SRI'S Blog

Recent Two Test series made a mark and impact on the future of Test cricket . While it is clear, that the shorter version of the game has more interest , is result oriented and pulls the crowds in to the stadium with added entertainment and hype, the longer version of the game has drawn lesser crowds and lesser following . But this may change not dramatically as one would think --- If Test Matches are played the way it was played in the recent South Africa - Australia Series and to a lesser extent in the final test between India and West Indies --- there are bright chances for the Test matches to survive and thrive to a extent the onslaught from the One day and the T20 version's of the game What made the two test series interesting ? The South Africa - Australia Test matches was a outstanding one .It had great intensity , players focus on the game and plenty of following. The bowlers of both teams did better than the batters. The first test was done and dusted in two and half days.

I get in to this nice laidback mood every year when I go to the place that I lived for over 36 years. We moved in to this lovely independent house in 1971 and till we moved out completely in Jan 2002 - this was my permanent home. I did move out to Mumbai for a period of time but this was the place that I always liked. I go there every year ( fierce banking need forces the yearly trip ) and after the banking work is complete, I, just go around the colony driving through the streets , looking at the houses and recollecting the residents …and all of my childhood The place has changed a lot but still remains very distinct . I have roamed on all the streets , nooks and corners , shortcuts and we all knew each other in the colony so well. When we moved in 1971 , there were hardly any dwelling. If I went to the Terrace of my house , I could see Villiwakkam the next Railway station about 6 KMs away ( I am not kidding ). There was so much empty space of land and then development took place. Tod

The most expected and exciting sporting event for India , post the Commonwealth games and the Cricket World Cup of course, went off so well at the Budh International Circuit, India over the last week end. No dogged controversies ( there was one ), snakes in rooms , used bed sheets , leaking and stinky toilets ,over bridges falling down etc Etc. The media must have been disappointed on this count. The big difference was that this event was driven by Private sector and flawlessly executed . It was clear as to what went wrong with the Common wealth games. Politicians trying to arrange a event to suit their personal needs and overall as a fund raising event, could never make it a success. It showed up at various stages as the infrastructure crumbled due to deficiency of the base structures and we were glad and relieved when the Commonwealth games began and ended. So , India is on the Formula one circuit and with the successful conduct of the inaugural event , it is going to stay that way f