2008 : Glorious Year marred by a few disappointments

Year 2008 has been arguably the best since independence for Indian Sports. The media is buoyant over the exploits of Indian sportsmen. The likes of V.Anand, Saina Nehwal and Abhinav Bindra are being showered with praise by all. In the midst of the euphoria, some of the most disappointing events in sports this year are being overlooked. Following is a list of events that hurt me most as a dedicated fan of Indian sports.

Olympics Hockey without India : This is what hurts most. Over the last sixty years, India’s fortunes in Olympics rose and fell with performance of its Hockey team. The most successful nation in Olympics Hockey could not qualify for the main event. The decline was there for all of us to see when Indian team fared poorly in Doha Asiad. Autocratic President, corrupt officials and indifferent government. Indian Hockey can only rise from here. The trouble is its rise doesn’t seem likely in near future.

Ric Charlesworth ignored : World had sought inspiration from Indian Hockey. One such Australian, Ric Charlseworth, had offered his help to lift erstwhile superpower from dumps. But that was not to be. Ignored by the establishment, Ric went back to become Australia’s national coach.

Shooters betrayed the promise : Abhinav Bindra did India proud by winning Gold at the Olympics. But the Shooting contingent had promised more than one medal. But the much fancied Rajyawardhan Rathore fell miserably, so did Gagan Narang. The high profile Maharashtrian Girl Anjali Bhagwat could not justify her inclusion in team for third Olympics in row.

Paes-Bhupati Feud : Indian Tennis had a bad year. India does not have any player in top hundred. Indian team failed to enter the world group of Davis Cup. Indian pair of Paes and Bhupati could not cross the Quarter final hurdle at the Olympics. But the most disappointing development was the players’ revolt against the leadership of Leander Paes. Paes gives impression of being passionate about playing for India. One expects that Paes puts interests of the team ahead of every thing, including his professional rivalry with Bhupati. It was a sad story throughout the year

Sania's free fall : Sania Mirza too was a big flop this year. Her indulgence with glamour, media and controversies clearly diverted her from the game. Already out of the top 100, the road ahead for her is too steep.

Stranglehold of Politicians : Sports administration in India continues to be in shabby hands. Suresh Kalmadi, who brazenly justifies role of politicians in sports, continues to be the boss at IOA. Ailing minister PR Das Munshi, under whose presidentship India’s FIFA ranking has plummeted below 150,has been re-elected as President of Indian Football association.

Mendis Menace : Indian Cricket team is the darling of Indian public today. A very strong Indian team left for Sri Lanka in August last year aiming to win first series there. But the Fab Five put up the most dismal performance collectively. The feared batting lineup known for mastery against spin crumbled against rooky Mendis. A truly disappointing series not only for the viewers, but I am sure for the older members of the team who will have to forget about beating Sri Lanka in their country.

Having said that, the disappointments have been outnumbered by many pleasant surprises given by Indian players. India enters the new year with a fresh air of optimism. Let's hope Indian sports has taken a decisive turn in 2008 and this year, the forward march continues.

Dhoni Leads World XI

Sydney Morning Herald aptly underlined the erosion of Australia's position in world Cricket as only one Aussie found place in World Test Team for 2008. Not long ago such World XI outfits used to have at least 5 - 6 Baggy Green caps. Times change quickly. A couple of all time greats quit, but Ponting and his arrogant buddies find it hard to come to terms with the reality.

Only two Indians (Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni) find place in the selection, with MSD as Captain of the side. While choice of most of the players appears to be obvious one, the selection seems to based on figures rather than quality. The skillful swing bowling of Zaheer on the unresponsive Indian pitches ought to have earned him a berth in the eleven in place of Sidebottom. Even Ishant Sharma, who as Peter Roebuck acknowledges, was outstanding, but is not there. I would have preferred Sehwag to Gambhir as a partner to Smith because of his effective spin bowling capability. Daniel Vettori too, has done well enough this year to warrant his inclusion.

Nomination of Andrew Symonds as twelfth man is amusing. Probably the panelists were embarrassed to find only one Australian , Mitchell Johnson, winning place in the eleven. While others have earned their place on the basis of their performance, Symonds too deserves his place, on the basis of his performance, off the field!

Read article in Sydney Morning Herald:

Only one Australian in best XI of the year

From Perth to Perth : Story of Aussie Decline

On the morning of January 16th this year, Australian Cricket was on top of the world as Ricky Ponting went for the toss on the WACA ground in Perth. With the team oozing with confidence on the back of record sixteen consecutive wins, the Aussies seemed invincible. But they came in for a rude shock at the hands of inspired Indian team, which was carrying bitter feeling of being cheated in the earlier test. The downward slide of the Australian team that started then, completed its course today at the very WACA where South Africa brought them crashing to earth by easily chasing down second highest target in the history.

If we trace Australia's journey from Perth to Perth, we can say that their fall from grace today was in the offing. ( So far 13 tests, 5 wins, 4 losses)They of course lost tamely to India. But even the two series victories against WI and NZ were far from convincing.

In May this year in first test in Windies, Ponting's men folded up inside 200 in second innings, but hosts could not chase a target less than three hundred. In the second test too, Aussie bowling attack could not break through Sarwan and Chandapaul even though they had 372 runs lead. Even in the final test, WI could get close to four hundred chasing a target of 475. Considering that Caribbean Cricket is in deep doldrums, the staunchest Aussie supporters won't treat this as a convincing show by their team.

The vulnerability of Kangaroos was again exposed by their arch rival neighbours, the New Zealanders. In first test earlier this month, the Kiwis had a upper hand for the majority of the play but probably lost their nerve and thereby lost chance to emulate their fellow Rugby team to defeat Aussies in their own den. Ponting's team duly won the second test, but by then chinks in their armoury were wide open and shrewd Graeme Smith exploited it perfectly to register a demoralising win so much so that Ponting today can't make out what let him down - bating or bowling!

Aussies have lost the crown. Fight is between SA and India. Both teams are a fine blend of experience and youth with captain leading from the front. The Ashes this summer are relegated as a bronze medal match. But if the English Critics are to believed, their team, even though being battered badly by the Indians, is good enough to humble Australia. Indians will be keen to watch who's a better loser!