Ranieri, Bilić & Pochettino: Small Time Managers, Big Time Success

Unless you are a rabid English Premier League fan and not a supporter of Big 4- Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal; chances are you might not have heard of or registered the following names: Claudio Ranieri, Slaven Bilić, and Mauricio Pochettino. They are the managers of Leicester City F. C., West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspurs F. C., respectively. And these teams, although hard core English in their DNA, have found success in the last couple of years under non-English managers.

Leicester City F. C. is now at the top of the English Premier League, a dream run no one could have predicted at the start of the current season. Ranieri, a former Italian player and manager of teams like Napoli, Valencia, Juventus etc. had had only experience but no glory. He had to even suffer the ignominy of being sacked as the manager of the Greek national team within 4 months of taking charge.

When he took over at L. C. F. C., no one could have seen how the script would be rewritten. With players only household names in England like Vardy, Drinkwater, Huth, he started to go about building a team that could give a good account of it. After all, they did not have the star power of any of the Big 4. But Vardy, Mahrez, Kanté, Ulloa had other ideas. With nothing to lose and everything to be gained, they went about wreaking havoc, defeating the smaller teams and also the giants. They are currently leading the EPL table at 73 points, and look like firm contenders for the League title.

Slaven Bilić has to be the coolest football manager in the current scenario. Not only is he a rhythm guitarist for a Croatian rock band, he also wears a diamond stud in one ear, and quite possibly is the only one who can pull off wearing a beanie cap with a finely tailored suit! As a player he earned caps with WHU and Everton, as also the Croatian national team. As a manager, he guided his national team to the quarter finals of the 2008 Euro Championships.

He returned to his former club, WHU, as manager in 2015. And the team that used to be everybody’s favourite punching bag is finding its football wings, taking advantage of the new script being written by L. C. F. C., “hammering” the iron while it is hot. Although they are placed 6^th in the table at the moment, it is a considerable climb if you remember that they were 13^th in the 2013-14 season and 12^th in the 2014-15 season.

The Spurs are at the no. 2 spot with 68 points, 5 points behind leaders L. C. F. C., with an astounding goal difference of 39. Just like the Foxes and quite particularly Jamie Vardy, Spurs and their star striker Harry Kane had a breakout year.

Their manager, Mauricio Pochettino, the boyish Argentinian has had a good playing career, starting with Newell’s Old Boys, the club which has nurtured many of that country’s and the world’s best talents like Batistuta, Valdano, Maradona, Messi. Having managed teams like Espanyol and Southampton, he took over as Spurs manager in 2014. His arrival has certainly coincided with the blooming of Kane, Dier and Alli.

So what are these 3 “small time” managers doing right? Is it their down to earth, no nonsense way of going about their business? Is it their complete faith in their players? Or is it because they are untouched by the spotlight that has allowed them to focus on the job at hand? Certainly they have not been bothered by the trappings and glamour that have plagued managers like Ferguson, Mourinho and Wenger.

With big names come big responsibilities and accountability to a larger audience. When every move or statement made by the managers are watched, analysed, criticised and debated by fans and football pundits alike, it must be cumbersome at times to do one’s job efficiently.

The die-hard fans can be very hard to please. They spend most of their non-working (and sometimes working ones too) hours talking of nothing but their teams. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, singing their club song loudly, wearing the colours proudly and their pride at its utmost when their team wins. Fans of L. C. F. C., WHU, and T. H. F. C. have certainly earned their happiness.

They have stuck by their teams during the lean times, during the relegation years, their stubborn faith in their teams’ abilities finally paying off. And they owe a huge amount of gratitude to these 3 managers for doing their jobs with dignity, diligence and master class.

-Bindu Nayar

 

Jamie Vardy: The Rise of an Unlikely Hero

At a time in their careers where professional footballers take stock of their future, in terms of playing time, fitness and earnings, a new story is being written. It is the story of the rise of a team and a player, an unprecedented rise, a complete turn-around from playing in the B division to heading the Premier League table. Jaime Vardy, the hero of Leicester City F. C., is rewriting history and so is the club. It’s a case of David vs Goliath, and as underdogs, both player and club are enjoying their moment in the spotlight.

The top 4 spots in the English Premier League have been, for the last few years, dominated by Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. These clubs have had managers who have carved their names in the history books. And precisely for this reason it is particularly interesting that Leicester F. C. has as manager, Claudio Ranieri, who was once fired from a previous outing as manager of the Greek national team for poor results.

Jaime Vardy learned his craft at Sheffield Wednesday, his local club, and at the age of 16 years signed on with Stockbridge Park Steels. Impressing talent scouts for other teams, he ensured his steady climb across the other English football divisions by playing for teams like F. C. Halifax Town, Fleetwood Town, finally arriving at Leicester in 2012. That first year proved to be a disaster that left him questioning his future as a player, to the extent that it needed a lot of persuasion from the team management for him to commit to continue playing.

It was a wise decision all around, because the new season turned out to be Vardy’s breakout year. He became Leicester’s most prolific scorer, with them winning the Football League Championship, and earning a promotion to the Premier League.

The following year, 2014-15, Vardy’s performance ensured them a relegation-free spot in the League table, finishing at number 14. On the personal front, Vardy won the Premier League Player of the Month for April 2015. He was also included in the English national team for the first time, and although was only brought up as a substitute, he justified his inclusion by scoring for his country in 2 matches in 2016.

In the current season, Vardy is the architect behind Leicester’s astonishing climb to the top of the table. His flexible ability to play as both midfielder and striker ensures that he is either scoring or setting up assists for other players like Mahrez and Kanté to score.

In Claudio Ranieri’s words: “He has great intensity, great concentration. He’s got a strong mentality and never gives up. He’s an inspiration with the way he is because then others believe.”

Tenacity and grit! These are the two adjectives that come to mind when one sees Vardy weave his way around the field, outfoxing opponents (pun intended here as Leicester are known as ‘The Foxes’), and finding the goal. He was deemed too “slight” during his formative years with Sheffield Wednesday. Coming from a working class background, he has not had the benefit of a football academy like Leo Messi, but like Cristiano Ronaldo, he has put his heart and soul into the game. And all that hard work has put him in top of the pedestal.

With 19 goals (and counting) this season for Leicester, Vardy is certainly a late bloomer (like Salvatore Schillaci for Italy in the 1996 World Cup), but he has come into his own as a player and team leader, leading by example and inspiration to a whole new generation of players and fans alike.

He’s already been called England’s great hope for the upcoming Euro Championship. Take a bow, Jaime, you’ve certainly earned your glory and honors.

The League is still up for grabs, although Leicester is enjoying a 9-point lead over Tottenham Hotspurs, ranked second in the table. There are 6 more matches to be played, and as the British have long displayed an affinity for the underdogs, it is ensured that new admirers along with die-hard Leicester supporters will be cheering them on; hopefully all the way to the podium for the lifting of the Cup.

And no one would contradict me when I say that it’ll be a victory most justified.

– Bindu Nayar

Best Performance and Fun Bikes for College Students

College life is all about fun, bikes, babes and friendships.  Every kid on the block wishes to have the coolest bike but the pocket size matters.  Here is our list of top 5 bikes which a college goer can have within 1 lakh budget and are quite effective too in terms of performance and looks.

The Suzuki Gixxer is arguably the best-looking, one of the fastest, and the most comfortable 150cc bike currently sold in the country. It was developed by the same engineers who had a hand in producing the scintillating GSX-R 1000. It has an excellent aerodynamic efficiency, which minimizes the turbulence and drag. Moreover, its fairing is made useful to the riders in a way that it can give them so much wind protection. Ex-showroom price is INR 83,439.

The Yamaha FZ is another game-changing motorcycle, something most of its competitors take inspiration from .The bike looks brawny and mean, with just the right amount of performance to make it a winner. A whole bunch of cosmetic and performance-enhancing aftermarket accessories are available for the FZ-S, so you can make it stand out from the crowd. Ex-showroom price is INR 78,210.

Post the launch Apache RTR 180 is one good example to have; especially for the goodness of 18bhp from the 180cc motor. Daytime running LEDs, cool paintjobs and the fake carbon fiber stickers are complementary with the agile packaging. This bike is fun to ride, and will always leave you with a smile. Ex-showroom price is INR 72,500.

The Bajaj Pulsar 200NS fares a strong rival to the crest. Its full throttle-extravaganza of 200cc, single-cylinder and “23bhp” needs just conventional Indian road to unleash the beast to the fullest .It is a perfect ride for those who love cheap thrills. It is a daily life Pocket Rocket. Ex-showroom price is INR 91,500.

Finally, the best of the lot and my pick is Bajaj V.

I’m sure no bike has been branded this well. The moment we saw the advertisement that it is recreated out of the metal extracted from INS Vikrant, the naval weapon which proved a major role in helping India defeat our neighbor in the Indo-Pak War; we immediately went drive the prideful automotive. Trust me, the 150 cc machine runs like a beauty. Easy to control, light weight and averages around 45.Power is transmitted to roads via a five-speed manual gearbox. This is the same engine that also powers the Bajaj Pulsar AS150 and Discover 150.

The critics have not given their verdict as it is relatively new to the market but looks like it’s going to rule this segment by a storm due to its pricing too with a meagre Ex-showroom price of Rs. 62,200.

What are you waiting for?
Race the wind, ride the rain! Kick the bike, feel the game!

Vrooooom!

Xavi Hérnandez: The maestro of Tiki-Taka

The shouting of the crowd rises to a crescendo “XAVI! XAVI!” Xavi Hérnandez is waiting to take the free kick. The ball soars over the wall of players attempting to block it, and curves with a will of its own, and neatly finds its way into the goal, just out of the grasp of the goalkeeper.

He wakes up with a thudding heart, eyes shining in the dark. He knows it was just a dream, but one that would soon come true.

Xavi Hérnandez Creus, known the world over as simply Xavi, was born on January 25, 1980 in Terrassa, a suburb of Barcelona. It is inevitable that this will affect the way he grows up – living and breathing football. His family conversations are mostly about football – they are true culés – they don’t know to be any different.

Xavi grows up, as does every little boy in the area, dreaming only of playing football. There is never a thought of any other choice. His biggest blessing – the club he revers more than anything right at his doorstep; it is also his biggest challenge – how to get be so good that he can get into La Masia.

It doesn’t turn out to be so difficult after all. He is born with such talent, and the hard work that he puts in, ensures that he enters the Academy in 1991, at the age of 11. By this time, the late legendary Johan Cruyff has already graced Camp Nou twice – once as player and the other as manager. He has established the concept of “Total Football”, where every player in the team moves around the field not adhering to rigid positions that has been seen in trading football played till now. He is also instrumental in establishing the La Masia, the Barcelona Youth Academy, where Xavi learns to perfect his style of play.

He makes his debut for the ‘A’ team in 1998, scoring his first goal in August of the same year. However, it is not for his goal making abilities that he makes his mark. His greatest achievement is in orchestrating the game on the field like a music conductor. The way he created opportunities for players like Henry, Messi, Villa and Fabregas is something magical.

In his words, “I look for spaces all day. I’m always looking. All day! Here? No.There? People who haven’t played don’t know how hard that is. Space! Space! And Space. I see the space and pass. That’s what I do.”

And what a dancer he is with the ball literally glued to his feet. The tiki-taka, the entire philosophy of that style of play! He owns it.

But the Barcelona philosophy of humility also keeps him grounded. He is one of the few players who have never received a red card in his entire career. He’s down to earth beyond imagination, letting his talent on the ground do the talking.

He is also the most respected player, not only in the FCB dressing room but also in the Spanish national team. Along with his longtime friend Iker Casillas, the Real Madrid captain, bitter Barcelona rivals traditionally, he maintains equilibrium in a team that has strong nationalistic tendencies. Both Casillas and Xavi are honored with the “Prince of the Asturias” award by the king of Spain himself.

He is also the player to win the most trophies.28 and still counting! Yet he is first to heap praise on other players; one of the midfielders he admires most is Paul Scholes; coming from Xavi it is high praise indeed.

To his legions of fans however it is of absolute disbelief that he has never won the Ballon d’Or despite being nominated 3 times. However for Xavi the fact that he got to live that little boy’s dream is his greatest achievement.

In the words of Pep Guardiola, “Xavi is a player who has the Barcelona DNA, someone who has the taste for good football, someone who is humble and someone who has loyalty to this club. From the first moment I saw him play, I knew he would become the brain behind Barcelona for years to come.”

Words cannot really capture the talent behind the man; they seem superfluous in the face of such greatness.

Ballon d’Or winner or not, Xavi is undoubtedly a legend in his way. A role model revered by the players he has left behind in Barcelona, and for an entire generation of aspirants in La Masia and other countries across the globe.

-Bindu Nayar

Myth about automatic-transmission cars in India

The greatest myth about automatic cars is that they are not fun to drive. It is obvious that you cannot compare it with the joy of slamming the clutch, shifting the gear and giving the driver a feel of total control over the car but automatic transmission has its own perks.

What is Manual Transmission?
Manual transmission cars are the cars that allow the driver to change the gears as per driving needs and there is a manual clutch pedal used while changing gears. The clutch uses solid clutch plate and pressure plate mechanism.

What is Automatic Transmission?
Automatic transmission on the other hand works automatically depending on the vehicle speed and engine speed. In automatic transmission cars, there is no clutch pedal, and clutch-plate mechanism is replaced with a hydraulic torque convertor.

Performance
Brushing aside the negative perceptions about automatic transmission cars some carmakers like Honda , Toyota , Ford ,Skoda etc. provides paddle shifters or tiptronic drive which allows you to shift the gear as per our own wish; independent of the clutch .When the brakes are applied the gears shift down automatically as soon as the car reach a certain RPM.

Maintenance
It is also wrong perception of many people that automatics are costly to maintain. This is not really true.In fact, of the biggest long-term maintenance expenses on manual transmission cars are clutch replacements, especially for cars driven in crowded cities, and by people who tend to use the clutch a lot. Also a manual transmission requires oil changes every 20,000 km or so, while an automatic won’t require a transmission fluid change for at least 50,000 km.

The fact that aftermarket services of automatics are not great in India makes people despise it but honestly, it’s not that bad either.

Fuel economy
Fuel Efficiency of an automatic transmission car is lower as compared to the manual transmission because of higher energy losses in hydraulic torque convertors used by it. But if we talk about latest dual clutch automatic technology based cars the mileage is almost same there is barely any difference.

 Resale value
There is also a notion that an automatic transmission car won’t fetch as much resale value as compared to a manual transmission variant. While this was true in the earlier years, where cars like the Maruti Zen automatic, Esteem automatic and Wagon R AX failed to fetch good resale value because they were seen as fuel guzzlers and poor performers, modern automatics fetch as much or more than a manual in the resale market.

The demand for Skoda Laura DSG cars is quite good, with used car prices seldom dipping below Rs. 8 lakh for a 5-year old car. Used Honda City cars continue to fetch good resale value irrespective of the transmission in the car.

Availability
Most of people who still prefer an automatic car over manual think that it is unavailable in their choice of car/model. Those were the days of past where you would get only few variants options for automatic to choose from. Now a days you can get a 3-4 lac budgeted car with an automatic option.

Why you should go for an automatic?
Automatic is a good option if your driving cycle occurs in harsh traffic conditions. It gives you a hustle free ride and reduces your efforts actions in slamming clutch and shifting gears, unlike in manual transmission. If you are in search of driving comfort convenience & luxury and the fact that you do not mind shredding some extra money on the cost of car and fuel, go for Automatic Transmission.

Trust me; you would thank me later after you feel the ease of a stress free drive in this high tension world.

Automatic transmission is highly recommended for stop-and-go congested city driving. It requires lesser skills to drive an automatic transmission car compared to manual transmission car as the gears are changed automatically by the transmission system of the car so the driver needs to operate just the accelerator, brake and steering.

The driver need not coordinate the gears and clutch pedal with the changes in the speed. Thus, it takes less time to be habitual to drive an automatic transmission car smoothly as compared to manual transmission car.

Whatever is your pick, manual or automatic just get into the car, start the engine and speed on for a long drive.

-Saubhagya

A tribute to the Messi(ah)

“I don’t need the best hairstyle or the best body. Just give me a ball at my feet and I’ll show you what I can do” – Lionel Messi

The man held his son’s hand tightly, trying not to let his anxiety show. They had traveled a long way, armed only with an intense conviction in his son’s ability. Either their fortunes would be made or their hopes would be dashed cruelly to the ground. Only time would tell if his gamble would pay off.

Thirteen year-old Lio was absorbing the aura of the new city, filing every new thing in his memory, so that he could tell his mother, his brothers and sister when he returned to his hometown. Of course they would return, and soon. Why would they want to live in a big city, where people seemed to be in a great hurry to get somewhere, as if they’d lost their way?

The next morning they arrived at the football stadium, where a group of young boys were already in the middle of a game. Charly Rexach, a friendly man who had met them in Rosario, their hometown, gestured to Lio to join the game. The moment he let go of his father’s hand and stepped onto the grass, all his apprehensions faded away. He confidently tackled the ball passed to him, and with an agility and speed in one so young, he crisscrossed the field, leaving his tacklers behind, scoring with ease. This was to become a common sight in a few years.

Rexach looked at the other men with him, and introduced the lone figure who had been watching his son’s magic on the field, “This is Jorge Messi, and that little magician on the field is his son, Lio”.

Had it not been for his growth deficiency problem, would the world have known about Lionel Andres Messi, 6-time Ballon d’Or winner? Would he have stayed on in Rosario, playing for his beloved team Newell’s Old Boys? Would there have been millions of frenzied fans across the world passionately arguing about the beauty of his left foot and Cristiano Ronaldo’s right? Would FC Barcelona be the club it is today? Feared, envied, untouchable by even the best teams in the other football leagues?

Maybe, maybe not. His beginnings in Barcelona seemed like a fairy tale. The third son of an Argentine factory workers impressed the mighty FCB to sponsor his treatment for growth hormone deficiency. That decision rewarded FCB the best player in the world, who has won plenty of silverware for them, who owes the club his utmost loyalty.

It is true that FC Barcelona has been a force to reckon with even before the arrival of Messi into La Masia, the famed school that has churned out gems like Pep Guardiola. Luis Enrique, Xavi Hérnandez, Andres Iniesta, to name a few.

Then what is it that has these two intertwined? Their glories have been on the rise since 2006. The club has long boasted world class players in their ranks. But with the coming of age of Messi, FCB has become seemingly invincible. Is it due to the ease with which they win their matches or is it the complete cohesion with which they play, giving the impression of being one mind one unit.

And that one mind surely is Messi’s. He commands the field like a Colossus, directing the passes, gauging the situation and taking advantage of the opportunities presented, giving life to the coach’s strategy. It would be difficult to envisage Barca without Lio as the two having been synonymous for so long.

The heights of success to which Messi has taken Barca sounds almost too good to be true. Seven La Liga titles (and in the running for an eighth), four UEFA Champions League titles, three Copa del Rey titles. With him FC Barcelona has become the only club to win the treble twice.

But what makes him truly unique, what resonates with his die-hard fans is his child-like delight in the club’s victories, his ashen-faced countenance at unbelievable losses, his speed, his sharp reading of the situation inside the goal box, his inclusion of every Barca team member, his selflessness which prompts him to assist others with goal opportunities, the quiet man happy to let his on-ground activities speak to him.

Messi still has a lot of critics and in my opinion they are wasting their breath with no dearth of topics highlighting Messi’s failures or shortcomings. The top two debates are a complete waste of time: a) who is better – Messi or Ronaldo? And b) how can Messi be the best ever if he’s not done for country what he’s achieved for club?

The first, is without doubt, completely insulting and totally unfair to these two phenomenal players. Both have different styles of play, different roles in their teams, but the rivalry between their fans seems to have caught on at some level in the players’ own psyches, each trying to one-up the other, each pushing the other to further heights of brilliance. Instead of arguing, let’s just sit slack-jawed in front of our TV sets, as these two magicians mesmerize us on a weekly basis.

The second, seems on the face of it, to be a valid point raised by football pundits.  However, the onus on winning the Cup should not rest on Messi alone but also on the other players like Sergio “Kun” Agüero, Angel diMaria, Higuaín, Otamendi, Rojo, Lavezzi, DiMichelis, Mascherano, Zabaletta, Dyabla, Pastore. Are they not contributing mightily to their respective clubs? Yes they are. Are they playing at the same level for country? No they are not.

So why is Messi’s name offered as bait? Why is he alone labelled anti-national? The coaching staff and entire team have to sit and work out ways to stem this unfortunate situation.

People who know Messi have vouched for the fact that the lack of a World Cup title rankles in his mind. In 2014, they reached the finals only to have their hopes dashed by a lone Mario Götze goal. And he has said that he would willingly give up his titles for that one elusive cup.

Anyhow, what a blessed lot we football fans are. To live in an era studded with such players, whose love for the game comes through every time they are on the ground, whether playing for club or country.

The 13 year-old boy has surely come a long way, amassing accolades, wealth and a fan following that would make anyone envious. Did he know when he left his beloved Rosario and his family that one day the world would know him simply as Messi? All he wanted and still wants is to play football. And what a legacy it is. Simply impossible to emulate certainly in this lifetime.

The Messi(ah) of football, the most famous no. 10 in the world, the creator of wondrous passes; take a bow !

-Bindu Nayar

Tennis: A Salute from a Lifelong Fan

“Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquility.” – Billie Jean King

My first memory of watching a tennis match was Björn Borg playing Ilie Nastase. I saw the match on a black and white TV, complete with grains. The match did not make any sense to me. Two tall men were hitting a little ball across the net, the crowd was cheering wildly and at times politely. My father was sitting at the edge of his seat. And I couldn’t even pronounce the names, let alone spell them.

Maybe a couple of years later when I could read, the names John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors came into play. Although the game still didn’t make sense, I did manage to develop a crush on McEnroe, the brat of the tennis world. I would support his ravings, his ranting, his verbal abuse on the umpires, the smashing of rackets. Basically, everything about him!

But the game, rather its existence was firmly seared on my conscious mind.

Those were the days when tennis was ruled by Borg, McEnroe, Ashe, and Connors ably challenged by Vitas Gerulaitis, Guillermo Vilas, John Lloyd, and Peter Fleming. Borg was the “ice man” from Sweden, the cool unflappable gentleman. The classicist!  The contrast offered by McEnroe was extreme; he was rash, loudmouthed, unpredictable, irreverent, and yet somehow cool.

McEnroe finally took over the No. 1 spot from Borg, though he had a worthy opponent in the indefatigable Jimmy Connors, yet another unpredictable, loudmouthed player. And still, they instilled the love for the game in the hearts of fans everywhere. Serve and volley was the way to play the game – nearly every player in the top 10 were proponents of this kind of play with their special skills added in.

And although not all matches or tournaments were telecast in India, there were still enough to whet the appetite.

The 80s saw the arrival of the Swedes into the world of tennis – Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander, Anders Järryd, Joakim Nyström – to name a few. It’s interesting to see how in every decade there have been extraordinarily good players from a single country. For example, if the 70s were dominated by the Americans but the 80s definitely belonged to the Swedes. There were also very good players like Kevin Curren, Pat Cash, our very own Ramesh Krishnan, lest you think that tennis was played only by a few people!

But of all the Swedish players who made their debut at the world stage, Stefan Edberg after Borg, remains the most respected and beloved. Graceful, debonair, he was a worthy successor to the great man from Stockholm. He took over from John McEnroe, but this perfect scenario was shaken by Ivan Lendl, one of the greatest Czech players ever. Lendl was pure hard work, his grouchy demeanor, however did not win him too many women fans. Between Edberg, Lendl and Wilander, one could be guaranteed a real entertainer of a match.

And then on July 7, 1984 everything changed and that too at the most classical Centre Courts in the Slams – Wimbledon. An unseeded player Boris Becker became the first German and the youngest player to win at Wimbledon. He brought with him a giant serve, earning him the nickname “Boom Boom Becker”. My second crush and I admit I still have a soft spot for the guy.

Ivan Lendl did offer stiff competition, as did Goran Ivanisevic, and Frenchmen Henri Leconte and Yannick Noah, but for a while it was the Boris Becker Show, till the arrival upon the scene of a completely unassuming man, Pete Sampras.

Sampras, one of the greatest players of his era, had the most unlikely persona; needed for a champion. He wasn’t the glamorous type, not flashy, no chocolate good looks, but he was a pure god-gifted talent. His laidback approach was as misleading to his opponents as to the hordes of tennis lovers across the globe. He also led a fresh stock of American blood into the tennis world – Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang. Among them they dominated the game till the 2000s.

I must confess that I liked Agassi more than Sampras. Agassi was the guy with the heart of a lion, talent infused with hard work. It wasn’t hard to feel sorry for Agassi, someone who gave his all, yet Sampras took every title he possibly could, time and again and that too with seemingly little effort. (No crush there though, and I can feel a few people wanting to ask the question: are you a lover of the game or do you watch it for the guys? Well, duh! Both. Why can’t it be both? After all the guys do watch the ladies play, and it’s not just for the game…we all know that! Double standards, as always.)

I still have a huge respect for Sampras – 14 Grand Slam titles – whose achievements paved the way for the next champion, and a fan of the great Sampras himself.

I talk about none other than the legend himself – Roger Federer. Fedex, in my view is the greatest tennis player to have graced the game. I know a lot of eyebrows would be raised. But frankly, no one can beat his style, his unflappable nature, his forehand, his backhand, his humility. Do you get my drift here? In short (sorry to disappoint you guys) my feelings for Federer border on reverence. Without an iota of doubt, Federer is a player who makes it look so easy, so simple. He has the ability to not fold under pressure, the level-headedness needed at crucial turning points, and of course the ability to hit winners even on an off-day.

In the present era, we tennis fans are blessed to witness not only Federer, but Rafael Nadal (another lion-hearted player and Federer’s fiercest rival), Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. And what matches they have given us!

In all my musings above, one might ask the question, and justly so, if tennis is just a man’s sport. I mean, I haven’t mentioned a single female player till now, have I?

The answer is of course, NO! Tennis is not just a man’s sport. We have had the pleasure of watching many lovely (and not so lovely) ladies over the years. Champions, great fighters, delicate-seeming yet with a serve that makes you wonder where that strength came from. The legendary Billie Jean King (the only woman with an arena named after her), Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini (which guy hasn’t had a crush on her?), Maria Sharapova, Anna Kournikova (the only tennis player known for purely looks and oomph), the extraordinary Williams sisters (Serena and Venus), and last but definitely not the least our very own Sania Mirza, who has shown all her detractors that you cannot break the spirit with inane objections like religion, and length of dress (could anything be more ridiculous).

And I haven’t even mentioned the Indian contingent (the Amritraj brothers, Ramesh Krishnan, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi), who in various decades, have made the Indian flag soar with pride, and Indian hearts swell with patriotic spirit. Not because they haven’t been great, but it’s just that the sport has been dominated by players from the Western world.

We can only hope that kids from India take Sania as their role model; that sports in India will someday be free of political interferences; that Indian parents will understand that sports as a career is an option too. We are a country of more than a billion people. We are a sports loving nation, we have had great role models in almost every sport, and yet when it comes to encouraging our child to pick up a bat, a racket or kick a ball, we are scared that he or she might not concentrate on studies, and not become successful.

I can only thank GOD that Borg, Becker, Sampras, Federer etc. were supported by their parents, and otherwise this article would not have been written. I bow my head in respect to the many greats who have entertained us on the tennis courts over the years, both champions and runners-up. To play in front of millions, to hold your head up high in defeat, to dissolve in tears when holding the trophy and as a FAN of the sport I look forward to many more matches and players.

-Bindu Nayar.

Band of Brothers: Arsenal 2003-04

Band of Brothers is a tribute to the Special Forces, paratroopers; a part of the airborne wing deployed by the US Army to wage a war against Germany during the Second World War. They were extraordinarily skilled soldiers who were trained outstandingly well to face any circumstances and ace at it. Crafted to perfection they did the impossible and won the war.

Based on the writings of Stephen Ambrose, produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, Band of Brothers is an enticing tale of courage,determination,focus,team work,zeal,grit and bravery.

The similar traits were shown by the Gunners in the 2003-04 season. Certainly, it was the best Premier League season ever played by the club. Not only did Arsenal win the Premier League title, but the Gunners also managed to finish a whole season unbeaten,which included a 49 game ‘The Invincible’ winning steak. With that feat Arsenal became the first side since Preston North End in 1888-89 to have completed the title race in such fashion.

They were a force to reckon, on the lines of Major Winters, Captain Nixon, Sergeant Shifty, Randleman and everyone who fought with pride. The only difference here was that the Gunners, contrary to their name never used any sorts of guns/armory, instead used their feet and heads to conquer the Premier League.

They played like brothers, respected and uplifted each others’ game like anything. They were like soldiers out there on war, who knew just one thing – giving their best and marching on with honor.

In the show, they start their campaign from London and parade all the way from France, Holland, Belgium to Germany. If you look closely at the Arsenal side they had a similar pattern. France and Holland had a vital role to play. They had their best gladiators – Henry, Pires, Vieira and Bergkamp from France and Holland respectively.

Highbury was Arsenal’s DreamWorks, a studio where history was recorded. Arsenal was an unstoppable force under the leadership of Arsene Wenger. It was a fantasy team.At the back, apart from the keeper Lehmann, Gunners consisted of Sol Campbell and Kolo Touré, two agile and macho central defenders who struck up a fantastic partnership over the course of the season. Lauren was an attacking presence at right-back, while Ashley Cole proved why he was one of England’s best left-backs in the business.

You’d be amazed to know that the Arsenal defense was such a belligerent sight that they only conceded 26 goals throughout the campaign.

In the mid, the presence of ‘The Invisible Wall’, Gilberto Silva acted as the double protection which safe guarded the interests of the fortress from every possible external attack. The skipper Patrick Vieira led the wrath from the front with his towering presence and lung-bursting runs from central midfield. He was the complete box-to-box midfielder, someone who had a deadly amount of tactical intelligence, tenacity and amazing hold on the ball. His ability to act as the perfect interface between the attack and the defense was arguably the force that held the team together and made Arsenal’s counter-attacking style of play look even more adventurous.

Arsenal’s front regiment was no less. They had the most fearsome gladiators in their ranks. Fredrik Ljungberg contributed agility and goal scoring quality on the right flank, whereas Robert Pirès showed his class from left midfield with his sultry dribbling skills and absolutely lethal finishing from inside the box. Dennis Bergkamp, by then an Arsenal veteran into his ninth season at the club, was still a badass forward, while Thierry Henry remained the soul of club.

The King, Henry was undoubtedly one of the best players the club has ever had. He was a one man army at times and was a very smart footballer. Combined with an exceptional ability to sneak past opponents with his sheer pace, skill and composure, he timed his runs to absolute perfection. On a consistent basis, he was almost unbeatable. Ultimately, Henry went on to become Arsenal’s all-time leading goal scorer with 228 goals in all forms for the club.

What a line up! Throughout the season, Arsenal cultivated the style of one-touch passing, interchanging positions and keeping the possession which was mesmerizing to watch. I honestly miss those days! It’s been more than 12 years we’ve seen the PL title. I hope the Gunners see those good old videos, get inspired and show some character in the remaining games this season. I so want them to end it on a high,offering something to cherish for the Gooners.

Arsene Wenger – Arsenal’s biggest liability

As an Arsenal fan and a well-wisher of the club, I want Arsene Wenger to get sacked immediately. Even though he has done great for the club but the club hasn’t won a premier league title in 12 years. Sorry, we don’t want FA cups or Carling cups; we want a Premier league or a Champions league title. I mean, we had an incredible invincible 2003-2004 season with him but history doesn’t fetch titles, strategies and beliefs do. At the moment Wenger is offering none. The time is up for him and we want a new Coach that gives us a new hope, some success and a trophy most importantly.

We are tired of finishing at the fourth spot. Even the people who used to troll us are tired of this shit. Ideally, Klopp / Pep would’ve been the best choice for the club. Anyhow, it’s never too late. The only next best in our list now are Athletico’s Diego Simeone, Roberto Di Matteo, someone who was fired unjustly from Chelsea even though he got them a Champions League title or if the Gunners – Dennis Bergkamp/Patrick Vieira wish to take on the coaching role, which would be ideal. Let’s hope Arsenal finds a better replacement in time.

Petr Čech saved us more than 15 points this season whereas, we lack a good striker who can fetch us some joy, consistency and some damn goals. Defense is weak as Mertesacker is highly unreliable and can’t play at this level anymore. Flamini is shit, yet he plays game after game and Ramsey is clueless and busy fighting half the time pretending to be a Hollywood hero. There should be a restraining order against Flamini and Ramsey on behalf of all football fans. I just cannot understand Wenger’s psychology of playing these jokers.

The only guy who seems to showing some fight is Ozil. But what can a guy do alone? And till how long can he drag this saga? Since Cazorla’s injury, the team hasn’t functioned. Alexis is on a poor run of form. Giroud misses clear cut opportunities and his teammates don’t bring him into the right positions. Walcott is rubbish and should be sold to Newcastle as charity. Chamberlain enjoys spending more time at the hospital than Emirates. I won’t be surprised if the Spurs beat Arsenal on Saturday in the derby. The ambition to win has gone out of the team and they are just playing for the namesake.

When the team’s morale is down even the best of the guys like Sanchez and Bellerin seem to falter. There is so sense of leadership in the team and the manager isn’t instilling faith in the players to own their roles and attack like a unit. Ozil’s pass accuracy has gone down drastically. A team known for their attacking stroke play and faster ball movement, looks like a lethargic bunch of baboons with no motivation to win whatsoever. They lost to a United side which had the college the next day, just imagine the quality of coaching and inspiration these guys are getting!

The management is bad. The players’ selection is bad and that has degraded the performance of the entire lot, including some guys who are actually good. Under Wenger there is no harmony and flow. Wenger commits tactical and substitution blunders over and over again. There isn’t any homework done before the match by our coach/manager. He trusts his players blindly and doesn’t evaluate the enemy’s weaknesses. The oppositions on the other hand, are aware of the obsolete tricks which are used by Wenger and often counter those easily.

The old man isn’t offering anything significant to the table and has become the biggest threat and liability to the club.

We were at the top in December and could’ve reinforced better to climb to the top. As an Arsenal fan, I feel miserable with Wenger for not buying world class players (especially a decent striker who makes a difference upfront) to upgrade our good team, that can only finish third now at the max; nonetheless an improvement from fourth but still nowhere near the title.

No more excuses now, something has to change in this club and that evident change is Arsene Wenger. The team has become a joke in spite of having some really good players. The overall vibe has been polluted with Wenger’s stinky ideologies and this team cannot progress till it’s gone. The players are playing without imagination, concentration and any spark at all.

A good manager rallies his players and doesn’t take off his most dangerous and the most likely looking to score guy off the field, unlike Wenger; who sent Campbell out against Swansea.

Go Wenger, Go! It’s really embarrassing to see the club go down like this. Quit with dignity at least now. #WengerOut and yeah, just because you are mad at someone, doesn’t mean you stop caring! #GoonerForLife !

Arsenal Fans, check out this amazing Ozil Fan art: T-shirt and Poster from FanGaadi.

Shantaram, more than just a book!

Shantaram is a fiction based on the real life experiences of an Australian fugitive, Gregory David Roberts; who prison breaks and comes to the Maximum City, Mumbai. The book is about his journey, his interactions with the underworld mafia, the black marketers and the cops. It’s about his survival and accepting himself and as a Mumbaikar by heart.

It’s not just a piece of literature. It’s far more than a book. Shantaram is a masterpiece. It is something which inspires you to travel. It changes your outlook towards this world, its problems and gives you the zeal to live life to the fullest; no matter what. It has been a life changing book for me. It has evolved me to a better person, a stronger person, who isn’t afraid of the catastrophes of his lives and who knows exactly how to move on gracefully from the failures.

Off late I have been on a Shantaram gifting spree as I want to make sure that most of the people I know should read it. This is one book, everyone must read before they die. With a hope that it touches many more lives, Shantaram has become my default mode of gifting. Well, I’ve been yelled at too by some (who aren’t into reading) for my poor judgement of gifting standards and I proved them wrong after I made sure they read it and indeed, I was right. Those non-readers absolutely loved it.

His writing is very gripping and passionate at the same time. He connects you to his characters so well, that you can actually feel their emotions. I must admit, the character sketching in this book is absolutely flawless. The author forms a very strong bond between the reader and the characters that when the book gets over, you actually feel like a part of you is lost.

The way he describes Mumbai, not even an Indian writer could’ve done it. He made me fall in love with the city and I had to travel all the way there from Bangalore after reading it.

He expresses most of the tragedies with his philosophy which is the best part about the book. Rhetorical dialogue provides provocative one-line philosophical nuggets. He’s too deep about subjects like love, faith, betrayal, friendship and family. Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book –

“The best revenge, like the best sex, is performed slowly, and with the eyes open.”

“If fate doesn’t make you laugh, you just don’t get the joke.”

“A good man is as strong as the right woman needs him to be.”

“Men reveal what they think when they look away, and what they feel when they hesitate. With women, it’s the other way around.”

“The truth is a bully we all pretend to like.”

“Every human heart beat is a universe of possibilities.”

“I don’t know what frightens me more, the power that crushes us, or our endless ability to endure it.”

“There are no mistakes. Only new paths to explore.”

“It’s a fact of life on the run that you often love more people than you trust. For people in the safe world, of course, exactly the opposite is true.”

“The worst thing about corruption as a system of governance is that it works so well.”

“News tells you what people did. Gossip tells you how much they enjoyed it.”

“The world is run by one million evil men, ten million stupid men, and a hundred million cowards.”

“A dream is a place where a wish and a fear meet. When the wish and fear are exactly the same, we call the dream a nightmare.”

“Poverty and pride are devoted blood brothers until one, always and inevitably, kills the other.”

“You can never tell how much badness is in a man until you see him smile.”

“The only force more ruthless and cynical than the business of big politics is the politics of big business.”

Shantaram, a name given to him by his first friend’s(Prabhakar) family in the city, means a ‘peaceful warrior’. It means a holy man who is at peace with his life and has sorted its meaning. And he sticks to the name throughout. Being a gangster, he has a certain positive demeanor to his personality which makes a reader to admire him till the very end. He doesn’t harm the innocents and always tries to help the needy. Inside this creepy, greedy world there are a few men like him who keeps our faith in humanity restored.

Everyone here in this world is at war with an option to choose a side to from. And, Shantaram my friend, chose the thug life. An outlaw with a good heart and principles, aimed to spread the light in others’ lives.

His writing is so powerful that he actually transports you to the streets of Mumbai. You can feel the filth of slums on one hand and the class of Café Leopold on the other. He has covered it all with such authority that it makes you spellbound. The book is a roller coaster ride into the protagonist’s life. His best work comes out while he is with his love, Karla and when the duo gets high over their fathomless conversations.

At a later stage, when he wages a war in Pakistan and Afghanistan with his mentor Abdul Kader Khan, you get to see his true grit. It’s a 900+ page novel and not even for a nanosecond you feel disconnected.

It’s engaging, inspiring and simply awesome. Just stop everything and go crab a copy!

PS: All the bibliophiles, check out this amazing artwork by FanGaadi on Shantaram !