Shehezaada Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 All fair points..perhaps i was a little hasty as far as the tests are concerned' date='but nothing can hide the fact that he didn't produce much match winning spells in the reasonable opportunities he was given.I recall him doing well in the final ODI in the 2004 Pak series where he got a 5-fer...but apart from that i can't recollect a single noteworthy spell.Fair enough if people want to see him back in the team, and i wish him luck..but personally i think he has passed under the radar.Had a lovely outswinger i'll give him that.And regarding the 5 kph of pace..i don't think he is likely to regain it.I notice his run-up has slowed down quite dramatically, just doesn't gather moemtum..i might be wrong but it wasn't so back in those days.Anyways its unlikely to make a difference either way:--D[/quote'] in the final ODI I think it was Pathan with a three fer that got the man of the match. Why they didn't give it to Laxman I will never know.
Lord Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 in the final ODI I think it was Pathan with a three fer that got the man of the match. Why they didn't give it to Laxman I will never know. dude laxman was man of the match in that game.check this:http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64885.html and@ RAINAROCKS, balaji got only 3 wickets in that game
Show_stopper Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 dude laxman was man of the match in that game.check this:http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64885.html and@ RAINAROCKS, balaji got only 3 wickets in that game Yes..but that was his best spell and the only one that i can recall.
Silly Point Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Win the toss, bat 3 days and win the match by drawing...something really wrong.
Lord Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 i think the knock out games should go on until a result is eached,however long it takes.that way no team will be looking for a draw n there will be a clear winner
Lord Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Yes..but that was his best spell and the only one that i can recall. it was ,i was only correcting u:icflove:
Sachinism Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Win the toss' date=' bat 3 days and win the match by drawing...something really wrong.[/quote'] Yup. If a flat wicket is prepared then the team that wins the toss is going to win the game
The Outsider Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Tendulkar scared to take on UP on neutral venue........the fear of THE KAIF has struck : Sachin Tendulkar [images] is opposed to the use of neutral venues for the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy after a rare appearance in the tournament by the leading batsman drew a very small crowd. Playing his first national championship game for Mumbai [images] in nearly two years, Tendulkar amassed 122 runs on Monday as part of a 232-run partnership with former India opener Wasim Jaffer [images] in the ongoing semi-final against Saurashtra. However, only a few spectators turned up to watch the game in Chennai, where the contest is being played after the Board of Control for Cricket in India introduced the neutral venue rule last season to prevent home teams preparing favourable pitches. "I'm not in favour of neutral venues," Tendulkar was quoted as saying. "I feel either team should play at its home ground. "As for the wicket, it should be monitored, which would be the case if a team is playing on its home ground. "It is fun to have crowd supporting you at your home ground, and against you in away games. That adds to the intensity, people rooting for you, the atmosphere is just different." Tamil Nadu, whose home ground is Chennai, are playing the other semi-final against Uttar Pradesh [images] in Nagpur. The BCCI has taken steps to generate more interest in domestic cricket. The Ranji Trophy knockout games are broadcast live, players receive higher fees and India squad members are encouraged to play when they are free of national duties. http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/jan/06tendulkar-opposed-to-neutral-venues.htm
Lord Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Tendulkar scared to take on UP on neutral venue........the fear of THE KAIF has struck : http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/jan/06tendulkar-opposed-to-neutral-venues.htm :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: hes not scared,dude.hes only saying that UP ko unke ghar me haraake jyaada maza aata.
fineleg Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 i think the knock out games should go on until a result is eached' date='however long it takes.that way no team will be looking for a draw n there will be a clear winner[/quote'] 10 day matches on stoopid patta wickets that these curatorz prepare?
Lord Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 10 day matches on stoopid patta wickets that these curatorz prepare? i know it sounds silly,but thats the only way to decide the winner.i dont want a match decided on 1st innings lead.
Kartikey Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 U might have the Galactigos, but we have real team spirit.
Chandan Posted January 9, 2009 Author Posted January 9, 2009 This Uttar Pradesh team thrives in adversity LINK This Uttar Pradesh team thrives in adversity Nihal Koshie Friday, January 9, 2009 2:47 IST "Nothing will change the lackadaisical attitude of the administrators back home. This team runs on the enthusiasm, sheer talent and hard work," quipped an Uttar Pradesh player on the sidelines of the league game against Karnataka at the Chinnaswamy Stadium last month. A typical gritty effort from Uttar Pradesh was on show. Karnataka had posted 511 on a flat wicket. At 53 for 2, Uttar Pradesh's hopes of bagging three crucial points -- essential for securing a quarterfinal berth -- were going up in smoke. Twenty-year-old Tanmay Srivastava and skipper Mohammad Kaif dug deep to add 247 runs for the third wicket. Parvinder Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar put a price on their wicket as UP inched towards a first innings lead. Piyush Chawla fell four runs short of a century, but not before helping his team nose ahead. In the quarterfinal against Gujarat, Suresh Raina, Shivakant Shukla and Parvinder contributed with the bat to help Uttar Pradesh post 300-plus. Praveen Kumar then struck telling blows with the new ball. In the semifinal it was Pravinder and Shukla, who bailed the team out with a 262-run stand for the fourth wicket, one that was vital in gaining the first inning lead against Tamil Nadu, after Laxmipathy Balaji dismissed the well-set Suresh Raina and skipper Kaif. These are just few of the instances where Uttar Pradesh have shown the uncanny ability to get out of jail. There are no big stars or big egos in the dressing room but it helps when there is a streak of street smartness running though the veins. "We are hungry for success. I have been around and so has Raina, Piyush, Praveen Kumar, RP (Singh). There is an eagerness to break back into the national side. It helps when the younger guys are fast learners. I can't pick one star performer. This only means that everyone is pulling their weight," Kaif told DNA on Thursday. Coach Gyanendra Pandey kept it simple. "We don't complicate things. I ensure that everyone is capable of performing at the crunch in the middle," Pandey said. This is probably the best philosophy for a team bereft of modern cricketing paraphernalia. According to a former player nothing has really changed in the past decade. "The infrastructure provided is dated. Players have to wait endlessly to get quality balls for practice, training facilities are badly maintained and officials are often high-handed. The 2005-06 title hasn't improved the plight of the cricketers. To win titles consistently we must keep pace with the times. It's a testament to our spirit that we have entered three finals in the past four years in spite of official apathy." Kaif terms the game against the 37-time champions as a 'golden opportunity'. "Making a century against Zaheer Khan or Ajit Agarkar will be noticed. Dismissing Sachin Tendulkar early or grabbing a five-wicket haul will count. This incentive will make us play out of our skins," Kaif said. Incentives in the form of prize money are already on their way. Rajiv Shukla, the secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, announced an award of Rs1 lakh to Shivakant Shukla and Parvinder for their effort in the semifinal. But the UPCA has been guilty of treating their players shabbily. "This is the time to look ahead. We are working towards refurbishing the infrastructure; we want to give the players the best of facilities. For starters, we will definitely give a handsome cash bonus to the team if they win the title," Shukla told DNA. LINK UPCA to honour Shivakant, Parminder New Delhi, Jan 7 (PTI) Shivakant Shukla and Parminder Singh will be rewarded with cash incentives of Rs one lakh apiece for their outstanding performances to help Uttar Pradesh secure a berth in the Ranji Trophy final. Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association Secretary Rajiv Shukla said the players would be handed over the cheques before the final which commences on January 12 in Hyderabad. "Shivakant and Parminder gave some outstanding performances in the semifinal match against Tamil Nadu and in recognition to their achievements the UPCA will reward them with Rs one lakh each," Shukla told PTI. Shivakant scored an unbeaten 178 and Parminder made 138 to help UP take a two-run first innings lead as UP drew the match against TN in the semifinal which concluded in Nagpur yesterday. UP will challenge 37-time former champions Mumbai for the title. This is the fifth time that UP has reached the Ranji final while it will its third title clash in last four years. PTI ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ So this is the maximum that Rajiv Shukla's UPCA can do? Someone plays well, announce a monetary reward to him, even if that reward is never given to him!! Why can't they improve the facilities for their FC squad which has been playing out of its skin since last 4 years in such adverse conditions with such poor playing facility and support system? And we expect our FC system to be competitive and a feeding system to our international team? How on earth are the player going the bridge the gulf between domestic cricket and international cricket if they are not given facilities to improve?
Kartikey Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 Its pretty shameful that Uttar Pradesh doesnt have a proper good stadium. Green Park is ****.
amits Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 i cant understand y ppl r saying that mumbai will win up will thrash mumbai in the ranji final with tendulkar making <10 scores in both innings heres what will happen 1. pravin kumar to take quick wickets having jaffer out clean bowled for 0 & tendulkar clean bowled as well for 0 2. chawla to rock the mumbai middle order 3. mumbai to get out for <150 in the 1st innings 4. suresh raina, tanmay srivastav & kaif to thrash mumbai bowlers all around the park with zaheer finishing with figures of about 1/100 in 20 overs 5. up to make 450+ in the 1st innings 6. 2nd innings, mumbai to improve a bit but they wont be able to prevent a certain loss
Feed Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 Mumbai's X-factor in the Ranji final The stage is set for a showdown in Hyderabad from January 12 for the biggest prize in India's domestic cricket. More... Mumbai's X-factor in the Ranji final Gautam Sheth Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:36 IST Mumbai: The stage is set for a showdown in Hyderabad from January 12 for the biggest prize in India's domestic cricket. On one side are the 2005-06 champions Uttar Pradesh who are on a high after defeating Tamil Nadu in the semifinals. On the other, there is the Mumbai team which has registered six outright wins this season and is tipped to win their 38th title. Perhaps, no one in the current Mumbai team, more than Amol Muzumdar, knows what it takes to reach the final. Muzumdar led Mumbai to an unexpected title in the 2006-07 season. He had inspired the side to rise from the ashes in the semifinal against Baroda. It was a stuff of fairytale as, Mumbai went on to lift the trophy after starting the season with zero points from the first three matches. "It was the most difficult yet memorable season I have ever witnessed. We had the worst-ever start to our season. Somehow we managed to cling together and reached the final," recalled Muzumdar, who will be playing his eighth Ranji final. Their grittiest performance came in the semifinal against Baroda when Mumbai's scorecard read 0-5 in the second innings. Yet, they went on to beat Baroda and reach the final. There, Bengal stood no chance against the might of Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan who played in the title clash. Mumbai may have won the final match because of the presence of these two superstars. But, it was Muzumdar who had inspired his team to stage one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Indian domestic cricket history. Speaking about this season, Muzumdar said it has been pretty hectic so far. "Previously the season used to start in November and the final used to be held in March. The season lasted for six months. However, now everything gets wrapped up in three months which is quite tough on the players," he explained. The Mumbai veteran who is 40 runs short of becoming the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy, says he has been surprised by the amount of runs scored this season. "Look at the number of matches where more than two hundreds have been registered," says a surprised Muzumdar adding, "I have never seen so many centuries being registered in a season." About Mumbai's performance this season, Muzumdar says the credit goes to each and every player. "To register six outright wins in a season is not possible without a tremendous team effort," says Muzumdar. He feels that it has happened because everyone's role in the team has been clearly defined and the players have played their part to perfection.
Chandan Posted January 11, 2009 Author Posted January 11, 2009 UP against Ranji stalwarts The mere presence of Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Jaffer should send shivers down the spines of Uttar Pradesh’s players. Forget about being big names, the accomplishments of the two for Mumbai in Ranji finals says a lot. And when they turn out in Mumbai colours with the lion adorning their sleeve closest to the heart, Mumbai can be excused for feeling that the battle is already half won. Tendulkar and Jaffer hold the key to Mumbai’s success and glimpses of this were evident in the semifinal against Saurashtra where they came together for the first time this season. What’s astonishing is the manner in which they have taken their success at the international level and used it to transform their state side into champions. Jaffer, now the leading scorer in Ranji this season with 1174 runs, is the undisputed king of domestic cricket. This has been his best Ranji season in his 12-year career and he is keen to round it off by leading Mumbai to their 38th crown in his first season as captain. Tendulkar and Jaffer, both superstars in their own right, raise their level when it comes to the crucial stages of Ranji Trophy. They lead by example, scoring heavily and inspiring the rest of the team to raise their standards. The duo has hardly tasted defeat in Ranji Trophy. They have themselves delivered the knock-out punches and have rarely tasted anything but victory. Tendulkar, barring the two-run defeat Mumbai suffered at the hands of Haryana in that memorable 1990-91 final, has never been on a losing Ranji side since his international debut nineteen seasons ago. Tendulkar loves to play for Mumbai and it is to his credit that he makes himself available to play whenever the opportunity arises. “We have been inspired by the greats of Mumbai cricket. If those greats had not dreamt big, Mumbai would not have won 37 Ranji titles. We will do our best to inspire the next generation cricketers,†Tendulkar said on Friday. Jaffer, in the five Ranji finals that he has been part of since his debut season in 1996-97, has never been on the losing side. He has himself scored heavily in each of those five finals that the starts he provides have shaped the fate of the match. Given the manner in which they score runs - almost effortlessly at times - the pair could simply choke the one-time Ranji champions led by Mohammad Kaif. Uttar Pradesh team manager Ashish Winston Zaidi could only chuckle when reminded of the damage Tendulkar and Jaffer could cause. “It should be an interesting match,†was all he said. ************************************************************ Jaffer — a shining jewel for Mumbai G. Viswanath He has marshalled the team with calm demeanour STEADY HANDS: Wasim Jaffer has been leading Mumbai in a quiet and efficient way. Mumbai: Wasim Jaffer has sported Mumbai’s lion crown crest with dignity, pride and played with passion for the team for a dozen long years, scoring close to 7000 runs with 21 centuries, 30 fifties and latching on to 102 catches. Appointed captain for the first time this season the languid-looking Jaffer has lead his team in the Ranji Trophy Super League, quarterfinal and semifinal in a quiet and efficient way. From next Monday he will engage his team against an aggressive and ambitious lot from Uttar Pradesh at Uppal, Hyderabad and covet the prestigious title. He has been part of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy triumphs five times since his debut year in 1996-97 under the captaincy of Sanjay Manjrekar, Sameer Dighe, Paras Mhambrey, Sairaj Bahutule and Amol Muzumdar Early days Raised on the turf wickets of the city and in an environment that encouraged the gifted, Jaffer has flourished right from the time he began hitting ball at the Anjuman Islam School nets and in the highly competitive inter-school tournaments. Once the ambitious right-hander enrolled as member of the National Cricket Club, Cross Maidan, where former India opener Sudhir Naik became his mentor, Jaffer has not looked back. Remaining with the Club since 1994-95, Jaffer has demonstrated utmost loyalty and advanced in his career with remarkable success. Naik stuck his neck out on Friday with an emphatic statement that Jaffer has been Mumbai’s best opener for close to half a century giving the top place to Sunil Gavaskar. He made 314 in his second match against Saurashtra and with Sulakshan Kulkarni (239) raised 459 before the first wicket went down. Fits and starts It has been a case of fits and starts for Jaffer while playing for India though. Jaffer’s tendency to relax after a big effort in Test cricket has been his undoing. “That’s his fault, he would make a big century and fail in 6 or 7 innings. I was surprised he did not score runs in Australia because the wickets there encourage back foot players. “I regard Jaffer as one of the top three openers in India. Sehwag (Virender) and Gambhir (Gautam) are doing extremely well. So he can bat at No. 3. Jaffer is a quality player, he has all the shots in the book. “If he had grabbed all his chances since 2000, he should have by now 70 odd Tests under his belt. He’s a quality player,†said Naik. With Tamil Nadu’s Murali Vijay good show against Australia at Nagpur, Jaffer’s name is unlikely to come to the mind of the selectors in the immediate future, but on his part, Jaffer has displayed the enthusiasm and class amassing close to 1357 runs in 11 first class matches this season. He has also been retained in the lower end of the BCCI contract and that should be a solace to the opener who himself should be sore that he did not make the most of the chances Down Under last summer. That apart, observers in Mumbai were curious as to how he would deal with captaincy of a team, that’s a far cry from the 1970s and 80s. Good beginning Naik had sounded out the Mumbai selectors three years ago that Jaffer should be seen as a potential candidate for captaincy. With a handful of newcomers and a few just into their second or third year, Jaffer began the season with a resounding win against Rajasthan and Gujarat. Fortunately, debutant seamer Dhawal Kulkarni and batsman Ajinkya Rahane took the responsibility and showed the way. After a huge hiccup against Saurashtra, Jaffer’s team bounced back. Like the way he applies himself while batting, he has marshalled the team with calm demeanour and positioning at second slip. He admitted making an error of judgment at the toss in the quarterfinal against Himachal at Ahmedabad, but Abhishek Nayar’s six wicket spell and his own superbly constructed century saved the side. With Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan back from the semifinal, he has two players to provide thrust in batting and bowling. Jaffer has never let his team down in the final: He made 58 against Delhi in the day-night final at Gwalior in 96-97, 32 and 55 against Hyderabad in 1999-2000, 83 and 98 against Tamil Nadu in 2002-03, 133 against Tamil Nadu in 2003-04 and 112 and 53 against Bengal in 2006-07. So at Hyderabad, he would make his innings count. In his first match against Uttar Pradesh in 1996-97, Jaffer made 106 at Lucknow. ****************************************************** UP undaunted by Mumbai's record There are not many teams which have defeated Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy final. Ask Salim Durrani or Raj Singh Dungarpur. Their Rajasthan crossed swords with erstwhile Bombay in the final of the national championship on seven occasions but they were never able to overcome them. Rajasthan thus got the tag of being the perennial bridesmaid. Rajasthan appeared in eight finals and were never able to win the coveted trophy. In that sense, Uttar Pradesh have a better record. They won the national title on their third attempt under Mohammed Kaif in 2005-06. UP, who run into Mumbai in the final at Hyderabad from January 12, nonetheless would be wary of their rival's record in the final, the confident comments of Kaif and coach Gyanendra Pandey notwithstanding. "After our big run-chase against Tamil Nadu in the semi-final at Nagpur last week we are confident of tackling any opponent. We go into the final against Mumbai on even keel. We are as much the favourites as Mumbai," feels Pandey. Kaif is equally upbeat. "The triumph in the semi-final is significant and heartening, because it was not Raina, Tanmay or me who were instrumental in achieving it. Two youngsters Shiva (Shivakant Shukla) and Parvindar led the way. Shiva's monumental innings is an inspiration for us going into the final." Both the captain and coach are not overawed by Mumbai's reputation and record in the Ranji Trophy. The two have led UP to outright victories in the semi-finals in recent years. Pandey was the captain of the UP team which tamed Mumbai in their own den (Wankhede) in 1997-98. UP however, lose the final to Karnataka. Kaif-led UP also defeated Mumbai by five wickets at The Wankhede in 2005-06, and went on to win their maiden Ranji Trophy final, beating Bengal at Lucknow, a week later. With Pandey the coach and Kaif the captain, the two can guide their young wards by reassuring them that Mumbai after all are not invincible. There was a time when opponents used to take a defeat for granted against Bombay. Take UP's early record, for example. In the seven clashes between the two, beginning from 1957 to 1997, they lost five games outright and conceded lead in one. Only in one game in 1992-93, which was badly hit by rain in Kanpur, UP won on toss of coin. But of the last three matches, UP have twice defeated Mumbai, both times at Wankhede, in semis. Mumbai thus realize that UP, with four players with international experience in Kaif, Raina, Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla and a host of promising players in their ranks, will be no pushovers. UP have made it to the final for the sixth time. Of the earlier five, they were runners-up on four occasions. The first time, under Phiroze Palia, UP's first Test player, they lost to Deodhar-led Maharashtra in 1937-38. The second time, under Mohammed Shahid (not of hockey fame, but cricketer from Aligarh), they lost to Karnataka at Mohannagar in 1977-78. Twenty years later Pandey led them to the final but against lost to Karnataka in 1997-98. UP won their maiden final under Kaif at Lucknow on 2005-06, while last season they lost the final to Delhi at Mumbai. ***************************************************** I just can't wait for the match!!!
fineleg Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 The mere presence of Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Jaffer should send shivers down the spines of Uttar Pradesh’s players. G.Krishnan the author wants UP to om namah sachinaya All hail the 'mere presence' and give a walkover victory to Bombay Cmon UP - put up a fight and make a match out of it. The least you need to do in a *final*
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