Tale one 
The audacious Ramalinga Raju's startling revelations about the fraud committed at Satyam reminds me of my old employer where sales figures were often inflated by the sales team to garner immediate commissions. Of course, the motive is bigger here. Raju said that he committed the fraud out of fear of being overtaken for poor performance. In his resignation letter Mr. Raju stated "It was like riding a tiger not knowing how to get off without being eaten." Well! Why did you chose a tiger to sit on?

Tale two
South African captain courageous Graeme Smith played with a broken left hand and a sore right hand in a vain attempt to save the third and final test against Australia, despite having an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series. He was the last man to be dismissed six minutes before the end of the play.

It's not very often that you find Punter Ponting at the receiving end. But Dhoni and his team produced a result at Chandighar that Ponting would love to forget when he wakes up tomorrow. More than the loss, the manner in which the visitors were dominated should tease the effervescent Aussie media back home. I doubt if Ponting would dare to pick up a newspaper or check his e-mail or visit any sports website within the next few days.

Ponting and his team, in fact the Kangaroos, are known for playing mind games, nicknamed 'tough cricket' by the Australians themselves. But everyone knows what happens on field. Ably supported by its media, the Australians choose a few key players from the touring team and concentrate on diverting their attention through constant sledging, nagging and howling expletives. Better to say the select few are punted down under. This is more rampant whenever the touring team happens to be from the sub-continent. In my memory, Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh top the list of the most suffered players from the sub-continent. Now it's time for Mr. Punter to be on the receiving end, not because the Indians have become masters of sledging but they are playing some outstanding cricket.

The heavy defeat took its toll on Ponting, who complained during the post-match conference that Indian players indulged in heavy sledging and warned them to mend their ways. He suddenly seems to have become a disciple of Pope Benedict. I am keen to see how the Australian press will react to this and project it as the reason for the Australian defeat.

All in all, it's been an intriguing test match and kudos to Indian team.

I was short of adjectives to describe India's emphatic victory over the arrogant Aussies at Perth. The result was really a googly for Australia, their fans and the Australian media. While the Indians have a number of positives to carry from the
game, the Australians have a number of things to ponder.

From the Kangaroo's point of view, the absence of big man Matthew Hayden made a huge difference. Ponting got the bowling combination wrong and was perilously close to being suspended for a few matches for slow over rate. The much hyped Shaun Tait was expensive and went wicketless. He will be replaced by Brad Hogg in the all important
fourth test. Above all, the twenty two yards in the middle was misread by a lot of experts.

However, these factors should not take any credit away from the Indians. They have been far superior to the hosts right from day one of the second test at Sydney.

Though it is too early to say this, I reckon that end is near for the Australian dominance, which has bored all cricket lovers. With key players like Mc Grath, Warne, Langer and Martyn bidding adieu, Ricky Ponting will have tough time marshaling his troops, at least for the next couple of seasons.I wish Ponting & Co visits countries like Sri Lanka, India and South Africa which can give tough time and pose many questions to the Aussies, in the next few months.

Are we going to witness another great fall - a la West Indies?

This said, we are talking about the number one team which plays tough cricket and has the capacity to upset any predictions.

Finally, a section of Australia media is crying that India managed to keep Australian players tight lipped on the field by lobbying the ICC which resulted in the players discarding their aggressive nature and ultimately losing the match.

Huh!

I am eagerly waiting for the Ind-Aus Test series to start. Buried with office work for the last two weeks, I am dying for the first test to start. With series against Pakistan turning out to be a damp squib, it has been a long time since I saw quality cricket. Apart from cricket, it is the stadia, the crowds and the quality of transmission (courtesy Nine and ESPN STAR) and the commentary that entice me to watch the fixtures.

Though Australia has always been a tough nut to crack, I believe, India can give a run for their money this time. Remember, last time the Indians have come tantalizingly close to winning a test series.

The bowling department looks a bit weak and it is important that part time bowlers and batsmen make up for the lacuna.

This tour will also be the last one for about five members of the touring team and they would definitely love to leave a mark.

Wishing India all the best, I resign in hope to see some quality and intriguing game of cricket over the next few weeks.
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