Friday, April 24, 2009

IPL Returns

Drama regarding IPL venue shifting, postponing of schedules, security concerns is over and now whole focus is shifted to Cricket. IPL-RETURNS. And returns with a bang. Its now entered into 6th day which means I am quiet late to react. But was so much busy for last week or so that didn't even get time to write anything here. Anyways I have quiet few things to describe today. The way this tournament started, the way things are going it will be again a big hit thats for sure.

Venue is shifted to South Africa which means no team will be holding the host advantage. But still DD,CSK, MI, DC have plenty in their kitty to tag them as the favorites for last 4 spot. But I am quiet disappointing the way my favorite team(not by players mean but city wise and too "Priety" factor)Kings XI Punjab has played so far. I am not predicting but assured that if they continue playing the way they are playing right now they will be placed at the bottom half of the table. Two teams those are looking more destructive, composed and balanced are my last time favorites Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. Deccan got things going under the new captain Adam Gilchrist and their batting line up so as bowling is on the track. In batting, Gilly himself along side Gibbs, Rohit Sharma, Laxman, Styris looking quiet good(not to forget "Roy Symonds" will return soon)and in bowling department Edwards, R.P and Ojha are commanding so far. Looking forward for a better show from them this time around. Mumbai on the other got the World's most experienced opening pair of Sachin and Sanath("Motera Mauler" a name given to Jayasurya due to his destructive batting). Alongside them they have Duminy, Bravo, Nayar. In bowling too they got "Slinger" Malinga, Zak and the world's top spinner Bhajji. Quite a experienced side!!
The other two possible Semi-Finalists are Sehwag's Daredevils and Dhoni's Super Kings.

For the others, Bangalore Started well under KP but they suddenly lost momentum following two heavy defeats. SRK's Nightriders looks like they haven't came out of multi captain theory. And last but not the least, last time champions, Rajasthan Royals again started badly and then rain washed the next match. But what happened last night is something RR known for, changing the things when they are almost out of control. They won a cliffhanger yesterday and given by the form of explosive Yusuf Pathan, new slinger Kamran Khan and motivational captain "The Spin Wizard" Shane Warne they are again seem to be on track.
The final four lineup would become more interesting with tournament proceeds. But I will still bet for MI, CSK, DC and DD for the semi final spot. Else they say "Future is uncertain".
Keep watching and Enjoying IPL.
Cheers,
Munish

Monday, April 13, 2009

Jai Mata Di


I am a very religious person. It almost in my routine to visit temple. And i feel blessed to be a resident of a Chintpurni holy shrine(almost 15 minutes from home). I always wished to visit the biggest of them all "Mata Vaishno Devi" Temple. I am feeling very pleased, satisfied to write that I visited the temple day before yesterday. It almost like a dream come true. This was my second trip but earlier one I don't remember anything as at that time was just of 2 years old. So its just a great feeling to go there.
We were 7 people in the group. We started around 10 p.m from Ludhiana. We just enjoyed the whole travel up to Katra. We had just one stoppage on the way as we stopped near Damtal 15 km from Pathankot. And once the road from Jammu to Katra started the whole view was just awesome. Beautiful mountains and the the shades of rising sun making the travel more enjoyable.
We all were wondering about the rush at the temple and what we saw at Katra made us more anxious. People were standing in long queues waiting for tickets. Then started the most difficult part of the trip.
We were finding a place to settle down and some sleep but we got nothing for first 4 hours. We all were tired and restlessness increased the tiring. Then we found a hotel and just after resting for couple of hours we started the journey.
Then first come the place so called "BanGanga". From here we started the long journey of 16 k.m upto Darbar. We used slogans like "Jai kara Shera wali da bol sache darbar ki jai" along the way.

After walking for almost 7 hours we reached "Bhawan". We were just amazed to see the rush at the Bhawan. I personally never saw so many people together in my whole life. I took "Prashad" and rested a while before bathe in almost freeze water. I worshiped at the Bhawan around 3 in the morning. Darshan at the Bhawan were not so good as I got few second to look at the main "Pindi". Then we all moved to "Bhaironath Temple". And after few hours of walk I reached in the hotel and we came back around 3 and reached our place in the mid-night.
I am just feeling so refreshed and energetic after visiting Maa Vaishno Devi temple.
All in all, it was really a great experience and like a dream come true.
Jai Mata Di,
Munish

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Winning Effort!!!


Before the start of the test series somebody asked me in the office” So Munish what would be the result of the series? ” (he asked me so as I am a good predictor when it comes to cricket.. lolz) and my simple reply was 2-0 India. And the prediction almost becomes a reality but rain god just denied that. I was checking my mobile since morning for the latest score (as there is no other source in the room for latest updates) and when I saw 210/5 I was quiet assured that we will win it but after some time it just stuck in 281/8 because of rain. Anyways Indian’s fans will take 1-0 after 41 years.
Almost every Indian fan was assured of Indian victory before the start of the series because the kind of confidence Indian Team have in themselves these days they can beat any side in world cricket(Australia, England are the latest examples). And the way team won in the first test at Hamilton it becomes more sure. But then come the toughest test of the tour. But again team showed what they are up to as they saved the test almost from a dying situation.
If I talk of players then I can't name the single individual as everybody chip in when it required. Whether its Sachin and Harbhajan in the first, Gambhir and Laxman in the second and Zak, Gambhir and Bhajji in the third everybody performed.
Now the whole focus will be shifted to million dollar IPL and me too eagerly waiting for that. I was supporting Deccan Chargers last year but unfortunately they ended up at the bottom. Hoping for a better show from them this time around.
Cheers!!
Munish