AGAINST THE SPIRIT

Cricket came into being in the 17th Century and from the time WG Graceand Don Bradman donned those cricketing whites and took that willow in the Test format, a kind of subtleness was associated with the game. But amidst this subtleness, cricketing history is quite replete with the instances which, in no way can be categorised as gentlemanly.

Suraj Randiv's ‘deliberate No ball’ is just another example in the long list of events which has marred the so called ‘spirit of cricket’. The most famous or rather infamous fiasco going against the spirit of cricket was that of Trevor Chappell’s underarm bowling against arch rivals New Zealand. Interestingly the batsmen against whom the underarm action was used, Brian McKechnie was reprimanded because he threw his bat on the field and thus had shown misconduct.

 

It was one of the lows of cricket and it forced the cricketing fraternity to think hard about their complex rules. But again at that time it was not illegal as such because such a rule did not exist. Even in the case of Suraj Randiv one can’t really hold him accountable as it was a no ball anyone could have bowled and according to the law, the run of the ‘no ball’ was counted. But it was the spirit of the game which was overlooked, Randiv knowing that the fate of the game has already been decided could have given the chance for Sehwag to score a century, but allegedly he didn’t.

There was an instance where, the great Sunil Gavaskar playing his penultimate game was on the verge of making his maiden one day international (ODI) century against New Zealand and the New Zealand bowlers respecting the great man bowled him loose delivery to allow him get to his century. There was no big fuss about it, but the point is this was how the game was played a decade back.

Now with the level of competition and the increasing frequency of the games it is quite obvious that the spirit of the game is declining or players quite evidently are giving it a miss. Maybe the players are forgetting about certain morals, values or integrity associated with the game and they don’t seem to care at all. Mark Waugh had once famously said, “Millions of Australians want us to win the World Cup. I don’t know anything about the spirit of cricket.”

 

Well his point seems fair enough and to validate this very point of Waugh, there are some grey areas which need to be attended at by the cricketing apex bodies, if they intend to ensure the spirit of cricket does not die. Like for example sledging as such is really against the spirit of any sports, one can’t abuse or intimidate other for the sake of the game alone and yet for some weird reason the cricketing apex body does seem to allow the sledging to carry on.

What I am trying to come to is the fact that one talks about the conduct or moral or integrity or spirit of the game, it is very subjective and if International Cricket Council tries to keep every other cricketing body happy, then positive changes can not be expected.

TOP 10 ICONIC FOOTBALLERS

Football, famously put as the game of two halves has captivated us like none other. A civilization has lived with it and with this deep roots it obvious that we would have a lot and lot to talk about. And like any other sport its the players who make the sport .Players who go on to become greats then legends and attain the levels of immortality. Here I am trying to put in numbers , the best ever players, the most influential, the most iconic footballers. Its definitely a tough ask and there will be thousands who will disagree but there will a hundred thousand who will also agree with me. Am trying to put in the 10 most iconic players and I have divided the list into two. The top half will be legends who played an era or two ago and the other half will be the greats and potential greats who still are around.

Pele

Ask anyone, even those who are completely devoid of any kind of knowledge on football; ask them who is Pele. Most of the answers will have the adjectives like great, brilliant, one of its kind. This is the aura of Edison Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele. He is an icon for the entire football fraternity. Be it of the field or on the field the name Pele demands respect.

Diego Maradonna

There are no two opinions on whose the best ever footballer Latin America has ever produced and there will only be few contradictions on Deigo Maradonna being the greatest footballer of all time. But what has brought him to this list is his iconic stature.1986 world cup is synonymous to Deigo Maradonna. .His infamous “Hand of God” goal and the best ever strike in any World cup are very few of what this great player has achieved. Weather it was with Barcelona, Napoli or Boca Juniors, he brought success where ever he played.

Frranz Beckenbaur

The best defender of all time, Franz was a man of integrity and his nickname Der Kaiser ("The Emperor") indicates how highly he is rated. Franz was a versatile player and inventor of sweeper position in football. Franz's international carried was studded with victories at highest level. A world cup win as a captain in 1974 then as a Manager in 1990 is a feat none other have achieved.

John Cryuff

Football's first ever complete player, he is a legend in Netherlands and a definite icon to world. He showed to the world what free flowing attack means .He was a striker but could very well swap his position into the wings and with amazing dribbling skills and swiftness there was not stopping him in the 1970s. The charismatic player of Ajax Amsterdam put the club from Netherlands into the World Map with 3 European championships on the trot. He later went on to become a great coach putting in his strategic mind at work.

Micheal Platini

This Frenchman is a three time European player of the year. Do you need anything else to question this man's place in this list? He was the icon of Les Blue (France) and Juventus in 1970s and 1980s. He was the original play maker and still is regarded as the best passer in the games history. He was an all round talent. Playing in the midfield he top scored for Juventus on 3 different seasons proving his might as a Talisman for the Italy based club.

NOTE: I would love to put the Portuguese goal machine Eusebio at par with Platini and in the list just because of the sheer number of goals he has scored for Benifica and he is regarded as an icon in Portugual.

ZinadineZidane

Well my personal favorite,  Zizou, was a player possessed, a player blessed, a player with the birth right to play football. He was the magician who mesmerized every football fan from 1990 and still continues to do so . He took the act of Dribbling to new heights and with due respect, he made likes of Romario and Pele look novice. He was the ultimate  playmaker but eventually he became the play himself. If there is an icon for the 21^st century lets proclaim Zizou to be that.

Luis Figo

 Seldom there are great players who play in the same era,But Luis Figo and Zidane played against each other and with each other. Figo was the original Galactico,A national icon of Portugal , his lazy running and pin point passing were a contradiction and he lived on this contradiction becoming a legend. He was the unending source brilliance on field.

Ronaldo

Many might well disagree on this specific choice but  the impact this Brazilian had on  the world was something special. Yes he was a great goal scorer, though one might argue  that he was blessed with the best bunch of midfielders to provide him with the opportunity. And opportunity is what he grabbed all the time. His first touch was so immaculate that there was no need for a second. His playing style was not at all of Brazilian flamboyance but it was pure simple; kick the ball into the target.

David Beckham

David Beckham is probably the only player in the list who is a pure icon, not the greatest of players but a sporting icon nevertheless. Be it any kind of sport, you need a presentable face for the game to be popular and well. Beckham was perfect. Not to ignore his astounding free kicks, he was the dream footballer. He was the face of football.

Lionel Messi

An amazing player, great one in the making and has every possibility of attaining the stardom every other player on this list has achieved. The similarities are just too obvious. He is a fantastic dribbler like Pele, has the charisma like Maradonna, has a strong character like Beckenbuer, is a team player like Cruyff, a total playmaker like Platini and Figo, has a dash of brillance like Zidane and Ronaldo. Well he might not have the looks of Beckham but what the heck, he will be a legend for sure.

NOTE:  I seriously hope that he does not fizz out like Ronaldinho did.

 

  

TOP 10 STYLISH PLAYERS IN TENNIS

Tennis is the absolute sport of panache and ingenuity, a duel of character and tranquility. It has been conquered by many by skill and talent, by courage and grit and by passion and fervor. But few have been able to annex the sport through their savior-faire  and grandeur..From the time Tennis  came into being in the Victorian era, style has definitely been its customary accessory. Be it before the Open era or after it, many  personalities have graced the Tennis courts with the dash of elegance and the taste of vogue. And here am selecting a few who stood out not necessarily  because of their style of play but surely due to their own style.

1. Andre Aggasi

The ultimate style icon of the Tennis court has to be the great Andre Agassi. As if the Tennis world was going in to the morally right class were noblemen prevailed,there came a rebel, a savior of sorts in the 1990s. With his bright colored outfit and neon glow shoes and of course the famous mullet hairstyle ( which was a wig) , Andre Aggasi became the wildest thing on the Tennis court . Aggasi was style icon who never-backed out from exhibiting himself on the field, be it the emotions or his dress, they were always true and definitely had a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed him.

2. Anna Kournokova

This  Russian babe was the ultimate beauty of  the tennis court. The 15 year old in the 1996 US Open made some heads turns and she became a regular of fashion magazines and various “hot” lists. But it was not only the the sublime beauty of Ana which was on display but the way she carried herself on the field. A strong baseline player she would always have an attire to impress. From sleek curvy sleeveless tops to the high bloomers to reveal her never ending legs. She was hotness personified.

3. Roger Federer

Roger is probably the only player in the list  I think is stylish not because of the way he carries himself but because of the way he is and how he plays. A legend in the making you seem to be  honored when you witness Fedex in action. Be its his accurate backhand or the thumping forehand he seems to be at ease always. He dominates the baseline like a lion and moves across the court swiftly like a gazelle. With a composure second to a rock this unfathomable player is the noblemen of this era I earlier referred  to and probably the most stylish of them all.

4. Maria Sharapova

Another Russian bombshell, well not exactly a bombshell because this new age beauty is more into the category suave. This citified stunner is a role model for millions of girls out there. The way she carries herself and the choice of her attire is something one might call classic. From here regular simply awesome cocktailish wardrobe to one of its kind Tuxedo, this blonde beauty very well knows the expression “Dress to kill”.

5. Serena Williams

When it comes to Tennis legacy only a few might miss the William sisters name. The sister act have dominated the women circuit like none other. And even when it comes to being the stylish they are not far behind. Serena especially is a person who has always made a style statement. With a bold fashion sense this powerhouse girl has always stood out. Be it the all denim ready to dig outfit or the more vibrant colored  ensemble she will always catch your attention for sure.

6. Venus Williams

The older William sister has always matched up to her younger sister in every aspect of the game and she has always been in the thick of fashion all the time. From her more recent lacy corset outfit in the French open to various other fashion statements like the tank outfit she has never shied away  from from trying something different.

7. Bjorn Borg

This pale Swedish legend played in a era which could very well be termed as the decade of fashion disaster and probably this would be the reason he stood out with his beard,the “too short” shorts, V-Neck shirts and the flashy headband, a trend his contemporary, legendary John Mcenroe  also followed. There was nothing deviant about him or his style statement but he was justifiable for sure and  his manly physical attributes did  earn him a lot of fan following.

8. Rafael Nadal

The Spanish matador is nothing like his contemporary Roger Federer yet they seem to find a place next to each other. This clay court expert is as bullish as it can get. His style statement is his emotions for sure. With Sleeveless Ts revealing the bulging biceps  and the capri pants complemented by the head band surely calls for a style statement.

9. Fred Perry

This list of top 10 stylish Tennis players will be incomplete without the name of legendary Fred Perry who came out with a revolutionary attire in the  1952 Wimbledon . He donned a branded polo shirt and trousers all white which later acted as the base for the different style trends in Tennis.

10. Arthur Ashe

Another name from the past, this first ever Afro American champion was a style icon. With his classic mid Afro hair style, shorts and tracks which eventually became the most popular attire in Men Tennis, he graced the Tennis court for a brief period of time.