There's nothing like it (Cricket),the excitement of the unknown.Once it seduces you, you're hooked for life.

The Wall Stands Tall

Rahul Dravid walked into bat at the fall of Gambhir's wicket when the scorecard read 14 for 1. But little did he know that in the next 30 minutes, the famed Indian batting would fall like cards around him leaving the Indian camp stunned at 32 for 4 with the likes of Laxman, Tendulkar and Sehwag back in the hut, thanks to an inspirational performance from Welegedara. But Dravid with years of experience, tons of concentration and overflowing with confidence showed us again just why he is known as Mr.Consistent. 'The Wall' played one of his best knocks ever as he surpassed the 11,000 mark becoming the fifth-highest run-getter in Tests. Ahmedabad and the Sri Lankan team witnessed one of the finest displays of how to progress through an innings.


Rahul Dravid, one of India's greatest gem, just showcased his worth as he smashed 177 runs of 251 balls, lifting India from a miserable position of 32 for 4 to 385 for 6 at stumps. Dravid was involved in two century partnership with Yuvraj (68) and Dhoni (110), as India drew itself to an commanding position against the Lankan lions in the first day of the Ahmedabad test.

Dravid's innings was a treat for the eyes, and I am sure that it would be one of his memorable knocks. Dravid was at his sublime best as he cut, pulled, and drove the hapless Sri Lankan bowlers at will once he consolidated. The innings was well paced as Dravid first looked to see of the devastating spell from Welegedara, as he tried to consolidate India's position. But once he did just that, there was no stopping Dravid as he unleashed a well calculated attack that is not normally synonymous with Dravid. Dravid made plenty as he ended the day with a strike rate just above 70. Who said this man wasn't for ODI's? The silken touch of Dravid, as he flicked of his pads, the gentle caressing through the off-side, the ruthless square cut, and the pull shot were some of the amazing shots that were on view today. But for me the best shot he played was the six he hit of Herath.


Also in the process Dravid surpassed yet another milestone as he crossed the 11K mark, becoming the 5th highest run getter in Test history. Truly a stellar performance!

The hero of Ahmedabad is generally not given his due by the media that often lavishes rich praises on Sachin and others, but still his achievements are second to none. I just hope the selectors were watching the marvelous display of Rahul's batting. I think he has made a strong case for an ODI comeback, and with a strike rate of 70's who can say he's slow at getting his runs?

Hoping to see Jammy score a double century tomorrow. Good Luck Rahul, and Congrats on your wonderful century and also for breaching the 11K mark.


Sensational Sachin...


When Sachin walks in today to play against the Sri Lankans, he would have completed 20 years of playing test cricket at the highest level.

Congrats Sachin and Thank you for all the memories.



And keep going.


When Sachin Plays



When Sachin plays, big-city roads are easy and trains and buses ply empty at rush hour and the markets take a beating...

When Sachin plays, grandmothers who know next to nothing about the game forget knitting and resting and medicines and pray to their gods as they sit frozen, staring nervously at their television screen...

When Sachin plays , busy, ambitious executives ignore their calls and cancel their appointments and avoid their clients and miss their deadlines and their careers on hold...

When Sachin plays, college Common Rooms are dense and tense and hushed as an entire generation sits on pins and needles...

When Sachin plays, school-yards are silent and playgrounds are deserted because those who normally make such a racket imitating their hero are all too busy watching him make batting look so ridiculously easy...

When Sachin plays, fathers who want the news and daughters and mothers who always want soft stuff and brothers who fight for action, for once all agree on what to watch...

When Sachin plays, bowlers and fielders and opposing captains feel their impotence and inadequacy like at no other time and curse themselves and wonder what they can do, if anything, to end the shame, the nightmare, the humiliation...

When Sachin plays, commentators and experts run out of adjectives and expressions of wonder and comparisons...

When Sachin plays, lay spectators have no need for words at all and just jump and scream and whistle and clap and hug each other and cry and wave their flags and banners and thank their lucky stars for being there...

When Sachin plays, India forgets its differences and divisions and teeters between tensions and exhilaration and breaths and laughs and cries as one, as its heart fills with pride and joy and patriotism...


When Sachin plays, all else is IRRELEVANT.

Courtesy - Adidas