A Lesson from Socrates

Be sure to read all the way to the end..... it's worth it !

Next time someone starts to spread gossip, think of this: In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?" Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test.It's called the Triple Filter Test." "Triple filter?" "That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a m! oment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..." "All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?" "No, on the contrary..." "So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?" The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued. "You may still pass the test though,because there is a third filter - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?" "No, not really..." "Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful,! why tell it to me at all?" The man was defeated and ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

Bob Woolmer (1948-2007)

Bob Woolmer, born in Kanpur India made his test debut for England v/s Australia in 1975. He was a right handed batsman and Right arm medium bowler. He had represented England in 19 tests and 6 One Day Internationals. During his brief stint with England he has scored 3 100's and 2 50's in tests with a top score of 149 against Australia. However he was not a sucessfull test player averaging just above 33. He then retired from international cricket and later in 1994 he took over as the coach of South Africa under the captaincy of Hansie Cronje. He was fondly called as "Laptop Coach" for his innovative methods of coaching using lap top. During his tenure South Africa was ranked no 1 team and won almost 75% of the matches. He took South Africa to Semi Finals in the 1999 world cup. In test SouthAfrica won 5 out of 10 test series. Later after failing to make it to the finals in 1999, he resigned and took a break from coaching career. Later in 2004 he took over as the coach of Pakistan and made Pakistan a strong contender for the world cup. But due to lack of support from the Pakistan Cricket Board, he didnt get the team he wanted for the world cup. On March 18th 2007, after Pakistan's shock defeat against world cup debutants Ireland, he was found unconscious in his hotel room. He was then taken to the hospital where he was declared dead. It was a tame end to a great coaching career. May his soul rest in peace.

Amazing Predictions

I dont know why people in India go crazy when it comes to cricket World Cup. Many seems to collect the statistics and make their own predictions. Just take a look at some of the predictions people made.

Year 1981.
1.Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes
4. Pope Died
2 years later India won the world Cup!!!

Year 2005
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes
4. Pope Died
2 years later will India win the world Cup ?????

Now take a look at this one.

1979 – Prime number – WI won
4 years later – India upset reigning champs

1987 – Prime number – Aus won
4 years later – No WC to upset them

1993 – Prime number – No WC

1997 – Prime number – No WC

1999 – Prime number – Aus won
4 years later – India upset fans

2003 – Prime number – Aus won
4 years later – India (can/could/hope/might/should/will) upset reigning champs


Amazing:

1982 Football World Cup won by Italy against Germany
1983 Cricket World Cup won by India against West Indies

2006 Football World Cup won by Italy in Germany
2007 Cricket World Cup: INDIA?? ?in West Indies

5 days to go!!!

After 4 years of so called hard work and night studies during the examinations, last May i was declared engineer unofficially. However just 5 days to go for me to be officially declared an Engineer. It was 4 unforgettable years in my life where i met people of different culture and got some great friends who have changed my life a lot. No one can forget their college life and i am nothing special. i learnt a lot about life and i should thank all those who stood by me and my professors and lecturers without whom i wouldn't have become an engineer. The support i got from my parents which is not something new has helped me get a good career. I got a job in Infosys Technologies Ltd, and fortunately or unfortunately i was posted in Mysore. There are many people who have made difference to my life and i think i cannot mention about them here. I may not be poetic in writing about my college life like others but i can tell one thing "If you miss your college life, then i am sorry to say this you miss the best part of your life". People used to ask me how come i studied in a college like St.Joseph's which is known for its rules, but one thing for sure you can enjoy like anything in those kind of colleges. Infact i realised this only after joining Infosys. The life after coming here has become like a machine and i bet it is hard to get friends like those you get in college. I dont know how to finish this hence i repeat what i said earlier "If you miss your college life, then i am sorry to say this you miss the best part of your life".

An insult to our National Flag

Hello everyone,

I got this mail and i just wanted everyone to see this.

These pictures shows the gross disrespect and insult to the Indian National flag by this so called "spiritual leader" and self proclaimed "GOD" Mataji Nirmala Devi. This disrespect to our countrys flag shows that she has definately no respect or love for the country that gave her so much and her husband who was an IAS officer and chief of the SCI (he is seated next to her in the pics). Such a shame. I do urge and plead with all Indians who deeply love their country to forward the photos to as many people as possible so that it does catch the eye of someone higher up in the Indian Govt who can really take some action against this.

World Cup 2007- A Preview

Last year I wrote about soccer world cup and its time for me to write about cricket world cup 2007. This is the first time the tournament is being played in West Indies. There are 16 teams participating and they are divided in 4 groups. The inaugural ceremony is on March 11th and the first match starts on March 12th.

Australia:

The defending champion Australia is set to win their 3rd straight title and a record 4th world cup and as expected they are the tournament favourites. However recent slump in form and injury woes will make their task difficult. The Australians are backed by a strong batting line up with captain Ricky Ponting leading from the front. Wicket Keeper Adam Gilchrist will be a key player and he along with Mathew Hayden can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of 10 overs. Then they have the in form Mike Hussey who has been in a splendid form in recent times. The bowling department is not too bad with Glen McGrath playing his last world cup along with Shaun Tait, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clarke can go through the opposition’s batting line up. One area where the Aussies score over the opponents is their fielding. They are perhaps the best fielding side in the tournament.

South Africa:

The current world number 1 will be riding high in their confidence after their performance against India and Pakistan. They will look to win their first world cup after 4 unsuccessful attempts. They have a good batting line up with Opener and captain Graeme Smith along with A.B.DeVillers will look to continue their good form. Then they have the class Jacques Kallis and the dangerous Herchelle Gibbs. Following them will be the dashing wicket keeper batsman Mark Boucher and wily Shaun Pollock. Their bowling department is packed with fast bowlers and given the fact that West Indies wicket have slowed down they will find difficult to tighten the grips in the middle overs in the absence of a spinner. Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock will try to run through the top order and they have Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt and Andrew Hall in the middle overs. They are probably the best fielding side after Australia and I am sure they will be one of the team to be watched for.

India:

The current slump in the form and injuries are the major areas of concern for the team. However the two series win against the West Indies and Sri Lanka would have been a morale booster for the men in blue. They are looking for their second world cup after a gap of 24 years. They have got a good balanced side and if the players play up to their potential there is no doubt that they can be the champions. Their batting line up looks strong with the come back of Saurav Ganguly and the form of Robin Uthappa. Dravid, Tendulkar and Yuvraj will look to play down the middle overs and they have got the dashing wicket keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The bowling department looks fine with Zaheer Khan in great form and in the company of Ajit Agarkar, India’s successful bowler during the tour of West Indies and Munaf Patel. One area where India holds the edge is their spin department. Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, two of the world’s best spinners in the side will be looking to contain in the middle overs. However the side’s poor fielding is a major concern. Except for Yuvraj, the fielding looks pretty weak and its high time that the team management works on it.

Pakistan:

The most unpredictable side in cricket. On one day they can be world beater and on the other day they can be chokers. They will be looking for their 2nd world cup after 1992 edition. The side looks good and with the presence of Inzamam in the middle and taking the fact of Mohamed Yousuf’s current form, the side has got a well balanced batting line up in the middle overs. However it is their openers who would like to take the bowling attack during the power plays and if they come good, Pakistan ahs got a very good chance of winning the cup. Then they have the dashing Abdul Razzaq to take attack during the slog overs. However with the absence of Shoib Akthar and Mohd Asif, their bowling department looks bleak. One more area of concern is their fielding. On the whole if the players play to their potential they win the cup.

Sri Lanka:

1996 champions will look to erase their bad run they had against India last year and this year. However after Jayawardene took charge as captain they have performed well in the one dayers. They have a good line up with Jayasuriya will be looking to continue his form he showed in New Zealand late last year. In the middle they have former captain Marvan Atapatu and captain Jayawardene. The form of Sangakara will be really helpful for them as he can take the game away from the opposition single handedly. The bowling department looks good with Vaas and Muralitharan will be looking to run through the oppsition.

West Indies:

The only team that beat Australia in the champions trophy along with its current form against India makes them as one of the favourites. Brian Lara playing his last world cup will look to end on a high note. The dashing opener Chris Gayle and wily Chanderpaul holds the key for the West Indies and Lara and Sarwan will look to play down the middle overs. Their bowling department looks good and the form of Dwayne Bravo is very important as he will be a useful bowler during the middle overs. On the whole if they play the way they played during the champions trophy they can be successful in winning their 3rd world cup.

New Zealand:

After their poor show in Australia they bounced back well to beat Australia 3-0 in the Chappel-Hadlee series in New Zealand. Their success both with the bat and ball would have improved their confidence. The man to look out for is Shane Bond and wicket keeper Brendon McCullum. These two players can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of minutes. Then they have Daniel Vettori to slow down the run rate during the middle overs. If they continue their good form they have a very good chance of winning their first world cup.

England:

Following a disaster in the Ashes, they had a poor show in the league matches of the CB Series. However they bounced back well to win the last league match to qualify for the finals and thereby winning the cup. The man to look out for is Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood. They are the key players and are in prime form of their career. The bowling looks good with the likes of Plunkett, Anderson, Panesar, Sajid Mahmood. The fielding looks ok and I don’t think they have chance of winning the cup. Who knows, cricket is a funny game where no one knows what will happen.

Is Sachin the greatest batsman???

Hello everyone!!!!!!!
I am updating my blog after a very long time however anything is better late than never.

I would like to start my second innings the way I started my first. Yes, its about cricket. This is the topic which is discussed in each and every street of India and still no is able to come to a conclusion to this. I think I am playing with your patience so its time for me to come to the topic.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar a.k.a the little master is arguably one of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game. Let us take a look at his statistics projects him as the greatest batsman India has ever produced.

One Day Internationals:
40 centuries, highest by any one.
60 odd half centuries
More than 14500 runs in 376 matches
Average of over 45
Maximum number of man of the match and man of the series awards than any one else
More than 100 wickets

Test
35 centuries, highest by any one.
40 odd half centuries
More than 10500 runs in 125 odd matches
Average of over 55

These figures are truly amazing and it is obvious that he is the best Indian batsman. However has done enough to be declared as greatest batsman to have ever played the game? This is the question that is running in every cricket lover’s mind. The reason for this????

Now let’s take a look at his contemporaries.

Rahul Sharad Dravid, a.k.a ‘The Wall’:

He is another great player India has produced. Even though the statistics may not be on par with Sachin Tendulkar, experts rate him above Sachin Tendulkar because:

He has won test matches single handedly for India and he was instrumental in India’s recent success in tests abroad. Let’s take a look at it.

Headingly 2000, Ganguly won the toss and elected to bat on a seeming pitch. The ball was moving like anything and the openers found it difficult to handle it and as expected India lost its first wicket as Virender Sehwag departed when the score was 8 on the board. In came The Wall and he along with Sanjay Bangar put on a slow and patient 150 runs stand for the second wicket pulling India out of danger with Dravid went on to make a double century helping India to post a incredible 628 in the first innings and went on to win the test match. Even though Sachin scored a century in that game it was that 2nd wicket partnership that helped India win this test match.

Adelaide 2003, In reply to Australia’s 535, India were struggling at around 80/3, in came Laxman and the duo went on to make a century stand with Laxman scoring 135 and Dravid went on to make a double century and they helped India in posting a big total in the first innings. Australia set India a target of 220 in the second innings and Dravid scored a patient 53 not out to take India to its first test win in Australia in more than 20 years.

Rawalpindi 2004, India’s first tour of Pakistan in 15 years. Dravid once again made double century and helped India win the test match and series 2-1, Its first test and series win in Pakistan.

Kolkota 2000, the famous India – Australia test where Laxman made a brilliant 281 to take India to marvelous victory. He along with Rahul Dravid who made 180 were responsible for that famous victory against Australia which turned the tide against them and India went on to win the series.

Brian Charles Lara:

Experts believe that he is the greatest left hander to have played the game and compared him wit the great Sir Garfield Sobers. However he was always rated next to Sachin, but is he really next to Sachin?

Scored more than 11,000 runs in test cricket with 9 double centuries second only to Sir Donald Bradman.
Have scored 33 test centuries behind Sachin Tendulkar.
Holds the record for highest individual score in test cricket.
First cricketer to score 400 runs in an innings.
Holds the record for maximum runs in a first class match (501).
Averages more than 53 in test cricket (Lesser than Sachin).
Holds the record for maximum number of runs in an over.

Even though the statistics are on par with Sachin, one feature that makes him the greatest is his innings against Australia in 1998 Frank Worrel Trophy.

West Indies required more than 100 runs to win with two wickets in hand and the batsmen at the crease were Lara and Curtly Ambrose. The duos were facing the bowling attack of Glen McGrath, Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie. The duo put a partnership of around 50 runs with Lara making almost all the runs. When the runs required were 50 odd Ambrose got out and in came Courtney Walsh whose is known for his batting abilities. Lara single handedly took West Indies home from no where situation.


It is these kinds of innings that eludes Sachin from being the best in the world. However every person in this world requires some sort of luck on his side and I think Sachin doesn’t have one. Let’s see why.

It was against Pakistan in 1998 at Chepauk, Chennai. Pakistan had set India a target of 251 odd and India was reeling at 98/5 with Sachin at the crease. In came wicket keeper Nayan Mongia. The duo put on a century stand to take India towards victory when the disaster struck. Sachin was battling a severe back pain to an extent that he was not able to bat. Sachin wanted to finish off the game and started attacking and eventually got out for 135 and India lost the match by 12 runs. He was declared man of the match but unfortunately he didn’t come for the presentation because of the back pain.

Year 1999, Melbourne Cricket Ground. India‘s tour of Australia with Sachin leading the team. India off to a poor start with openers getting out early and in came Sachin Tendulkar. He scored a brilliant century which eventually went in vain. He score 116 and the next highest score was 23. This shows how India performed and how Sachin played. I still remember the headline that came in The Hindu. “Sachin stands tall among the ruins.”

India v/s South Africa, year 2000 at Cape Town. India as usual off to a poor start with both the openers getting out cheaply. India was reeling at 130/5 and Sachin and debutant Virender Sehwag put on a century stand with both the players scoring centuries and eventually India lost the match.

India v/s South Africa, year 1996/97 at Cape Town. India were reeling at 55/5 and went on to make 330 odd. Thanks to a brilliant 167 from Sachin Tendulkar and quick fire century from Mohammed Azharuddin. However our bowlers let us down and India lost the match.

India v/s Australia 1992 at Perth. India were struggling at 120/5. In came the little Tendulkar and scored a brilliant 120 at the fastest pitch in the world facing quickies Craig McDermot, Merv Hughes & co. India made a partly 240 odd and eventually lost the match as he had no support from others.


With such a big article or what ever you may call this can any one help me in clearing my doubt. Is Sachin the best batsman in the world?