King of Bad Luck

King of Bad Luck

Sachin has been no doubt the master accumulater of runs (recent slowdown withstanding). But at times I wonder his career would be if he had lady luck on his side. Throughout his career he has been dodged by not getting the rub of the green. Some of the instances which come to mind

1) The classic hundred in the run chase in Chennai against Pak. Cramps and a bad back laid him low which led to his dismissal as he tried to finish the game before things would become too bad for him.

2) Run out in Calcutta Test after grounding his back. Pak made a huge noise over the Inzi dismissal esp on Sportsman spirit in the recent ODI: but what about this one.

3) Given caught of a no ball in West Indies. I think this was the test where we lost when we failed to chase 125. The WI umpires later commented that they were under pressure not to give too many no balls. Contrast this to Ponting in the recent Sydney test, where he survived even after being caught off a Legitimate delivery.

4) LBW's in Oz off the shoulder: Mark Taylor commenting that they were brave decisions. This was a series where he got three doubtfull LBW decisions. Bucknor ensure that the trend continued when India visited Australia the next time around in the first test. At the end the biggest loser was the Australian public, who were denied some potentially great knocks by some average umpiring.

5) Bucknor's gifts in Calcutta. In Calcutta in fading light, Bucknor saw or heard an edge and gave Sachin out caugh behind. Replay's showed daylight between bat and ball. Bucknor continued his bad run against Sachin. What was ironic was that Sachin had appealed for light just before that. Guess Bucknor had to prove a point.

6) Ponting's catch in Mumbai. The first test in the 2001 series. Aussies had their nose in front, but Sachin was making a match of it. A pull shot rebounded in the air and Ponting picked up a diving catch near Sqaure leg. A freak end and Aussies went on to win the match easily.

7) As a Captain : Rain in SA when India looked poised to win an overseas test after years. The Indian bowlers did not distinguish them selves as they failed to dislodge the last few wickets fast enough.

Maybe u don't get talent and luck together.