Visakhapatnam: Sep 7, 2012

Amid the hype surrounding Yuvraj Singh’s return after conquering cancer, pacer Laxmipathy Balaji would make a quiet comeback to the Indian cricket team, more than three-and-a-half years after his last international outing.

“It’s nice to be back. But at the same time, it’s not that I’m going to make my debut. Yes, I didn’t play for India for a long time but cricket always stayed with me,” Balaji said ahead of the first Twenty20 international against New Zealand here.

The Tamil Nadu-seamer was written off after a career-threatening knee injury.

But a successful stint with this year’s IPL victors Kolkata Knight Riders meant that Balaji was not done yet as he was drafted into the Twenty20 squad for two matches against New Zealand and the ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka.

“Be it at first-class or club level, I play with my heart and soul. That’s my passion and the reason why I’ve been able to make a comeback. I really thank God for giving me the break,” Balaji, who will turn 31 this month, said.

“It’s an honour to represent the country. We hope to do our best and get back the Cup for India.”

Balaji said he benefited a lot after spending time with Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram.

“Wasimbhai has been a big asset during the IPL. Everybody knows what he is capable of. Spending last two years with him really helped a lot,” he said.

“IPL gave me the platform — it’s similar to that of an international format. It actually helps when you do well in IPL,” he added.

Balaji, who took 10 wickets in eight games for KKR, said he is confident of a good comeback.

“I did play Buchi Babu recently. I have been training well. I’ve done a lot of hardwork on my fitness. I’m bowling regularly. Just looking forward to go out there and give my best,” Balaji said.

Playing in the World Cup is an honour and Balaji wants to make it count.

“It’s an honour to wear the India colours in the World Cup. It’s a big tournament and we have done well in the past there. It’s great to be part of the side. Hope to give my best and bring back the Cup for India.”

The return of Yuvraj Singh after battling a rare germ cell cancer will inspire the Indians, Balaji said.

“Everybody knows how tough it is to undergo the (chemotherapy) treatment. Not only health, there are so many things. But he has come back harder after a one-and-half-year battle with cancer.”

He is also looking forward to playing with star off-spinner Harbhajan Singh again.

“He is one of the greatest Indian spinners. It’s wonderful to see him back. It gives me an opportunity to play with him again.”

After the retirement of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, the young Indian players were doing well with Virat Kohli performing exceptionally well.

“Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were two of the greatest Indian batsmen in history. A big salute for the service they have given to the Indian cricket. They have inspired many youngsters, giving India so many wonderful moments. They played with so much of dignity.”

“It’s a process that will take some time. It’s not easy to refill the gap overnight. Definitely they will remain an inspiration. But Virat Kohli is doing a very fine job. He is exceptional. Hope he continues to do well for India,” he concluded. (PTI)

By: Tapan Mohanta
Courtesy: CRICKET COUNTRY

Kolkata Knight Riders bowling Coach Wasim Akram on Sunday said that Sunil Narine was a revelation the fifth season of the Indian Premier League.

“He (Narine) has been a revelation. Nobody could read him in this tournament and I don’t think anybody will do it in the next two years. It’s good for KKR.”

Akram was extremely proud talking about the bowlers in KKR.

“My bowlers are the best in the world and we can beat any team with this bowling attack. The variety and the wicket-taking ability are incredible. It’s good to be a part of this team,” he was quoted as saying by iplt20.com.

Akram makes no bones talking about the fact that the change in leadership has resulted in change of fortunes for the team.

“The leadership, the contribution from senior and the foreign players was the key. We’re a family, not a team. We supported each other through thick and thin, and that helped.”

“It was incredible. Credit goes to the captain and his team on the way they have fought throughout the tournament. My voice is gone and I am feeling the same when I did after winning the World Cup for Pakistan. It was worth the wait,” Akram concluded.

Courtesy: CRICKET COUNTRY

Former Pakistan pacer and Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram feels his game would have perfectly suited for the shortest format of the game.

“I missed on playing Twenty20 cricket; I only played two games for Hampshire in 2003 when the format was just introduced. I believe this format would have suited my game – my bowling and batting,” said Akram.

Akram also emphasised on wicket-taking ability of the bowler as an important aspect in T20. “If I have wicket-taking bowlers, I’ll pick all of them because that’s how you win games in T20. It is an entertaining format, but it kills the bowlers, especially on the subcontinent tracks. According to me, in T20, getting wickets is the key. Generally, the batting teams look to get to 100-110 in 15 overs with wickets in hand, and then, have a go in the last five overs,” said the former pacer.

The Kolkata bowling coach was very impressed with South African speedster Dale Steyn and felt Brett Lee too can join him at the top.

“I like Dale Steyn. He runs in hard every ball and varies his pace. He’s got the yorkers, the bouncers, and swing – everything a fast bowler should have. Even Brett Lee runs in, but he’s a bit expensive on the Indian tracks because he relies too heavily on pace. He doesn’t have as many variations as Steyn does, but he’s learning. He’s a quick learner,” said a delighted Akram.

With the advent of T20 format, lot of bowlers have adapted themselves to the shortest format of the game, however all the debates and discussions highlight towards the dipping quality of fast bowlers and spinners aiming to excel in Test matches. Akram pointed out that picking wickets in T20 and Test matches is a different ball game altogether.

“In T20, the bowlers bowl a lot of slower balls. These bowlers are T20 specialists and might not get wickets in the longer formats where you need to swing the ball, you need good pace. In T20, all you need to do is keep varying the pace. These are the guys who know their limitations and bowl within them. They’re not sharp and quick, and they don’t try to bowl quick. They concentrate on their strength, which is variation, and that’s the key to their IPL success,” he said.

Akram further added that just possessing good bowling skills is not enough unless the bowler is clever enough to judge the batsmen’s intent.

“More than pace, swing, talent, everything, it’s the mind that matters. It all depends on how intelligently you bowl. Sitting in the dugout, I can tell when the batsman is going to go after the bowler. At times, I wish I had a microphone through which I could tell my bowlers what to bowl next. In T20, if you bowl two dot balls in a row, you can be 100 percent sure the batsman will go after you, either over the fine-leg, or if it’s in the slot, he’ll hit it straight,’ Akram was quoted as saying the official website of Indian Premier League.

Sparkling performance of some of the star players in IPL has constantly brought up discussions about, how the veteran cricketers of the ‘80s and ’90s would deal with this game. According to Akram, former Australian fast bowler Malcom Marshall and lanky West Indian express Joel Garner would have savoured playing in this format of the game.

“I’d have loved to see Joel Garner and Malcom Marshall. For me, Marshall was the best bowler ever in the history of the game. I rate bowlers who get wickets in subcontinent and Marshal got wickets everywhere in the world. He was a very clever bowler and what separated him from the others was that he picked the weakness of the batsman in a split second. These qualities would’ve made him interesting to watch in this format,” he said

Akram has picked more than 900 international wickets and is regarded as one of the best left-arm pacers in World cricket. He’s one of the few Pakistani players who have garnered huge fan following in India. The pacer visits India frequently for various bowling camps across the country.

IPL 2012 is Akram’s third stint with the tournament having joined the Kolkata Knight Riders as bowling coach in 2010. Since then he has been instrumental in the progress of many fast bowlers not only from the Knight Riders but from other team’s as well.

Courtesy: CRICKETCOUNTRY.COM

Wasim Akram is the role model for hundreds of thousands of youngsters, all over Pakistan and in many parts of the world where cricket is played. A role model is someone who others look up to and admire. A role model provides inspiration and motivation like Wasim Akram, who is an intelligent, a courageous person and one of the best cricketers in the world.

Wasim Akram’s bowling stance, ball in hand, golden chain swing as he charged down the pitch as if he were charging into battle is embedded in people’s minds. Wasim’s personality has motivated many youngsters to try and imitate him in many ways.

Wasim’s self assurance displays his self esteem which is why youngsters want to emulate him. His courageous battle with diabetes and his sponsorship to fight diabetes has shown youngsters how to endure and face tribulations with courage. Despite the psychological setback after being diagnosed with diabetes, he managed to regain his form and went on to give impressive cricket performances. His help for diabetic patients is what has impressed the youth of today. His active involvement in awareness campaign for diabetics has only made the youth look up to him.

His leadership of the Pakistani Cricket team in one day internationals won him many laurels. The youth are proud of the fact that Wasim Akram is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He holds the world record for the most wickets in limited over’s cricket, and is second only to Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralirthran in One Day International Cricket. His induction in the ICC Test Dream XI has certainly added another glorious chapter to his already jeweled legacy. His welfare projects like supporting BHR – Basic Human Rights and Roche – Pakistan are only made possible due to his belief in giving back to the community.

Wasim Akram is considered to be the founder and the finest exponent of reverse swing bowling. In 2009 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, another feather in his cap, and more inspiration for the youngsters who want to be like him. Wasim Akram is what every youngster in Pakistan aspires to be.

Written by: Ifrah Waqar
For more information: info@wasimakramlive.com

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the most spectacular and sensational sporting excogitation of the time and has affected millions of cricket fans in India and across the world. The Kolkata Knight Riders is one of the ten IPL franchises owned by the Bollywood King Shahrukh Khan in partnership with Juhichawla Mehta and Jay Mehta. When the Kolkata Knight Riders was bought by Shahrukh Khan’s Red Chilies Entertainment, the Indian nation developed a sense of kinship with this team.

When the management of KKR was searching for a bowling coach, the former Pakistani skipper and seam bowler Wasim Akram was approached and finally chosen as a consultant and bowling coach of KKR. Wasim Akram who is known as one of the pioneers of reverse swings is now serving as a mentor for KKR. The presence of Wasim Akram as a bowling coach has contributed a lot for the team. The team has learned a lot from the experiences of Wasim Akram.

In the beginning 2008 IPL season, KKR had demonstrated a good beginning by winning their initial matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers. The opening batsman for KKR Brendon Mc Cullum had also achieved the record of scoring highest runs in a twenty-twenty match. However the later matches of the season were marked by their failure in the consecutive four matches and ultimately lead towards their failure in the season.

In the 2009 IPL season, KKR had remained the least active team with no player trades and failed to perform well during the season however in the 2010 IPL season; K.K.R had demonstrated a fantastic start by defeating Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The victory against these two opponents was followed by three sequential defeats against Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. Even so, Chennai Super Kings managed to win the winner title of the IPL 2010 season. Despite of these circumstances, it was assured that the team is under the right guidance since Wasim Akram is a legendary bowler and knows various bowling tricks.

The IPL season of 2011 was started with an inaugural match of CSK versus KKR. Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the captain of KKR in IPL 4 with a revitalized team. The IPL season 4 was started in Chennai M.A.C stadium with an excellent stage performance by Shahrukh Khan. The match entertained fans with a well balanced performance by C.S.K and KKR and lead towards an exciting victory of C.S.K over KKR by 2 runs. When playing against Deccan Chargers on 11th April 2011, KKR managed to defeat the opponent by 9 runs. For KKR, this was definitely an upholding performance and was followed by another victory against Rajasthan by 9 runs on 15th April 2011and again on 17th April by 8 wickets.

The IPL season 4 has collected enough attention of media and cricket fans across the world. A lot of expectations are struck with the improved and impactful performance of KKR during the season. The sensational performance of KKR during the IPL season 4 can be credited to Wasim Akram. The team has learned a lot from his experiences. The assistant coach of KKR, Ajay Dahiya has also second the fact that the coaching of Wasim Akram is a plus point for KKR.

The ‘Sultan of Swing’ is working very hard for the team and has claimed that the team is ready to take critical challenges. The team is confident to meet those challenges since Wasim Akram is with them.

Written by: Aliya Jabeen
For more information: info@wasimakramlive.com

This cricket calendar can be really strenuous. It’s only been a week the World Cup fever has ended and the Indian Premier League is upon us. Playing professional cricket these days is not only a test of your body but the mind as well. I am sure most of our modern cricketers know how to strike a balance.

The Indian players will be surely tired after their World Cup win. All the accolades and public appearances can be tiring but playing cricket and performing consistently will always be central. After their Cup success, all the Indian players will be hungry to do well in the IPL and live up to their reputation. This will ensure the T20 league produces quality cricket. An IPL win is equally important.

Obviously as their bowling consultant, I want Kolkata Knight Riders to do well this season. On paper, our team is good and we have an excellent leader in Gautam Gambhir. I feel the Delhi lad is a very humble guy, leads from the front and has got a good cricketing brain. He has to play a great role this year for us.

We will surely benefit from the experience of South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis. He, according to me, is the No.1 all-rounder in the history of cricket. England middle-order batsman Eoin Morgan is also very handy in this format.

Young players like Manoj Tiwari and Netherlands star Ryan ten Doeschate are also a big plus. I will be keenly watching the Dutchman as his all-round abilities during the ICC Cricket World Cup excited me. Brett Lee and Shakib Al-Hasan will not be there for a couple of games, but are prized catches for us. The side looks good and the dressing room is very calm as they all want to do well. Things are moving in the right direction. It’s a long tournament so we should stick together as a team. Teamwork will be crucial.

Having said that, definitely we are going to miss Sourav Ganguly but I believe it’s time for him to move on. The owners wanted a new team as the side was unchanged for three years. But obviously Dada will be with us all the way. It’s his team and his city. He is a good friend of mine and we will miss him, for sure.

Trying to assess all the other teams in the tournament is a near-impossible task. If cricket is a funny game, then T20 is funnier. It is very difficult to predict in the shortest format which is the best side. Teams like Kochi and Pune are new arrivals, so you can’t really take them for granted.

It is also very difficult to predict the favourites for this 51-day long competition but I think the team that gels well will do well. KKR have a number of all-rounders and our batting depth is till No.9 so that’s a combination that I feel might work. But at the end of the day the team that plays well as a unit will do well and every team is dangerous on a particular day.

In T20 cricket, even the average players look good. In this format your weaknesses do not get highlighted as much as they do in ODIs and Test cricket. You can’t plan much in the middle of a match. Before you try and make something happen the match is over. Team players should support each other especially when things are not working in your favour. So, keep your cool, enjoy the game and let the fans have fun too.

Courtesy: www.espnstar.com

Test cricket is alive and kicking. India’s nail-biting win against Australia in Mohali has proved this once again. Coming at the back of the Champions League T20, the Mohali Test had more excitement than the Chennai Super Kings-Warriors final. For those who have questioned the future of Test cricket, the Mohali match has been a great advertisement for the five-day game.

Unfortunately, a two-Test series between the top countries in the world is not enough. I feel a two-match series is unfair on the visiting side, more so if the team is Australia, England or New Zealand. I wonder how the Aussies agreed to this itinerary. It takes a while to digest the playing conditions and that’s what happened to the Aussies. Before they could fathom the Mohali wicket and its vagaries, India had already swung it their way. ICC must make it mandatory to have at least a three-Test series, if not a five-match contest. The ODIs and T20s can follow.

Australia looked good to win the Test at one stage. But I must say, the ninth-wicket 81-run stand between Ishant (Sharma) and (VVS) Laxman was decisive. India’s grit and the ability to fight till the last were good signs. Players like Laxman, Dravid, Sachin and Zaheer only reinforce my view that there is no substitute for experience in Test cricket.

The hunger in the senior players actually make India what they are today. The Rainas and the Kohlis, the Vijays and the Ojhas will only improve if they continuously experience the tenacity and perseverance of the Tendulkars, Laxmans and Zaheers. I must congratulate the Indian selectors in reposing faith on able senior players. And I am sure Dhoni must be excited to have them in the dressing room.

Alas, this is not the case in Pakistan cricket. Our players have been in the news for the wrong reason and it’s all hunky-dory out there. It is so sad to see senior players sitting out when the Pakistan team needs them. Crisis and more crises are crippling Pakistan cricket. The good is being overshadowed by the bad and that is unfortunate.

There are more questions than answers in Pakistan cricket. The foremost question is: who will become the Test captain? Salman Butt had all the qualities but the current issues have set him back. I was speaking to Shahid Afridi recently. He told me that the team was under immense pressure in England. But they played well.

We all know Pakistan have a habit of forgetting their troubles once they are on the field and give their 100%. They forget about the controversies. So I think they will have to do the same against South Africa in UAE. But they will really have to motivate themselves in Dubai, where there will be little or no public support in the Test matches.

With the IPL auction due early November, I am really keen to see Pakistan players this time around. Pakistani players add charm to the matches by sheer capability. Players like Umar Gul, Afridi and Saeed Ajmal can be assets for any team. Young quickie Mohammad Irfan is also an exciting T20 cricketer. More importantly, IPL following will grow in Pakistan and fans will follow the league. They will also identify with the franchises and their players. That is why it is crucial to open the doors to Pakistani players. It will only improve ties between India and Pakistan.

Courtesy: www.espnstar.com