Era ot Corona

A few months back, in November, I was making plans for 2020.

I had got a diary for the year 2020 and was marking my dates. Generally I list down what all exhibition and events I would like to attend. Then there are customer visits planned for outstation customers.

Our spring manufacturers Association had a big even marked in March 2020. Before that I had planned to participate in 2 big exhibitions in Lucknow and Dubai. There were other tours planned to Delhi and Bangalore.

A couple of major export orders were in waiting from Middle east and Europe. And I had plans to visit them before the actual production begins. Then there were a few industrial visits planned there for a possible joint venture.  This was the time when the bi-yearly trade show happens at Dusseldorf which is a mega event for spring manufacturers. It’s like a mecca for us. We all were geared up to be there. Trying to schedule meeting and getting appointments of all the people participating there.

IT was in mid – January that I first learnt the outbreak of corona virus. It was in China as we know it. Personally, I thought that it was not a major threat and it was a media hype. Anyways, such epidemics seldom affect India as the temperatures are high and the immune system is a bit better than other.

So I went to Lucknow and participated in the expo there. Being defence expo, no Chinese company or Chinese official were allowed at that venue. However, there was a Auto expo happening in Delhi and there was news that how people travelling from China were not allowed in Delhi then. This was my 1^st experience of how critical the situation was. I was more worried about the pollution in Lucknow and the AC in our exhibition halls.

Upon returning from Lucknow, I had my sister and her family visiting us from US. They told stories about the way US is handling the situation. My 11-year-old niece had temperature for a couple of days. But that’s normal for any kid travelling from US. We then travelled to Jaipur and Ajmer to attend a wedding. My sister and her family flew back to US from there and everything felt normal.

Meanwhile, I had planned my itinerary for almost a month long Europe tour in April. I had fixed appointments in Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic etc. My hotels were booked, flight tickets were confirmed and even the visa had arrived.

So the focus was on the 2-day conference in GOA. Our association committee met a few times in February and all the planning was done. The guest who were supposed to come from Europe had confirmed their participation. Everything was set. Members from all across the country were ready to fly to Goa and have a great time for a couple of days.

Meanwhile, we got the news that Europe was shut and the Dusseldorf expo was postponed.  I was frustrated. After doing a meticulous planning, I had to cancel all my booking.

After the preparations were done for Goa, I flew to Dubai where we were participating in another major exhibition. There is where I experience the terror of the virus for the 1^st time.

AT Dubai WTC, where such a huge mass gathering was expected. The officials took no chance at all. We were scanned for body temperature, sanitisers and masks were distributed. People were told to maintain distance from each other.

In fact UAE had not allowed people from nearby countries to fly in. The foot fall at the expo was reduced. Chinese companies had backed out of the exhibition. So even the halls looked empty. Not only Chinese, but many of the German, Italian, Spanish companies had left their empty stalls behind.

The empty halls were a shock to us. But the bigger shock came from India. The resort where we were scheduled to have our Conference advised us to postpone the dates to June. They said the Government was discouraging any meetings. So with just 10 days to go for the event, we had to cancel all the booking and plans.

That was bad enough. But I still believed that we were over reacting.

I was scheduled to fly to Bangalore the next weekend. My friends suggested not to go but I still went ahead with my plan. And that weekend Bangalore was in a lockdown. The malls shops food joints everything was closed. And it felt sad. Just then news broke of a patient who fled from Bangalore to Agra and had been at the Bangalore airport. And the whole city was in an panic.

That was the 1^st time I felt nervous. I was scared. I felt that going to Dubai and coming to Bangalore was a mistake.

Upon returning to Pune, I decided to stay confined to my house and my office. There were not many options to hang around either. Our customers and suppliers advised us to stay indoors and not visit their premises unless it was absolutely necessary. I opened my diary again and scratched out all the plans that I had made.  That was the start of frustration

Just around then, the PM called for Junta Curfew. The whole Sunday I spent within the house without. And after that came the lockdown for 21 days.

Since then life has taken a U turn. I am staying at home. This was how I used to be when I was job less in UK. There still I was in a better state because, I could step out. Meet people …  find a job, give interview. do something. Now there is nothing.

The government has permitted operation of very important services. My company is shut. We all are sitting at home with absolutely nothing to do. Its as good as being jobless.

The other day, I stepped out of the house for doing groceries. On the way, I saw sweepers sweeping the streets. I saw watchman guarding their property. The staff at the mall was fully operational. They were controlling the crowd. but otherwise, their routine was very normal. The police and the doctors and doing their duty. The medical officers are almost working overtime. The banks are running the market is on. The communication is running because of the telephone companies. I just could see so many people working. In fact, they were over loaded. And I cannot even assist them when I have nothing to do.

And I wondered, I have a two graduation degrees from best of the universities.

I have travelled and worked in various countries around the globe. I have an experience of more than 10 years. Every day I try to update myself by learning something new. But as of now. it’s of no use. It is what government has terms as – NON ESSENTIAL.

While all these people are out there doing their job and serving people… I am good for nothing.

Not even volunteering.

The educational institutes are closed. So the place where us go to share my knowledge is also not important for the society right now.

And the most heart breaking thing that I experienced is … the need to maintain distance. People are not supposed to touch each other.. a nice handshake.. a worm hug .. a pat on the back .. can terrorise people. We have to cover our mouth even while speaking. A random touch and we run towards the sanitisers or wash our hands for 20 seconds.

It feels that humans have become dangerous to each other.

What exactly went wrong  !!!

     

Analysis Paralysis

So .. almost four years and I am back here .. and absolutely for the same reason.
The WORLD CUP fever has finally caught up with me and now my mind has started making calculations.
Before it gets too confusing, I better make a note of it.

So its the second time that the WORLD CUP has traveled to Australia and traveled from India to Australia.
It was the 1992 edition of the cup when I understood the basic of the game and fell in love with it.
I am still in awe of that World Cup and I still feel it was the best of all the other editions.

The colored jersey, the round robin format The likes of Imran, Kapil and Botham, Young Sachin and Kambli, The South African team with Jonty Rhodes, New Zealand under Martin Crowe, and that amazing come back from Pakistan to win the cup... That tournament was amazing.

So again this time around the World Cup in Australia has again created lot of excitement and expectations.

I also feel, that this world cup is the most open world cup.
I feel  atleast 4 teams have the reasons to believe that they are the major contenders of the world cup

Let me 1st note down the 4 contenders that I feel have a good chance.

1. Australia 
2. New Zealand
3. South Africa 
4. India 

Australia and New Zealand are 2 sides in tremendous form and both are enjoying home advantage,
Both these sides are unbeatable at home.

England are the dark horse but their loss to Australia and New Zealand (just today) have made me keep them away from top 4.

I would like to believe that these 4 teams should be through to the Semi Finals atleast.

India is not the best suited team in these conditions. But Dhoni and Company know how to win in major tournaments.

They have finally managed to win something in Australia.
But its a victory against Pakistan. This was a big match and the way India played .. it seems that all the cogs are finally in the right spot. To win the World Cup you dont have to win all the matches. But you need to win the right matches.

Now, let us go to the groups and how each team is places

Pool A

• Australia
• New Zealand
• England
• Sri Lanka
• UAE
• Afghanistan

Pool B

• South Africa
• India 
• Pakistan
• West Indies
• Ireland
• Zimbabwe

As 4 teams from each group proceed to the QF, I think it is very easy to pick the 8 teams

• Australia
• New Zealand
• England 
• Sri Lanka  
• South Africa 
• India
• Pakistan
• West Indies

Ireland might be the dark horse. that might trip over WI. But I dont think wither of the team will advance to the semis

Now, the format of the QF is such that A1 playes B4, A2 plays B3, A3 playes B2 and A4 plays B1.

So, to advance to the semi stage, India should be strategically placed in the B group so that it should not find a tough opponent in semis itself. 

It might be advised that India stay away from NZ and Australia which I feel will take the spots A1 and A2

So India should place themselves at B1 or B2 to avoid these 1 teams

Now, the only one QTR Final match which is in New Zealand is the A4 vs B1 match. 

The form that England have shown right now, there are great chances that they might be the A$ team.

However, I wont want India to face Eng in NZ. New Zealand is England minus big grounds. 

Between England and SL, I would prefer India face SL in Australia.

On the other hand the 3rd QTR FINAL is in Adelaide. I would prefer India play in Adelaide than in Wellington. 

Hence I would prefer India to be places second in the group rather than on top.

Facing either England or Sri Lanka at Adelaide should not be a problem to India.

India bt Pakistan in the 1st match is like a huge monkey off the back. 

I think whenever India bt Pak in World Cup the money just grows bigger. 6-0 is a tremendous record and whenever the next captain walks in for the toll in IND VS PAK world cup game he will have that much more pressure. 

The good thing about that match was the important players in the line up scores runs and got wickets.

I am so doubtful about Dhawans capability as an opener, that every time he scores, I doubt fixing.

But he has scored heavily in important matches and I just hope he has found his confidence back.

Rohit Sharma will score 2 huge centuries in the tournament. other times he will be mediocre.

Kohli and Rahane are the main pillars of the line up and they will have to have a partnership every time they bat.

Raina's has always played a very important role in this line up. But now, in absence of Yuvi he has that extra responsibility. 

He will have to build partnerships, rotate strike, and also go for the kill by slogging. The more he stays on the wicket ... the better life he makes Dhoni.

I was happy to see the way Ashwin bowled. It was vintage spin bowling I saw after long time. 

Mohit Sharma bowled well and maintained pressure on Pakistan, Hence it gave Yadav enough time to have another go. I have a lot of expectations from Md Shami .. and he needs to keep the pressure off him and start expressing himself. 

I think he might soon be replaced by Bhuvaneshwar. Bhuvi adds more value to the team and an extra dimension of swing and control.

Jadeja went abt his bowling in a quiet manner.... not too much drama .. not too many wickets and most importantly .. not too many wickets as well. His contribution is always helpful.

Another player I really wanna see shining is Stuart Binny, not just for this world cup. But also for next 4 5 years. I think he can be the genuine seam all rounder that we need in the team.

I am sure he will get his chance when India play in NZ. and I am sure he will make is mark.

So, as Sunday approaches, and we get prepared to take India vs SA, I would quietly be hoping that India does not take that game seriously and lets it pass by... making its way to Adelaide rather than to Wellington.

What happens after it depends on how the day goes by

Figures Crossed   

Sehwag Dropped and I blame/thank Sachin for that

The other day I read the news about Virendra Sehwag being dropped from the Indian squad. I was saddened. I strongly feel that this is all because of Sachin Tendulkar
 Now a days whenever I think of Sachin Tendulkar I start getting nervous.
Here is a man who has been a performer.  No one can deny that he has been best batsmen ever to play the game of cricket . I can vouch for him to be ahead of Don Bradman simply because he has performed for a longer period of time and across the world on different venues. He has been the best in business, he has been a treat to watch, he has been the GOD .. Wait a minute .. GOD !!! are you kidding me ....

Now look at his record.

Flexibility : - He has been opening for India in ODIs and batting 2 down in Test. Whenever he has been asked to play a slightly different role he has shown disappointment and like a spoilt child got what he wanted. Now, sometime he performs, sometime he does not. Just like any other player. Infact his batting average is not miles ahead of other contemporary batsman.
Other players like Sehwag who have adjusted their  game as per the team requirement and have batted at positions which were alien to them. And they have been a success. (ironic enough that Sehwag lost his place as he was not performing as an opener)

Leadership:- This is what pricks me the most. He is the most capped cricketer on earth. Yet he is never ready to take the challenge of leading the side. Now leadership is not about making field placement and changing the bowlers. It is much more.
In MBA terms leadership involves
 (1) Having a  vision for the team,(2) Selling the vision to the team and getting them to perform to realise that vision(3) Conflict management within the stakeholders and motivating them to achieve the goal.(4) Assigning specific role to each team member and getting him to perform the given role.It is about taking responsibility of actions and reactions.After Mohd Azaruddin there was no one else more qualified to be the captain of Indian team than Sachin. But still there have been people like Ajay Jadeja, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Kumble and now Dhoni.He said that the captaincy was affecting his batting. He wanted to give away leading people just because he was not able to concentrate on his game. If he was into corporate world, he would have rejected the promotion to the post of a CEO because that would not have given him time to do his routine clerical job as a Asst General Manager.I can't even term this as self centred attitude. Only if he had a strong backbone he would have taken this opportunity to build Indian Cricket.
I dont buy the fact that people put pressure on him to perform with the bat. We all want your team to win. If the team wins, we don't really care how many runs Sachin scored.Did he give away captaincy just because people love the way he batted. Would you not be a CEO of a company just because people like the way to do your job as a clerk.Even when the team was desperately searching for the someone to lead where was the most experienced player? M. S. Dhoni was just 2 years into international cricket then but still he took on the challenge. As if being a wicketkeeper batsman was not enough, now he had to think about long term and short term strategy, choosing his team members, assigning them a role, developing them to perform. And while everything is happening... answer the media and keep them happy.And then he still had to deal with senior players like Sachin who just refused to adjust.

Unpredictability :- There was a time when Sachin had started choosing his matches as per his will. Just before the selection committee met, he used to declare if he was available or not. once he was available he was chosen in the team regardless.Look what happened in australia. All of a sudden he declared that he wanted to play in Australia. Dhoni of course wanted to try the combination that would be around till 2015 for the world cup. So he wanted Rohit Sharma, Jadeja, Raina etc in the middle order.So, only to adjust Sachin in the side, he had to go for a silly rotation policy at the top. Result was a disaster not only on the points table but also in the dressing room.I think the selectors were at fault equally for letting Sachin do whatever he wanted to.You have a person in your team who does not have a long future, who is not ready to take additional responsibility and not even be flexible as per the team requirement. If Indian Cricket was a MNC, this person would be getting the VRS.He has been playing on his past reputation and has no promise for the future. Which is so obviously blocking the progress of the team. Now, here is my view on the argument the team needs him.I don't believe he can be too much of help to the team on the field (as a batsman or as a fielder). He can be present in the dressing room and can share his experience as an outsider. This would definitely benefit the team much more as he would always have a fresh view as a third person.I would love to see him play 1st class cricket. That would help in two ways, ]It will certainly develop the quality of 1st class cricket in the country. To add to it, it will pull the crowds to come and watch Ranji Cricket which will be a great advertising to the tournament.      I think what we should learn from Sachin is that there is no one who is going to go on and on and on.. so each one should be replaced in time and the selectors and the team management should know what is the right time.If you just have someone and worship him as a demi god .. someday you will make him immovable and that will block your road to future.That's the reason I feel, dropping Sehwag was a right choice. you didnt want another person in the team because of his past laurels and no future. (I deeply pray to God that Sehwag plays the 2015 world cup) PS .. I see Indians worshiping Sachin Tendulkar and I feel thats the reason we still are a developing country. A country in which your performance is measured by how you performed on your KPI. A country where the youth is more obsessed about finding a safe job rather than working on a start up. People refrain from taking decisions with the fear of failure. They don't want to try something new. Don't want to take harsh decisions that mite agitate others.They are happy to perform their given job and care least about where it is leading to.We need people who are more assertive, who have a vision for the society and believe in it. and are ready to initiate agitation to do what they feel is right. We need people who an arouse a conflict and have a capacity to solve them .We don't need good batsmen we need good captains.   
 

MAKING OF THE HERO

Two heroes have suddenly surfaced in India... Almost when no one expected them two.

First ANNA HAZARE.

The Gandhian has held the democracy on a ransom against his own life. Infact Government has made him a big hero by letting him have all the footage on the Television and by being adamant to his demands. I wonder what is the problem in having a Lokpal. Where every top officer enjoys perks in the form of black money, the Lokpal will just create another pocket in the system. I wonder if Anna Hazare would guarantee that the Lokpal will be accountable to the public.

With all due respect to the man and his efforts, I feel his means are ethically incorrect. No one can / should blackmail the democracy for any demand. Having said that I cannot think of any other way where common mans voice can be made to reach the Government officials.

Anna Hazare has found support throughout India and Indians around the world. But it is more of an emotional issue that logical. Indian will support anybody who is willing to sacrifice himself.

In the case of Anna Hazare, the cause is good but I doubt the effort.

Second RAHUL DRAVID.

India has had a disastrous tour of England.

There can be so many reasons for the dismal performance blame it on lack of practice or injury to key players or over burdening of cricket. But the underline statement is that the batting order was a failure and the bowling attack was inexperienced.

Rahul Dravid scored decent runs. Scored at an average of 77 runs with 3 centuries. This is not even his best performance in a test series. But he has suddenly become a savior for the worlds best batting line up and number 1 team. If I was an employer for the Indian Cricket Team, I would have given a Dravid a pat on a back but not a promotion or a additional incentive.

These two men have been the heroes of the nation for the past month. But if we look at them from a bigger perspective .. will it be the same ...

Power Play

It is strange that the batsmen have struggled to use the Powerplays effectively in this World Cup. Batting Powerplays have given a headache to the captains who have to take them. As we come to the end of the tournament, I see the captains tend to use the Powerplays as late as possible.

In the Semi Finals, Pakistan committed suicide by not choosing Powerplay when Umar Akmal and Misbah were at the crease. Strangely, Umar and Afridi got out playing big shots. And Misbah was left alone to do the huge task in the last 5 ovs with the tailenders.

India has been another team who looks at the Batting Powerplay as a hurdle in the innings. Throughout the tournament it has lost its way in those 5 overs.

The Batting and Powerplay was introduced to get a bit of spice in the game, where spectators can enjoy what they have paid for - some free hitting.

But there can be other uses of Powerplays.

When the field is close in with the restrictions, the captains tend to go at their 2 best bowlers. The guys who stem the run flow and also pick wickets. A Powerplay can be used to utilize the overs of these bowlers.

So, if you delay the Powerplay till the last over, you are actually inviting the best bowlers to ball at you when you need to slog. Hence it’s better to use their overs before we get into the slog overs.

The ideal situation to take the Powerplay is when there is a partnership going on in the middle of the innings. When we have the middle order playing.

This will give the batting team 2 benefits.

1) Use the well set batsman to score of the best bowlers in the opposing team

2) Use up the overs of the best bowlers when there is less pressure of scoring runs.

It is important that you don't over expect from these 5 overs. Have a target of 30 to 35 runs and that will be enough. After 30th over, 30 runs from 3 overs of Malinga and 2 of Murli does not look bad !!

This will also mean that Mallinga and Mulri will not ball those 5 overs after the 42nd over.

Then again, you are playing is the Sub Continent in the month of April. The wicket will be slow and low. So it’s better to use a Powerplay when the ball is hard and new.

For India, Sehwag and Sachin have often given them a good start in the 1st 15 overs. It’s after the Bowling Powerplay is gone that the wickets fall and the run rate dips down. So you can choose to go for a Powerplay in the 16th over itself. This can have 3 benefits.

1) Use the hard and new ball when the most attacking batsman are well set.

2) Stretch the stamina of new ball bowlers. If Malinga has bowled 6 overs in the 1st 15 of the inning and again asked to ball 3 more in the next 5 overs, it will certainly affect his bowling. Batsman can have a go at him then.

3) The batsman won’t lose the rhythm they are in, during the 1st 15 overs of the match.

They Balling Powerplay seems to be a waste of a rule. All the teams take it straight after the 10th over. If the batsman are going bizarre, it can be a wise idea to delay the powerplay to break their rhythm, get their wickets and use it right away on the new batsman.

One more significant strategy that I observed when India played against SA.

Zaheer was brought into his second spell. The batsman called for the powerplay right after he completed the 1st over in the spell. So that gave him only 2 overs of the 5 in the Powerplay.

The plan of the best bowler balling 3 overs in PP can be put to trash by such strategies of batsmen. That will cause a bit of change in the bowling captains plans. Will be interesting how things work then.

However, One thing is for sure. The Powerplay has increased the demand of Strike bowlers in the team. Now its upto the captains how to use them while balling as well as batting. Here is one way a batting team can dictate its terms on the bowling team.

Basically the captains should figure out that POWERPLAYS are just not about Muscle Power.. they are more about BRAIN POWER

I wont lie by saying that I am enjoying India's performance at the World Cup.

This was supposed to be the strongest batting line up of the tournament. But, they have struggled to bat out the 50 overs most of the times.

Often, we have posted scores that are just above par, where a small effort from the opposition will take them home. This batting line up should be able to out bat the opposition. In fact, almost every time Sachin and Sehwag have given them the ideal start. But invariably the middle order has collapsed. Gautam Gambhir has been impatient. Virat Kohli doesnt look comfortable at any other position than at No. 3. Dhoni is clearly struggling. Yusuf has lost his place.

It has been upto Yuvi and Raina to finish off the innings and for that they have to bat considerable number of overs.

On the contrary, The Indian Bowlers have done a decent job. It hasn't been a terrifying one. But it hasn't given the opposition batsman easy times at the wicket. Zaheer has, as expected,bamboozled the batsmen. and whenever they have tried to get better of him they have found themselves in trouble. Harbhajan has had a grip on batsmen as well. Though he hasn't run through the line ups like an encounter specialist, he has had them under scrutiny like an witty policeman. Yuvi has benefited from this. Batsman tried to score of him and there is where he got them out. R Ashwin has done what he was paid for. Ball the new ball. Control the run rate - get a few wickets and once the ball has lost its shine - give it to Zaheer.

Nehra and Patel have been a bit of worry for the captain. They have been bad in patches. And because the Indian batsman have not posted huge score, these two have been facing additional pressure while bowling.

This was the reason, I was surprised to see both up them play against Pakistan. In March - April, the wickets are expected to get slower and lower. Hence spin is an easy option over pace. Moreover, Mohali is a belter of a wicket and Pakistan love such medium pacers.

While watching the match a number of times commentators raised the issue of not playing Ashwin. Probably, MSD knew something that no one else knew, may be there was a bit of dew expected, or something else..

In the post match presentation, he was the 1st one to admit that he had misread the pitch. It happened to be a slow turner and hence the target score came down to 250 from 320. The target of 260 seemed to be just above par. Early wickets became key for India and it was important that the new ball does not go for runs.

Ironically, Munaf and Ashish happened to be the best bowlers of the day for India. They kept the batsmen under control and also got wickets at important time. They balled with purpose and balled with fire. They were here for business. The second ball that Munaf balled clocked 145 kmph. That was the defining moment of the innings. They didn't want the Pakistani batsman on the wicket. It was nice to see the Indian fired up for a change - Did anyone notice how vocal Sachin was?

So now, the stage is set for the Sachin Tendulkar (sorry, I could not find any superlative adjective for him) to have his day of glory. From being a ball - boy in 1987 WC to being the man of 2011 WC. He probably is writing his own script, directing it and playing a lead role as well.

I wish he scores a century, gets 5 wickets and takes a few catches while India are is on its way to Victory at Wankhede.

April 2, 2011 should be officially claimed as SACHIN TENDULKAR DAY !!!