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.

During the six-days there will be participation from ten different directors on one platform. The directors are: Chandershekhar Sharma, Vishaw Deepak Trikha from Rohtak, Rajesh Tiwari, Ashraf Ali, Varun Sharma, Sunil Chauhan and Shyam Kumar and the plays are ‘Lajwanti’ , ‘Gadhe Ki Barat’ , ‘Kambakht Ishq’, ‘Jaanch Padtal’ , ‘Charandas Chor’ ,‘Aadhe Adhure’ ‘Digdarshak’ , ‘Shikasta Booton Ke Darmiyan’ ‘Chuhal’ & ‘Ek Ruka Hua Faisla’.

Aranyak
The brand new Hindi webseries on Netflix

▫️ Welcome to the world of murder mystery that has the deceptive appearance of a folklore. This character- नर तेंदुआ- imaginary or real, would hammer your brain across 8 episodes. Since a fresh killing and rape of a girl , the sleepy town of Himachal Pradesh is jolted again. The police station, uncountable natives …complete with an influential politician and a high status business family. The probe begins, so does your journey into a narrative which is thrilling in the beginning and a big disappointment after 3 episodes. Lengthy, tedious and long drawn.

▫️ Casting is almost perfect. Parambrata excels as Angad Mallik, the investigating police officer. Surprisingly, Raveena as the SHO on leave, Kasturi Dogra, manages to get into the character effortlessly. Then we have actors like Ashutosh Rana, Zakir Husain, Meghna Malik among others who try earnestly to lift a dull screenplay. All remain stereotypes with some clichéd, overdramatic dialogues. The hangover of the forgotton era of the ’80s.

▫️ A mixed bag indeed. Average direction and writing, above average performances (better than Candy at least), effective background score. O yes, watch the series on faster speed for the breathtaking and picturesque locations. The climax has been shot in thick snowfall all over and looks phenomenal.

▫️ Nothing less, nothing more.

I remember my first learning after starting to live here in the hills. 2010, I think. Those days we were still city slickers who would travel up by the Ranikhet Express after putting in a full day at work. We would head up on a Thursday night and head back down by the Sunday night train to get into work on Monday morning! Gosh! I’m feeling tired just writing about those crazy trips!

During one of those trips, I remember we decided to use the local public transport of the shared Boleros that ply up and down from Ranikhet and stop anywhere they want to pick up or drop off passengers. We had bought some plastic chairs in Ranikhet and had tied them to the carrier of our chariot for the return journey.

After waiting for about 20 minutes for passengers to be rounded up, we set off at around 2 pm. As the vehicle was pretty crowded, Tripti sat in the middle seat and I squeezed into the extremely intimate back benches where five people and a baby were forced to rub knees and ignore touching thighs and hips! After about five minutes when we had just exited Ranikhet, the baby who was in her mother’s arms sitting next to me decided to entertain the bored passengers by evacuating her lunch onto my jeans and shoes. The mother turned a deep shade of red in embarrassment as she profusely started apologising and at the same time asking the driver to pull over.

I sat struck dumb, looking at the child’s lunch, trying hard not to react rudely or at all actually, while the driver pulled over on the verge and the rest of the passengers got off and hung around chatting idly. Gently reprimanding the mother for travelling with the little one so soon after her lunch, he pulled out a jerry can of water and came to the back and started cleaning the floor, the seat, my jeans and shoe. I thanked him and got off as well as he diligently finished the clean up operation. The whole operation from barf to boarding took around 15 minutes.

As I waited with Tripti, I looked around at all the rest of the passengers waiting with us. Some were squatting and smoking, some chattering, some busy on their phones, some cooing and chatting with the baby and her mother. 15 minutes of this. Once the driver announced the all clear, we all got back into the jeep and set off again.

And that’s when it struck me.
In all the time we had been waiting outside, not one passenger complained about getting late, expressed annoyance at the driver or the mother or in fact, expressed any kind of reaction of any kind whatsoever! This was totally amazing to me, coming as I did from a life where delays like this might mean the collapse of democracy as we know it or the heavens deciding to fall! 15 minutes? And not a peep? What was going on here? And that’s when it finally dawned on me. Time was a fictional concept invented by man to make life intolerable! What the local people knew instinctvely was that neither democracy, nor the heavens, nor in fact anything at all of import would ever happen in their life by waiting for a young mother to clean up her baby and make it more comfortable. Patience. Yes,that was my learning that day and I was humbled by it. Truly humbled. And just for that, I am forever indebted to these hills and to it’s truly human populace.