Drawing a blank

Going into a tailspin is not a prerogative of flying machines. The Australian cricket team demonstrated enough      competence to show the world a good exhibit of a downward spiral, albeit on dust bowls and not in the sky. The sense of panic that the Aussie batters (an honorable mention for Phil Hughes) displayed while facing the Indian tweakers is paralleled probably only by the proverbial rabbits in the headlights. Wonder if homework assignments done properly would have changed the course of the eventual fate. A golden generation with the likes of Ponting, Hussey and Hayden has left in its wake the feeling of haplessness. With Clarke being the only one who seems to have feet against spin (Smith may take a valid offence to that) and the rest getting trigger happy at the slightest option of playing a horizontal bat shot, the immediate future looks bleak. There are two Ashes to be played in quick succession and a betting man wouldn't put his money on this Australian performance. It would be trial by a different kind of fire at the old blighty and the antipodeans can only hope that seam would afford their profligate batsmen a little more leeway than spin did. The bowling looks at par with Pattinson, Siddle and Lyon bowling manfully. They would certainly find it easier in seaming conditions than on cracking surfaces. Unless the Aussie system throws up a few good men with the willow, this seems to be a long haul in mediocrity for the erstwhile giants.

NZ are known to punch above their weight (Jesse Ryder would  vouch for that). That they would draw the series against the English with a points win in two of their three matches was beyond imagination. It was probably a touch of complacency on the part of the three lions after their glorious achievements in India but they never expected to be hanging by the ropes like that. The last day of the final test was a testimony to test cricket and the roller coaster of hope, despair, panic, resolution, comedy (take a bow Monty)  and sheer skill was one to behold. Matt Prior has been the best wicket keeper for some time and his efforts to salvage a draw from near defeat is surely going to become part of folklore. The under weights from the trans Tasmanian rivalry performed with a heart that defies the turmoils in their establishment. May be it takes a spot of bother for them to rise and show what the black caps can do. 

The IPL is upon us. The blokes who had no love lost between them on international duty will now don the same shirts and share a dressing room. Ponting and Harbhajan sharing thoughts about verbal strategies is a delightful thought. Money does bring the strongest of characters to dial down and run with the rank and file. If this T20 tourney is of any value to the connoisseur  its the show of how currency turns a world divided by nationalities, ideologies and egos into a melting pot where there are no kings and certainly no subjects.

Cape of good hope

They are the number one team in the world test rankings. They have bowlers who skittle opponents down with a regularity of an experienced chef. They have batsmen who can grind and strike bowlers down in equal measure. They have a captain who speaks less and does more. They have a coach who has an eye for detail and makes the whole much larger than the sum of individual parts. Is there anything that can topple the Proteas from their exalted perch. Not much that strikes the mind. If their was any doubt about bench strength, the coming of a second wave in Kleinveldt and Abbott has quelled that effectively. The batting is in good hands with Amla, De Villiers being the best in the business and Kallis going as strong as ever. The Saffas have corrected a major blip by dominating at home against the Kiwis and Pakistan. They were struggling at home while conquering territory every where else. With a summer of two white washes, they now tread the path of all time great sides. The final frontier though remains surmounting the treacherous subcontinent terrain. They need to win in India, Srilanka and the UAE to be counted in the same league as the erstwhile West Indians and Aussies. They will get the first chance later this year in the sands of the middle east but will have to wait till 2015 to try and finish what has begun as an extra ordianry journey. A year and a half is a long time in most competitive endeavors and the challenge would be to maintain the focus and personnel while a host of T20 bashes intervene.

MSD got his first double in international cricket and the innings was one to remember. Counterattack is the way Dhoni plies his trade the best and his knock conjured up memories of yore. He has the capability to strike a lot more significant blows like these but is subdued most times these days. I guess the crown of captaincy and wicket keeping rests heavy on his shoulders. It may be worthwhile getting Kohli in the saddle and let Dhoni do what he does best. The Aussies have suffered a set back first up but so did the English. There are three more tests to go and one is sure to see a different approach to countering dust bowls and spinners from them. Theirs is a side in transition and this is a high stepping stone. Will they be able to bring a spring to their steps in leapfrogging it?

A Steyn of brilliance

They are a dying breed, fast bowlers are. There was a time when batsmen worried as much about their mortality as run scoring when going out to bat in test matches. Run feasts were exceptional and each team worth its salt had at least two pacers who could strike the fear of gallows in the hearts of batters. You had the the whispering death with his cohorts in Marshal and Roberts and the Aussies wielded Thommo and Lillee with disdain. Waqar and Wasim combined to cut short many a budding batting careers. All that was time reminiscent of the fact that there is no better sight in cricket than a fast bowler hurling a leather sphere to a batsman looking like a new recruit accosted with the job of clearing a minefield. How times have changed. The pitches these days around the world (except probably a couple in the southern hemisphere) have become death beds for aspiring fast bowlers. The dust bowls have turned wannabe marauders into dibbly dobbly medium pacers who ply their craft in line and length looking to contain the batsmen rather than knocking them over. Such a travesty.

That is the sole reason why someone like Dale Steyn offers a wisp of fresh air in the midst of the overwhelming smog of the dead pitches and deader rules. He runs in against all odds and makes sure every batsman earns his stripes. He is not looking to wait and choke his adversary and induce a mistake from him. He is looking to get him out with sheer pace and movement. His prodigious out swingers are a treat for all except the one facing him at the other end of the pitch. A streamlined action puts him in a rare league of fit bowlers in times where breakdowns are getting as common as cold. His rewards for bending his back day in and day out are in the league of greats. At 5 wickets a test, an average under 25 and a strike rate of 40, he makes a top ten great list on any criterion you wish to choose. That he has achieved this when the batsmen have everything going for them is testimony to his art and heart. His is a story of a small town boy practicing the toughest of skills and becoming a great hence. There are not many who savor the idea of facing up to him on dead ball subcontinent pitches, let alone a juicy Wanderers. And that to me is stuff of legend. May his tribe increase.

Bienvenida de nuevo Rafa

The indomitable retriever is back. And what better surface to return on than his beloved clay. While the other three from the big four have been carrying the flag of awe inspiring tennis, the void that Rafa left after Wimbledon last year always rankled. His knees have been a cause for much strife and heartburn (forgive the physiological irreverence) but his style of play would always keep Nadal prone to such debilitating injuries. He has said that it would take some patience for him to get back in groove and one can just hope that time is before he steps upon the red clay of Roland Garros to defend his favorite title. He has dropped out of the top four in the ATP rankings with his compatriot Ferrer taking his place but there are no doubts about where he belongs. His absence may have led to a loss in ranking points but there has been no ebbing in his fan's love and respect. The golden age of tennis was bereft of its most dogged protagonist for a few months and with him being back, the levels of competition should just inch up that much more. Certainly a mouth watering prospect for all tennis aficionados. Nole may have to raise his game just that little wee bit more if he is to complete his career grand slam and continue his all conquering run. Here's wishing the Spanish great an injury free year ahead.

The ICC women's world cup is under way and the sound bytes that it has generated goes some way to show where the women's game is. While skill and quality surely play a role in the lowly standing that it has, the revenue generation is certainly not any less to blame. With no big money being involved either at the turnstiles, or in the telecast rights, the players get paid poorly and the budget to hype the quadrennial event is even poorer. Its certainly not a profession a good athlete would have in her sights. As long as the monetary aspect of the game doesn't become respectable if not lofty like their male counterparts, women's cricket is destined to dwell in the by-lanes of mediocrity and irrelevance.

Yo-kovic

He can run a tread mill down to ground. He can hit a mean return. And he can do a good Gangnam. Is there anything that Nole cannot do? Last year he played two excruciating matches in the semis and the finals, not to mention against two of the best retrievers and fittest men in tennis and came out on top. If Stan Wawrinka thought he could wear the defending champion out, wishful thinking is what I would call that. Stan outgunned Nole for the first set and a half but once the single handed backhand started misfiring, the tireless legs of Djokovic took him past the finish line. There were cramps but those came only on the Swiss' number two's legs. The Serb doesn't miss much from the racquet and his belief is at a level where nothing can bog him down. Novak is grinding down the big hitting Czeck Berdych as I write this and for all the fire power that the big Berd possesses, an entry to the big four club will remain elusive till he finds another dimension to his game.

A draw which has had Davydenko, Tomic, Raonic, Tsonga and probably Murray and Djokovic is a mine field that would worry any explosives expert. Roger Federer however has the pedigree, experience and class that can defuse all that comes his way. In showing young upstarts Tomic and Raonic who the boss is, he has made a loud statement. That the lion may be a bit old but can still handle the cubs in the pride. In the twilight of his career, the Swiss master has lost none of his touch and his calm is befitting royalty. The game on which he has spanned an incredulous 35 consecutive grand slam quarters is the reason why he still rules the roost at 32. Wonder if any of the current top five blokes can boast of the same 5-7 years down the line.

The women's draw has been highlighted by the demolition acts of the two favorites, Serena and MaSha. Sharapova has lost a total of 9 games in her first five matches and though a bulldozer is not something you would associate with the lithe Russian, her performances have been just like one. Her return game has touched an all time high and the only person in the draw who could stand her is the younger Williams. With the sisters out of the doubles draw, Serena would have all the more motivation to notch up another grand slam. Her form has been imperious and the way she serves would be a good match up for Maria, should the final that is most likely to materialize actually happens. Looking forward to a smouldering weekend.

The Soap Oprah

Blood transfusions, EPO, cortisone.. the skeletons have rolled out of the cupboard and the bones have shattered the myth of miracles. Whatever convinced Lance to come clean on his dalliance with doping certainly came a trifle too late. Probably he had nothing to lose and a clear conscience would have seemed inviting. The cancer survivor who won seven Tour De France titles certainly closed a sordid chapter that he opened himself. This leaves the world short on heroes bereft of one of the most iconic figures to don the sporting landscape. Would he still be a pin up boy for others fighting the dreaded scorpion or a disgrace that needs to be shunned. Armstrong leaves a legacy that will be debated for years to come. Just hope that his story is more a lesson than inspiration to all who loved and hated him in equal measure.

The grand slam of the Asia-Pacific is well under way and there have been no major upsets other than the plucky Laura Robson sending Kvitova packing in the second round. The seeds have had a smooth sailing and that would only help them in the searing Melbourne summer. The match up of Roger and Davydenko presented the epitome of contrasting styles between two contemporaries. Federer, the master of technique, disguise and cat like court coverage versus the hard hitting two handed backhand of Nikolay. That Federer went through in straight sets is testimony to the fact that a goldsmith still calls the shots when it comes to a slugfest with an iron-smith. The other top seeds in Murray, Nole and Ferrer have been nothing short of sublime either and it would probably take a big upset to see one of these not making the final four.

Manchester United have a strong grip on the BPL title with a clear 7 point lead over their neighbors. Sir Alex would not forgive a slip from this position and the tophy looks destined for its favorite home in Manchester. Rooney may be missing spot kicks but has not lost any trust from his team in front of the goal. With RVP in prime form, he may just need to take those a little more carefully. Pep has decided to add his Barca touch to Bayern but  he would not have a certain Messi to replicate the deluge of silver ware that he won with the Spanish giants. Does a coach make the team...we shall see.

All things Aussie

Another sub continent team bit the dust down under. SriLanka were never hot favorites to make the Aussies sweat in their own bastion but a capitulation like the one they suffered wasn't expected either. The Lankan batting is generally filled with batsmen who are flat track bullies. Dilshan, M Jayawardene and Samaraweera all have test averages biased towards innings in sub continent conditions. Even Sangakara couldn't provide the spark he did the last time in Hobart. There were a few glimpses of good batsmanship with Dilshan scoring a ton and Mahela getting a couple of purring half centuries at Sydney but one swallow doesn't make a summer. The Australians on the other hand were clinical after facing a reverse against the Proteas earlier in the summer. Phil Hughes seems to have filled the big void made by Ponting reasonably well and their skipper is in the middle of such a purple patch right now that he fills in for two batsmen. Hussey was consistent as ever in his last series in international cricket. His was a career that bloomed late but his exploits made up for the time lost. He was one of the cricketers you can count upon to deliver more often than not in testing conditions. The sobriquet he earned with his dedication to the game was not ill deserved. The Aussies have now lost two legends in quick succession to father time and it won't be long before they notice this absence. They travel to test India and though the current Indian line up should not be cause for nightmares to them, they would not sleep easy either.

The Australian Open beckons and the memories of last year's men's final still lingers. There would be no Rafa around this time for an encore but the Rod Laver arena should see some interesting tennis nonetheless. Roger has announced that he is fit and eager to compete with the best and with Del Potro getting back into some of his best form, Novak will have a good fight on his hands to make it three titles in a row. With Murray breaking his grand slam duck and Ferrer fighting like a hound, there won't be a dearth of contenders for the crown on the men's side. The women's draw should be open likewise but more because of the fragility of its exponents. Serena, Sharapova, Azarenka, Wozniaki and Kvitove should all be in the mix but a surprise winner would not be considered an upset. Djokovich and Serena start as favorites for me. Let the summer simmer with some exquisite tennis.

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.