Portraits: Geethu Anna Jose

So who is Geethu Anna Jose?

If things go well, she would be the first Indian to play professional basketball in the USA.

Yes, its a big deal

Geethu Anna Jose - India Captain (Women's Basketball)

For all pencil sketches...

• Portraits @ Opinions 

Portraits: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke is Australia's newest captain. Here's wishing him the very best from us @ Opinions

But we are concerned. Just a couple of days back Micheal Clarke said his appointment as Australia captain hasn't sunk in yet. If we remember correctly, Michael Clarke was identified as Ricky Ponting's successor just a few days after he learnt to walk as a toddler.

In our estimation there shouldn't have been a 'sinking in' issue.

Michael Clarke - Australia's newest captain

The best way we know how it will quickly sink in, is if Michael Clarke loses his first game as captain. That would be a wake up call and 'Awe shucks I am the Australia captain' feeling rolled into one.

Not that we are hoping that would happen but we aren't hoping for a Bangladesh loss either.

So if Australia losing helps Michael Clarke digest his appointment as Australia captain, then we believe its prudent to wish that Bangladesh wins

Coming to the portrait it self. Some of you - those who are not artistically endowed - might succumb to the urge to suggest that the sketch; like many others on this site; has little or no resemblance to Michael Clarke. A visit to the optician's may be worth your while.

Other portraits...

1. Imran Khan
2. Ricky Ponting
3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Portraits: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Just how big a name has Mahendra Singh Dhoni become.

For his opponents, he is certainly more threatening than Mogambo, Gabbar Singh and Shakaal put together.

No one has seen where Dhoni was from a few moments after he hit the six to bring home the World Cup till the time he was called on by Ravi Shastri for an interview. And then he went missing again. No one saw him lift the cup later, either

That makes him invisibler than Mr. India and more secretive than James Bond.

At the post match press conference he charmed reporters with giggles that were more genuine and had more warmth than any Miss India that went on to become Miss World.

That makes him an object of Abhishek Bacchan's affection. That's big.

His "Well Of Course...." will soon topple "Are O'Samba" as the most repeated line by Indians.

He has cricket's equivalent of "7 Khoon Maaf" by admitting that he made an error in judgement in a game with Pakistan. No Indian cricket captain (not even Azharuddin) has ever admitted to making a mistake for fear of being hanged to death.

That makes him bigger than Priyanka Chopra and Vishal Bharadwaj - both the music and film director.

His last ball six will resonate for a long time with Sri Lankans; who like Dr Dang will be vowing an echo of the echo of the six. And while Dilip Kumar's hit, was heard only as far as theaters in India; it makes Dhoni's hit which was telecast live world wide; better than Rana Vishwapratap Singh's.

MSD 3.0

At the moment, Dhoni is perhaps bigger than Amithabh Bacchan, Manmohan Singh, Basanti, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Poonam Pandey, Munna Bhai, Bal Thackrey, Jai, Shahrukh Khan, the Ambanis - Both Anil amd Mukesh along with their wives, Rajnikanth, Rakhee Savant, Karan Johar, Katrina Kaif, Circuit, President Obama - If he were Indian, Viru - No, not the opener, MF Hussain - If he were in India, Aamir Khan - Even if he were in LA begging for an Oscar for Pooplee Live, Lata Mangeshkar, Shard Pawar, the Tatas, the Scindias from Gwalior...

...perhaps even bigger than Salman Khan.

AndDareISayBiggerThanSachiinTendukar... there I said it. I hope I survive this. If I do, its all thanks to Sachin.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has, saved a Test match at Lords, won the T20 World Cup (and since then they have stopped calling it the World Cup - which makes him the only one to do it) The IPL, The Champions League, the last edition of the tri - series in Australia, has led India to number 1 in Test rankings and now he has won the 50 over World Cup.

More importantly no one has noticed he is still to win the 60 over cup.

With so much already accomplished, and assuming that he is not amongst the selfish, egoistic sports stars who  are obsessed with "calling it a day while they are still at the top"; another way to look at how big MS has become is to comprehend what else he needs to accomplish for him to keep his career graph ascending.

Sit down with the Israelis, Palestinians and President Obama and show them how to bring peace to the middle east. Solve the Kashmir issue, convince the world that global warming is just how God designed it to be, eradicate the world from all cyclones, floods, hurricanes (except the Nikhanj dude from Haryana), earthquakes and tsunamis, make cars run on water....

If MS accomplishes the cricket equivalent of the above, in the next 1-2 years. His career graph may continue its upward trend...

...Slightly

If you still haven't got enough of the man, like us; please indulge yourselves

1. India is now Dhoni
2. That's the way... Mahi Way
3. Opinions On... Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Portraits: Muttiah Muralitharan

In a grand total of 61 Test wins for Sri Lanka, Murali has featured in 54 of them and accounted for 41% of the wickets. Later today he would be itching to go out on a high with another world cup.

Even if both his knees are struck with age related arthritis, the guy will turn up for the finals and bowl.

He usually scripts his own farewells

See Also

• World Cup Finals - India v Sri Lanka: Does India have the legs for another scrap?
• Portraits @ Opinions

Portraits: Shahid Khan Afridi

Should I play Shoaib Akhtar?

See Also

• Opinions On Shahid Afridi
• Portraits @ Opinions

Portraits: Yuvraj Singh

That India needed Yuvraj Singh to fire to come anywhere near the World Cup was the pre-tournament wisdom. That in spite of Sachin and Zaheer on top of their games; it is Yuvraj who is the most valuable player on the team; is a bit baffling.

It tells a story. Yuvraj Singh is truly an ODI great. This is the good part of the story. The bad part; is that everyone else pretty much are passengers on the train en route to get Sachin a World Cup

See Also

• Opinions on Yuvraj Singh
• Portraits @ Opinions

Portraits: Shoaib Akhtar

For most Indians Shoaib Akhtar will always be the man who silenced Eden Gardens.

An entertainer first, his personality seemed pretty one dimensional to me. Then he saved Kamran Akmal's life. By not killing him. Age does funny things.

Its time to say good bye he said. No one knows if Kamran Akmal caught it.

See Also

• Opinions on: Kamran Akmal
• Portraits @ Opinions

Portraits: Sir Ian Botham

I vaguely remember being aware of Ian Botham as a 8 year old, as I was following India's unlikely chase of 439 at the Oval in 1979.

A few years later, in a Test Match in Bombay, that I was very much aware of, Ian Botham scored a century and took 13 wickets. I haven't checked but its unlikely that such a feat has ever been surpassed.

The match however was discussed for completely different reasons in India. With India well ahead in the Test match, Gundappa Vishwanath, played umpire, overruled Hanumant Rao and recalled wicket-keeper Taylor, who was ruled out by the umpire. From that point on, Ian Botham won the game for England; on his own.

A few more years later I read, re-read and tried to recreate in my mind, a set of cricket matches I had never seen or followed, when they took place. The book, which I still have was "Botham Rekindles the Ashes: [Daily Telegraph] Story of the '81 Test Series"

No one person has influenced a Test Series the way Ian Botham did this one.

Portraits: Imran Khan

At a time when the West Indies and their battery of fast bowlers were at their fiercest and conquered all; Imran Khan led Pakistan in 2 series against the West Indies; home and away.

They could not beat him...

People talk about the greatness of Jacques Kallis. He perhaps may be the the greatest all rounder ever. 

But he is no Imran Khan

Relaated Posts...

• Opinions On... Jacques Kallis
• Portraits: Ricky Ponting

Portraits: Ravi Shastri

I first saw Ravi Shastri on TV during his innings of 93 at Delhi in 1982 against England. It took longer than the time Trott takes to get ready for the next delivery.

That 1982 series was also of the most dull Test Series of all time. It was so boring that Geoff Boycott preferred to go golfing instead of playing a Test. 

I think after that Test Shastri's status was upgraded to that of a "utility man".

In 3 years, he became a full fledged, Audi driving, Champion of Champions.

Ravi Shastri - Champion of Champions

Other Portraits

1. Ricky Ponting
2. Dilip Vengsarkar

Portraits: Ricky Ponting

A man of self confessed integrity that can't be questioned. Especially by journalists.

See Also...

• Opinions On...Ricky Ponting
• Portraits @ Opinions

Portraits: Dilip Vengsarkar

Before there were blogs and the internet, there were pencils and water colors.

Trying something new @ Opinions. Some art work. At first we will use up what we already have. Which isn't much but its a start.

Hopefully as the year progresses we may be able to create something new.

Do check out our new page Portraits @ Opinions