India beats Bangla at last .... news from Vidarbha

On the longest day of the year — the summer solstice, June 21 — International Yoga Day celebrations swept nearly 200 countries - people gathered in large numbers to practice the ancient physical and spiritual discipline, everywhere across the globe.

Away in Bangladesh, India saw lurking danger of Banglawash struggling to cope up with rookie left arm pacer - Mustafizur Rahman. However, in the last match, they did well to make 317 and beat Bangla by a handsome margin. Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott believes Bangladesh's impressive series win over India is not enough "to send waves through the cricket world" since it has come in home conditions. Boycott reckons Bangladesh, who had never beaten India in a series earlier and currently won  2-1, need to win matches abroad, especially Tests against teams like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England.

Back home, there is one area plagued by farmer suicides – Vidarbha. It has been continuing - indicating serious distress and despair prevailing in 5 million agrarian community which is facing economic crisis since 2005 and last yearskharif and ruby crop damages due server climate change and market recession.

Vidarbha is the eastern region of the state of Maharashtra, comprising Nagpur and Amravati, Akola, Chandrapur…. Its former name isBerar.  Situated in central India, Vidarbha has its own rich cultural and historical background distinct from rest of Maharashtra. Nagpur region is famous for growing oranges and cotton. Vidarbha unfortunately has been plagued by poverty.  In recent times, there have been calls for a separate state of Vidarbha, due to perceived neglect from the Government of Maharashtra.  Farmer suicides have attracted negative attention to this region.

After an anxious wait for the rains, cotton growers are back in their fields and have started sowing operations for the cash crop. According to government officials, cotton growers are the first to set out for work in this season as it is a long duration crop and now they have water at their disposal. Since cotton is a cash crop and major produce in the black soil in the region, the growers start sowing anticipating rains in early June and this year too, a large number of farmers commenced sowing operation well in time and fortunately rains also arrived, it is stated.  It is also stated that the crop loan to farmers was behind schedule.

At a time when India faces awkward situation of a Banglawash,  India opener KL Rahul, who missed the one-off Test in Bangladesh with dengue fever, says competition for the opener's spot with ShikharDhawan is a healthy sign for Indian cricket. Rahul's forced absence in Fatullah allowed Dhawan, the man he replaced as opener in the Sydney Test, to return to the top of the order. Dhawan made the most of the opportunity, scoring his third Test century. With M Vijay firmly entrenched, Rahul recognises it could well be a toss-up again between him and Dhawan for the second opener's slot when India play their next Test match.

Back home, in India domestic season, WasimJaffer, the highest individual run-getter in the Ranji Trophy, has switched to Vidarbha from his home team Mumbai. Jaffer, would thus join S Badrinath and Karnataka's Ganesh Satish to complete a solid line-up of Vidarbha's professionals. After an illustrious 19-year stint in first-class cricket with Mumbai, Jaffer is 241 runs short of becoming the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy. Paras Mhambrey, the former Mumbai and India pacer  is the coach.  Tamilnadu’sSubramaniamBadrinath is the skipper.  Since a domestic team can sign a maximum of just three players on its roster, Vidarbha decided to release Dhurv, the left-arm spinner, once Jaffer agreed to come on board. Jaffer played for India long back – and struggled for Mumbai last season with injuries. 

At Kingston, a Sinhalese sounding name – Rajendra Chandrika made a forgettable debut against Australia registering  a pair; he is not alone as he joins 39 others to start his Test career in such fashion. Chandrika, called up to replace an indisposed Marlon Samuels for the second Test, lasted a total of nine balls and 16 minutes in the match, falling to Mitchell Starc in both innings.  In both, he was out to poor shots. Coach Phil Simmons had words of encouragement for  the opener Chandrika who also bowls off spin.

 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

24^th June 2015.