Indian cricket is not all about Kohli and Dhoni, it is also about some other cricketers...
My blog on something new in Indian cricket...
There is a cricketing revolution brewing in the country and the sport's many fans seem to be missing it, completely.
It is the rise of Gujarat as the new cricketing power....
Gujarat??? Are you serious, one might ask...
Aren't Gujjus only famous for Khana ( go to any eatery in Gujarat at any hour and it is crowded, demonetisation or not) and Kamana (the wealthiest Indians, well most of them are Gujaratis)?
Where does Khelna come in?
We don't visualise sculpted physiques, toned bodies when it comes to Gujaratis, right?
Well that myth has been shattered in the recent past, in a massive way...
Slowly, steadily but surely, there has been a subtle shift in the configuration of the Indian cricket team.
The big cities don't rule any more.
A few weeks back, we had the first ever test match played in Mumbai sans a Mumbaikar.
Delhi is represented only by Virat.
Powerhouses like Bengaluru and Hyderabad that used to fill complete Indian teams earlier have measly representation now.
Surprisingly, it is tough to put together an Indian team without a Gujarati now. A test team without Pujara, Jadeja and a ODI team without Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jaspreet Bumrah looks unlikely.
The beauty of this transition is that there is no chest thumping, no throwing of a state's weight.
It has been through some exceptional performances in the domestic tournaments followed by proving of the mettle in the international competitions.
The credit for sowing the seeds of revival? Should it go to the Pathan brothers? Or to the diminutive Parthiv?
Who ever it is, a sporting revolution has been unleashed for sure.
Today, each big city of Gujarat has its own marathon, has excellent stadiums and a brimming sporting culture.
And, the results are coming thick and fast.
A Gujarati, Samit Gohel holds the world record for the highest score by an opening batsman while carrying his bat.
A Gujarati, Ravindra Jadeja, holds the Indian record of the highest number of triple centuries - three of them.
Not just in India, it is very interesting to see the Gujjus do well across the globe in Cricket.
The peerless Hashim Amla is of Gujarati origin, so are Jeet Raval and Haseeb Hameed, the exciting new prospects of New Zealand and England.
Not many would have known that India's two biggest domestic trophies, the Ranji trophy and the Duleep trophy are named after the Princes of Nawangar, in Gujarat.
Gujarat's first ever Ranji trophy triumph, in 83 years of the tournament's rich history is a sweet homecoming of sorts for the state.
The late Ranji's soul would have felt a sense of fulfilment to see the trophy reach home.
One can be sure of one thing, this would definitely not be Gujarat's last win....
My blog on something new in Indian cricket...
There is a cricketing revolution brewing in the country and the sport's many fans seem to be missing it, completely.
It is the rise of Gujarat as the new cricketing power....
Gujarat??? Are you serious, one might ask...
Aren't Gujjus only famous for Khana ( go to any eatery in Gujarat at any hour and it is crowded, demonetisation or not) and Kamana (the wealthiest Indians, well most of them are Gujaratis)?
Where does Khelna come in?
We don't visualise sculpted physiques, toned bodies when it comes to Gujaratis, right?
Well that myth has been shattered in the recent past, in a massive way...
Slowly, steadily but surely, there has been a subtle shift in the configuration of the Indian cricket team.
The big cities don't rule any more.
A few weeks back, we had the first ever test match played in Mumbai sans a Mumbaikar.
Delhi is represented only by Virat.
Powerhouses like Bengaluru and Hyderabad that used to fill complete Indian teams earlier have measly representation now.
Surprisingly, it is tough to put together an Indian team without a Gujarati now. A test team without Pujara, Jadeja and a ODI team without Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jaspreet Bumrah looks unlikely.
The beauty of this transition is that there is no chest thumping, no throwing of a state's weight.
It has been through some exceptional performances in the domestic tournaments followed by proving of the mettle in the international competitions.
The credit for sowing the seeds of revival? Should it go to the Pathan brothers? Or to the diminutive Parthiv?
Who ever it is, a sporting revolution has been unleashed for sure.
Today, each big city of Gujarat has its own marathon, has excellent stadiums and a brimming sporting culture.
And, the results are coming thick and fast.
A Gujarati, Samit Gohel holds the world record for the highest score by an opening batsman while carrying his bat.
A Gujarati, Ravindra Jadeja, holds the Indian record of the highest number of triple centuries - three of them.
Not just in India, it is very interesting to see the Gujjus do well across the globe in Cricket.
The peerless Hashim Amla is of Gujarati origin, so are Jeet Raval and Haseeb Hameed, the exciting new prospects of New Zealand and England.
Not many would have known that India's two biggest domestic trophies, the Ranji trophy and the Duleep trophy are named after the Princes of Nawangar, in Gujarat.
Gujarat's first ever Ranji trophy triumph, in 83 years of the tournament's rich history is a sweet homecoming of sorts for the state.
The late Ranji's soul would have felt a sense of fulfilment to see the trophy reach home.
One can be sure of one thing, this would definitely not be Gujarat's last win....
