.... My IPL experience!!!

U know u have loved something, only when you start missing it.And within 24 hours of the closing ceremony of the grand IPL 2,I’m already missing it very badly! Missing playing those fantasy leagues,missing reading umpteen articles on IPL buzz,missing Cyrus Broacha Cricket-ainment, AJ analysis, missing those nail-biting close matches,huge sixes,cheer gals,and of course Mandira ;-) I’m sure superlatives are going to be redundant describing the huge success of IPL at South Africa and just the thought which sparked in Lalit Modi’s mind of conducting IPL twice a year,one in India and the other ,outside the subcontinent, sums up the huge success of an Indian domestic tournament at South Africa. Sure India is going to feel the heat when it starts organizing for the next IPL season,to atleast match the success of IPL-2! The beauty of IPL is that it attracts not only cricket following fanatics into it,but also other people who just want to “time pass” as it has all the ingredients of a Bollywood blockbuster.. the cricketing heroes, IPL ”Bollywood” Queens, commentating vilans(I know I’m harsh on them:-) ) umpteen twists and turns, songs and of course cheer gals dancing.How about this bollywood blockbuster for an Oscar nomination as it has slumdog millionaires too ;-)

As a television viewer,I was glued to almost all the matches watching those unscripted scripts enacted,which even brought the Bollywood stars down to tears,those DLF maximum,those sibling rivalries,those zoozoos entertaining during the “strategy break” and the fairy tale story of underdogs!!! It was a “wow” viewing experience.The best part of this IPL was that there was an equal tussle between bat and ball,unlike India where bowlers have nightmares bowling in batsmen friendly Indian wickets.As always, IPL has helped unearth new Indian talents. This edition was also no exception. There was Manish Pandey, Shadab Jakati, Kamran Khan and lotsa other foreign cricketers who came from obscurity to being famous. This IPL also showcased that age is just a number and no way that has a part in one’s performance.The inspiring Kumble’s leadership, Rohit’s last over assault, Sachin-Sanath mauling Knight riders, Jakati’s comedy of errors in making a run out, Gilchrist’s podium finish with a bunch of pre-tournament no-hopers are etched in my memories which time cannot so easily erase. Being a Super King fan, I had reasons to be heart broken, but the very fact that we were outplayed by a far determined team, stopped my outburst! Still, my biggest regret would be the inability of an Indian captain to have his hand on the beautiful IPL trophy!

IPL has been embraced by the whole global cricketing fraternity and that the threat to test matches are imminent, courtesy Gayle’s comment! But we are not complaining as all we want is entertainment..fun..fun …lotsa fun in 3 hours and what else would be a better option than to sit with friends and watch a duel between Sachin-Warne fighting for Mumbai and Rajasthan respectively! At the outset of the tournament Lalit Modi commented that his brain child IPL would be an example and a template for the world organizers such as FIFA.I thought he must be kidding, but now I’m convinced he actually meant it! Hats Off to him to have actually sparked off a hi-octane tournament in such a brief period!!! Certainly we are on a revolutionary period,seeing the revolution of cricket in the hands of Modi! Don’t be surprised if cricket is MODI-fied still !!! Cheers man!!! Thanks for the fun!

Hi guys!!!

It is for you. It is about the woman in your life. Sooner than later, you may fall in love with a working woman and get married to her, but before doing that, you should know something about her.

Here is a girl, who is as much educated as you are,who is earning almost as much as you do, one who has dreams and aspirations just as you have because she is as human as you are!She has never entered the kitchen in her life just like you or your sister haven't, as she was busy in studies and competing in a system that gives no special concession to girls for their culinary achievements!

She has lived and loved her parents & brothers & sisters, almost as much as you did for 20-25 years of her life.She has bravely agreed to leave behind all that, her home, people who love her, to adopt your home, your family, your ways and even your family name! But she is somehow expected to be a master-chef from day #1, and you sleep oblivious to her predicament in her new circumstances, environment and that kitchen ! She is expected to make the tea, first thing in the morning and cook food at the end of the day, even if she is as tired as you are, maybe more! And yet she is never ever expected to complain L You want her to be a servant, a cook, a mother, a wife, even if she doesn't want to; and she is learning just like you are as to what you want from her, and she is clumsy and sloppy at times and knows that you won't like it if she is too demanding, or if she learns faster than you!

She has her own set of friends, and that includes boys and even men at her workplace too, those, who she knows from school days and yet is willing to put all that on the back-burners to avoid your irrational jealousy, unnecessary competition and your inherent insecurities! Though she can drink and dance just as well as you can, she won't, simply because you won't like it, even though you say otherwise !

She can be late from work once in a while when deadlines, just like yours, are to be met; but she is doing her level best and wants to make this most important relationship in her entire life a grand success, but only if you just help and trust her!!! She just wants one thing from you, as you are the only one she knows in your entire house - your unstinted support, your sensitivities and most importantly - your understanding and love !

Yeah she is a woman! Be proud of her & make her proud too!!!

[One of the best e-mails I got.I thought I need to post it here.Thanks to him,who send this to me]