Convergence

It's all coming together. The three great obsessions of Indians - cricket, politics and films. Add a dash of eye-candy and music, and you have the perfect masala mix that can keep a nation enthralled for a month and more.

We have Shah Rukh Khan, that matchless actor. We have Vijay, the younger chieftain. We have Preity Zinta and Akshay Kumar. There's Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, Prime Ministers in waiting, along with current and past Chief Ministers. We have businessmen. Beer and cheerleaders. Not to mention the scandals and the spice. Inconsequential cricket matches get higher TRP ratings than saas-bahu serials? Of course. You have slap-happy characters on the cricket field too. You have tears. You have what it takes to keep everyone's eyes glued to the telly. Ads galore, buy more, spend more.

Everything is condensed into a tiny capsule, fit for mass consumption. The Times of India-fication of our nation is now complete.

Whacka!

Ooooh! The WACA pitch is a fast bowler's paradise. Ooooh! They've called in Shaun Tait. Ooooh! The Indians can't handle pace. Ooooh!

Quite.

T20

GreatBong says it well.

News flash

Dravid resigns. You know what this means, don't you? Agarkar for captain! Yay!

Goodbye, Lara

Damn. Can't believe he won't bat anymore.

He da man!

Up yours, Eden Gardens.

Harsha's latest

Harsha's latest article makes sad reading.

Kumble vs Kapil

Don't usually get to see such well researched articles on rediff.

Sultan of Multan

300! Muahahahahaha!!

This sucks

The office is screening the match right now and I hear cries of "Pakistan Murdabad" and "Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai". Can't put my finger on the exact reason why, but this irritates the hell out of me.

Wow !

We won ! Bloody hell, We WON !!

This just in

The latest news is that Richard Branson, the CEO of Virgin Airlines, was very keen to sponsor the Indian Cricket Team. He approached BCCI with an offer to pay three times more than Sahara.

However, Saurav Ganguly refused the offer as he thought it would be ridiculous to sport 'Virgin' on the team shirts after getting screwed by the Australians every other day.

[Update] I'm eating my words. I really am. [/Update]

Steve Waugh to retire

The last I felt like this was when RD Burman died. One of my favorite cricketers, easily the batsman I'd pick to bat for my life.

Lovely piece by Waugh on rediff, brought back a lot of memories.

Oh those Aussies...!

Australia 600/5 and its not even Tea on Day two. Hayden 312 off 370 balls and going strong. He's hit some 9 sixes already.

And we are going there in a few months...this should be fun !

West Indies win the last three !

Hurrah !!!

The world cup scene

Reminds me of all those martial arts / boxing movies: you see the hero progressing steadily through the initial rounds of the kickboxing championship. Workmanlike, with a few hiccups here and there, he defeats all his opponents. Takes in a few blows, but throws knockout punches which leave them on the mat.

On the other hand, you see the tough-as-nails villain who demolishes all, in his way to the top. He is never down and out - just goes in and vanquishes all those in sight. The villain looks indomitable, unsurpassable, unbeatable. He trains better than the hero, has the best equipment, the best body, the best coaches.

You know that he can easily beat the hero to a pulp, but you also know that this being a movie, the hero will triumph in the end. Even though in your heart of hearts, you acknowledge the villain had the better game.

New Zealand ! New Zealand !

Look at Stephen Fleming. I mean, just look at him ! Look at Sanath Jayasuriya. Ricky Ponting.

Now look at...oh, forget it !

Hats Off !

One of the best cricketers I have seen. Without doubt, the one man you would pick to bat for your life.

Congrats, Steve Waugh !

Deja Vu

India are 40 for 5. How very surprising.

This just in...

Har de har. Sehwag and Bajji fined for taking along dirty shoes to New Zealand !