The Comeback - Possible ?

Flashback to the infamous Ganguly-Chappell saga ( 2005-06 ). Form dips, controversy, media and other pressures, "drop dada" campaigns etc......

Dada in a pensive mood

He was dropped from the side but he proved the critics who believed that cricket in him is over. What a comeback it was.
Read "Tribute to Dada" to know more about it...

As they say history repeats itself, now in a similar situation is another cricket great Ricky Ponting. A silent beginning, rise from lower middle order to No.3 in batting. From being a tiny man, he amassed runs and stood tall for Aussies. Hailed as one of the modern greats, second only to Sachin in records. He has an impressive record as captain, most of which now being attributed to the presence of legends in the team. Ponting now a mere mortal.

Crying ?? -- Almost.

Dismal form. Cannot play the rising ball. Age catching up. Team in disarray. Calls for Ponting to quit.
Some are even predicting that he has already played his last, I do not want to imagine so. Cricket is so cruel that it more often than not doesn't let its greats script their departure from the game. The next assignment for Aussies is in next August against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and since the domestic season will come to an end before the world cup gets over, its difficult for him to improve/adjust his batting and become the man of whom he is a mere shadow now...

This brings us to the question - Is he ready for a comeback ? Are we ready to witness another comeback aka Dada ?
Ganguly showed trmendous application and concentration and improved his batting so well and played much better than he ever had in the past. If Ponting were to do anything like that or even a little lesser than that he could quit on a high or to put it - script his exit.

Or as Ian Chappel puts it - Ponting past his use-by-date...

Image of the year

Jacques Kallis tries to evade a bouncer from Sreesanth

A batsman from a country other than the one whose players cannot handle bouncers hopping to tackle a bouncer bowled by a bowler from a country which doesn't have a history of producing genuine fast bowlers.
Whatever be the result of the series, this image shall reside in the memories of all cricket fans across the globe. Hats off to the photographer who took the shot at the right time. 

End of a decade

Good bye 2009.
Welcome 2010..

2010 is not just starting of a new year, but also the beginning of a new decade..
An eventful decade in cricket it was, the 2000s  ..

Decade started badly-
Match fixing scandal.. Hansie Cronje held for the same and later mysteriously died in a copter crash.. But his revelation put many cricketer's life in jeopardy.. Indian bookmakers were the main culprit.. Md.Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja were banned from playing cricket..

At this time, Sachin was offered captaincy once again and he took over as he had no other option.. His absence due to injury, meant Ganguly stepped in.. That initiated a series of changes and India started winning abroad.. Fresh legs were introduced and Ganguly led the way phenomenally in the new decade ..

2000-
Sharjah was a favorite ground.. Every now and then there used to be a triangular series there.. Aussies had a indoor cricket stadium in Melbourne.. SA and AUS played 3 ODIs which had one tied match..
ICC knock out trophy- India had to beat AUS and SA to earn a spot in finals and they did just that.. Youth power, Yuvi, Zak contributing immensely. India lost the finals though to Chris Cairns's brilliant 100..

2001-
A year that Indians wont forget for their life..
Aus landed in India to continue their winning streak (15 tests), this was called final frontier.. They won in Mumbai. India were following on in Kolkata.. Enter Laxman and Dravid, they batted for more than a day.. India declared late on 5th day and a magic from Bhajji led India to a win..

India finally bid good bye to red ball 50 over game.. Sachin scored 10,000th run.. 

At around 140 for 5 , chasing 320 odd for win, India had its back to the walls. Yet another series final,(Indian team was famous for reaching finals of the tournaments they featured in and not winning the finals), yet another loss we thought.. Md.Kaif's parents went to a theatre to watch cinema, not realising what they were going to miss.. Kaif and Yuvraj steered India to a remarkable win against ENG and dada waved his shirt from the Lord's balcony..

A great West Indian fast bowler, Walsh picked up his 500th wicket as he trapped Kallis in front of the stumps..

2002-
ICC Champions trophy in Srilanka- India joint winners with Lanka..
Sachin scored 29th 100 in tests to equal Sir Don.
India's last tour before world cup, to NZ was a nightmare.. Played on green tops Indians hardly won a game..

2003-
ICC cricket world cup in SA.. India started poorly.. Fans back home pelted stones at the cricketer's homes.. Sachin appealed for calm.. From there on India performed like they had done never before.. Sachin's 98 against Pakistan is memorable, a six of Andy Caddick that went out of the stadium.. Kenya's emergence, reached semis.. Ponting 140 in the finals..

Thrilling run chase from West Indies! after lara departed no one gave Windies a chance but 100s from Chanderpaul and Sarwan (the famous heated exchange between Sarwan and McGrath was in this innings) gave them a chance. Omari Banks and Drakes set up a mammoth 418 run chase to defeat Aussies..

India went to Aus, a 100 from captain dada (141) in Brisbane set things up for the series.. India drew level 1-1 in the series.. Laxman and Dravid once again were the key players..

2004-

Windies won the ICC Champions trophy defeating England in the finals (who have no cups to their credit).. Pics of Bradshaw and Browne still etched in memory..
India resumed ties with Pakistan, and toured Pakistan.. Will be remembered for Viru's 309 in Multan.. India won on Pakistan soil after ages..
India planned a return series hosting Australia.. Biggest ever loss,  342 runs in Nagpur.. Stand in captain Gilchrist celebrated the win in the final frontier..