Desi Girl Talks Cricket World Cup!

March 24th, 2011:
India vs. Australia

If you're Indian then you know the importance of defeating world champions Australia. But it isn't just about kicking some Aussie butt, it is also all about Sachin Tendulkar wannabe, Ricky Ponting. The man is definitely one of the most disliked Australians in India. Mind you, Desi's adore Brett Lee and Shane Warne so really, it's just one man. Indians all over prayed for an Indian win simply so they could see Ponting's otherwise arrogant attitude literally flush down the toilet. But the question really was, would they do it? According to Castrol Cricket, who favored an Australian win by 56% over India, it was really going to be a nail biter. When a comparing both teams, quickly it became obvious. India may have an advantage over Australia in batting, but when it came to bowling, the Aussies are well, far ahead of us. And with the latter also having a slight advantage over the Indians in terms of fielding, it was going to take a lot more than just the prayers of a billion people. With rage in our eyes and passion in our hearts, we all sat to watch one the most anticipated matches at the Cricket World Cup.

Howzatt!

* Ricky Ponting, whose last World Cup this landed up being, landed up hitting 103 pretty fabulous runs. When it comes to cricket, I have to give the devil his due and so, Ponting's 103 really did land up being quite a fab one. However, the minute he did score his century, I smiled. It was a clear indication that the Aussies were going down and thus, it was now or never for Ponting. He leaves the world of cricket in style with his century.

* And that is pretty much all we can talk about with regards to the Australian batting. No one really went on to do anything too spectacular. However, the Indian bowling was really gosh-darn dhamakedar!

* Ravichandran Ashwin really is impressing us! A great spell with the ball taking 2 wickets, taking the vital Ponting wicket and fielding like a star has put Ashwin in a pretty favorable position in the team.

* Zaheer Khan did his thing with the ball too! 2 wickets babay!

* Hallejuah! The Indian team finally realized the need for good fielding. And they fielded like total pros. There was diving, catching, saving runs. And while we look at saving 2 runs as nothing to boast about, it is really quite remarkable on part of the Indian team who more than often get lazy when it comes to getting dirty on the field.

* And then there was Yuvraj Singh. Before I go on to talk more about sada munda, let's just gush over his bowling. 2 wickets for the dude too! And with that, the Aussies were done. Final score: 260/6.

* Sachin T's 53 really gave the team a great start and a solid foundation. Badda-Bing! The Men in Blue were ready to win, win, win!

* It was Gautam Gambhir's 50 that really was impressive. No hanky-panky. Just simple straight cricket. Great strokes and fun dhinchak cricket. However, he did pull a WTF moment on the team which we will get to soon.

* When it looked rather dull on the field and well, the Aussies looked on time during the Indian innings, it was Yuvraj Singh who came on board to some much needed damage control. He arrived and showed the Indian team that he can deliver when needed. With his trusty bat in hand, he played his natural game taking the game home! Not sure what made him play so gosh darn well (perhaps, a young pretty girl in the crowd caught his fancy), but whatever it is, we'll take it!

* Joining Yuvi on the field was Suresh Raina. Scoring 34, he knew his job; support Yuvi and take the time to its win. And that just what he did. He ran between the wickets, forcing Yuvi to the same, looking for opportunities where the arose. Fabulous contribution. And check out what he said about his innings. "Just as I was walking out, Sachin give me a high-five in the dressing room. I was boosted by that gesture. I knew he wanted me to win the match." Inspired much?

* Brett Lee deserves a mention for his go-getter attitude. The dude, who found himself bleeding (bleed blue baby!) after a fielding mishap, came right back on the field to support his team after he was quickly bandaged. Now that is some dedication. Good one mate!

Googlys!

* Talking about Gautam, his run out was literally a case of suicide. 3 balls in a row, he decided to run without using his brain and what happened? Well, he got out! And then he walks off in a huff. Goodness, I'll never understand what he wanted. Loo break?

* Virat's unnecessary shot at a full toss was really amateur. So sad since I expect so much more from the youngster.

* The quick wickets after Gambhir was a bit worrying, no? Bang, Bang, Bang we saw Gambhir, Kohli and Dhoni crumble. Yet again, the middle order collapses.

* What was up with Ponting's outburst with Raina? While I don't mind some drama on the field, it really is unnecessary for the captain of a team to get worked up for no reason at all.

* The Aussies bowling. For all that talk about how good they are, what on earth happened?

So we won! We won! It really was a nail biter which had me going until the very end. But India did go on to create history as they ended Australia's 12 year reign as World Champs. However, it isn't over yet. India play Pakistan in the Semi's and you know that means one thing: CARNAGE. Irrespective of how crazy the public will get, it is one match that will test two of the biggest and best teams in the world. But watch out for a more detailed post about the India-Pak match tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm Bleeding Blue like no other and still high off beating the Aussies. And so I'm going to sit back and bask in the glory of it all!

Midway through '09

Who would have guessed we would have come half way through 2009? The year has really flown. While I wished June would have gotten off to a better start, courtesy of work that hasn't been possible, but I am definitely going to be a lot more optimistic. It can never get worst - only better...or at least that's what I keep telling myself. Well lots to talk about and heaps to discuss, lets get on with it shall we?

Headlines Today Impact

I'm always raving about how much I love Headlines Today for various reasons but today, I have love and respect for the channel. The channel managed to unravel two highly sensitive and important cases which have leaders have been completely neglected: the Bullet Proof Jackets, which have yet to reach Mumbai police post 26/11 (they were promised this commodity); and the milk scandal. For starters, leaders promised Mumbai cops that they would receive state of the art modern bulletproof vests for the protection. This of course, after 26/11 when the country realized that their own forces were not being protected correctly. The file apparently went "missing." It was only when HT went ahead and questioned the state of the inquiry, did leaders finally probe further. The vests will reach Mumbai Police soon. Amen.

The milk scandal is relatively new - but HT reporters went undercover to expose this racket. It seems that milkman were faking milk by mixing drain water with a whole bunch of deadly liquids which are poisonous. This faulty play was divulged by the HT crew and badda-bing it was all over! Gotta love that channel.

Gandhi x2

The Gandhi's, Rahul and Varun, both took their respective oaths into congress this week. While it was definitely a sight, Varun took his in Hindi and Rahul in English, the highlight was watching the boys bow down and prostrate to their aunts, Priyanka and Sonia when the ceremony was over. Gotta love boys who know that family feud aside, respect reigns high. Rajiv and Sanjay would be proud. Oh, while we're on the note of politics, for the first time in Indian history, a woman was elected as Speaker of the House: Meira Kumar. Although rumors claim she is quite the quiet one, so I'm not sure how that is going to work. We'll just wait and watch. Incidentally, members keep referring to her as "Sir!" It may take some time for them to adjust to calling her "Madam." Ha!

Air France Tragedy

This story was ultra disturbing. An Air France flight travelling from Brazil to France went down in the Atlantic killing 228 people on board. While every life is precious, it was sad to hear about a young boy who was headed back to boarding school. My prayers are with the families at this tragic time.

Racial Beatings in Aussie

I'd always heard of it - Racism in Australia. In fact they are known for referring to Indians as "Curry." Lame. Anyhow, more recently, local Australians have been beating up Indian students causing them to land up in the ICU. Lamer. It's a sad day in the world when modern students feel the need to make foreign students even more foreign. And the local authorities deem it as "the wrong place at the wrong time." Sick. Interestingly, I've come to believe, and agree with my fav Prabhu Chawla, that it is simply because we play better cricket. Talk about a bunch of sore losers. I really hope those imbeciles are caught and HUNG. Disgusting behavior.

June 4th 1989 Memories

The date is actually special to me. It was on this date 20 years ago that my parents hosted a huge gala which was my brother's naming ceremony. It was also on this day that the Tiananmen Square Massacre occurred. Over 100,000 students protested for freedom on this day only to be killed by local officials in tanks: 7,000 people were dead. You would think that the Chinese officials will be sombre and finally admit their fault. Negative. Instead they are trying to hide their wrong doings. The government has banned Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and the likes to prevent any means of protest around the world. And, any reporters within the Tiananmen Square area were blocked off by officials carrying umbrellas. Since they can't stop me, I can go ahead and condemn the attacks and wish that the Chinese government would GROW UP!

India Unsafe?

Check it out. The US Embassy has deemed India "Unsafe." HA! Unsafer? We are safer than a million other countries. P. Chidabaram of course, the rockstar, went ahead and said they would tell the US to take down the advisory. Whatever America.

And lastly, I finally launched Roshni Magazine: http://www.roshnimagazine.com

So far, the feedback has been awesome. Check it out!!

Photo Credit: June Flowers

Another Round of Banter

Uh oh! It's that time again. With lots on my mind, and heaps on my tongue to talk about, here I am once again ready to spill my guts on troubling news that is bothering me. Interestingly, my father believes that I take my social responsibilities far too seriously which to me, means absolutely nothing until I can make a difference in the world. Anyhow, eventually I will make do my part to help change - yes, I am on the rant too. For now, you'll just have to deal with me going on and on about tidbits that are a cause for concern in my life. However, this round includes some interesting information too! It's not all bad and negative, I promise.

Oscar Watching

So in the past week or so, I've finally had time to catch up on watching some Oscar nominated flicks. The Reader was absolutely amazing! Kate Winslet was perfect - her accent, her behavior, all of it was so believable. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button too was incredible. I love the idea behind it. It had some underlying matter too which was interesting. Strangely, people believe aging is a pain but clearly if it were to work the opposite, it would be equally as hard if not harder. Brad Pitt was incredible. Okay, Dor was not nominated but I watched it again and I love it. Its such a simple story with an even better star cast who handled each sentiment so correctly. Nagesh Kukunoor at his best after Iqbal.

Preity Zinta Dissected

India Today, my favorite news publication, did a fabulous analysis of Preity Zinta's current state of mind. While the world is sitting and scratching their heads over her current relationship status with Ness Wadia, the duo confirmed their break-up when Wadia landed up in a tiff during an IPL match and Zinta chose to sit with the team in the dug out. The "relationship evaluation" bought up some interesting reasons as to why they probably aren't together anymore. From their social status', to Ness Wadia's mother, to Preity's try-hard behavior and Ness' unambitious behavior, and so on. Take a read - I guarantee you will be ultra entertained and informed.

Post 26/11

Headlines Today, my favorite news channel, went on to air to broadcast the changes that have NOT happened and were promised to the Mumbai police post 26/11. Politicians claimed, "How should we know?" And all poor Rahul Kanwal could do was ask question after question. And of course pissed me off. They were promised a range of new weapons and protection which have yet to be delivered. Where are they? The money has been allocated only for local politicians to claim that the file is lost. LOST? This is not the Middle-Ages but the computer age! Print another copy dammit! They better get on it and soon. It is simply not acceptable.

Aussie Attacks

Australia is notorious for its racism. In fact students from abroad, almost know for sure, they will be hit with racist remarks if they decide to go and study there. However, shouting a derogate remark is still acceptable but then physically beating up the students making them fight for their life, is not. A young Indian student was beaten with a screwdriver last week, and yesterday another was burnt to near death. The Australian government and police are shoving the case under the rug claiming that the students were at the "wrong place at the wrong time" and that Indian students make themselves "vulnerable" to such situations because they work at gas stations and all night stores to earn an extra penny.

I think the Australian Government better come up with a better excuse and better explanation for their extremely ignorant answers. Find the culprits and punish them dammit. As for myself, when I ain't sitting still and you better know it. Another letter to the Editor of the SCMP is on its way.

The One Where I Heart New York and IPL Drama

I love New York. Whats not to love? The busy streets, the fast pace, the insane partying, the fabulous life. I heart heart heart New York. But then, all good things must come to an end and I must head back west to suburban California where at 10 p.m. all you hear is the occasional fire siren and not the jarring music in the Meat Packing district. It's so incredible how all the different states in the U.S. can be so varied in life and culture. Manhattan is perhaps the most diverse. A single island houses people of all origins and cultures, filled with an incredible sights, and a quick lifestyle. Within a heartbeat you can be downtown dancing at a club and then head on uptown to an upscale Upper East Side stylish pad. Either way, Manhattan has an vibe that cannot be imitated or copied. It makes me realize how much of a city girl I am, how I need to be surrounded by noise and shor instead of a small city and mountains. I need to be running around, taking subways, making frantic calls on my cell, utilizing my BlackBerry to the maximum and being 26! Definitely more NYC on the travel list for me this year. New York New York New York - I love it!

On the otherhand, Shah Rukh Khan never fails to disappoint me more and more on a daily basis. This time, he has gone ahead and let the Australians dominate the Knight Riders. If rumors and newspapers are to be believed, the Australian players have made some some racial remarks towards the Indian players (?) Uhhh.... hello? Am I the only person who thinks this is incredibly silly? How can you discriminate in an INDIAN Premiere League? That is simply absurd. And of course, SRK refuses to comment. Duh! He has no say regarding his team who have no respect for him. Clearly, SRK does not know cricket and he should probably not dabble in it for a while.

Photo Credit: http://www.dvc.hu/