers, this book must have required much more than ‘some’ help from his co-authors. The writing is vivid, soulful and engaging, making it easy to visualize events. The simple language ensures an effortless and immersive reading experience. Yuvi’s was extremely skilful with the bat, but I really don’t think he is even remotely as skillful with the pen! So, credit for the writing would go to the co-authors - Sharda Ugra, a respected sports journalist and author known for insightful cricket writing and Yuvi's friend, Manager and ex-journalist, Nishant Jeet Arora is also a co-author.

While the book touches upon Yuvraj’s childhood, his family, the role his father played in shaping his cricketing journey, his domestic performances before making his debut, the limited opportunities he received in Test cricket, his friendships, and his relationships with fellow cricketers, its primary focus remains an honest and deeply personal account of his battle with cancer.

Who is Yuvraj Singh? I recall Yuvi as one of the cleanest hitters of a cricket ball. Every cricket fan, of course, remembers the six sixes he smashed off Stuart Broad in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup. He is also one of the few Indian cricketers to have won three ICC events: the Under-19 World Cup in 2000, the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, and the ICC World Cup in 2011. And he did not just win them - he was Player of the Tournament in the Under-19 World Cup (2000) and the ICC World Cup (2011) and missed the same honour in the 2007 T20 World Cup by just one point. While his performances in 2000 and 2007 were outstanding, it was in 2011 that he truly carried the team, winning us the World Cup with a series of splendid all-round performances, both with bat and ball. I call him the man who won us the 2011 World Cup. (It triggers my father, who immediately jumps in to defend Sachin Tendulkar’s performances - and rightly so, as he too had a great tournament. We are both big fans of Sachin, but I firmly believe it was Yuvi who truly won us the World Cup.)

I also recall Yuvi as a gun fielder. Before he burst onto the scene, Indian fielding was largely mediocre. It was he, along with Mohammed Kaif, who truly raised the bar.

If I had to pick an all-time India limited overs cricket team, I would always include Yuvi.

Post the 2011 World Cup, when it emerged that he had played the entire tournament under extreme physical duress due to a tumour between his lungs - unaware at the time that it was cancer, a diagnosis that came much later and almost too late - the respect for his World Cup performances only grew stronger.

Hence, I was keen to read about his cricketing journey as well as his personal account of battling cancer. I read the book with great interest and came away with several key takeaways. They have been discussed below but in no particular order.

I was quite impressed that even while battling the disease, he did not blame his luck or ask the inevitable ‘Why me?’ Instead, he reflected on how he had never attributed his successes to luck either. He never asked the God 'Why me' when he scored big runs, took wickets, had the big moments, won the awards. If he had never questioned why good things came his way, he felt he had no right to question why adversity did. It is so natural and easy to blame luck and play victim. It is not fair and It does not help. It is important to pick ourselves up and fight.

I feel Indian cricketers are often unfairly criticized for having a flamboyant lifestyle - going to nightclubs, being seen with girls - and I find it extremely unjust. What a cricketer (or anyone) does in their personal time is nobody else’s business. Everyone likes to have a good time, yet some are branded as ‘bad boys’. On this Yuvi makes an interesting point in the book that “It is well-known that I love having a good time, isn’t it? I’ll tell you what. I go into clubs and restaurants through the front door, not hiding through the back, because I believe at a certain age, it is fine to want to go out and have fun and be normal. It is normal to be normal”. I completely agree. We demonize parties and people who enjoy them for no good reason. Yes, if the cricketer goes out for form then talk about his poor performances and drop him if required. However, if a player is able to balance both, no one should have an issue. There is a difference between being fun and being indisciplined. We somehow fail to segregate the professional and personal lives of celebrities.

The book is also a reminder of how often we fail to see the pain behind a smiling face. I remember during his cancer battle, Yuvi had started sharing messages and pictures on Twitter, often showing him smiling and laughing - and honestly, it was such a relief to see. Yet, I don’t think any of us truly understood what he was going through. The book reveals how weak he had become, his desperate urge to get back to India and to the dressing room, and the self-doubts that had started creeping in. We never realized this because Yuvi chose not to show it. I found it deeply relatable.

I was also impressed by the professionalism of the doctors and experts Yuvi consulted. When his cancer was detected, he had initially planned to get treatment in London and had met a senior doctor, Dr. Harper. However, before chemotherapy began, the family decided to shift the treatment to the United States - under Dr. Lawrence Einhorn at the IU Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis [The reason for the change in location is also interesting and divine]. What struck me was Dr. Harper’s reaction. He did not question the decision or -  intentionally or unintentionally - instill doubts. Instead, he said that the treatment in London would have been identical, but "if it happened to my son, I would send him to Dr Einhorn." I cannot imagine many doctors in India responding that way.

It reminded me of an episode in my life - back in 2007 - when I consulted several doctors in New Delhi for a spinal tumour my father had been diagnosed with. Some doctors in Kolkata had said surgery was the only solution but warned of high risks, including paralysis or death. That of course psyched out my father and all of us. I travelled to New Delhi to consult doctors there. I wanted opinions on the next steps, the type of treatment, and where to get it done. Almost all the doctors insisted the treatment should be under them; one even started showing videos of the surgeries he had performed. When I mentioned that my father was seriously considering the Army Research & Referral (R&R) Hospital, most of them discouraged the idea. Eventually, my father was successfully operated on at R&R Hospital, and the surgeon there was highly professional.

Reading about Yuvi, I could imagine the relief and confidence he must have felt with Dr. Harper’s words - a level of honesty, respect, and professionalism that is rare and deeply reassuring. 

One more thing I found extremely relatable was how Yuvi, before his cancer diagnosis, ignored all the warning signs his body was giving him and delayed tests and treatment until it was almost too late. He kept convincing himself it was just exertion, lack of sleep, something he ate, or some minor medical issue. When the tumour was finally detected, and before it was confirmed malignant, he ended up trying acupuncture on the advice of a so-called well-wisher with their own agenda! Honestly, that’s probably the most bizarre tumour treatment I’ve ever heard of. Yet, I found it completely relatable, because I too suffer from FOFO - Fear Of Finding Out.

The book also discusses in detail the role of his father, Yograj Singh, himself a former Indian cricketer. Yograj comes across as a temperamental man who speaks his mind and does not care for political correctness. While I’ve never seen him play, everything I’ve read and heard suggests he was a fairly decent fast-bowling allrounder - a rare breed back then, and one that remains rare even today. Why he did not play more for India remains something of a mystery. He attributes it to politics, which could well be true. It could also be his temperament. After all, honest and straightforward people don’t always win popularity contests.

It is easy, therefore, to see why many view Yograj Singh as a frustrated and bitter ex-cricketer. Yet, what cannot be denied is that Yuvi would not have become the player, match-winner, and warrior he did without his father’s relentless effort, strictness, absence of indulgence, and constant demand for more. In many ways, Yograj Singh gave Indian cricket a gem and played a crucial role in our World Cup triumph.

I will admit, I personally lack discipline, and while reading the book I found myself wondering what it would be like to have someone like him pushing me to fix my flaws. Even imagining it was terrifying!

Lastly, the book made me think about something Yuvi himself acknowledges - that his recovery and comeback would not have been possible without the support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI stood firmly by him, protected his privacy, monitored his progress, kept track of his treatment, and took care of the financial aspects. It was also because of the world-class facilities and support available through the BCCI that Yuvi could make a comeback.

I cannot help but imagine that had this happened to an athlete from a ‘less privileged’ sport, the story might have ended very differently. Without financial backing or institutional support, survival itself would have been a challenge, let alone a return to professional sport. The BCCI is often criticized for being political, power-hungry and overly capitalistic, and to a large extent that criticism is valid. But it is also true that it has built a system capable of genuinely taking care of its cricketers and stakeholders. And for that, credit must be given where it is due.

Towards the end, Yuvi talks about his comeback journey, and it was genuinely moving to read. I admit that my own memory of his comeback is a little fuzzy, and I cannot recall too many standout innings after his return. But reading this section made me realize that the comeback was not really about numbers or scorecards. It was about simply finding his way back.

He writes about how difficult it was to lose the weight he had gained, rebuild fitness, and push his body every single day. There were moments when his mind asked him is all the effort worth it, what else does he want to achieve, what does he want to prove. But he came to an important realization - that the mind’s questions were actually the body’s protest. "A few hours of rest and the body would be silenced and the mind could easily win the debate." That line stayed with me. (Just stayed with me; do not think that I am going to hit the gym tomorrow!)

While training at the NCA, he recalls hitting Ishant Sharma for a six - probably his first six after cancer, even if it was with a tennis ball. That one shot gave him immense joy and confidence. He describes it as 'muscle memory' kicking in, as if his old life was linking arms with the new one.

Later, after making his way back into the Indian team, he remembers a moment against New Zealand when Daniel Vettori floated one outside off stump. Without overthinking, his body took over. A decisive step across the crease, the bat coming down, arms following through, and the ball sailed over wide long-on for a SIX.

Was it a big deal for someone who had hit countless sixes in his career? Maybe not on paper. But this one was special. It made him (and me) emotional. It symbolized that there was life after cancer. The life post his cancer battle is his second life and Yuvi did not just return to cricket - he learned to cherish each baby steps in his new life - the first match, the first six, the first Player of the Match award, the first 200-plus score in domestic cricket. By any measure, it was a remarkable comeback.

Eventually, Yuvraj Singh retired in 2019, and he recently mentioned in an interview that he stepped away because he no longer felt backed or respected. He had hoped to be selected for the 2019 World Cup but was overlooked. I can understand the disappointment - everyone wants a final hurrah (his father actually wanted him to continue for another 5 years!!). At the same time, it is also fair to acknowledge that by 2019 he was 37 years old and no longer the fit, destructive batsman he once was. His non-selection for that World Cup was not entirely surprising.

What I do find unfair, though, is that he was overlooked for the 2015 World Cup. He should have been picked purely out of respect and as a salute to his contribution. His domestic performances were not poor, and he could easily have been included. Big-match players like Yuvi have a habit of surprising oppositions when it matters most. The fact that he was not considered in 2015 only reinforces a familiar feeling - that we are an ungrateful nation.

I strongly recommend The Test of My Life for its honesty and emotional depth. It is a deeply moving and relatable account that goes far beyond cricket, offering valuable life lessons on resilience and discipline. While cricket fans will naturally connect with the sporting journey, the book is equally relevant for anyone who has faced illness, adversity, self-doubt, or major life setbacks. It is particularly worth reading for those seeking perspective, strength, and inspiration in difficult phases of life.

R Ashwin Responded 😊

'R Ashwin's 'I Have the Streets': Not Your Usual Cricket Autobiography

(Image Source: https://brokencricketdreams.com/2025/06/07/r-ashwins-i-have-the-streets-book-review-refreshing-honest-unexpected/)

Recently, I read I Have the Streets by Ravichandran Ashwin, which is his autobiography (Co-authored by Sidharth Monga). Having read several sports and cricket autobiographies and biographies, I was a little unsure about this book. That is because, many a times, cricket biographies or autobiographies (lets broadly call them memoirs) are not much more than match-by-match or series-by-series narrations. In a cricket-obsessed country like India, where most readers already know what happened in those matches, such books often add very little incremental knowledge and, frankly, can get a tad boring. I Have the Streets does not have such issues. In fact, Ashwin has hardly talked about his performance in International matches.

Instead, the book focuses more on his journey, struggles, friends, the local and street tournaments, how he made it to the Indian team and the efforts and sacrifices of his parents. I particularly enjoyed reading about his parents; it once again reinforces how critical parental support is in shaping the journey and success of a cricketer or any sportsperson. It also shows how Indian parents parents help their children stay humble, disciplined, and connected to core values. Rather than focusing only on match statistics or celebrated victories, the book emphasizes Ashwin’s thought process, discipline, and continuous self-reinvention. 

I recall that when Ashwin started playing for India, several questions and doubts were raised. The general sentiment was that he had made it due to backing from certain people in the board, his association with CSK, and, of course, MS Dhoni’s support. The book quashes all those myths. 

His action was also quite different and attracted attention and debates. I remember a discussion with friends where I confidently pointed out that Ashwin had an “ugly” action compared to other off-spinners who supposedly had more “flowing” and “rhythmic” actions (whatever that actually means). I even cited Erapalli Prasanna as an example of a beautiful action. I remember the discussion and my arguments but honestly, I am not sure I had ever actually watched Prasanna bowl!! (Its okay, who has not made up stories to win arguments?!!) Ashwin’s tendency to tweak his action frequently and almost pause in his delivery stride made me think he was more of a 'containing' bowler, perhaps better suited for limited-overs cricket. 

Did my impression of Ashwin change later? Of course. 

While he was successful and miserly in limited overs, he turned out to be a completely different beast in red-ball cricket - not only as a bowler but also as a capable batter. Five Test centuries is no small achievement! 

Over the years, it also became evident that Ashwin is a thinking and 'street smart' cricketer: constantly analyzing his own strengths and weaknesses, studying the batsman, and adjusting accordingly. He would not shy from trying everything. He would modify his run-up, arm speed, release height, flight, length, and more. In order to stay ahead of the batsmen, he also added several variations to his arsenal - the sodakku ball (carrom ball), arm ball, top-spinner, even leg-spin. He had the ability to bowl six different but robust variations in an over. 

Ashwin also received considerable flak for 'Mankading', a controversial cricket dismissal where the bowler runs out the non-striker for leaving their crease early. The term itself annoys me, as it unfairly gives a negative connotation to a perfectly legal dismissal and, in the process, maligns a great Indian cricketer, Vinoo Mankad. I see absolutely no issue with this form of dismissal. A non-striker has no business leaving the crease early to gain an unfair advantage. All arguments about it being against the “Spirit of the Game” are, quite frankly, horseshit! I fully supported Ashwin during the controversy - after all, what is sport without the hunger to win - but the issue was that I supported him while sitting on a couch at my home and somehow he did not come to know about my complete, total, unwavering, and unequivocal support!!! 

I was so impressed by Ashwin skills and overall attitude that I often say that Ashwin is one of India's best test captains - that we never had. Once again, no one has ever heard that as I say that from the same couch!

Coming back to the book, I found the book extremely engaging, relatable and compelling. I am usually a slow and somewhat strange reader (as covered in a recent blog), but this book was genuinely hard to put down. I finished it quickly and enjoyed every bit of it. The book offers interesting personal insights and genuine stories rather than just a dry sporting memoir. 

It is also and an 'easy read' i.e., the author has not switched on the 'Shashi Tharoor mode' and the language is simple and effective. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, especially young and aspiring cricketers or sportspersons, and their parents.

Overall, I Have the Streets stands out as a thoughtful sports memoir. It is ultimately a story about perseverance, learning, and professional growth—making it relevant not only to cricket fans but also to readers interested in personal development and high-performance mindsets.

Finally, one aspect I particularly liked is that the book ends with India’s ICC World Cup victory in 2011. This leaves ample room for a 'sequel'. Ashwin achieved so much after 2011, right up to his retirement and he is still quite young. So a Part 2 (and even Part 3) of his story is plausible and if it happens, it will almost certainly be worth reading.

Happy 85th

This 46-year-old man, burdened by many personal challenges, finds that beyond his routine daily prayers -and apart from prayers for his daughter - he more often than not prays not for centuries and success of another person: Virat Kohli. Relieved and happy today. 🥹

Pata hai hum match kahaan haare?

India has just lost the second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati. Considering that losing a Test at home was a rarity until about a year ago, the chatter in the media is unsurprising. Since October 2024, India’s overall Test record (home and away) reads 3 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses!! At home, the numbers are even more alarming: 2 wins and 5 losses; and the two victories coming against West Indies—currently one of the weaker Test sides in world cricket.

(Infographic created through Gemini. Apologies for the typos; AI is still learning)

Naturally, fans are furious. Yet I doubt this frustration will endure. India continues to perform well in limited-overs cricket, which inevitably garners more attention, and memories of these Test losses will fade soon enough. Moreover, the next Test is scheduled for August 2026—far too distant for knee-jerk decisions, even though some fans are already calling for the removal of the head coach and the chief selector.

As someone who cherishes Test cricket far more than one-dayers or the T20 circus, I am frustrated too. But at the same time, I find myself strangely satisfied—almost deriving a grim sense of vindication. That is because I expected this. The current and former custodians of Indian cricket dismantled a functioning system and are now reaping the consequences.

There is a memorable moment in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story where Sushant Singh, portraying Dhoni, asks a friend after a loss: “Pata hai hum match kahaan haare?” (“Do you know where we lost the match?”). Indian cricket fans and the media could ask themselves the same question today.

We did not lose this match today. Nor did we lose it when the team was selected, when the schedule was crafted, when legends were nudged aside, when an arrogant and self-centered coach was appointed, or when the chief selector took charge. All of these factors did contribute but the real damage was done long before any of that.

There was a phase in Indian cricket when the bigshots of the BCCI were stripped of control due to multiple controversies. A Supreme Court–appointed committee—headed by Vinod Rai—was entrusted with running the board. During this period, Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri enjoyed considerable autonomy, including significant influence over team selection. And they delivered. Under Kohli, India lost only two home Tests and held the No. 1 Test ranking for several consecutive years. Fans admired this era, but it generated insecurity among many others. In a sense, Kohli grew bigger than the BCCI itself—a situation the old guard resented deeply. Some former cricketers, especially those who have long been more political than sporting in their approach, also bristled. Even a few of Kohli’s peers were unsettled.

Thus began a calculated effort to cut Kohli down to size—or push him aside altogether—once the committee’s tenure ended. The BCCI leadership, heavily intertwined with political figures, did not want the public backlash of sidelining a star player themselves. They needed a former cricketer to front the operation. Saurav Ganguly, a successful captain and a transformative figure in Indian cricket, was cast in that role. As BCCI President, he was tasked with curtailing Kohli’s influence.....and he delivered.

Kohli was told to relinquish limited-overs captaincy in both ODIs and T20Is. While he was willing to step away from T20 leadership, he wished to retain the ODI captaincy—a request brushed aside under the pretext of avoiding split captaincy, a principle later abandoned without hesitation. The manner in which the episode unfolded, including leaks of sensitive information to the media, was unfortunate and ultimately pushed Kohli to resign as Test captain. Sunil Gavaskar even remarked, with a certain satisfaction, that Kohli’s resignation was inevitable as he would have been removed anyway!!! That is bizarre as Kohli remains the most successful Indian Test captain in history.

That is where the plot was lost—and, by extension, this match and series.

Since then, efforts to marginalize Kohli have been relentless. His personal dip in form did not help, but the institutional push was unmistakable. Gautam Gambhir was appointed head coach despite the well-known friction between him and Kohli. Gambhir has always deserved respect for his cricketing contributions and his support for the families of martyrs, but he is also a man of considerable ego. His on-field confrontations with Kohli are part of public memory, and the BCCI surely knew he would not hesitate to sideline Kohli. Once again, a player became a pawn in a larger power game.

Kohli retired from T20Is just before Gambhir took charge—though the decision’s true nature remains unclear. A few months ago, he retired from Test cricket as well. It still feels surreal that a modern great, who valued Test cricket above all formats, never even reached 10,000 Test runs—whether by choice or by design.

There is no doubt that Kohli ranks among India’s finest Test cricketers, even if Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar may stand ahead in class and achievement. But Kohli’s impact on Test cricket is unparalleled. Under his leadership, the Indian team was a fireball. Each ball, each over, each session, each innings was approached with 100% intensity, and the team gave it all. However, in the hunger to reclaim power and settle scores, BCCI has pulled down the brightest star. 

Test cricket, sadly, has become the collateral damage.

RIP King Shane

Greatest spinner ever. A true showman. Rajasthan Royal's victory in IPL under his captaincy is a story worthy of a movie. 

RIP King Shane. Do not know why...but it feels like a personal loss...

Ananya Met Varun Aaron

These pics were taken when we were returning from Udaipur. This is actually at Udaipur airport. While getting into the airport, I noticed some familiar faces. Some Indian cricketers were in the queue. Varun Aaron, Indian fast bowler, was right behind me. I shook hands with him and wished him luck for a comeback in the Indian team. Later we saw Karun Nair, Shreyas Gopal and few other cricketers. They had come to Udaipur to attend Karun Nair's wedding. Ananya did not recognize any one of them but wanted some autographs. Varun Aaron happily obliged and that brought smile on Ananya's face.  

RIP Sushant Singh Rajput

Recently I watched the movie for zillionth time. It is indeed an inspiring story and I watch it quite frequently. But this time, for the first time, I saw Sushant Singh Rajput in the movie. Every other time, I saw Dhoni...this time I saw the actor. And from here on....this movie would always be about Sushant Singh Rajput. RIP Sushant. 

Broom the Groom-ing Plan

Heard that MS Dhoni would be 'grooming' Pant till Pant settles down. 

What does that mean?

While all these are speculations, it suggests that Dhoni would be 'skipping' India's tour of West Indies. However, later he would be part of the team but would not be in playing XI!!! That way he would mentor Rishabh Pant. 

My take on this:

Teams did not need such mentoring when Bradman, Sachin, Lara, Sobers, Richards, Gavaskar, Dravid, Ponting, Warne, Gilchrist, Kumble, Akram etc retired. Are they suggesting that MS Dhoni is the greatest ever and his exit would create such a massive vacuum that Indian team would find it difficult to play unless they see MSD at least in the dressing room?!!? And what about the player would could have been in the squad but would not be there because one slot was reserved for MSD. Who would mentor/groom that player?

This is complete bull shit!!! He is past his prime and should make way for someone who can make it to the next WC. Period!!!

2 Amazing Matches....2 Winners and No Losers

Watched two amazing matches yesterday. 1. ICC Cricket World Cup Finals between hosts England and New Zealand and 2. Wimbledon Men's Singles Final between World #1 Novak Djokovic and the all time greatest - legendary Roger Federer.

Both matches involved edge of the seat action and in both it was difficult to differentiate between the two sides/men.

New Zealand scored 241 and then - thanks to a last over overthrow drama - England also ended up with 241. In the super over, England scored 15 and New Zealand also scored 15!!! Yet, England won because the hit more boundaries in the regular innings. That is a bizarre rule but it was decided before the World Cup. I think no one objected as no one could have imagined that the scenario would actually play out!!!

I believe New Zealand was unlucky. The overthrow punched holes in their plans and later the rule to decide the winner on the basis of boundaries also went against them. It is also being said that the overthrows should have costed them 5 runs instead of 6. Not sure about that but if it is true then they have another reason to feel bad.

In the other match, Federer clearly looked like the better player. Djokovic looked nervous and was not his usual self. Yet, he hung in there and won the important points. It was a matter of who keeps nerves in control and who is fit enough to win the longest Wimbledon Finals ever!!! 

I was cheering for Federer and New Zealand and I was tad unhappy after both matches. England and Djokovic are the winners but New Zealand and Federer are definitely not losers!!!

Unfollowed the accounts of ICC and ESPNCricinfo. Will follow them back after a month. Cannot stand the dhol and shahnai of someone else's wedding.

Should Indian Captain for Limited Overs Cricket Change?

Read a news article that there is a rift in the Indian cricket team and two camps have emerged - one with Kohli and Shastri and the other led by Rohit Sharma. The article mentioned that some team members are not happy and they desire a change in leadership. While I believe that (a) the story is work of fiction and (b) one bad match should not result in stripping Kohli of captaincy, I also think that handing Sharma the captaincy in shorter format is not a bad option. My reasons are (a) dependence on Dhoni for DRS (b) lack of flexibility and willingness to try new players/combinations and (c) slight biasedness towards certain players (d) failure to build a strong middle order and (e) failure to realize that some players no longer are fit for the team. I still like Kohli as a Captain and batsman but it would not hurt to try something new. However, I do not think selectors would do it.

Excited about India A tour to West Indies

India A is touring West Indies and am excited about the series. Indian team failed to win the WC 2019 and it has been acknowledged that the team requires changes. Finally, people are realizing the need of a 'solid' batsman at number 4. Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill (not quite a number 4 though), Hanuma Vihari are part of the India A squad and would try to put their best foot forward. I hope we get some answers from the tour.

In my opinion, India should have a selection policy that the best player of such series (India A tours) would get selected for the Indian team. That would create a healthy competition and would motivate the youngsters to do well. Performance at the domestic level and on such tours must count for something. 

Dhoni: WC 2019 and Retirement

Though the Cricket World Cup 2019 has not ended, the euphoria is over for Indian fans. We were the best team in the league stage and unlike previous WC campaigns, this time we were equipped with the best bowling arsenal.

Bumrah is the world's best limited overs bowler right now. Shami had a great WC even though he did not get too many games. The miserly Bhuvi was good in patches but overall he could have done much better. Hardik Pandya bowled smartly and used the conditions really well. The two wrist spinners went in with a lot of promise. However, both could not really set the stage on fire. Having said that, the bowlers did well through out the world cup.

That does not mean that the batting was weak. Our top order got plenty of runs - especially the flamboyant Rohit Sharma and the ever dependable Virat Kohli. Shikhar Dhawan had a good start but sadly his campaign ended abruptly due to injury. We cannot say that Rahul was good but he did okay in the absence of Dhawan.

If batting and bowling were both okay (fielding was great and we were in fact a better fielding side than most others) then why did we did not win?

Now, with the immense super-powers of hindsight, a lot can be said. However, I will stick to what I have been saying since last couple of years. We faltered in our preparation and when we failed to realize that Dhoni is no longer the same.

I can actually feel some raised eyebrows, some guns coming out of their holsters!!! Some may argue politely (others may start a rabid rant) that we did not have a better option than Dhoni. My question is how do you know? You did not try another option adequately. Actually, let me take another approach in justifying my stance and explain why do I think that Dhoni should not have been there.

Firstly, we went in with a weak middle-order because we kept trying to accommodate Dhoni in the playing XI. There were some good options available. Pandey was given several games but in a lot of those games, his batting position was shuffled. Pandey is a good batsman and is a top order batsman. He takes time to settle in but when he does, he usually plays a good knock. He is not the right candidate to come in the slog overs and start belting the ball around. But he was asked to do that in several matches and was later dropped. This happened because the management was trying Dhoni at 4 or 5. Rahane met similar fate. A promising batsmen like Shreyas Iyer was never given an opportunity. My point is that while trying to fit Dhoni at number 4, we made other batsmen suffer and later we dropped them.

But did Dhoni bat at 4 or 5. No he did not!!! That highlights my first argument but also brings me to the second point. Why did he not bat at 4? If Dhoni was included in the playing XI, his recent style of play suggests that he was most suited to bat at number 4 position. You cannot come and knock the ball around for singles in the slog overs. It costed us the game against England. Moreover, Dhoni managed to put totals that we could defend only because of our strong bowling attack. This shuffling and lack of clarity on his position made our game plan look extremely random and ad hoc.

My third point is regarding wicket-keeping. Dhoni - without any doubt - is the best keeper for spin bowling. He is quick and he also gives a lot of suggestions to the bowlers. But overall, is he as effective as he used to be? Some stats that I looked at (a week ago), suggested that Dhoni gave away most runs in byes. In the semi-finals against New Zealand, he dropped a difficult chance against Ross Taylor. Taylor was 32 at that time and was struggling. After getting a life, Taylor went on to add another 40 runs. May be that could have changed the result. We would never know. I agree that the chance was  difficult but in semi-finals, you have to grab the half-chances. Something that Guptill did when he sent Dhoni and Indian team packing with a direct hit. Not only the WCs, even before that - in IPL and in the matches against Australia and New Zealand, Dhoni did not do anything special with the gloves. Now, it can be questioned that how do we know that someone else - Karthik or Pant - would have faired better. We do not know but if we had started testing Pant 2 years back, he surely could have done well. And Pant brings a balance to the side.

Next argument that a lot of people come up with is that Dhoni is a specialist when it comes to DRS reviews. I would just point that he proved to be wrong on 3 occasions during the WC 2019.

Another point that Dhoni fans make is that Dhoni actually makes all the decisions and Kohli is only a pseudo captain, who cannot operate without Dhoni. Firstly, Kohli-led Indian team has become the top test side so there is no question of his dependency on Dhoni. Secondly, if Dhoni was making all the calls, why are his fans now blaming Kohli for 'sending' Dhoni at number 7 position in the semi-final match against New Zealand in World Cup 2019? Basically, they are saying that if the decision is right, Dhoni must have made it but if it is wrong, its because of Kohli!!! Such flawed and absurd logic!!!

Another point that I would like to put forward is that Dhoni seems to have become slow or his ability to judge a run has probably gone down. He was run-out during the IPL 2019 finals and was again run out in the WC 2019 semi-finals. Age, may be?

Also, Dhoni's ability to plan spin seems to have taken a hit. He was stumped in the match against Afghanistan and got a life or two in the match against West Indies.

To sum up, I would say that Dhoni had not done anything special in the last two years to command a position in the side. The selectors and the management seem to have gone with reputation. Once, several years back, he played a great innings in a WC final but does that mean that you would walk into the side 8 years later without doing anything special? If we had to go with reputation then Yuvi should have played the 2015 WC. As mentioned above, Dhoni fans argue his valuable inputs and credit Dhoni for wickets taken by spinners because he told them what to do. Do they give credit to Sachin for Dhoni's innings in WC 2011 final? After all, it was Sachin who suggested that Dhoni should bat before Yuvi.

Some people are saying that Dhoni should not retire as he mentors the young players and should continue to do that. So if Dhoni continues to keep wickets, how will that help Pant in gaining experience and maturity as a wicket-keeper? If Dhoni bats at 6 or 7, how is that helping a young batsman - who could have batted at that spot - learn anything?

Every good thing comes to an end and must come to an end. Dhoni is definitely one of the best players India has produced. However, he is no longer the player he used to be and that is okay. It happens with everyone. We must look beyond him and give a good run to players who can make it to the next WC side. Dhoni preached through press conference and his indirectly produced biopic that the players who are no longer suitable should make way for new players. While I have always maintained that legends should get a farewell but Dhoni changed that. Several legends did not get a proper send-off under him. Why should the stance be any different for him? He will not play the next WC and must hang his boots. He would always be respected and would be missed but it is time for him, us and Indian cricket to move on.

Well Played New Zealand!! Now go and win the WC 2019. Show the world that Kiwis can fly!!

Famous Lines

Some of the famous lines in cricket:

1. “Miya Kaptaani Karogey” - Rajsingh Dungarpur to Mohd. Azharuddin

2. “Ek aur daalega?” - Anil Kumble to Ishant Sharma before giving him one more over on Sehwag’s request in a test match against Australia. It was the fiery spell that he bowled to Ponting and took his wicket in that over

3. “Watch the next match” - A fuming Sachin Tendulkar to Ajay Jadeja when the latter teased him after Henry Olonga got him out in a match against Zimbabwe. In the next match, Tendulkar belted Olonga all over the park

4. “...tum goalkeeping accha karta hai....cricket khelega” - Dhoni’s school coach (Mr. Banerjee) to Dhoni

Boring Already

The second test match between India and South Africa has started. It only 5 overs so far and already the proceedings are attracting yawns.

There is no X factor in the team that India has picked for this test match. Though Bumrah is a good bowler but I do not think he is a test bowler yet. Though he did take few wickets in the first test, he never looked like he would take a wicket. Its the same story so far in this test match.

Shami has pace as well as swing and can be quite effective. Trouble is that he does not remain effective in all his spells. My biggest issue with Shami is that he does not come across as an athlete at all. He looks quite 'dheela'. He would be effective in one spell and then remain quite loose throughout the day. I am hoping that we have the effective and charged up Shami turning up in this test match.

Some of the other changes in the team are interesting. Ishant Sharma can generate some pace and bounce but for some reason he will be bowling first change. Good to have Parthiv Patel back in the side even if it is because the first choice wicket-keeper is out due to a hamstring niggle and should be back for the next test. And, on such pitches, KL Rahul in place of Dhawan is a good move.

Yet, as I mentioned earlier, there is no X factor. Bhuvi has been dropped for the game because he lacks pace. But he swings the ball more than the other bowlers. And he is a smart, thinking bowler. When Bhuvi is bowling, it always seem that a wicket is just round the corner.

And we do not have someone like Sehwag opening the innings. Someone who can put the opposition on the backfoot from ball one. Vijay is a steady bat and so is Rahul. But they will survive, take some chances here and there and that is how the innings would start and continue till they are at the crease. One loose shot and we may have a wicket down with almost nothing on board.

With such a team, I feel (a) India will always struggle on tours outside the subcontinent and (b) test matches would continue to be a boring affair.

<Yawn> Planning to change the channel and watch 'Sooryavansham' on Set Max!!!

Manish Pandey: Worth Investing

Manish Pandey must be a worried man. He has been a prolific scorer in domestic cricket in past several seasons. He come up with some great knocks in previous seasons of IPL to knock on the door. When he got an opportunity, he scored a match-winning and face-saving century against Australia in Australia. Though he was ignored for a long time but he cashed upon the limited opportunities to make a mark. 

However, in the recently concluded 5-match one-day cricket series, he had a great opportunity to cement his place in the team. Suresh Raina was down with flu and that ensured a place for Pandey in the team in all 5 matches. May be Pandey knew that being a specialist batsman, he may not be preferred over Raina when Raina recovered from his illness. Probably he wanted to do something extraordinary to remain in the team. The truth past those 'may be' and 'probably' is that Pandey had a pretty poor series. Batting at No.5 is not easy but more than the scores, it was his shot selections that would be questioned. Compared to him, Kedar Jadhav came up with some good knocks and also played a good part with the ball. The ability to score quickly coupled with his part-time bowling and wicket-keeping skills give Jadhav a much better chance. 

India has not been playing too many ODIs and since Pandey is being considered only for ODIs, he would not get to play too many matches. In the next series, when KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar make a come back and if Raina is retained, the structure of the team would be completely different. Yuvraj Singh has also been playing well in the domestic cricket and may make a comeback. That would make it even more difficult for Pandey to find a place. 

It is worth investing in a team that is likely to play in the 2019 World Cup. Some cricketers may be too old, unfit or unsuitable for the conditions in UK. That must be kept in mind. India should identify suitable talent and give them a good run.

Hopefully, Pandey is in the scheme of things. If he is, someone should tell him that he would get X number of chances. Past captains have done that with players and it has boosted their confidence. Pandey is a match-winner and some patience is required - both by him and by the 5 wise men of Indian cricket. He should not be allowed to fade away. 

Why 'Stuart Little' Binny?

I like the look of India's test squad for the tour of West Indies. I agree with most of the selections, barring one. I fail to understand the repeated selection of Stuart Binny in the test squad. In West Indies, genuine pacers are required. 'So-Called-Allrounders', who are neither reliable batsmen nor a good wicket-taking option, are a luxury that the selectors should have avoided. Chief selector should have kept aside his personal biases, emotions etc while doing the all-important job.

I do understand that India lacks genuine allrounders, especially fast bowling ones. Hardik Pandya is not test material (not even one day material). Irfan Pathan is a spent force. Rishi Dhawan is not good enough as well. If the options for allrounders were limited, they should have gone ahead with a specialist bowler. Probably someone who added a new dimension to the bowling options. For example, Kuldeep Yadav, a chinaman bowler, could have been tried. He did not get too many opportunities in IPL 2016. However, he did impress in the few chances thag he got. There are several options which could have been better than Stuart Binny, S/O Chief Selector.

Disappointed but still wish each one of them the best of luck.

Kohli is not from this planet

Virat Kohli is a superhero. His record in his still short career is sufficient to make most batsmen jealous. And at present, he is in an exceptional for. 4 centuries in T20 format in the last few games is something that no other batsmen can boast of. His cover drives are majestic. The way he paces his innings and mixes control with timely aggression is the best part of him as a batsman.

He has matured a lot in past year or so. Not that I had an issue with his aggression in any case. His form, captaincy, temperament, positive attitude and hunger to win games must not be overlooked by the 5 wise men of Indian cricket. It is time to think about and start planning for 2019 World Cup and its the perfect time for Kohli to take over captaincy in all 3 formats. That doesn't 'necessarily' mean that MS Dhoni should be axed from the squad. If Dhoni makes himself available to play under Kohli, Kohli would be able to use Dhoni's experience in the transition phase. Having said that, it is equally important that the wicket-keeper, who would take Dhoni's place in the team for 2019 WC be given a decent run. To prepare for the WC, Kohli should get his team and soon.