Pakorakorner | A personal portal with a strong Asian Indian flavor on a whole range of topics.

After a couple of weeks of the IPL in its new avatar in South Africa it is hard not to admit that it is far more exciting than the inaugural version held in India last year. If there is one glaring downside it is the size of the crowds.  A match played in front of 20,000 people is very different from  one played in front of 80,000+. Barring the size of the crowds IPL 2.0 is definitely far more exciting. Bowlers ...

The selectors in a surprise move replaced the injured Munaf Patel with the "smiling assassin" Laxmipathi Balaji. This move is no doubt remarkable for so many reasons. Most importantly, it is a sign that domestic performances count for selection to the national team. Balaji has performed exceptionally in the domestic circuit and has worked his way back to the team. Secondly, its a welcome sign than those who have performed at the highest level of the game are not ignored when ...

It is not a mere coincidence that Dhoni lead India in both the Tests that India beat Australia in the recent cricket Test series. As one avid Indian supporter rightly said, "Dhoni made it happen". Dhoni has already displayed captaincy skills thus far not seen in Indian cricket. Comparing his captaincy style to that of Ganguly (as Dada says himself) would be a disservice to the young man. He absolutely leads from the front unlike most other Indian captains. In his ...

Sourav Ganguly announced his decision to retire from Test cricket after the series against Australia. Unarguably Sourav Ganguly was one of India's better captains and his fighting spirit transformed Indian cricket forever. His infamous clash with Greg Chappell, his ouster and subsequent return provided plenty of drama for the entire cricketing world. He probably won't be missed any longer given his poor form, but there is no question that he has been a phenomenon in Indian cricket for well ...

MS Dhoni deserves all the credit possible for India's ODI series win against Sri Lanka. Winning in Sri Lanka is a tall order by itself. Besides, Indian batsmen had been completely foxed by the magic of Ajantha Mendis both at the Asia Cup and the recent Test series. India lost the first ODI even without a fight. But Dhoni inspired an impressive turn around thereafter winning three ODIs in at a stretch. Dhoni displayed the ability to adapt his otherwise ...

India won their second ODI in a row against Sri Lanka, this time far more convincingly than the first victory. Positive signs for India from this match: Dhoni's form, Raina's return to form, Rohit Sharma's useful contribution with the bat, and India's early breaks thanks to the fast bowlers, particularly Zaheer Khan. The issues for concern: Yuvraj Singh's continuing poor form, and lack of a strike bowler/wicket taking bowler. As for Sri Lanka the two main areas of concern: the repeated ...

Dhoni and his boys managed to scrape through and win the second ODI! It was hardly a convincing victory, but a victory nevertheless. Zaheer Khan's return to form was timely. India decided to recognize Badrinath for his consistent domestic performance by giving him a chance to play in the second ODI and he didn' disappoint. He produced two lovely catches and played a crucial knock. Most importantly he showed that he could take on Murali and Mendis. The composition of the Indian ...

Sri Lanka first destroyed India's ODI team at the Asia cup final. They then won the Test series against India rather convincingly. The common factor behind these victories was the new cricketing sensation, Ajantha Mendis. He baffled Dhnoi's boys in the crucial Asia cup final. Then, he also destroyed India's fabulous four (Dravid, Sachin, Ganguly and VVS). And now the young turks return. This is easily Dhoni's biggest ODI challenge since he took on the mighty Aussies after insisting on ...

MS Dhoni chose to pass on the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka and deserves plenty of praise for this. It is perhaps the first time in Indian cricket history that a player so young and on the rise has willingly stepped aside from a Test tour. Firstly, it reflects a clear sense of self-confidence in the man. Secondly, it is a sign that he suffers from no insecurity whatsoever. A welcome sign in India's ODI and T20 ...

Dinesh Karthik's exit from the ODI was on the cards. The big three Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and VVS Laxman are unlikely to play ODI again for India. Sachin is injured and Harbhajan is serving his sentence. The injured Sreesanth has just been replaced by the impressive Goni. With this, India's team for the Kitply Cup extends Dhoni's virtually complete control over the team selection. He initiated the changes he desired on the Australian tour and refined it further ...