13 July, 2016

Should IPL performances matter while selecting national teams?

There is no doubt that IPL has done a great service to Indian cricket by bringing together world's top cricketers to play alongside our own young and experienced cricketers. That results in a great learning experience for the youngsters and teaches them how to handle pressure in tough situations. However should this razzmatazz version of cricket be the sole criteria for the selectors while selecting the national team?

IPL no doubt continues to unearth many young talents for the country and the youngsters should ne encouraged and given the right platform to show their talent. However bringing them into the National team just based on their performance in one season of IPL would be foolish. Let them grind out in the domestic circuit, let them play a few seasons in Ranji trophy and Duleep trophy and gain experience. Selection should be such that no one takes his place for granted.

Of course usually performances in the IPL is not looked at alone, their past domestic records too is taken in consideration before selecting the team. However there have been times when certain players who made a mark in a particular season of IPL are at once brought into the team if he manages to catch the eye of the captain or the selectors. I feel instead of fast tracking them into the national team due to their IPL performances like Axar Patel or Sanju Samson or Hardik Pandya, these players should be asked to prove their mettle in the domestic circuit. Only if they perform there on a consistent basis, should they be brought into the team.

Some of the new prospects for the future are Karun Nair, Lokesh Rahul, Krunal Pandya, Manan Vohra, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rishab Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Surya Kumar Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. These players should be nurtured with care and not be let to go astray like Sreeshanth.



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10 July, 2016

Andy Murray wins 2016 Wimbledon men's singles

Andy Murray wins Wimbledon men's singles title after beating Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 in under three hours.

Adding to his 2013 title, Great Britain’s Andy Murray defeated Canada’s Milos Raonic in straight sets on Centre Court to win his second Wimbledon title and third Grand Slam overall. This is Murray’s third Grand Slam with another being the US Open.
Murray defeated his towering opponent, playing his first major final, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in two hours and 47 minutes. The Scot was contesting his 11th major final, not facing Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic across the net for the first time.
Murray won the first set 6-4, thanks to a single break of serve.
In the second, neither man could manage a service break. In the ensuing tiebreak, Murray dominated, winning seven points to just three for the Canadian. The third set played out just like the second, with neither player able to gain a service break. Raonic did have to save several break points along the way.
In the tiebreak, Murray jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Raonic saved a match point before a netted forehand sealed Murray’s win.

To think there was a time when it looked as though he might never get there. How he’s pushed himself, how he’s worked, how he’s exploited every last drop of his wonderful talent. Linking up with Ivan Lendl was a canny move as well. His form was already awesome but he’s gone from strength to strength since then. There can be no argument that he’s a worthy champion. No one has played better. And he had to be good today, with Raonic a very tough opponent. Yet Murray got that break in the first set and he played outstanding tennis in the two tie-breaks. What’s next for him? The defence of his Olympic gold is coming up.

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