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Review: Top 5 moments of the 2014 U19 World Cup


The 10th edition of ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup yesterday concluded with a new champion – South Africa. The 48 match long tournament where 240 players from 16 different teams participated, UAE gave us the opportunity to watch cricket’s future stars.

Review: Top 5 moments of the 2014 U19 World Cup | Planet "M"
The South Africa players celebrate after winning the Under-19 World Cup in Dubai
Right from the start of the World Cup where both India and Australia faced early defeats in warm-up matches; the tournament kept its viewers and fans alike entertained till the very end.

From title triumphs to big upsets and close finish to that hat-trick – let’s check out this season’s top five moments:

#1 South Africa – the final frontier


Often remarked as the ‘chokers’, South African U19s Captain Aiden Markram would always be remembered for his team’s heroics in the finals yesterday.

South Africa managed an easy victory to lift its first ever ICC Trophy by defeating Pakistan by 6 wickets in a low scoring match. It was the youngest side of this tournament that haven’t had any player with previous World Cup experience.

#2 The gusty Afghanistan U19s



Their constant improvement and ability to excel has become a norm by now. Afghanistan’s league match against Australia where they registered a 36-run victory – by wrapping up the Australian innings in 48 overs – speaks the volume of talent this team possess. They became the second only non-Test playing nation after Nepal to make it to the QFs.

#3 Kuldeep Yadav – India’s hat-trick boy


It just takes an over to become Yuvraj Singh – the big hitter. And a complete opposite playing-role to become Kuldeep Yadav – the hat-trick boy!

Hailing from UP and an admirer of Shane Warne, the 19-year-old became an overnight hero after his three wickets from three-successive deliveries against Scotland in a group match. Although, he was consistent with the ball even in the warm-up matches and has been in the headlines courtesy his left arm spin action aka the rare Chinaman breed of bowlers.

He scalped 14 wickets in the tournament and remained joint-second with South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada.

#4 Pakistan – the same ‘unpredictable side’


And why is it so, proved yet again.

Pakistan’s batting has been their major problem, just like it’s a tradition with them. Apart from their first league match against India, they did win all the matches, including the warm-ups. Still, the runners-up of 2014. How intriguing, isn’t it?!

Their shaky character in big matches often produces close results. Like what happened in the semi-final where they defeated England in the last over but lost the finals to South Africa after four days!

#5 The Showstoppers – the hosts UAE


What it meant to host a mega event like World Cup, especially when you are not among the top-teams, ask to the UAE cricket administration. Being the newest host of an ICC event, UAE is better known as a second home to Pakistan and Afghanistan national cricket teams.

Although, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium has its own reputation including Sachin’s ‘Desert Storm’ against Australia in 1997-98; it has staged 215 ODIs – the most by any ground till date.

It took South Africa to a prominent stage for hosting mega sports event after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. And, who knows, maybe the UAE is the next-in-line for the IPL.
#U19CWC Afghanistan Cricket Afghans
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Mahi’s taadka – The riddle of double ton


“With Dhoni’s maiden Test Double in the 1st Test, on February 24, 2013, which eventually turned the table for the Indians, here wishing the return of good days in Indian cricket.” Writes Monika Arora

Mahi’s taadka – The riddle of double ton | Planet "M"
Indian Test team Captain - Mahendra Singh Dhoni
How fancy it would be to get something before dreaming it? And what if the same dream turns true as soon as you open your eyes? Darn mind-boggling or freaky fascinating?

 Today, let’s start the conversation from conception to a fortune. Take a visit from the lanes of a fairy tale to the streets of majesty and learn the art of preservation through persisting it.

Scene 1:



 To start with, let me take you back to February 2009. Team India had left for New Zealand for a packed series of 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20s.

 With triumphs over the Kangaroos (2-0), Englishmen (1-0) and Proteas (1-0) in Tests at home, 16 men were drafted to be led by MS Dhoni. A confident Indian camp started their tour with two T20 defeats. Courtesy the home team, Kiwis displayed marvelous game of cricket. Nevertheless, the Indians summed up the series with kudos. Further, rewards were firmly credited on account of the skipper; breaking a 41-year jinx in Tests for a visiting Indian side.

The conception:



 March 8, 2009 – Third ODI of the series. The ground was Christchurch. Precisely well known for its brief boundary – just 53m from the center. Had not Tendulkar been retired hurt, the day could have become the double century day. Sachin amassed 163 off 206; resulted India won the match by popping a discussion behind them whether 200 is possible in ODIs or not?

A fairy tale:



 March 11, 2009 – Fourth ODI of the series. The venue shifted to Hamilton and Sehwag took the commanding charge after falling short in last 4 matches. Destiny willing, he remained not out with 125 runs whilst India finished at 201/0 in reply of 270/6 by NZ in a rain-marred encounter. Thus, a pause took place until 2010.

 However, then the Indian Test team was quite muscled – have gotten a witty sharp captain, the opening slot had a blazing flair and middle order was enriched with experience; the bowling department, too, was fizzy. The absence of Kumble and Ganguly didn’t reflect since the results were highly productive.

Scene 2:



 Later, as scripted, time chaired its place. Indians continued enjoying triumphs of sweet sweat until 2010 where Proteas served the outrageous dish of sour grapes – first Test defeat under Dhoni’s captaincy; unbeaten since his debut, a record holder with 11 Tests (8 wins and 3 draws) and the only one so far yet.

 Despite sketching a drawback on skipper, the guests were renowned by Sachin Tendulkar in the similar fashion. And the following year, the world witnessed Sehwag replicating the same but against the West Indies. Thankfully, there was no Dhoni on both the occasions.

Fortune:



 Better known as ‘the double century day’, February 24, 2010 registered by the landmark of first double hundred in ODI history. And who other than Sachin would be better to do this honour.

The majesty:



 Following the legacy of Sachin, Virender Sehwag, on December 8, 2011 surpassed the highest ever ODI total by a batsman – rattled the Windies by a brutal inning of 219 runs.

 However you would say – a coincidence or a chase, it ends the same way it started back then. To be honest, I always wished Sehwag to achieve it at first. But trust me, excepting the 200-run feat for him couldn’t amazed me more than one get’s fascinated with the Sachin one.

Scene 3:



 With remarks to the captain, for the kudos and the cameos, Dhoni started with a richly experienced side in Whites, which included everything to make a better team. In return, the entire fraternity bows down evenly. On twist, especially in this transition phase, he is unleashing his own experience to be a better leader, where not each player has gelled well together and which invited a lot of criticism, questions and an arguable debate.

 Amid of all those limelight and floodlights, the puzzle somewhere missing him a morale-boosting long inning; not only to get him into the groove, but also to re-energized this down Indian team.

The art of preservation:



 A fitted 5’9” tall frame, named MS Dhoni, has cemented a distinctive space through sheer hard work. Always the golden son of lady luck and credited as ‘the most applauded Indian captain’ by the former greats and ‘the best ever brand’ after Sachin Tendulkar’s to the corporate world.

Persistence:


 Numerous records, captaincy benchmarks, leading the so-called Maharaja-stature team India (read as a weak fielding side) at the helm of world cricket; followed by the awful disastrous away tours to England and Australia – MS Dhoni has tasted a 360 degree captaincy experience in his given career.

 By keeping in mind the perks and glitz of backyard series, history sound so aesthetic; until and unless a defeat soak-in the joyous moisture.

 Since the end of 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, the Indian cricket has seen a range of drastic changes – not only in the dressing room environment but also in the on-field attitude. The composure was quite refreshing for the fans and so has been the outcome.

 With Dhoni’s maiden Test Double in the 1st Test, on February 24, 2013, which eventually turned the table for the Indians, here wishing the return of good days in Indian cricket.
Analysis Commentary Cricket Australia
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Cricket South Africa – It’s a happy ending like the Bollywood movies


“For the world, South African cricketers may be better known as ‘chokers’ rather ‘Springboks’ before ‘the Proteas’; but on ethics and modularity, they are cricket’s most competitive troops who have gone through anything and everything which could deprive a lot of international cricket territory.” Writes Monika Arora

Cricket South Africa – It’s a happy ending like the Bollywood movies | Planet "M"
South Africa Cricket Team Captain - Graeme Smith with his team-mates
If the combination of champions makes a team the best, then isn’t it worth to say that an equally competitive team also able to nourish the same talented lads?

 In the current international cricket arena, the rise of Proteas is the same saga. From 1991 to till today, the growth and impact of African cricketers are distinctive on world cricket.

Sports, in particular, define a term to bridge the gap between cultural and bilingual differences. On the contrary, it’s a rare fact that social ambiguities have created harmony for the same. History books are full of evidences claiming war like situation for the sake of communal welfare rather whole community of a nation.

Alas, the world would have been a better place to die for had there been only peace on the sovereign background.

They say, it’s easy to start but hard to sustain. And once you got a rhythm, it’s even harder to halt. But what if continuity was interrupted for an unknown period of time? The reasons could be anything! Probably, they might have forgotten to mention this – Willingness has greater impact than to its father.

Within a short span of 23-years (read as after apartheid), a racism segregated nation not only seen a world class team blossoming upfront but also has given tremendous gems to cricket in return.

From 1889, the start of Test cricket in South Africa, to 1970, they only competed against the likes of Australia, New Zealand and England. However, they once had all distinction to grow better. Not surprising as after apartheid, in 1992, they participated in the World Cup and ended their brilliant run in the semifinals.

In a glance:


The past (who shined and, still, dominating):


Do you remember Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Kepler Wessels, Hansie Cronje, Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp? A series of momentums flash on your memory screen as you read. Too easy, NO?

The present (who are too hot to handle):


And their successors: Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Duminy, AB de Villiers, Morkel duos, Paul Harris, Alviro Petersen, Philander, Theorn, Botha, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and the list goes on. Modern day heroics ah!

The bearers (who just stepped up and left unbiased):


In case you might have missed,

Ashwell Prince: first black captain of the South African Test team.

Makhaya Ntini: first Black South African Test cricketer and surely the most renowned one.

The survivors (who played during the apartheid era):


Neil Adcock: first African pacer to have 100 Test wickets.

Peter van der Merwe: first captain who led to first Test series win in England in 1965.

The forgotten ones:


Barry Richards: Wisden cricketer of the year, 1969

Ali Bacher: last SA captain before apartheid

Clive Rice: Wisden cricketer of the year, 1981

Mike Procter: Wisden cricketer of the year, 1970

Eddie Barlow: captained SA during apartheid private tours, and

Graeme Pollock: best after Bradman in terms of batting average, then.

To name a few, aforementioned could have ended on a better note yet they prefer to survive within Africa rather moving to elsewhere.

And the prestigious one:


Basil D’Oliverira – a promising ‘coloured’ classified cricketer under an apartheid regime back then, has captained SA’ national non-white cricket team before migrated to England to play cricket. Had he never been selected in touring England side to SA in 1968-69, there may have not been an isolation of cricket in South Africa for next 22 years.

Though, he never got the chance to represent South Africa but was arguably played for England – courtesy his immense talent. Very few know that he has named Wisden cricketers of the year for 1967.

Enclosure:


The then government forcible policies may have banned International cricket but the efforts of numerous individual entities successfully kept cricket culture alive at domestic level. Whereas Derrick Robins, an English sports promoter, organized some private tours to South Africa in the early apartheid era.

Later in the 80s, the rebel tours of England, the West Indies and Australia ensured anti-apartheid efforts running in the background where, in 1970, ICC failed as an international ban of cricket.

For the world, South African cricketers may be better known as ‘chokers’ rather ‘Springboks’ before ‘the Proteas’; but on ethics and modularity, they are cricket’s most competitive troops, who have gone through anything and everything which could deprive a lot of international cricket territory.

Nevertheless, it’s a happy ending like the Bollywood movies.
Ali Bacher Analysis Apartheid
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South Africa vs India, one-off T20 match: Indian cricket players are human and not machines


Just when a balanced schedule is needed for the world’s busiest cricket team, India, they will be lined-up gracefully in money-making domestic tournament of BCCI – IPL. Players who usually complain about hectic international schedule will be seen in action on the gorgeous platform of IPL – playing in air-tight-jar schedule without any complains.

South Africa vs India, one-off T20 match: Indian cricket players are human and not machines | Planet "M"
India to meet South Africa in an one-off T20 encounter at Johannesburg.
Team India is now in South Africa to play a one-off T20 match. So far the away tours for us have been a pathetic story and for which another fear of defeat is looming large in the minds of the fans but thankfully it’s not another long-tiring tour but just a one-off match.

But I wonder, what is the significance of arranging such matches? It was not in the ICC’s FTP and as soon as the proposal came from the South African cricket board, the BCCI confirmed its availability without a second thought. I ask, when a team needs to galvanised after repeated humiliations in the away series, when questions are being raised on the presence of seniors in the side, neither the bowlers nor the batsmen are performing, then what this one-off T20 match going to prove?

I feel the current Indian team has neither the positive frame of mind nor the energy after long-tiring tours to prove a point in such a useless one-off T20 show-off. Are our players human or robots? Or, are the men in blue money making machines?

A travel of 15,000 km seems quite reckless as it’s not only India who will travel after a disappointing Asia Cup but the Proteas too will travel after a hectic tour of New Zealand. Even though the tour would be a proud gesture towards ‘150 years of Indian settlement in South Africa’ which appreciable in maintaining political healthy relationship but you just can’t bet on your players.

Between how would you react if I say team India will fly back after just one match to play for the IPL?

I want to see India win matches with enough vigor and sizzle. But how can they? How can I expect them to fare well?

After the pathetic exit from the Asia Cup the team didn’t have enough time to gel together through practice sessions. It’s only in South Africa where they’ll come together as a team which might not prove that worthy. After returning from South Africa the team will be scattered again to play for their respective franchises. This show will go a month long to squeeze all the energy from a player’s mind and body who are already fatigued.

With the thoughts of IPL looming large in the Indian players’ minds, I wonder, what significance this one-off T20 will bear for our men in blue. In a sense it will bear little significance. If the significance is not such big then I am afraid of another non-digestible defeat.

It’s time for the BCCI to maintain a designed gap between international calendars and domestic tournaments like IPL and CLT20. I am not against such events for a good cause but I don’t want to see fatigued faces, tired body languages and a mediocre performance by team India. Our players are human and not machines, I repeat again.

Are we really up for this one-off show?
#SAvInd #SAvsInd BCCI
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