I blame Irfan...

Yes I do.
This should've never been a close game.
NZ should've romped home, chopped India to pieces. And gloated all over it like Channel 9's Comm box on Asif's eyedrops.

Instead we had to endure two or so overs of all-of-a-sudden ka kahani mein twist ("twist in the tale").

Not fair. An emosional athyachar ("emotional cruelty").

And please Shastri, don't tell me "cricket is the winner tonight".

No. Ask me. Ask the Desi fans who turned up at the stadium. Or the 10 Kiwis (yes, yes I did count the Sheep as well) who decided to throw some kachra at the Indians.
Kiwiland was the winner.

So what is going wrong?
For now I'll blame all the Kiwis for their clinical approach and oh-so-friendly attitude.

Also, many are thinking that the Indians are over-confident, arrogant, and complacent.. I disagree. I dunno I feel they are confused.

Anyway, Desi Boys, since its "only a T20", I'll let it be. Instead some Bolly therapy for you guys.
Pay attention to the lyrics.



Peace.

He is angry...

So MSD was all gussa yesterday.
How could I tell?
Well at the presentation ceremony, he wouldn't let go of Simon Doull.
He talked and he talked. About how the Indians had borrowed Asif's eye drops and were on a sugar rush of Halloweenian proportions.

And we know he doesn't like to talk. Especially in English. Especially with them people.

(You know he once said this:

"If I have a drink in hand, I excuse myself by saying, 'I'll just get a drink' but never show up in front of that person again." )

Hmm...

On a different note, glad that Raina did not leave his brain behind on Upton's work-bench.

The Kiwi 4th Estate

Usually when India is playing a series, I get all curious about what the "others" have to say about Team India/Indians/India.
And I find myself traversing through the www, surfing one newspaper site after another. Its an interesting experience.

So in the past year or so I've read Australian "newspapers". And let me tell you, you need prescription meds for this one. I've actually thrown chappals at the computer screen because of all the aggravation.
(Er... chappals as in slippers, not to be confused with Chappell as in Greg Chappell, although throwing him would also .... Never mind.)
People suffering with BP issues are advised to stay away from the said sites.

An England series means the opportunity to reach for the dictionary and discover some new words.
Though I have to say: Its not tuk tuk people, its a rikshaw! I thought 200 years of staying in the country would've taught you something! Tch Tch.

Against SL, well I read only one paper.

So since the announcement of the tour to Kiwiland, I've been perusing (!) the NZherald site. And what do you know, I was surprised. Pleasantly.
The articles have been respectful and well-researched. They actually knew the four cities to which Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid, & VVS belong!
This article , meanwhile, did something that I thought was virtually impossible: it praised Bhajji without being patronizing ("a Sikh Warrior"), it talked about his mistakes without any mud-slinging.
Whoa.
Exactly.

So go on Blue Billion, check out them sites. Click on the video icons too.. "You can say" (in the words of MSD) they are doing a good job.
So far.

My "15 mnts of fame"!

So I sat down yesterday to catch up with some office work and as usual started pottering around Youtube (Thank you God/gods/goddesses/it/whatever for small mercies!).

BTW Shh..don't tell my boss, I am supposed to be "working from home". :-)

And I found Michael Clarke in all his cootchi-coo-honey-bun-pumpkin glory..
And I said to myself: Kaching! Jackpot!
And I did what any self-respecting blogger would do; instead of placing a link to Youtube, I copied the whole damn (code.. whatever) thinggy into my blog. Yes. I did that.

And what do you know.... Nestaquin (now he is a real writer writer people) found it so funny, that he decided to direct a considerable amount of traffic from his site to this blog of yours truly.

Here is what Nesta had to say about me:

"Maidenbowling is one of my favourite blogs on the cricketweb. It’s whimsical, knowledgeable, draped in a beautiful sari and always a delight. While procrastinating and impatiently waiting for the Test in Karachi to begin I ventured over there and found this gem of a video satirising the private life of Australia’s chronically injured captain in waiting, Michael Clarke.

Thanks Leela. You are a star of Bollywood proportions!"

Did you read that people? "Whimsical" -- that is a million-dollar word right there. Use it People. More often. (Preferably for your woman.. or man.. whatever. I don't judge..*cough*)

Amma, Did you read that? "a star of Bollywood proportions"!!!

OK OK I'll calm down.

*sniff*
*Does a triple Axel, a double Lutz, and finishes with a Salchow.. all in her head of course :-)*

PS: Er.. Thank you Nesta. Like I said on your blog, its high praise indeed.

LOL!

Azzhu Miyan gets back in the field

One player who immediately comes to my mind when I think of the 90s is Azhar. Perhaps the two years spent in KV Trimulgherry have something to do with this; in those days there was always a sense of great pride that Azhar represented mana (meaning "our") Hyderabad.

Sure Venkatapathy Raju was also there, but Azhar was the big fish. A great player, he had that classic nawabi style of play even though he himself was a shy, reticent sort of a guy - one who would melt into the background.

And then there was his fielding. He was spectacular. And this in those days when fielding wasn't considered that important in the Indian scheme of things.

I don't remember many of his "big innings" now; however the one match where India chased down a 300+ score by Pakistan, in Dhaka, in virtual darkness is much-cherished.
(The one where Kanitkar hit a last-ball four; a dear friend reminded me recently.)
He was the captain then. Not too authoritative. Shy and awkward.

During the latter part of his career, when the match-fixing allegations really took off, I would often argue with people and defend him. No he looks so sincere, so simple, so innocent.. he couldn't have done that. That was my refrain. He was mana Azhar. He could do no wrong.

And then he made that infamous statement that he was being targeted because he belongs to the minority community. It was a cheap shot.
Though he later apologized and retracted his statement, I never quite felt the same way for him again.
Azhar bhai you cheated all your fans when you said that.

Anyway, he is back now. This time as a politician. Who would've thought?
Hopefully Azhar Miyan represents mana Hyderabad, the second time around, with all the grace that it deserves.

Best of Luck Azhar!

A fashion faux pas of subcontinental proportions!

So early in the morning I find out that Team India has changed its uniform colors.
I checked out the "collection" and.. well.. umm
All I'll say is, when the showpiece of the 2008-2009 Spring/Winter collection (aka MSD) can look bad (*shudder*) in it.. then you do know what this means right?

HORRIBLE!

Yes people the series hasn't even started yet, and the Kiwis with their Kewl uniforms have already won this round.

Uff!!

My head hurts...

The right buildup.. or is it?

Remember when India was about to embark on its tour to Australia in 2007? The cable provider here would put up ads saying, "The sub-continental giants India up against the awesome Aussies..."
And the phrase that flashed in my head, the first time I saw the ad, was "Lambs to Slaughter". Which is precisely what one Australian writer used after the 1 st Test.
Oh yes, we both were referring to India.

See that is what I (being an old (*cough*) umm old-fashioned (*giggle*) gal) am used to.. Team India being the underdogs, Team India being the "poor travellers".

Of course India weeded out some of those doubts by the end of the Australian summer, but.. then Splendid Mendis ran through the Indian middle-order like a hot knife through butter.

So I am thinking what to make of the NZ tour...

Are the Kiwis the underdogs? Well they sure are making the "right" statements...
This is what Dan Vettori said:

"You look at the individual players and some of the world's best are coming,"

And then some Wright statements too!

So is it part of some Kiwi conspiracy to lull India into a sense of complacency and then in one fell swoop cut the giant to size??
Or is India really going to do well this time?

Bol India Bol!! ("Speak India Speak")
(Btw, others too can post their thoughts.:-)

ps: I've enabled comment moderation.. I do believe in free speech.. but sometimes things happen. Please feel free to speak your mind and say what you want to; and I'll ensure its heard on my message board.
Will just filter out the not-so welcome ones. Okkie Dokkie.

Mail Time (Dravidappa special)

So the encouraging response to my previous mail to the boys has prompted me to write the big one: a mail to Dravidappa. Its tough for most mortals to understand what goes on in Dravidappa's head; so instead of focusing on that, I will give him a solution that SHOULD work. Its called "paste-a-smile-on-your-face-for-your-life-is-not-crap" therapy.
Curious? Read on....

Dear Dravid Anna,

The tour of NZ is just a couple of weeks away, and we all know it was precisely for this occasion that you haven't been guillotined yet. Imagine if Dada had gone through such a form slump; he would've been tossed out before one could say KKR. Or even Sachin-I am sure the word "selfish" would've been tossed around a bit. However, in your case, your wall-like reputation has meant, you've been given time. And no one begrudges you that. But this is the big test. You fail this and whether the wall crumbles away or not- it will, sadly, be torn down. No one is indispensable.

I understand you've had a tough time. WC2007 was tough. For all of us. And no one blamed you alone.. (sorry about the broken window..*giggle* gussa tha na abhi jaane bhi do anna). And the Dada-Chappell saga was tough too, but they were the lead actors of that story na you were a side-hero, so why so much footage?

And its not like the rest of the cricketing stars don't go through crap phases. Now look at your BRC team-mate, Pieterson. Had a pathetic record as a captain, lost to worst-possible sides, was beaten comprehensively by Yuvi XI, and had to endure a coach-captain saga of sub-continental proportions. Always considered a mercenary, always having his loyalty questioned; yet he slogs on like a millionaire, with a not-so-dumb smile pasted on his face.
Fake but effective.

OK look at Bhajji. Was hounded by the Australian press, called names on public radio, dragged through a trial, hunted by a pack of dogs, had cameras trained on him for an entire match-every movement, sneeze, scratch monitored. Poor guy, couldn't even fart in peace. Yet he endured.

OK came back and slapped Sreesanth (between u & me, who has not felt like slapping Sreesanth?) And believe me, I was mad at him too. But then I find out that people apparently choke each other for some theme songs(!?!). So obviously slap-gate needs to be put into perspective...

{Hmm so Bhajji slaps a team-mate after a hard-fought match (which Bhajji's team lost) because the said team-mate was heckling him like a moron. Hmm... Doesn't look that unreasonable right? Especially in the light of choke-gate? }

But he did pay a price na. Banned and lost money. Humiliated and embarrassed.

But look at him when he came back. Saved us the blushes in the Bangalore test match (2008). Played so well that even Mark Nicholas said, "what a fighter he is, what a BIG HEART in that wiry frame.." or something like that. And we all know how many prescription meds Nicholas must've taken to spit that one statement out?

The point is that there is no point in walking around like a Greek tragedy. You aint no Karna. So life dealt you a blow, take it on the chin like a..er (*cough*) man. Why read self-help books in public. Its not going to impress anyone. Well maybe His-excellency-pompous-ass-earl-grey-tea-with-cucumber-sandwiches/crumpets-at-Lords-sir-lord-cricket Michael Artherton.

But he ain't your people. We are your people. Those who follow your game religiously. Pray for you.

So chin up. Put a smile on that face. For positive attitude helps. Don't walk on to the field like "dead man walking". That negativity weighs down the team like a heavy wall. I know you and the other boys don't have much in common; they are a li'l too bindaas for you. But hey wait.. there is one thing you all have in common... Cricket!

Yes! You all play for team India. So be proud of that fact. You are living so many people's dreams. You inspire so many others. You ain't in a dead-end job where the moron next door earns more than he deserves..

You have a dream job. Go live that dream as if you love it. Savour it.

And when you walk on to that field in NZ I wan't you to walk in with confidence. Take a chewing-gum if that helps. And play a positive stroke. Do not block.

Do. Not. Block.

Regards,
Leela
PS: Forgive the tough-love approach of this letter Anna, I mean well. I do.

The Kiwis conspire to kill Dhoni

Yes. Those nicer Australians are actually devious perverts.
Consider this:

Tourism Auckland has invited Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a bungee jump from atop the city's Harbour Bridge during the upcoming tour of New Zealand commencing later this month.

???
Apparently, they want MSD to

"experience the best of what Auckland has to offer and a bungee off our iconic Harbour Bridge is a superb way to see the city in all its glory"

This has sabotage written all over it. It smells bad. Like that stale dal-makhani from that shady Indo-Pak restaurant at the mall....

I don't get it.

1. Do we ask them to watch 3.5 hrs long Bolly song-infested monstrosities *shudder* to learn about our culture "in all its glory"?
2. Do we make them dance to our dhin-chak *shudder* Bolly numbers from the 80s?
3. Do we make them eat the gas-inducing standard gujju fare like dhokla?
(scratch that, Jeetan Patel is probably already used to that.)

Answers: No. No.

So I don't get this. Of course I am disturbed. For this is personal.

I am not sure what to do though. Effigies, of course, will always be there.. but what else.

Any good ideas, do lemme know.

Shh.. say it softly, the Prince is ready to wear the crown

I usually ignore Yuvi. And why wouldn't I? Or you? He can break your heart as easily as he can overwhelm you with that brilliant play of his. Take a look at his Cricinfo stats. I am sure there is a pattern there: success, failure, brilliance, embarrassment......

(I don't count Yuvi's performances against Eng because I seriously suspect his dad does the whole motivation routine by playing Lagaan, Mangal Pandey, or even, The Legend of Bhagat Singh - and then our Punjabi Munda gets all hyper and conquers the Angrez/British. Maybe..)

Its his inability to stamp himself on all formats, and against all oppositions that frustrates all of us; there is obvious talent yet a certain lack of maturity. No wonder despite being the player who has played most ODIs in the current team (except Sachin, of course) we never quite call him a "senior".

It would be easy to blame his parents, or his flashy lifestyle, or his Punjab Da Puttar attitude for his inconsistencies, but that would be an easy cop out. I mean tell me how many Indians don't have parents that totally control their life choices, finances, etc. And how about that arranged marriage thing.. at least his folks let him enjoy his moments with Bolly Gals. And talking about Punjab Da Puttar, what about Bhajji? If nothing, one can ALWAYS count on Bhajji for a solid fight- full of gumption and spunk.

So Yuvi's failures have been nothing short of crimes. Especially when one considers how he plays. I am not sure how to describe it. Its not the Jat simpleton attitude of Sehwag ("see ball, hit ball"), nor is it the style and fluidity of Laxman, and definitely not the lakadhara i.e. wood chopper's technique like the "beautiful one" (you guys know him as Dhoni).

Its different. It has a swagger. Not the chewing-gum-induced one of Yusuf Pathan. It is much more natural than that. It is the precocious talent of a kid who aces all his exams without opening the book, while you have spent the entire night reading and you barely get a B grade. Its the kind of talent that is peerless and unmatched. Except by Pieterson. And the thing is Pieterson knows he is talented (the English call it ego, I call it being aware). Somehow you get the feeling Yuvi hasn't yet realized his worth.

However his mastery of Mendis and his form of late, gives us all a glimmer of hope. And I am not even considering his performance against Eng (as I mentioned before), a side that lost to Mumbai XI. Plus has an identity crisis, and a fall guy for all occasions called Pieterson.. but we digress.

The whole Sri Lanka thing is a pleasant surprise. I mean this is a team with which India gets along well, there is no argy-bargy. No "I'll teach you a lesson" sorta motivation. So his hardwork was about well... serious old-fashioned hardwork. And in six months time he went from a club cricketer to a "Man of the Series". Kudos.

So is the yuvraj ("prince") of Indian cricket ready to step it up? New Zealand beckons with sterner tests, and we shall all wait with bated breath. And you know whether he wallops it out of the park or flicks it for an effortless six- it will be spectacular.

So I say, "Lead us to glory, O Prince! Sieze the moment, and we the people will march right behind you...."

PS: And if he fails, and breaks your heart.... the effigies, that have been stowed away, will be put to good use.

It takes two Pathans...

...to get India out of trouble.
Yes people *sniff* when the game was all but lost, the two came in and tonked some sixes and fours and one wondered if Dilshan would have a heart-attack.
*sniff* Its all too much; the brothers were just FAB *sniff*
-- All khusi ke aasoon(tears of joy) by the way

No wonder T20 is such a craze.

I wanted to call this post "Brothers in arms" or even "Blues Brothers", but I was most tempted to title it "India win despite Raina."
I mean gadha (donkey) who gets out to such a shot and leaves the team in jeopardy?

Don't worry people my people are in touch with his people, and if that doesn't sort things out, I have a Raina voodoo doll with poison-tipped pin ready...

Anyway, good day for India, and the winning streak continues...

IPL: Where perception is reality

I promise this is the last post on the IPL.. and I will wait for the IPL to actually start before I start blogging on it some more. However I was prompted to post this after reading this article.

As you can see Younis Khan feels that "Pakistani players have got themselves a raw deal from the IPL."

Lets analyse the issue, shall we? Lets understand how & why certain players have been valued more in the IPL.

Last year the IPL was all about the Australians. All franchises wanted the all-powerful, all-conquering Aussies, with their "win at all costs" attitude. It was a desire that reflected India's own relationship with self-belief. The talk was that India had always had the talent, the (Aussie) spirit is what had been missing. So it was all about "fighting fire with fire" and copying Australia...even in the way one celebrated a win (ruffling each others' hair!) .

However, the taming of the shrew has been completed, and Aussies no longer inspire the same awe that they did last year. In simple marketing terms, they are not marketable anymore. Clarke understood this, and opted out.
Plus all their best players have already been signed in. Hence the "unsold" status of their players.

Compare it with SL. SL won top contracts last year based on their stupendous run in WC2007. The idea was that buy a Sri Lankan, and you are guaranteed 150% performance. Now with SL in relative decline, they haven't inspired big money spending.

The Saffers have always been considered a thanda (cold) team in India, and people really weren't going overboard for them last year.. though a Rahul Dravid-inspired selection meant that BRC ended up paying lot more for people like Kallis.

Anyway, this year's signings continue to reflect the marketable mix of cricketing skills and charisma.

Duminy breaks the mould of a clinical ergo thanda Saffer; notice how he announced himself in grand style last month, so his price is understandable.

Mortaza for business sense and more.

The Kiwis are obviously very good players, but India hasn't played them at all lately, so their "brand value" is not that high. If the auction was held after the NZ series scheduled later this month, I am sure some of them would've fetched a greater price.

Finally, KP's price-tag reflects his image in India, and one man's ego(And no I don't mean KP here), while Flintoff was a sound investment for a team that wanted one big player to complete the package.

Which brings me back to Pak.

Sure they aren't allowed to play this year, but even if they would've participated (those that weren't picked up last year) I feel many would have not been "sold".

I read somewhere the insinuation that this stems/stemmed(last year) from the desire to pay players with gori-chitti chamri (white skin) more than their Asian counterparts (!!) -- which of course revealed the poster's own relationship with skin color.

Fact is, if Imran Khan was around, he probably would've trumped all.

Heck if some of the ICL Lahore players would've been around, they would've trumped people like Younis (who is a very good ODI and test player, but doesn't inspire hype in T20).

Unfortunately Pakistan cricket does not inspire confidence. And no India isn't responsible for it.

Also, those that did play last year had minor squabbles with their respective teams. For instance, Gul and Butt complained about Ganguly's leadership and Afridi publicly criticized Laxman's captaincy.

Meanwhile, Akhtar was welcomed with great fan-fare (and last time I checked he has brown skin), however, his subsequent shenanigans have prompted KKR to drop him. Asif's case is well documented.

It has to be understood that the IPL is about Cricket AND entertainment. And sometimes people like Sarwan who are very good players don't make the cut because that "X-factor", to speak in showbiz parlance, is missing. (Also missing is a T20-suitable SR.)

It is unfair. But so is life. Sometimes.

The "invisible hand of the market" strikes!!

So the IPL auction ended yesterday and the Chennai Super Kings or MDS XI get Freddie Flintoff!! Yay!! Now the Talisman is all ours :-) mind it!!
I am not from the Nadu but I support CSK because.. well MSD is their Captain. So aiyyayo to all who will be losing against this team.
Anyway the rest stack up as follows:

http://cricketnext.in.com/videos/38046/pietersen-flintoff-hit-jackpot-at-ipl-auction.html

But I am still not sure why Shakib was not picked and well Jesse Ryder went cheap.
Anyway looks like the IPL continues to offend many.. but Mashrafe's price should put a smile on the faces of all those socialists out there.

Message in a bottle (Ind in SL 2009)

The pre-game wait for the 3rd game of the series was a bit nerve-wracking for me. After reading this by Gary, I even had a new blog ready in my head. It had the following quote: India played to 59.9% of its potential and lost.

Thankfully, didn't need to use it.

Anyway, now that India has won the series, I've sent a message to the "boys" regarding the next two games. Of course its been sent the old-fashioned way; I've put the message in a bottle and tossed it into the Pacific...

Here is what I wrote:

1. Dear Sachin, I am not sure what you are doing wrong.. but have you considered getting up on the right side of the bed for a change? How about praying to God/gods/goddesses/it/whatever? Perhaps tonking Gamini Silva with the bat next time you walk in might help....

2. Dear Veeru, for godsssake, you do realize the opposition has to get you out right?? And why those risky singles anyway? I suggest you stand at the crease, sing some songs, and look pretty- the runs will come automatically.

3. Er. em ...*cough* Yuvi, I would like to ignore you, in fact I am ignoring you but have to say, can you pls tone down those R-rated celebrations of yours... it all is a tad uncomfortable for us sensitive types, especially early in the morning... Thanks.

4. Dear Raina, I am not sure what is wrong with you kid.. but something is. You often make silly mistakes while fielding (which I am sure won't seem that comical if India start losing) and you throw away your wicket sometimes...You need to fix it pronto. Otherwise, some violent measures will have to be contemplated....Kapish?

5. Dear Dhoni, *giggle* Can Jadeja get a chance in the next match? *giggle* Heard good things about him. Perhaps I am biased because I do like all things Jadeja... Anyway think about it.. *giggle*

6. Dear Zak, I think you will get a well-deserved rest. Go watch Luck By Chance. Nice one and your ex has done a great job too. Wonder why you two broke up....

7. Dear Lambu, watch the front foot.

8. Dear Mahela, um.. er.. I usually don't write to opposition players, but you said this:
"I don't think India is far superior [you don't??] but they are playing really good consistent cricket with the bat and ball. They've got bowlers who are in form and at the same time 4-5 guys of their batters are in form as well and are actually taking control of things."

ummm denial never helped Ponting, it surely won't help you.

Bye Guys,
Leela.

Roy, interrupted.

I like Roy Symonds. There is something endearing about him. He lacks the school-bully attitude of Hayden, and the cunning of Ponting. Nor does he seem like a mithi churi ("sweet dagger") like Clarke and Gilchrist. At least that is what I gather when I see him on my computer. I could be wrong, or I could be right too.. there is something of a lost boy quality in him underneath all that bluster.
Or maybe I just like him because my favourite fairy-tale is "Beauty & the Beast". (Ok the beast wasn't meant to be racist.)

Anyway, so reading about his free-fall from international cricket stardom is a tad.. well sad.
Funnily enough, or maybe it all makes sense, among all the players of Sydneygate(Roy, Ponting, Hayden, Clarke), he inspires the least derision among Indians. Maybe there was a sense of sympathy too, for he managed to become the highest paid foreign player of the first edition of the IPL.

I wonder how tough the past year or so must have been for him. I don't think he realized what he was getting into when this whole thing started.

Starting with his inappropriate comments regarding India's T20WC celebrations.
Why did it matter to him one wonders?

And then engaging with the mob in India. Sure they hit him back with their on over-the-top reaction, but haven't we all heard of how Australian spectators make life difficult for visitors?
Surely Australian players of all people, should know never to get into an argy-bargy with the crowd?

And then the monkey-gate affair. It basically was a most tedious affair if ever there was one. I guess people pretty much know where they stand on this one, so I will not go into redundant details.

And then his infamous fishing expedition which resulted in him missing the India series, followed by the lump of s*** affair.
(When I heard the radio interview, it was quite clear Roy was drunk and disoriented. Totally in contrast with Hayden who knew what he was saying when he made that "obnoxious weed" remark)

Back to the present and the article states:
Board sources say the most likely course of action is that Symonds will be stood down and a fresh focus put on his rehabilitation program, overseen by several psychologists.

Sad indeed. Does this spell the begining of the end for him?

And what bitter irony that if Roy does not make the cut for the series in SA, the Indian Premier League might be the only way for him to get back into the spotlight.

The new IPL list, some thoughts

The IPL list has been shortened and now we see only some 40 + players. Predictably Monty has been left out. And even "Dirty" Dirk's name is not to be found.
I did a quick glance over at the list and here is what I think must happen:

1. KP: I am not sure who gets him, but he should definitely stay away from Mallaya's BRC.
Wonder if he gets into the pie-chucker's team? That would be fun :-)

2. Flintoff: Pls pls god, pls lt him be bought by CSK. I know CSK needs him. I know CSK wants him.

3. Duminy: I have a feeling Shane Warne won't let this one go.

4. Clarke: *ignores the ghadha(which means donkey, not monkey)*

5. Ryder: Interesting... maybe the Mumbai Indians?

6. Shakib: I hope he gets into dada's team. I know the Deshis have a thing for dada and I am sure it will be a dream come true for li'l Shakib to play in a packed Eden Gardens in Kolkata in front of his bhadralok and not-so bhadra lok.

The rest we shall ignore for now.