Why spot fixing hurts more than match fixing

This might be one of the last blogs to appear on this ‘dark’ day in cricket, but it certainly  wants to make a point. There has been a lot of chatter about how people should not get worked up as this was ‘just’ spot fixing and not match fixing. Here, let me tell you the difference:

Match Fixing is when a crucial player/bunch of players conspire to pre-decide the outcome of a game, almost always resulting in defeat for their team. They do this knowing fully well that they would have to make errors during gameplay eventually resulting in their defeat.

Spot Fixing is when a player agrees to perform a pre-decided ‘act’ on the field of play e.g. bat out a maiden over, bowl no ball etc. They do that knowing fully well that it is very difficult to identify these acts unless the bookies get caught or stung.

Do you see the difference? Well, I don’t. To me spot fixing hurts more because the player knows that it is very difficult to be caught. If the entire IPL had concluded without these revelations, we would never have known. What if there are more players involved that we have no clue about? Will never have a clue about? Scary.

Then there is this prophecy that the whole of IPL is fixed. Know-it-all swear by it, somehow in the process amazing me. If they know it all, they should have bet on these games. Oh wait, they consider betting unethical.

Hypocrisy just wet itself.

I for one decided to continue to watch the IPL and exclaim every time I see a towel out of place on a bowlers waist.

Mr Bhogle had this to say on this:

distinction between match fixing & spot fixing essential.neither of the 3 players had a significant role in deciding a match outcome

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 16, 2013

He did correct himself later, but it was too late.

Chandila apparently got 2 Million Rupees as advance for making a few ‘errors’.

Rohit Sharma Captaining Mumbai Indians today

I just have one story to tell (Hindi speakers would get this. Rest, just ask around):

Image Courtsey: Pepsi IPL and BCCI.

Best way to watch Pepsi IPL

We are well into the midway stage of the Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL). I have seen many games, and missed even more. One thing that has not gone unnoticed is the absence on my part of any sort of team loyalty.

Photo Credit: www.bolegaindia.com

I don’t know about you. Maybe you have selected sides. Maybe you have left it to your geographical players. Maybe you have decided to go with your favourite players. I have not decided or let the decision be made for me.

I have decided to stay neutral. There are, of course, a few positives and negatives. First the negatives:

1. The passion of team support eludes me during this huge tournament
2. The residual love for Delhi Daredevils sometimes tries to thwart this logic
3. The points table becomes irrelevant

Sad, right? But hold on. Here comes the good part. The positives:

1. You get to enjoy all games with equal fervour
2. You can take a piss at everyone
3. The points table becomes irrelevant

As they say, the positives far out-weight the negatives. The best way to follow the IPL is to not follow any team in particular, but treat the tournament as something you can consume whenever you have time.

What about you?

Would love to know your views on the same. Do drop in with your comments or on twitter.

Australia in real trouble after Clarke injury news

Australia’s hopes of reclaiming the Ashes on foreign soil have taken a huge knock after news surfaced this week that captain Michael Clarke will be sidelined for up to 10 weeks – ruining his preparation for the England Test series.

Clarke has been the inspirational batsman and vocal leader in the Australia camp recently but missed the Baggy Greens’ final Test with India this March after a recurrence of his back problem.

Fans in the Australian cricket betting world hoped he would recover in time to play for the Pune Warriors in the IPL but after a medical check-up it appears he also has a hamstring complaint.

“[Clarke] still has pain with basic activities and is not back to full function as yet,” said an Cricket Australia statement.

“He also has a hamstring injury that has been a concern for most of the summer and will complicate his return.”

The combination of injuries means Australia won’t see their captain return to the professional crease for at least 10 weeks – a period that should see him back by the start of June, just one month before the first Ashes Test.

Although a month is enough time to be fully fit to face England there is still concern Clarke won’t have regained his world-class sharpness by the time he faces a mean bowling attack at Trent Bridge.

The iconic batsman has been Australia’s leading run scorer of late, hitting a 91 and a century against India this series. However, even with him in the squad the Aussies fell to a 4-0 series whitewash, exposing the fragility of their order.

If Australia are to win the Ashes this summer they need Clarke opening each innings and setting a fine example for the rest of the field. His form and fitness will be under close scrutiny throughout the series and could decide who lifts that famous little urn come August.

Who is this Balakrishan Vaali?

Claims that he is not Kohli. Read his tweets here to know more.

10 Commandments Rohit Sharma lives by

Rohit Sharma is a self made man. He is the next Sachin Tendulkar, well according to bwin anyway, even if he ends up being the 2012 version of Sachin. Having said that, he is a man of belief, the real deal.

He believes in a set of commandments handed to him by Sachin himself in the Mumbai Indians dressing room. Yes, God doth have a sense of humor.

Here they are:

1. Thou shall always fail to impress for a steady period. Consistency is for the boring.
2. Thou shall never play for CSK. That makes selection too predictable.
3. Thou shall pay everyone except bloggers to convince them of your talent.
4. Thou shant pay attention to bloggers. They are too poor to give any real opinion.
5. Thou shall agree to play at any position, but not in the batting order.
6. Strike rate is for people looking to land an IPL Contract.
7. Thou shall always look to play for a place in the team.
8. Thou shant every look cheerful sitting on the bench (pity pays)
9. Thou shall make the word ‘comeback’ popular.
10. <you decide> Use the comments section

If you want aposter or a tee, do let me know.

Also, share this post if you feel Rohit has ‘talent’.

Disclaimer: I do believe that he has talent, just his consistency leaves me frustrated. No offence, Rohit!

Image Source: cricfire.com/forum

Streaming made simple – the Star Sports Way

There is something different waiting at Starsports.com, the recently launched sports website. Live, high definition video streaming on the internet with a timeline, a live scorecard and with social media interactions roped in, Starsports.com has come up with an interesting experience. Go ahead, take a look at www.starsports.com.

A few features:

The video timeline

The website actually offers the world’s first cricket timeline. The advanced player can be individually controlled and provides the function to catch up on the game through both a video scorecard and a video timeline that marks the key moments of the game.

HD Video quality

The high definition video streaming provides exceptional video experience on the website.

Commentary layered with stats and analytics

The commentary section focuses on explaining the action ball by ball & also pulls in real time conversations from social media while the match is on. The video scorecard brings the statistics alive with video clips of key moments supported by detailed analytics and graphics.

Check out a demo at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAkEnvkcew4.

For the full experience,  www.starsports.com is waiting for you.

Bye Bye Craig Kieswetter?

Craig Kieswetter’s future in the England one-day squad is under real threat after it was revealed in
the cricket betting news that the wicketkeeper was rightly dropped for England’s fourth ODI against
India on Wednesday, with Jos Buttler coming in as replacement.

Kieswetter has performed below standard during this series on the subcontinent, with two ducks
in the second and third matches. His 24 off 36 deliveries in the first match in Rajkot was helpful to
England’s nine-run victory but even there he failed to hit a fast enough run rate to make a significant
difference.

England clearly need to change something in their middle order after collapsing to meagre totals
in their last two matches and although many fans in the betting world may see Kieswetter as a
scapegoat, there is logic in bringing in a new face.

For Kieswetter has not missed an England ODI since the 2011 World Cup and may have felt his
position safe, taking his eye off the ball. Professional sportsmen need competition from within their
own camp at whatever level they play and in Buttler England have a real challenger for Kieswetter’s
place at fifth man.

Buttler has proven himself able to step up to international one-day cricket after 14 innings in the
T20I squad and a 58.42 average for club side Somerset. He is calm under pressure, happy to dig out
runs and would be a real asset to Alastair Cook’s side should the top order fall early on Wednesday.

England need a victory in the bet365 odds in Mohali and Buttler, who gained experience of the
Indian wicket during England’s brief T20 series before Christmas, deserves a chance to prove his
worth in place of the stuttering Kieswetter.

As for England’s mainstay wicketkeeper, this exclusion can only improve his determination to
perform at the highest level and earn his place back in a competitive side this winter.

5 most interesting dancing cricketers

Just not Cricket

Everywhere you look, there is a push to create something which is popular, and cricketers are no different. In a sport where India is the number 1 on ODIs after playing like a new entrant to test cricket (No offence to Bangladesh), the quest to find something interesting goes on.

Here is a list which might help you, though before that I would like to set a benchmark. Take a look:

Now, to our list:

#5: Almost there

At number 5, we have a group of West Indian Cricketers dancing while the ball is being delivered, and then watch what happens:

#4. What Loss?

Pakistan has just lost a match in the world cup (2007), it seems Akmal doesn’t seem to care:

#3. Oppa West Indies Style

This must be in your short term memory. The T20 victory dance:

#4: KP Style

There is a reason Gangnam Style is so popular. Here is the KP Version:

#1: You mess with the Sree, I dance

Finally, the numero uno, the one dance to rule them all: Yes, you guessed it right- Sreesanth:

Do you have any more, do let me know, don’t mind expanding this post.

Cheers.

Hipster Sachin Tendulkar

This should be treated as a tribute and a tribute only: