World Champions...!

India started shocking the world by putting a newbie in the opener's slot in Sehwag's absence, who's absence I believe was a boon. Then they hit around and made a few runs that you feel were not good enough for a win and a possible World Championship. But then they bowled their hearts out. Made a few mistakes, got hit all around the park and then it cam down to a stage when victory was inevitable.
But then something changed. The ball sailed over the crowd a few times and we were in for the closest final we've had in years. No one could believe their eyes, we too here in America as we followed the text commentary, but Pakistan were on the verge of the comeback of the tournament. 12 or so runs needed in the last over and Joginder is hit for a six. And we feel, "Now it's over." Even reading the commentary was nerve-wrecking. It's better you watch it on TV, when you can see that they still have to bowl, something is wrong. You know the reason for the delay in bowling the ball. But we here were refreshing our browser out so know what was happening. Six runs to go and a few balls and you feel in that part of the body which always makes you feel that bad things are about to happen, that a six is only what is going to happen. And it almost does, but for the shot not hit very well and the catch that finally sealed a long awaited dream of becoming Champions of the World.
And there we finally were. Hugs all around, shouting the hell out and just going plain berserk. And all this because of a group of people who believed in themselves. Even a defeat would have been an accepted result, but a win did go a long way. Dhoni was the man, I think. He did captain well, with a side of fresh people and no experience in the format.
But sadly, it can only go downhill from here. I know what you will say. "Come on man, have a heart and be positive."
But to tell you the truth, the aftermath of the victory was unbelievable. A billion people now thinking and expecting India to roll over its opposition in the future, especially the Aussies coming to town. But that ain't gonna last!
Then, presenting Rs.1 crore to Yuvraj Singh. That's $250,000!!!! That's just BS. Give him Rs. 10 lacs, even 25 for that matter. Yes, it's a once-in-a-lifetime achievement to hit 6 6s. But come on!! This will just spoil him, and not in a good way. The team got $1mn, and he gets a quarter of that alone and a share of the million. I just want to say is that it is not money well spent.

But for what it's worth, this win did bring joy to the billion who cried and protested and rioted after India were shamefully out of the World Cup a few months ago...Retribution it was, I like to believe. Whatever it was, it's a nice feeling to be called World Champions.

A Dream Finale

Twenty20 isn't the form of cricket I ever thought India would excel in. But that's what happened. Beating powerhouses like England, South Africa and then Australia to set up a dream final, I know, everyone has been looking forward to since the World Cup started, in any form, I believe the Men in Blue can make it happen. But I completely believe in what Dhoni said during the presentation after the Australia game. "Enjoy the game, whatever the result". That is an excellent attitude.
But people in India will now be expecting them to fire all cylinders, even if they don't have that many. And if they fail, you can expect effigies to be burnt and houses to be pelted. That's because our people cannot handle the thought of failure. Maybe not failure, but disappointment.
And then there is the BCCI and people who think they are above the world. Why would anyone give $1mn to the team even before they have won anything? And please correct me if I am wrong, I don't think Yuvraj Singh should have been presented the Porsche 911 for his performances. I agree he has made a great contribution, but have people forgotten Sachin's contributions or for that matter anyone else who has played along consistently for India for years. If this were true, Sachin should have had to build a parking garage for himself. This act will not only make Yuvraj think he's the man, but will dip his performance in the Final. Mark my words.
But all in all, Twenty20 is the best thing that has happened to cricket, of course, apart from the time during a West Indies-South Africa match when 2 women flashed in front of everyone on camera. And India are in the finals. This will be a feast for the eyes.

On a personal note, Michigan is back on track after 2 wins and Manchester United beat Chelsea.

McLaren, Down and Out!

Down, because they are now lighter by $100mn and Out, because they have been kicked out of the Constructors Championship. Unfair if you ask me.
$100mn. Think about that figure for a moment. There are 8 zeros in that number. And I can safely say that it's a huge number. But it's not just a number, its actual money. $100mn is a crazy sum for a fine. That's the highest fine put out ever. It make not be a problem for McLaren to pay that sum, but it still is a huge chunk off their books. That's more than the money they spend on F1 research in Mclaren in two years, and everyone says they spend a lot.
Now I feel that McLaren were unfairly treated. Not in terms of the rules. According to the rules, they were at fault. Maybe the rules ought to be altered a bit, but that's a whole other issue. They breached the code, they broke the rules, but was it worth $100mn and exclusion from the current Championship? I think not. A much lower sum would have been fine. And a deduction of points, OK. But this was drastic!
I have never been a fan of any team in specific (though I secretly favored Ferrari once in a while), but I never believed that the FIA always favored Ferrari more than the othere, maybe by a teeny-tiny amount. But this proves it.
I don't think the current McLaren cars have any design from Ferrari. And there was not way, atleast not an easy way, that Ferrari could have won the Championship with the points tally. This was the only way.
Also, another thing that bothers me is why de la Rosa was left unpunished. Agreed that he was given immunity for providing proof, but he was so involved in the whole scandal, why hasn't anyone come out and chastised him? Alonso was also involved (although I do believe he isn't going to be at McLaren in 2008). But both of them were given immunity by the FIA. But McLaren, who feel they were treated unfairly and are innocent, should take action against these two. Why hasn't that happened.
Well, my point actually was that McLaren was in possession of secret Ferrari documents and according to the rules, they were at fault. But the punishment was very harsh. All of us can assume that every team has some kind of documentation about the other teams. It's just that McLaren got caught.
Bottom Line: McLaren were guilty but harshly treated.

Adios, Mourinho!

And finally it happened. José Mourinho has left Chelsea Football Club for good. I guess everyone was waiting for that to happen after the much talked about fall-out between him and the Russian billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich. It's just hard to believe that the Russian had issues with the best thing that happened to Chelsea for a long time. And I now have a sense of déjà vu.
At the end of the 2003-2004 season, Claudio Ranieri said at the end of the season, after they qualified for the Champions League, that it was party time. Just a year after the take-over and he had players and money to spend and a chance to get Chelsea back on track. But the Russian had bigger things on his mind. Getting into the Champions League was not the only thing in his mind. He wanted to displace Manchester United and Arsenal from the top spot in English Football. He wanted to win it all. And when Ranieri couldn't satisfy his requirements (remember, 1 year with a new team), we said goodbye to him and in stepped José, fresh from the Champions League trophy that followed the UEFA Cup trophy the previous year.
So, Roman thought that he could do the same at Chelsea. Gave him the money to buy the best players, create the Invincibles and go for glory. Get him the Premiership, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League. He wanted to conquer the continent. But he forgot that José is no wizard. He may be arrogant he may have the biggest attitude or even the best team, it's still a long shot to win it all. And that's what happened.
But not before he pulled down United and Arsenal from the top and made it his own ground. He won the Premiership, but couldn't make it to the Champions League and the FA Cup. Losing twice to Liverpool in the semis and that led to a fight. Buying Scheva just because Roman likes him was something José wasn't too happy about. Buying Ballack and then him not firing was bad. And to top it, losing out to United in the run for the Premiership, and he lost his place in the Russians heart.
I have no idea what Roman wants. He seems so desperate for the Champions League, he can fire one of the best managers in the world. I believe he should have given José some time and some space. Bringing in people and letting them involve themselves in the teams decisions wasn't actually a wise choice. Inow believe it's downhill from here for a while. And they meet the biggest challenge of the season yet when they go to Old Trafford on Sunday. If you ask me, it'll be fun watching Stamford Bridge fall down.