Sporting reflections

2012 was stage for some incredible sporting moments, abetted by being an Olympic year. There were a few falls from grace but over all it proved to be one for the albums. Here is my list of the events in the sporting world that set the flash bulbs in over drive.

Rafa and Nole played the longest final in grand slam history at 5 hours 53 minutes. That Novak came out on top against the most tireless of them all is testimony to his fitness, both mental and physical. Men's tennis has never been better and lets hope we get to see an encore in a few days time.

Chelsea might have had their struggles but they landed the Champions League for the first time trumping Bayer Munich in penalties. Benitez is at the helm right now in a tumultuous time for coaches and the blues may find it tough to land any silver ware this year.

She has called her movement akin to a cow on snow when playing in clay earlier. Nevertheless, the same bovine movement helped Maria Sharapova capture her first French Open title. She remains the only consistent threat to the hegemony of Serena in women's tennis and this may prove to be another fruitful year for her.

Records are not new to Nadal but even he would have rejoiced this one. A seventh Roland Garros title defeating the man to beat would have tasted sweet. He was sidelined with troublesome knees after that and has not returned to the scene since but one would not bet against an eighth win come May later this year.

Euro 2012 anointed Spain as the undisputed leaders of the beautiful game. Their margin of four goals over Italy was the biggest for any Euro decider and the world champions showed that they are a league apart when it comes to winning the big ones. Missing out on an Olympic medal would have rankled though.

Roger Federer returned to the hallowed SW19 lawns in a bid to stall the rampaging Djokovich. Not only did he conquer his record equaling seventh title, he sent out a loud warning to his competitors that he is not yet done. May this year continue to bear fruits for the GOAT.

Bradley Wiggins became the first man to win the Tour De France title. His feats at the Olympics only cemented his place in the annals of the greatest British athletes. Armstrong on the other hand was stripped of his titles for refusing to fight dope charges. The cycling world did come round a full circle last year.

London hosted the biggest party in the world with the summer games. Phelps finished his career with 18 golds and that mark should stand the test of time. Bolt delivered on his promise to become a legend by leaving the beast in his wake. Rudisha won the 800m without a pace setter and Britain pushed Russia to the fourth position at their home games.

Rory McIlroy roared and announced his arrival in earnest bagging the PGA Championships title with  record eight shot margin. Now only if his good friend Caroline Wozniaki can replicate trophy winning form this year. With Woods getting back some of his form, this could be an interesting year for golf.

Andy Murray became the first player since Fred Parry to win a grand slam title by landing the US Open. This after the Olympics gold ended the year on a high for the Brit and should propel him onto bigger things this year.

West Indies won the T20 cricket world cup defeating the Lankans at home. This could be the fillip, the Caribbean nations need to launch their way back into cricketing glory. Marlon Samuels played the knock of his life the and Gangnam celebrations just highlighted what joy these men can have and give.

Sebastian Vettel became the youngest triple world champion in F1 and underlined his dominance in the motor sport that once his Compatriot ruled. Red Bull provided the best car and a challenged from Ferrari and Alonso may become tougher this season. 

Sach a joke

He says it was always about India. I guess he was talking about a one man India there. Retiring after the world cup would have turned a team victory into deeply personal one. Again, I guess he places the average Indian intellect on such a lowly pedestal that the cricket loving junta would have forgotten the achievement and rather have mourned the exit that was long over due. Then he waits for another couple of years to make sure India forgets the momentous achievement of a world cup win and there is no association between his retirement and the feat. If all that is not worth a chuckle, a book of a thousand most popular jokes wouldn't help either. Why doesn't he say that he waited to milk the last drop from his endorsement deals before calling it quits. The wrong lies as much in his hypocritical reasoning as his sticky demeanor. After plunging to abysmal depths of performance, he decides to give up the ODIs. That reminds me of the philanthropist who donates his tattered umbrella in the month of May when asked why he holds on to all his empire like a water bottle in the desert. The art of deflecting criticism is innate to Indian politicians and he has stood true to that. Now that there has been one retirement, he can extend his advertisement revenues for another umpteen number of years holding onto one seat on the plane that takes the Indian cricket team to their playing fields. After all, you cannot retire twice in quick succession and it helps India that you don't go out at the top. A master stroke from the little jester.

To kill a mocking bird

So, it happens. The wise men in the Indian cricket selection committee go ahead and drop three players to show that they still hold the flogging stick. Harbhajan, who didn't get to play at the place where he first made his name should wonder if only he could bat a bit more, he could have pipped Ashwin for a spot. Such are the straits Indian cricket currently dwells in. Yuvraj might wonder how much worse has he done than some of his more illustrated compatriots to have the axe fall on him. Zaheer obviously would have been relieved not to be spending any more time in the winter sun chasing balls that look more like chicken for him. The skipper talks of taking responsibility when times are tough just as someone else says its selfish to retire on the top. If only the Indian spinners could give a naughty spin to their deliveries as these men. Its been an exercise that reeks of hypocrisy and farce. One would guess that if these three were deemed fit to go, the whole team bar a couple needed to accompany them. Guess sitting ducks are not just there for idiomatic usage. Long live the BCCI.

For all the talk of revenge, the real deal happened at the Etihad yesterday and the Manchester derby did live up to its billing. RVP scored a thriller in injury time to snatch it for the red devils. Mancini's side have been a shadow of their former selves and having been knocked out of the Champs league, the remaining big prize in the league also seems to be slipping away. Liverpool got the better of the Hammers while the London biggies Gunners and Chelsea also bagged the maximum points. 

The Aussies have picked Phil Hughes to fill the big boots left by Ricky and one can just hope he carries over his domestic form to the test arena. He may not get a better attack than the Lankans (barring the current Indian side) at home to cement his position. Khawaja and a couple of others lie in anxious wait if he revisits his failing outside off.

The last punt

Ricky left the game he so loved in the same manner he played it, tough as nails. His scores had begun to betray that father time had crept silently upon the great warrior and he was the first to admit it. It takes a special man to identify his decline from the art he has practiced and loved all his life. One doesn't need to look far than the Indian dressing room how self consuming and blinding the thirst to keep playing can be. Ponting won more than a century of test matches and that is a legacy he would be proud of. He played the game with the sole purpose of winning and his record bears that out. The pulls and hooks are now part of folklore and for a small man, the punch that he packed was a treat to watch. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was detested at times as much as he was adored but when the time came to leave the baggy green behind, the world was united in applause and respect. If there is one thing that the elephant in the Indian dressing room can learn from Ponting, its that it takes a lifetime to earn respect and only a few days to lose it. Take a bow Punter.

The Proteas consolidated their position as the number one test team with a prolific win at the WACA. Steyn and company finished what Amla and De Villiers had started. They came out through difficult scenarios in Adelaide and have discovered a new talent in Du Plessis. If only they can find a good bench strength in the fast bowling department, the Saffas' rule at the top can be assured to be a prolonged one. Australia stand at cross roads again with only the two Michaels providing some succor. The bowling is brittle with almost every single seamer on the verge of a break down. The batting cupboard looks bare and there is nobody in sight to replace the punter. Waiting to see how they cope when they visit the subcontinent in the coming months.

Three is not enough

Vettel got there by the barest of margins. A topsy turvy race ultimately left just three points between him and Alonso but eventually the best man won. Seb has had the most victories in the season by far and was crowned the deserving champion. His belief through a broken floor, a poor start and a pit stop gone wrong was what brought him his third title in a row. He joins Schumacher and Fangio to have achieved that feat and is now exalted to the status of an all time great in motorsport. And he is still 25. If you were a betting man, the odds against him breaking Michael's all time record would be quite low but then this is a sport where men put their lives on the line and father time is the only one who can tell whether the German can better his compatriot. Schumacher has declared his retirement for the second time and this time it should be for good. His comeback has been far from spectacular and being the legend that he is, its good to see him not sully his reputation any further. Given that the Mercedes car lacked the speed that could put him on the podium, it was hard to see how he could have a better run with an older body next year. Hoping for a similar competitive season come 2013.

Ever heard of the doctor being delivered his own medicine. The Indian cricket captain would be wondering what struck him and his team at the Wankhede. The former Northants spin twins wrecked such havoc that the famed Indian batting line up rolled on the same dust bowl that was designed to grind the English. You don't find a better tale of tables being turned on unsuspecting marauders. There are a few sitting ducks in the Indian line up but the selectors won't name them so for their own skin. Does someone still think he is on the top of his game and hence would be selfish in retiring now? Indian players and selectors are deemed soft and you don't need to look much further than this thrashing and its repercussions to see why. I am sure when Dhoni said, a series between two top nations in the Test cricket ought to be close, he was joking. This when South Africa played out of their skins to save a match that was as good as lost. Their are rivalries and then there are farces, you decide which one played out in Mumbai and Adelaide.

Too many Cooks...a delicacy

Alas, we just have one at the English top order. I am inclined to compare the performance of the Indian team when they visited the old blighty last year. Only one man showed some heart there and he now adorns the commentary box. The English have come here in the midst of loud shouts of redemption and have already showed far more gumption that one expected them to. Andy Flower may be one reason for the difference but for me Alastair has had a bigger role to play. He doesn't have the range or timing of some of his hyped team mates but what he lacks, he more than compensates with the sense he has in the middle of his ears. He doesn't hop around like a cat on hot bricks and neither does he go berserk the first ball he faces. He goes along his work like an iron smith with a few small tinkers and an occasional flourish that in time builds a master piece. He leads by example and there can't be a better way to lead. He has 21 test centuries at 27 and should deservedly score 50 if he keeps fit. May be the BCCI can have him on contract the next time they step outside the sub continent. That should certainly help them salvage some pride from a team that currently seems to have none.

Novak ended the year on a high with a classic demolition of Roger at the O2 arena. His father's ailment didn't stop him from conquering the title that is widely considered the fifth slam. His mental strength is stuff of legend already and with the physical tenacity that he displays, his days at the top of the men's game are far from numbered. Federer's light keeps burning bright and is a testimony to his effortless style of play that he still bumps shoulders with guys 5 or more years younger to him. Waiting for the Aussie Open to set the stage alight again. Would Rafa be back in the mix? Only his knees can tell.

F1 returned to the US on the circuit of the Americas after a hiatus of 5 years. Red Bull claimed the constructor's title as was expected. While Hamilton had the chequered flag, Vettel and Alonso claimed the other podium spots to keep the world championship alive. The title race goes to the wire in Brazil and its not for the faint hearted to bet on the result. Seb has a good lead and should be the favorite to become the youngest triple world champion but stranger things have happened in motor sport. Lets have the track on fire.

Iceman in the land of sand

Abu Dhabi sprung the eighth different F1 winner this year. While most eyes would have been on the championship contenders Vettel and Alonso, Kimi inherited the lead from a hapless Hamilton and drove through the checkered flag with consummate ease. He did no harm to his "iceman" reputation in dismissing comments from the pit with a nonchalant "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." He held off Alonso and in that showed that he still is one of the better handlers of the wheel on the track. The difference between the top two in the world championship race is now down to ten and it is almost certain that we won't know who will wear the crown till the season ends in Brazil. Lotus would hope that this gives the whole team a lot more belief and results in the coming season. The constructor's title is almost in the Red Bull bag with the gap between them and Ferrari being 82 with only 86 on offer. There were first turn incidents as usual with the Force India lead man Nico colliding with Bruno Senna. The team has been in middling form this season and with the principal in dire straits with this flying ways and Hulkenberg departing, it would take a miracle for them to better their performance next year.

The stage is set for the year end ATP tour finals at the London O2 arena. With Rafa being a casualty of struggling knees, the rest of the field is gearing for some top notch action. Murray and Novak are in the same group and would renew their rivalry that is starting to look like the one to replace the Federer-Nadal duopoly. Roger is the two time defending champion and would hope for some more success in the dusk of his incredible career. Do any of the others stand a chance? Tsonga and Ferrer have upped their games and are always contenders but their minds are still a tad behind the big four when it comes to the clinch. Round robin format always offers a little bit more drama and hopefully this year end tussle would be another cracker.

The BPL is again shaping into a two horse race with the red devils and the blues going neck to neck. MU carved out a facile 2-1 win over the gunners with RVP on target against his former club. Chelsea need to maintain the steam to avoid getting upstaged by the other Manchester power houses. Arsenal are again having an up down season and unless Wenger loosens the purse strings, its difficult to see how he can challenge the big boys.

Swiss Delight

And i am not talking about chocolates or watches, though Rolex may have something to do with it. Managed to catch some action from the pre-quarters of the Shanghai masters yesterday and seeing Roger play Stanislas was fun. They are chums having won an Olympic gold together and partnered on the Swiss Davis cup team as well. Federer went down on the first set with a bad serving performance but once the silken touch was back in the second set tie break, there was no looking back. He dunked his friend in the third and is looking good to have a go at Novak, come Sunday. He is guaranteed a record 300th week at the top of the rankings and there has been no better privilege than to see the master play live so many times. His movements are more ballet like in a time when matadors rule roost and the time is nigh when he hangs his racket. Will count my blessings till then.

Cricket has more stings than a bee hive. If its not the players, its the umps who get shot with the worst choice of words in their mouths. The ICC goes ahead and suspends them like a good principal of an ethical school. Its like you know your carpet is teeming with bugs but instead of doing a proper pest control, you have a shoe in your hand and crush the one who dares to peek out from under. God save you from the day when they all get out together. 

The Al Classico generated a brace a piece for Ronaldo and Messi. If that game was supposed to settle a score, it surely disappointed. They may as well share the Ballon d'Or. A feast for the neutral's senses, nevertheless. With the F1 battle heating up, Vettel and Alonso and gearing up for another show down in Korea. Suzuka was a cake walk for Seb and he is now breathing down the Ferrari front runner's neck. India's Buddh International circuit would be next in line and it wouldn't surprise me if its here that Red Bull make their horns count.

So long Simon

It would be an understatement to say that Taufel was a rock. That he could never stand in test matches that Australia played should rank as one of the foremost ironies of present cricketing laws. In a time when umpires were subject to ridicule and accusations of incompetence if not malaise, he brought a new aura to the profession. The men in the dark coat owe Simon Taufel a great deal for restoring faith in that oft forgotten tenet of "the ump is always right". He always maintained that the key to good umpiring was people skills and that was evident in the way he operated. He was fit to the point of giving a few of the players a run for their IPL money and his decision making could put hawk eye and snicko put together to shame. If there was another example that showed respect is not asked for but earned, I would love to learn of it. He was stern when needed and gave the guys in the middle the leeway that was warranted in the middle of a heated battle. There wasn't a breach reported with him in charge and never a voice of dissent. A voice of reason that that was felt more than it was heard. The world of umpiring would be poorer without you but we would be ever so grateful to you for having set the standard. You have been a delight and may your retirement be as wonderful. You step into a new role of guiding budding umpires to higher levels and for once the ICC couldn't have been more right. God Speed Sir.

The Ryder Cup is back across the Atlantic. After trailing 10-4 at one point, Jose Maria Olazabal's side rallied back to stun the Americans in the best ever come backs in the cup's history. That it happened on American soil would be another feather in this feat. With McIlroy lost for time zones and driven in with 10 minutes to play, there was no dearth of drama at Medinah. Matin Kaymer had the honor of delivering the winning point to the jubilant European team which has now laid its hand on the coveted cup in succession winning it 14.5 - 13.5.

A word for Virat Kohli. He won the Junior World Cup for India and was marked for greater things. It takes great talent and a greater mind to fulfill your destiny. He hasn't done it yet but is well on his way. His scoring ways have shown that he should go on to become the best loved and most feared batsman at the same time and that is saying something. Keep it going lad.

Minnows for sharks

Afghanistan,  Zimbabwe, Ireland and Bangladesh were supposed to make up the numbers. They didn't disappoint on that front. If the idea was to provide the traditional big boys a little bit of match practice, the ICC got the format spot on. However, the initial elimination round of the World T20 felt like a damp squib for the spectators. Both on the tube and the stadium. Sport is a contest enjoyed best when the sparring parties match match up shoulder to shoulder. A David vs Goliath battle does have the possibility of an exhilarating upshot but the odds of that happening warrants that these are seen on the reel rather than real. The ICC probably wants to get as many matches played as possible, marquee or not. Production rights call for as drawn out a schedule as possible. The guardian of the game presents this to us in the garb of an intention to globalize the game. However, it has no inclination or say in asking the big boards to play these up and coming teams more often. Playing a couple of games against quality opposition doesn't hone skills. It only tugs at the inferiority complex that most of these teams harbor.  Four minnows against eight is too large a ratio for a fairly competitive cricket tournament. Only adds a host of lopsided games that serve no other purpose than filling the executive body's coffers. May be they can restrict the non test playing nations to two. Food for thought but then who wants grub when everybody is swaying in extravagance.

At the BPL, Liverpool suffered a set back at Anfield and are not getting any results to better their position last season. The belief in the squad looks rock bottom and a good signing or two should help. Mancini had a row with the Villa manager and it looks like the fights off the turf are getting more entertaining than the contention on the field. 

The Ryder cup is upon us and in the world of professional golf, this is one occasion where team spirit takes center stage. Europe would be hoping to do an encore riding on McIlroy's sizzling form at the Mdeinah Country Club. To do that on American turf, they would need more than luck and with Woods getting back a semblance of his erstwhile form, the clash of heavy artillery golfers is  widely anticipated. In the hole, I say.

Not about the bike, Lance

Seven Tour de France titles, a battle against cancer and a war against the doping agency, Armstrong surely has strong arms to take them all on. If there was a study in the paradox that human character presents, Lance surely would have been the epitome. He is a hero for cancer survivors over the world. He is the benchmark for physical endurance and mental grit. And then he is a cheater to many for having being accused of foul play. Armstrong refused to fight doping allegations this year and was forfeited all his titles. He maintains that he has never taken performance enhancing drugs and has never been proved to be wrong beyond doubt. His masseuse accused him of disposing syringes for him and giving him a makeup to hide needle marks. There is enough smoke to stoke a fire. The naysayers would not rest their tongues and neither will Armstrong budge from his position. For all that he conquered along side adversity and for all that he fought, Lance will remain on a high pedestal for many. He will also be mired in controversy for all the allegations that he fought and fought not in equal measure. A champion or mountebank....the pick is again yours.

The BPL kicked off with the usual suspects in limelight. The gunners and the red devils both had rousing victories while the defending champions and Chelsea were held for a draw. Mancini snatched the title form the jaws of disaster last year and for all his extravagant spending, it will take a little more luck to do an encore. Sir Alex is in the twilight of his extraordinary coaching career and would like to finish on a high. Scholes and Giggs would be saying good bye sooner than later and i wouldn't be surprised if this year is the last hurray for many a warriors.

PV Sindhu did what nobody could at the Olympics. Her victory over Xuerui certainly has thrown the limelight squarely on her. Its in her hands and racquet to prove that this was not a flash in the pan and go on to emulate her more illustrious compatriot. Do I see two baddy medals for India at Rio...not wishful thinking that.

Game changers

While the world goes gaga for the fifth version of the iPhone, let's look at some proposals in a few games that are set to change the way they are played and viewed. Spectator interest has become paramount in these days of obscene production rights and players certainly take back stage while redesigning the laws of sport. A small price to pay for the big pie they partake in the television stakes cake I guess.

Starting with tennis, the time violation rules for the server have been altered to call a fault instead of a point loss for a second infringement. This should certainly embolden the umpires to enforce the law and make the delay between points shorter. With so many matches going past the four hour mark, this should certainly help in reducing the number of yawns on tennis courts. 

Also in line is the suggestion to consider a net cord on the serve that lands in, a valid serve. Though this would be enforced only for challengers for now, I wouldn't be surprised to see it in the slams in a year. Time for the pros to start practicing let serves I guess.

Goal line technology has been a hot topic of debate in the soccer fraternity. With tennis adopting the hawk eye with such alacrity, there are calls for use of more technology on the football pitch. Sepp argues that soccer is a much more fluid sport than tennis and this would only slow down the pace of the game. But with scoring a goal becoming a rarer commodity by the day, disallowing one just because the linesman did not spot it wouldn't cut ice for long. 

Hockey has been a sport that has embraced changes at a breath taking pace. While doing away with the offside rule sparked a goal rush, the job of the defenders is set to become more difficult with a touch inside the D that lands inside the goal considered valid. You would now see the rampant forwards try to force goals some way away from the D using the attempted interceptions from defenders as a tool. Not bad for  me to watch on the tube I say.

 Cricket has already adopted two white balls at either end for one day games and a change in the period where power plays may be taken. Helps the bowlers a bit in the otherwise lopsided sport favoring the batters.  No runners for batsmen should be applauded as a move in the right direction to stop every little niggle becoming a reason for letting someone else do the running for you. Only if the five day version could be fine tuned a bit to entice more eye balls.

Bye bye Fred

Perry stood a long time. 76 years to be exact. Murray now has his name etched in British history to be the latest British grand slam winner in tennis. The signs were there for all to see. He took a set off Roger at SW19 and then went one better at the Olympics final to land the gold. With Rafa out of the way and Federer falling at the quarters, the only impediment to history being created was Nole. They slugged it out against each other and against the elements in equal measure. The gust only seemed to accentuate the test of finesse and stamina that took place at the Flushing Meadows. Only 5 sets could split them and Andy made sure he didn't have to suffer another heart break after being two sets to nil up. We have had the top four seeds win one slam each this year and the flood gates might as well open for Murray with this win. Novak and Andy have the best two handed back hands in tennis and its difficult to get better of them from the baseline. May be a more serene setting would have favored the number one seed. After winning 3 slams last year, he has to be satisfied with just one this year. Such is the quality of men's tennis these days, that one wouldn't bet against a Berdych or Tsonga landing a slam next year. I would not hazard a guess as to how long would Roger be on the scene. Rafa's knees seem to be troubling him again and he perhaps wouldn't have as long a career as Federer has had. Would be interesting to see who takes these two slots in the coming year or two. The usual pretenders or a new kid on the block.

Serena held her nerve to get the better of Victoria for the women's crown. Her mental strength puts her at such a vantage point that her rivals surrender more often to her grit than her shots. With Venus on the wane, she continues to be a dominant force on the women's side. The faster surfaces suit her high octane serves and forehands and there may still be a few slams left in her. The women's game cannot be more different than the men's right now. With Serena not playing most tournaments, Sharapova, Azarenka, Radwanska, Kvitova, Stosur and a host of others are always in the mix to contend for glory. Adds a bit of unpredictability to the game. Good or bad..take your pick.

Grandpa Inc.

That's what one would call the current Indian senior cricket team. With the great grand daddy considering a bigger number of ads than his run aggregate a metric for performance, one slot in the team is not going to open up for posterity. Doesn't the shattering of timber three times in a row against a pedestrian attack on home feather beds make enough noise for the man? I guess not. He would carry on as if he just obliged the Kiwis with some pleasurable moments. The elephant in the dressing room refuses to go away and Unmukt Chand for all his grit and success will need to wait till someone breaks a leg and a hand to go away. Such a shame. If Laxman was asked to walk away in the fashion that he was, I wonder what is stopping the skipper and the chairman of the selectors from doing an encore with the much hyped little man. Maybe his new found political stature inspires awe amongst them. After all our politicians do get away with under performance in the garb of trying the best. He must believe he is the best batsmen in the world and hope to better the great Grace's mark in remaining on the scene till the beard grows white and long. A most pathetic display of adhesive characteristics I would say. Lets just say the tennis elbow saves us from worse sights but I won't bet for it.

At Flushing Meadows, two high profile retirements have taken center stage. We wouldn't be seeing Kim and Andy Roddick next year and that surely would leave a void. Both have been exemplary as ambassadors for the sport, one being a bit less successful than the other. It's here that Roddick won his only slam before hitting the Roger wall in three Wimbledon finals. Its a testimony for the USTA who have since failed to produce another grand slam champion, the WIlliams sisters certainly not its proteges. Clijsters has three titles here and would be glad to have walked into the sunset at these courts. The top seeds have made serene progress to the second week with Tsonga being the major casualty. Its gearing up to be another good finale to the grand slam season and Murray would surely believe his time has come with Rafa out with sore knees and a fantastic win over Federer at the Olympics. Waiting to see if he fulfills his destiny at the Arthur Ashe stadium.

An Ode

This is for the six people who gave me goosebumps with their performances and valor in London. This is for those special sportsmen and women who have defied the mediocrity that Indian sports in general is and have shone as beacons to this country short of true heroes. And this is for their families, coaches and sparring partners who would not even bask in reflected glory having played such an important role in making India proud.

Sushil Kumar. You beauty. 66kg of unadulterated muscle doesn't come close to the determination that those eyes showed. You now have two individual medals to boast at the Olympics and the fight that you showed at the ExCEL arena is stuff of legend. Going by your words, you are not done yet, and may Rio complete your metal collection. You rock.

Vijay Kumar. Your pistol spoke for you and it did that in some style. Your composure over two days and specially in the finals belied the torment that might have been going through your mind. You may be a subedar in rank but a general would have been proud of your ways. Hoping that there is much more to come from your unshakable hands.

Saina Nehwal. Saina vs China was the war song that every one cried before you landed in London. And thats exactly how it transpired. You stood up to the best and emerged better. Your fleet footedness and finesse have made sure, badminton captures the imagination of many more in the years to come. Go baby go and make sure you go a step further at Rio.

Mary Kom. You are not magnificent "Mary" for nothing. Your hands packed a punch and when your twins grow big enough to realize what you have achieved, it would be poetic justice for your undeterred struggle and pain. You jumped a weight category but that didn't stop you from getting back what you promised. Can anyone claim to be more "Indian" than you are?

Yogeshwar Dutt. You fought an injury and followed your dream. You fought five times in succession and made sure the repechage was yours. The swollen eye was a better memento than the bronze that sat so well on your proud chest. Your technique heralded a new golden age for Indian wrestlers and your broad shoulders carried the weight of all our expectations better than we expected.

Gagan Narang. A gold would have been a fitting follow up to Abhinav's shot at Beijing but with the shooting standards going through the roof, a bronze is well worth its weight in gold. You shot like a man possessed and slayed the demons that blighted you in Athens and Beijing. You say your collection is now complete but surely the Indian contingent wouldn't have been complete without you. Eye of the tiger mate.

A mention of Joydeep who missed the bronze by a bit and the boxers, specially Devendro who showed what a dynamite can achieve. You fought valiantly and came close to etching your names in Indian sports history but you didn't miss making a mark in our hearts.

The Report Card

With the summer games at their fag end, it's time to look at the hits and misses in London. Pay obeisance to the ones who became first among equals and dissect the no show of some celebrated names. By far most athletes did what they were expected to do. One low light has been the relative reduction in the number of world records set in the track and field events but I guess the balmy evenings in the English capital may have something to do with it. 

Here are the gladiators who came to London2012 with a reputation and did no harm to it.

Usain Bolt. I am legend. He would now agree to that with probably the rest of the world. An Olympic double at both the 100m and 200m sprints with world records in both events at the World Championships is a surreal achievement. Would he do it again in Rio? I am not sure but his name would be the first to figure in most lists featuring Olympic greats. Feats like that with an attitude to entertain come together once in a score of lifetimes and seeing Bolt run and waltz is a joy few else could give.

Michael Phelps. He became the most decorated Olympian. The mark of 22 medals with 18 golds is not going to be over taken in a hurry and the man from Baltimore has now achieved the status of god in the Olympic pantheons. He started slow losing out on a medal in the 400m individual medley and the USA losing out on the 4X100m relay to France but bounced back with individual golds in the 200m individual medley and the 100m butterfly. A glorious retired life awaits.

Kimberly Rhode. She won the women's skeet at the Royal Artillery Barracks to win an individual medal at five different Olympics (she started off with a gold at the double trap at the 1996 games). She becomes the only American athlete to do so and joins a select band of athletes to achieve the feat world wide. Thy name is longevity.

David Rudisha ran an unbelievable 800m final to shave off 0.1s off his own world record. It being the first and probably only world record to be broken at these Olympics. The silver being almost a second behind him. He is well on his way to become a legend and his wish to race Usain Bolt in the 4X400m may just come true sooner than later.

Chris Hoy sprinted to two gold medals in track cycling to take his total to 6 golds and total 7 medals becoming the most successful British Olympian of all time. The MBE is just desserts for one of the best sprint cyclists the world has seen and carrying the British flag at the opening ceremony was the icing before the cake.

The Venus sisters came to London on the back of Serena's success at Wimbledon and didn't disappoint with Serena repeating her success and the sisters bagging the doubles gold. They now have three doubles golds, the first one coming in the 2000 games. You don't need to look further than these two to exemplify dominance.

And then there were some who couldn't live upto the hype they brought before competing.

Elena Isinbaeva. The defending champion in the women's pole vault could only manage a bronze. Her career may well be over and this aberration will rankle in what was an other wise glittering span of achievement.

Zhu Quinan. The Chinese shooter seems to be on the wane. He couldn't qualify for the finals of his favorite 10m air rifle event and missed out on another medal after storming to the 3 positions final. 

Stephanie Rice landed three golds at Beijing but couldn't get a single medal at London. She may have been the big mommy to the budding poolers in the Aussie team but better was expected.

Finally, the London Olympics logo deserves a mention for not making a mark on the minds of billions of watchers around the world. Probably a more vibrant one would have made the cut.

Bolting into history

The second fastest time in history and the 100m title defended, Bolt showed us who the boss is when it comes to the real business. Talent reigned supreme last night and the "beast" will have to wait another four years to see if he can get his name on the gold. Age is on his side and with his work ethic, the dream is not dead yet. The 200m is still up for grabs and a repeat performance by Usain there would just fortify his legend. Will he be able to defend the remaining two titles as well? The 4X100 m is a given but the 200m not so. An encore would certainly put him along side Carl Lewis in the annals of athletic history.

Lin Dan cemented himself as the greatest ever with another heart breaking victory over Lee Chong Wei. It was an epic final and Wei would have harbored strong dreams of going one better after the Beijing defeat. Not to be. Dont know if the ankle held him back but toppling the great Lin proved to be just a bit too difficult. I am sure none of these great proponents of Badminton would be around for Rio but they leave a legacy to be proud of.

Andy avenged his SW19 loss to Roger on the same center court with a dominant victory to claim gold. Federer wont be around for 2016 and his dreams of a golden slam now stay lay shattered. Gettting one over the world number 1 in a best of five sets match on grass would certainly do the Brit a world of good and the US open should be the slam where he breaks his un-enviable grand slam duck. The swiss maestro said he was happy with the silver but we all know how true that is. On the women's side, Serena got the US two golds, one indivvidually and another in tandem with Venus. She just looks unbeatable on grass.

An unheralded Vijay Kumar hit silver in the 25m rapid fire pistol and showed what a low profile build up can achieve when the much hyped hockey weilders went from one abyss to another deeper. Guess time has come to relegate hockey to the dust bin in the country and spend those monies on another sport.



How BADminton is that!

Nobody wants to play the Chinese. Not even the Chinese themselves. And nobody wants to win. What transpired yesterday at the Wembley arena was probably a first for the sport of shuttles and racquets and be sure it wasn't a pleasant first. Four women pairs getting disqualified because none of them wanted to win a match. I would admit that it would take some talent and skill to lose a match when the other side is going hammer and tongs into the net. While the scene should fit quite well in comic block buster, it isn't the same when played out in front of a sporting crowd at the Olympics. With round robin being the format of choice, teams or players throwing matches to get a favorable knock out draw was never a distant possibility. The spectre of this fiasco is not going away easily. What does the IOC do to avoid this friction between professional sport and the Olympic spirit? For one, avoid the round robin format as far as possible and when it is used, make sure the relevant qualifying matches are played at the same time to deter players from indulging in brinkmanship. Just hope some harsh lessons are learnt with this ignominy.

Michael Phelps kept his date with destiny climbing atop the heap of the most decorated Olympians. Whether he is the greatest Olympian ever is a question that may not have a unanimous answer but he certainly has built a strong case for himself. He still has a couple of events to go before he walks into the sunset and he wouldn't mind a little icing on the cake.

The 16 year old Chinese sensation Ye Shiwen has set the pool on fire with golds in the 400m and 200m individual medleys. She even swam the last 50m freestyle in a time faster than her male counterpart Ryan Lochte. She has been flooded with doping allegations and though she has cleared the dope test, performances like this will always be looked at with a crooked eye. The fight between the makers of performance enhancing drugs and the anti doping agencies is like the one between hackers and anti virus makers and we all know who leads the way.

A word for Saina and Kashyap who both marched into the quarters of the individual badminton events yesterday. What they showed the rest of the country (and especially the hockey team) is that its a combination of skill and perseverance that shines at the top level. Not tall words. May their tribe increase.

A Mixed Bag

After the pot Boyler of an opening ceremony, the competitions are in full swing at London. The results haven't followed the script to the T but haven't digressed too much either. While the South Korean men wilted in the archery semis after shattering world records in the ranking rounds, the women justified their status as the top team in the world. Lochte got  better of Phelps in the 400m individual medley while the French pipped the US at the post for the 4X100m freestyle relay. The initial results have given China a head start with the the Asian giant surging ahead in swimming and shooting, the women's 10m pistol and rifle golds going to them. They however had to face reverses in the men's 56 kg weightlifting where North Korea's Om set an Olympic record to stun the favorite Wu Jingbiao. No such problems in the women's 48 kg division where Wang Mingjuan left the others behind comfortably. The British had their own heartbreak when Mark Cavendish couldn't bring home a medal in the cycling road race. The judo spoils were equally distributed with Brazil, North Korea and Georgia bagging one each. Hungary looked to maintain their hold on the fencing after claiming the sabre gold. The US seemed to be on its way to gymnastic glory with both the men and women leading the way in qualifying. Russia looked to be lagging behind with just the solitary gold while Italy surged with archery and fencing golds. If the first two days of jostling are anything to go by, surprises may not be so difficult to find.

The Big Ben Tolls

We are here. The summer games open today with arguably the greatest show on earth. The competition has already kicked off with soccer and we have already had an upset with Spain losing to Japan. Is this an indication of the script that is going to unfold for the three week extravaganza? Lets look at the top five nations on  the medals list from Beijing and see if any of them can be displaced from their exalted status.

China topped their home games with 51 golds and a total of 100 medals. They dominated badminton, table tennis, diving, gymnastics, shooting and weight lifting, a total of 36 golds coming from these disciplines. Can they go on and repeat the feat? Looks unlikely. While the racquet games and diving may still fetch them a handful of podium finishes, they are in for a fight in gymnastics, shooting and weight lifting. China will certainly figure in the top three of the list but probably not on top.

The US are the traditional Olympic power house. They were upset at Beijing and had to settle with the second spot. Though their medal count of 110 was superior to China, they managed only 36 golds and its that hue of metal that counts most. They would look to usurp China's dominance in gymnastics and maintain their stranglehold on swimming and athletics which fetched them 19 golds. Their all round winning abilities should get them fringe medals from a a lot of disciplines and are a good bet to top the table this time around.

Russia have had to play second fiddle after the Soviet Union breaking up. They won 23 golds and a total of 73 medals in 2008 and were placed third in the rankings. They would be looking to go at least one better this time around. Athletics and wrestling are their strong suits and they would look to regain the lost gymnastic glory to pip China for the second post. They may spring a few surprises in the pool as well and improve on their silver showing in weight lifting.

Great Britain and N Ireland are the hosts in London and they would look to maintain their fourth position if not go one better. The bagged 19 golds and and total of 47 medal doing well in cycling and sailing. While they would maintain their supremacy in these two, athletics and boxing may bring them better laurels on the home turf. They wouldn't mind a soccer gold and would look to score medals in more disciplines than they did in China.

Germany rounded off the top 5 in 2008 with 16 golds and a total of 41 medals. They would face stiff competition from Australia to maintain a top five finish. Looking to maintain their position in the water games (canoe) and equestrian, they would want to fend off Australia in the swimming stakes and look to better their tally in shooting and cycling. Whether they are replaced by Australia in this list will depend on how the Aussies make or break their swimming dreams.

I don't expect a big change in the constituents of the top five list in these summer games but there surely will be a churn in terms of positions and the fight will be worth watching.

Making a Hash(im) of it

South Africa lost 2. England lost 20. The English were not able to overhaul the Saffer's total in spite of that. The number 1 ranking now hangs by a thread and if they fall, they would give it up to worthy successors. It is difficult to imagine where KP would have fitted in this South African side had he not changed loyalties. Could he have replaced Kallis? That may sound like the joke of the century. Over 12k runs at 57 and over 275 wickets at 32 are numbers that any specialist batsmen or bowler would give an arm and a leg for. Combine these with over 150 catches, some of them out of this world, and you have a cricketer who stands tall not only amongst his peers, but across history. Amla showed how far he has come from the callow cricketer who was targeted with the perfume ball when he first came onto the scene. He becomes the first SA cricketer to make a test triple ton and one wouldn't bet against him repeating the feat. Such is the calmness in his demeanor and so honed are his skills that one may not miss Rahul Dravid playing cricket. There were no extravagant gestures when he conquered the landmark and that is another small thing where he stands out from most modern batsmen (consistency being the bigger one). With a bowling attack comprising Steyn, Philander and Morkel, the blow hot, blow cold syndrome is much less likely to hit the Proteas. I would predict a prolonged reign for them at the top if they manage to topple the incumbents. Where do the English go from here. For starters, the series is yet to be won and lost and it would be nice if Anderson and company can step it up a little. Whether the Oval thrashing remains a blip or a harbinger of impending long term crisis will depend on how they respond. Onto Leeds and Lords then to decide if we will have a new Test number one.

Great Scott!

How ELSe do you describe the great choke that Adam managed to conjure last night. The claret jug within his grasp once he birdied the 14th with four to play. Bogeying the next three paid put to his chances and he couldn't even sink an eight footer to save a play off on the 18th. There is something about pressure that dents the best of sportsmen and makes them look like ordinary mortals. Ernie would have been pinching himself as lady luck favored him to the hilt. Its two years in a row that the Open has been won by a 40 plus professional. Suddenly it looks like golf is no longer a young man's game. Rory with a plus 8 languished at a 60th tied position. Tiger bogeyed as if the ghosts of the recent past still haven't been exorcised. A vast majority of Golf's popularity today ows it to him for bringing in that sense of adventure to the sport once considered dreary. He seems to be in the hunt for the big titles but just cant get the home runs. Wonder if Jack's majors record will take another golfer to break. Another melt down was that of Snedeker who after leading through so handsomely at the cut just coudn't use his putter. For India, Anirban Lahiri made a hole in one and that has to be the only silver lining in an otherwise forgettable outing for him and Jeev. Ernie remembered his autistic son and Nelson Mandela at the presentation and it seemed the golfing gods had that in their minds as well when they chose the likeable South African over the talented Australian.

The legends

Olympics churn out sporting legends by the bagful. Some because they break through from amongst a sea of mediocrity (think Abhinav Bindra) and some that step up to racism and apartheid ( go Jesse Owens). Then there are some who overcome physical handicap (Oscar Pritorius) and some who blaze a trail (Usain Bolt). However, standing atop the heap of these are people who won and won big for a long time. They are the best decorated Olympic athletes of all time and synonymous with the prime physical and mental prowess of mankind. I talk about men and women who won more than 8 olympic gold medals in their glittering careers.

Numero uno is Micahael Phelps with 14 (a total of 16). Does he really belong to the homo sapiens species or the Pisces? 2012 would be his last games in the pool and one wouldn't count against him bettering the mark beyond surpass able limits.  Swim Michael swim.

Next on the list is Larisa Latynina with 9 (a total of 18). The most decorated Olympian of all time. She dominated the gymnastics for three successive games and was instrumental in establishing the Soviet Union's reign in the discipline. While many remember Comaneci's perfect ten, Larissa outguns her in terms of pure numbers.

Up next is the flying Finn, Paavo Nurmi with 9 (a total of 12). Probably the best long distance runner the games has seen. His career cut short after being barred to compete because he turned professional. His statue adorns the Helsinki Olympic stadium and that is more than deserving.

Mark Spitz with 9 (and a total of 11) comes down the line. In 1972 at Munich, he won seven golds in the pool, all of them in world record times,a feat unlikely to be equaled. Spitz retired at 22 at the height of his achievements. He adorned the default swimming legend tag till Phelps came along.

Carl Lewis with 9 ( and a total of 10) round the list up. Probably the athlete of the 20th century with a stranglehold not just on the 100m, 200m individuals and relays but an accomplished long jumper as well.  The first to run the 100m in sub 10s timings for low altitudes, he still serves as a beacon for generations of sprinters after him.

Will we see another legend emerge in London 2012, one who can break the barriers of pain and standard human capability to enter the above list. Wishful thinking? But then that's what makes legends.

The dark horses

There would be a few pretenders to the Olympic throne at London. Contenders who will be out to upset the established champions and etch their own name in the history of sports. One of the main reasons the games rank so high on any athlete's career is the opportunity for relatively unknown sportspeople  to spring the surprise on the incumbent kings and queens of the arena. In 2012, foremost of these would be Johan Blake. He has already beaten Usain Bolt at the Worlds and lately at the Jamaican trials. Though these were only dress rehearsals and Bolt presumably had a "slight problem", Blake has served notice enough to be considered a real threat to the world record holder's hegemony in the sprint events. The two should come against each other for both the 100m and 200m dashes and the fight is evenly poised. Ryan Lochte has lived under Micahel Phelp's shadow long enough to know how it feels to be deprived of stardom after having a bevy of Olympic medals to his name.  The 200m free and backstroke may just be the races that put him along side Phelps and Spitz at the head of the American swimming table. Saina Nehwal has been a thorn in the Chinese flesh for some time on the badminton courts. Though she does not boast of a very good record against the two Wangs, its a fear of her that has made the selection of Li Xuerui possible. If Saina fires all cylinders, this may be the year where the Chinese dragon is slayed on the shuttle. Home advantage was in full view for the Chinese gymnasts four years ago but expect the US to upset their applecart in London. The bars and vaults may see new rulers and that surely wouldn't be a case to lament. Anticipating a new set of trend setters that keep the flame burning bright.

Let the games begin

We have surely come a long way since the ancient Greeks toughed it out in their Coliseum. Also some way from the first modern Olympiad at Athens. Man now runs at more than 10m a second and the number is as mind boggling as Usain Bolt's feats are. Beijing was a show of strength and London may be more elegant than in your face. It becomes the first city to hold the summer games for the third time and you cannot grudge that honor to the English capital. Its going to be a gender neutral spectacle for the first time and that means another glass ceiling is broken. Its a melting pot with a gene pool unparalleled for the Olympic contenders are just not prime athletes but also ones with the best mental acumen. Where else could you have breakfast with Federer, lunch with Phelps and dinner with Bolt. Its stuff of dreams and an arena fitting the legends that dot it. China took full toll at its home games last time around and left the traditional sporting super powers in its wake but it remains to be seen if it can replicate the sensational performance in the land of the queen. It is sure to dominate diving, table tennis, badminton but the fringe medals may not come along. Will Yelena Isinbayeva scale the heights that the "orbit" promises? Will Bolt repeat history and the 9.58s mark would be left behind in his run? Will Phelps become the most decorated athlete in the Olympic history? Can Liu Xiang put the Beijing tears behind him? Will the US and Russia regain their sporting pinnacles or the host would spring a surprise on the medals tally? Questions aplenty and that is exactly what makes these games one of the most anticipated in recent times.   It gave me goosebumps that morning when Abhinav Bindra shot down the 10m air rifle gold. A first individual gold for a country of a billion is skewed in terms of ratio but rates as one of the finest moments in the country's history. Expect him and Gagan Narang to be there again this time around. Also, boxers have shown that they can punch above their weight and I won't be surprised to see a couple of medals there. Deepika Kumari is the quintessential Indian achiever and that's the one medal I truly hope to see come along. The hockey wielders have not shown promise of late but then wishful thinking is not unlawful, is it? So, while the grand scheme of things unfolds in the three weeks starting July the 27th, I would be looking at some sub plots that make this congregation a theater of dreams and tears.

Pit Stop

It's been an even season for F1 this year. Multiple winners and the top three separated by not many has been good to see. If Vettel was harboring thoughts of running away with the title a third time, he may have to hold his bulls. Bernie's efforts to standardize technology has shifted the focus from the cars to the men at the wheel quite significantly and one hears less grudges about car pace and downforce. Only if they could make over taking a tad easier. Though the top contenders may have come close, the tailenders are grouped together too. Looks like Red Bull, Lotus, Ferrari and McLaren are still in a different league. I haven't been able to catch a lot of live races this time around but strategies do seem to be playing a bigger role. Pit stops and fuel levels have made and marred and few wins and that is welcome as an additional dimension to the sport which can get dreary at times. I wonder what Schumacher gets out of running these days. He is an absolute legend with achievements unparalleled and it seems all that is getting besmirched by his also ran showings. May be he wants to take Mercdes to the heights he took Ferrari. Easier said than done. He may yet be the phoenix but I wouldn't bet for it. Would be interesting to see who revs it up this season to emerge victorious. Till then let's savor the fight.

Return Of The King

First things first. Seventeen majors and the number one spot (that also means that Rafa and Nole may see each other in the semis for some time) at 31 are achievements that just pop my eyes. If this doesn't settle the debate about who the GOAT is, nothing else would. I was wrong a second time predicting the final line up ( the first one being the Euro clash) but never knew there is so much fun being wrong. Roger may as well buy that roof on the SW19 off. As soon as the heavens opened up as if calling the master to do his thing, majesty was in full flow. The baseline flicks, the drop volleys and the serves that matched the clattering thunder up above. All this and no sweat, even the partisan center court crowd didn't grudge him what was due. Andy put up the fight one has come to expect of him but it would have needed two of him to down the Swiss last night. He has lost his first four grand slam finals and the only thing that might comfort him is the show his coach put up after losing his first four. The icing on the cake has to be the presence of Roger's twins who may just look back a few years down the line the history they witnessed. Or may be create some of their own. Federer is the crowd's darling in general, not today. Britain has waited more than a life time for a winner and they probably have to wait another year for the emotions to break dam.  Does Fed have any more in him? Also, does Andy have what it takes to get back and keep hunting? The answer to both those questions is an emphatic YES.

20s, 50s and the unlimited

The good doctor that Grace was, even he wouldn't have given a prognosis like this for the game he loved.  It was all leisurely, measured and dare one say gentlemanly till a few eons ago. Scoring behind the wickets was not a form of art and rest days afforded aficionados a meaty bite dissecting performances and making predictions. Over rates were good and the run rate not so. "Limited" overs changed the landscape of cricket in a slew that no other game has probably seen. Limiting the already limited to twenty turned it into the sort of entertainment that one expects of Ethan Hunt's pursuits. The purists are aghast at the dwindling fortunes of the longer version while the junta laps up the shortest form. Fifty over matches have probably run their course and the version in its "end of life" phase. The ICC would deny this as vehemently as it denies BCCI's play in the executive decision making process. I still wonder why production companies pay obscene sums to get rights for one day matches. The TRP ratings are low and the turnstiles at stand still. May be push has come to shove and everyone's busy flogging a dead horse. T20 obviously doesn't offer similar time slots for advertising as the denouement is available in  three hours and the captains don't discuss their mothers in law between overs as they do in the one day game. Test matches have lost perspective except probably for a few hard fought series. Some say the five day game is the epitome of the cricketer's skill. How do you test the skills of a bowler when he practices something in the nets and is asked to do exactly the opposite on the field. Or the batsman who thinks blocking is the way to immortality. Every one wins at home and loses while traveling. Some say the non standard conditions are the spice of the game. I say its a spice that is made to suit the home team's guts, and create havoc with the visiting team's internals. May be its time to relegate the test to Ashes where it still stokes passion. Wonder who gets the kicks scheduling and watching limp draws. Instant gratification isn't here to go away and if that's what evolution has in store for the leather and the willow, amen to that.

Tiki Taka Tick Tock

Sounds like clock work aint it. The Spanish inquisition is over. If you can score four against a team that is traditionally known for its impenetrable defense, not much else would stop you. The La Roja are now part of the the pantheons of greats and they are not yet done. I would not bet against the same bunch turning it on in Brazil come the next big soccer tourney. Spain had four different scorers and one who scored in the last Euro final as well. Goes some way in exemplifying their all round abilities and longevity. De Bosque would not sound a heretic if he were to proclaim his side the greatest ever. So, what do the others do to tackle this armada? For starters strengthen their club competitions with domestic players and not so much with imports. Anyone listening at the BPL?

Roger has been relishing five setters of late. Has lost some and won more. The latest installment against Julien Benneteau was another Houdini act. Julien did run out of steam in the decider but  always managed to keep his nose in front against the Swiss till the best part of the first four. It felt like Fed was a little conservative the first two sets waiting for the Frenchman to self destruct. The game didn't follow that script though and it needed a gear shift from the six time champ to come through. Xavier Malisse was disposed with much more ease and its the Russian journey man Youzhny up next in the last eight. Both play a single hander on the back hand and you wouldn't bet against my bet for this one. Meanwhile, Nole has made serene progress and another semis encounter between the number one and three seeds is on the cards. Only if Roger was on Nadal's half of the draw, this could have been a memorable final. Better early than never.

Rosol who?

The first set was intriguing but by the time it got over, the denouement looked obvious and expected. I hit the sack assuming a few winks were better than seeing another demolition act akin to the first round. This morning, however brought two surprises, one bigger than the other. That Rafael Nadal had been vanquished in the first week of a grand slam for the first time since 2005 has to rank as one of bigger upsets in tennis history. Hewitt losing to Karlovich as defending champion may be along side but then Leyton is not known for his tenacity as the Spaniard is. Rafa losing a five setter against a 100th seeded man in the second round of Wimbledon is stuff that you need to suspend your disbelief for. Lukas Rosol probably played the match of his life but that isn't enough to get better of the man who remains a human tennis ball machine. Haven't watched the highlights or a replay but going by the reports, it doesn't look like Rafa had a niggle to deal with. Grass certainly doesn't afford him the grip and bounce that clay does. He typically wears down opponents with his relentless returns but it seems Lukas did find a way around. I am not sure if this is a blip on the Nadal radar or a harbinger of a change of guard a the top of men's tennis but I certainly don't mind it.  Does Fed have a bigger chance now that his Albatross is out of the way? I don't think so. For him to get to the finals, the Djoker has to be conquered and that is not a distinct possibility. My two cents on a Brit getting to the finals in a long time and giving a good account of himself there against the world number one. However, Murray would still need to wait for his first slam. Novak to defend his title against Andy....and against the center court partisan crowd.

Balotelli putting a spanner in Germany's works was not expected and it nulls my prediction for a Spain Germany finale. Can the Azzuri repeat their giant killing run and put one over the Spanish. I guess not. It  may be another shoot out and not even the footballing gods know what happens there. Italy are probably the biggest over achievers in the world of soccer but its the results that count against fanfare. Hoping for an open and memorable Euro final.

Paying the penalty

Does lightning strike twice? I guess two is a small number when it comes to England and its disastrous luck with the shoot out. Gerrard and Lampard, two of the most celebrated handlers of the football have missed it in the past for the three lions. Twas time for the two Ashleys to fall prey to the horrendous fate that befalls the English once they are asked to step up and settle scores with penalties. Does the fear of the past make them over cook their takes? It certainly looks like so with Young hitting the bar so hard that everything including the English confidence shook like a petal in the storm. Cole tried to compensate and hit his straight into Buffoon's hands. Guess, the next time it goes to the shoot out, the team out in her  majesty's service can just give a walk over. Germany and Spain have been clinical (though not magical) and it would be a fool's bet to go against these two going head to head this Sunday. Ronaldo may have a treat or two up his sleeve but cant see him going one up against the Germans. Its "so long" to the English once again in the quarters and may be they will do well not to have a dead lock again in a knock out game. Win or lose in the 90 rounds of the long handle of the clock. At least that saves the worst possible heart break for their fans.

Its time to get high on grass. Wimbledon is here and I cant wait to see some quick serves and volleys after the grueling rallies on the Parisian red dirt. Lets see whose way the run of the green goes. May the best wo(man) win.

O' Mario

A Ghanaian in the blue colors of Italy should be a first in the history of the Azzuri. Nor is the color of his skin the only stand out feature. Balotelli raves, rants and scores some. He thinks he is a touch higher on the intelligence scale than the average homo sapien. I am not so sure about his top floor but that's certainly true about his feet. His antics though haven't won him too many accolades from his boss at ManCity but I guess Mancini would take that from a compatriot. The heavy weights have pulled through nicely in Poland and Ukraine with the lighter ones turning out what they were supposed to be....also rans. A bit like men's tennis these days where even one of the top four missing a semis spot in a slam would be cause for surprise. With England, Spain, France, Italy and Germany all having booked their spots in the knock outs, its gearing up for tense action. The oranje were given a thrashing and the time for them to rebuild with fresh legs is nigh. If  I were to step into Paul's tentacles, it would still be Spain for me to make it an incredible treble. They control the midfield better than most and Torres seems to have got back touch back. The dearth of goals is probably a blot on the beautiful game. Like most other sports, its become reliant more on physicality than skills but then both teams start and play on equal terms. Hockey has been a revelation since the offside rule was abolished. You get to see a lot of goals, some neat scoops getting tapped and wonderful opportunities on the counter. It's probably not so simple for soccer but a variant which can infuse a little bit of drama to the game would surely be welcome. How about not penalizing a player for offside if he is more than 30 yards from the goal line... or a player is not offside if there are more than five defenders in the D against two forwards. Food for thought...and a little dribble.

"Khelte Raho....Khush Raho"

Or so quips a "legend" of Indian cricket trying to sell an aerated drink. Its probably appropriate given his inclination to keep playing and make himself happy. This on top of his having accepted a much maligned position of MP. Its like me taking up a dozen jobs and going to any one of them as I desired on a given day. So, he wakes up in the morning and looks at the size of his beard....to decide whether he wants to play for India, or to shoot a commercial, or better go to Delhi and sit smug in the Rajya Sabha. Some say he has earned that right by making a ton of tonnes. May be he should be given an honorary and permanent position on the team for that. Life starts at 80 is the tenet embraced by our poilticians and he seems to have subscribed to that even before he became one. He says retiring on top is selfish. Well, one understands that he may be challenged mathematically but a difference in averages of 20 runs between his career numbers and the numbers he has managed to conjure in the last two years surely is blatant enough to be noticed. May be he will consider that he is no longer on top when his five year running average drops to single digits....or may be not. I guess there aren't better ways to sully one's impression amongst the sports fraternity. If there was a better case where the individual became bigger than the system, I would like to hear of it. Why do accolades and achievements rest so heavy on Indians? Its as if they are in a hurry to put all of that to dirt in a couple of years of belligerence just so that they can rest easy. If only gerontocracy was a word and not a glaring reality.

s'il vous plait

Coming back after such a long hiatus asked for a french riposte. Not because the Gallic race makes me stand and stare in awe or that they managed to hold off the three lions the other night in the Euro clash. Its just because the Parisian red dirt threw up a treat so delectable that I coundn't help but serve an ode to the French way of relishing everything fine. Roland Garros has not been one of my favorite grand slams. It puts more emphasis on the physicality of the proponents than the other three and that's not as pleasing to the eyes as a volley on the green grass of SW19 is. Another mighty reason for my dislike may be the fact that my beloved Fed has been fended off so many times by the indomitable Majorcan here that the clay reminds me of my unforgiving struggles with Engineering drawing. Trying hard and getting there but always pipped at the post. This was the first time I ever wished the GOAT didn't win his semi-final against the Djoker. It was clear as a crystal that with Rafa in the form that he was, the only man in the universe to be able to come close to beating him would be Nole. Couldn't bear to see that hooked forehand flying high to Roger's one handed back hand the the ball either denting the net or falling short to be sent roaring at an angle that defies geometry. The final did start on a bleak note (albeit only for people like me who hoped to see some new hands on the three muskuteers cup....and to see all four majors in the very same hands). If spirit and will don't define the world number two, I don't know what does. The top spin that takes the ball so high up the net only to swerve back in like it had a mind of it own is a sight that can send down shivers down the spine of opponents and goose bumps in the stomachs of viewers in equal measure. And then there was Novak, two sets down and trailing by a couple of games, the end looked nigh. I don't think anybody has take 8 games in a row from Nadal in history but the world number one showed us what he is made of. It served only as a tiny hurdle in the way of the man who is nothing short of a one man Spanish armada but it did show us that Novak is getting there....just like Rafa did to Roger at Wimbledon. Here's raising a toast to many such battles and praying that we do see a deciding set the next time around.