Disappointing Selections

Indian selectors picked up the teams for the ODI series in Bangladesh as well as the 5 Test series in England. The team that has been picked for Bangladesh has several new faces and that is a good thing. It lacks experience but if the players play to their true potential, they should be able to overcome the challenge of a full-strength Bangladesh side. Uthappa makes a comback, after a splendid run in the IPL. Tiwary is back. Kedar Jadhav, a heavy scorer in the domestic circuit has been given a nod and that is a positive sign. 

There are indeed a few names that probably do not make that much sense and probably there were better alternatives available. However, at the end of the day, it is a series against Bangladesh. Who gives a damn!!!

The England-bound team, on the other hand, is extremely important. Firstly, it is a five match test series,  which is a rare event in case of India. There are three reasons that I can think of - (a) England has started to take Indian team seriously (b) ECB is interested in the monetary benefits. After all, matches with India means higher number of eyes watching the matches and (c) England wants to improve their test ranking. They beat us all ends up the last time. Whatever may be the reasons (or combination of reasons), it is a significant tour.

Selectors have done the right thing by selecting Gambhir for the tour, as the reserve opener. He may play a bigger role than a 'reserve' opener as Dhawan's technique would be tested in the swinging conditions that England presents.

The other thing that the selectors have done is that they have picked a 18 man (!!!) squad. Probably, the potential injuries to the players after the gruelling IPL tournament was the reason behind the thought process. The last time around, the injury list was pretty big.

Selectors have loaded the team with pace options. The usual suspects are there. Bhuvaneswar Kumar and Mohamad Shami have obviously been included. Ishant Sharma has been picked as well and it is a shame that we cannot see beyond him. For how long would the selectors go merely by potential? Performances need to be considered as well. Ishwar Pandey has been selected and he seems like an interesting and exciting prospect. Varun Aaron, for his extra pace, is an interesting selection. 

However, the last pace option is baffling. Why Pankaj Singh? Or probably, a better question is, who is Pankaj Singh? He may have had a good domestic season but is clearly not the kind of bowler who is likely to trouble English batsmen. Better options are available. Considering the swinging conditions, selectors could have gone with Dhawal Kulkarni, though he had a pretty average run in the IPL. However, performances in IPL (good or bad) should not be the yardstick for selection of a test side. Umesh Yadav is also a better choice than Pankaj Singh. Since  Praveen Kumar is now fit (and has served his informal ban on disciplinary grounds), he should have been considered. Afterall, he was by far our best bowler in the last tour to England.

The most 'surprising' selection is of course Stuart Binny. He has not even played a test match in India. In the limited chances that he has got in the ODI side, he has not done anything exceptional. His performance in the last domestic season was indeed good but there were better performances. Manish Pandey did well. If they were looking for an allrounder then Irrfan Pathan would have been a much better option. Another option was Abhishek Nayar. He had a decent run in the domestic season with the bat as well as ball. Moreover, he looks a better option for test cricket that Stuart Binny. Binny's military medium pace is not likely to be a very useful option in England. I guess his father's friendship the chairman of selection committee has played a role here.

Now when the teams have been selected, I hope everyone comes up with a great performance. This time around, we must give a better performance than the last tour to England (4-0 drubbing). 

Shahid

Started the day with an extremely well-made and thought-provoking movie. SHAHID is based on the story of lawyer Shahid Azmi, who was killed at the age of 32. He was known to fight for people wrongly accused in cases of terrorism. Brilliant performances by the entire cast. A must watch!!!

The Real Veeru Paaji Finally Stood Up!!

I am glad that KXIP have got the momentum back. In the past few games, they did not look like the invincible side that they were in at least the first half of the tournament.  And super happy that Veeru Paaji came to the party like only he can. When he hits something (read Dhoni/CSK)....it stays hit!!!!

100% FDI in Defence

As per an article in Times of India, the Narendra Modi government is planning to allow up to 100% foreign investment in defence production, in a bid to send a strong signal to global investors as well as to try and move the production base of some equipment into the country. 

This must be allowed. India needs to improve its defence infrastructure and bring efficiency in current defence production. The return on per dollar spent would increase. In the long run, the defence expenditure can be reduced without compromising on quantity and quality.

Also Read: Indian Defense Sector: 10,000 Feet View.html

Action Grids

Ananya's 1st Sports Day

Fun with Coins

Singapore Trip

Pool Time

Trip to Cambodia

Bus ride to Singapore

Bus ride to Singapore

Stop Child Abuse

Here is a list of things you need to teach your Child(ren) at early age:

1: Warn your Girl Child Never to sit on anyone's laps no matter the situation including uncles.

2: Avoid Getting Dressed in front of your child once he/she is 2 years old. Learn to excuse them or yourself.

3. Never allow any adult refer to your child as 'my wife' or 'my husband'

4. Whenever your child goes out to play with friends make sure you look for a way to find out what kind of play they do, because young people now sexually abuse themselves.

5. Never force your child to visit any adult he or she is not comfortable with and also be observant if your child becomes too fond of a particular adult.

6. Once a very lively child suddenly becomes withdrawn you may need to patiently ask lots of questions from your child. 

7. Carefully educate your grown ups about the right values of sex . If you don't, the society will teach them the wrong values.

8: It is always advisable you go through any new Material like cartoons you just bought for them before they start seeing it themselves.

9. Ensure you activate parental controls on your cable networks and advice your friends especially those your child(ren) visit(s) often.

10. Teach your 3 year olds how to wash their private parts properly and warn them never to allow anyone touch those areas and that

includes you (remember, charity begins from home and with you).

11: Blacklist some materials/associates you think could threaten the sanity of your child (this includes music, movies and even friends and families).

12. Let your child(ren) understand the value of standing out of the

crowd.

13: Once your child complains about a particular person, don't keep quiet about it.

Article 370 should go

“You want India to defend Kashmir, feed its people, undertake its all-round development and give Kashmiris equal rights all over the country. But you do not want the rest of India and Indians (to have) equal rights in Kashmir. I am (the) Law Minister of India, I cannot betray my country.”

- BR Ambedkar on Article 370

Disgusting

"Upper castes rule Cabinet, backwards MoS" - Shame on you Times of India

Its neither sensational nor journalism. It is just DISGUSTING

 #PradhanMantriNarendraBhaiModi

Kejri has filed his nominations for...Bigg Boss!!!

What a success rate

Kudos to AAP for winning 2-4 seats out of the total 5 seats it contested from....no wait!!!....KYA, sahi mein!!! 434 candidates khade kiye thhe!!!???...hmmm...ab kya bolein phir?....Tab to phir doob maro saalo

Khaye ke jhaapad banaras waala...

khul gaya Kejri ki bandh akal ka taala!!!

Is it true that Varanasi results are out? and Modi has won? Oh no...that means 'Yugpurush' ji haar gaye?? Pssch!!!

Legs-Ki Waat!!

They should consider giving an alternate name to Angkor Wat. It should be called 'Legs-Ki Waat'!!! And Jackie Shroff should sell 'Sandhi-Sudha' oil outside this place. Came here to strike off am item from the bucket list but nearly kicked the bucket!!! Hmmmph — feeling tired at Siemreap.