Not just another match!

Words fail me.

I badly want to write something. I know I had decided before I commenced with the blog that I would only write when I felt like but it's India versus Pakistan for Christ's sake. It warrants an entry!

Ever since the quarterfinal draw was made and the possibility of such a clash was revealed, I have been waiting for this tie. As far as cricket is concerned, it really doesn't get bigger. Even the Ashes, for all its grandeur, pales in comparison. India vs Pakistan is the cricketer's equivalent of the El Clasico!

Before India took on Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup, Ganguly insisted it was just another match. Sachin reiterated his captain's line. Shoaib Akhtar also said it. Waqar Younis repeated it as well. A national daily observed that when so many players feel the need to say that, it only means one thing. That it is not just another match. Because when India clash with Pakistan, it is never just another match.

If anything, that was a group match. Eight years later, the odds are even bigger. While India vs Pakistan is big in itself, throw in the setting of a semifinal and it goes out of the roof.

MS Dhoni realizes that. After beating Australia to secure qualification into the semis, he spoke about the next match. Indians won't care as much if we lose a World Cup final but we CANNOT lose to Pakistan. His very words!

India have never lost to Pakistan in World Cups. NEVER. I hope we keep that record intact.

And I hope Sachin shows Akhtar again ki baap baap hota hai!

Tait and Tendulkar

Shaun Tait huffs and puffs. The going is not too good for him. He has just been belted for a boundary. Ricky Ponting runs up to him. A pat on the arm in support. And tells him to go for Plan B. The ace up his sleeve. The bouncer.

It won’t fetch him the wicket he craves. But atleast it will ruffle the batsman slightly. It will work him up. He will lose his coordination. It will force him into a mistake. Accordingly Tait storms back into position for his run up. Sprints to the crease and slams the ball on the deck. Hard. Forcing the batsman to duck.

Hit that one, he yells. Mission accomplished? Yeah right! Sachin Tendulkar turns and takes a step away to the side of the crease. He is more concerned about the flies hovering around his visor. They are the bigger threat to India's impending victory.

The Aussies might have mastered the art of sledging. But Tendulkar has mastered the art of countering it. Two dot balls later, Brett Lee runs to fetch another Tait delivery duly dispatched to the boundary.

Of running and walking

At the cost of reiterating an oft-repeated phrase, it's like flicking a switch.

He lifts his willow to the heavens, sending the crowd into a frenzy. 40,000 people of different castes, creed and colours erupt as one.

And then when the same 40,000 wait with baited breath and rapt attention fearing the worst, he turns around, tucks his bat under his arm and walks away as silence engulfs the stadium. It actually is like he flicks a switch.

It isn't just the runs he takes that add to his greatness. It is also the walks he makes.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar: My Lord and My God.

Shut the **** up!

There's nothing worse than the feeling of utter helplessness. Knowing you're the better side and still being at  the wrong end of the scorecard. As the away crowd jeers and boos your lot. Anger welling up inside you.

But there's nothing much you can do about it. Time is running out. Faith seems to have done so a long time ago.

But then again, how much time does one need for a moment of magic. If that's all it takes to silence those bastards, why not? Ask for the ball, take a touch, feint past one marker, get past another, take one more touch and let rip. Wait for a second to watch it sail into the far corner. Before you wheel away in goalscoring glory.

Then comes the customary finger to the lips as you approach the enemy. STFU, y'all!

About fight and flight

Feb 26: Quadruple baby!

Feb 28: All we need is a goalless draw at the Nou Camp!

Mar 9: Third Double of the Wenger era!

Mar 13: Atleast the league is still alive!

Friend of mine says 'go get a drink'. I think I should. And while I am at it, I think Arsenal should try and get Carlsberg to sponsor them. Add a tagline like 'come drown your sorrow' or something like that.

But atleast take off that Fly Emirates for Christ's sake! They're definitely not going anywhere with this kind of play.

It's a **** joke!

You'll never walk alone!

It is a weird feeling. Supporting Chelsea and Liverpool in the same week. That too in the wake of a cup final heartbreak for Arsenal. Like they say, desperate times call for desperate measures I guess.

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE!!! COME ON YOU REDS!!! KOP IS WHERE THE HEART IS!!!

And Lampard scores for Arsenal!

There is this thing about football, this unexplainable something. One day it breaks your heart and makes you feel like its the end of the world. And then the very next day, it lifts you from the dumps again. You don't forget the past, you don't move on, the scars still remain, but still there is something else to look forward to. Something new.

One night you cannot eat, you cannot sleep, in the wake of a defensive lapse that cost your club a chance to win their first trophy in six long years. You lose faith, you question your belief, you forget the hunger for football, the joy you derive from it. Or so you think! Because two days later you see your immediate title rivals collapse to a crushing defeat, a result which breathes new life into the title race.

To watch Chelsea come from behind and inflict a 2-1 defeat over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in a match that saw every decision go against the visitors, something that had Alex Ferguson fuming at the touchline, did not banish the memories of the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham City. But it soothed the pain.

Ferguson shook his head in disgruntled frustration as his face came close to resembling a radish. One of those rare nights when things didn't go his way and the referee appeared to have forgotten that he was on the Scot's payroll. It made my day just as it had spoilt his.

Frank Lampard's winning penalty means that with a win over Sunderland, Arsenal can close in to within one point of leaders United, who next take their susceptible away form to Anfield. Kenny Dalglish will be well aware of Liverpool's legacy and will want to halt United's charge towards an unprecedented 19th domestic title. If he denies United the points, he will be doing Arsenal a huge favour.

I never thought this day would come but for the next few days I wholeheartedly pledge my support and devotion to Liverpool. Come on you Reds! You'll never walk alone! King Kenny! Go Gerrard! Meireles the Merciless! Suarez is the Man! Carroll for President! and all that jazz.

Go now and beat those ****!

(To avoid a lawsuit, I believe I should mention that the title of this entry was inspired by a text message from Joshua Moraes sent soon after the Chelsea-United tie.)