One match immortals

Its a weird title but very true. I observed that, there are handful of cricket players who have literally become immortal just because of their performances, good or bad, in just one match. Those were surely innings of their lives.
The first one who comes to my mind is Douglas Marrilier. In these T20 times, we see paddle scoop (shot over wicketkeeper's head) very frequently, particularly by Dilshan but nobody at least Indian fans will forget the hammering at the hands of this Zimbabwean. He was the one who introduced this shot to world cricket by scoring fifty of some twenty deliveries against formidable Indian bowling attack, and in turn giving Zimbabwe rare ODI victory on Indian soil.
From the time I am watching cricket, there have been many players who came in, promised a lot but just got vanished within few months. First one is Ricardo Powell, this guy made mockery of Indian bowling attack.One another player is Phillo Wallace, this guy hit Srinath for first over sixer, truly amazing stuff but nobody knows when they went offline :-)
There have been few Indians also. Though Venkatesh Prasad went on to play for quite long time, he will always be remembered for that magic ball to Aamir Sohail. We all know him just for that one wicket as it turned the game in India's favour. Same is the story of Hrishikesh Kanitkar. Ask any Indian cricket fan, he knows him for match winning last over boundary to Saqlain Mushtaq's 'Dooosara'.
You might not agree with me, even laugh at me but I must include Joginder Sharma's name in this list. He is still trying but I dont see him coming back in Indian team. He became immortal with that match winning last over bowling against Pakistan in T20 World cup.
There are few players who regained this immortality just because of the connection with Sachin Tendulkar. Henry Olonga, Andrew Caddik to name the few. Aquib Javed, Ata-Ur-Rehman would be remembered more for their wicket of Tendulkar than their involvement in match fixing.
As they say, history of winners would be written. Most of these immortals have scripted victories for their respective sides but there have been instances when guys on the other side have also earned place. The first one should be Chetan Sharma, he has been haunted with that last ball six against Pakistan throughout his life. It was such a blemish on his career that, even a hattrick in worldcup could not wash it away. But, there is this one rare case, this one lefty, Atul Bedade has remained in fans' hearts for his heroics against Wasim Akram, world's greatest one day bowler. Call up any Indian cricket fan, and he will surely tell you how Bedade has hit Wasim Akram for three sixes in one over.

विजयादशमीचा विजय

Vijayadashami 1997, Its been more than a decade, I was in 9th standard and we all friends were out on our bicycles visiting teachers' homes to give Sona and take their blessings. I remember even though Sachin was on ground, after Azhar's dismissal and subsequent interruption by crowd almost everybody had given up hopes of winning (It was supposed to be a repeat of Eden Garden) or even resumption of match and were wandering, enjoying festival.
But that was not to happen, match resumed, I dont think anybody has watched how Tendulkar and Jadeja played that evening. After seeing 100 on the scorecard, everybody sensed that Tendulkar is playing a captain's knock and almost immediately everybody was back at home, watching the proceedings.
Very soon Jadeja fell and slight tension creeped amongst the viewers. Next batsman was Nayan Mongia, he had test century against Aussies to his credit and so people had belief in him. He indeed supported Tendulkar with double digit score. But Mongia, Sunil Joshi, Tendulkar went back in quick succession and almost everybody switched off the television sets.
Tendulkar played a patient knock but went back at very key moment. And then came the historic moment of the match. Two of the local players (to everybody's surprise there were 6 players from Karnataka in that Team... Anybody remembers Sujith Somsundar) started hitting ball around. Whosoever watching that game after Sachin's dismissal, were shell-shocked as nobody has ever seen a wagging Indian tail and that too against the likes of Mcgraths, Flemings and Gillespis. Thereon, It was one great experience to cherish for lifetime.
From that match every cricket fan will always remember one face from crowd, It was Kumble's mother. Every run that was taken brought forward a brilliant new expression from Anil Kumble’s mother. Suddenly, this wasn’t merely a contest between two teams, it was a mother willing her son on towards victory. She was really enjoying her son's heroics. It wasnt just that one mother, with every expression and anxiety on her face, all other India mothers were praying for victory. With last run scored there was kind of jubilation in households. At my home, my mother, my Mavashi, my Maami, everybody was as happy as never before.
Already it was a festival day, and such a memorable victory made my day.

World's greatest tennis player, Roger Federer!!!!

Congratulations to Roger Federer. A-Rod, you were truly unbelievable thoughout the match. you showed that numbers are misleading. It might be 18-2 against u and now 19-2 but every tennis fan would be proud of your fight. I am a proud fan of Roger Federer but A-Rod u surely deserves a standing ovation for the fight.

This years final was way different than last year. This year I had a sense of watching Pete Sampras versus Goran Ivansevich match. It was all about brute power, booming serves, Aces, little less vollyes. I remember watching Sampras and Goran hitting more than 40 aces each. I havent seen anybody hitting 50 Aces, Roger did that. It was just unbelievable.

I have surely started feeling like, rest of the top players are reaching to the level of Roger and Rafa and in coming years we are gonna see better tennis.

But surely, today's game showed that Roger is the greatest player (I have seen) of this generation. For consecutive second year, he played one of the longest and must be most followed games in tennis history. At first he walked as runners up but this year when it seemed that same thing would happen, he came out winning. Roger was just not able to understand Rodic's serve. He could not break his serve till the winning point. But during this 5 setter, Roger hit 100 winners. The last set 16-14 was a real test of character. I wish next year I will get to watch similar score-line with Nadal on the other side. I have seen Sampras and I am a big fan of Sampras also but I would like to say that Federer's game gives more pleasure to eyes than Sampras's. Undoubtedly Federer is world's best tennis player. He has won all four grandslams. Total tally goes beyond 14 and moreover he is amongst the rare players who have won French and Wimbledon is the same year.

Thanks Roger for making me happy.

The Centuryman

Cricket world reckons Sachin as the Centuryman. He is the highest century makers in either form of the cricket. But there was always an allegation that he plays for himself and centuries rather than for team's cause. When many people say how many of Sachin's hundreds have come for a winning cause,Here is analysis of each of those centuries he scored when INDIA lost and reason why it went in vain. Out of the 42 hundreds, 11 hundreds have gone in vain.

1. 137 off 137 (Strike rate 100) balls Vs SriLanka at Delhi in 1996 World Cup. India scored 271/3 in 50 overs. The only other 50 score was from Azhar. SL made 272 in 48.4 overs. Manoj Prabhakar had 4-0-47-0. He also opened in the innings and scored 7 of 36 balls.

2. 100 of 111 Balls Vs Pak in Singapore- Apr 96.India 226 all out in 47.1 overs, When Sachin was out score was 186/4 (We cant blame because next 3 are match fixtures) . Pak had a reduced target of 187 from 33 overs.

3. 110 of 138 Balls (Slower but...) vs Sri Lanka In Colombo - Aug 96. Again India 226 for 5 in 50 overs, Only other 50 score from Azhar (58 of 99 balls !!!) .Sachin has also bowled 6-0-29-1 , the second most economical bowler and the only wicket taker (SL were 230/1 in 44.2 ) of the match next to Srinath. 7 bowlers were used by Azhar.

4. 143 of 131 Balls (!!!) Vs Aus at Sharjah, Apr 1998. This was chasing under lights. The qualifying match before the final. The whole world knows about this match. Still one interesting point, when Sachin was out India were 242 at 5 at 43 overs. Target was 276 in 46. Still India finished at 250/5 scoring just 8 of the next 3 overs. Great performance by Laxman and Kanithkar indeed.

5. 101 of 140 Balls against SL at Sharjah in Oct 2000.Indian score was 224/8 in 50 overs. (No other 50 score). SL got 225/5 in 43.5; Sachin also bowled 5-0-22-0, better economy rate than everyone except Srinath.

6. 146 of 153 Balls against Zimbabwe at Jodhpur - December 2000 (Game of Dougla Mariliar) India made 283 / 8 in 50 overs. Sachin was the last man to be dismissed , score was 235/8 at 46.3 overs when he was out. Agarkar and Zaheer Khan propelled India to 283 in the last 3.3 overs. When Sachin has scored 146 of 235 in 46.3 overs, you can guess what the other 8 great batsmen were doing against the World class Zimbabwe attack. Second Highest scorer was Zaheer Khan with 32. Zim got 284/9 in 49.5 overs. Kumble bowled the last over. Sachin also got 6-0-35-1

7. 101 of 129 Balls Vs SA at Johannesburg - Oct 2001India got 279/5 in 50, Ganguly made 127 of 126 balls. When Ganguly got out, the score was 193-1 in 35.2 overs. Sachin was the last man to get out at 263. SA got 280 in 48.4 overs. Sachin bowled 9-0-51-0, second best in economy rate next only to Agarkar (10-0-45-1)

8. 141 of 135 balls Vs Pak at Rawalpindi, March 2004 India was chasing 329 and was 317 all out in 48.4 overs, 8 balls to spare. No other batsman made even a 50 (when chasing 300 ) and when Sachin was out, India were 245-4 in 38.4 overs. They needed 85 from 68 balls with 6 wickets in hand.

9. 123 of 130 Balls vs Pak at Ahmedabad, April 2005. India made 315/6 in 48 overs (48 over match), again no other 50 score. Second highest was Dhoni 47 of 64 balls, (third highest was extras - 39). Pak made 319 in 48 overs. The three quicks (Balaji, Nehra and Khan went for 188 runs from 26 overs between them taking only 2 wickets). Sachin bowled 6-0-36-1. No Harbhajan and no Kumble.

10. 100 of 113 Balls Vs Pak at Peshawar, Feb-2006. India were 328 all out in 49.4 overs. Pathan and Dhoni got 60 each. When Sachin was out when India were 305-5 in 45 overs. Managed only 23 in the last 5 overs.Pak scored 311/7 in 47 overs and won by D/L method. Could have been anybody's game. Sachin did not bowl.

11. 141* of 148 balls vs WI at Malaysia. India made 309 /5 in 50 overs. Sachin was not out. Pathan was the only other 50 scorer. WI made 141/2 in 20 overs and won by D/L method. Again could have been anybody's game. In the other 31 instances India has won 30 times and once there was no result. Now, please think again when you say sachin's 100s were in the losing cause and that he is not a team player. It is a fact that for the entire 90's India played International cricket with 1 PLAYER and 10 JOKERS.

P.S: Forward this to all those people who still doubt in great man's commitment, think his centuries are in losing cause and ENLIGHTEN them!!!

"Monkey & The Obnoxious Weed"
India's tour of Australia was kind of Jungle Safari for all the viewers. We, Indians are Tigers playing against Kangaroos with players named as "Monkey", "Weed" etc. At least for this series, I felt like organisers should have created award "Creature of the tournament" and believe me there would have been tough competition for the winner.
Even though both the teams played some unbelievable cricket, non-cricketing issues have stolen the limelight and many of the great on-field performances didn't get its due credit.
"Summer Australia" was very difficult period for Indians. They were facing verbal volleys on-field as well as off-field thru' ut the summer. Many a occasions they kept their cool but it seems like their patience, their temper was not enough which resulted in the "Monkey & The Obnoxious Weed". In this forgettable episode for all non-cricketing issues, there were two creatures Bhajji and Symmo who played key characters.
Bhajji has a mixed profile for on-field activities. He has earned a good name for his bowling, he is amongst the most prominent Off-spinners of this era but he has earned very bad name for his on-field behavior. He was reprimanded for his excessive appealing, his fight with police and his questionable on-field behavior had made him sit out of the team. But the racist allegation against him was not acceptable at all. There were obvious reasons behind BCCI not accepting that Bhajji has said "Monkey" or racist slur to Symmo because they know normal Indians don't feel like swearing if they say somebody "Monkey". Its something like "गाली देनी है तो सामनेवाले को लगे ऐसी गाली देना"....जैसे की " तेरे माँ की.....तेरे ....... की " and In India "Monkey" is a word used by parents, elderly persons towards brats।
The other culprits in the whole episode, Haydos and Symmo are the real obnoxious weeds in the world of cricket. On- field behavior of Symmonds or Haydon is also not very good either. It could be seen through their swearing at opposition bowlers after getting out and at batsman while fielding almost every time.
Optimistic person believes that whatever happens it happens for good only. Here also this "Monkey" issue had made a big difference, a big good to Indian cricket. It helped in making Indians play harder than ever with more passion and more dedication. It showed to the world that Indians are super economy and upcoming cricketing powerhouse. Thanks to "Monkey" and that "Little obnoxious weed" also as because of them only I have got to see some wonderful cricket.

Super Sunday!!!!
It was a good day in field for Indian sports and a great Sunday for Indian viewers. They wouldn't have asked for more. Win against Australia in finals, Colts winning World Cup and Hockey team routing an opposition.
Great display of batsmanship by Tendulkar and Rohit & true character display (neglecting the gestures) by Bhajji in getting Heydon's and Symonds's wicket uplifted India's hopes of winning CB series. Tendulkar's inning was a remarkable for the shots he has played. He hardly gave any chances to Aussies in his century. Half-century in the match against SriLanka and today's century is a fitting reply to his once upon a time teammate and a baiter now Sanjay Manjarekar who is running Hate Tendulkar campaign for quite sometime now. It was delight to watch 10dulkar's shots today. This inning wasnt as explosive as Sharjah but it is nothing less important than that. Century in the finals was in waiting from Sachin. One could see that he had always played with great consistancy throughout the series/tournament in last couple of years but a big score in finals and that too chasing the target was not there. It was long due from him and did come out at the the most required situation.
The other hero of the day Rohit Sharma played exceptionally well. He was in good control of every shots he has played. He was very much dejected when he got out. I felt like he wanted Tendulkar's century more desperately than Tendulkar himself. He wanted to hug Tendulkar, his idol from childhood, on his 42nd ODI Century(almost after missing 5 or 6 ODI centuries) but unfortunately he missed on that great opportunity. But their was more to his awesome performance as an appreciation of his batting skills came from Sachin himself. Sachin's comments on Rohit were an assurance to all the viewers that another big star for India is in making. This will surely help his confidence further bolstering India's bright future.
There was a feeling like U-19 World Cup is in our kitty right from the start of the tournament itself but very low target set by India displaying poor shot selection and typical harakiri by batsman must have created panic in Indian dressing room. On such crunch situation their bowlers did a good job and helped India win the cup for the second time. Though India won the World Cup, it was not very convincing display of cricketing skills by Indian colts. Their catching was pathetic and wicket-keeping was terribly bad. Moreover, throughout the SouthAfrican chase, I felt like South Africa is loosing the game rather than India winning it.
Last but not the least in our national game hockey, India playing against minnows for the final spot in the Olympics won comfortably (8-0) against Russia today showing that they want to win big and secure their place for Olympics.
It was really a great day as everywhere India won. Hope to see many more Super Sundays,Mondays and every days :-)
Hurrey!!!!

Harsha Unplugged!!!!
I received this fwd of Harsha Bhogale's one-liners...Many of them are really good....

1. This was in a match btw india and sa.. umpire rudi kuertzen caught on camera sporting a rare smile. harsha commented.... "last time rudi kuerzten smiled there was peace in west asia"

2. This is again from the natwest trophy final..When yuvraj got out at a very crucial stage..harsha's one liner.. " Yuvraj singh will realize that this will be his longest walk bak to the pavillion "

3. When Sachin once got out to a lollypop offspinner (I guess it was Michael Vaughn) in '02. He wonderfully said, " Oh what a shame. It was reminiscent of a soldier who survived the war when all the bullets were flying by his nose and then got run over by a bicycle in his native town ."

4. ind vs aus 2000 icc knockout champioship played in kenya. (yuvi's debut) Sachin was smasing all aussie bowlers, and then he his a superb off drive off lee. harsha : " this innings by tendulkar has been a beautiful garden, the last shot being the most beautiful flower in it "

5. ind vs nzl. (in nzl 2002-2003) sehwag had MANY lucky escapes. when he was dropped once again. harsha : " its been that kind of a day. today sehwag can walk blindfolded across a busy highway and not get runover ."

6. Natwest Final: During Naser Hussain's mistimed hits/top edges on his way to his maiden hundred " Naser Hussain is trying desperately hard to find innovative ways of getting himself out"

7. in the same match... " if you are not watching this segment of play, don't ever call yourself a cricket lover anymore. you are watching cricket of a very high order here".

8. Here's n old one...at perth Adam Gilchrist took a blinder and he described Gilly's dive thus, " ... some of the sea-gulls flying here are going to get a complex."

9. when tendulkar got a hundred he said " touch of Class & stamp of Authority "

10. recently in india's tour of south africa...he blurted out suddenly after sreesanth's antiques with the bat and hips..." dis is the funniest thing u'll ever watch on a cricket field"...!!

11. When Smith dropped Sachin in the 2nd Test Graeme Smith would be hoping that the world under his feet opens up & he would find a crevice large enough for him to slip through.... 12. After india lost the recent test series in SA India lost the series because they surprised themselves by winning the 1st test . A win should never be a surprise .

13. After Anil Kumble scored his maiden Ton...this is what our great man had to say... " This is the most romantic moment in Indian Cricket....."

14. " The last time Billy gave lbw , Berlin wall was not there , there was peace in Afganistan,..................."

15. In a match between Aus n SL , Harsha said to Ian Chappell , " I am sure you'll never become a lawyer , I understand everything you say " Ian Chappell had no counter for this.

16. Harsha was hosting the ICC Awards before the T20 World Cup and he called on Jonty Rhodes to present an award. So as Jonty began climbing down the stairs, Harsha exclaimed, ''it's pretty unusual to see Jonty walk down the stairs, I thought he might slide down them !"

17. when the wickets were falling in a heap in the T20 match... THIS SERIES IS SPONSERED BY KFC AND THE WICKETS ARE FALLING FASTER THAN THEIR (KFC's) DELIVERIES.... 18. when Gambhir was dropped twice on consecutive deliveries, - " We should conduct a dream job in Australia & the winner will get to stand in the slip region!!!!!!"

19. When Kumble and Ishant were batting, Hussey dropped a catch of Ishant off the bowling of Johnson and Harsha exclaimed," It's autumn in Adelaide. It's the time when leaves change their colour and they start dropping. Here, as well the catches are dropping..".

20. In a match, dravid left a ball alone while batting. To this gavaskar, who was commenting alongside harsha was very impressed by the way he left the ball. He went on appreciating that for a minute or so. After this harsha's comment was, " Sunny, you nearly got an orgasm of happiness, didn't u!" & then both burst out into laughter!

21. dhoni is battin with anil kumble.. dhoni calls for a tight single,n harsha has this to say," dhoni scrambles for a single n causes anil kumble n all of his 37 yrs to rush to the other end.."

22. after shaun tait did not live up to the hype Cricket Australia created around him, ponting took him off the attack. harsha, in his own inimitable style: 'shaun tait should go up to ponting and say " hello mr ponting, my name is shaun tait, and i am supposed to take 45 wickets in this test match "

23. HB was analysing the innings of laxman...laxman made a crucial 79 in the second innings. HB said something like- " aussies must be feeling that wenever we are on the verge of 17th,this man(laxman) comes in between!"

24. RP SIngh walked in but it was Laxman on strike. So the Aussies wanted him to take a single and get RP on strike... so they spread out the field completely, with only the keeper, one slip and one gully inside the 30 yard circle.. That's when Harsha says .. "now suddenly, Don Bradman is batting out there in the middle... "

25. Seeing the flock of seagulls flying across the pitch Harsha tells Wasim Akram : " As you would say in Punjabi... kee gull hai? sea gull hai!!! "

26. when michael clarke was caught at slip off kumble , he was still watin 4 da decision , over this harsha said, " i think he is waitin for tomorrow's newspaper to declare him out"

27. Yuvraj hit the long six off brett lee went outside the stadium in durban 'are there people working late in the office there....... we want the ball back'

28. in t-20 gayle hit a monstrous six but but fell just short of the golf course outside the stadium harsha: " wat a poor shot just misses the golf course "

29. " if i cannot be tendulkar then tendulkar can also not be me "

30. the palyers told their favourite shots while coming on to bat.... Collingwood said "a little nurdle of the pads" and Pietersen said blocking the ball.... Harsha commented " the next thing they'll say is that their favourite shot is to leave the ball alone"

31. what an introduction to India Australia semifinal: " This is a battle between unstoppable force against immovable object ".

One more to the list...I heard in CB series final on 2nd March

32. Thru'out the CB series Dhoni called Heads and lost almost every toss....On loosing toss again in the Final at SCG Harsha commented

"M.S.Dhoni calls heads always & the coin has tails on both the sides"...

This chat between Harsha and Gawaskar ended with comment from Gawaskar that because of Dhoni's habit of calling Heads and quite predictable nature of coin, its not surprising that Dhoni looses a lot of tosses.

Happy New Year!!!!

Year 2008 has started on pretty happy note for all the cricket lovers. Sachin's 38th test century in the first test of the year was worth waiting. It is a great knock due to the situation in which it has come. Very important 129 runs partnership with Bhajji might turn out to be the deciding factor in Second test (Hope that something like First Inning will happen in second inning also on 4th day excluding bad umpiring).
It is very difficult to play when tailenders are at the other end. Sachin has done this job superbly by showing confidence in the ability of tailenders and at the same time scoring on every opportunity. When Kumble got out he was playing on 69, and with tailenders he had moved from 69 to 154*. This itself shows the greatness of the knock and more importantly it was thoroughly chance less knock.
It was proud feeling for every Indian watching Australians giving standing ovation to Sachin's century. In my opinion it was typical "Chak De" moment. This moment showed the sporting nature of Cricket Lovers irrespective of nationalities, but same was not the thing in case of Australian players. It was clearly visible that hardly couple of players (Gilchrist & Clarke) applauded Tendulkar's efforts.
The joy and relief on Tendulkar's face after century gave remembrance to what was there on Ganguly's face at Kolkatta. He has waited enough for this ton. During almost last one year he has got himself out on seven occasions in 90's and once in 80's which means almost 8 possible hundreds have been declined by destiny, but the wait was worth as it came against Australia, The World Champions.
I wish that we will get to see many more centuries in coming days from The Great Indian Quartet.
P.S. Dravid will surely come back in form in this series.

Demons with the dreaded finger!!!!

Second test at SCG will always be remembered for its bad umpiring rather than the beautiful knocks by Symonds and Hogg. Men in white coats have marred the gentleman's game with their power. On top of these men in white coats, third umpire with all the possible technologies to his aid made an error which caused India loose the grip over the match.

Its well known that, most of the times first inning of the test match decides the outcome. With below level umpiring we have seen till now in this test, it is clear that the result will not be at all in favour of India.

I am not at all an ardent fan of Indian Bowling attack though I have very high respect for Kumble & Bhajji, I was feeling really bad for them yesterday. Almost everything went against them other than another poor decision against Punter.

I understand that on-field umpires are humans and are prone to mistakes. There shouldn't be criticism against that as it is part and parcel of the game but mistake from third umpire is not at all acceptable. Third umpire is there because on-field umpires have doubt in their mind and thats why they want to get help from somebody else.

Yesterday's third umpire's decision against Symonds was a big mistake on its side. One will not be able to know the intention behind that decision whether it was through patriotism (obviously unsportsmanlike) or with some justification, it is clear that the third umpire should not be allowed to sit in that chair any more otherwise we will get to see such decisions more.

I read in the newspaper about Gilchrist opposing more usage of technology in umpiring, I also strongly feel the same. The nature of game should not be changed allowing more usage of technology for on-field umpires but to provide unbiased environment in cricket I guess time has come to follow Tennis. They came up with idea of Challenges . Something on the similar lines should be introduced in cricket. I hope challenging umpires decision will not be contempt of umpiring institution as they understand that one bad decision can turn the game.

My suggestion is during complete course of match both the teams should be given 5 challenges and it will be left to the team whether to use it during their batting or bowling. Such provision would surely improvise the status of game and team worthy of winning the game will result in winning the game.

Down-Under....

On the first day of Boxing day test @ MCG, India showed Aussies that they are in Australia to fight till the very end....

Here are FEW comments about India's performance on the very first day;

"And while it would be premature to suggest India's effort yesterday signalled the end of those sequences, the tourists have nonetheless managed more resistance in one day than the Englishmen did in the entire Ashes series last year. A genuine contest beckons."

"The shining moment was Khan's breaching of Ricky Ponting's defences with a brute of a delivery that clipped the top of off-stump, the first time the Australian captain had been bowled since 2005."

We are proud of you guys.....

World Champion Kimi!!!!


I am too much delighted with today's Brazilian GP. KR the best driver after MS won the World Championship, Ferrari 1-2 was the icing on the cake.This was the most memorable F1 race I have seen. I am following this sport for last 5-6 years and the nail-biting finish to the 2007 season was undoubtedly the best.

It has increased the interest of people in F1 and made F1 more competitive. Now it doesn't look like its a race between only 3-4 drivers and rest all are there to fill the places.

LH is a great driver. He deserves to be counted amongst the best drivers of this era(though its very early to say so...) but it was not his time. Might be being a rookie has hampered his possible championship. His position was similar to last years FA's position but previous F1 experience of FA helped him keeping his nerve in season ending races.
I still think this was the best chance for McLaren and LH to win Championship but Mechanical problems and wrong strategy (Tyre selection in particular) have ruined it.
I don't think Alonso has let go championship without fighting. He wanted to prove his mettle to Ron Dennis but the perfection in driving by both the Ferrari drivers in crunch situations was awesome.

Everybody will say FM has handed World Championship to KR but at least from all the events happened during race it is not all that obvious. It was great driving from KR at the start of race and after second second pit-stop which has given him his First World Championship. His driving was very clean and tactically better than Massa (particularly in taking pit-stop) in last two races.

Only bad thing happened during this season is "FerrariGate". That episode has revealed the tough competition in the game. It also showed the greatness of Ferrari team. Ferrari's commitment towards Racing. Its their passion for game which has made McLaren took the wrong ways to reach that level.

Most unimpressive team of the season was Honda. Barrichelo could not earn a single point shows that they need to get restructured their team completely for upcoming seasons. They represent one of the most significant names in the automobile industry.Most Impressive team of the season is undoubtedly BMW with Kubica having impressive results. I strongly feel like this guy has all the things required to be on podiums. I hope to see him there in coming seasons. Another impressive driver was Renault's HK.

If Alonso decides to go back to Renaults then it would be good to see whether there will be clashes between Alonso and HK. For Renaults, it will be very good if Alonso returns. Fisichella was never a threat to Alonso during his last tenure but impressive HK could turn the tables same as LH.

Thanks Formula1 for one of the most competitive seasons.

Thanks ESPN for beautiful coverage, commentary and website.

Thanks to Vijay, my colleague, F1 discussions with whom have increased my interest in Formula1 with good understanding of many technical and tactical aspects of the game.

Finally,

Congratulazioni "Flying Finn" & "Ferrari"......

Better luck next time Louis Hamilton........

Looking at Rahul Dravid's current form, I am feeling like he has really become "Wall" but a "Wailing Wall" of Indian Cricket.

There was time when his batting was a source of confidence about Indian batting but looking at his current form and current approach towards game, It seems like he is completely mis-fit. It would be better if he decides to take rest from game. The world-cup debacle and "Follow-On" issue happened in England had major impacts on his cricketing brain.

Nothing is wrong if he decides to move away from the game for some time. It would be really helpful for Indian Cricket in long term. He might come back strongly as DADA.

Wish u good luck "The Wall"