By Sunil Sarpal

His Bollywood journey started from a bench in a Mumbai park.  He left his marketing job in Calcutta to migrate to Mumbai so as to try his luck in acting.  In Mumbai, he had to share accommodation with other aspirants. 

Once sitting on the bench, he was deeply engrossed in thought process as to how his acting career will take off.  He concluded if he keeps on living with these people, he shall not be able to focus on his career and all his endeavour of coming to Mumbai will go waste.  He needed a separate accommodation so that he can concentrate seriously on his career. 

The movie which took him to stardom was Janjeer.  By now you must have guessed that we are talking about Amitabh Bachchan. Thereafter he did so many movies which took him to dizzy heights in Bollywood.   Some of them were Deewar, Namak Haram, Sholay, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony so on and so forth.   The list is endless. 

In movies, Amitabh was paired with so many heroins but his equation with Rekha was unique.  Even both of them were rumoured to have been in love with each other.  

His image of an angry young man in Janjeer became so popular that he was tagged with that image.  All renowned writers and producers started writing script keeping in mind his image of a young angry man. In order to come out of that image, Amitabh did so many different roles.  Even he tried his luck in comedy by doing Amar Akbar Anthony and his sense of humour was appreciated by the audience.  During those day, whatever Amitabh would put his hands on would invariably turn into Gold. 

He became so charismatic that this confidence prompted him to open a company called ABCL.  The purpose of opening this company was to make movies.  But the company flopped miserably and Amitabh became bankrupt.  

At that agonising hour in his life, Dhirubhai Ambani came to his rescue and extended financial help so that he could stand up again in his life. 

Amitabh’s fortune changed once again and from being a bankrupt, he emerged as a winner.  Acting roles started pouring in thick and fast in his life.   

He even earned lot of money thru the television show – Kaun Banega Crorepati – and that show is still going strong with him as the anchor.

In an interview, Salim Khan, the main writer of Deewar and Sholay movies, has opinionated that it is time for Amitabh to wind- up his career in acting. Because, for his age the roles are far and few. 

Some of Amitabh’s dialogue which became viral are:

1)     Rishte Mein to hum tumare baap lagte hain Naam hai Shahanshah

2)     Line wahin se shuru hoti hai jahan hum khade hote hai

3)     Khush to bahut hoge tum, jo aaj tak tumari sidian nahi chadha, dekho dekho who aaj tumare aage haath felai khada hai

Ravinder Jadeja – an asset to Indian Team by Sunil Sarpal

Ravinder Jadeja is considered as the most under-rated performer in Team India.  In fact, he is a 3-dimensional cricketer – a good batsman, a wicket taking left arm spinner and most importantly a sharp and agile fielder.  His throwing arm has done havoc in opposition camp and batsmen are always under a ‘fear psychosis’  whether or not to steal a single if the ball is hit in their direction.    

He is such a talented cricketer but creates an impression of being ordinary only because of not possessing good oratory skills. 

As a bowler, his slow left arm bowling is quiet effective and he creates lot of impact on helpful pitches.  His bowling style is restrictive type because he does not give much air to the ball.  His line and length do not allow batters to freeze arm and smash him for biggies.  He even spins the ball where no other bowler gets any purchase from the wicket.  

As a batsman, he is slotted down the order and invariably bats with lower down batsmen or bowlers.  Even while playing in English conditions where the ball swings viciously, and other batsmen are struggling to cope with swing, his approach to batting is as solid as a rock.   In such conditions, his contribution with the bat was significant to India total.  His batting technique may not be from the ‘cricketing book’ but his adjustment and leg side play is of proven quality.  

He is a very sharp fielder whether it is out-field or within 30-yard circle.  He has extra-ordinary diving skills and produce improbable catches.  His ability of stopping the ball and throwing in one action has made him a very dangerous fielder.  He sets such high benchmark in fielding which is hard to emulate. 

MS Dhoni had rightly given him the status of Sir Jadeja. 

Jadeja may not fall in the league of a Kohli or Rohit as batsman but his overall contribution to India’s cause should not be under-mined.  He has already played International cricket with distinction and does not throw away his wicket in a rush of blood, as was the case earlier. 

India needs the services of such cricketer for a long-long time to come as he is young and fit. 

In the commentary box, people like Sanjay Manjreker called him bits-and-pieces cricketer.  This is cheap commentary to distract the enthusiasm of a 3-dimensional cricketer.  His graph in terms of both batting and bowling is on the rise and eye-awakening.  There is a hint of ‘carelessness’ in his approach to the game but actually it is not the case.  He is as serious and studious as anybody else in the team. 

by Sunil Sarpal

Legendary Australia fast-bowler Brett Lee believes an Indian in-form batsman will someday be a major factor in winning a World Cup for the Indian team. 2022 has been a year in which, through his 360-degree play and astonishing shots, became the toast of T20I cricket.

He is currently the highest run-getter in T20Is this year with 1,164 runs in 31 matches, averaging 46.56 and at a strike-rate of 187.43. He also lit up the Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia, the first time he’s played competitive cricket in the country. Surya Kumar Yadav amassed 239 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 189.68, often changing the tempo of the innings for India.

“SKY was one of the highlights for me at the T20 World Cup. He continues to bat with the same attitude. Not only will he score big runs but he will also someday win a World Cup for Team India. I love watching him play. My advice to SKY would be no advice. Keep doing what you are doing, don’t change, don’t complicate things, back yourself,” said Lee on his YouTube channel.

Just after T20 World Cup, Suryakumar enthralled cricket fans yet again when he smashed 111 not out off 51 balls against New Zealand at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. In that match, the rest of the visitors’ batters made 69 runs off as many balls and Suryakumar’s knock was called by Virat Kohli on Twitter as a “video game innings.”

“India did not win the T20 World Cup but the SKY rose. Of course, I am talking about Surya Kumar Yadav. He is the new global T20 superstar. What a sensational 12-15 months he has had on the big stage.”

“He has shown here on Australian grassy wickets where the ball skids through. His fearlessness and his shot selection are like that of a chess grandmaster. His execution is awe-inspiring and the smile on his face when he played it, is priceless,” added an impressed Lee.

On Yadav’s technique of playing shots which has made him stand out from other players, Lee stated that his basics of the game are sorted and wants Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma to let him shine in the coming years for India.

“I like the way he executes the impossible shots because his basics are in place. He doesn’t go out there and just tries to hit the ball that isn’t there to hit. He has a wonderful technique and he is definitely a player for the future.”

“You can trust Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma to just let him be the person he needs to be. SKY would rise and this could lead to many more peaks for India in years to come.”

By Sunil Sarpal

After the ignominious exit from ICC T-20 tournament at the hands of England, Indian Cricket Team’s prestige was at stake. In order to save it’s face, BCCI had no other option but to sack the Selection Committee, led by Chetan Sharma. Even the BCCI President Saurav Ganguly was earlier shown the exit door.

The new BCCI President is Roger Binny, a former cricketer. And the process of forming the new Selection Committee has been under-way. It has become a norm in India that whenever Indian Team is defeated in a big tournament, changes and chopping of heads takes place.

The deadline to submit applications for the post of new selectors ends today, november 28th. According to InsideSports, BCCI is reported to have already received over 80 applications for vacancy of five selectors. The board will scrutinise the applications and will make announcement of the new selection committee in December 2022.

It is speculated that, some of the new faces such as, Shubham Gill, Prithvi Shah, Sanju Samson and Hooda may get the nod. In the bowling department too the return of Jasprit Bumrah will boost the already formidable bowling attack.

If we talk about going down the memory lane, when Ravi Shastri was removed from the position of a Director, Team India, after his 2- term tenure, the team was performing very well except for out of form Virat Kohli. Ravi possesses the right ingredients and knowledge, about how to deal with the boys, which is a rare quality to lift the spirit of the game. Therefore, there are voices demanding for his return as Director, Team India. Whereas, Rahul Dravid’s tenure as Coach has not brought the positive results because coaching Team India is a different ball game. Whereas, Ravi’s invaluable inputs to India captain, time to time intervention in matter of significance and foresight were some of the qualities rarely found in a person.

With the induction of Roger Binny as new BCCI President, it is reported that his first call was to include MS Dhoni as Head Coach or Director, Team India T20. MS Dhoni is immensely talented, cool as a cucumber and his skills for man-management are extra-ordinary. It is hoped that MS Dhoni, if appointed, as Director, in coordination with Rahul Dravid as coach will do the best for the team, which takes Team India forward.

Time is ripe to include new legs because the demand of the game is to be fast and ferocious. Surya Kumar Yadav has proved time and again that the shorter version of the game’s demand is 360 degree. It is therefore absolutely necessary on the part of New Selection Committee to re-build the side and to not go by past reputation of the players.

By Sunil Sarpal

According to a report in The Telegraph, BCCI feels that the load to manage multiple formats is too overwhelming for a single Coach like Rahul Dravid. There is a speculation that BCCI might split the coaching roles three ways and the issue could come up for discussion during the apex council meeting later this month.  Biggest curiosity is ofcourse about the T20 FORMAT coach

Rumours are strong about one possibility. Guess who? Perhaps every child in India knows his name – MS Dhoni. Such is his charisma in Indian Cricket. He is tagged as the coolest captain to ever grace Team India.

For this prestigious assignment to captain Team India, the script was written by none other than Sachin Tendulkar when he recommended Dhoni’s name to the then BCCI President Sharad Pawar for captain material.

His attributes include his unique ability to read the game-situation, pitch-behaviour and team combinations which always bring laurels to the nation.

His timely guidance behind the stumps to bowlers was a treat to watch, so was his uncanny ability to go for DRS. These are some of the talents developed by him to turn him into an iconic figure. His timely bowling changes and field placements made him a street-smart thinker of the game. Dhoni was such a talent that he could enter Team India single-handedly on the basis of being a wicket keeper, or a batsman or just as a captain.

Dhoni was so agile and fitness personified that he used to run between the wickets as fast as anybody. Dhoni’s body was so strong that he could hit a six at will. He was recognised for his ‘helicopter shot’. Dhoni often lifted the morale of the team when the game-situation was slipping away from its grasp. Dhoni was so cool and calculating, that he could change the nature of the game with his determination and could ‘weather the storm’. He was truly a game-changer, and takes the game away from the jaws of defeat.

After suddenly retiring from the game and handing over the reign to Kohli, he was just cooling his heels and playing only IPL, representing CSK.

In the just concluded ICC T-20 World Cup at Australia where India’s ignominious defeat in semis, BCCI new President Roger Binny is reported to have decided that Dhoni should be made Team India Director. Along with the Coach Rahul Dravid, India needs to re-build the team with young legs.

Dhoni’s possible appointment as Director, Team India T20, could lift the morale of the team. Dhoni will build a team on the lines – horses for courses. His uncanny ability to yield the best from a player will take Team India shining once again on the world stage.

What is reverse swing in fast bowling by Sunil Sarpal

Ans. When there is dew in the air, because of which, the outfield becomes wet and the ball tends to get wet too. The seam in the middle of the ball separates the ball on two sides. One side of the ball is kept shiny by rubbing and the other side kept wet or as it is. When delivered, the ball tends to drift towards the wet side even though the seam movement is kept in the opposite direction. Thus the movement of the ball becomes the undoing for the batters.

Here are a few more questions answered with what is a…

YORKER

Yorker is a very difficult delivery to pick.  It is bowled by fast bowler with such precision that it lands under the toe of the batsman’s bat.  Those fast bowlers they swing the ball in the air, bowl swinging Yorkers.  Waqar Yunis of Pakistan was one such player who exhibits this art to perfection.  He was called toe crusher.   Because of providing late in-swing in the air, the batsman is bumboozeled and in the process lose direction of the ball.  Instead of hitting the bat, the ball hits the toe of the foot and inflicts damage.  

BEAMER

Beamer is an illegal delivery.  When a fast-bowler bowls a delivery which lands above waist height of the batsman, it is called Beamer.  Firstly, umpire rules out such a ball as no-ball.   Since such delivery can inflict damage to the batsman, the umpire warns the bowler for repeating such a delivery.  If the bowler still persist with such a delivery, then he can be banned from playing and penalised with a fine too.

BOUNCER

To bowl a bouncer, the fast-bowler keeps the length of the delivery short, using his shoulder strength and digs the ball hard on the pitch.  Generally, bouncer after pitching jumps above shoulder height and becomes unplayable unless the batsman is equipped to hook or pull the ball.  Bouncers is also delivered with varying speed of the ball to dodge the batsman so that he mis-times the shot.  

OFF-SPIN AND LEG-SPIN

Both off-spin and leg-spin can be bowled with the help of either fingers or wrist.  When the slow-bowler gives more air to the ball, it automatically spins more.  And if the trajectory of the delivery is kept low, the ball spins less.  Now-a-days, the slow bowlers have learned the art of spinning wrong ones.  The off-spinner can bowl leg-spin by the magic of his fingers and vice-versa.  

Sunil Sarpal analyses the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup – semi-final between England and India

England beat India comprehensively in the semis. England won the toss and decided to make first use of the ball.

After the match, Kapil Dev very rightly pointed out that Indians are chokers. (Although this tag was originally awarded to the South African team in 1991)

Before the start of the match, Sunil Gavaskar made a valid point – that Indians chase better than setting a target.

I personally attributed India’s defeat to ‘Law of Averages’ over any other pointer. One bad day in office and India is out of the ICC World Cup.

There are some valid questions on the selection of the side.

1) What is the utility of Axar Patel in the side? Does he fit into T-20 side, if yes, then on what basis – batting or bowling or in the category of being a bits and pieces player? He is neither a free flowing batsman, nor does he spin the ball judiciously.

2) What is Ashwin’s contribution in the side? Batsmen hit him for sixers at will. He is effective only on turning tracks.

3) Rohit Sharma being the captain of the side, performed little in terms of batting. How can a non-performing captain lead from the front?

4) In this match, both Bhuvi and Arshdeep were not disciplined in line and length and gave room invariably to batsmen to play freely.

England Captain Buttler, once settled, scored heaps of runs and India did not have the arsenal to get his scalp.

Indians batted poorly during first 6 overs and scored only 36 runs for the loss of KL Rahul. Another noticeable fact is, that Kohli does not score as quickly as Hardik or Surya K Yadav.

Making a mockery of Kartik vs Pant selection does not leave a good taste and is not a healthy sign for their confidence. As if this is a musical chairs game for them.

One more selection error, if not made, could have strengthened Indian batting. It was the non-inclusion of specialist batsman Hooda in place of bits and pieces Axar Patel.

In a nut-shell, India lost the match because of its own selection errors.

पिता तो मेरे चले गए,
अब पितृ दिवस मेरा सूना है।
जैसे लोभी का धन लुट गया,
और लगा मोटा चूना है।
अब यादों में रहे शेष बस,
मूरत नहीं दिखाई देती।
कहां ठहाका रहा हंसी का,
खुशियां नहीं दिखाई देती।
कहां छुपी वो आशीषें जो,
हमको सदां दिया करते थे।
हमारी खुशियों में खुश थे,
और दुख में सदां दुखी दिखते थे।
थे निश्छल, निष्कपट भाव वो,
ऐसा कोई कहां मिलता है।
रिश्तों में स्वारथ सधता है,
और मनों में छल पलता है।
मेरे पिता तो, देवलोक की,
सीधी ऐक निशानी थे।
हुंकारों से रोम खड़े हो,
ऐसे वो लासानी थे।
मगर वो माली चला गया,
जहां बाग पल्लवित होते थे।
क्या मजाल कोई घर में आये,
खुल्लम खुल्ला सोते थे।
पिता गये,वो रति गयी जो,
उनके होने पर होती।
आज अगर जिन्दा होते तो,
ऐसी गति नहीं होती।
जिनकी कोई औकात नहीं,
मुझ पर आरोप लगाते हैं।
गले लगाते रहे मगर वो,
छूट छूट कर जाते हैं।
मेरे पिता ने मुझसे जो चाहा,
वो मैं कर जाऊंगा।
सब रुठे फिर भी मैं अपना,
वचन निभाकर जाऊंगा।
मेरे पिता हैं, मैं भी पिता हूं,
ये धारा है जीवन की।
मैं भी पुत्र हूं,मेरा पुत्र है,
यही व्यवस्था हर तन की।
जहां देने का भाव रहे,
बस पिता वही कहलाता है।
जहां सेवा का भाव रहे,
बस पुत्र वही कहलाता है।
फिर कहता हूं दुनिया में कोई,
मेरे पिता सा पिता नहीं।
मुझे भाग्य से मिले पिता,
मेरी थी औकात नहीं।
मैं उनके गुण क्या लिक्खू,
वो लिखने में नहीं आयेंगे।
राई से क्या पहाड़ तुलेगा,
तोल तोल मर जाएंगे।
है ईश्वर से एक निवेदन,
पुण्य अगर कोई बाकी हो,
फिर से पिता बने मेरे,
दीदार वही, वही झांकी हो।

सबके बस की बात नहीं है।

फूल छोड़ कर कांटे चुनले,
सबके बस की बात नहीं है।
महल छोड के वन को चुन लें,
ये सब की औकात नहीं है।
भावों का भी एक जगत है,
जो लौकिक में नहीं समाता,
द्रष्टि से भी परे दृष्य़ है,
जो आंखों में नहीं समाता।
उसको जो कोई देख सके
ये सबके बस की बात नहीं है।
महल छोड़ कर….
शब्दों का छोटा सा दायरा,
पकड़ पकड़ के कहां पकड़ोगे,
बुद्ध और महावीर की वाणी,
शब्दों से कैसे पकड़ोगे।
जहां शब्दों की पकड़ छूट जाये,
उसको तुम कैसे पकड़ोगे।
सुधा छोडके गरल को पीना,
सबके बस की बात नहीं है।
महल छोड़ कर…
मानव यूं मानव नहीं होता,
जैसे सब मानव होते हैं।
मानवता जिनके अन्दर हो,
वो मानव थोड़े होते हैं।
जो मानव मानव बन जाये,
ये सब की औकात नहीं है।
महल छोड़ कर…
अन्धो को कैसे समझाए,
वेद व्यास भी हार गए हैं।
जीते जागते कृष्ण न दीखे,
सब कौरव बेकार गये है
सबकी झोली में आ जाये,
ये ऐसी सौगात नहीं है।
महल छोड़ कर…
कविता गढ़ दूं, और मैं गा दूं,
फिर भी इससे क्या होता है।
गीता और रामायण लिख दी,
फिर भी अपना मन सोता है।
दर दर पर जो लुट जाये,
ये ऐसी खैरात नहीं है।
महल छोड़ कर…
अंतस का जब भाग्य उदय हो,
और संगत परवान चढे तो,
कभी पुण्य का उदय होय तो,
और सज्जन सत्कार बढ़े तो।
तभी ज्ञान की वर्षा होगी,
ऐसी फिर बरसात नहीं है। फूल छोड़ कर कांटे चुन लें,
सबके बस की बात नहीं है।
महल छोड़ कर …

देखो ये कैसी मजबूरी

दीपक की ये मजबूरी है,
जले नहीं तो और करें क्या।
और पतंगें की मजबूरी,
जान के जल गया और करें क्या।
मजबूरी ऐसी ब्याधा है,
इसको बस मजबूर ही जाने।
क्ई बार मजबूरी में तो,
खुद को पड़ते प्राण गंवाने।
फिर भी हल नहीं हुई समस्या,
देखो ये कैसी मजबूरी।
वो न कभी जान पायेगा,
जिसने नहीं देखी मजबूरी।।
आत्मघात सस्ता होता हो,
मर न सके वो है मजबूरी।
पर ये सब मजबूर ही जाने,
जना न सके ये है मजबूरी।
घोर कष्ट देना मालिक,
पर मत देना ऐसी मजबूरी।
सीता जैसी नारि त्याग दी,
बनी राम की वो मजबूरी।
राम त्याग दिए दसरथजी ने,
जानो थी कैसी मजबूरी।
प्राण त्याग देते सस्ता था,
पर नहीं त्यागे थी मजबूरी।
नारद,शेष, महेश,जिन्हें,
दिन रात रटे,करते मजदूरी,
उनका घर से देश निकाला,
दसरथ की कैसी मजबूरी।
राम तो बड़े उदाहरण है,
पर बड़ी बहुत होती मजबूरी।
जहां समझ और ज्ञान हार जाये,
वो देखी हमने मजबूरी।
मेरा अपना ऐसा अनुभव,
मेरी भी अपनी मजबूरी।
धर्म ध्वजों के ऊपर ही,
हावी होती देखी मजबूरी।
मगर धर्म का साधक ही,
होता मजबूर,यही मजबूरी।
अधम और नीचो की देखो,
नहीं होती कोई मजबूरी।
मैं कहता हूं मजबूरी में,
यों मजबूर कभी मत होना,
धर्म डुबो दो मजबूरी में
ऐसी नहीं होती मजबूरी।
पुत्र कटे,धन दौलत लुट गई,
ऐसी भी होती मजबूरी,
मगर धर्म को लील जाये जो,
ऐसी नहीं होती मजबूरी।
विश्वासो को लील जाए जो,
ऐसी भी होती मजबूरी,
मगर धर्म को लील जाए जो,
ऐसी नहीं होती मजबूरी

फिर ये नूतन,नूतन कैसा है?

सब नूतन होय पुरातन तो,
फिर ये नूतन,नूतन कैसा है।
आज़ का नूतन,कल पुरातन,
भ्रम का एक फंदा जैसा है।
युगों युगों से सभी पुरातन,
नूतन देह बदलते आये।।
आशा और सपनों के सपने,
हमको सदां दिखाते आये।।
पर मानव का मन ऐसा है,
सपने में ही सुख पाता है।।
और पुरानी दीवारों पर,
रंग रोगन करता जाता है।।
नया पुराना कुछ नहीं होता,
जो जैसा है,बस वैसा है।।
एक मिलन है एक विदाई,
पर सब वैसा का वैसा है।।
जिसमें तुम्हें शकुन मिलता हो,
देता हूं नव वर्ष बधाई।।
मंगलमय जीवन हो सबका,
और पुण्य की बढ़े कमाई।।
रहे निरोगी काया सबकी,
मात पिता की हो सिवकाई।
परिवारों में मेल बना रहे,
बहिनें सदां सुहागिन होवें।।
आज्ञाकारी पुत्र सुखी हो,
पुत्री सदां चहकती होवें।।
सुन्दर नारि सदां सुख पावें,
शाकाहार बने सब घर में।।
भारत वर्ष महान बने,
जिसका परचम फहरे अम्बर में।।

(जिले सिंह)

ये जीवन आना जाना है।

ये जीवन आना जाना है।
आज यहां कल जायेगा।।
सूरज चांद सितारे सबको,
काल एक दिन खायेगा।।
धरती से अम्बर तक देखो,
एक ही चीज सनातन है।
सच्चे गुरु का ज्ञान अमर है,
तुझे अमर कर जायेगा।।

कभी बने जो राजमहल थे,
आज बने खण्डर देखो ।
जहां अप्सरा नृत्य करे थी,
अब उसका मंजर देखो।।
क्षण क्षण सोना मिट्टी होता,
मिट्टी सोना होती है।।
इतनी बात समझ में आये,
तो फिर जीवन बदलेगा।।
सच्चे गुरु….
एक धुरी है एक चाक है,
ऐसा सबका जीवन है।।
सभी चाक पर घूम रहे हैं,
चाक बना जीवन धन है।।
सन्त धुरी को देख रहे हैं,
पल पल पैनी नजरों से।
और अज्ञानी चाक देखता,
घूम घूम मर जायेगा।।
सच्चे गुरु..
नित्य सदां रहता दुनिया में,
और सदां रह जायेगा।‌।
लाख संभालो सपने को तुम,
पर सच नहीं बन पायेगा।।
जान के बन्दे गोता खाये,
ये ही तो भव सागर है,
बाहर निकल जा जैसे तैसे,
सौने का हो जायेगा।।
सच्चे गुरु..

By Sunil Sarpal

India unearthed a batting talent approx.. three years ago, including him in the playing 11 to represent India in a test match against West Indies held in India. He scored a mammoth 300 runs in an innings. His name was Karun Kaladharan Nair.

Since then his name never figured in contention to represent India. This must be a case of dipping form. Hitting 300 runs in a match against West Indies in itself is an achievement beyond imagination and comparison with his contemporaries.

He is definitely an exceptional talent and should not be over-looked.

BCCI should nurture such talent so that he gets acclimatised to play in different conditions and evolves his batting.

There are other cricketers also with lot of talent but due to meagre resources cannot compete at higher level.

Luckily in India, BCCI is one of the richest cricket bodies in the world. It can nurture such extra-ordinary talent, providing stipend or free facilities.

County Cricket in England is one such platform where young and up-coming players can blossom if given a chance to play alongside International stars.

It is the duty of the new BCCI President Roger Binny to form a committee whose primary task should be to unearth such talent and provide all facilities free of charge for their exposure so that they become tomorrow’s stars.

What is your view in this matter. Please post your opinion in the comment box below.

By Sunil Sarpal

Virat Kohli leading India to victory against Pakistan in T20 world cup in Australia this October takes us back to the Asia Cup match played against Afghanistan just a little over a month ago when he broke a jinx and his resurgence began.

Indian Cricket is not spared from dirty politics and jealousies. In Kohli’s words, when he gave up captaincy, only one man showed concern and called upon him. That was MS Dhoni. Others also had his number, he complained, but were probably jealous of his record tumbling feat.

Kohli’s dipping form for over 3 years has been a cause of concern in cricket fraternity. Had he been in the Australian team, he would have been shown the exit door. But a better sense prevailed upon BCCI that he had been persisted with.

It took Kohli three years to score 71st International ton. During his dry period, Indian legend Kapil Dev talked in terms of writing him off and spoke in favour of better bench strength and in-form players.

Now, those critical of his inclusion in the side, will twist their statement, saying it was their way of motivating Virat so that he starts delivering yet again. That is why it is a well known fact that our society is riddled with hypocracy.

Now that Kohli has finally scored 71st ton, he shall be the most relieved man.

It is not imperative on part of past legends such as Kapil Dev and Gavaskar to make irresponsible statements. It’s unbecoming of their status. It is only their way to keep their name afloat and remain in the public eye. They do not want somebody else joining them in greatness. They are apparently ego-centric and biased.

Kohli, in an interview, said that till the time God wills, he will keep on playing. In fact, past legends outbursts do not bother him much. On the other hand, cricketers from abroad spoke highly of Kohli and wished him success.

Definitely, his blade will keep on accumulating runs till the time God so desires. God always stand by those who have a clean and unbiased heart, like Kohli.