What a life!!!

Freddie Flintoff -My Favourite

2009-07-21T04:36:00.001-07:00

Andrew Flintof, I became a huge fan of this champion sportsman when we Indians lost a close series to England in 2002, and this chap, in a gesture more suited to english football fans, took off his shirt and did a Tarzan act at the wankhede stadium. The exuberance with which he celebrated was just mindblowingly contagious.

Having had a not so great career, what amazes me is the fact that he has throughout, ruled the hearts of millions of people across the globe.

After helping England to a 2-1 series victory over South Africa in 2004/05, during which Freddie became a father for the first time, Flintoff took time off for an ankle operation, forgoing his honeymoon with Rachael in order to recuperate in time for the forthcoming Ashes series. He regained fitness in due course, and over the course of an incredible series, Flintoff contributed 402 runs and 24 wickets over the five tests leading England to their first Ashes victory in sixteen years. The player was catapulted into international superstardom, and an MBE soon beckoned. The player famously celebrated the victory throughout the night, appearing rough and bleary-eyed in front of the tabloid paparazzi the next day.

Since the halcyon days of Ian Botham single-handedly winning the Ashes for England 1981, never has a cricketer been catapulted into the national consciousness in quite the same way as "Beefy". That was until England’s Ashes triumph of 2005. That series was the turning point of his career. Underdogs England were to take on the mighty Australians. I, having completed my engineering that year and waiting for my job to commence, was completely idle those days and was fortunate enough to witness all excitement of the thrilling series. As the series progressed it was clear that he was the only difference between the two sides. The whole English side became household names, but none more so than Andrew Flintoff, and not without good reason either. In the second Test at Edgbaston he hit ten sixes getting 141 runs in total as well as taking seven wickets in the same game, leading to captain Michael Vaughan dubbing the game, “Fred’s Test”. He was also touted by many as the next Ian Botham of England.

For his heroics in the 2005 Ashes, Andrew Flintoff was awarded an MBE, named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, ICC Player of the Year, and was handed the Freedom of the City to his hometown of Preston. Since 2005, Freddie has struggled with injuries only making 13 appearances in England’s last 36 tests.

In February 2006, both Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick were ruled out for the India

tour, and so Flintoff was named as the new team captain. The series would go on to be drawn, but Andrew Flintoff impressed both with his leadership skills and his on-pitch performance, before the player was ruled out from the further one-dayers of the tour with another injury setback.

Andrew Flintoff was named as England captain for the eagerly anticipated Ashes tour of 2006/07, but both Flintoff and the whole team were disappointing, leading to the worst England performance in living memory. Freddie struggled with injury throughout the series and following the 5-0 whitewash by the Aussies, stories emerged of heavy drinking in the England camp.

In July 2009 he announced his retirement from test cricket, but with the Ashes to play for, Freddie couldn't have asked for a better swansong.

In his final act at the home of cricket, Andrew Flintoff broke England's 75-year Lord's curse with his first five-wicket haul since the Ashes-clinching Oval Test of 2005. It was, unquestionably, a performance that will enhance his already mythical status within English cricket, but more pertinently for now, delivered England to a 1-0 series lead heading into Edgbaston.

Minutes after the match Princess Anne was at the back of the pavilion, policemen clearing her way through the fans, but only a handful stopped to watch her pass. England cricket's royal was on the field, spectators shouting and bouncing at his latest effort to prevent an uprising from the Dominions. He's a man who, given the condition of his right knee, should be kept to five-over spells. Not interested, his mind says. After his fourth-ball removal of Brad Haddin, who was caught at second slip, he spoke at Andrew Strauss. "Just to let you know I'll keep bowling until all the wickets are gone." He did, taking 3 for 43 in ten overs and toasting himself by lunch. No weak link or cartilage here, just more tormenting of Australia.

"I'd do anything to get out on the field and finish the series," he said. "I bowled all my overs, I might have been in a bit of discomfort but I've been in discomfort most of my career. It's encouraging I can come in and bowl as many overs as I have done, it bodes well for the last three Tests."

Strauss rated Flintoff in the top three bowlers that opposition batsmen hate to face, due to his "consistent hostility". Ricky Ponting compared the potency of his top-class spells to those from Ambrose, Walsh and Akram, bowlers from an era few modern players can remember. Talk of Flintoff's injury and the possibility of him not making it through the series are not being listened to by the Australians.

"I think it's rubbish," Ponting said. "If Flintoff can bowl like that today I don't think he's in any danger of missing the next Test."

After taking care of both openers on the fourth day, Flintoff ended England's fears of an Australian world record with Haddin's edge. He followed up by bowling Nathan Hauritz and when an inswinger broke Peter Siddle's stumps Flintoff dropped to his knee. Accepting the applause - "I milked the crowd a little bit" - he was swamped by his team-mates who hugged the air from him.

On the Australian balcony there were glum, stubbled faces caused by a familiar foe. "We've always said that when he's up and running and bowling as well as he can he's as good as anyone probably going around," Ponting said. "He gives his all. His spells have not got shorter through the game."

And Flintoff thinks he is becoming faster and smarter, the only thing hampering him being the trailing of strapping tape and pain-killers. "It's quite sad in some ways that I feel I'm getting better as a bowler," he said. "It's just unfortunate I'm having to do what I'm doing with where

the body's standing up. I'm learning a bit more about bowling and how to bowl.

"My length is naturally probably a little bit shorter and aggressive. Once you get the batters back, probably the full-length ball is a little bit more threatening. I've got an understanding of what to do, I'm going to have to apply that in the next three games."

He was talking less than an hour after the match but already his name was taped to the bowling honour board, his five wickets earning a spot six years after he made it on the batting list for a century against South Africa. That was "nice", he said, but winning the Ashes means much more. A second grabbing of the tiny urn will be worth a retirement full of limping.

Finally some famous last words by this great guy before the commencement of Ashes 2009.

"I'm angry with myself for messing up again, but I'll make sure I take it out on Australia. I don't need any further incentive to perform for England in the Ashes. "

-Andrew Flintoff

Mera Jahan!

2009-06-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

A Little Sweet, A Little Sour

A Little Close, Not Too Far

All I Need, All I Need

All I Need Is To Be Free

A Little Sweet, A Little Sour

A Little Close, Not Too Far

All I Need, All I Need

All I Need Is To Be Free

Chhoo Loon Main

Itna Kareeb

Chal Padoon

To Kitna Door

A Little Sweet, A Little Sour...

Chhoo Loon Main

Itna Kareeb

Chal Padoon

To Kitna Door

Sapno Ka Buna Sweater Sa Warm

Safed Baadalon Ke Paar

Mera Jahan

Let Me In Without A Shout

Le Me In I Have A Doubt

Let Me In Without A Shout

Let Me In I Have A Doubt

There Are More, Many More

Many Many Many More

Like Me

Akela Nahin Main

Khuli Aankhon Se

Neend Mein Chalta

Girta Zyada

Kam Sambhalta

Akela Nahin Main

Khuli Aankhon Se

Neend Mein Chalta

Girta Zyada

Kam Sambhalta

Phir Bhi Na Koi

Shaq Na Subha

Niklega Phir Se

Sooraj Jo Dooba

Hairat Ho Sabko

Hai aisa Ajooba

Mera Jahan

Open Eyed How I Run

How I Run To The Other Side

Open Eyed How I Run

How I Run To The Other Side

Then I Glide Like A Bird

I Just Want To Be

Udne Ko Sau Pankh Diye Hain

Chadne Ko Khula Aasmaan

Udne Ko Sau Pankh Diye Hain

Chadne Ko Khula Aasmaan

Mudne Ko Hai Karwat Karwat

Aur Badhne Ko

Mera Jahan

Bachpan Ke Din Chaar

Na Aayenge Baar Baar

Jee Le Jee Le Mere Yaar

Jeib Khaali To Udhaar

Jee Zindagi

I am the best, coz ma says so!

2009-02-03T00:59:00.000-08:00

The moment of dawn

2009-01-07T23:45:00.000-08:00

During the World Economic Forum at Davos, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, Shimon Peres, told the following story.

A priest gathered his students and told them:

'How do we know the exact moment when night ends and day begins?'

'When it's light enough to tell a sheep from a dog,' said one boy.

Anothe student said, 'No, whent it's light enough to tell an olive tree from a fig tree.'

'No, that's not a good definition either.'

'Well, what's the right answer?' asked the boys.

And the priest said:

'When a stranger approaches, and we think he is our brother, and all conflicts disappear, that is the moment when night ends and day begins.'

As luck would have it...

2009-01-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

The good luck continues minus my good luck charm... I guess the charm is not over yet.

Lets see how far it takes me...

Just a thought

2008-12-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

Who am I?
What is death?
What will happen to me after I die?
What is an emotion?
What is friendship?
Why do I love? Why do I hate?
Why do I laugh? Why do I cry? Why do I miss my loved ones?
What is fate? Should I believe in destiny?
Why am I ambitious?
What is a belief? What is a thought?

What yaar! These and many more unanswered questions bog my mind down.

But still, life is beautiful!
What is beauty?

I think I am lost.

Let me google myself.

Joining the club

2008-10-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

After dilly dallying for over a month, and a lot of prodding and encouragement from my friend and colleague Karthikeyan, here I am, writing the first post on my blog. Before I begin, I thank Amit Kushwaha for following my blog even when there was not a single post to read, Jay Chheda for reviewing my first post and Karthikeyan for driving me into blogging.

Choosing a topic worthy of being the first post is very difficult. There's always a doubt in your mind if a certain topic deserves to be the first post. I chose to write about dreaming big as this is the topic closest to my heart. Sometimes you meet people who influence you so much that you just start following them blindly, forgetting your own ambitions and passion. But when you part ways with them and you come back to square one, you realise that you have missed out on all your ambitions. People come and go but your passion remains with you, always. So I am writing this poem which I will read and reread over and over for myself to keep my passion ignited.

Chasing a dream!

All my life I've been chasing dreams big and small

So what if the chase was just a crawl

At times I've risen, at times I've had a fall

But mind you guys, that's not all

Life has given me all it could

I have been so very fortunate

But I am not afraid to give up the good

And try to go for the great

Now as I set out to achieve bigger dreams

Relying just on my luck won't suffice, it seems

In order to score that bigger goal

I've to put loads of ambition in my soul

I may fail badly in this game of make or break

But I can't make anything, if I can't make a mistake

Failure wont diminish my faith, my desire

With each fall, I promise to rise higher

The destination is clear, bumpy is the route

The goal is near, but I don't know how to shoot

Nonetheless, come what may, I'll find my way

N up in the sky, this idiot will shine brightly some day