The rise of the Tigers!

This year promises to be a blockbuster year for cricket. Unlike other years, cricket pundits don’t have to use clichés to describe what we have for store in 2009. Its ekdum real-2009 is going to be a hell of a ride for cricket fans across the globe. Race for the No.1 Test side, IPL 2nd season, World T20, Ashes, Champions League, Champions Trophy-what more could one ask for. Indeed we have a variety of delicacies to choose from the menu. 

But I would like to focus on one particular team-Bangladesh. Ya, you have read it right-Bangladesh of all teams. I have to confess that I have always been a supporter of any cricketing minnow. Inspite of all the brickbats they receive from all quarters, they have shown glimpses of form in 2008. And my guess is that 2009 will be a good year for the Tigers. Last year, they challenged New Zealand in the first Test before Vettori kept his nerve to deny the Bangladeshis a Test win. They also performed well in patches against Sri Lanka. The year has begun on good note for Bangladesh. They wasted a golden opportunity to win the tri- series even after reducing the Lankans to 6-5. However, amidst all the gloom, there is a bright star for Bangladesh. Shakib al Hasan is a tremendous talent and is surely a star of the future, not only for Bangladesh but also for world cricket. He is a genuine all rounder. His heroics with the bat and ball go unnoticed as he plays from Bangladesh. One wonders what he could have done had he played for a more competitive side. I am Indian, and cricket fans in India cannot watch live action from Bangladesh thanks to Neo Cricket- which does not broadcast their matches despite holding the rights. They don't have a busy 2009.They are to host West Indies later this year and therein lies their best chance to win a Test against a quality side. I expect them to topple 1 or maybe 2 big sides in the World T20.They will definitely go to round 2 in the world T20. They must show signs of consistency against the big teams. They will certainly grow in stature and the Tigers may roar at last!

The end of the end?

Surely, this must be the end. The series win for the Proteas reaffirmed to the world that the final chapter of the end of the Aussie dominance was over. Critics and fans alike are unanimous in accepting the fall of the Empire. Mohali Test is regarded by many as the ' beginning of the end' of Oz dominance. Those who endorse the view that the Mohali Test was indeed the beginning of the end must get their brains checked. Nothing can be further from truth. Empires are not built overnight nor can they fall within a week. One has to go back to the 2006-07 Ashes to trace the beginning of the decline. It was always going to be difficult to find another Langer or a Martyn, forget replacing Warne or Mcgrath.

Here is my pick for the 3 important phases or chapters in the 'end of the Aussie dominance'.

1. The retirements of Warne, Mcgrath, Langer and Martyn all in a single series should have had an immediate impact. But it didn't show on the results. It was mainly aided by mediocre opposition and absence of quality checker-Test matches (Aus played only 3 tests in 2007 after the Ashes). Mind you, they were yet to play India or SA for a full Test series. The aura was intact and nobody was complaining.
2. Sydney test fiasco and its aftermath- this was the turning point. Symonds-Bhajji saga dominated the Australian and Indian media for more than a week and the scars it left on Australia were never to be erased. Indians came back strongly and conquered their prized fortress -Perth. It started (not a coincidence) the decline of Hayden. Symonds was never the same force post-Sydney. Also whatever Chappellis or Warnies might say, Haddin is no Gilchrist.Australians have now understood the significance of Gilchrist.

3. The year ender- India and SA series loss. When the Australians arrived in India, they were more vulnerable than ever before. It was the first time in more than a decade that the aussies were starting a series as underdogs. Dhoni's men won it convincingly. But the best was yet to come. Smith's men showed the world who among the two ( Ind SA) are better placed to dispatch Australia from the top spot. The comeback at MCG and the chase at Perth would be a part of South African cricketing folklore in years to come.

Enough of the analysis! Its time for us to rejoice, and we mortals wait with bated breath to see which of two men- Smith or Dhoni win the battle for immorality.