Sachin does Ponting a favour
Sachin Tendulkar did it for Ricky Ponting, who had promised there would be no need for a third final in the CB tri-series. Only, he was expecting his team to romp home.
The most prolific batsman of ODIs fashioned those splendid knocks of 117 not out and 91 to ensure things were settled in the visiting side's favour, in the process also elbowing out Ponting from the top spot in the ICC’s ratings for batsmen.
For Ponting, it has been a loss of face on more than one count, the least important being the individual ratings. Leading a team that was considered next to invincible, Ponting's side was unable to match the Indians in the ODIs when it mattered, and just about held on in the Tests, that too due to some contentious decisions that will be debated for years to come. But the most important point was that he failed as an ambassador of the game.
It is a well known fact that Adam Gilchrist was admonished by Ponting for ‘walking’ during the 2003 World Cup and one does not need great cerebral capability to deduce the kind of encouraging words he would have had for the likes of Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden, who did everything possible to try and rattle the Indians with their banter, which was anything but friendly.
Symonds and Hayden, those big men capable of snatching a match away from any opposition, failed to change the fortunes of their team this time round against a valiant side that became stronger with each controversy. Settling in well in the last match at Brisbane, they would be cursing themselves for being ‘weeded’ out by a detestable adversary.
Total Comments: 59
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Posted : By V Keerti
I like this blog. But in any industry, sport there is a transition where seniors guide new comers - there is no evalution, don''t get carried away. If Sachin was out early in three critical matches Srilanka(virtual semi final), and two finals, we wouldn''t have been celebrating here. Remember second final after Sachin getting out. Neither blame Jr.s nor get carried away with the win, A project team (BCCI) didn''t plan proper transition for new commers
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Posted : By ramu v ramanan
In the 90''s I used to watch Sachin thrash them. I was a kid then, but now in my early twenties, I realise what went wrong with Team India afterwards. Yes, Sachin did become the GOD of cricket for us. He still is. At one stage the edge between success and failure was Sachin Romesh Tendulkar, and thats when we made the mistake. We didnot blunt that edge where we balanced between success and failure. Now look at Team India, its not just Sachin with stands between success and failure. We have blunted that edge where we balance. Even if Sachin goes, Dhoni comes, Yuvi comes, Uttapa comes, Shewag comes and many others come. We have blunted that line. We shouldnot commit that mistake again when we asked one Sachin to take lead. Let this young team lead together. Let them hunt together like a PACK OF 11 WOLVES. Let them win.
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Posted : By Ram Prasad
Everybody contributed their might in dusting the australia in its own den. It is a wonderful performance from the Indians who are tagged as "Number One Chokers" when it comes to performance, especially, during one-dayers or tests abroad. But both Dhoni and Kumble proved wrong. Kudos to Indian team for their wonderful performance in Australia. Eventhough, we have lost the test series 2-1, everyone was under the impression that but for the largesse provided by Steve Bucknor, India would have made it 2-2. I wish the Indian team the best in the forthcoming series with South Africa. Tendulkar was exceptional and brilliant so are the others like Praveen, Ishant, Rohit Et Al.
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Posted : By Durai
You are once again proving where you come from and proving my point as to what the difference is between India and Aus .....I cannot stoop to your level...you better keep seething in your own anger....but keep living...and dying too...best wishes
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Posted : By halwa singh
at last. at long last sachin has performed when it matters.
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