Rohit gets Candid

“I feel sick of myself for not being in the World Cup”

The World Cup fever soars as the Indian squad is Bangalore for their final frontier, but he was in Vadodra, working hard for the Vijay Hazare Trophy after not making it to the Indian’s World Cup squad. Rohit Sharma gets candid to Dhairya Ingle, about his school life, importance of sports and his efforts to make a comeback.

1. The World cup is round the corner during the exams, how do you think the students are going to get affected by this?
Ans: Oh yes! (Pauses) Because I remember when I was a kid, I preferred missing out on a few subjects than the cricket match India played. Also cricket is a religion in India and also the World Cup is happening in India. So it is obvious that the youngsters will be into cricket. However, the smart ones or the mentally strong students will escape to all these things.

2. How were you in your studies and tell us about your strong subjects.
Ans: I was good student till my 8thstd, but post that most of the times since I played cricket most of the times so I didn’t have enough time to concentrate on my studies. However I was good at Maths and Geometry and was really bad at History and Geography.

3. How did you manage to juggle your time between studies and cricket?
Ans: It was really difficult for me to do that since I used to wake up at 5.00 am and reach Wankhede Stadium by 7.00 am for practice all the way from Borivali. From there I used to be back by 2 or 3 pm. By 3.30 I used to finish up with my lunch and rest for an hour or so. Then it was studying time and I used to study till 8 or 9 and post dinner it was sleeping time. This was my everyday schedule with no leisure time apart from vacations or sometimes if I didn’t have practice.

4. Do you think much of an importance is given to sports in the schools today?
Ans: Yes definitely.. I think if you see today, sports have become an integral part of all the schools. If you see our school, Swami Vivekanand International School, has won many sports competitions. Apart from cricket they are also into hockey, football etc.

5. How important is school sports a child to make it big in life?
Ans: I think it is very important since, you see right from the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar to someone like a junior Ranji Trophy player; all of them have played some sport or the other in their school life. Sports make the students physically and mentally strong which helps them not only in studies but also cope disappointments.

6. Do you still study?
Ans: (Laughs) No, post SSC I got selected for the Ranji trophy and then international. And now we play competitive cricket for at least ten months in year so no time to study.

7. What message would you like to give to the upcoming youngsters?
Ans : Well I would like to keep it simple.. Do right things on a right time; things will automatically fall in its place.

8. As a cricketer how difficult is it for you not getting through the world cup squad?
Ans: It is really very tough for me to sit out since I have always played cricket and no cricketer likes sitting out of the squad. And the worst part is you curse yourself for watching others scoring the runs you could have scored being in the squad. Everyone including my parents were expecting that I shall get though the world cup squad easily but I feel sick of myself for letting them down.

9. How are you preparing yourself to bounce back in the team?
Ans: Well the answer to this would be runs, runs and runs. Not getting selected is not an end of the world. I am trying my level best to regain my place in the team. I just want my parents and my fans to be a little positive and people will see me back in the squad.

The Other Side of Harsha Bhogle

He started off being an advertiser with Rediffusion DY&R and merely at the age of 19 he stepped into the commentary box to become the First Indian to be invited by the Australian Broadcasting Cooperation during India’s cricket series before the 1992 Cricket World Cup and till date dominates the commentary box. Harsha Bhogle gets candid with Dhairya Ingle.

1. Harsha, Tell us about your background and your early life?

I come from a Marathi speaking family in Hyderabad attended Hyderabad Public School. After completing my school I studied Chemical Engineering at Osmania University and later I did my post graduation from IIM A.

2. How is it sharing the commentary box with some of the experienced ex cricketers and then a commentator? As in can you really be yourself in the commentary box not playing a single Ranji match

I would have had a problem if I was playing cricket with them. Being a cricketer is an advantage with some but not a necessary condition since a commentator has to be able to communicate to his audience. Sometimes being a cricketer is a disadvantage because you get too text-booky and ignore the viewer. If playing cricket was the only consideration then we wouldn't have so many ordinary former player-commentators! You will notice that the really good player commentators are those that can communicate well with their audience.

3. Also tell our readers about your pre match preparations as in how does Harsha prepare himself before going for any of the matches?

I don't prepare specifically now, unless there is a particular issue but i read cricket everyday.

4. In your previous interview you said that the Australians have an opinion for everything so do you deal with it in the commentary box

I love doing commentary with most Aussies because if find they talk straight; give hard but take it as well. And a lot of them are extremely civil. In a commentary box you must have opinions otherwise you are letting your viewer down.

5. Also tell us if you’ve faced any incident of racism in commentary box

I have never, ever faced any element of racism. But remember, racism isn't only about white men calling brown people brown but also about brown people making fun of whites. It is time we accepted that form of racism as well and asked ourselves if we too are guilty of it.

6. People say Harsha is become extremely predictable, how do you bring a variation or spice up your commentary?

Has he? Haven’t yet heard of the predictable bit. You don't search for variations to commentary; essentially you react to situations as they happen.

7. People also say that Harsha speaks really fast to be understood

I completely agree to the speaking fast sometimes but I am very different from the way I used to be.

8. What is your opinion on T20 cricket endangering the future of the longer version of the game?

You cannot stop people from demanding what they want. These are changing times. We all hope test cricket survives, and i think it will in one form or another, but many many icons of a more traditional era have gone with lifestyle changes. It is the way of the world. We must try and protect test cricket but in the end it is the cricket lovers who will decide.

9. How crucial was your role during the Harbhajan Shreesanth slapping case, being a manager of Mumbai Indians. we saw Priety Zinta being extremely vocal about her player but no one from the Mumbai Indians camp rose up to save Bhajji, why was that

I had no role at all. I merely accompanied him to the hearing in case something unexpected came up. That didn't happen. And it is a misconception to say that no one from the Mumbai Indians looked after Bhajji. What you see is not necessarily the whole truth, sometimes the most significant things are not necessarily in the public domain.

10. Lastly about your life after retirement and dreams for your sons

Haven’t thought about it. I suspect it is a little too early to do so. I hope the boys are happy in whatever they do. I hope they do it honestly and as well as they can. Nobody can ask for more.

Stars shine at the Tata Sky Rnk Hockey Tornament

Mumbai, February 18th, 2009

Floodlights, Entertainment and action the perfect combination for a high energy event.Well lit stadium, zestful crowd, loud, peppy, foot tapping music with sizzling and electrifying atmosphere, eloquent commentator, one may guess that this might be a scene of a cricket match but hang on, this was a scene of the second day of the hockey match at Bandra Gymkhana playing hosts to the oldest five a side Rink Hockey in Mumbai.The tournament is successful in pulling a lot of crowd as well as the advertisers. The peculiarity of this tournament is the small quiz show or a small game sponsored by Tata Sky and 3G. SyBil Miranada, a former Indian Hockey Captain says,” the four breaks between each game gives us a chance to have quiz contests with prizes given away by the Celebrities and Hockey Stars. The Support for the game by the Bollywood stars, models and the International hockey players during the game which also attracts media attention is a major crowd puller, bring the advertisers to pour in money into the game, which is a need of the day.”.Throughout the evening one could see many familiar faces like Edgar Mascarenhas jr., Viren Rasquinha, the Prolific Indian Team Captain, who encouraged the players by giving autographs and wishing them good luck for their future.
Amit Gaur, model turned actor who also was a part of the audience said, I am happy that the national game of India is slowly getting response, obviously the credit goes to Chak De, which brought an awareness amongst the people, that there is a game of hockey still existing in India.The winners of the second day will be playing against the renowned teams like the Western Railways, Air India, M S Police and Mumbai Custom on Day 3.The Final match of the Day between Central Railway and RCF is any indicator for the buildup of the tournament, which Central won, a nail biting high energy match 12 goals to 11. The day three is not to be missed as the winners of the second day will be playing against the renowned teams like the Western Railways, Air India, M S Police and Mumbai Custom.

The Shamaless Ministers of India

The article speaks the explanations given by the Karnataka Home Minister Dr. V S Acharya and the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on the two recent incidents in Mangalore i.e. the attacks on girls in a pub two weeks ago and thrashing of a college student and her friend’s brother she was speaking to on a bus, which induced a national fury.

These two incidents in Mangalore should not only be condemned but also the accused should be punished but the Home Minister and the Chief Minister of Karnataka are in no mood to take any action against these incidents. In fact, they think these minor incidents keep on happening. They say that it is a responsibility of the parents to take care of their children, as nothing can be done if the local goodas attack the people. This reminds me of the movies Rang De Basanti, wherein the local gonadas just in the name of promoting Indian customs, end up attacking the youngsters. According to me, no party can end up whipping youngsters, as we live in a democratic country and nowhere the Constitution of India mentions that people cannot enjoy their lives, unless it disturbs someone. However, it is not the first time that these so called responsible Ministers have passed irresponsible comments. Everyone remembers the comments passed by R R Patil after the Mumbai attacks, who termed the terrorist attacks in Mumbai as ‘minor incidents’. And also the comments by the CM of Karnataka, when Major Unnikrishana’s father refused to meet him, wherein he said, “If Sandeep hadn’t been a martyr not even a dog would come to your door.” And it disturbs me to that no other leading newspapers have bothered to report this piece of news.

The article is well written and has highlighted all the necessary comments made by both the Ministers. The article makes the reader think about the kind of people who are ruling our country and also makes them think to not give votes to these people since the elections are fast approaching as if these people cannot take up a responsibility if the State then who will?

A Shepherd

It was in Bangladesh in 2004 a young, tall lad with long hair stepped on the pitch of Banglabandu stadium of Bangladesh with his pads on, with mixed feelings of anxiety, happiness and confidence. He played his first ball but unfortunately got run out on a duck. No one would have actually thought that this simple looking; meek guy would be team as one of the most successful captains of the India cricket team three years down the line. And today he is known by different names Captain Cool, Cucumber Cool Captain and more adorably he is known as ‘Mahi’.

In spite of not performing well in the first two series, it was skipper, Sourav Ganguly who did not lose faith in him and finally he passed the acid test in April 2005, when Pakistan toured India. He scored massive 148 runs in just 123 balls. And then there was no looking back for him. He retained his place in the team permanently in the playing eleven. He always came to bat on number seven and played vital role in making India win many matches, it was then he got a new name i.e. ‘finisher’. People started seeing him as a spine of the middle order. Although, the big shots of cricket raised questions on his batting style and raised questions on his footwork, but he played his role without paying a heed to his critics and gave his heart out on the field.

It was when Rahul Dravid resigned from his captaincy, the big shots of cricket like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev had foreseen Yuvraj Singh as a successor of Rahul Dravid. Everyone thought that Yuvraj will become the new leader of the team, but everyone got zapped, when the BCCI declared Dhoni as the new skipper of the team. Dhoni in a very short while added many feathers of victory to his cap. No one will forget the T20 World Cup which made the whole nation proud. He also defeated Australia in Australia and today he became the first captain of India to win nine matches in row. People saw him as a shepherd who guides his sheep to the destination.

Mahi hails from Ranchi, a very small city where the cricketers do not even get proper pitches, proper facilities or a formal training in cricket unlike in the cities like Mumbai. Mahi comes from a humble background. His family could not even afford a luxury of a tennis ball. But even then, Mahi always gave his best and always believed in beating the odds rising like a phoenix from the ashes.

Today not only his parents but also the whole nation is proud of him and that’s why he is known as the ‘Son of India’.

A Comeback King

It was in 1992 at Lords, England, and a 22 year old boy from Kolkatta made a debut in test cricket against England. The people’s eye brows rose when he got selected and literally questioned the selectors and accused them for being bias. But, no one knew this young boy would slam a ton in his debut itself, people did not know that he was Sourav Ganguly. People did not know that they raised doubts on a wrong person as he is the person who loves silencing his critics and he proved that in his debut itself. But, after his debut Sourav lost his place in the team. Actually Sourav made it to the Indian Squad in 1989 in Australia itself, but the team was already full of exceptionally talented cricketers like Kapil Dev, Navjot Singh Siddhu and hence Sourav could not make it to the playing eleven.
But after Sourav lost his place in the team, people didn’t even remember about a player named Sourav Ganguly. It seemed that this player was lost somewhere lost in the pages of history. But Sourav being industrious made it was again in 1996; he made a huge comeback and made his debut one day series against Pakistan. Then he was permanent in the squad.
It was in 1999 when all the big shots of India like Mohd. Azaruddin, Ajay Jadeja, Manoj Prabhakar were caught red handed in the scandal of match- fixing. And even Sachin Tendulkar, losing his form gave up captaincy. It was at this time he was assigned the toughest job, the job of being a captain of the India cricket team, the team who lost credibility in the eyes of people due to a blot called match fixing. But this man never lost heart. He proved that he was not simply adored by the people who often named him Maharaja, Prince of Kolkatta and the Bengal Tiger. He strived hard for transforming meek, subtle Indian Team in Team India. The team who could now stare into the eyes of the opponent, the team who won always played for winning. He taught the players to fight to death and never surrender what so ever. Under his captaincy India defeated Pakistan after a long gap of 14 years, India won against Australia in Melbourne after 22 years and the India reached the finals of the 2003 World Cup. No doubt India lost the World Cup in 2003, but it was a message to the world that the new kings were in the making.
But as all good days come to an end, even his good days came to an end in 2005 when he had a major spat with the Coach Greg Chappell and it was at this time his captaincy was snatched and was once again removed for eighteen months. People said that his cricketing career was almost over, but his determination brought him back into the team. He performed consistently till the time he retired. This cricketing legend retired on 9th Nov, 2008 leaving his fans with memories of his great off side shots. The whole nation saluted Dada for his immense contribution to India cricket.
There were moments in his life when he was thrown out by the selectors, but every time he was removed, he made an equally strong comeback and hence he is also known as the ‘KING OF COMEBACKS’.

IPL an economy booster

It was on 17th April, 2008 the world saw the grand marriage of glamour and cricket. It was the inauguration of DLF Twenty Twenty League of India started by Mr. Lalit Modi. We saw the bubbly, peppy Priety Zinta and the Bolloywood King Shahrukh Khan, we also saw business tycoon Vijay Mallya, Mukesh Ambani promoting their respective teams with renowned brand ambassadors.

The IPL gave the young budding cricketers a platform to showcase their cricketing talents. The young cricketers like Asnodkar, Gony, , M Vijay, Sreedeep Magela, Musafir Khote, Ravindra Jadeja who hail from a very humble background, get a financial backing as they may not have even enjoyed a luxury of a tennis ball.

The whole of this IPL tournament not only brought the talents of domestic cricketers to the limelight but also proved to be a huge economy booster. It brought more scope of tourism in India, brought more scope for the advertisers to advertise in India. According to TAM, the IPL Finals between Chennai Super kings and Rajasthan Royals saw the highest viewership of 10.2. According to AdEx India, the advertisers expected total revenue of 600 crores. Hence we saw a huge amount of foreign and India investors coming in India.

So one can say that IPL proved to be a huge huge booster of Indian economy.