The God of 22 yards

An entire nation came to a standstill as the Little Master reached the score of 99. Nobody cared that elsewhere, closer home, Pranab-da had just declared another disappointing budget. All eyes were glued to the score at Dhaka. Not the Indian team’s score mind you but his score. This was the big one. The one that mattered.

Second guessing the Gaffer

This is a special post in anticipation of the Sunday game between Manchester United and Liverpool at Anfield. This is my proposed side and strategy.

Between the Devil(s) and the deep ‘C’!

A moment of inspiration and the result was the title of the blog post. And so it is necessary that I also explain the context.

All the Captain’s Men

The ICC Cricket World Cup draws ever closer. Teams are being announced and players, past and present, are handing out threats and predictions in equal measure.

The True Champion

Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose

Losers and Winners

The FIFA World Cup 2010 ended almost two weeks ago but the void it has left is yet to be filled.

The Fall of (a) Man

Anyone who has reached here expecting a religious discussion with reference to a certain Biblical episode in the Book of Genesis, I hate to disappoint you but you came to the wrong place. This post is about the fall of a man who did however eat the proverbial forbidden fruit.

The man who four years ago was a candidate for UN General Secretary is today disgraced and shamed. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you once again: Dr. Shashi Tharoor, former UN Under-General Secretary and former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.

Les grandes equipes… The Champions!!!

As Manchester United sank to another defeat, at home, yesterday, there is a renewed level of enthusiasm among supporters of the other members of the Big4 club. Countless of my Chelsea and Liverpool supporting friends have not shied away from rubbing the twin defeats in my face. I guess that is the price one pays for vociferously supporting the Red Devils. What however interests me is the number of people who support Chelsea, and supported Bayern Munich on 30 March, only because the team(s) had the potential to beat ManU. It speaks volumes for the team’s popularity that there actually exists a section of fans who are united by the shared hatred for the club.

The Enemy’s Backyard

Is this their moment? Beckham… into Sheringham… and Solskjær has won it!

Words uttered by Clive Tyldesley on the night of 26 May 1999 and probably etched into the memories of Manchester United fans across the world. With a few hours remaining before the Red Devils take on their German opposition in their Last 8 UEFA Champion’s League clash, most fans of both clubs would remember that eventful night as the two European giants met at Camp Nou in Barcelona for the final match of the 1999 UEFA Champions League. Trailing for the most part of the match, Sir Alex Ferguson truly proved the monicker “Golden Substitution”. Second half substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær collaborated marvelously to shoot in two stunners in injury time and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for the Devils.

Time to play the Game

It’s all about the game and how you play it.
It’s all about control and if you can take it.
I am the game, you don’t wanna play me.
I am control, no way you can change me.

Words sung by Motorhead and immortalised by 13 time WWE World Champion Triple H but they couldn’t have been more apt for the annual magnum opus that is currently gripping over 1 billion people in our country – IPL. The Economic Times of 16 March 2010 reckons that the BCCI could make upto Rs. 750 crores in this edition of IPL. Heck I don’t even know how many zeroes that has!

But what exactly is it that makes the IPL what it is?

Master of Puppets

I will occupy
I will help you die
I will run through you
Now I rule you too
Come crawling faster
Obey your master

These words from Metallica’s legendary single “Master of Puppets” kept popping in my mind yesterday.

The reason – Langeveldt to Tendulkar, bowled short of length and moving away from the batsman. At the last moment SRT gets his bat in to steer the ball behind point for THE single. As Gwalior erupted in joy, the little master made another milestone his own. He had done what no man had ever done in the 40 year history of the limited overs game

The Taming of the San Siro

So here I am back again for the follow up post to the previous one. Tell me you weren’t expecting this and I’d say you’re lying through your teeth! I mean, for crying out loud, the Reds won!!! So why wouldn’t I be back?

Rossoneri… Here we come!

Its been more than a year and a half since my last blog post and so it is only befitting that I came back on the same note that I left at. Yes u guessed it – the Reds!
A momentous occasion awaits tonight as millions of fans across the world turn up – in stadium and in their living rooms – to cheer for their sides. Both sides champions of their national leagues come together in the first of their Last 16 cup clash. Its time for the game: Manchester United vs AC Milan at the San Siro.

We are the CHAMPIONS!

Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Time: 22 May 2008 0130 hours local time

Nicolas Anelka lines up in front of goal…. Edwin Van der Sar with his arms spread takes guard in front of goal…. it is sudden death….. and Anelka must be denied!

Cricket Cricket Burning Bright

After the humiliation of an innings defeat at home, the first in quite many years, Team India bounced back yesterday to clinch the third and final test match at Kanpur within three days to square off the series 1-1 with the Proteas. Today, all the news channels are yelling it out from the rooftops.