Sachin's BACK

Sachin is BACK. I am not talking about being 'back to cricket' after the long layoff due to injury, but he seems to be back from the wretched 3-4 years of cricket that he played lately. He is sizzling like he used to play in the mid/late 90s.

All the shots are back, his favourite straight punch/thump which goes as close to the stumps at the opposing ends, was on display. He played one such shot and then performed the gesture of the subtle nod after playing such a shot, moving the head in one-jerk motion, vertically. He has boldly taken on Murali and treated ruthlessly, the rest of the bowlers in utter contempt.

Some problems are still there, he again developed cramps when on 90s in the first one dayer and got out cheaply while India was chasing a stiff target in the third one dayer, which again raises the question that he is still a suspect when it comes to hard chases, but he is atleast playing all his shots as boldly as before. That's a joy to behold.

I think Sachin would be at his PEAK by the time we tour Pakistan, the real test for any Indians. That would be something to watch and wait for ...