For sourav, Battle is still on..

People know him as Dada, Maharaja or the Prince of Kolkata… But Sourav Ganguly for me is simply the King of Comebacks for Indian Cricket. God only knows how many time he was forced to prove his worth, that to after getting 16,000 runs in his kitty.

Every single time when he was thrown out of the team, he went back to the ground; practiced hard; played in tournaments that not many people have heard of; got his basics clean and forced the selectors to think again. Every single time when the selectors gave him a chance- which many foresaw as his last- Sourav made full use of the opportunity.

That is Sourav- the ever-hopeful cricketer who rises to the challenge and inscribes a fairytale comeback. Then, just when people start forgetting his feat, he yet again comes up with yet another fable of hard work and success.


Sourav Ganguly is perhaps someone who takes pleasure in proving others wrong. And he has done it one more time. After he was excluded from the Rest of India squad for Irani Trophy, Ganguly did not give up. He just waited and it paid off. So when the new Selection Committee under K Srikant included him in the Indian squad for first two tests against Australia, Ganguly was happy, but not surprised. As if he knows, there is still lot of cricket left in him.

So, once again, he’s getting ready to face his bitter enemies- the Kangaroos- with whom he shares a flair of deep rivalary- as an ex-caption, as well as a Batsman. His only hundred in Test Cricket, came against the Australians in 2003-04. And he definitely wants to add at least one more before he retires. Oh well, the talk of his retirement, or a probable VRS is in air, but Dada doesn’t seem to care. He has his plans set up.

So, once again, all eyes will be on him- whether he does well or whether he fails to keep the promise we’ll soon come to know. However, one thing is sure. This time, it won’t be easy for him. (Well, it never is when you are Sourav Ganguly)

This time, the competition in the team is really too much. There is the young blood all ready to fire.
That is why, this is all getting so interesting, coz, this time when Ganguly takes on the Aussies, he will be facing two challenges. One form the Lee and Company and another, from within his team.

And it is a possibility, that one-time King of Indian Cricket will never get another chance of come back…

All Set to Race in the Dark

Not much time is left for the first practice session of the Singapore Grand Prix. Well, there is still a lot of time left for the actual race, but all F1 fans and alike are equally eager to watch today's practice session. Because, they all expect a new drama on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Singapore GP is going to creat a History as the first Night Race in the History of Formula One.

Singapore, the Economic Hub of East is all set to ride on Speed..

Who'll bge the master? Mc-Laren? Ferrari?? or Somebody else???

Who'll win the battle in Darkness of night, under floodlights?

But wait, racing in the darl is not the only attraction of this race. It's for the first time in Asia that a Formula GP is set on a Street Circuit. The challanges are not few. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is known for it's bumpy rides and along with Floodlights, Humidity will test the drivers.

Surelly, this is going to be a new test for Drivers, Teams, organizers as well as fans from around the world.

The race holds a promise for all- a promise that the Game will survive in spite of rising fuel prices, increased cost of organizing races and the fears of a global economic downfall.

Lt. Col. Kapil Dev, We Salute You!

Retired Indian Cricketer Kapil Dev is now Lt. Col. Kapil Dev... Yes, Kapil has joined the Territorial Army of India.

It's more than 14 years since he retired. It's time he'll complete his half century soon. But still stories of his heroics inspire the new generation of cricketrs. This ever enthusiastic Indian is really a symbol of patriotism. His love for the motherland was never hidden even in the times when Cricket had started getting commercialised.

And today Kapil has joined the ranks of Territorial Army, setting up an example for several others. We salute you for that, Lt. Col.Kapil!

बॅटल ऑफ विल्यम्समध्ये सेरेनाची सरशी

सेरेना की व्हीनस? कोण गाठणार यंदाच्या यूएस ओपनची सेमीफायनल? याच उत्सुकतेनं टेनिसचाहत्यांनी न्यूयॉर्कच्या आर्थर अॅश स्टेडियमवर गर्दी केली आणि अपेक्षेप्रमाणेच त्यांना पहायला मिळाली एक नाट्यमय लढत.
बॅटल ऑफ विल्यम्समध्ये अखेर धाकटी बहीण सेरेनानं बाजी मारली. आणि विम्बल्डन फायनलमधल्या पराभवाचा वचपा काढला. पण व्हीनसनं सेरेनाला हा सामना जिंकण्यासाठी बराच घाम गाळायला लावला.
खरंतर या सामन्यात दोन्ही सेट्समध्ये सुरूवातीला व्हीनसनंच आघाडी घेतली होती. पण हार मानेल तर ती सेरेना कसली? पहिल्या सेटमध्ये १ - ३ अशा पिछाडीनरून मुसंडी मारताना सेरेनानं आपली जिद्द दाखवून दिली. टायब्रेकरमध्ये गेलेला पहिला सेट सेरेनानं ८-६ असा जिंकला.
एकीकडे शांत व्हीनस आणि दुसरीकडे आक्रमक सेरेना यांच्यातली ही लढाई दुस-या सेटमध्ये आणखीनच चुरशीची ठरली. व्हीनसचा प्रत्येक फटका सेरनानं तितक्याच ताकदीनं परतवून लावला. चाहतेही एकाच वेळी “Come on Williams” म्हणून दोघींनाही चीअर करत होते. टायब्रेकरमध्ये पुन्हा एकदा व्हीनसनं आघाडी मिळवली पण ती कायम राखण्यात मात्र तिला अपयश आलं. सेरेनानं हाही सेट आणि सामना 7-6, 7-6 असा आपल्या नावे केला.
पण व्हीनसला जणू सामन्याची उत्सुकता थोडी आणखी ताणायची होती. म्हणूनच तिनं पंचांच्या निर्णयाला आव्हान दिलं. अखेर कौल सेरेनाच्या बाजूनं लागला आणि दोन्ही बहीणींनी सुटकेचा निश्वास टाकला. कारण क्वार्टर फायनलची ही लढत म्हणजे दोघी बहीणींमध्ये आजवर झालेल्या लढतींमधली सर्वात टफ फाईट होती. (खरंच, असं एकमेकींचा सामना करताना कसं वाटत असेल दोघींना? एक मात्र खरं, मलाही त्यांच्यासारखी बहिण असणं आवडलं असतं.) अवघ्या दोनच महिन्यांपूर्वी विम्बल्डनच्या फायनलमध्ये दोघींची गाठ पडली होती. त्यानंतर अमेरिकन ओपनमध्ये घरच्याच मैदानात एकमेकींचा सामना करणं व्हीनस आणि सेरेनासाठी सर्वात मोठं आव्हान होतं. पण सामना संपला आणि मैदानावरच्या या दोन प्रतिस्पर्धी पुन्हा एकमेकींच्या मैत्रिणी झाल्यायत- अर्थात पुन्हा एकमेकींसमोर उभ्या राहीपर्यंतच..

Race For Number One...

"Obviously if you would ask me at the moment if I'm playing like number one, probably not, but I can't judge too much on that because I really haven't had (a) chance to practice."

- Ana Ivanovic, the present No. 1 Tennis Player,

after her Third round defeat at the US Open 2008

Yet again, Ana Ivanovic saw a premature end to her Quest for victory. For the Serbian beauty, it seems like 2008 is the year of mixed emotions. Ana reached the Finals of Australian open at the start of this season, and lost to Maria Sharapova. She peaked her game during the clay season and with Justin Henin's shocking retirement, there was surely nobody else to stop her. As expecterd, Ana went on to win the French Open- a title that had so far became synonymous with Henin. Not just that, Ana also got the Top position in women's tennis.

But suddenly, the tides turned. Ana couldn't keep her form on grass and the Wimbledon's Pretiest girl left the SW 19 after just third round. And now, just over two months, The Top Seed Ana is out of the race in just third round again.

But this time it was not just the quest for US Open. there's so much at stake...

When Ana lost to Julie Coin of France, on the Arthur Ashe stadium, the world witnessed the biggest upset ever happened at US Open. And this is also the start for a new battle for No. 1.

After Henin's retirement, the competition in women's tennis has gone up. Henin had been so out of reach from any other girls! but with she out and Sharapova struggling with her injuries, Ana had the best chance to acquire lots of points ang cement her top position. (and that's where she faulted.

And now, her top ranking is under threat. The biggest attack comes from hr compatriot Jelena Jankovic, who had shortly grabbed the no.1 from Ana for a week- just a few days ago. But she's not the only one who can do the damage, the Home-favourite Serena Williams, Olympic Gold Medalist Elena Dementieva And Russian Fighter Dinara Safina, all are in the race..

India Shining in Beijing!

One after another, Good News are pouring in from Beijing.

Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar has won the Bronze medal in 66 kg group. He won over Kazaksthan's Leoned Spiridinove 2-1, 0-1 and 1-0. It's been a tough battle for Sushil, he has lost his Opening round bout, but won both the matches in repachage.

he has now become the second Indian to win an Olympic medal in Wrestling. Interestingly, it was in this sport, that India had won her first individual Olympic medal, when Khashaba Jadhav won a Bronze in 1952 Helsinki games.

you know, it was such an exciting moment! we were almost preparing to make a story on his entry in Bronze match, and before we decide anything, he was on verge of winning it, and within a few minuites, he won it.... breath taking!

And as we were absorbing the joy, Vijendra Kumar has doubled it. He has reached the Semifinals of Boxing in 75 Kg group. So, one more medal for India is confirmed!

अभिनव कामगिरी!

सु़टी असल्यानं माझ्यासाठी आजचा दिवस तसा उशीराच सुरू झाला. मोबाईलची रिंग वाजल्यानं मला जाग आली, आणि उशीरा का होईना, पण आजची सकाळ उजाडली ती 'अभिनव' बातमी घेऊनच. अभिनव बिन्द्रा फायनलमध्ये पोहोचल्याचं कळलं आणि पुन्हा हूरहूर वाटू लागली. साहजिकच आहे, गेले काही दिवस बीजिंगमध्ये मेडलवर नेम मारण्यात आपले नेमबाज चुकत होते ना.. पण अभिनव मात्र अजिबात चुकला नाही. शेवटच्या क्षणापर्यंत आपला संयम राखून अभिनवनं थेट सुवर्ण पदक जिंकलं आणि मी ताबडतोब ऑफिसच्या दिशेनं निघाले.

कळलंच नाही पण अचानक माझं मन चार वर्ष मागे गेलं. आणि आठवण झाली अथेन्समधल्या राज्यवर्धन राठोडच्या विजयाची. डबल ट्रॅपमध्ये राठोडनं रौप्य पदक जिंकलं त्या क्षणाची.. एरवी क्रिकेटच्या वेडात बुडालेला भारत त्या दिवशी रौप्यपदकाचं सेलिब्रेशन करण्यात बुडाला होता. अथेन्समधल्या विजयाआधी आणि नंतरही भारतीय नेमबाजांच्या कामगिरीचा आलेख चढताच राहिलाय. पण राठोडच्या पराक्रमानं भारतीय नेमबाजीभोवतीचं वलय ख-या अर्थानं वाढलं आणि नेमाबाजांकडून असलेल्या अपेक्षाही. बीजिंगमध्ये सुवर्णपदक जिंकून अभिनवनं त्या अपेक्षा चुकीच्या नसल्याचंच सिद्ध केलं. खरं सांगू? If Rathore's win in Athens gave a silver lining to the cloudy scene of India at Olympic, Abhinav has surely put us in a Golden Light. आणि या सोनेरी कीरणांमध्ये अवघा भारत प्रकाशमान झाल्यासारखं वाटू लागलंय.

आज प्रत्येक भारतीय अभिमानानं सांगू शकतोय की, होय आमच्याकडेही आता एक सुवर्णपदक आहे. खास करून बीजिंगमध्ये उपस्थित असलेले खेळाडू आणि पत्रकार- कारण त्यांनाच भारताच्या कामगिरीविषयी प्रश्नांना सारखं सामोरं जावं लागतं. आणि यंदाच्या ऑलिम्पिकदरम्यान तर या सगळ्या मंडळींची चांगलीच पंचाईत होतेय- कारण भारतीयांची हॉकीतली नामुष्की. भरवशाच्या हॉकीत ऑलिम्पिकमध्ये पोहोचण्याआधीच पडझड झाली. पण नेमबाजीनं पुन्हा एकदा भारताची लाजच राखली नाही तर शानही वाढवलीय. म्हणूनच अभिनवच्या सुवर्णपदकाची झळाळी आणखीनच उठून दिसतेय. आणि त्याहीपेक्षा उठून दिसतोय तो अभिनवनं दाखवलेला संयम.

नेमबाजीचा खेळ म्हणजे मानसिक क्षमतेची कसोटी पाहणारा. इथं एका क्षणासाठी एकाग्रता ढळली तरी मेडल हुकण्याची शक्यता असते. हवं तर मनशेर सिंगला विचारा. बीजिंगमध्येच ट्रॅप इव्हेन्टमध्ये शेवटच्या दोन्ही क्वालिफायिंग राऊंड्समध्ये २४ - २४ असं परफेक्ट यश मिळूनही मनशेरचं फायनलचं तिकाट थोडक्यात हुकलं. कारण आदल्या दिवशी तिस-या राऊंडमध्ये मनशेरचा स्कोअर होता अवघा २०.

पण जिथं मनशेरनं गमावलं, तिथंच अभिनवनं कमावलं. फायनलमध्ये त्याचे सगळे शॉट्स अगदी near perfectच होते. आणि शेवटचा शॉट तर होता १०.८! Simply Unbelievable! अभिनवच्या त्याच शॉटनं त्याला पहिल्या स्थानावर सरकवलं आणि भारताला मिळालं पहिलं वहिलं वैयक्तिक सुवर्णपदक.

अभिनवचं आजचं गोल्ड मेडल असो वा राठोडचं अथेन्समधलं सिल्व्हर , एक गोष्ट मात्र विसरता येत नाही. या दोघांच्याही यशात त्यांच्या टीमचा मोठा हातभार होता. लेफ्टनन्ट राठोडला भारतीय सैन्याचं पाठबळ होतं, तर अभिनवचे वडील पहिल्यापासूनच त्याच्यामागे खंबीरपणं उभे राहिले. चंदीगडमधले मोठे बिझिनेसमन असलेल्या त्याच्या वडिलांनी घराच्या मागच्या अंगणातच त्याच्यासाठी शूटिंग रेंज उभी केली. त्याच भक्कम आधारावर अभिनवचं करियर उभं राहिलं आणि आता त्यावर सोनेरी कळसही चढलाय.
सगळेच जण अभिनवइतके नशीबवान नसतील, पण भारतात आज टॅलेन्टे़ड नेमबाजांची कमी नाही. गरज आहे ती त्यांच्या पायाखालचा आधार आणखी भक्कम करण्याची. तरच अभिनवचं यश ही एक अभिनव सुरूवात ठरेल.

The Day World was waiting for...

Finally, the Games of 29th Olympiad have officially started.. What a grand Opening it was! Exactly like the world has anticipated it... China has successfully produced the biggest spectacle the Earth has ever witnessed.

I'm still overwhelmed by the greatness of it.. And so is everyone who has watched it, live or on TV.

So many performances! A great exhibition of the Chinese History, Culture and glimpses of it's present and future. everything in a Chinese flavour.. marvelous! Second by second, the drama unfolded inside the "Bird's Nest" and in the sky above it. (You know, I felt it's a perfect appellative for Beijing's National Stadium- a place where the representatives of whole world gathered with the bird of peace in their hearts.

But more than anything else, the opening ceremony has kept the promise. The promise that China made some two Olympiads ago. The promise that these games are going to be different, that these games hold a great potential to change the lives of this six millenia old civilization that has been cut off from the rest of the world for most of the past. The promise of the "One World, One Dream..."

The Games have began.. And I wish for a great fortnight of sporting feast.

Marathon Sunday...

They say, Marathon race is not just a race. It's a celebration, a kind of triumph of human mind, body and soul. But I think, It's not just a celebration of that triumph, it's perhaps an education that helps in a rediscovery of oneself. I've experienced it once again today.

Although I didn't run in the race. I covered Thane varsha Marathon. You know, I really had a Marathon ride through Thane City. But I enjoyed it. (Just I missed the rains... well, that happens!)

My day too, was a real Marathon Day- started at 4 am and is yet to end. but it's been quite a nice day. (well, not quiet, but perhaps one of the nicest of past fortnight or so. ) Today, I kept all thoughts away, except my duty, literally I mean. and then when I got somt time, I had again jumbled up a lot of thoughts. ( Oh I need to get over this-whatevr it is- as soon as possible) Oh dear, there are so many things that Ive to do! really, my whole life is going to be like a Marathon again... but right now I need to take rest.

V for Venus, W for Wimbledon

So Venus has done it again... This time, she did it by beating her young sister Serena.

And now I hope Federer repeats his feat again as well...

Le Tour Arrive

"Finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. But this is one hell of a race. This is a great sporting event and you should stand around and believe it. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it. "

- Lance Armstrong in his Podium farewell speech, Tour de France, July 24, 2005

This is one of my favourite quotes. And you guessed it right, why I put it here right now- The Tour De France is starting from tomorrow.

This is one of my favourite event, and I wish to visit France and see it one day. But sadly, since some years, the tour is known more for the doping drama and not for the action...

End of Pain for Spain...

"Sometimes people mention those that are merely there,

but to be merely there is not enough.

A final must be won, because the one that comes second is forgotten.
We have to win it."

- Luis Aragones, Coach of the Spainish National Football Team.

On the Football pitch, nobody but Spain knew how it feels to come second, third, or fourth. Let it be any big tournament, but the Spainsh were always tagged as the 'perennial underachiever'. But that tag is now recycled for at least another two years.

I'm not an expert of the game, not even a big footie-fan. But I can say that this spanish squad has a lot of talent, and most importantly, the spirit of a winner. I guess, it must be because of Aragones, a very assertive man in the match. and in Iker Casillas they have a great leader. Casillas, the captain who is a skilled goal keeper, is really an agressive player. (and a really cute one!) I'm happy that finally Spain got a title under their belt.

But I'm really feeling sad for Germany. I liked their team but they lost. You know, it still pains me that Ballack lost. You know, It was a hard match for me for my heart was with Germany but my brain was with Spain. ultimately Brain won! but I'm not heartbroken. ;)

Silver Jubilee of a Day of Hope

As a child, I remember, my mother and uncle used to tell me about greatest moments in sports- two events were mentioned more often than others. First was Bjorn Borg’s famous five-setter win over McEnroe in 1980 and the other being India’s World Cup triumph.

I was not even born when India lift the World Cup in 1983. But the visuals of that famous victory are so afresh in mind as if I have witnessed it myself. Well, that is the case with many young Indians of my generation. Many of us have grown up listening to the stories of that great victory.

Truly, 25th June 1983 was the day of India. All changed within those eight hours at Lords. An underdog team crushed the double world champions and got the Prudential Cup. Nobody had thought that this will ever come to reality. Nobody had even dreamt of it. It was only the self belief of those 14 men and the strong will of their exceptional leader that made the impossible possible. That moment, accelerated the Cricket in this nation and that moment still inspires us.

25 years hence that splendid run, Cricket in India has grown up to new highs. The country has become financial hub of this game. We have got a bunch of famous victories, but nothing can still match the intensity of that day. What is it that makes 1983 victory so special?

It is perhaps the fact that it came at a time when the country needed hope. It came at a time when nobody expected India to do well. It came at a time when Indian Hockey had started loosing it's Olympic glory.

It is so special because it stirred the middle class of this country and inspired them to get over the miseries of their lives. That was a once in the lifetime moment which awokened the aspirations of this country- a perfect example of how a sport can have a profound impact on the nations.

And it is more special because it was brought by the new age-Indians like the Captain Kapil Dev, who came not from the metros, who had not got the Oxford degrees under their belt, but who dared to take risks, who dared to challenge the mighty and were ready to fight till the end.

Kudos to that glorious generation!

Looking back and Looking Ahead...

Last year, Justin Henin won her third consecutive French Open Title on the red clay of Roland Garros. But the final match played on Court Phillip Chartier gave a new Star to the game of Tennis. Ana Ivanovic. Everyone praised her pretty looks as well as her powerful, well-placed strokes. Paris was, and is still, totally enchanted by the Ana-Magic. After loosing the Final to Justin, Ana- the runner up had made a small speech- promising to be there in the next year's final.

A year later, on Saturday, Ana again shared the podium with Justin. but this time, the roles were changed. Ana has just reached the World No. 1 rank. She was the newly crowned the winner of French Open and she got her Winner's Trophy from just retired Justin. As if the legacy was being passed from one generation to the next....
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Twenty four hours latter, Roland Garros was all set to witness History being rewritten. It was supposed to be the biggest showdown of the year so far, as Roger Federer was once again pitched up against his nemesis- Rafael Nadal. For the third successive time, Roger was bidding to complete his Career Slam, and for the third successive time, Nadal came in his way. Not just that, he completely derailed the Fed-Express.

It was really a painful defeat for Roger, the one he and his fans would like to forget. For the first time in 9 years, he got bageled. Really, it was not at all a match- no competition at all.

Such a downfall of Tennis' World Number one, even surprised Nadal, who has now made a history by claiming all four of the French Opens he participated. He's yet to loose a match in Roland Garros but he knows that if there is anyone who can beat him on Clay is Federer. And that is why, perhaps, there was no fist-pumps or jump around the court when he won the Title. Nadal just raised his hands and received the applaud- the kid has now grown up. He has equaled Bjorn Borg's record of four consecutive French Opens. Incidentally, it was Borg who presented the Trophy to Nadal. Another day, another Legacy handed over...

Truly, Nadal is on his way to become the Greatest Ever Clay-Courter. He would have been the topmost player. But he is not. Because, he is playing in the era of Federer- the one who has an all-court play that led him to the apex of Tennis. Remember, he has reached the French Open Final thrice.

And we, Federer’s Fans have already started sensing the Green, Green Grass of SW19