Is money taking away the sheen from test cricket?

We have been seeing a lot of test matches being played on flat tracks off late. Take for example the 2 nd test played between India and New Zealand. It was a very flat pitch which played a pivotal role in India ensuring a draw. Quoting Vettori " This pitch would have lasted another 5-6 days. It was so flat.' Why does New Zealand do this when the whole world knows that the only chance it beating India is on a fast track.

Cricket administrators have an unhealthy obsession these days about making matches last five days. Television pays for cricket and TV bosses want every commercial break they can get. But if it starts in the way of producing interesting cricket, it would be self-defeating. Such cricket will only turn people away from Tests. There have been too many pitches like this in the last couple of months. It’s killing Test cricket.

How fast can I run?

It is a really surprising to discover how fast you can train your body..! The human body is 'the' machine that yields dividends proportionate to the efforts you put in, in a very short period of time.

A new look at cricket

Cricket as a game has always enthused me ( like every other Indian kid.) However, the way I ve started watching this game has changed drastically. Game of course is a representation of true life on a field! I was reading an article by Sunny Gavaskar and what he said about cricket applies perfectly to life. Here he goes " I have always believed that technique has never been a huge part of sport. Temperament is your No. 1 thing. You could have the best technique in the world, but if your temperament is bad, you'll be nowhere. While if the temperament is good and you don't have great technique, you will be able to do well. You have the ability inside you which makes you hang in there, makes you go on. That's what separates the men from the boys."

Latest passion - running

The latest journey I have embarked upon is running. It gives a great sense of joy when you slowly jog when the sun has just started it's journey towards the west as there are hardly any vehicles plying on the road, there is a chillness in the air, it is the only time of the day when you feel fresher with every progressive step. An early morning jog is definitely more than a physical exercise. It is a time when your mind is free and all by itself!

I was discussing whether I will be able to complete the 42 km full marathon to an experienced peer and what he said, put all my fears about me completing it to rest. Just concentrate on the next immediate step you have to take and that will take care of the rest. How true!

This holds good not only for running but for life itself. With an air of uncertainty looming large around us, the only thing we have control over is the action next in line and if we put our heart and soul to it and see to it, it is done in the best possible manner, it is all done! What this does amongst the other things is to reduce the burden of future and helps us put our best into the job in hand.

right or wrong

There are two things which influence the conduct of a person, one is the culture prevalent and the other is the upbringing; these two things go a long way in deciding what and how you conduct yourself.
What is very common in one society can throw tantrums if practiced in another. So the point is that, the legitimacy of a thing can be decided only after comprehensively taking into consideration the value systems prevalent in the society and the upbringing behind the person in question.

It goes without saying that the situation also plays an equally important role!