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Beyond batting big WAITING FOR THE WORLD CUP: Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara (second from right); Indian captain M. S. Dhoni (second from left), and Sachin Tendulkar (right) pose with an elephant during the recent launch in Colombo of
mascot Stumpy (extreme right) for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Photo: AFP Tee Totaller Fitness
mantra
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Beyond batting big For all the criticism of a track at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, that has been described as a ‘batting paradise, you can’t take away credit from the double century by that batting phenomenon called Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Any team facing a mammoth 600-plus total – to be more exact, Sri Lanka had
hoarded 642 runs for 4 wickets declared – had a daunting task ahead. To have held the fort in such a situation you needed a batsmen of the highest
calibre and stoutest of hearts. The way Tendulkar did the job for India in the second Test reiterated his position as the world’s champion batsman. Not that there was any doubt about it. For the statistically minded, it was his 48th century and fifth double hundred. Cricket is a game that often defies logic or reasoning. The first Test at Galle, remembered from Sri Lanka’s point of view as Muttiah Muralitharan’s triumphant farewell Test, India, officially ranked as cricket’s No. 1 Test team, were soundly beaten after being forced to follow on. The whole rain-interrupted affair lasted less than four days, with one whole day completely washed out, and home captain Kumar Sangakkara’s heart went out to the ground staff, who laboured valiantly with the rain-proof covers and mopping-up implements to see the match
through to a satisfying end – happily satisfying for Sri Lanka. But after the drawn rain-free second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club, the same man joined Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to find fault with the groundsmen for preparing a pitch which bestowed its favour on batsmen all the time till the very end, raising suspicions that interests other than that of cricket are kept in mind when such pitches are prepared. For India, the most cherished phase in the decision-less marathon of 1478 runs in the Colombo Test was when Tendulkar was at the crease. First, the little man raised his helmet and bat and turned his handsome stubbled face upwards in his trademark gesture of thanks to the Heavens when he reached his century; and then again, when he completed his double century. Even when he fell at 203, his appetite for runs remained unsatiated, as it has always been for the 21 years he has been in international cricket. At this rate, he may even go on to accumulate 20,000 Test runs. As long he was at the crease, India could keep the thought of another follow-on at bay. For keeping him company in a 258-run stand for the fifth wicket, India’s master batsman paid a handsome tribute to young Suresh Raina (120), a gesture of approval the young Test debutant will cherish for long. Batting with Tendulkar at the other end was like a learning experience under the benign guidance of the ‘God of batting’ himself. When Tendulkar started his Test cricket career as a 16-year-old 21 years ago, Raina must have been in his diapers. Now one of the rising stars of Indian cricket, the left-handed Raina has proved to be an eager and intelligent learner and is even seen as a future captain. (See box). At 37, Tendulkar is not getting any younger. But seeing the infectious enthusiasm with which he bats, bowls and fields, it doesn’t look as if he is anywhere nearing the stage of retirement. No 37-year-old chases the ball faster in the field, and the alacrity with which he throws himself at the ball to save a boundary would shame many a youngster. In the Colombo Test double hundred, he ran 72 singles and 13 doubles on his short but strong legs, besides striking 23 fours and six. For all the thousands and thousands of runs the country’s longest serving batting marvel has scored, he has not been known to have asked for a runner. From rising through the ranks to captaincy, from injury to loss of form, he has seen it all. Offered the captain’s job for the third time by former cricket boss Sharad Pawar, he politely turned down the proposal and reportedly suggested the name of Dhoni instead. Captaincy is a small matter, and a burden best avoided by a man whose bat can give his team 48 centuries and five double centuries. What of the future? As the host country for the World Cup six months from now, India will be looking to winning on its own soil a trophy it has won only once in its history – in 1983 at Lord’s, London. After the way he batted last week at Colombo, the less we talk about Tendulkar’s advancing years the better. Maybe, he could still win India the World Cup off his own broad bat. It’s 50-over ODIs we are talking about. Five months ago at Gwalior, he became the only man to score a double century in an ODI match, when India (401 for 3) overwhelmed Graeme Smith’s touring South African team. With the likes of like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Raina, Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, not to mention Tendulkar, in the line-up, and a few others also pressing their case, it is not the batting that is a cause of concern. It’s the department of bowling that needs to be strengthened by the time the first ball is bowled in the 2011 World Cup this coming February.
Raina’s route
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Tee Totaller Dhaka ball boy scripts history on Brunei greens
Mohammed Siddikur Rahman, who worked as a ball boy at the Kurmitola Golf Club, Dhaka, to pay for his school fees, created history by becoming the first Bangladeshi to win an AsianTour event. The unheralded man from Dhaka, who learned his game by fashioning his first golf club with a seven iron head on a metal rod, defeated South Africa's Jbe Kruger in an exciting play-off to win the Brunei Open at Bandar Seri Begawan last weekend. Playing in a $ 3-lakh prize money full-field Asian Tour event, the 25-year-old kept his cool despite bogeying the last hole to slip to the play-off with Kruger. Siddikur then scripted the historic victory, playing a par on the first extra hole with his rival Kruger missing a 10-foot putt on the par-four 18th at the picturesque Empire Hotel and
Country Club.
This first triumph on the Asian Tour earned him a prize money of US $ 47,550 and saw him climbing up the Asian Tour order of merit to occupy the 20th slot. Filipino Juvic Pagunsan secured third place after a sizzling 64 for 269, while India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, last year’s runner-up, was a stroke back in 270. A regular on the PGTI Tour in India, Siddikur has shown his mettle on Indian soil, winning one event and finishing top-10 in three events. He has missed only one cut out of the seven matches he has played so far. Padamjit Sandhu, director, PGTI, said: “We, at the PGTI, extend our heartiest congratulations to Mohd. Siddikur Rahman for his brilliant win at the Brunei Open. Siddikur has achieved a great deal of success on the PGTI in the last few years through his hard work and dedication. This talented golfer has now become a force to reckon with
on the Asian Tour as well.” |
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Fitness
mantra Yes, there is this mineral, magnesium, which is never in the limelight but quietly facilitates many processes in our body and helps in all the above problems. Functions It is beneficial in maintaining a positive calcium balance and reducing the risk of bone mineral loss and osteoporosis. Magnesium is sometimes regarded as a "smoothie" mineral, since it has the ability to relax our muscles. Our nerves also depend upon magnesium to avoid becoming overexcited, and this aspect links this mineral to maintenance of healthy blood pressure. Due to the above-mentioned reasons, magnesium helps in reducing night-time leg cramps and cramps associated with pregnancy and menstruation. It may also help reduce anxiety, insomnia and migraine headaches. Magnesium helps to relax bronchial muscles in asthmatic patients and thus normalises their breathing. Magnesium may also help in reducing the stubborn back pain by relieving the muscular spasm. Adequate magnesium in the diet helps to improve learning capacity and enhances memory. Magnesium also helps in keeping you energetic. The muscles, which are low in magnesium, get tired very easily. In a nutshell, there are enough reasons to take adequate magnesium. Right quantity The average daily requirements for adult men and women range from 300 to 400 mg per day. Should we take magnesium supplements to fulfil this requirement? Ideally, this daily requirement can be met if we eat sensibly. But in case of chronic illnesses, chronic diarrhoea, where food intake is compromised, one can think of magnesium supplements, but only on the advice of your physician. Who needs more magnesium
Foods rich in magnesium: Magnesium is abundant in many foods, and the ordinary diet provides adequate amounts if the right things are selected. Good sources are seeds, nuts, legumes and un-milled cereal grains as well as dark green leafy vegetables. Milk and yoghurt and fish are also good sources. Whole wheat bread containing bran and germ has twice as much magnesium as white bread.
The writer is a dietician, Department of Dietetics, PGI |
For all the criticism of a track at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, that has been described as a ‘batting paradise, you can’t take away credit from the double century by that batting phenomenon called Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
The Bangladeshi, who grew up from humble beginnings and earned his Tour card from Qualifying School in 2009, could not have asked for more. In his words: “I didn’t expect to win. Thankfully, everything in my game clicked and I was able to win.
“I hope to inspire more people to take up the game of golf in Bangladesh. This is a good victory for me and my country.”
Did you know that diabetes management was not just about insulin dosage, carbohydrate counting, and high-fibre diets? Or that your errant systolic blood pressure could also be tamed by eating a diet rich in some mineral along with the standard treatment? Or that osteoporosis (weakening of bones) management was not just limited to calcium.
It helps in increasing the insulin sensitivity, thus maintaining normal blood sugar levels.