Published in www.cricketcountry.com
If ever there was a cricketing event prior to which spinners of all hues can be found licking their lips (along with their fingers), it is the 2011 World Cup.
Given the nature of sub continental pitches and the fact that most international batsman do not play quality spin comfortably in this modern era, all kinds of spinners will be queuing up to bowl in the World Cup.
The signs are visible early, given the performance of the Indian spinners against a full strength Australian line-up in the warm-up match at Bengaluru on Sunday that this could be a spin-dominated World Cup.
The Indians and Sri Lankans in particular, as also the Pakistanis and the Bangladeshis, have a host of spinners who are both defensive and offensive for this format of the game.
The signs are there for everyone to see. The batsmen-friendly sub continental pitches will not be much to the liking of the fast bowlers, but suit the spinners would certainly relish the prospect of bowling on these pitches, especially in the second innings.
Sri Lanka is probably the best placed to enjoy their home conditions, since they play all their league matches at home, while India play one match in Bangladesh and the rest at home.
Mutthiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis could be a handful for teams like New Zealand and Australia - clubbed with them in the same pool - if the pitches provide some turn as batsmen need to be sharp and fleet-footed against the classy exponents of spin.
The Pakistanis might be better equipped to neutralise the spin advantage against the Lankans as they have batmen like Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi in their ranks. Saeed Ajmal and Afridi himself can prove to be match-winners in the World Cup and Pakistan would do well to play them both in each match.
India has the added advantage of having Yusuf Pathan, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina and Sachin Tendulkar, all capable of bowling tight spin on their day. Harbhajan Singh is India’s No 1 spinner and he has quality support in the form of Piyush Chawla and Ravichandran Ashwin.
The Bangladeshis have in skipper Shakib Al Hasan a quality spinning all-rounder, capable of causing a few upsets.
England would depend on their spin trump card, Graeme Swann, with Kevin Pietersen and Darren Maddy chipping in.
The Australians have included the attacking Jason Krejza while South Africa would look towards Johan Botha and JP Duminy to deliver the goods in the spin department.
The West Indians look under-equipped in this department ,but New Zealand has in its ranks world class left-armer Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum.
All in all, a spinners World Cup is in the offing, so be ready to watch some turn, some spin and some crafty bowling!
My Guru
"Everything can wait but your search for God cannot wait" - Paramahansa Yogananda (www.yssofindia.org)
FILM REVIEW- I hate luv storys ***1/2
Directed by Punit Malhotra; Produced by Karan Johar; Starring Imran Khan, Sonam Kapoor
For those who like feel-good films and lovey-dovey stuff, ‘I hate luv storys’ is surely worth a watch. This Rom-Com from the house of Karan Johar is an unabashed love story without any frills, in the traditional mode but with a modern setting and with still-fresh faces. There’s the tried and tested triangle and there are heartbreaks and setbacks before the predictable happy ending.
So what’s appealing about the film? Imran Khan is an actor in Uncle Amir Khan’s mould but is even better looking and is effervescent. His spontaneity is delightful at times and his expressions are refreshingly different. He carries a story that has nothing new to offer with ease and panache.
His pairing with Sonam Kapoor is like a breath of fresh air too, and both characters appear convincing in their love for each other. They quarrel and shout; they ooh and ahh; they look and long- like young lovers from decades gone by- and that is what endears them to us.
Imran especially is an actor with immense potential. His performance in ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ had shown us glimpses of his impromptu style and here he goes one better. Sonam looks svelte and is graceful and charming. She’s improving as an actor too but has a long way to go before she reaches dad Anil Kapoor’s levels.
The music is pleasant without being outstanding and the support cast is adequate with veteran Anju Mahendru impressing in a brief role. The hero’s sidekick, played by Aamir Ali, is quite funny and Ali has potential. Imran’s director-boss and Sonam’s fiancé are less convincing. Perhaps a more formidable rival for Imran would have led to more drama, but then that would not have gelled with the tenor of the film.
The last quarter is a bit contrived and a drag at times. Bruna Abdullah’s scenes are amateurish and even kiddish.
All in all, a candy-floss sort of film with a goody-goody feel. For those who like to be shaken up by cinema, this is not for them.
Personally speaking, I don’t hate love stories. (Please note the correct spellings).
Previous Film Reviews
Never A Dull Moment !
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