Vishnu Vinod - Sehwag of Kerala cricket team

This Year T20 zonal league, we have witnessed an opening batsman with extraordinary hitting power, something Kerala cricket have not witnessed anytime before. He scored shots all around the ground. Some of those were massive. Video footage is available on bcci.tv and hotstar.
If this person is not getting a chance in any of the IPL teams, then I dont have anything more to say here.
IPL may have its own agenda if they are not rewarding a young talent like him.
Check his scores in the Zonal league.
1st match 63 of 45 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes against Andhra
2nd match 64 of 35 balls with 2 fours and 6 sixes against Karnataka
3rd match 37 of 28 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes against Hyderabad
4th match 35 of 14 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes against Goa
5th match 19 of 11 balls with 4 fours against Tamil Nadu

From 5 matches, he scored 218 runs with an average of  43.6, strike rate of 165.15
He also got selected to the South Zone T20 team for Syed mushtaq ali trophy 2017

Is this performance is not good enough to get selection to an IPL team. ??
Godspeed..

Shamar Springer, 18 year old WI cricketer is one for future - may be a matured Andre Russel or Dwayne Dmith

After watching yesterday's s U19 WC Semifinal against Bangladesh, I became a big fan of 18 year old WI cricketer Shamar Springer.. What a matured innings he has played and guided his team to WC final. We all know how terrific players are Russel and Smith.. May be he is the one in that league.. I always feel that Russel and Smith have not utilized their abilities fully..Russel a match winner, represented his country only once in test cricket and Smith scored century in his first test. May be they would not have shown much patience when they bat and why I am giving comparison is because, being a stroke player he was patient enough to face many balls and guided his team to victory. He was also a bowler who controlled the leakage of runs in the last overs in Bangaladesh innings. He was spot on with his yorkers.

Waiting for Shamar Springer to make his debut. Need players like him..Last year we have got Carlos Brathwaite , this year the finding has to be Shamar Springer from Barbados..

All the best Shamar Springer

Big salute to Kiran Kumar Grandhi ,Hemant Dua, TA Shekhar and Delhi Daredevil Management and - I support Delhi Daredevils this season - come on Dilli boys !!!!

Come on Dilli boys..

I salute Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Hemant Dua and TA Shekhar and their management for their decision to go for these younger players in this auction.. I am sure this is going to work for them. I was so much excited and felt the goosebumps when I saw them going for these youngsters in the auction. This is a dream squad for Delhi if we compare all editions. I was little bit disappointed over Delhi team as they let Maxwell and AB De Villiers go away from the team in earlier years. Now this is the time Delhi team has taken the right decision.
I would love to see Dravid also part of this team as head coach.

Think of a team like this
1. De Cock 2. Shereyas Iyer 3.Samson 4.Karun 5.Duminy 6.Albie Morkel 7.Braithwaite 8. Negi 9.Zaheer Khan 10. Shami 11.Nadeem

This is the best team in this edition of IPL with reserves like  Mayank Agarwal, Amit Mishta, R.Pant, Lomror, Morris, SaurabhTiwari..

Big salute to DD management.. Come on Dilli boys..Get the cup..

5 New Indian Players to look for in the IPL 2016 Auction list

1. Jitesh Sharma

Age - 22
Wicket Keeper
Opening Batsman
Hard hitter
2 hundreds and 2 fifties in his 14 innings list A career
1 century and 3 fifties in his 16 innings Twenty20 career
Note - Long term prospect for all franchisee's, a player who is for sure gonna play for India



2. Rohan Prem

 Age 29
All rounder
Played for India Under 19 before
Rank no. 9 - top run scorer this season Ranji trophy
2nd highest run scorer in recent Mustaq Ali Twenty 20 trophy
Right Arm off break, more than 50 tickets in first class career

Note - You can see some Jayasurya type shots from him. Useful bowler. Consistent performer. Deserves a chance. If he gets it, he will prove his potential




3.Rishabh Pant 

Age 18
Member - Under 19 India team
Wicket Keeper
Fastest 50 in 18 balls in Under 19 WC
24 balls 78 in WC shows his potential

Note - Will be a good buy for long term future, can groom him to become a good Wicket keeper Batsman






4. Akshay Karnewar

Age 23
Slow Left Arm Orthodox and Right Hand orthodox
A bowler surprised everyone by bowling left hand and right hand
He is kind of bowler who can surprise every batsman with unusual mix up of offspin and left arm spin

Note - Narine sort of factor is here with this bowler, can turn any match


5. Chirag Gandhi

Age 25
Batsman
Scored 100 not out against India B
Good technically sound batsman with some unusual strokes

Note - Good fit for middle order, someone can rotate strike and play some good shots. Single handedly can change the cause of matches.

Fabid Ahmed - Kerala Ranji Cricket Team

Fabid Ahmed - Right hand batsman and Right Arm Off break bowler showed lot of promise in his debut match by scoring 37 not out batting at no. 9 against Hyderabad. This innings helped Kerala to reach 401 and later they were able to force follow-on for Hyderabad. He also picked up 2 wickets in the match.

Now at the age of 20,  in his 2nd Ranji trophy  match against  Goa, he is proving that he is the one for future.
No doubt, this guy is going to play for Kerala for a long time and will surely wear Indian Jerseys soon.

All the best Fabid.

Rohan Prem - Most runs this Ranji season after first 5 matches

After the first 5 matches this Ranji season, Rohan Prem from Kerala has scored most runs (650) with 3 centuries including a double century and 3 fifties. It is disappointing that our Kerala media dont have time to report this as they are too busy running behind recent political developments in the state. I dont think someone from Kerala cricket history has achieved something similar in the past. It is disappointing that Rohan Prem dont have an IPL contract also, and we could see that there are lot of players who dont have even played a first class match were getting selected in different teams. Is this a mistake from Rohan Prem  not to migrate to other state's in his career. Rohan had a good start to his career as an under 19 state player, but was not to establish himself in the later part of his career. Now he is in his form of life , but the lack of support from media is something disturbing for me. Also Rohan has picked up 10 wickets also this season. A good all rounder, wishing that he will get an IPL contract this year. Godspeed.

Best wishes to Sanga, Pup and Rogers

Sanga, Clarke and Rogers wont be there in the cricketing field as an international player anymore. However a lot of cricketing fans including me will remember them for the lifetime.

Sanga
I remember the time when he first came into the cricketing arena. I was little bit worried when he came, because he actually put an end to Romesh Kaluwithrana's carrier..Kalu known for his hard hitting was a good player to watch. But slowly I understood what a player Sangakkara is. A lot of double centuries to watch, but a good 90 against India in a one day where SL almost chased an impossible target was the one of my pick.

Clarke
World cup winning captain. What more you want. A captain playing for his team. I remember when he first came into the team in West Indies tour. Young, energetic. Normally Aus wont give chances to a player that early. But Pup was lucky enough to be in the team and utilized his chances including a 151 against India in India. His 329* was one of the innings where he declared when there was a chance to score more, considering his team above his personal milestones.

Rogers
If you didnt get chance in 20's, there are good 30's for you. Rogers was motivational. I still remember the first match he played against India back in 2008. It was all Langer and Hayden at that time. Suddenly Rogers and Jacques got a chance to open. But unfortunately scores for 4 and 16 put an end to his career at that time, but he made a strong comeback in 2013. Kudos to the selectors for giving him chance. He scored lot of runs there after, but his consectutive 50's this year for me was the pick of all of those.

All the best to all the three players. We will surely miss you.

RIP Hughes..saddest day ever in cricket history...

RIP Hughes... Condolences to his family..@Abbott - stay strong...

Get well soon Hughes..

It was a shocking news..Few weeks back another similar incident happened with Ahmed Shehzad..God's grace, he is recovering well. Now again..
Requesting ICC to act immediately by doing the quality checks for helmets.. Life is more important than anything.
My thoughts and prayers are going out to Hughes..I have heard that you are a real fighter, a strong man.. I still recall the double century you have scored in one of the List A match this year..
I am sure, you will come back strongly..My prayers are with you..
And also my prayers are with Sean Abbott also..Be strong, its not your fault..It happened.. Be strong..

Thirimanne is now vice captain in all formats

Yes..If you check my blog, you could see that this is what I have commented earlier in one of my blog posts..
He has the potential to be a captain and it is good to see that now Srilankan Cricket Board identified it and make him as Vice captain as the first step.

All the best Lahiru Thirimanne, you deserve it and I am sure you are going to be the most successful captain of Srilanka.

Lehmann reflects on racial outburst - My take

Cricinfo article

Australia's coach Darren Lehmann has called his racial outburst against Sri Lanka in 2003 "the biggest mistake" of his life, and also offered an insight into how he manages the diverse personalities and egos present within the national team, from Mitchell Johnson to David Warner.

My response to that in cricinfo

No one is perfect in the world.Everyone will make mistake in different circumstances.But the good thing is to admit those mistake and confess in public and to teach youngsters by giving that as an example is something we should appreciate for a celebrity like Lehmann.And as a coach it is more important to understand the nature/character of players and act accordingly.that is where Arthur failed and Lehmann won.You need to back your players and always has to motivate them to believe in their abilities.Under Lehmann Aus team is improving like anything.Johnson's return to form, Maxwell magic, Bailey's form in India- all these were positive sign for Aus cricket.Now look at IPL, the players successful in the first 2 weeks are Ausees.Look at Maxwell, Starc,Johnson, Richardson and now Chirs Lynn.I am sure in the coming days Warner,Finch,Watson,Bailey also will step up and play well.So all is good for Aus cricket.Forget about that world 20 in Bangladesh.that may happen with any team.Goodspeed

Kerala at their best..

These wins  not even surprised me..This is what I expected for sometime..This has to happen and it happened.




                                                Sachin Baby

From Ananthapathmanaabhan to Sreekumar Nair and from Sreekumar Nair to Sreesanth..From Sreesanth to Sony Cheruvathoor... Prasanth Parameswaran, P Prasanth, Raiphy Gomez, VA Jagadheesh, Sandeep Warrier and now our boys Sachin Baby and Rohan Prem...its going to be a great time for Kerala...waiting... :)

                                                                   Rohan Prem

Musfiqur Rahim - First Bangaldesh Player to score a 200 in tests

Musfiqur deserves this. This man is a good fighter and a great leader. I still remember his words before this test match - he told that the absense of Shakib Al Hasan is a fact, but his team has other good players who can turn matches....

Asharaful was not picked in the first squad, see how well he came back..

The most important fact of these performances from both the players is they scored this not against Zimbabwe.. They scored this against Srilanka in Srilanka against a descent bowling attack..
Musfiqur- long way to go for you man...its your day today...congrats..

NZ missing Taylor badly..

Yes - now the coach Mike Hesson is feeling the heat badly -his dispute with Taylor now is gonna cost his place - NZ missing Taylor badly.. Few weeks back they bowled out for 45 - Today 9-62 and if the last wicket would not have added 59 runs then again one more shame thing would have happened to NZ..
Bring back Taylor soon - your class player.
 

Thirimanne scored his first century

Congrats to Thirimanne for his first century - a match winning patient 102 against Australia in Australia..
scored his century and win the match, same ball..

Srilanka missing one thing here.. The next captain should not be Angelo Mathews...It should have to be Lahiru Thirimanne - He has the potential and also fitness - He is young and also if SL can promote him as captain the same way SA did for Smith - then I think future of SL cricket will be safe and it will be towards the right direction -

All the best Thirimanne - :)

India vs Eng -2nd ODI Kochi

Last chance for Dhoni ..If he cannot win pls resign...If nothing is working for him then whats the need of continuing as captain..

In my opinion - Please select -

Cheteshwar Pujara as ODI captain
Virat Kohli as T20 captain
Sachin Tendulkar as Test captain.

The only way India can regain some momentum is this.

For Tuesday's match -

Drop Aswin and bring Pujara in
Drop Dinda and bring Shami Ahmed

Kumar,Shami,Ishanth,Jadeja can complete ten over quota and Yuvaraj,Raina,Kohli can complete the 5th bowler quota..

Dhoni should bat at no.3

Batsmen should have to show some responsibility - Rahane or Gambhir should have to bat till 35th over atleast..

Waiting for Tuesday's Match..

Umar Akmal - What a player he is

Umar Akmal - Brother of Kamran Akmal
No doubt...He will be the next superstar for Pakistan cricket...Fantastic records....
Today i saw his batting....Superb century from 70 balls against Srilanka....

This will be just a start from him...Plenty to follow....

Chaminda Vaas last test match

I dont know why Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews would'nt go for it.I think they can at least try for it.
It would be a good send off for Chaminda Vass.But they played for a draw.

During my school days, when i started watching cricket, i was surprised by Chaminda Vaas accuracy. I always scared left hand bowlers, while playing cricket.



He has been a terrific bowler for Srilanka.Great line and length,accuracy and all.Srilanka will surely miss him in the future.Hopefully we can see him ODI's and IPL.

All the best to Chaminda Vass....

Shakib Al Hassan.....What a player he is ....!!!!!!

Shakib Al Hassan

Big Big fan of him...Now Bangladesh Vice Captain...


Just 22 years of old..From 14 test matches five 5 wicket hauls..1 ODI century...In Test best of 96...Beaten Flintoff and Kallis to become worlds No.1 All rounder now.
His talent got revealed in Bangadesh's South Africa series....He got many 5 wicket hauls in that tour with a career best of 7/36....
In West Indies series In the first test , he lead the team (after captain Mortaza got injured).Second test he single handedly turned the match with a 5 wicket haul and 96 notout....

Wait for more from him..Plenty of years for him to show his talent.....
The only disppappointing thing is about last IPL auction..I was watching the auction in the tv , at the time when Shakib Al Hasan's name announced , no franchise showed interest..I was shocked...

I hope next year he will be in the hot list like J.P Duminy.....

Flintoff's retirment from tests :-)

Sad to hear this news..I dont know at what point i became a fan of him.I first noticed  his batting in 1999 world cup held in England.The match was against India.Due to rain the match was postponed to the reserve day.The equation was 120 runs from 20 overs.Graham Thorpe was the main batsman for them.All the other main batsmen were back in the pavilion. In the first overs itself Srinath strikes by trapping Thorpe leg before wicket.It was a controversial wicket.Because replays reveals that it may hit leg stump.
Then Flintoff came and play some fantastic shots.But he cant save England from defeat in that match.

Then how many spectacular innings with bat and bowl.His 166 against RSA was a treat to watch.
He single handedly turned lot of matches favor to England.
He played a major role in Ashes 2005 along with KP.


All the best Freddy........