A Weekend away Part I

After lot of planning ( we spent about 15mins going through a guide book), I and my friend Vamsi, decided to make a trip to Shivasamudram near Bangalore. I ambitiously decided to start at 6 from B`lore, reach S`mudram by 10 at max and leave at 6pm from there and reach Blore at 10. Thats about the extent of planning we did. As it happens normally over a weekend , I woke up at 8.00 am. By the time we reached the bus station it was already 10.30. Some how we managed to get into a direct bus to shivasamudram by 11.00. Vamsi spent the next two hours sleeping. I spent time peering out of the windows for some scenic beauty. Most of the time I was treated to potholes on the roads and fields on both sides. There was one stretch before Chennapatna which was very beautiful but is quickly obstructed by constructions. We stopped at Shivpur to have lunch. There is a dhaba on the highway where ksrtc drivers stop for lunch. By the time we stepped out of our leisurely lunch, our bus had left. Any announcement they made was drowned by the blaring loudspeakers blasting film music.We started asking conductors (ticket collectors as they call them here) for directions. Finally some one told us that we were on the Bangalore Mysore highway. If we make our way to Maddur, we can find a bus to our destination from there. At Maddur, we boarded a bus to Kollagale near Chamaraja Pet. Finally at 4.00pm, we got down at the shivasamudram hydro electric project. The falls were 3km from the highway. Both sides of the road were lined with trees. All through the way, we encountered bikes and cars going in the opposite direction. There is a good sized village near the project. There is also a Darga in the village which is famous in the surrounding areas. To reach the falls, you have to take a bridge over the power plant and walk for another km. The first view of the falls gave the impression of gentle flowing water over a small slope. As we got near, we could see the water falling from a height of around 100m in three streams from two sides. The view was breathtaking. There is a parapet built on the opposite hill from which people were taking pictures. There was a narrow path on which you could go close to the water falls. Vamsi disappeared before I could take a photograph of the falls. I started down on the path a little hesitantly. Most of the way down is easy with plenty of foot holds and branches which you can use for a hold. Halfway down we went up towards the water fall. We could go as close to the touch the water from the falls. It was quite slippery after that point. With a little bit of jumping and climbing, we got down to the cauldron of the falls. There is a big flat rock on which you can sit and relax. After a lot of photographs, we started up. As soon as we reached up, we were surrounded by coconut vendors. When we were going down, I was wondering why these guys did not even move ? Now we were so tired ,we grabbed a coconut each. Then we started our slow walk back to the main road. This time we got to B`lore in three and half hours and to my room in another half an hour. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Only one thing I could not do was to stop on bridge on the way to Kollagale. It was beautiful with water spilling over the causeway in the background. Our bus crossed it before we could get our camera out.

One down Three to go

Thats what the aussies are thinking given the Indian teams form. Unless somebody puts in a little backbone into our batsmen, this is going to be one humiliating series. All I got watch of the first test was two sessions on the final day. It was heartening to see Pathan batting. They way he used his feet to hit Lehman for a six reminded me of Ganguly in his good olden days. Somebody must nurture him . He has all the makings of India`s second allrounder. Bhajji did provide the moment of the day. The way he was applauding Warne`s century lightened quite a few Indian hearts. The way Pathan and Bhajji were playing proper cricketing shots to Australian bowlers showed that the pitch held no demons. Only the Indian top order had them. As I write, the second test in underway in Chennai. The only way India can hope to contain the batting is send atleast one of the openers to the pavilion(Hayden preferably). Let us see what happens

Is it India or Is it the pitch

Pathan and Parthiv did manage to stick around for quite a while. The time they stayed at the crease and the runs they scored could both prove vital in the end. With a little help from the pitch, the Indian bowlers managed to keep the Aussies tied down if only a little. I did expect them to come out all guns blazing, take the lead to 450 before lunch and the give the Indians a few blistering overs from McGrath & Co. Regular fall of wickets ensured that 450 is still couple of overs away. Now the declaration will come before tea or if everyone gets out. Everything rests with the Indian batsmen. Its time the top order stays put and shows some resistance to the Aussie attack. I hope the pitch does not behave like the one in Eden Gardens during World cup '96 semifinals.

Two Days to the Aussies

After the show the Indian bowlers put up early in the first day, I expected them to restrict the Aussies to a score below 350. I was expecting Clarke to bat well but I did not expect Gilchrist to last long against our spinners. Gilchrist is a good one to watch if he is not playing against your team. The Indian batsmen should have shown a little more application. Those who got starts got out at crucial points. Parthiv Patel might have a fifty against Australia but it was when India had put on a huge total and there was Sachin to guide him at the other end. If he does not get out in the first few overs, I expect he will shore up one end. Irfan can bat but I think the bowling attack is too good for him. Kumble can dig in. Harbhajan has his own style of batting. Zaheer might provide some entertainment to the crowd with his hitting. With all this I expect India will avoid follow on or fall just short if the current pair makes a stand. Otherwise the openers better get their pads on. You cant expect a Eden Gardens every time you follow on. India will mostly lose the test but they better salvage a little pride

The Seniors make it

The Indian team keeps its pride intact. After a sporting declaration by India A, yuvraj singh and sehwag scored centuries to take the seniors to victory. We must note that the axe was hanging on their necks. Laxman and dravid wasted a good opportunity to get some batting practice. It would have been good if they had won by seven wickets instead of five. Tendulkar was named in the fifteen member squad, even when he says he is able to play 15 balls a day without pain. I do hope he recovers fully before playing. It is idiotic to think in short term about sachin. what is the use if you make him play one test and aggravate his injury? Now Srirams place in the team is in doubt. Kaif made a very good pitch for a test spot. He might be able to get the captains nod ahead of Sriram. In the other match Australians did not seem in much trouble against the mumbai attack. Bahutule troubled matthew hayden with his spin. Bhajji and kumble might as well take a leaf out of his book.( I really think I am suffering from cryptamnesia).

Indian team back to "form"

It was good to see the indian seniors team given a humbling treatment by the juniors. Ganguly almost looks like he wants yuvraj singh opening the innings. Akash Chopra has been given a honourable exit by means of a "niggling throat infection". If the seniors show as much "application" as they showed in the first innnings they will surely loose. One good thing is Zaheer khan is back into the attack. The first time I saw him bowl in Nairobi , he was bowling excellent yorkers. he cut those out of his book(They generally end up as full tosses against the australians). I guess the team would be Yuvraj,sehwag,dravid,sriram,ganguly,laxman,parthiv, harbhajan , zaheer , pathan . The last place might be a toss between agarkar and kumble depending on the performance. let me see what the circus selects tomorrow.