On the occasion of Sehwag playing his 100th test, here is a quick write up of what I know following him for years..
![]() |
| "If the ball has to be hit, it should be hit no second thought" |
On the occasion of Sehwag playing his 100th test, here is a quick write up of what I know following him for years..
![]() |
| "If the ball has to be hit, it should be hit no second thought" |
Its been long time I have written something so I thought I would write something which cant be forgotten in Indian cricket history. Talking about 2 moments, one the best moment in Indian cricket and the other the worst moment i must say, which occurred in the same week.. I was school going kid of age 12 when the below matches took place and had to bunk the class to watch semifinals, which I remember like it happened yesterday. - Shashi Kiran
It was in 1996 in the month of March when India had to face SL in WC semifinals in Calcutta (now Kolkata) after beating Pakistan in quarter finals few days (Saturday March 9th (if I am not wrong)) before in Bengaluru. What a match that was in BengaLuru starting with Sidhu firing all the cylinders to score those valuable 93 after losing Sachin, couple of boundaries towards covers of Mustaq Ahmed from Sidhu was amazing. And let's not forget the little cameo from Jadega at the end of the innings by smacking the ball all over the park to such an extent that in one single over he scored around 26 runs of Waqar and those sixes of reverse swinging yorkers were treat to watch :)... India end up making some valuable 280+ runs on the board... enough to defend? Yes infact there was a sigh of relief on the faces of Indian team which lasted only till the Pakistan innings started. Sohail and Anwar started attacking right from the very first ball and scored some 83 runs of first 10 overs. Srinath fooled Anwar with a slower one who ended up hitting the ball straight up in the air and kumble taking a good catch at midwicket. So far it was all Pakistan’s way and whole stadium was as silent as a sleeping child and then they erupted with huge roar when Anwar fell and for I believe the noise didn’t cease till the match was over. Next wicket was of sohail's which will remain in the mind of cricket fans for a very long time in the history of cricket. It was delivery from Prasad which was in good length and gave enough width well outside the off stump which any left hander would love to hit, so did Sohail after dancing down the track hammering towards the square boundary for a four. Then he gestured prasad which literally meant "this is what you expect from me and go and fetch the ball", Prasad had to just return back only to send down the next ball which was a leg cutter, which Sohail made complete mess out of it by exposing all the stumps trying to hit towards off side and before he could realize, timber behind him was already uprooted and Prasad erupted and was fuming and showed the way to Sohail in a anger and it was treat to watch (nevertheless Prasad was fined for this gesture later):) as rightly said by Wasim (akram) bhai, this was in fact the turning point of the match where Pakistan was placed really well scoring at over 7 runs per over with loss of 1 wicket and needing little more than 5 per over and more importantly they had very good middle order with likes of Ijaz ahmed, Salim malik, miandad, inzamam, latif. Had Sohail not showed that aggression and attitude it wouldn't have created such pressure and didn’t allow India to come back to the game at all. Why on earth Sohail wanted that drama when he had played such a beautiful innings? If continued it would have been a cake walk for Pakistan. Well when all the god's in India were conspiring for India's win, who can stop it? :).
Next few overs made Pakistan to put on breaks on their scoring rate and as a result required run rate went up. Ijaz and Inzamam fell quickly scoring few runs and wasting some balls. I must say it was Miandad and Malik who spoiled the Pakistan’s party by wasting too many balls unnecessarily which created too much of pressure and in the mean time India took a good control of the match. Latif looked threatening with some lusty blows of Raju, but ended up getting stumped by Mongia of raju.
It was all over for Pakistan here and India had to complete the formality of completing the quota of 50 overs. India eventually won by some 38-39 runs. Sidhu was the man of the match and I vividly remember that it was Devegowda, who was the CM of Karnataka then who handed over the MOM trophy to Sidhu :).
Well next one would never erase from our minds for long time for wrong reasons unlike the above one. It was on Thursday, March 13th (what a number-13?) semifinals between India and Sri Lanka and never in anybody's dream it would have appeared that it would be a worst day in Indian cricket. Azhar, then the Indian captain won the toss and much to everybody's surprise he chose to field first rather than opting to bat and pile up some good total and defending it, given that India was not well known for chasing batting second during those days. Since there was some movement which helped bowlers initially he had to go with that option and rightly he did. First over of the match was a dream over for India and rest of the match was very dim and at the end it was curtains to India's show in WC :(... well let's come back to first over, as usual Srinath opened for India and with the opening pair like Kuluwitharana and Jayasurya well known for their exploit during first 15 overs it was challenge for any bowling side to stop them. Because this pair had shown the world throughout the world cup on how to exploit the fielding restrictions in first 15 overs and it played major role in their world cup triumph that year. very second ball of the Innings, Kaluwitharana was down the wicket and tried to smash Srinath over deep gully but end up giving a simple catch to manjrekar at third man and atmosphere was electrifying in the stadium and endless celebrations on and off the field and 4th ball of the same over Jayasurya tried a similar shot as Kaluwitharana and this time he found Prasad at third man. It was dream moment with 2 dangerous batsmen getting out in very first over. Full praises for Azhar for choosing to bowl first from all ends. But srilanka had Gurusinha, Mahanama, De silva, Ranatunga, Tilakaratne in the middle order which looked too dangerous a gang to thrash any opponent. Even Gurusinha didn’t last long and within a few minutes’ co-hosts and guests in India were already 3 wickets down for 30 odd runs with De Silva looking very strong and positive at other end. As a kid I always wanted to see India’s batting so I would want them to have enough runs to score and I was wondering “what if srilanka gets out within 100 runs? Oh no! There won’t be any fun watching India batting, at least Indian team needs some runs to score, let Lanka score few more runs”, how innocent it was of me :). Well, talking about Aravinda, he never looked bogged down with wickets falling at other end. He literally smashed Kumble into pieces by hitting all over the park. Having scored some 60+ runs, he had hit some 13-14 boundaries. He kept SL run rate intact. Fall of him brought in Ranatunga who joined with Mahanama and scored the runs freely in singles and twos. I must say its India’s relax mood made SL to come back to the game, India never seemed like putting pressure after 3 quick wickets in the beginning. Mahanama reached his fifty and was retired hurt and was taken out in the stretcher. As usual Ranatunga was hanging around at one end and as expected and as he did always he took a help runner which made his life easy further with Tilakaratne at the other end took pressure of him by rotating strike. Having lost 3 quick wickets in the beginning the way they came back, thanks to Arvinda de Silva for his aggressive cricket and free scoring runs, was amazing. Vaas playing a little cameo at the end SL reached a decent score of some 250+.
Well well well, now when India came out to bat somewhat there was some nervousness seen on the faces of India batsmen. Why not? After all it was a big game, semi finals. Much was expected from Sidhu with the form he was against Pakistan days before, but he was out for single digit score giving catch to Jaysurya in covers of Chamidna Vaas. Then came Manjrekar (whom I admired as a kid) who hanged around with Tendulkar and in fact it was good partnership of some 90 runs. Seeing Tendulkar and Manjrekar batting together is a treat to watch with similar stature, similar batting techniques and similar helmet and pads they wore, it was difficult to differentiate who's who sometimes :).. Sachin came down the track and misread the ball of jaysurya completely and quick work by Kaluwitharana behind the stumps made Sachin short of crease when the score was 98 and it was 98-2 then.
Azhar walked in swinging his head either way like he always did and he faced few balls and was “Duck” out caught and bowled of Dharmasena. All hell let loose from now on. 99-3 was the score read on the board. Kambli came in and after 3-4 runs Manjrekar tried for a paddle sweep of Jayasurya and missing the ball which went and disturbed the wooden sticks behind him and he was bowled and had to walk out. Score was 100+ for 4. Now here they sent their new found pinch hitter Srinath and god knows why do they wanted to send him, he came and tried to hit the ball as if he was facing the 49th over and in too much excitement he went for an unneccary 3rd run and found himself short of crease and walked back, it was 5 for 110. Next one was Jadega, who never looked he was here to play cricket with his lethargic looks. It was like an action reply of Manjrekar's wicket, tried for a paddle sweep before he could realize what is happening he was bowled out. Jayasurya again doing the trick for SL, though he was out cheaply that afternoon, he compensated with ball that night claiming 3 important wickets of Tendulkar, manjrekar and jadeja. India was 6 down here with hopeless situation. Score was 115-6. With Mongia and Ashish kapoor also falling cheaply score was 120-8 from 98-1. By this time crowd was already turning violent and lighting papers with fire all over and throwing bottles on to the field. Match was stopped and started twice, but when a bottle was hit to a fielder fielding at deep mid wicket, match had to come to halt and all players went back to pavilion and I was already almost into the tears sitting on the floor in front of the TV set dragging my knees towards my chest with my both the hands witnessing Kumble and Kambli walking out. Seeing Kambli walking out crying looks similar to the sight of a kid crying after getting nicely beaten by teacher in cane for not doing homework. I couldn’t control and had to roll out the tears :(..
I had a serious urge of killing Clive Lloyd, who was the match referee who declared the match was abandoned and declared sri lanka winners.
Could he not have restarted the match from the beginning next day? I kept on wondering and even today I wonder:).
Worst day of Indian cricket as I said, if remembered today makes one feel disheartened.
India has a chance now to take the revenge and hope they would rightly do so :)
ತೇಜಸ್ವಿಯವರ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಕಲಾಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ಹಾಗು ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಬದುಕಿನ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸಾರುವ ಎಸ್. ಎಲ್. ಭೈರಪ್ಪನವರ "ಗೃಹಭಂಗ", "ಸಾಕ್ಷಿ", "ತಬಲ್ಲಿ ನೀನಾದೆ ಮಗನೆ", "ದಾಟು" ಮತ್ತಿನಿತರ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಗಳಿಂದ ಸ್ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಪಡೆದು ಬರೆಯುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಒಂದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ. ಇದೊಂದು ಕಥೆಯಲ್ಲ, ಯಾವುದೇ ಕಥವಸ್ತುವನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡಿಲ್ಲ, ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸುವ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಅಷ್ಟೆ. ಎಲ್ಲ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಕಥೆಗಳು ಕೇವಲ ಕಾಲ್ಪನಿಕ, ಕೆಲವು ಊರಿನ ಹೆಸರುಗಳು, ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನು ಸ್ವಾಭಾವಿಕವಾಗಿರಲೆಂದು ಗೊತ್ತಿರುವ ಕೆಲವು ಊರುಗಳ ಮತ್ತು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ತಿಪಟೂರಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲ ಹಳ್ಳಿಗಳನ್ನು ನಾನು ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ ಬೆಳೆದ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದ ಈ ಸೀಮೆಯನ್ನೆ ಹಾರಿಸಿದ್ದೆನೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಬೈಗಳುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಡ ಸ್ವಭಾವಿಕವಾಗಿರಲೆಂದು ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಯೆತೆಚ್ಹವಾಗಿ ಉಪಯೊಗಿಸಿದ್ದೆನೆ.ತಪ್ಪಿರುವುದು ಸಹಜ, ಇದ್ದರೆ ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಬೇಕು :-) - ಶಶಿಕಿರಣ್ ಎಸ್ ಎಸ್
Here goes my review of the GaaLipata Album, worth buying the album.
Disclaimer:Everything written below is based purely on my personal view and anything which confronts with the opinion of anyone of you, then my sincere appologies for the same. J
1. Minchaagi neenu baralu: (Lyric: Jayantha Kaykani, singer: Sonu Nigam)
This is again a song which perfectly suits Sonu’s voice, which is well verse in expressing the emotions and manifestation of the feelings in soothing manner. This is again an ideal song for Sonu. One of the beautiful lyrics written by Jayanth kaykani in recent times. Some lines are really touching like “Virahada bege sudalu, yedeyalli besige kala”, “Naa ninna kanasige chandhaDhaaranu, chandha baaki needalu bande baruvenu…” and “Naa nera hrudayada varadigaaranu, ninna nodidha kshanadali, maathe marevenu…” Ee reeTiya tharKakke nilukada Saahithya bareyuva Kaykaniyavarige full marks, innu coming to the composition of the tune of this song, as you listen it for the first time no wonder you would feel it somewhat same like “Anisutide” tune, may be Harikrishna couldn’t resist to blend the lyrics with the soothing “Anisutide” tune which was trend setter early 2007 and unknowingly he has composed by picking some strings from “Anisutide” tune… anyways, you can call it as an improved version of “Anisutide” tune. Vocal chorus used by Harikrishna as the song nearing to the climax has added much more richness to the song. And coming to the Kannada Uchharane of Sonu, he has given his 100% to sing his best and he has lot improved this time except one or two instances, but they are negligible, but all you can expect from non-kannadiga is not anything more than this. So 10/10 to Sonu. Overall I can give 4/5 for this song.
2. Nadhimdhim tana: (Lyric: Yograj Bhatt, singer: Chitra)
This is my personal favorite in this movie. Yograj Bhat has himself penned the lyrics for this number and he is at his best as a lyricist, who had also written lyrics for “Mungaru Maleye…” and I personally rate that lyric (Mungaru maleye…) as “One of my favorite filmi lyrics”. Coming to this song, Bhattaru (Yograj) ondu hudugiya preethiya bhavaanegaLannu, sundara saahithyada moolaka sundaravaagi thorsiddare andre taPpagalaradu… Chitra’s (“AmruthaVarshini” & “ChandraMukhi PraanaSaki” fame) classical voice is at her best in recent times. We should also be aware of the very fact that not every singer can sing this classical influenced kind of songs, which are difficult to sing. Super variations in the tempo and versatile expressions are all you can notice in Chitra’s tone. Chitra’s voice is a perfect match to this song as it needs classical touch into it and she deserves the credit for giving the needed touch. Modala sala neevu E haadannu kelidare, you will find that Harikrishna has some influence of “Jiya chale (dil se)” tunes and has given similar kind of tune. And the way he has used the instruments, vocal chorus and everything of his part of work needs an appreciation. Some lines are really catchy like “Thaakita tharakita yennutide E hRudaya mrudanGa, suNdara maaNasa saroVaradalli Prema taRanga” and “Premada sarigama Swara-Thaalada koLadalli, Haadutha theladutha, jwara herisuva maLeyalli” and few other lines.
My rating goes like 4.5/5.
3. K
Luckily I didn’t notice any influence of past tunes on Harikrishna while composing tune for this number… J Lyrics is again a contribution from HrudayaShiva and in his own typical style. When you listen to this song, Bhaavathireka Vyaktapadiso ondu mouna tumbida manada gEethe antha bha
4. Aakasha Iste yakidio?? (Title track): (Lyric: Jayantha Kaykani, singer: Tippu, Kunal Ganjawala)
Jayanth Kaykaniyavaru barediruva E geetheya Saahithya ondu reethiyalli Young generation song which makes you to groove to the music when you listen to this number, which totally differs from the 3 songs which are listed above. Here Kaykani also proves that he can not only write those emotional lyrics but also the lyrics which suit the party number as well. Kunal Ganjawala and Tippu have sung the song in a tone to sync the music perfectly to make it a perfect dance number, may be this song may rule the stages of the school, college fests and other cultural events in the days later in the year. The catchy voice in this song is of Chaitra’s (“Huduga Huduga” fame), though she has not spelt out any lyric in this song, “Nannai nana nai” from her tone in the beginning of the song and also in between the lines is just awesome and extract all the attention and made the song more colorful. Nothing to tell about the lyrics, here its all about the music in this song more than lyrics, but “YES” lyrics is equally good.
May be we can give 3.75/5.
5. Ondesamane Nittusiru: (Lyric: Yograj Bhatt, singer: Sonu Nigam)
This song is a sad version of “Minchaagi Neenu Baralu” but this time the lyric contribution from Yograj Bhattru. The lyric is much evident to prove the “Saahithya Shrimanthike” of Yograj bhat. E haadina keluvu saalugaluanthu, kandithavaaGalu nimma prashamse ge paathra aaguvudaralli sandeh
4/5 is what we can give.
6. Aaha bidiru Bombe: (Lyric: Jayantha Kaykani, singers:Udit Narayan,Anuradha Sriram)
This song is sung by Udit Narayan and Anuradha Sriram, lyrics by Jayantha Kaykani. When you have heard the name of Udit narayan, you would have thought that this song is kind of “Jhink chak” type of song antha, Jthat means a song which is full of maja and masti in it… “Nenanipa jaathreyali haledu naa, kanasina kannadiya kollale” is just the glimpse of the lyrics which you can notice which is sung in a masti way and remaining part of the song also goes in the same manner. Tune for this is song is also sounds good when heard along with the lyrics. May be you can call it as a dance number as well. Time pass song in short for now and may be it has got some added value to the story in the movie for sure.
Rating goes like 3.5/5 for this song.
So over all around ~4/5 is what I can personally rate this album.