Tame the Sledging Kangaroos

"Aussie Sucks Aussie Sucks" will be the buzz in the ground at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara where the Kangaroos will clashing the Indian Tigers for the first match. Playing mind game has always been the trait of the Australians and sledging has been a part of their hygiene. The Indians are no less when it comes to giving it back Although the Australians are on the high after crushing England 6-1 in the ODI and also the T20 World Cup triumph, they can’t breathe easily as they are up against the Indians in their backyard. The ground and weather conditions in India are very different to the situations that they are used to. It’s altogether a different leather hunt when it comes to the conditions in the subcontinent. The attendance in the ground is always in huge numbers and the cheering sound can be deafening for the visitors. I am sure these conditions are no alien for the Aussie, but still they have to hold a hard grip in case they don’t want themselves to be slaughtered as the top guns of the Indian squad are back with vengeance after injury.

With Viru back in top along side Gambhir, Yuvi to patrol the middle order, it’s going to be good competition in the making. Not to forget our swashbuckling master blaster Tendulkar who can adapt to any situation as the team demands. Indian bowling attack seems to look weak at the moment with Zak still out of contention. The ‘Men in Blue’ have to play to their potential well as a unit to beat the Aussie.Bhajji factor always work well against the Australians, lets see if he is able to cast a magical web on the Kangaroos.

There’s loads of excitement as the last match is scheduled in Mumbai at the DY Patil Stadium, a wonder full stadium in Nerul-Navi Mumbai and we are looking forward for that. Things can’t get any better if the last match becomes the decider.

Rest assured for some exciting moments, both cricketing and non cricketing action.

Lets wait and watch how the Indian Tigers tame the Kangaroos!!

Till then good bye from Shams N Wags.

Kudos - South African Dwarf

Even as India is out of the ICC Championship tournament, the only resentment for Nicholas Nicolaides would be that he won’t be singing the Indian National Anthem for some time to come. Nicholas comes across as vertically challenged South African who spell bounded every one by a distinct quality. He sung Indian National Anthem' Jana Gana Mana' with out any mistakes,with proper pronunciation and that too live before the start of the match. This is first time in the history of the cricket event that a local guy has sung the national anthem of different countries live.

Nicholas is an avid cricket fan, and if not for singing, he would have been a cricketer.

Two decades of singing , he is still going strong. In his own words, “There was no part of the Indian National Anthem that was more difficult than the rest to perfect. But I understood the meaning of what I am singing. The words have a powerful meaning”

I am  very much impressed by Nicholas because as it is,our National Anthem brings goose bumps to me, but this time  listening to the National Anthem by a foreigner left me with moist eyes and a lump in my throat. Kudos Nicholas!!

Big Saturday- India Vs Pakistan!!

With Yuvraj down and out of the contention, it’s going to be a tough task for the Indians as they take on their arch rivals Pakistan on Saturday at Centurion. It’s an intense competition as Pakistan is still basking in the Glory of the Victory in T20 World Cup. Right time to catch the opposition napping. Off late Dhoni has been a touch unlucky. First Sehwag and now Yuvraj out of the tournament without playing a single ball. They are the kind of blokes who take away the match from the jaws of the opposition single handed, be it with bat or ball. Yet Dhoni does not have to worry as Indian team is not deprived of the talent. Even if the strikers and hitters are not available, we have our very own swashbuckling master blaster Sachin Tendulkar who can fire all cylinders and can make the opposition look pedestrians. The Wall of India (Rahul Dravid) is standing as tall as ever. Just about time for India to pull up their socks and concentrate on the fielding which will help to pull out a victory out of the hat.

Shams N Wags are already looking forward for a Big Saturday! Are you??