Gilchrist pulverizes Delhi Daredevils

I am not an avid IPL follower, but fortunately, I got to see the semifinals especially Gilchrists inning ball by ball. The Deccan chargers really made a mockery of the devils of Delhi. It was a treat to watch Gilchrist in full form, treating each ball and bowlers with contempt. Amit Mishra a young guy from Delhi, has to be given credit, for being the only man, to who some respect was shown, rest were just pulverized.
Delhi daredevil's, which was one of the favorites to win the IPL trophy, could never have imagined that one man can be such a game changer. Virendra Sehwag, after the loss, agreed that it was Gilchrist's day, and you can't stop a hurricane, with all the arsenals you have.

Cricketer's understanding the meaning of Bottomline

Why should Saurav ganguly care, what sharukh Khan feels about his batting style? Why should rahul Dravid give two hoots to, what, vijay mallaya feels about his captaincy? Well, these questions seems quite egregious to ask. But, IPL has changed the rules of the game, when you get a Price you have to pay for it, is the simple rule of the game called IPL.
Cricketers who have been bought for huge prices, to play for respective IPL teams owned by corporates or rich individuals, are suddenly realizing the meaning of bottomline, ROI, which hitherto was relegated to the boardrooms of corporates. Yes!! IPL, has changed the way cricket is played and monetized. It has brought unprecedented glamour, money and opportunities for all the stakeholders.

I only hope , this glamour and glitz, does not make our Icons forget that the ultimate test of glory is winning for the country.

IPL: Pragmatism Vs Chauvinism

There has been a lot of noise around IPL (Indian Premier League) venue being shifted to South Africa. For some it has become a mater of national shame, that India a sovereign nation is being held to ransom to terrorists fear. I feel this is a matter which needs rumination , on the state of things not only in India but globally.
This is a true dilemma between pragmatism and chauvinism. Being pragmatic, one can easily say that the risk of holding the IPL during a general election is taking too big a risk. Especially in the light of what happened in Pakistan to Sri Lankan team. We just can't afford to shy away from the fact that terrorism is a national issue, and India cannot be truly insulated from it. Moreover, India lacks the intelligence and training to fight urban terrorism like the US has.
One can't just hold matches under such threat perception, especially when the sovereign nation is going through the biggest event of Democracy, i.e. election of government.
However, the chauvinists (ready to go on war at the drop of the hat), have their own views, they see it as a capitulation to terrorists forces, to the extent that the venue of such an event has to be shifted.

I personally feel, that under the present circumstances, its better to be pragmatic, and take steps in the long run that really obviates any such circumstances where one has to even think on these lines.
At the end of the day terrorism is a modern menace and very much on the face of all of us, it is no longer a traditional warfare, where uniforms can identify enemies.