Posts from — August 2005

Sania Mirza can do no wrong. At 42 in the world rankings, her star is on the ascendent in the tennis firmament.

Yesterday night I was watching her play Mashona Washington in the first round of the US Open (a match that she eventually won, albeit a tad unconvincingly), and the thing that struck me the most was the awesome power behind Sania’s ground strokes! I reckon she hits the tennis ball as hard as most of the top players out there, barring a few (but then those few are built like Amazons, unlike Sania). And she does not hold back with those shots either. She uses them liberally! The only thing that Sania should be concerned about is her fitness. But now with a travelling coach, she must surely be giving some much-needed attention to fitness training as well!

Interestingly, if things go well for her, Sania is on the path to meet Maria Sharapova at this year’s US Open. Now that would be a treat for Indian fans!! :-)

Incidentally, ‘Sania Mirza’ is the top search term that drives visitors to this blog!

Four matches into the 2005 Ashes series, and it is becoming increasingly clear that the contest is between the entire English side, that has its cup brimming with so much confidence that it’s a wonder it doesn’t spill over, and a couple of Australian players, i.e. Brett Lee and Shane Warne. The grit and the fight shown by these two Australians is exemplary! Lee’s exultation after clean bowling Flintoff with a beauty on the fourth day of the fourth Test is an excellent example of the passion displayed by him (and Warne) during this series.

The rest of the Aussie team seems to be down under, figuratively speaking of course!

With over 10 days to go for the final Test, there is enough time for McGrath & co. to recover back to full fitness and make this an already memorable Ashes tour, a very special one!

In Affectionate Remembrance of

Indian Hockey,

which died at Amstelveen,

on 18th August, 2005.

Deeply lamented by a small circle of
sorrowing friends and acquaintances.

R.I.P

N.B. - The body will be cremated and the
ashes taken to K.P.S. Gill’s residence.

Yama, the king of death and hell, lords over knicker-clad minions and his vehicle of choice is a magic scooter.

So claims a ‘dead man’ who ‘came back to life‘ after Yama realized that his ‘death’ was a mistake!

… are condemned to repeat it over and over again!

Mahela Jayawardene and Russell Arnold are at it again! They are doing exactly what they did the last time India played Sri Lanka. They start their partnership with singles and twos till the fielders and bowlers are frustrated. Then they start hitting the boundaries at will.

Greg Chappell and Rahul Dravid haven’t learnt anything! The way the Sri Lankan innings is progressing, it certainly seems so!!