England

Nasser Hussain: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Nasser Hussain Is ‘Asinine’

What he said:

“I do believe that India have a few, three or four, very good fielders and one or two donkeys in the field still.”

Nasser Hussain’s remark comparing Indian fielders to donkeys has drawn flak from the Indian media,ex-cricketers, BCCI administrators and even Bollywood superstar, Amitabh Bachchan.

The Big B tweeted:

“Did not like Nasir Hussain ex cricket Captain of UK, refer to Indian fielders as ‘donkeys’, as he commentated on tour of our team.”

BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla said:

Hussain’s comment was totally uncalled for. One should adopt restraint while making observations about players. Commentators should not make such comments. We will definitely look into it .Every player has to be respected irrespective of his performance. I don’t think this comment was appropriate.

Former teammate Michael Vaughan tweeted his support for Hussain:

“Just seen that Nasser said the Indians have a couple of Donkeys in the field… How wrong can he be!!!! I have seen at least 4….”

Vaughan’s re-stoking the ire of Indian fans’ was met with jibes online.

Sample a couple of his responses to Indian fans:

@vivekramindian Very true… I was useless in the field.. But I would be a superstar at cover point in this Indian team.

@kundankumar21: @VaughanCricket corrctly said.. when england also have a DOG like you on field in recent past…” my dog is very fast…

What Hussain really meant:

“When I say donkeys, I mean laden ones. They’re quite quick otherwise.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I hope the SPCA doesn’t take umbrage.”

Sunil Gavaskar: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Sunil Gavaskar is Seamingly Speculative 

What he said:

“Might be a seam bowler coming in.”

Sunil Gavaskar is conversant with the quirky ways of Indian selectors. The former Indian opener was speculating on who would replace Rohit Sharma in the Indian line-up following his finger injury in the first ODI against England at Durham.

What he really meant:

“RP Singh’s no use. Get another seamer in and quick.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“’Oranges for oranges, apples for apples’: That’s our selectors’ motto.”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"Try being a British player going into a Grand Slam. It’s not easy."

Andy Murray shrugs aside the ‘nerves’ question in the press conference following his gritty win over India’s Somdev Devvarman in the first round at the US Open.

Murray clarified his statement:

“It was a little bit of a joke, a little bit of truth in it. I think for anyone that sort of wants to go on and win a slam or, you know, feels like they’re in with a shot, you know, I think it’s natural to start.  You know, you put a lot of effort and preparation into getting ready for these events and, you know, you don’t want to get off to a bad start or whatever. I think nerves are a good thing.  I think it shows you care and that, like I say, I put a lot into getting ready for it.  I hope my game’s going to be there and the hard work pays off.”

What he really meant:

“The weight of expectations from the press (you guys) is heavy on my shoulders. I’m stooped before my time.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Let’s grab Tim Henman and get him to elaborate further.”

Q & A With Rahul Dravid (Humour)

Rahul Dravid had a few words with MakeTimeForSports after the 4th Test Match at the Kennington Oval.

1) Should you be labelled the “Great  Wall Of India” instead?

I’m not sure I like that. I’m not crumbly, either.

2) What would you have, three tons or three Indian wins?

What a question! The wins, naturally. The tons, too—given a choice.

3) What’s with Rahul Dravid and England—a perpetual love story?

Sunshine does follow me to England, doesn’t it?

4) Retiring from ODIs was…

Overdue. Like Tendulkar’s 100th hundred.

5) Next stop, after retirement?

Another partnership with Dada (Saurav Ganguly), this time in the commentary box… What else?

Disclaimer: The interview is fictional but the character(s) are real.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“In principle, I’m okay with the brain mapping, but not if needles are poked everywhere.”

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is fine with IIM, Ranchi, mapping his cricketing brain to decipher the ‘reasons’ behind Team India’s World Cup triumph.

What he really meant:

“The mapping should be painless. What if they poke the wrong nerve?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“After succumbing to  pressure (India lost it’s World No.1 ranking)  and suffering a fractured ego, do you really think I want to submit myself to acupressure or acupuncture, in whatever guise?”

Mike Brearley: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Now look at Sreesanth, he’s much more disciplined, much balanced but looks less like getting anyone out.”

Former English captain,Mike Brearley, is convinced that the Indian team’s focus on individual tasks has drawn their attention away from what the team has to accomplish.

He said:

“One quality is to be able to build relationships in the team and get them to play the best they can. Get everyone thinking about the team’s task and not just individual tasks.”

What he really meant:

“Sreesanth is less volatile and so are the opposition’s wickets.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I love the new balanced Sreesanth. He’d make a great gymnast or trapeze artist.”

James Anderson: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“David Cameron was congratulating us on our recent achievements and I was looking for some clothes to put on.”

English fast bowler,James Anderson, wishes that the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, had a better sense of timing when he barged into the English team’s dressing room to congratulate them on their Indian summer.

What he really meant:

“Why do you think it’s called a ‘dressing room’?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“’Come Undone’ by Duran Duran is my favourite bathroom song.”

Varun Aaron: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"And it’s a lot of fun to hit people on the head."

Young Indian pacer from Jharkhand, Varun Aaron, has no intention of sacrificing pace as his career progresses.Aaron has been called up for the India-England ODI series, replacing the injured Ishant Sharma.

What he really meant:

“What’s the point of bowling quick if you don’t intimidate the opposition?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’d rather hit heads than wickets.”

England whitewash India 4-0: Dénouement complete

The rout is complete.

The English Lions, in their own den, knocked the Indians from their perch of the No.1 Test team in the world.

The mighty have fallen—hard.

Team India nestle at No.3 behind South Africa.

For one brief session on the fifth day of the last Test, Sachin Tendulkar and Amit Mishra showed what could have been. Had the Indian batsmen applied themselves similarly in the first three matches, the series result could have been quite different.This was the only batting session—in the entire series—that the Indians did not lose a wicket.

The English bowlers, for the first time in the series, showed signs of frustration. Graeme Swann kicked the turf, repeatedly.

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Allan Lamb: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I will always have Dravid in my side.”

Former English cricketer, Allan Lamb, says that although Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman in the world–on paper, he cannot omit Rahul Dravid from his side.

What he really meant:

“For sheer technique, class and style, there’s no one better than Dravid.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I will always have Dravid in my side—my rugby XI.”