Symonds & Harbhajan together - Sarul Kanwar who ? CL T20 2011

Do you remember or know Justice John Hansen ???

Champions League T20 is providing great entertainment and throwing out results which cannot be guessed till the last delivery – and there are some stellar performances from players whose names you are hearing perhaps for the first time.

Suryakumar Yadav made an unbeaten 182 (not in CL T20) but elsewhere in an U22 tournament in Mumbai.  The news is because Yadav was omitted from the Mumbai Indians squad recently which left MI with only seven Indian players in the squad which prompted their request leading to flexing of ‘only 4 players’ rule becoming 5. Yadav was captaining the Chandrakant Pandit XI against Dilip Vengsarkar XI in a three-day match of the Shalini Bhalekar Trophy; on Wednesday he had fielded the entire day and bowled 6.3 overs as well, according to Hindustan Times. The paper also reported that he'd had surgery on an injured finger, which was the reason for his being withdrawn from the Mumbai Indians squad.  MI had a sequence of injury woes to players Sachin, Rohit Sharma, Munaf, Ali Murtaza, Dhawal Kulkarni….. further Aditya Tare and Pawan Suyal were also ruled unfit.  The present MI squad has 7 Indian and equal foreign players. 

And it was a good day for them on field as they powered to a good score against Cape Cobra.. that the result was different was brought about by forces on which they had no control. 

First it was a debutant who went on a six hitting spree – the little known Sarul Kanwar, 23 year old from Punjab sent Langeveldt over the midwicket, thumped Vernon Philander, in between murdered Duminy – five sixers and three boundaries in a breath taking innings but got out a hit closer to coveted 50.  Blizzard scatched around – Rayudu fell soon but there was Kieron Pollard to keep hoisting the ball over and over again.   Kanwar made 45 off 21 balls; Pollard made 58 off 37 balls. 

Then there was the spectacle of Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan together at the crease ! – remember that the Cricketing World was earlier put to an enquiry.  In the Second test at Sydney between India and Australia in Jan 2008 there was ugly spar between Symonds and Harbhajan and there was adjudication in Court on breach of ICC code of conduct before the  Appeals Commissioner The Hon. Justice John Hansen (of Newzealand)  -

Whether they have buried the hatchet or was it a wonderful act or is it simply that money integrates everything !!

The day clearly belonged to the Punjab Opener whose good Ranji performance earned IPL contract – did not get to play any in IPL 4 – injuries came in his way and when the chance came, he made it memorable.

The score looked impressive but the last few deliveries were played when it rained……….. it then rained more at Bangalore rendering further play impossible and MI had to be satisfied with one point.

Regards – S. Sampathkumar.