BCCI turns down 22 Desi applications

We, the Indian cricket fans, can heave a collective sigh of relief.

Our cricket board has almost finished the humongous task of selecting a foreign coach
for Team India.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to install Gary Kirsten as Greg Chappell’s successor.

It is indeed the biggest cricket news of our times.

The BCCI began the coach-hunting drive exactly nine months ago.

We have seen plenty of theatrics since then. Comments and counter-comments ran thick and fast in the studios of our 24X7 TV news channels.

Sitting in the cool confines, some experts batted for 'desi' coach, while other pundits vouched for 'foreigner' to steady the fluctuating fortunes of Indian team.

'FORD DRAMA'

But even an average cricket fan could not forget the ‘Ford drama’ that was unfolded in Chennai some five months back.

The whole episode had, in fact, dented the image of BCCI as the most professional sports body in our country.

Graham Ford and John Emburey were flown into Chennai for presentation before the coach selection panel.

Mediapersons and public waited with bated breath in front of the Chepauk Stadium.

After hours-long deliberations, the board officials announced South Africa's Graham Ford was the chosen one.

But barely 48 hours after the interview, Ford informed his regrets leaving the BCCI head honchos clueless.

KIRSTEN INTERVIEW

It seems the board has learnt a lesson or two from the Chennai 'circus'.

The officials remained tight-lipped about the Kirsten interview. No cameras, no live coverage this time.

The interview was held at Sharad Pawar's residence. Six of the seven members of the selection panel were present. Indian Test team captain Anil Kumble was the special invitee. It was a hush-hush affair. The interview lasted around 30 minutes.

KNOW OUR GK (GARY KIRSTEN)

Of course, he is one of the best batsmen in the modern-era. He has got 101 Test caps for South Africa. He scored 7289 runs at an average of 45.27. He has 21 Test centuries to his credit.

The Southpaw was equally impressive in one-day internationals too. From the 185 ODIs he played, Kirsten got 6798 runs at 40.95, which includes 13 tons.

…BUT WHY KIRSTEN?

No body knows for sure what prompted BCCI to zero in on Gary Kirsten.

First of all, he did not even apply for the post.

Then what makes him so special? Is that he associated with Cricket Australia's high performance manager for a couple of years? Everybody knows that that was the only high point in Kirsten's coaching career.

The fact is that the selection committee, In their quest to appoint a foreign coach, completely ignored the applications of around 20-22 Desi coaches, Lal Chand Rajput being the prominent candidate among them.

Rajput has developed good rapport with the players during the last three months. India clinched Twenty20 World Cup under Rajput's guidance. "I was looking forward to a longer stint with the team," Rajput was quoted as saying in an interview.

But the world's richest sporting body turned all of them down.
They directly approached Kirsten.

The powers-that-be in the BCCI believe that Kirsten can become a successful Indian manager.

So it’s time chant the old adage - All is well that ends well.

Gap is closing at the top of men’s tennis

Curtains came down on the 2007 tennis season with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal once again asserting their supremacy in the contemporary circuit.

The Swiss and Spaniard have been reigning the men’s rankings for the last two-and-a-half years.

Both expect to continue their good run in the coming seasons too.

But going by the recent results, it seems that the gap is closing at the top of men’s tennis.

A young crop of talents, led by Djokovic, Richard Gasquet and Andy Murray are making inroads into the forte of top-ranked players.

Chinks

The chinks in the armours of the top two were exposed at the season-ending Shanghai Masters.

Usually aggressive Nadal was blown away by the high-energy compatriot David Ferrer in the round robin stage. Federer too bit the dust against the unfancied Fernando Gonzalez. It was one of the appalling defeats he had since clinching the top spot in February 2004.

For the record, the Swiss ace lost nine matches in 2007 – as many as the previous two seasons put together- and to six different players, the most since 2004.

However, Federer and Nadal still hold the edge where it matters, splitting 11 of the past 12 Grand Slams.

Tough guys

The World No. 1 had gone on record saying that it was not easy to play young guys as they hit hard, flat, off the baseline and return well.

"Everybody cracks the 200 kilometre per hour serve without a problem. Everybody's got a decent second serve today. That makes it so much tougher to beat all these guys all the time,” Federer was quoted as saying in a recent interview.

Djokovic and David Nalbandian had beaten the top two at Montreal and Madrid too.

Nadal sees a good future for Djokovic. “He has a chance to be No. 1 or No.2. Murray is coming very well too,” Rafa was quoted as saying.

"Right now Djokovic is having a very good season. He has a chance to be number one or number two. Murray is coming very well too.”

It is sure that the coming season will witness tougher fights for the No. 1 and No. 2 positions.

Beware, Fedex and Rafa.

1.5 lakh peasants commit suicide in last 10 years

It may sound bizarre. The three richest States - Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh - which thrive on the globalised economy have accounted for half of the farmers' suicides in India during the last decade.

Maharashtra’s capital Mumbai is the financial nerve centre. Around 25,000 of India's 100,000-dollar millionaires live in the 'maximum city.'

Bangalore, Karnataka's capital, exports software worth Rs. 65,000 crores. It's economy is growing at a rate of 14-15 per cent. In addition, the city creates two lakh new jobs every year.

The tale of Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh, is no different. It vies with Bangalore to get an upper hand in Infrastructure development. Moreover, the government constantly offers soaps to major companies to set up their campuses in the capital.

But all the three State governments pay scant attention to the farmers who live behind the facade of the beautifully-lit multi-storied buildings and neon hoardings that dot these richest cities.

Harassed by money-lenders who play dirty tricks to retrieve the borrowed money, these poor souls were forced to end their lives.

NAGARAJ’S STUDY

A recent study by K Nagaraj of Madras Institute of Development Studies throws light into the farmers’ suicides in India during the last decade (Read P. Sainath's report in The Hindu; One farmer’s suicide every 30 minutes )

Analysing the National Crime Records Bureau data, he finds that 1.5 lakh farmers committed suicides in India during the 1997 - 2005 period.

Surprisingly, around 50 per cent of these suicides have occurred in the 'Big Three' States.

Of the 65,774 suicides, Maharashtra has registered 28,911 cases. 20093 farmers took their lives in Karnataka, while Andhra Pradesh recorded 16770 suicides.

Nagaraj's study states that "on an average, one farmer took his life every 53 minutes between 1997 and 2005 in the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh."

THE CULPRITS

Governments - both central and respective State - and banks should be held responsible this imbroglio. The governments had failed to provide adequate funds and subsidies for the farmers.

The banks were unwilling to give agricultural loans (I still remember one Sainath article in The Hindu a year ago. The article delves into the agrarian crisis in Waynad district of Kerala. It says: "Banks are not ready to give agricultural loans. Instead, they insist farmers to take the car loan. The farmers then sell the car to find the money for buying seeds and other related activities.)

THE DEEP-ROOTED PROBLEM

The coffers of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments have enough money to ameliorate the agrarian crisis. What lacks is a solid action plan.

The government should formulate long-term plans; should advise banks to 'liberalise' their rural lending strategies; should encourage setting up of farmer co-operatives etc.

VIDARBHA MODEL AND ROLE OF MEDIA

Sainath has quoted a study titled "Farmers’ Suicides in Maharashtra: An Overview” by Dr. S.K Goel, the former Divisional Commissioner of Amravati.

The paper reveals that the total number of suicides in the six districts of Vidarbha between 2001 and 2006 was extremely high at 15,980.

But the Maharashtra government has manipulated the data to establish that there is a 'decline' in farmers' suicides.

According to the official figures, less than 20 per cent of the 15,980 suicides were by farmers.

Media organisations, barring a few, did not find it news worthy to report on the official 'jugglery' and the plight of peasants.

Media bosses know that stories of farmers will never help them get high TRP ratings or increase the advertisement revenues.

For them, newsworthiness means 'India Shining' stories - stories from the stock markets - that arouse the passions of Indian middle class.

Then the moot question is - Who'll speak up for the farmers and their vegetable markets?

Do we need an alternative media? Is it the need of our 'good' times?

Sachin Misses Another Ton by a Whisker

It was a treat to watch Sachin Tendulkar at Mohali in the second ODI of the ongoing India-Pakistan series.

The master blaster was at his vintage best. He combined caution with aggression and belted bowlers all around the PCA Stadium.

Sachin reached 99 in 91 balls, which included 14 hits to the ropes and one above it. The crowd was bracing up to celebrate master blaster's 42nd ODI century.

But a moment of carelessness did Sachin in. Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal pouched Sachin’s offering off Umar Gull.

Jinxed 90s

It was Sachin's 14th century miss after crossing the 90-run mark, a record of sorts, indeed.

In June 2007 too, Sachin ran out against South Africa when he was on 99 in the Future Cup series at Belfast.

Interestingly, Pakistan bowlers foiled Sachin's parties most of the time.

They scalped him five times - at Dhaka in 98 (95), at Hobart in 2000 (93), at Centurion in 2002 (98), at Lahore in 2005 (95) and at Mohali in 2007 (99).

England, South Africa and Sri Lanka bowlers did him in three times apiece, while Australians got him out only on one occasion - at the day-night match in Mumbai in 1995. Playing at the No. 2 position, Sachin was stumped 10-run short of the ton.

Fact File

Here's the complete list of matches in which Sachin missed centuries by a whisker. (Read year, venue, opponent and score)

2007 - Mohali - vs Pakistan - 99

2007 - Belfast - vs South Africa - 99

2002 - Centurion - vs Pakistan - 98

2002 - Johannesburg - vs Sri Lanka - 97

2005 - Lahore - vs Pakistan - 95

2005 - Lahore - vs Pakistan - 95

2007 - The Oval - vs England - 94

2007 - Belfast - vs South Africa - 93

2005 - Nagpur - vs Sri Lanka - 93

2000 - Dhaka - vs Sri Lanka - 93

1999 - Hobart - vs Pakistan - 93

1999- Nagpur - vs South Africa - 93

1997 - Sharjah - vs England - 91

1995 - Mumbai - vs Australia - 90

Protests for Democracy

What do Myanmar monks and Pakistan lawyers have in common?

Both fought against the military leadership of their respective countries,demanding restoration of democracy.

In Myanmar, around 400,000 Buddhist monks began the protests after the government imposed drastic fuel price hike.

The simmering discontent against the military junta that has been brewing for quite some time came out in the open.

With each passing day, the protests drew massive support. And It was hailed as the biggest uprising against the junta since the pro-democracy protests in 1998.

The Pakistan lawyers, on the other hand, took to the streets to protest the removal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Ifthikhar Chaudhary. Soon it became a mass movement. Demonstrations rocked Pakistan cities. It was Musharraf's biggest domestic crisis since 1999.

The similarities end here.

The two incidents reveal the opportunist stance adopted by the US, the preacher of democracy.

In Myanmar, the Bush administration threw its weight behind the monks. The junta spokesman had openly pointed finger at the western powers (read US) for instigating the Buddhist monks.

But the protests died down in due course of time. Junta adopted multi-pronged strategies to crack down the dissent. It divided the Buddhist congregation; intimidated the poor monks; took thousands of protesters to jail.

But the activists in Pakistan, who rallied against President Pervez Musharraf, did not get support from the United States.

Instead it backed a military ruler who deposed a democratically elected leader to ascend to the top constitutional post in 1999.

But the president, however, was forced to eat a humble pie as the Supreme Court asked the general to reinstate Chaudhry as the judge.

It was a body blow for the general, who has been receiving millions of dollars in military aid from the US.

MUSH'S EMERGENCY

It seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel as the Pakistan lawyers continue their struggle towards a democratic country.

Even the Musharraf regime could not ignore the 'mass uprising'. The general has been forced to declare that elections to the parliament will be held in 2008 February.

It is indeed the victory of democracy. Hail the Pakistani lawyers and Ifthikhar Chaudhry.

Flawed Selection Process

Rahul Sharad Dravid is the most selfless cricketer India has ever seen.

He sacrificed everything for the team's cause.

Consider this. Hailed as the technically correct batsman, Dravid has averaged around 60 at the No. 3 position. The figure is better than any other batsmen in the game's history (barring Bradman).

But Dravid batted at No. 4, 5 and even at 6 positions - only to give more opportunity for the youngsters (for team's cause: euphemism).

He never stood against the team management's wishes. Instead, he gleefully accepted each and every challenge that came his way.

He even relinquished the coveted captain's cap when he could have continued at the position for one more year.

Here’s Dravid, the most selfless cricketer of our time.

Raw Deal

But the former India captain got a row deal from the BCCI selectors recently.

They dropped the unassuming cricketer and roped in a struggling Sehwag for the first two one-day internationals against Pakistan.

True, Dravid has not been among the runs in the recent one-day internationals against Australia.

He scored only 51 runs in the five innings against Ponting and Co., the top score being 31 at the second ODI in Kochi.

The out-of-form Dravid was dropped for the final ODI in Mumbai.

He averaged less than 10 in his last 10 one-day matches.

Judging Dravid

But you cannot judge Rahul Dravid based on his performances in a series or a couple of matches.

Because he is the most consistent Indian batsman, with a tremendous aggregate of 10,000 runs.

Because 'The Wall' has toiled in the middle and helped India build big totals in many an innings.

The Selectors' Mindset

It seems that Messrs Vengsarkar and Co. is not at all aware of the need of a consistent player in the middle.

So they have picked five openers for the first two ODIs.

Except Sachin, nobody is competent, in the chosen line-up, enough to play big innings in the middle.

If you examine the composition of other leading sides, you can make out the difference.

Younis and Yousuf are there for Pakistan; Jacques Kallis for South Africa; Mahela Jayawardene for Sri Lanka. They all provide the much-needed backing in the middle.

Unfortunately, talented middle order batsmen are absent from the Indian side, thanks to the 'analytical skills' of the Indian selectors led by former captain Dilip Vengsarkar.

The flawed selection process will definitely cost India dear against Pakistan. Let's wait and see.