Piqued into batting

• Sunday was India’s day! It was truly a ‘Double Sundae’. That was a good show by Team India in both Under-19 World Cup as well as the first final one-day against Australia. Under Dave Whatmore’s coaching India won their second under-19 world cup. No doubt, our boys have a great future. Hopefully, the money (Rs 15 lakh to each player for winning) and the sudden fame will not distract them from the game itself.

After many years, Sachin Tendulkar has played the anchor role, scoring an unbeaten 117, giving India a resounding victory against the mighty Aussies. Perhaps, it was Dhoni’s criticism of some senior players that piqued him into acting with his bat.

Telengana ping-pong

• The Telengana state issue and the resignation of TRS MPs remind me of a 1972 incident at the AP State Tennis Championship when Narasimha Rao was the CM. At the Century Club in Waltair, one young player was rather vocal about how his tennis ranking in the state would move to Number 1 if Telengana (then a live subject of debate) became a separate entity. That holds for politicians aspiring to become chief ministers too! Incidentally, there were not many young players in that tournament, which led the chief guest, Admiral N. Krishnan D.S.C., to remark, “Now, looking around me at the average age of the audience and players, I am not surprised how this Club has acquired its name.”

... contd.