Impeccable Kohli

Not a T20 guy but 2 on the trot brilliance and Kohli has bought me back in Cricket. Honestly, I have not watched such blemishless batting in a long long, very long time to come. First with Pakistan and then today, Kohli had an array of strokes in the diaspora that used to be visible in the Sachin-Dravid era. 

Pic Credits: India Today

 No offense but I take a lot of pride in the school of generation I come from. And, with the growing fondness for the T20 format, Cricket is a dying art. But, for players like Kohli, I see a semblance of the magic still alive. 

Cover drive, flattish square drive, the classic on drive, the flat pull and the hook, the flick on the leg. Kohli was brilliant today and showed why T20 must stay with all the good things the game has given us – authentic cricketing shots. No slam bang, no slogging, no bull shit. Just, pure, unadulterated game of Cricket.

Kohli’s innings today revived fond memories from my younger days and few epics from the stalwarts I grew up watching, adoring, falling in love with.

Viral Kohli – I don’t care if India doesn’t take home the trophy but I want your batting to enrich the basics of the game for which it is known and predates in.

Reminiscence

 
When divinity was at one end, I stood at the other.

when they thought otherwise

No, I haven’t watched ‘The Revenant’ yet. But, sincerely, there were moments of severe brilliance for Leonardo DiCaprio when he could have.

I take this jab at him now, rather on the ones who said ‘no’ to him. I list down DiCaprio’s earlier performances that didn’t go down the red carpet way.

Django Unchained
As Calvin Candie, this was DiCaprio’s most accomplished performance. To tap it off, it was one of the most frightening and voracious acts I have seen in an American film. As the catalyst and the de noir of the script, he made us look breathless. More significantly, this was one of his best outside the Scorsese camp and his first with Tarantino.

The Wolf of Wall Street
Jordan Belfort isn’t a hero but was a mercurial genius with insatiable orgasm and in-gullible intent. DiCaprio was ‘Jordan’ personified and delivered a kick ass performance as the eccentric stock broker. Not Scorsese’s best but once again proved why he is the numero uno of wetted biopics.

J Edgar
Though this film is ridden with make up shambles, it was a tough film to make and an equally difficult character to play. As one of the most influential and controversial figures in American history, DiCaprio’s was a gutsy performance. Client Eastwood’s more capable film in the recent past, it was flawed but bold and invigorating.

Body of Lies
Not hugely celebrated due to the disturbing and coaxial content, but one of my better picks in DiCaprio’s career. Stylishly made with rude facts, DiCaprio as agent Roger Ferris was hugely courageous and equally vulnerable to the prevailing mayhem, his was a convincing act of valour in this less talked about Ridley Scott film.

Gangs of New York
Very early in his career but this Scorsese drama was the beginning for DiCaprio to take the plunge in to the big league. Though pitted with a very talented Daniel Day Lewis, he manages to fort well with some sizzling chemistry with Cameron Diaz. It also kicked off his illustrious collaboration with the legendary Scorsese.

that’s trending..

Doesn’t matter which format, Ind Pak encounters are always a scorcher. With a packed Eden and a quality innings from Kohli ensured we seal this with comfortable elan. Thank you Kohli, for getting me watch T20!

 

Pouring and big

Water, wind with a wheezing sound, lots of clouds, little twinkles around. Sometimes, with all that we have, we stand susceptible. 

  

my wine

For some it’s a lifeline. To me, it mirrors my soul, my passion. My many sides of enigma in a nutshell.  #nightout

 

old house

This used to be the favourite hideout of my younger days, much much fitter and agile days I must say. 

 Field, outfield, pads, coach, technique, drive, gloves, tension, sweat, lots of sweat, passion, craziness. More importantly, it was my age of adrenaline.

After years, took a look at myself through the strokes of the young guns. Few minutes, but went back a long time ago.

A blissful encounter

No, this isn’t Picasso or Monalisa. It’s a creation from hands of unconditional love and a gift to rekindle emotions. Blessed day! 

   

hymn that blows you away

‘Kisi baat par main kisi se khafa hoon, main zinda hoon par zindagi se khafa hoon’.

The lyrics of mundane joy, a rendition that will stir your soul, the meaning that will wrench your veins, the inadequate fear that encapsulates the primal human being, an era that remains the home to divinity in the playback universe.

Kishore Kumar – you continue to conquer, then and today. Truly, Bemisaal. #classicnotes

Tribute: Legends of Cricket: Martin Crowe

  
Some players must be measured by the times they played in, not in terms of averages. Martin Crowe was one such artist. I have seen very little of him in early 90’s and my impressions of him were established in the 1992 World Cup. A maverick batsman, he undoubtedly was one of the most swashbuckling stroke players Cricket has ever seen. Natural flair and a gift for gaming nuances, he was not surprisingly, 92′ edition’s player of the tournament. By far, New Zealand’s finest, his penchant for runs and glory catapulted the Kiwis’ to stardom. His impact paved the way for their Cricket to produce some illustrious talents like Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Daniel Vettori and Brendon Mcullum. New Zealand owe a large part of their sporting legacy to Martin Crowe.

You went early Sir, but you will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

moving past, and fast

Yes, truly forgotten. Rather, beloved and forgotten. 

 An army distinguishes itself from an individual who is a hero. If it’s vice versa, then we witnessed a created history that was never seen. This is one such moment of pride and anguish. #historyoflight