Fabulous Four, the Eternal Virtual Artists of the World Cricket

Current India –Australia test series creates huge interest on world of Cricket. To Me
I am always waiting for the best cricket. Basically I personally have lots of debt to
The Great Artists of world football and Cricket.

Indian Cricket has reached in great height after 2000 . It was Just possible for the
Four eternal artists of Indian Cricket. Yes They have already got the Tag of fabulous
Four. They are none other than Sachin Tendulkar, Rahhul Dravid , Sourav Ganguly
And VVS Laxman.

This is the era of the open market. Every thing is a product in here. Basically 20-20
Cricket is a new format for the entertainment of the cricket. Those of us who were following the cricket even after birth have some compatibility issue with such form of game.

Basically Major problem of any game is," if you want to change the full structure of the game for the corporate interest , You need to do lots of sacrifice with the quality of this

game". In such kind of game Bowlers are effected very badly. Batsman can’t stick to their

basic and technique. In fact Major problem is that 20-20 type of tournament never gave

a cricketer to groom up properly. But way things are going on I don’t have idea where

these things will be end. Media is so much powerful medium that they can make any average product to super class Via endorsement.

Current Indian Cricket is the biggest example of this. Basically Lalit Modi has already
Got the touch stone on the form of IPL. They have already declared it as the model
Of English Premier league. But Fact is that English Premier league or Serie A never
Become competitor of the National team and Class Players. Club football has lots
Of contribution for the development of the game of soccer. But major problem is that Cricket
is not a global game. It is almost impossible to make it globalized as football.

It is great that such a regional game has taken significant position in Word sports.

This Game has great Classic materials and If we compromise with this classic materials,
The game will loose its originality.
You can’t replace basic of any thing Via hype . It is not called reformed. Six a side cricket

Was implemented but it did not get success. Major problem is that in such kind of
System we are going to sacrifice the class players of the world cricket.

First test of India –Australia is the biggest example of it. After IPl I have watched a number of Novice and Cricket Illiterate people are going to take part in sports media.
One of the biggest example is Manish Vallicha of Neo Sports. His back ground is that
He was a Radio Jockey. But This Guy suddenly starts to take part in Cricket Hosting
Seriously. So Basic difference is coming up while Harsha Bhogley, Charu Sharma and
Even RK of Neo sports are conducting any cricket discussion.

Now a days Media needs people like Manish Vallicha or Mandira Bedi to promote the
game to another audience who have very much less interest about cricket. But over all
standard is getting not only down big time but also effecting the cricketers again.

Basically After winning of 20-20 world Cup India did have a very big Hype about
Indian current Captain MS Dhoni. I have great respect for Dhoni as a bold cricketer
And performer. But he is not at all fit as the status of Fab 4 and all.
Here is the problem. After success of 20-20 Lots of New Channels are coming with out

Proper experience.
In that Case they will promote more about the heir style of Dhoni and present him as the
Bigger even than Brad Man.

Basically , this Bangalore test is eye opener for all Boards, Cricket lovers and Cricketers.
Way Great Anil Kumbley and Fab 4 were going through pressure was unthinkable,

But end of their Cricketing Carriers way Tendulkar and Laxman Batted in a low bouncy and super slow wkt will be the big lesson for the promising Cricketers.

I am proud to say that I am almost the same age of the great Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly. I think In last one decade we have seen the Monopolistic aggression of Aussies in world cricket. But these were the display of power play.

But these Four Eternal Visual Artists will be immortal in world cricket for their Class with aggression. May be They were the Last saviors of the test Cricket.

World Cricket will be great full to India to present such artists in world Cricket. But
Same BCCI will be the Court of the True Cricket lovers to destroy the spirit of the game.

The Last Action Hero

Sourav Ganguly has given an interview to the Kokata Daily Anandabazar & Aaj kaal after his retirement. It is clearly indicating that in our subcontinent how badly a sportsman
Is treated at end of his carrier. Basically what I have told my on my previous notes

That our sub continent makes any one hero for the success and even does not take single

time to ditch any one. This is because of the lack of sports culture.
Sourav Ganguly is undoubtedly most successful captain of India

and one of the best batsmen of cricket history. Here is the translation of some important

part of his interview-



Q: Why do you suddenly give this declaration?

Ans: I have taken the decision earlier. Just wanted to escape burden on the eve of the series.

Q: Is it not difficult for you to be out of Cricket while you are the guy who can do shadow
At 2 Am?

Ans: I am also surprised that I have made this declaration. But trust me I am not feeling that bad

Q: Since when have you been thinking for retirement?

Ans: Actually while I was out from Irani Trophy, I had made my mind almost. It was a night mare . I could not sleep at night. It was very tough for me to stay at home and decided not to give up. I did not expect to get call for Australia series
but I was hopeful because of new Selection committee . So As I have got the chance,
simply don’t want to give chance any one.


Q: who are they?

Ans: I don’t want to tell any one’s name. But tell me one thing, “why should I be in trial in every time? “You media people told After come back I was the most successful . then why should I be thrown just for one bad series? How long I will fight? If we make
Too much pump on a bladder, it will be burst automatically .

Q: There is the speculation for the VRS of the seniors. Are you the starting point?

Ans: I don’t know who has spread this. Is it possible to tell some one after particular day you won’t play. Should you tell sachin, Rahul and Laxman?All of them are performing
for 12 years. when they will feel for the call off , they leave themselves.About myself I have understood I will be always on Gun point and I will be scrutinized for
any reason. You can’t play like that. So It is better to quit . Cricket may not
Be in life but life will be there.

Q: Gavaskar told , “ You and Laxman are always on Gun point.”

Ans: Every thing is possible in Indian Cricket . while Greg ( chapel) made me out of team, they took T P Sing instead of me. But where is he now?
Some one has not made run in last three series. One cricketer has not got run even in one year. Some one has changed his hair style more than score. That’s why I asked Chika
(Srikanth) to let me play in peace and he has agreed.


Q: what is your greatest achievement in your whole cricketing life?

Ans: 99% people will tell about the success of my captaincy. But I want to tell about our team. Sachin, Rahul, Laxman, Kumbley and me have changed the face of Indian cricket
Together. When India had traveled to the overseas , every body was sure about our defeat. But Scenario is changed after 2000. You can’t alone make a team . It is the
Result of united effort.
So my team was the actual captain. So before my departure I wan to tell my team mates
“ Thank you Mates.”



This is how a sportsman is treated in this subcontinent. Honestly speaking I was watching Indian cricket for the Fab four. I can pay any amount to see the batting
Of VVS Laxman.

It is sad that a bunch of criminals are seating in BCCI . Board president Shashank Manohar is accused for multiple reason in here

“To know Shashank Manohar better, one has to go back to 26th November 1995. It was an ODI played between India and New Zealand when the VCA stadium wall collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring over 70. And who were responsible? Shashank Manohar himself, along with his father V.R. Manohar, the bosses of the VCA stadium - allegely these guys had contracted a close relative of theirs for the construction of the wall. It isn't a surprise that a man responsible for cricket's biggest onfield tragedy is the vice-president of the board.”

Current Secretary N Srinivasan is another controversial character “ Being a Secretary
Of the board this guy still owning IPL Franchise Chennai Super king which is one of the biggest conflict of interest. Funniest thing they are accusing Mr Dalmiya for the corruption but this guy was the treasurer.

I don’t want to sepak about lalit Modi any more. He can do or undo any thing for IPL and money.

Even Senior person Like IS Bindra also told “ Betting should be legalized In Cricket.”
I don’t know if Indian Govt will declare any VRS for those joker officials or not

Basically 20-20 has already started to bleed the cricket badly.

To day Bangladesh Media is going after our 14 cricketers for joining ICL. BCCB blindly
Banned them for 10 years. I have seen support of some suhil friends of mine.

They are not stopped even to spread venom about the personal life of cricketers.

But have ever thought that what the security these cricketers do have.

One of the most successful Batsmen of Pakistan history Inzamam-ul –Haq was

Shown door by the Pakistan cricket control board. But Inzi has done lot for Pakistan cricket.

So I am happy for Alok and Aftab to secure their life in ICCL.

BEGINNING OF THE END OF FABOULOUS FOUR

I like to go back to the late 80s of Dhaka. There was a 4 nation under 19 tournament . India was the champion of this tournament. In fact
This Indian team was the future India team. Ajoy Jadeja, Vinod kambly, Ranjiv Bishwal,
Late Dhruv Pandab, Bhupinder Sing, Jateen ParanJapey and another name was Sourav Ganguly. In fact It was my teen age days and I was very excited to see those teen agers.

But this name Sourav Ganguly gave me huge attention. During those days west Bengal media

Was so much vocal about injustice to Bengal from BCCI. This old record was very common. But it is not always Bengal Media was right. They were very much vocal about
Arun lal. But It was known fact there was no such quality player who could match the Indian team. So name Sourav Ganguly kept my interest high.

Then success of debut series against England of him and Rahul Dravid are history. Sachin Tendulkar established himself then as the star of Indian cricket. Then here came
South Africa Series India had witnessed of VVS Laxman.
With out a doubt this middle order ( Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman) is
One of the best middle orders of the history of the World cricket. It is the best luck of India
That they have got such super class Batsman at a time.

But again problem of Indian cricket is of the whole subcontinent not to adopt proper
Sports culture. Virendra Sehwag has been groomed him self nicely under Fab four. Test

Cricket is a complete different ball game. Sehwag is extremely success full because he went to bat with out pressure while Yuvraj Sing could
Not capitalize his extreme talent in test cricket.

India is now in a transition period as the Australia of late 80s while a number of cricketing greats had retired . Australian cricket was rebuild centralizing Allen Border.
But Indian cricket is different now . Border got people like Dean Jones, Geoff Marsh,David Boon, Mark Tailor , Waugh brothers . Then they don’t need to look behind.

Sourav Ganguly did same thing for India while India was sank in betting controversy.

People like Virendra Sehwag, Yuvraj Sing, Mohd Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Asish Nehra, Harbajan Sing , Irfan
Pathan were discovery of Sourav . But fact was that there was also visionary like Jagmohan Dalmiya from whom he had got full support.

Now Post Fab four and Anil Kumbley era I am not very much optimistic about Indian Cricket.

MS Dhoni , Yuvraj Sing are purely adopted by 20-20 culture. This Current Indian team has not been tested in green top surface in overseas while Fab four was the most successful
In South Africa, Australia and England.

Now the actual testing period of Indian cricket starts