Is Sachin Back?

With his power packed 100 off 76 balls against WI in the last ODI at Vadodara, the "old" Sachin seems to have come alive and kicking. And how!

There were glimpses of vintage Sachin with a marvelously hit six off Marlon Samuels and a finely flicked four off a yorker from Powell. The latter shot was indeed a special one making the bowler hold his head in his hands.



But is it too early ?? Remember two straight forward catches that were dropped. The dynamics of Indian cricket and the memory of Indian public are so fickle that last performances are very quickly forgotten. And what about Sachin's comments after the match :

"I always bat as I feel is the correct way to bat. I have played long enough to know what is good for me. I do not want to know what others are thinking"

What does one make out of them? Should we not expect the fireworks from him?
If yes, then I would have to grudgingly admit that a sedate and bogged- down Tendulkar is not what all the fans are looking for. He might not again be a swashbuckling batsman , he can leave that to the Dhonis, Sehwags and Utthapas but we don't to see him struggle against unknown bowlers. We want him to dominate even if he perishes...
But will the World cup come good for him and Indian cricket? Only time will tell..

Dhoni..

Dhoni , since "gatecrashing" onto the Indian cricket team has been a permanent fixture to the side. Long since his 'Dho dala' (thump 'em) days against Srilanka , he hit a lean patch in the West Indies but impressed with his skills behind the wickets. And now back in India ,life seems to come a full circle for him. In the current Ind-WI series he has performed commendably with the bat, banging sixes and fours at will.



He along with Sehwag and now Utthapa (?) have inspired a new generation of hitters across India. Equipped with a 'devil may care' attitude , the slam bang approach and the gutsy play they have captured the imagination of millions of cricket lovers across the globe.

Holding the world record for highest individual score by a wicket keeper ( when he scored 183 against Srilanka) beating the mighty Gilcrist he has literally lightened up the cricketing sky with his massive hits and long tresses.

Also worth mentioning is his trademark "whip" shot. Far away from being even close to any proper cricketing shot , he manages to hit sixes and fours wielding the willow as a whip. Complete with an exaggerated follow through , which more often than not gets him into a bit of a tangle , this stroke has become his trademark. Look how he hits them here!

With the World cup in sight , all eyes are on him . May he do a "dho dalla" of all the bowlers in the world cup.

Long live Dhoni and Indian cricket!