IPL 5 is over. While the matches provided a lot of excitement, I would be more convinced about the genuineness of the whole thing if someone did an analysis of the numbers and proved that there were no match/spot fixing shenanigans. One thing that comes to mind is no balls: some statistical significance studies on the number of no balls bowled versus the bowlers and at what stage in the match they were bowled, was it a touch-and-go decision or was it blatant overstepping, and so on.
Having recently witnessed the scenes of celebration at the Etihad Stadium, the contrast with the IPL final could not have been starker. The inordinate focus on the owner -- who might as well have worn a clown costume, by the way -- instead of the players who made it happen, the lack of genuine grassroots support (Usha "Look at me, I have a whistle in my mouth" Uthup, Juhi Chawla and other assorted celebrities trying to warm themselves in the spotlights do not count), the contrived joy and enthusiasm of the players who did not figure in the playing eleven -- there is a difference between waiting 44 years for a trophy as compared to five.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012
"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that"
-- Bill Shankly
You don't care about the quality of the passing, the skills on display, or the individual brilliance. The only thing that matters is that the ball crosses the line between the goalposts, and twice at that. The tears that slowly begin to roll when it looks like it's all over, the look of despair that turns into joy (and vice versa for the United fans -- a bonus if you're a staunch anybody-but-United guy like me), Aguero's shirtless run towards the corner flag, Joey Hart terminating the interview on account of becoming overwhelmed by the situation, the commentator's schadenfreude ("How will the fans face somebody in a red shirt this evening? How will they have the moral fiber to get up tomorrow morning and go to work...?" Fuck you.) turning into astonishment.
The Beautiful Game? No, but this is football.
On a personal note, I'm not even a City fan, but the euphoria I felt when they scored the winner was comparable to what I felt when Del Piero scored in the 2006 World Cup semi-final.
Oh, and by the way, I stubbed my toe quite hard when I jumped up from the couch to celebrate. Still hurts, but totally worth it.
-- Bill Shankly
You don't care about the quality of the passing, the skills on display, or the individual brilliance. The only thing that matters is that the ball crosses the line between the goalposts, and twice at that. The tears that slowly begin to roll when it looks like it's all over, the look of despair that turns into joy (and vice versa for the United fans -- a bonus if you're a staunch anybody-but-United guy like me), Aguero's shirtless run towards the corner flag, Joey Hart terminating the interview on account of becoming overwhelmed by the situation, the commentator's schadenfreude ("How will the fans face somebody in a red shirt this evening? How will they have the moral fiber to get up tomorrow morning and go to work...?" Fuck you.) turning into astonishment.
The Beautiful Game? No, but this is football.
On a personal note, I'm not even a City fan, but the euphoria I felt when they scored the winner was comparable to what I felt when Del Piero scored in the 2006 World Cup semi-final.
Oh, and by the way, I stubbed my toe quite hard when I jumped up from the couch to celebrate. Still hurts, but totally worth it.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
May 10, 2012
The Times of India might as well rechristen themselves as The Pimps of India.
There is a reason they sell the paper for less than 25 bucks a month: it isn't their readers they make their money from.
There is a reason they sell the paper for less than 25 bucks a month: it isn't their readers they make their money from.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
May 9, 2012
Yesteryear's heartthrob
Is it trademark shake of head?
Is it Parkinson's?
The Havells ad featuring Rajesh Khanna has to be the most depressing thing I've seen on TV for some time.
Is it trademark shake of head?
Is it Parkinson's?
The Havells ad featuring Rajesh Khanna has to be the most depressing thing I've seen on TV for some time.
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