Vengeance Is Sweet

Hello. I am back. Again.

And so after spending an unforgettable summer in England few cricketers from that tour chanced their willow in slam bang version named Champions League T20. Ofcourse Mumbai Indians winning the tournament in style thanks to Lasith Malinga and inspired captaincy by Harbhajan Singh. 

When the tournament favorites Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the semis and MS Dhoni also played a very uncharacteristic T20 innings by scoring just 7 runs of 22 balls - a few eyebrows were raised whether Dhoni has been overworked or not. Of course, not many of them would be able to voice it the way Dhoni did. The captain is, after all, not in a position where he could lose his place in the team. For most of the others, however, talking about rest is like exposing themselves to being axed and the scary prospect of being left in the cold. So Dhoni was very happy with an early exit from the Champions League and said he would like those few extra days of rest. 

So what must have Dhoni done in those few days? As another short ODI series loomed large against England, Team India would have expected to overcome the blues of their disastrous England tour and strike back with vengeance. And they did it. The series is in the bag already and nothing much has changed in the side that played at Edgbastons and ovals or Lords. India dominated the first 2 games by registering convincing wins and a well finished third one. 

Just like England did in summer, India have made the home advantage count. The pacers have given the early wickets allowing spinners to build pressure in middle overs. The fielding has been top notch and it looks suddenly like the team has woken up to a new dawn. India batsmen have negotiated the threat of Swann easily by dancing down the track on many occasions and just lofting the ball into gaps. MS Dhoni's helicopter blades have again been polished and he ensures he stays till the end of 50 overs while batting taking the team to winnable scores. The other players in team have also contributed to the wins - Kohli with his century, Vinay Kumar with a 4 wicket haul, the old-pro Gambhir has always been there accumulating runs. 

A team performance like this deserves to be applauded and the smiles are back on the faces of few lads and fans. Vengeance Is Sweet. But it is not over yet and Dhoni's young guns should aim to present the nation with 5-0 drubbing of England on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. 

May your Diwali be a celebration of beautiful colors and many sparkles. Enjoy the festival, burst the fire crackers but be safe. Save environment. Happy Diwali.