BETTING Vs BATTING !!!

Janardan:- Like Indian Premier League (IPL), the Indian School League (ISL) has also become famous as the cricket teams of top schools from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai participate in it. You have to give 14 runs in the 1^st over of the match. Don’t worry, if you succeed, you will get 50,000 bucks.

Sreesanth:- But, how can I guarantee you that I will be able to give 14 runs in the 1^st over itself? It depends on the batsman also.

Chandila:- Oh! Come on! I am the opening batsman of St.Lawrence School team. You are the opening bowler of St.Xaviers School team. It is very easy for us to perform it. This spot-fixing will help us to earn fast cash of 50, 000 bucks each. Try to understand.

Sreesanth:-Ok! Then the deal is final. By the way, the Saint Sebastian School team is already in the final of ISL. No matter, which team reaches the final; the Saint Sebastian School team will surely win the final match because they are a strong team and all their players are in terrific form.

Janardan:- Look, I am in this bookie business since 8 years or so. The fate of any cricket match can be changed by a bookie like us. As per the betting demands, St.Lawrence school team has to lose the match against St.Xaviers school team. Don’t worry; the captain of St.Lawrence School team has also been booked by us.

Sreesanth:- My goodness! You are such an expert bookie. But, are you giving me the assurance that it will remain as a top secret?

Janardan:- Yeah! It will remain as a top secret.

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Ganga:- Sir, we watched the match between St.Lawrence and St.Xaviers school teams. 13 runs were required in the last over for St.Xaviers school to win that match. In that match, Abhinav, the captain of St.Lawrence school team bowled 1 no ball and two wide balls in that last over. Moreover, he bowled 4 full toss balls in that last over. St.Xaviers school team won that match by 2 wickets with 1 ball to spare. I smell something fishy here.

Roland (Principal of Saint Sebastian School):- Maybe you are right or maybe you are not. Time will reveal the truth automatically.

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Janardan:- Look, unless you lose this final match of ISL, your life may be at stake.

Indranil:- I don’t care about my life. I would rather die, but, I will never participate in this bloody betting business. Saint Sebastian School will win this final match of ISL at any cost and I will make it happen by hitting fours and sixes with my bat.

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Arindam:- Ganga doubted it right, Sir. We acted as spies and got the secret information about a bookie, Janardan, who tried hard to buy our Indranil. The virus of betting in IPL is also getting reflected in ISL too.

Roland:- Ok! Let me talk with Inspector Joardar regarding the arrest of that bookie, Janardan.

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Commentator Chintu:- Wow! Indranil finished the match with an over-boundary with 5 balls to spare to win this final of ISL against St. Xaviers School.

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Indranil:- Yes! We have done it, Sir. We are the ISL Champion.

Roland:- I can understand your emotion. I appreciate your sincerity, dedication and moreover; the honesty towards Cricket, the gentleman’s game. 

Arindam:- Hey! Indranil, Janardan is behind the bars now. Sreesanth and Chandila may also be arrested soon. Well played. 

Students of Saint Sebastian School:- Three cheers for Saint Sebastian School. Hip Hip Hurrah!

Bairagi (Sports Teacher of Saint Sebastian School):- Actually, this final match was a very important match in terms of the aristocratic brand value of the game of cricket because it was a final match of “BETTING Vs BATTING”.

WHITES WHITEWASHED !!!

Rathikanta:- Hurrah! Finally, India has won 4 tests in a row in a Test Series against Australia. That’s a record.

Bibhutibhushan:- Yeah! That’s a record. But, this Australian Test Team is very weak. The Australian Test Team under Steve Waugh was really a quality team. That team came to India after winning test matches in other nations. At that time, that Australian Team was the No. 1 Test Team. It was the leadership of Sourav Ganguly and extraordinary batting of VVS Laxman that helped India to win that Classic Test match at Eden Gardens even after getting forced for follow-on. In that Indian team, spinners also bowled well.

Hemlatha:- That was Sourav Ganguly Vs Steve Waugh. Both were legendary captains with legendary players in their respective team. But, in this Test Series, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a far better captain than Michael Clarke. Had Ricky Ponting been the captain of this Australian Test Cricket Team, then it would have been a very competitive Test Series. Moreover, only Watson ad Clarke are too experienced enough to play Test Cricket on the pitches of Indian subcontinents. All the other players are too young and immature to play spinning tracks of India.

Madhuchandrima:-  Our Indian Test Squad is also very young. Dravid and Laxman have retired from Test Cricket. Only Sachin is too experienced. Even Dhoni can be regarded as a good experienced Test player by now. All the others are so young in Test Cricket. But, still these youngsters played good cricket.

Arindam:- Yeah! That’s the positive thing in this Border-Gavaskar Test Series of 2013. Murali Vijay is a good player. As Gambhir and Sehwag are struggling with their form, both Cheteswar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan got the chance. Both Pujara and Dhawan clicked. In the bowling side also, Bhubaneswar Kumar is bowling well. All eyes were on Ashwin only, but, Jadeja and Ojha also bowled well. 

Bibhutibhushan:- This Australian Team started off well in the series, but, somehow, their captain was not having any Mariner’s Compass.

Rathikanta:- Are you seeing any class pace bowlers like McGrath or Brett Lee in this Australian Test Squad. Siddle and Johnson are good bowlers but not the great bowlers to vary their line and length too often in an over.

Madhuchandrima:- The last test match was somewhat competitive. All the other three test matches looked totally one-sided. Unlike other Australian Test teams, this team lacks killer instincts. On the other hand, this new Indian Test Squad is always hungry for runs or wickets. In the past also, we have seen many Test Series, where Indian Test team won the series before all the matches are played. But, in the last match, India used to lose the game. That’s why; we thought that in the last test match of this series, India may play badly to lose the game.

Hemlatha:- Yeah! I was thinking the same. Lyon bowled like a lion in the last test match to grab 7 wickets, but, it was not enough. India bounced back well with their spinners. After all, it is the pitch of Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, where the ball always turns. There was no Anil Kumble in this Indian team; otherwise, Australia could have lost by an innings in the last test. The ball was sometimes bouncing at a very low height also.

Arindam:- All is well if it ends well. In all the other three tests, those pitches were not spinning tracks, but sporting tracks. So, if you say, that Australia lost the series, because they are not good players of spin bowling, then I can’t agree to it. Actually, Australia did not have good middle order batsmen. Indian Test team must not feel too over-confident or get carried away after this win, because, England, Pakistan and South Africa are having a much better balanced Test Squad. Finally, India showed the middle finger to Australia. Anyway, Greg Chappell and Andrew Symmonds may be feeling very sad and Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh may be dancing out of joy as the Border-Gavaskar trophy of 2013 became the Test Series of “WHITES WHITEWASHED”.

TARGET TATKAL !!!

Barnali:- What has Pawan presented today?

Joydeb:- Pawan presented today! Are you talking about the father of Lord Hanuman?

Sheila:- Oho! We know that you are a devotee of Lord Hanuman and a supporter of Bajrang Dal. You don’t have to prove that by doing such acting. Today, Pawan Kumar Bansal presented the Rail Budget of 2013.

Rabindra:- So, how was the Rail Budget of 2013?

Sheila:- Well; it is a very disguised budget. Passenger fares were hiked in January 2013. Even a little thing in any Budget is remembered by the common people of India. So, that’s why; UPA-II increased the passenger fares before the Rail Budget. But, all the freight charges and surcharges got hiked. Even the hike of fuel surcharges will be decided for two times in a year from now on.

Arindam:- See! The logic is very simple. Some states will go for some important elections in 2013. So, you cannot make the rural people of India angry. So, no, passenger hikes were done. But, if you want an emergency ticket; pay more. Surcharges got increased means, some rail tickets may have to be increased by 1 or 2 rupees. Therefore, Mr. Bansal showed the bypass routes to the UPA-II to generate more revenues in Indian Railways.

Joydeb:- Look! I liked the Dinesh Trivedi’s Rail Budget last year. That budget really had some long term goals. No matter, to which political party you support, you have to agree to the fact that the Indian Railways is still in ICU. So, if UPA-II is increasing several Tatkal charges or Superfast Express Train charges, there is no harm in it. It is beneficial. Rich people are getting richer day by day, so, let them pay something extra from their pockets to save the Indian Railways.

Barnali:- We never objected against the hike in passenger fares. We want better service, better security and better infrastructure in Indian Railways. Look at Japan, China and European nations. They have rightly utilized their Railway networks as one of the strong pillars of economy. Why can’t India do the same thing despite having one of the largest Railway networks of the world?

Rabindra:- It is easier said than done. Signaling systems are not automated. Anti-Collision devices are yet to be implemented. At least, Dinesh Trivedi touched upon these things in details, but, Mr. Bansal hardly gave more emphasis on these aspects. Every now and then, we hear molestation cases of girls in trains. Separate bogies for women are not well equipped. Moreover, many a times, there is not enough number of security guards in the compartments. Even, there are instances where security guards of Indian Railways have molested women passengers. Is Indian Railways not going to recruit more lady security personnel for better security of women passengers?

Sheila:- I have heard that the financial allocations of many metro rail projects have been reduced. Indian Railways is also planning to have its own Financial Management Institute. Lots of revenue leakages in Indian Railways are still either untraceable or unnoticed. Mumbai local trains may get Air-conditioned with its own standard fares. Indian Railways must directly monitor and supervise the East-West corridor Metro Project of Bengal to avoid any scam or corruption. Some special rail passes will be given to eminent sportspersons, Indian soldiers and freedom fighters. That’s a good initiative. What about the foods?

Arindam:- Quality of foods has always been a real worry for Indian Railways. Even IRCTC fails to maintain good standards in many platforms. Indian Railways is looking to have tie-ups with some food business companies who have ISO certifications. Even you can complain about foods in a toll free number. Overall, UPA-II instructed Mr. Bansal to follow madhyapantha policy before the elections. PM said, ‘Oye! Pawan! Just “TARGET TATKAL.”’

CITY OF GANGRAPE !!!

Paromita: - The Cinderella hours are no more in Kolkata as a woman got gang raped at Park Street. The victim got coined as a characterless woman. That’s why; those rapists were regarded as innocent people by the owner of the Trinamool Congress Party.

Sushovan: - We have heard that the main accused person in the Park Street gang rape case had some physical relationships with one Muslim actress of Tollywood film industry of Kolkata. What a shame! The film producers and directors should think thrice before giving any work to that Muslim actress. Accha! What happened to another rape case, where a woman was taken to Rajarhat by a cab driver and then raped brutally?

Nandini: - Oh! Rape cases are still pending. Who has time to investigate on those rape cases? As per the policemen of Kolkata, all the girls and women of Kolkata have become characterless. So, let them get raped anywhere, anytime by anyone. A victim went to lodge an FIR in a Police Station of South Kolkata. The Policemen labeled that girl as a characterless girl.

Girish:-Basically, the Bengali Policemen are cowards by nature. 90% of the Policemen are just puppets in the hands of politicians and many of them don’t give any respect to women. So, how can you expect any help from those policemen? If a policeman has helped you in times of danger in Kolkata, then you should feel very lucky about it.

Sushovan:- Nowadays, our Bengali society has become a frustrated society. Even the minor girls are getting raped by rapists in Kolkata itself. 

Arindam: - We used to point fingers at Delhi by saying that Kolkata is a safer metro city for women. At least, in the era of CPI (M), Kolkata was really a safe place for women, but, at present, Kolkata has become the haven of rapists. Everyone knows that if a woman gets raped in Kolkata, then Mamata Banerjee will regard it as a conspiracy by CPI (M). So, all the hooligans of CPI (M) who have joined TMC are enjoying themselves by raping any woman anytime.

Paromita:-Yesterday only, a woman got gang raped in Chetla at around 7.20 PM by some goons. Those goons kidnapped the woman and then gang raped her inside a white colored four-wheeler.

Nandini: - No punishment will be given to those rapists. Either the goons of Mamata Banerjee will try to convince the public that the woman provoked them to rape or those goons will give death threats to that victim if she does not withdraw the case completely.

Girish:-Already, that victim has withdrawn the case and changed her statement. One who commits a crime and one who supports it; are both criminals in the eyes of law. The administrative people under Mamata Banerjee are also culprits as they are not taking strict actions against the rapists. In Iran, a rapist gets beheaded in a public place. Forget Iran; even in our South India, a rapist gets a capital punishment.

Sushovan: - If Dhananjay was hanged long time back, then why these rapists are not getting hanged? Frankly speaking, maybe, CPI (M) did many corruptions in rural sector but in their tenure, at least, the city of Kolkata was really a safe and secure city for women and party lovers.  

Arindam: - CPI (M) had a good organizational structure from top to bottom with strict administrative rules and regulations. That’s why; the Kolkata Policemen were also very active, vigilant and helpful towards civilians. But, under Mamata Banerjee, it is really a very weak administration. TMC supporters sometimes feel proud that they have brought a Paribartan (Change) in Bengal. Surely, the City of Joy has transformed into a “CITY OF GANGRAPE”. What a shame and what a pathetic paribartan (change) under Mamata Banerjee!

IPL -5 OF 2012 !!!

Oh! No! Almost everyone was disappointed after seeing the IPL-5 Inauguration in Chennai. More or less, the inauguration looked like any Bollywood film award ceremony. In earlier versions of the IPL, there were so much FEMA dramas, kissing activities, victory hugs and late night parties’ controversies that all the Cricket lovers always used to ask the question, ‘Is it Indian Premier League or Indian Paisa League?’  No matter, how much you criticize Lalit Modi, the mastermind behind the idea of IPL, but, he really had the marketing skills to attract spectators for the IPL matches. So after the exit of Lalit Modi, somehow, BCCI was under a tremendous pressure to increase the viewers and spectators of IPL-5. 

Subrato Roy, the owner of Sahara Company recruited Saurav Ganguly as the captain of Pune Warriors India and also inaugurated the Subrato Roy Stadium in Pune with some hot Bollywood stars. Inclusion of Ganguly in IPL-5 was an automatic attraction for the people of Bengal. The match of 5^th May 2012 at Eden Gardens became a very popular match for the spectators. Mumbai Indians started the IPL-5 by defeating the defending champion team. Pune Warriors India started getting successive victories. Deccan Chargers started losing matches after matches. Ajinkya Rahane scored a terrific century to come to the limelight. The team under Adam Gilchrist won a match from the jaws of defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders.

After the 1^st leg of IPL-5, all the teams were almost neck and neck to each other except the Deccan Chargers. The open competition of IPL-5 made it more interesting. IPL-5 is all about Cricket, Cricket and Cricket; that’s why; slowly and steadily, the numbers of spectators or viewers of IPL-5 matches started increasing. In the 2^nd leg matches, Pune Warriors India started slipping away from the rat race. Rajasthan Royals under Rahul Dravid lost some close matches, though their low profile players played some excellent cricket. On the other hand, Delhi Daredevils were playing fabulous cricket to remain at the top of their table. Kolkata Knight Riders discovered a Dark Knight in their team.

The cyclonic batting of A B De Villiers was enough to outplay Dale Steyn and the Deccan Chargers. That match gave the Royal Challengers Bangalore a chance to stay in the hunt for the Play-Offs. But, in the later stage, the Deccan Chargers proved themselves to be the Demon Destroyers or Giant Killers.  Rajasthan Royals slipped. Sachin Tendulkar was honored in Eden Gardens for his 100^th 100. Not only have that; on that very same day, Mumbai Indians regained some form against the Kolkata Knight Riders to win it and revive their chance to qualify for the Play-offs. Kings XI Punjab lost an important match. Deccan Chargers won a match in Hyderabad after a long gap and that too against the Royal Challengers to deny them a place in the Play-Offs.

Dhoni and his team watched three important matches on the television set. Luckily, the results of all the three matches went into their favor and Chennai Super Kings qualified for the Play-Offs. In the first qualifier match, the power-packed batting line-up of Delhi Daredevils failed to deliver up to the mark. Kolkata Knight Riders went straight into the final. Morne Morkel turned out to be a good wicket-taker, but Sunil Narine was a good economical bowler with superb strike rate of getting wickets. Many fans of the Bangalore team were missing Chris Gayle, the Orange Cap holder in the Play-Offs. Anyway, in the Bangalore Pitch, the aggression of Harbhajan Singh’s team was not enough to beat the Captain Cool’s team.

In the 2^nd Qualifier match of IPL-5 in Chennai, Virender Sehwag kept out Morne Morkel and decided to field first after winning the toss. Umesh Yadav of Delhi Daredevils did not bowl the first over of that match and as a result, the Murali Vijay of Chennai Super Kings tasted the first blood to score the fastest century of IPL-5 in his home ground. Sehwag did not open the batting for his team and Delhi Daredevils failed to reach the final. In the IPL-5, some impressive players were Steve Smith, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Dwayne Smith, Mahela Jaywardene, Shane Watson and Umesh Yadav who remained as unsung heroes.  Ravinder Jadeja of Chennai Super Kings was just a waste of too much money.  How he got the highest bid amount?

On 27^th May 2012, Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and went for batting first. All the astrologers already predicted that Dhoni will lift the IPL trophy for the third time as he has a very good luck in his favor. Narine Magic did not work on that day. All the bowlers were almost punished by the batsmen of Chennai Super Kings to score 190. Gambhir got bowled. The match was not over yet. Bisla played his natural cricket and Kallis played the sheet anchor role. Manoj and Shakib handled the pressure well at the end. With 2 balls to spare, the Kolkata Knight Riders won the final match. At the end, good and excellent Cricket have entertained everyone and the team which played better cricket than other teams surely won the “IPL-5 OF 2012.”