We Won....Again!!

 

Leaving It to The King

IPL Final day. RCB vs GT. Two good teams.

GT have the home advantage. They know the conditions, they'll have the crowd behind them, and their bowling attack is probably stronger. RCB, on the other hand, have the batting firepower. RCB fans would also flock the stadium. All signs point to a proper cracker of a game.

As an RCB fan, I'm excited, hopeful, nervous and anxious all at once. Yet somehow, I can't shake off the feeling that things may not go our way today.

So I've left it to one factor: King Kohli.

If he plays a great knock and takes RCB to victory, I will be happiest. If he doesn't deliver and RCB still wins, I would of course, still be happy. But if he fails and RCB fall short, I won't be too bummed. I'll just accept that maybe it wasn't meant to be.

For now, all I can do is sit back and hope the King brings his A-game tonight. Aaar Ceee Beee!❤️🖤

One Rule for Kohli, Another for SKY?

When Virat Kohli retired from T20 internationals after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, many (including yours truly) believed the decision was not entirely voluntary but was also influenced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management’s desire to transition toward a younger T20 side. Though I was sad, the reasoning sounded logical and not out of place. I had the same opinion. T20 cricket has evolved into an extremely aggressive format where, these days, even 200 is no longer considered safe. I recall when Manish Pandey scored the century in IPL in 2009, the total team score was around 160 runs and it was considered a good score back then. Players from Kohli’s generation had to adapt to this format later in their careers, whereas today’s youngsters are growing up naturally suited to this style of cricket.

That is why Kohli’s retirement, while emotional, did not feel entirely unreasonable. The argument was simple - T20 cricket is now a young man’s game, and India must prepare the next generation. 

But...if that was truly the philosophy...and there was no ulterior motive...then the same standards must apply to everyone equally. Which brings us to the curious case of Suryakumar Yadav aka SKY.

SKY is currently 35 years old, the exact same age Kohli was when he stepped away from T20Is. If age and transition were the criteria then, how can they suddenly stop mattering now? The argument cannot change based on convenience or personal preferences within the system. If players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Mohammed Shami are no longer seriously considered for T20 cricket largely because of age and long-term planning, then the same logic must also apply to SKY. Selection policies cannot have different versions for different individuals.

Some may argue that SKY must continue because in March this year, India won the last T20 World Cup under his captaincy. But if success is the yardstick, then Kohli should never have been nudged toward retirement in the first place. He retired immediately after India won a T20 World Cup and after being the Man of the Match in the final. More importantly, his recent IPL performances clearly show that he still has plenty to offer to T20 cricket. If a player performing at that level could be moved aside in the name of transition, then success alone cannot suddenly become the justification for extending someone else’s T20 career.

This is not about disrespecting SKY or denying his contribution to Indian cricket. It is about consistency and fairness in selection philosophy. In few months, SKY would be 36 years old. India has enough young talent emerging every IPL season to build the next T20 core. If the management truly believes that the future of T20 cricket belongs to younger players, then that principle must apply uniformly, irrespective of success, captaincy, dressing-room influence, or proximity to the current leadership. Otherwise, the message becomes very clear - some players are asked to move on because of policy, while others continue because of preference.

A Special Night for Pandey Ji...and His Fans

Really happy to see Manish Pandey finally get an opportunity to bat today - and he made it count in style.

He played a calm, crucial, and match-winning knock when his team needed him the most. The composure, experience, and timing he showed throughout the innings reminded everyone of his class and value under pressure.

Winning the Player of the Match award made the moment even more special and well deserved.

For fans - like yours truly - who have always backed him, this performance felt emotional. Cricket can sometimes move very fast, and players often get judged too quickly. But innings like this prove that class never disappears. Given the right opportunity, quality players can still shine brightly.

Today was more than just a good batting performance. It was a reminder of resilience. A reminder that staying prepared matters, even when chances are limited.

And honestly, it was simply wonderful to see Manish Pandey smiling at the end, holding the Player of the Match trophy after playing such a crucial knock for his side. 

While destiny has not been very kind to you, Pandey Ji, your patience, and perseverance (and fielding) have always stood out. God bless you.

King Kohli Does It Again!

Good game. Virat Kohli scored another century and Royal Challengers Bengaluru marches on. Back at the top of the table now, and qualification looks certain. The next target has to be finishing in the top two.

Happy with the RCB win. Happier with Kohli’s century.

But honestly, the moment that made me happiest was that stunning catch of Tim David taken by someone who I have always supported and wanted him to do well - Manish Pandey. Nonchalant. Clean. Effortless.

We speak a lot about great fielders like Kaif, Yuvi, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, but I genuinely think Pandey Ji belongs right up there with the very best. His catching and outfield work have always been elite.

That catch today was pure class.

A Missed Chance Amid Victory

What a match. Royal Challengers Bengaluru pushed Mumbai Indians to the wall by taking three wickets in the PowerPlay, but then allowed them to recover through poor fielding and dropped catches. Mumbai eventually managed 166 - a decent total on that pitch, but not one that should have seriously troubled RCB. The surface was not exactly a batting paradise and the chase was always within reach if approached sensibly.

But RCB rarely believes in comfort. They started poorly and lost wickets early, then stitched together a few useful partnerships to regain control. Just when the match seemed to be drifting towards a relatively calm finish, they decided to make things interesting again by losing a few more wickets. In the end, RCB crossed the line with absolutely nothing left in reserve - an empty fuel tank, several faulty parts, and nerves hanging by a thread. Splendid match. Chaotic, stressful and immensely entertaining.

I could have been there. I was close to booking tickets for the game, but first the forecast of excessive heat and later the forecast of rain discouraged me from taking a flight to Raipur. In hindsight, I wish I had gone. Matches like this are worth every penny.