This applies to two of my most favorite cricketers.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth aka Cheeka
Shahid Afridi
Cricket should be fun to watch and it will be, if you watch these two guys bat.
We witnessed Afridi's hitting skills not long ago. A few weeks back in the last two one-day games against India, Afridi literally tore the leather on the cricket ball. What a feast to watch! I haven't watched anyone hit the bowlers like he did.
Who can forget Cheeka's Benson & Hedges trophy knocks in the year 1985. Who can forget the World cup winning knock against West Indies. It is still fresh in my memory.
- His Square Cut off Joel Garner where he was on his knees.
- His Hook shot against Malcom Marshall, which flew for a six.
In that low-scoring match, Cheeka's knock was the highest among the Indians.
For me, the best innings Cheeka played was in Madras India, against Pakistan, when he scored a superfast 100. The Pak. captain Imran Khan didn't know how to set the field for Cheeka. On that eventful day, Cheeka feasted on Abdul Qadir who was a classic leggie those days.
I remember as a teenager, I used to watch Cheeka play at the Jain College grounds in Meenambakkam and at the RKM Grounds in Mambalam (both in Madras, India). Bowlers would shiver to bowl to him. Quite a few balls have been lost, thanks to his huge sixers.
I miss Cheeka these days and I wish I could watch more Afridi.
20 comments:
Narayanan,
I completely agree with you on cheeka.
when I was in India, haven’t missed a single match at chepauk (my latest post has a chepauk connection!)
but Adridi..I hate him from my bottom of my heart :(
Tifoc, I liked your post on Dravid and thakur.!!
Why do you hate Afridi? For me cricket is beyond borders. I'll always appreciate good cricket.!!
Hey how come u missed out Viv!! WC 75 or 79 semis-la last ball marana 6 onnu adichaarey, gnabagam irukka? :)
I agree both are good cricketers, but thideerunnu pachai kodi kaatareenga, ennadhu idhu? :-)
Praveen, I didn't get he opportunity to watch the best of VIV. He was a great cricketer no doubt.
TG - Pacchai Kodiyah? You mean PAK colors.? Yeah like I always say, I am not for any team...I watch Cricket for the game.!..
I think sehwag is much better than afridi because of consistent hitting
Lack of consistancy ivaa rendu perukkum oru minus point. Aaaana on their day they are real fun to watch
hi Narayanan, I am not such a big cricket or for that matter sports lover. However, if there is some one I really admire as a cricketeer, has to be Sachin. I personally feel he is quite special, being a master blaster, having started his career at such a tender age of 18 years.
Narayanan
The two other people who come to my mind for the have a bit, will hit philosophy is
1. Adam Gilchrist
2. Lance Klusener
Narayanan,
more than his batting...my animosity towards him came because of his running...yeah he was the by-runner for anwar during that knock of 194... ;-)
On a lighter note,
Afridi
is
Afraid
of
Cheeka!
Howzatt?
:-)
Cheeka was a clean hitter of the ball. only few people have the guts that he had.
Badri,
Sehwag is good, I agree but I think Afridi is fun to watch than Sehwag (IMHO).I am leaving the Pak tag off. Srikkanth was more daring I felt. I am leaving the Pak tag off.
Kay, That is the major comment of several people when they talk about Cheeka / Afridi. But then, they are too daring..!! and venture out easily for a leather hunt.
Amrita,
Sachin was great. IMHO, its high time he retires when he is in decent form.
Sudharshan,
Thinking back, I think Gilli and Klusner are also good. I agree.
But again like I mentioned earlier, Afridi and Srikkanth are more daring.
Tifoc, So...you like Afridi then.!! Come on ..!!
Thennavan,
You seem to write good kavidhai's. I expect a kavidhai in your blog soon.
Saranyan, You nailed the coffin.
On the rise, Cheeka was the best.
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