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[fineleg]

 By  Prem Panicker  11:57 | 29/Dec/2006 

 Zak to the fore

An interesting aspect of post-play comments last evening was Zaheer Khan, providing the Indian viewpoint. What he said is interesting -- and frankly, I agree with that bit about the bowlers having done everything right, but not having luck go their way -- but more interesting is the fact that he is allowed to front for the team at the mike.

The transformation from perennial malcontent into perfect team man continues to astonish; huge credit due to the guy for taking the blow on the knuckles that he had been asking for, learning his lessons, and coming back at close to his very best.

http://sightscreen.rediffiland.com/scripts/xanadu_diary_view.php?postId=1167373659

[dextrous]

Mock, why did you delete your post?

[MockTurtle]

By  Prem Panicker  11:57 | 29/Dec/2006 

 Zak to the fore

An interesting aspect of post-play comments last evening was Zaheer Khan, providing the Indian viewpoint. What he said is interesting -- and frankly, I agree with that bit about the bowlers having done everything right, but not having luck go their way -- but more interesting is the fact that he is allowed to front for the team at the mike.

The transformation from perennial malcontent into perfect team man continues to astonish; huge credit due to the guy for taking the blow on the knuckles that he had been asking for, learning his lessons, and coming back at close to his very best.

http://sightscreen.rediffiland.com/scripts/xanadu_diary_view.php?postId=1167373659

what does PP mean by "perennial" malcontent? Pracess declared Zaheer a cancer but extending that to "perennial" and making such mighty pronouncements? so like PP to add this dramatic twist.

dex, i deleted it coz i wanted to re-word my post.

[fineleg]

BTW - I think what he is conveying is - it is good that Zaheer Khan has taken his being dropped in a resilient manner - ZK has shown positive attitude and has worked hard.

There is place in the team for +ve attitude and hard work even if you had been dropped a while ago. But the onus is on the player and ZK has "earned" his recall.

Earlier, ZK was not hardworking and wanted to be lazy and take his place granted - this is perhaps the malcontent he is referring to - though i doubt that is the right word.

I am happy to see ZK doing well. There is no substitute for working hard - hope he continues in this path. RD, AK and SRT are a few examples of consistent hardwork and humble but +ve approach.

[MockTurtle]

BTW - I think what he is conveying is - it is good that Zaheer Khan has taken his being dropped in a resilient manner - ZK has shown positive attitude and has worked hard.

There is place in the team for +ve attitude and hard work even if you had been dropped a while ago. But the onus is on the player and ZK has "earned" his recall.

Earlier, ZK was not hardworking and wanted to be lazy and take his place granted - this is perhaps the malcontent he is referring to - though i doubt that is the right word.

I am happy to ZK doing well. There is no substitute for working hard - hope he continues in this path. RD, AK and SRT are a few examples of consistent hardwork and humble but +ve approach.

perceptions, f'leg, perceptions. you and i differ in that. u and PP are aligned though

and why should a person be "humble"? it is irrelevant to performance.

 

[fineleg]

MT,
You seriously think ZK was not slacking (training exercises or bowling practice etc) - it was even so clearly evident the way ZK would field in the boundary area? Just a lax, care-a-damn approach and letting the ball go to a 4. You've seen that right? Don't u have this perception?


Regarding  humility - that maybe a personal opinion - but getting all snooty and I'm-so-important feel is detrimental to continued growth and improvement. I feel humility is a factor in why folks like RD, AK, SRT have dominated and been so consistent over years and years of cricket.

[MockTurtle]

MT,
You seriously think ZK was not slacking (training exercises or bowling practice etc) - it was even so clearly evident the way ZK would field in the boundary area? Just a lax, care-a-damn approach and letting the ball go to a 4. You've seen that right? Don't u have this perception?


Regarding  humility - that maybe a personal opinion - but getting all snooty and I'm-so-important feel is detrimental to continued growth and improvement. I feel humility is a factor in why folks like RD, AK, SRT have dominated and been so consistent over years and years of cricket.

ZK is doing well now but i dunno about his earlier "laziness" and don't want to comment. i know PP has his favorite tales about some gym encounter but you know what i think of PP and his stories. as for fielding, RD isn't a great out-fielder, neither is Kumble.

why do you think RD, AK and SRT are humble? how do you define humility? i don't give a damn about humility when it comes to sportsmen and i think it has no bearing on their performance.

[dave_dj]

MT,
You seriously think ZK was not slacking (training exercises or bowling practice etc) - it was even so clearly evident the way ZK would field in the boundary area? Just a lax, care-a-damn approach and letting the ball go to a 4. You've seen that right? Don't u have this perception?


Regarding  humility - that maybe a personal opinion - but getting all snooty and I'm-so-important feel is detrimental to continued growth and improvement. I feel humility is a factor in why folks like RD, AK, SRT have dominated and been so consistent over years and years of cricket.

India does not even produce real sportsmen.  But real sportsmen from countries who churn out by thousands do not seem to be humble.  So what has humility got to do with being a great sportsman.  Lance Armstrong is not but he won Tour de France seven times.

And do you think Rahul Dravid is humble?  How much do you know of him?  Perception is what you have - reality can be a whole different story.

[toney]

I agree that humility doesn't have to be necessary for anybody. Of course, in the Indian context, it is a desirable quality.

As for ZK's fitness, Mock, why are you arguing for the sake of finding fault with PP? ZK's allergy of fitness, his injury, his attitude etc have been mentioned by many people including Wright saab himself. And no, I am not giving credit to GC for this turn around. ZK himself is the one to be given credit. Just like RP changed his ways, ZK has made a successful comeback. Well done!!
And I am sure you are watching the test. Didn't you notice how he attacks the ball each time on the field? I was so surprised to see that.

[Cover Point]

Humility is overrated. This much i would agree with mockani and others. We are all so happy how Sreesanth showed up the Africans and he wa obviously not humble.

But the hard work (or lack there of) is a different matter. Mockani;s hatred for the current regime wont let her see even the most obvious things that stare her in the face. ZK and his slackiness (I need words too) was as famous as Veeru's paranthas. He was obviously kicked out of the team for lack of work ethic. To his credit he seems to have learned the lesson and is back after putting in a lot of effort.

The same seems to be true with SG too. He seems to have worked hard at his fitness in his time off. Parachute training and what not. Whether he has worked on his batting deficiencies is still to be seen. Tomorrow would be a good test there.