#2: yes, I had not thought of the continuous effort required by a wicket-keeper. What you say is very true.

#9: accessibility — yes, another important factor I’d not thought of!

Thanks for your comments again!

Amreekandesi: I fully agree. We need to take it for what it is: a sport, not a religion!

Next month, they might lose a series and the same media that cannot glorify them enough will start braying for their blood, fans will go and take down somebody else’s house. This is not fair on anyone. It is after all a sport.

And who are all these jobless people who go and throw stones outside the cricketers’ homes when they loose?

1) Dhoni — the future of the indian cricket captaincy.. well he definitely is the present .. and the future will be divided only when we see how the media / junta treats him after a few (many ?? ) losses…but he definitely has a great attitude as doesnt try to be “politically correct” like many of his predecessors..

2) wicket-keeping is a tough job and being a captain while keeping is not really a big plus.. it is going to be very hard for him especially in the test matches.. slip fielding gives all the advantages u mentioned minus the hard work of keeping..

3)absolutely brilliant in the field.. definitely one of the finest performances india have put up for an entire series..

4) it wasnt really a house … it was a wall .. they did apologize on national tv though..what can u say indian fans are fanatic.. and some of them are plain idiots as well..

5)very True !

6)Politics in cricket is deep-rooted , right from clubs to cities to district level.. only if are truly exceptional ..ala Sachin.. can you probably break thru.. but once u reach the state level teams.. performances are what matter.. else we would have had rohan gavaskar playing many more matches than he has for india..

7) as a captain u r responsible for what u say.. well the pak captain was being plain stupid and he needs to say the right things or just shut up..
disgusting… but what else can we expect ? but we did elect those guys ..

9) can the national game be changed ? — for what .. hockey hasnt got any preferential treatment for being what it is.. its a honorary title with no meaning attached to it except for one of those GK questions you would ask a 7 yr old..

why is cricket more popular than hockey ? .. cricket is more accessible , even 2 guys with a Rs.5 ball and Rs.50 bat can play and enjoy the game as much as the T20 world cup… hockey needs much more equipment and skill .. and why not football u may ask.. well it needs more atleticism than what indians have and hence hasnt caught up in mainland india as much as in north-east where the physical skills do match up with the wonderful game..

10) .. well we have given them an absolutely wonderful parade for winning the cup .. we expect them to win every match from now on.. !! )

thats the fanatic indian cricket fan for U”

I very much agree with you regaring Pathan — look how all the pressure and stress of the limelight took its toll on him.

Thanks for sharing your views on #7, I understand.

Arun: Thanks. Yes, controlled aggression is a necessary trait especially in the limited over versions of the game, but even otherwise. I too liked this aspect of Ganguly’s captaincy.

I think Dhoni is of the first kind.

I agree that Dhoni has potential, but I’m also reminded of Irfan Pathan whose career went downhill after a similar crowning from the media. I hope Dhoni handles it better.

Regarding #7, I was following the written commentary on cricinfo and as soon as I read that comment, it struck me as very odd. And I think the Indian Muslims are somewhat justified in raising a hue-and-cry because such comments adversely affect them, though I personally am willing to cut Shoaib some slack given the nerves and the occasion.