Friday, February 16, 2024

Two Classic Books by Indra Vikram Singh

 



A Maharaja's Turf

Collector’s edition on the triumph of Maharaja Sir Vijaysinhji

of Rajpipla in the Epsom Derby of England in 1934

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-3-6

Fully Illustrated

Hardcover with jacket 8.75 x 11.5 x 0.6 inches (landscape)

Weight 500 grams

140 Pages

Available at an attractive price on Amazon  https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166832

This is the story of the exhilarating victory of Maharaja Sir Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla in the Epsom Derby of England in 1934, the only Indian owner to win the blue riband of the turf in its history dating back to 1780. The dapper Indian prince’s horse Windsor Lad, ridden by Charlie Smirke, left the hitherto undefeated favourite Colombo trailing in third place in the presence of royalty led by King George V and Queen Mary, and a multitude of an estimated quarter to half a million people on that damp afternoon of 6th June. The triumph earned the Maharaja a unique hat-trick of Derby victories as he had already clinched the first Indian Derby at Calcutta in 1919 with his horse Tipster, and the Irish Derby at Curragh in 1926 with Embargo.

Trained by Marcus Marsh, Windsor Lad went on to be rated as one of the finest horses of the 20th century. Marcus Marsh’s father, Richard, had trained Derby-winning horses for the then reigning King George V and the late King Edward VII.

The enthralling tale recounted by the Maharaja’s grandson Indra Vikram Singh offers an insider's insight, and is embellished with rare media photographs of the race and from the Rajpipla royal family collection over many generations. It has been extensively researched from about 80 newspapers and magazines of 1934, five books and websites, and carries articles by the Maharaja himself. There are news reports, cartoons and caricatures which open out a whole new world. Featured are the British royal family, the Aga Khan, Maharaja Man Singh II of Jaipur and the leading racehorses, owners, trainers and jockeys of the day, among other eminent personalities. 

The book captures the era between the two World Wars, of imperial times and a royal lifestyle, also going back centuries into history, connecting the past and the present and depicting the march of time, even as the thrilling race remains the central theme. It unfolds the tale of the uncanny prophesy of Gipsy Lee, the several coincidences around the number 13, the defeat of a 'super-horse', and the unrelenting quest of a prince to realise his dream that is bound to keep the reader transfixed.

 

Don’s Century

Biography of Don Bradman

and a panaroma of batting from the 1860s to the present times

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0

Fully illustrated

Paperback French Fold 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches

Weight 480 grams

188 pages  

Available at an attractive price on Amazon  https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859 

The questions still asked are: how great was Don Bradman actually, was he just a run-getting machine and a statistical marvel, or was he truly the best there has ever been, have there been other batsmen as good or better than Bradman. Don’s Century analyses Bradman’s batting technique, brings forth his amazing achievements at the crease, and assesses the merits of other great batsmen from the 1860s to the present times. Written in the centenary year of the peerless Don Bradman, the book is a celebration of the life and magic of the willow of The Don, and also of the art of batting and indeed the game of cricket. 

The 11-chapter book by Indra Vikram Singh, the only Indian biographer of Bradman, interspersed with stories and comments from legendary writers and cricketers alike, and extensively researched from scores of old publications, has three sections.

The main segment showcases Bradman's days at the crease from Bowral to Sydney, on to Lord's and Leeds, back to Adelaide, and finishing at The Oval in 1948. The legend begins with young Don’s rise to the top, his first fifty and hundred in the backwaters of Bowral, the maiden double century against Wingello and triple ton versus Moss Vale, hundred on first-class debut and on to Test cricket. Bradman’s legendary feats in the Test arena are recalled in all their magnificence, the hundreds in his first Test series, the unprecedented and still-unparalleled triumphs of the Ashes tour of 1930, and annihilation of the West Indies and South African teams.

The saga undergoes a dramatic twist with the vicious Bodyline attack that was devised solely to decimate the genius of Bradman. This chapter carries extracts from letters received by the author from England’s Bob Wyatt who was vice captain to Douglas Jardine during that infamous series.

The aftermath of Bodyline, Bradman’s exhilarating fightbacks on and off the field, how his stirring deeds brought solace to the suffering millions during the Great Depression, and his resilience as captain of Australia are presented lucidly, leading to the sabbatical brought about by the Second World War. The final lap of The Don’s career after the war, the firm hold on the Ashes, his exploits against the first Indian team after the nation’s independence, and finally the 1948 tour of England by his ‘Invincibles’ are described vividly and objectively. The text is supplemented by twenty scorecards detailing Bradman’s finest achievements in the first-class and Test arenas.

A large chapter in the middle is a panorama of batting portraying thirty-four of the best players down the ages, for no story of Sir Donald Bradman can be complete without an appraisal of other giants of the crease.

Commencing with the colossus of the Victorian era Dr. W.G. Grace, the captivating genius Prince Ranjitsinhji, the endearing and enthralling Victor Trumper from Australia, the complete master Sir Jack Hobbs, continuing with the likes of Frank Woolley, Charles 'Governor General' Macartney, Bill Ponsford, Walter Hammond, Stan McCabe, the forbear to West Indies giants George Headley, the brilliant South Africans Bruce Mitchell and Dudley Nourse, India’s Vijay Merchant, Sir Leonard Hutton, Dennis Compton, Neil Harvey, Arthur Morris, the inimitable Ws Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Clyde Walcott, the original little master Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad, the incomparable Sir Garfield Sobers, Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Sir Vivian Richards, arguably New Zealand’s finest Martin Crowe, Steve Waugh, the exhilarating Sri Lankan Aravinda de Silva, and concluding with the champions of the modern era Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, and many more referred to down history, how good they were, and how they compared with each other and Bradman.

They include some of Bradman's favourite players. This is not just a factual or statistical segment, but importantly talks about the epochs and conditions they played in, and also has interesting little tales. It traces the evolution and development of the game from W.G. Grace’s days in the 1860s till the present day.

The third and concluding part explores the vicissitudes of Bradman’s life, trials and tribulations, his persona, way of life and quest for excellence, the detractors, friends and family, post-retirement days and role as cricket administrator, and the final stretch of one of the most amazing stories ever, of a sporting hero and icon beyond compare. A handwritten letter from The Don received by the author Indra Vikram Singh in 1999, and an article based on it that he wrote at Bradman’s demise in 2001, are all featured in this tribute to the unquestioned king of kings of the crease.

There are nearly 100 classic photographs of Bradman and other greats in sepia brown from the top agencies of the world. A comprehensive statistics section highlighting Bradman’s accomplishments and records sums up the inspirational tale. A detailed index makes the book extremely user-friendly.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Agriculture and mineral resources of Rajpipla State as described in the book ‘Princes of India’ (1937)

 


Rajpipla is an essentially agricultural State. The cultivation of cotton on a large scale and improvement of its staple has brought prosperity to cultivators. Until about the year 1919 the cotton grown was of the inferior Goghari variety, the result being that the cultivators could not get an adequate return for their produce. In order to improve their lot His Highness, the present Maharaja (Vijaysinhji), introduced in the year 1919-20 legislation prohibiting people from sowing Goghari and other inferior varieties and making it obligatory on them to sow the long-stapled variety of cotton known as “1027 A.I.F’.

Every year the State through expert agencies selects the best seed of this kind and distributes it to the cultivators. The results and the consequent profits to the farmers are outstandingly marked. For whereas in the former years the Rajpipla cotton fetched prices 30 to 40 rupees per candy below Broach Cotton, it now fetches 50 to 80 rupees more than Broach and is in a class with and compares most favourably with the Navsari cotton which is the best grown Indian cotton.

Another great advantage to the cultivators is that whereas in the past they had to go 40 to 50 miles, and in many cases more, away from their houses into the British districts to sell their cotton, they have, through the introduction of this measure and the success it has achieved, found a ready market at their own doors, and there is such a great demand for the superior variety of cotton that it is readily sold out, even in these days of trade depression, to outside the merchants who flock there during the cotton season.

The popularity and success of this measure will be judged from the fact that the area under cotton cultivation, which was somewhere between sixty and seventy thousand acres before the year 1919, has increased by leaps and bounds, and is for the last six or seven years in the vicinity of 1,40,000 acres, and has remained at that figure even in the times of trade depression, which has affected cotton more than any other commodity.

This activity in cotton has had a most wholesome effect on trade and industry generally. Whereas before the introduction of long-stapled cotton there were only two ginning factories and no cotton press, there now exist eleven ginning factories and three cotton presses, all working at a considerable profit to their owners. Encouraged by these good results, the starting of a spinning and weaving mill in the State is being contemplated and there are offers from several companies to launch a project.

The country is not lacking in mineral resources. As already mentioned, the Cornelian or Agate Mines of the State are known from the time of Ptolemy. Early in the sixteenth century an Abyesinian merchant named Bawaghor is known to have established a cornelian factory at Limbodra. This Sidi merchant, while wandering from place to place on pilgrimage, did business in precious stones and, becoming skilled in agates, set up a factory at Limbodra where he prospered and died rich.

A shrine was raised in his honour on a hill close to the Cornelian mines, now well known as the Bawaghor Hills in the Ratanpur Forests of this State. A fair of very great importance is held there every year. Negotiation are in progress with some well-known firms to work the mines on a scientific basis. These have been handicapped, however, in the general trade depression and by the fact that cheap foreign articles made from artificial stones are abundant in the market. With improved economic conditions it is hoped to work this industry on modern and scientific lines and put it on a sound financial basis.

Marble of good quality is to be found in the Garudeshwar Taluka of this State. It is basically black in colour and takes very good polish. Marble in white and in grayish and greenish tints is occasionally found.

There is excellent building stone near Jhagadia, in the Kadia Dungar and Bardaria Hills. The stone is grayish white and rather on the hard side. It takes good polish and is suitable for carving.

The proper working of these quarries had been handicapped up till now by the difficulty of transport, but it is now being overcome by the construction of a light railway and it is hoped that this building stone will secure a good market.

Red and yellow ochre and fire and pottery clays are also found in abundance and recently a factory for pottery works and tiles has been established at Jhagadia. Cement stones and good lime stones and gypsum are also found in large quantity in the State.

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Rulers of Rajpipla driving their cars when Governors of Bombay came calling in early 20th century

Maharana Chhatrasinhji of Rajpipla driving his
Wolseley 6 hp 1903-04 car,
with Governor of Bombay Lord Lamington seated beside in 1905.










Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla driving through a forest,
with Lady Willingdon seated beside and
Governor of Bombay Lord Willingdon at the back in 1917.









Thursday, November 9, 2023

Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Cricket World Cup - Hat-trick of Home Wins’. Hall of Fame: Jofra Archer

 Speedy, key element in England’s victory trail of 2019

Jofra Archer was England’s highest wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup with 20 scalps, and 5 three-wicket hauls.


ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Matches 11, Balls 605 Maidens 8, Runs 461, Wickets 20, Average 23.05, Best 3/27, Runs/Over 4.57, Catches 2

A lethal paceman capable of generating lightning speed and disconcerting bounce, Jofra Archer’s career has been dogged by injury. He has been in and out of the English team, but when fit is central to their plans with his ability to strike, invariably when needed.

Virat Kohli observed about Archer before the 2019 World Cup, "I think he is probably going to be their X-Factor because he holds a skillset which is probably different from everybody else. He can generate a lot of pace which can be intimidating. You don't expect that because of his run-up but the way he is built...he is a great athlete.”

 

The English batsmen flayed the South African attack to post 311 for eight in the opening faceoff of the 2019 World Cup. Archer caused early damage, hitting Hashim Amla on the grill of the helmet with a vicious bouncer, forcing him to retire hurt. Not long after, he had the new batsman Aiden Markram caught at slip. Soon, he sent back skipper Faf du Plessis with another bumper, edged into the hands of fine-leg. He returned later to end a fighting knock from Rassie van der Dussen (50), having him caught at mid-on. The Proteas were on the ropes at 167 for six, and eventually bowled out for 207 in under 40 overs. Archer returned with a bag of three for 27 from 7 overs. It was a fiery World Cup debut.

 

The Pakistani top-order was in prime form. It was a sobering experience for Archer as he finished with none for 79 in a total of 348 for eight. It was a tall order for England, and battle as they might, ended up 14 runs short of the opponents’ total.

 

There was a course correction as they took on Bangladesh. The opening pair of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow that served them so well in this tournament strung together a century stand. It enabled them to post their highest World Cup total of 386 for six. Archer bowled a beauty to Soumya Sarkar that sent the off bail flying. He returned later and got Mehidy Hasan Miraj to nick into the gloves of Bairstow. In the same over, he bowled a fierce short one to last-man Mustafizur Rahman who did not have the wherewithal to survive it. He fended and the ball lobbed to Bairstow. Bangladesh were sent packing for 280. Archer had three for 29 this time off 8.5 overs.

 

The English bowlers put the West Indies batting under pressure right from the start. Archer dug one in to top-scorer Nicholas Pooran (63), and had him nicking into the gloves of Jos Buttler. Next ball, he trapped Sheldon Cottrell leg-before. Soon, he had Carlos Brathwaite edging for Buttler to snap up another one. West Indies were gasping at 211 for nine, and were all out a run later. Archer walked off with three for 30 off 9 overs. England breezed to an eight-wicket win.

 

With Eoin Morgan leading the annihilation of the Afghan bowlers with his 148 in 71 deliveries, England recorded their highest total in the World Cup of 397 for six. Archer was once again relentless. Noor Ali Zadran played him on to the stumps for a duck. He castled top scorer Hashmatullah Shahidi (76). Finally he had Rashid Khan caught in the covers. Afghanistan finished on 247 for eight. Archer captured three for 52 in 10 overs.

 

Archer once again made an early breakthrough, getting the Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne to edge to Buttler behind the sticks. Later, he deceived Dhananjaya de Silva with a slower one and had him caught at mid-on. In his next over, he had Thisara Perera caught at third-man with a short one. Sri Lanka posted 232 for nine. Archer again had an analysis of three for 52 in 10 overs. England made heavy weather of the chase, and despite Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 82, lost by 20 runs.

 

The Australian openers Aaron Finch and David Warner put on a century stand. Archer picked up centurion Finch, caught hooking at fine-leg. That was his solitary wicket, conceding 56 runs in 9 overs. Australia posted 285 for seven. Once again, Ben Stokes played a heroic innings of 89, but England were bowled out for 221.

 

The English batsmen made amends by putting up 337 for seven on the board off the Indian bowling. It was a spirited chase by their batsmen with Rohit Sharma hitting his third hundred of the tournament and Virat Kohli his fifth successive half-century. They denied Archer a wicket as he expended 45 runs in 10 overs. But India finished 31 runs short of the English score.

 

With openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow continuing their great form, England logged up 305 for eight against New Zealand. After Chris Woakes had dismissed Henry Nicholls, Martin Guptill glanced Archer, and Buttler took a brilliant catch. New Zealand were struggling at 14 for two after 5.2 overs. They eventually folded up for 186. Archer had a return of one for 17 off 7 overs.

 

Archer struck a stunning blow in the semi-final, trapping Finch leg-before first-ball, bringing it in sharply. With Glenn Maxwell on the attack, Archer had him caught in the covers with a slower one. Australia were dismissed for 223. Archer gave away 32 runs for his two wickets in 10 overs. England coasted to an eight-wicket triumph.

 

In the dramatic final, Archer knocked off the furniture of last-man Matt Henry. New Zealand ended on 241 for eight. This wicket cost Archer 42 runs in 10 overs. England were also bowled out for 241 off the last ball of their 50th over. Defending 15 runs in the Super Over, Archer conceded the same number. The Super Over was also tied. England won the title on higher boundary count.


Archer played a vital part in England’s victory trail of 2019. He was their highest wicket-taker with 20 scalps at 23.05 apiece and an economy-rate of 4.57. He had 5 three-wicket hauls, four of them in a row. Whenever in need of a breakthrough, his side turned to him, and more often than not he delivered.




Saturday, October 21, 2023

Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Cricket World Cup - Hat-trick of Home Wins’. Hall of Fame: Shikhar Dhawan

 Belligerent and jovial southpaw opener

How much India missed Shikhar Dhawan in the 2019 semi-final, we will never know, had injury not forced him out of the tournament after a brilliant century.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 10, Innings 10, Not Out -, Highest Score 137, Runs 537, Average 53.70, Strike-rate 94.21, 100s 3, 50s 1, Catches 7

Shikhar Dhawan has been Rohit Sharma’s long-time opening partner in One-day Internationals. A study in contrast, they complement each other well. Apart from the obvious left-right combination, while one is belligerent and forthright, the other has a silken touch and is seemingly laidback. Ever ready to break into a smile, the slap on the thigh after taking a catch has become as much of a hallmark as the salute by Sheldon Cottrell after taking a wicket. There is always a sense of fun when Dhawan is around, and he can score serious runs too.

Walking out with Rohit, facing Pakistan on World Cup debut in 2015, it was a quiet start. The partnership did not go further than 34 off 7.3 overs. Rohit fell for 15. There was steady progress with the arrival of Virat Kohli, the fifty of the partnership coming up in 10.1 overs. With the increase in tempo, Dhawan went to his half-century off 54 deliveries. The century of the stand was raised in 18.3 overs. Unfortunately, Dhawan was run out. His splendid 73 had come off 76 balls, having struck a six and 7 fours. The partnership yielded 129 runs in 22.2 overs. There was another century stand between Kohli (107) and Suresh Raina (74). India scored a round 300 for the loss of seven wickets. Pakistan were slow to begin with, then lost quick wickets, and were finally all out for 224.

It was Rohit’s turn to be run out and that, tragically, for a duck as A.B. de Villiers’ throw from the covers hit the stumps. It was again Kohli in tandem with Dhawan. Gradually, they picked up momentum in the face of steady bowling by the Proteas. The fifty of the partnership was posted in 11.5 overs. Dhawan raised his half-century off 70 balls. Dhawan struck Wayne Parnell for two consecutive fours bringing up the century stand in 20.3 overs, a successive one between the pair. Kohli pulled a short one from Imran Tahir into the hands of mid-wicket. His 46 had come off 60 deliveries with the aid of three boundaries. The partnership had realised 127 runs in 24.2 overs. As the new man Ajinkya Rahane got into his stride, Dhawan glided Parnell to the ropes at point to raise his maiden World Cup hundred off 122 balls. Soon the fifty of the partnership was up in 8.1 overs. With runs flowing freely, the century stand in 13.4 overs and Rahane’s half-century off just 40 deliveries came off successive balls. Dhawan was caught at long-leg off Parnell. His 137 was the highest score against South Africa in the World Cup, spanning 146 balls and studded with 2 sixes and 14 fours. It was a 125-run association from 16.3 overs. Rahane scored 79, having faced 60 balls and struck 3 sixes and 7 fours. India, this time, posted 307 for seven. South Africa did not put up much resistance, being bowled out for 177. Dhawan bagged the man-of-the-match prize.

India trounced United Arab Republic by nine wickets but Dhawan was caught at backward-point for 14.

Both Dhawan (9) and Rohit (7) fell early as India made heavy weather of a target of 183 set by the West Indies. They eventually pulled off a six-wicket win.

They were both due for runs, and they duly got them. Ireland scored 259 runs, being bowled out in 49 overs. India’s batting was brilliant. The fifty was registered off 8.2 overs. The century was raised in 14.1 overs. Dhawan was first to his fifty off 54 balls. Rohit hoisted his half-century in style, having faced 49 deliveries. The 150 was up off 20.1 overs. Dhawan was speeding away. Rohit, though, played on to his stumps. His 64 came off 66 balls, having hit 3 sixes and 3 fours. The partnership realised 174 runs, record for India for the first wicket in the World Cup. Dhawan breezed to his century from just 84 deliveries. But he was caught in the covers off the very next ball that he faced, having blasted 5 sixes and 11 fours. Kohli (44 not out) and Rahane (33 not out) carried India to an eight-wicket victory off only 36.5 overs with an unbroken stand of 70. Dhawan won another man-of-the-match award.

A superb century by skipper Brendan Taylor, a consecutive one to boot, enabled Zimbabwe to post a challenging total of 287. India lost four wickets for 92 in 22.4 overs, including Rohit (16) and Dhawan (4), both to Tinashe Panyangara. But a tremendous unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 196 in 26 overs between Suresh Raina (110 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (85 not out) carried India to a four-wicket triumph with 8 balls to spare. It was India’s highest partnership in a run-chase, bettering the 174-run stand between Dhawan and Rohit against Ireland in the previous match. India’s score of 288 was their highest batting second in the World Cup, and they joined New Zealand as the only teams to win all their six pool matches.

Boundaries came regularly at the start in the quarter-final face-off with Bangladesh. Rohit and Dhawan raised the fifty in 9.3 overs. They were cantering along when Dhawan stepped out at the sight of Shakib Al Hasan, was deceived in the air and stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim. His 30 had come off 50 balls with the aid of 3 fours. The partnership had realised 75 runs in 16.3 overs. The platform had been built. Rohit went on to score a brilliant 137 (126 balls, 3 sixes, 14 fours). His fourth-wicket stand of 122 in 15.5 overs with Suresh Raina spurred India to a formidable total of 302 for six. Bangladesh were hardly in the picture with a series of cameos and finally folded up for 193.

A superb century by Steve Smith and his defining 182-run second-wicket partnership with Aaron Finch seized the initiative for Australia. A total of 328 for seven assumes gigantic proportions in a World Cup knock-out encounter. As long as Rohit and Dhawan were together, it looked as though they were making a fight of it. After a cautious start, they picked up pace. They raised the fifty off 9.5 overs. It was all going well, and it all went wrong! Dhawan was caught in the covers off Josh Hazlewood. His 45 was scored off 41 balls with the aid of a six and 6 fours. The stand was worth 76 in 12.5 overs. Wickets began tumbling, Kohli for 1, Rohit for 34, Raina for 7. In the blink of an eye, India were 108 for four in 23 overs. Rahane (44) and Dhoni (65) did put on 70 in 13.2 overs but the momentum had been lost, and too many wickets had fallen. India folded up for 233. A golden streak of 11 consecutive World Cup wins had ended.

It was a fine tournament for Dhawan. He became the fourth Indian to score 400-plus runs in a single World Cup, the others being Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. His 412 runs in 8 matches came at an average of 51.50, and strike-rate of 91.75, with 2 centuries and a half-century.

It was a fine start for India in 2019, restricting South Africa to 227 for nine. Dhawan, though, was caught behind off Kagiso Rabada for 8. Rohit went on to score a splendid 122 (144 balls, 2 sixes, 13 fours), and India sailed to a six-wicket triumph.

Batting first against Australia, Rohit and Dhawan were off to a steady start. A boundary each off Adam Zampa took the score past 50 in 11.3 overs. The boundaries kept coming. Dhawan raised his fifty off 53 balls. The hundred of the innings was up in 19 overs. Rohit was caught at the wicket off Coulter-Nile for 57, having faced 70 balls and hit a six and 3 fours. The partnership had realised 127 runs in 22.3 overs. Joined by Kohli, Dhawan blazed on. The fifty of their stand arrived in 8.3 overs. Dhawan raised his hundred from 94 balls. Trying to hit Mitchell Starc over mid-wicket, he was caught near the ropes. It was a fine 117, spanning 109 deliveries and studded with 16 boundaries. The stand fell short of 100 by just 7 runs, having lasted 14.3 overs. Kohli scored 82, and India piled up 352 for five. It was a tall task, the Aussies were in hot pursuit but produced no really big innings. They finished on 316.

Just as India were celebrating a glorious win over the reigning champions, and complimenting Dhawan for his terrific century, came the sobering news that he had injured his thumb during that innings, and was ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Feel for you Shikhar. You were playing well & to be injured in the middle of such an important tournament is heartbreaking. I’m sure you’ll come back stronger than ever.” How much his injury affected India’s chances, we will never know. Maybe his presence in the semi-final might have helped, but that broad smile was certainly missed. Dhawan has 537 runs in his 10-match stint in the World Cup with an average of 53.70 and strike-rate of 94.21 runs per 100 balls, with 3 hundreds and a fifty. The combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma provided many a memorable moment at the top of the order.



Sunday, September 17, 2023

Festival gifting of a two-volume set of collector’s edition books on all the cricket World Cup tournaments from 1975 till date

 





With the festival season approaching in October and November, people are on the lookout for a gift that is unique and classy. This year the cricket World Cup is coinciding with the festivals of Dussehra and Diwali

Would it not be a great idea to present business associates, clients, relatives and friends a set of two volumes of collector's edition books on all the cricket World Cup tournaments from 1975 to 2019, with a preview of the World Cup 2023. You could present this panorama of the One-day cricket World Cup along with your personalised bookmark at a time when cricket frenzy will be at its height in India. The size of the bookmark will be 2 inches x 5.8 inches with colour printing on both sides.

The details of the books are as under: 

Volume 1: Cricket World Cup Odyssey 1975-2007 

(edition 2 of ‘The Big Book of World Cup Cricket’ with some modifications) 

Contents: 

Section 1 - Cricket World Cup: A Great Spectacle. This is a snapshot of each of the first nine tournaments played all round the globe, including review, the commercial aspect, sponsorship and prize money. 

Section 2 - Classic Matches. 49 of the most exciting matches. 

Section 3 - Memorable Performances. 51 brilliant individual feats by different players in various matches. 

Section 4 - Hall of Fame. Match-by-match World Cup performances of 75 top players who appeared in these nine tournaments, from Clive Lloyd to Sourav Ganguly, and also comprising interviews with Cup-winning captains Kapil Dev, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.  

Section 5 - Scorecards of all the 303 matches in World Cup 1975 to 2007. 

Section 6 - Tailenders: sidelights, lighter moments and trivia. 

The piece-de-resistance is a handwritten letter of Sir Donald Bradman received by the author in 1999. 

There will be around 225 photographs from the world’s best photographers and agencies. It will be a book of about 424 pages, A-4 size, on art paper with hard cover and jacket. 

Volume 2: Cricket World Cup Hat-trick of Home Wins  

India 2011 # Australia 2015 # England 2019 

Contents: 

Section 1 - Cricket World Cup: A Great Spectacle. This is a snapshot of each of the last three tournaments, all won by the host nations India, Australia and England respectively, including review, the commercial aspect, sponsorship and prize money, and a look ahead to the World Cup 2023. 

Section 2 - Classic Matches. 28 of the most exciting matches. 

Section 3 - Memorable Performances. 36 brilliant individual feats by different players in various matches. 

Section 4 - Hall of Fame. Match-by-match World Cup performances of 75 top players who appeared in these three and earlier tournaments, from Sachin Tendulkar to Ben Stokes.  

Section 5 - Statistics and Records of all the 12 World Cup tournaments from 1975 to 2019. 

Section 6 - Scorecards of all the 146 matches in World Cup 2011, 2015 and 2019. 

Section 7 - Batting and Bowling Averages, and Fielding Records, of all the 1147 players who appeared in the World Cup from 1975 to 2019. 

Section 8 - Tailenders: sidelights, lighter moments and trivia. 

There will be around 150 photographs from the world’s best photographers and agencies. It will be a book of about 516 pages, A-4 size, on art paper with hard cover and jacket. 

These books are available in batches of 50 sets of two volumes. The cost of these is Rs. 4,375 per set, totalling Rs. 2,18,750 (Rupees Two Lakhs Eighteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty) for 50 sets. Cost of transportation of the books beyond Delhi-NCR will be extra.

There are limited number of sets available, so please hurry. If you are interested, please email me at singh_iv@hotmail.com.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Rohit Sharma

Nonchalant strokeplay, record five hundreds in a single World Cup


ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 17, Innings 17, Not Out 2, Highest Score 140, Runs 978, Average 65.20, Strike-rate 95.97, 100s 6, 50s 3, Catches 7

What does one say about a man who scores three double centuries in One-day Internationals (ODIs) with a record 264, by a long way, to his name, and one who hits up five hundreds in a single World Cup. Just ten double hundreds have been scored in over half a century of ODIs, all since 2010, and no one else has managed more than one. Suddenly, in 2019 Rohit equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record six hundreds in the World Cup. There was always something special about Rohit. His sublime strokeplay, almost casual, David Gower like, endeared him to everyone. His lofted pull became his hallmark, earning him loads of sixes with the occasional dismissal. For what seemed ages, his innate God-given abilities did not translate into results expected of them. Then, like Tendulkar, he was given a spot at the top of the order and he flowered. Still, someone with his flair and natural gifts was not making headway at the Test level. Again, he was given the opener’s role, and he was off the blocks. A hugely successful IPL captain, Rohit Sharma found his way to the helm of the national side. He finally settled where he was always ordained. 

His World Cup debut was the high intensity contest with Pakistan. Rohit raised 34 with Shikhar Dhawan in 7.3 overs. But on 15 he attempted his favourite pull shot off Sohail Khan; this time he miscued and the ball went sailing into the hands of mid-off. Virat Kohli (107) was associated in two century stands with Dhawan (73) and Suresh Raina (74). India set up a challenging 300 for seven. Pakistan were not up to it, and folded up for 224.

Disaster struck as Rohit was run out for a duck by a direct hit from A.B. de Villiers. This time Dhawan (137) conjured hundred partnerships with Kohli (46) and Ajinkya Rahane (79). India hit up 377. South Africa could muster only 177.

There was no challenge from the United Arab Emirates. They collapsed to 102 all out. After the early departure of Dhawan, Rohit and Kohli brought up victory with an unbroken stand of 75. Rohit was on the attack. They raised the half-century of the partnership in 8.2 overs. Rohit got to his maiden World Cup fifty in 48 balls. They cruised on, and finally Rohit clubbed a four to reach the target in 18.5 overs. He returned with 57 runs to his name off 55 deliveries, having struck a six and 10 fours. Kohli scored 33 in 41 balls with five boundaries.

Had it not been for skipper Jason Holder’s 57 at no. 9, West Indies would have been in far worse plight than they eventually were. Coming in at 85 for seven, he was last out with his side’s total on 182. But their bowlers hit back. Rohit was caught at the wicket, trying to drive, with his score on just 7. Wickets fell regularly, and at one stage they found themselves at 134 for six. An unbroken half-century stand between skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin saw them home.

Ireland did well to post 259. But the Indian openers made light of it. Rohit and Dhawan took turns in hitting boundaries. The fifty of the stand came in the 9th over. They accelerated, the century partnership being registered in 14.1 overs. Dhawan reached his fifty from 54 balls. Rohit raised his own half-century off 49 deliveries with a six high over covers. With more fireworks, the 150 was on the board in just 20.1 overs. Dhawan was racing away; Rohit, though, played on to his stumps. His 64 came off 66 balls with the aid of 3 sixes and 3 fours. The stand realised 174 runs, the highest for India for the first wicket in the World Cup, in only 23.2 overs. Shikhar Dhawan brought up his hundred off just 84 balls. He was caught in the covers off the very next delivery that he faced, having slammed 5 sixes and 11 fours. Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane carried India to victory with an unbroken stand of 70.

A tremendous hundred by skipper Brendan Taylor (138 runs, 110 balls) and his fifth-wicket century partnership with Craig Ervine were instrumental in Zimbabwe posting a total of 287. India slumped to 92 for four in 22.4 overs, Rohit being caught in the covers for 16. Then came a superb unbroken stand of 196 in 26 overs between Suresh Raina (110 not out, 104 balls) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (85 not out, 76 balls). They took India home with 8 deliveries to spare. India joined New Zealand as the only teams to win all their six pool matches.

The silken touch of Rohit Sharma was in full evidence in the quarter-final as they took on Bangladesh. He drove the first ball of the match from Mashrafe Mortaza to the cover-point fence. With both he and Dhawan finding the boundary regularly, the fifty came up in 9.3 overs. Dhawan was stumped for 30. The partnership yielded 75 runs off 16.3 overs. Rohit got to his half-century off 70 deliveries. Suresh Raina joined forces for the fourth-wicket. He raised the fifty of the stand in style, lofting Shakib Al Hasan over long-on for a six. It came off 8.1 overs. Rohit was cruising serenely, the singles interrupted by the intermittent boundary. Raina reached his half-century in 46 balls. In the same over, the hundred of the partnership was posted off only 13 overs. Soon, Rohit raised his century, his first in the World Cup, from 108 deliveries. Raina hit out at Mashrafe, but the ball gained only height, no distance, and when it came down, it settled in Mushfiqur Rahim’s gloves. His 65 had come off 57 balls, studded with a six and 7 fours. It was a splendid 122-run stand that spanned 15.5 overs. Rohit raised the tempo. He finally edged on to the stumps. It was a delightful innings, 137 runs from 126 balls, embellished with 3 sixes and 14 fours. India hoisted 302 for six. Bangladesh did not offer much resistance, being bowled out for 193. Rohit was man-of-the-match.     

Australia posted a daunting 328 for seven in the semi-final, courtesy Steve Smith’s brilliant century and his 182-run second-wicket partnership with Aaron Finch. Rohit and Dhawan began steadily, and then raised the tempo. That brought up the fifty in 9.5 overs. Just as it seemed that India’s innings had taken off well, Dhawan was caught in the covers off Josh Hazlewood. His 45 had come off 41 balls with the aid of a six and 6 fours. Kohli fell for 1. Then Rohit pulled Johnson for a six. Johnson pitched the next one up and brought it in sharply. Rohit edged it on to the stumps. He was gone for 34, having faced 48 deliveries and hit 2 sixes and a four. From then on, India were fading despite a 70-run stand between Rahane and Dhoni. The reigning champions were all out for 233, bowing out of the tournament.

Without being brilliant, it was a successful foray in the World Cup by Rohit. He hit a characteristically sublime century in the quarter-final and a couple of other fifties. His 330 runs in 8 matches came at an average of 47.14 and strike-rate of 91.66. It was another impressive chapter in the opening duet with Dhawan.

Rohit was in an entirely different zone in the 2019 tournament. South Africa continued to struggle in this event and were able to put up just 227 for nine. While Rohit played a resolute knock, there were only cameos at the other end. Dhawan was caught behind early off Kagiso Rabada. Rohit was in full flow but Kohli too parted ways after a brief stay. K.L. Rahul dug in. Rohit raised his half-century from 70 deliveries. He was now in control. Soon they brought up the fifty of the stand in 10.5 overs. Rahul holed out at mid-off off Rabada for 26. The partnership was worth 85 in 16 overs. With Dhoni having joined in, Rohit hoisted his hundred off 128 balls. The half-century of the partnership arrived in 11.2 overs. Dhoni left after scoring 34, the fourth-wicket stand yielding 74 runs from 14.4 overs. Victory was ushered in the company of a trigger-happy Hardik Pandya. Man-of-the-match Rohit was unbeaten with 122, having been at the crease for 144 deliveries and fired 2 sixes and 13 fours.   

It was a superb showing by India in the face-off with the holders, Australia. Rohit and Dhawan were off to a cautious start before the latter broke free. They raised the half-century in 11.3 overs. Dhawan went to his own fifty off 53 balls. The hundred partnership was posted in 19 overs. A square-cut to the fence took Rohit to his half-century from 61 deliveries. He nicked one from Coulter-Nile that took off and was caught at the wicket by Alex Carey. Hit 57 occupied 70 balls and comprised a six and 3 fours. It was a splendid stand of 127 runs in 22.3 overs. Dhawan went on to hit up 117 (109 balls, 16 fours). India piled up 352 for five. There were a number of fine knocks from the Aussies but no really big one. The target was far too huge, and they were all out for 316 off the last delivery of the innings.

The match with New Zealand was washed out. After the massive build-up, the face-off with Pakistan was a tame affair. Dhawan’s fine century against Australia turned into a bitter-sweet one. During that knock he suffered a thumb injury, which unfortunately put him out of the tournament. It was K.L. Rahul who now opened with Rohit. The fifty came up in 10 overs. Rohit darted to his own half-century off 34 deliveries. The hundred was raised from 17.3 overs. Rahul brought up his fifty in 69 balls. As they were pressing on, Rahul was caught in the covers. His 57 occupied 78 deliveries, hitting 2 sixes and 3 fours. The partnership of 136 runs in 23.5 overs had set up the match nicely for India. Joined by Kohli, Rohit hoisted his century off 85 deliveries. The fifty of the partnership arrived in 8 overs. Rohit was caught at short fine-leg off Hasan Ali for 140. His superb innings spanned 113 balls, embellished with 3 sixes and 14 fours. The stand was worth 98 in 14.3 overs. Kohli scored 77 (65 balls, 7 fours) as India logged up 336 for five. With rain playing a part, Pakistan’s target was 302 from 40 overs. All they could manage was 212 for six.

Rohit was bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for just 1, as Afghanistan restricted India to 224 for eight. Afghanistan were dismissed for 213, with Mohammed Shami taking a hat-trick.

Kemar Roach brought one in, which took a fine inside-edge of Rohit’s bat on the way to Shai Hope. This time he scored 18. India posted 268. West Indies crumbled to 143 all out.

Hosts England put up a formidable 337 for seven. India’s task became difficult with Rahul dismissed without scoring. Kohli, though, was an able ally. The progress was slow, considering the task before them. The half-century of the partnership took 13.5 overs. Kohli was first to his fifty, having faced 59 deliveries. Rohit got to his half-century in 65 balls. The hundred partnership arrived 20.4 overs. The two matched each other stroke-for-stroke. Kohli was caught at backward point. His 66 came off 76 balls with the aid of 7 fours. With Rishabh Pant for company, Rohit raised his third century of the tournament, having taken on 106 deliveries. But after facing three more balls, he was caught behind by Jos Buttler off Chris Woakes for 102, having carved out 15 boundaries. There were rapid-fire cameos from Pant, Hardik Pandya and Dhoni, but India could get only as far as 306 for five, a fine effort but in vain.  

If evidence were required that Rohit was in supreme form, it came in the first over of the encounter with Bangladesh. He pulled Mashrafe Mortaza for a six beyond square-leg. Rahul too was stroking well. They raised the fifty in 8.2 overs. In the following over, both took turns in hammering boundaries off Mortaza. Rohit soon breezed to his half-century from 45 deliveries. The hundred came up in 17.2 overs. A straight six by Rohit posted the 150 off 23.1 overs. Crashing Shakib through the off-side to the pickets, Rohit went to his fourth hundred in this World Cup, emulating Kumar Sangakkara’s feat of 2015. He had faced 90 deliveries. It was a consecutive ton, following his 102 against England. Soon, he was caught in the covers, his 104 composed of 5 sixes and 7 fours. The 180-run partnership spanned 29.2 overs. Rahul scored 77 (92 balls, 1 six, 6 fours). India hit up 314 for nine. There was a spirited chase by Bangladesh but they were all out for 286. Rohit won the man-of-the-match award.

A fine partnership of 124 runs for the fifth wicket between Angelo Mathews (113) and Lahiru Thirimanne (53) enabled Sri Lanka to score 264 for seven. Rohit and Rahul seemed inseparable. The half-century was posted in a matter of 6.5 overs. The first of two sixes took Rohit past fifty off 48 deliveries. The hundred of the innings was up in 18.1 overs. Rahul brought up his half-century in 67 balls. The 150 was reached in 24.4 overs. Rohit hoisted an unprecedented fifth century in a World Cup, being at the crease for 92 deliveries. It was his third successive hundred, and it equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record six tons in all the World Cup tournaments put together. It was a tremendous show by Rohit Sharma, to the jubilation of his teammates and the Indian supporters. He was out soon, driving into the hands of mid-off. His 103 spanned 94 balls, punctuated by 2 sixes and 14 fours. The partnership yielded 189 runs in 30.1 overs. Rahul went on to score 111 (118 balls, 1 six, 11 fours; India cantered to a seven-wicket victory. Rohit bagged a consecutive man-of-the-match prize, fourth in this World Cup, equalling the feats of Aravinda de Silva in 1996, Lance Klusener in 1999 and Yuvraj Singh in 2011. India topped the ten-team table, edging reigning champions Australia to second place.

New Zealand posted 239 for eight in the semi-final. India’s fond hopes were dashed by the Kiwi pacemen. Rohit, Kohli and Rahul were dismissed for 1 run each by Matt Henry and Trent Boult. The stunned silence in the dressing room turned into dismay as India found themselves six down in 30.3 overs. There was a fighting partnership of 116 runs in 17.2 overs for the seventh wicket between Mahendra Singh Dhoni (50 off 72 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (77 off 59 balls) but there was just too much to do from the precarious position they had found themselves in. India were bowled out for 221, bowing out of the World Cup in the semi-final for the second time in a row. “We failed to deliver as a team when it mattered, 30 minutes of poor cricket yesterday & that snatched away our chance for the cup,” tweeted a dejected Rohit.


Personally, it was a superb tournament for Rohit Sharma. His aggregate of 648 runs was the highest, averaging 81 in 9 matches at a strike-rate of 98.33. The record five hundreds, four man-of-the-match awards, and rousing opening partnerships with Dhawan and Rahul made it a memorable event for him. Rohit is just 22 runs short of the 1,000 runs mark in the premier tournament, having played 17 matches, averaging 65.20 at 95.97 runs per 100 balls, and holding the joint record of six centuries. Now at the helm of the Indian team, there is much to look forward to for Rohit Sharma when the World Cup is contested at home in 2023.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘Cricket World Cup: Hat-trick of Home Wins’).