Out of the top drawer

My first one, not quite surprisingly to me, goes to India T20 ( ?) team. "not quite surprisingly", firstly because this is Almost Madness and secondly that is what I have followed, not even an important meeting with my product manager, to the best since I created this blog account.
Earlier I wanted to post it immediately after a spectacular performance by Indian team against South Africa, because I was in delirium after watching Indian youngsters playing that way and at the same time I was a bit skeptical about the outcome of their match against Australia.(Basically I did not want to post it after India getting knocked out of the tournament) But then it would not have been a fair reward to their verve, poise and composure from an Indian (if not a true Indian then at least a fairly good one :-) ). Even though they are not playing for expectations of others, as stated by MS Dhoni, still they are showing us an epitome of optimisms and consistency in giving their best shots. Those twinkling little stars are now shining brightly and it must be appreciated by their cricket fans to the fullest, no matter what the result of this world cup is. So I decided to put this blog off till the eve of tournament finale. In the final two evenly matched teams are going to face each other. I don't know how others take it, but to me it is going to be just a cricket match between two good teams, which happen to hail from two politically rival countries.

Let’s first have look at the summary of the India's matches. Summary of what has been from the top drawer and quite unlike India. (It is expected of you to have a context of this series).

1.) Vs Scotland:
Rain ruined the match.
("Rain ruined the only possible Indian victory in this tournament". Well, that definitely sounds like yours-truly-like comment)

2.) Vs Pakistan:
Not a bad batting performance put up by the team, good bowling spells , and, most surprisingly, a very good fielding show.

3.) Vs New Zealand:
Tremendous opening from Sehvag and Gambhir. And after that Yuvra, Kartik and Dhoni spoiling the show. Still India managed a score of 180 of 20.0 over. That is 9 runs per over, not bad.

4.) Vs England:
A solid and well planned opening from openers, then unbelievable, but not any more, 6 X 6 by Yuvraj.

5.) An unforgettable Vs SouthAfrica:
Debutante Rohit Sharma became the Man-of-the-match, with his bat and fielding. Who can forget the spectaculars, such as RP Singh thrashing SA top-order away and Smith's catch by Kartik. But the most impressive was Fantastic team effort and a "can do" attitude by India.

6.) Vs Australia: They deserved it. I have no new words to describe Yuvi's highlight-reel inning. Everyone must have heard and seen it from news. In this match what amazed me was Sreesanth, someone who always looked so out of control because of his outrage-for no reason.

7.)yeah baby, it's yet again Vs Pakistan:

(For more details of the series visit this page )

I have always been a die-hard Indian cricket fan, even though they are not among the best sides in the world. One thing in Indian team that always disappoints us, has been its prevalent lack of commitment, aggression and a "can do" attitude. That is visible when a team with best batsmen scores a miniature, with most experienced players, not able to handle pressure situation. 2007 worldcup was the nightmarish debacle of the team.
It revived against England when Sachin, the God, and Ganguli and Dravid, the Godlikes, opened their bats up yet again. But still the series against England was again show of India's batting skills. Commitment and attitude was still missing. Yet again they displayed a poor fielding (bowling has never been its strength).

"Mind and Body, Heart and Soul, inmein shakti hai anmol", an annoying advertisement that comes on the televisions so frequently that I can't help murmuring these line. Apart from advertisement it seems to give a message to Indian team (rather whole of India). Now I think the young Indian team has proved it's message. They have, in every form of the game, bat, ball, field and nerve.

In the end I can just wish them luck for tomorrows match.

May Sachin bless you all .

PS: it is my first post, please excuse my naiveness .