Jko Era

When Emperor Federer was finally conquered in the Tennis world, a new era called Nadal Vs Federer began. But who predicted the era to live very short?

When Roger Federer dominated the Tennis world as World # 1, it was Rafael Nadal who was constantly meeting him in most finals. There started the Federer Nadal rivalry. It was Federer who was winning most of those encounters except those in Clay, where Nadal was a King. But as days progressed, Nadal expanded his wing to win matches against Federer in all courts and eventually knocked him off from rank 1. And there was Nadal Federer Era.

But every soon a man who was often refereed as a joker of Tennis emerged - Novak Jokovic, who went on to have a transformation and brought an end to Nadal Federer rivalry.

He initially made sure Federer doesn't meet Nadal in finals by knocking out Federer in the Semis and later on began to knock out Nadal in finals. In 2011, he defeated Nadal in 6 finals.

Lately he brought back Nadal Federer rivalry by making them to meet in Semi-Finals rather than Finals, by gaining the world # 1 position as in ATP tournaments if all top seeds are in semis, #1 faces #4 and #2 faces #3.

Early in his career, he was imitating all major tennis players and made his name known to the world. But now, he has made known is name for a different reason, as the one who whipped off Nadal Federer rivalry!

Rafa Completes His Resume

In Greek mythology, there was a mighty emperor of Achaeans (Greeks) who was able to conquer every place he wanted except the small province called Troy (modern Turkey), ruled by a Trojan king.

Troy was protected by a huge wall and the king knew how to use it to the best result.
After lots of hardships, emperor of Achaeans finally conquered Troy using unorthodox methods.

The modern tennis era which consists of 4 major grand slams namely Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open had a similar situation.

After the era of Sampras and Agassi, it was Roger Federer who enjoyed the monopoly and was called "Federer the emperor" and ruled the tennis world. Many thought that there won't be anyone to stop his reign which included 5 consecutive Wimbledon championships. Federer conquered the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US open but the French open eluded him because of a man called Rafael Nadel who was called "king of clay".

Last year saw Emperor Federer finally capture King Nadel's territory when the king was going through an injury ridden phase. The Emperor firmly established his tennis glory by achieving career grand slam.

Big Bite Of Success

Determined King Nadel didn't lose heart. He had other plans. He changed his playing style to better at grass (Wimbledon) and hard courts (Australian and US open). He audaciously announced his intention by conquering Wimbledon, followed by the Australian Open. On both the occasions, emperor Federer was the last victim to Rafa's stunning display. Many still believe the clash in the Wimbledon final is the best match ever played in the history of tennis.

Rafa's resume was not complete like Federer's till yesterday since a small province (US open) was not conquered. Rafa completed that in style achieving career grand slam with a commanding victory yesterday. Now Rafa has got 9 grand slams titles and is just 24. He is 10 months younger to the age of Federer when he won 9 grand slams. Federer now holds the all time record of 16 grand slam titles.

But the question is "Is Federer's 16 safe?" Probably not!

Commonwealth Mishap

When I was doing my Engineering, no matter how many days we had before a semester exams, only the last study holidays really mattered for us. We were always last minute doers.

May be our attitude runs in every Indian's blood. Having won the bid to host the common wealth games, it has made a complete mess out of it. With just about a month to go, the stadiums are still not ready. Instead of fighting against time to complete the requisites, the organizing committee is fighting against corruption charges. How sad and embarrassing it would be for the entire nation if this event turns a failure.

The CWG aimed at turning Delhi into a hub of national sporting activity in the long run has exposed the Indian political wrangling and administrative corruptions to the world.

Ever since 1930 when the event was first held to bring together the members of the British Empire, the event has never faced such a bleak scenario.

Many sponsors including state run NTPC and Power Grid Corp have withdrawn their sponsorship due to negative publicity. India's richest sporting body BCCI also withdrew their earmarked fund. Acclaimed athletes like Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell have pulled out of the troubled Delhi Games. The official broadcaster Doordarshan has cut its advertising revenue target by half due to lukewarm response  from advertisers.

Mr. Kalmadi! Wake up!
At this rate, stadiums for 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic games will be completed before Delhi Commonwealth games.

Success 800 Times

Matches : 133

Balls: 44039

Wickets: 800

Had I written this blog anytime before 22-Jul-2010, my data would have been obsolete as Murali's numbers were increasing exponentially every now and then.

On 22 Jul, 2010, this veteran of Sri Lanakan Cricket was battling hard to break the last partnership of India between Pragyan Ojha and Ishant Sharma. The partnership which lasted more than 15 overs was the 800th victim for our 'Master Of Off Spin' 'Muttiah Muralitharan'.

Before this match at Galle, The veteran had announced that this would be his last test match of his career needing 8 wickets to reach the historic number 800. If this is not confidence then I don't know what it is.

He could have ended his career wicket less on that test. Who knows!

But that would not be the fitting end to the magnificent story of Murali who fought many controversies and bans due to his unorthodox bowling action. He established the ball which turns the wrong way 'Doosra', even though the credit of inventing it should go to Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq.

He hit the bull's eye achieving the magical number. When 799 was achieved and when the last wicket was showing resistance to Murali, the Lankan captain cut Murali's spell and went in for Herath and Malinga. Many of us thought Murali would end like Sir Bradman's unrounded figures (batting average: 99.9). But Murali's dexterous wrist finally overcame the last hurdle with much effort after he was brought again into action.

If this single wicket caused his much sweat, what would have the other 799 caused him?

He was immediately congratulated by a another spin master in Twitter.

"Congrats to Murali on his 800th wicket and a wonderful career !!! Well done buddy awesome.."

The master is none other than the second highest wicket taker, 'Master Of Leg Spin' 'Shane Warne'.

Matches : 145

Balls: 40705

Wickets: 708

The veteran who rediscovered the ebbing art of leg spin. He might have played more matches than Murali but has bowled lesser deliveries compared to him. Thanks to strong pace bowling which the Aussies had. Amidst the strong pace bowlers lived this deadly weapon.

Being a leg spinner myself, I have admired Shane more than many. I learnt my leg spin when Shane Warne demonstrated how to bowl in TV long ago. My grip has changed in years since my Cricket coach in School 'Mr. Charles' wanted me use the orthodox grip for the act.

Vicious Spin with guile to deceive batsmen are the prowling deliveries of these masters of spin. The Sri Lankan and Aussie board have done the right thing by calling the Test Tournaments between them as 'Warne-Muralitharan Trophy'

Here is my favorite delivery from Murali and Warne.

Murali:

Warne:

Hand Of God

Keeping your hands off the ball may be the most basic rule in soccer, but history was written by breaking this rule! History termed a foul play in 22 June 1986 by the legendary 'Diego Maradona' as 'Hand of God'.

It was a quarter final match between Argentina and England in the Soccer World cup after the infamous Falklands War. Maradona broke the hearts of the English in the 51st minute with a illegal hand goal which went unpunished into the books of history.

The goal was soon followed by the Goal of the century where the legend ghosted through 6 English defenders to give Argentina a perfect lead. Argentina went on to win the match and the world cup with Maradona winning the Golden ball for the player of the tournament.

In 8 November 2009, France needed a helping hand of Thierry Henry to qualify for the World cup 2010. It was a crucial world cup qualification match between France and Ireland.

The foul play by Henry destroyed the Irish dreams booking a berth for France in the World cup. Henry used his hand to stop and control the ball before passing it to William Gallas who headed the ball into the nets in the extra time. The incident was christened the "Hand of Frog" by the Dublin tabloids.

Ireland begged for foul in the deaf ears of FIFA for a rematch which was rejected.

Maradona and Henry used their hands to put the ball into the Nets. Those who think Hand of God only scores, think again.

2 June 2010, the dark continent was shaken in tears. African exodus of the world cup was completed by the hands of Luis Suarez.

Uruguay stormed into the semi-finals in the ongoing world cup with blocking hands of Suarez. Dominic Adiyiah of Ghana in the dying seconds of extra-time headed a perfected ball on target which was pushed back by Suarez with hands. A red card and a penalty followed which couldn't help Ghana to go ahead. Ghana, the last standing team of Africa with the entire continent behind them, bowed out of the world cup in the penalty shootout.

Ghana becomes the 3rd African country to reach the quarter finals after Cameroon and Senegal. They can now proudly say that they were the best from Africa till time since they survived till the shoot out of the quarter finals, the longest run by an African Nation. But the Hand of God denied them a chance to the semis.

But one question still remains in the sporting world.

Are these guys Maradona, Henry and Suarez Heros or Villains?

I would vote them for Heros!

Tweeting To Controversy

I am the President and Managing Director of Modi Enterprises and the Executive Director of Godfrey Phillips India.

I was the chairman and Commissioner of the Indian Premier League until yesterday.

I am the visionary behind the IPL. I was inspired by ICL rather.

I was responsible for sealing the fate of ICL (Indian Cricket League).

I was arrested on charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill in 1985.

I was indicted on second-degree kidnapping three months later.

I am responsible for making the franchises pay millions to players when they could have bought them for few lakhs.

I was responsible for moving the Indian Premier League to South Africa when general elections were around in India.

I tweeted the ownership details of the new Kochi Franchise which I was advised not to.

I was solely responsible for making Shashi Tharoor step down from his ministerial post thereby.

I put the IPL body under Income Tax's radar thereby.

My Tweeter account got hacked immediately after I got into controversy.

My account became active the next day after Media questioned my silence in Tweeter.

I was suspended from the chairman post of IPL by BCCI last night.

I am Lalit Modi and I am not a terrorist.

References:

Wiki, Tweeter

All of us need to wait just few more days to see how this story is going to end.

Lalit Mode on Tweeter (18 Apr 2010):

We have figured out who the hacker is. Its a person from singapore. Faisal did a remarkable job of identifying the hacker. We are on it.

Shashi Tharoor on Twitter (23rd Apr 10):

Looking forward to thorough inquiry into the IPL. If my resignation leads to real reform, it will be worthwhile. Our cricket shld be clean.

Lalit Modi on Twitter(24 Apr 10):

Wait for the ipl to finish - I will reveal the men who have tried to bring disrepute to the game and how we stopped them from doing it.