Sports : life magnified

The 8-6 defeat Canada inflicted on the US in the inaugral World Baseball Classic surprised many. A group of minor leaguers defeated MLB stars. Quite a shock for the US.

The World Baseball Classic is the first international tournament whete MLB players are taking part. 16 countries are divided into groups of 4 each. Even the Nippon Professional Baseball league players are taking part.

The US needs a victory over South Africa now to still have control over its destiny. Else they would hope for Mexico to lose one of its games. Now would US really want to depend upon junior Mexico?

When the Soviet Union defeated the US in basketball (with Arvidas Sabonis playing the key role) albeit under tremendous controversy, there were shockwaves. Basketball has become a much more global game since then. The draft last year had Andrew Bogut, an Australian as number 1 pick for the first time. The World Baseball Classic will certainly help in the improvement of baseball in the countries which are participating. In time it can develop as the real world cup of baseball.

India had a go at the target much later than they should have. Winning matches when the smallest of windows exists is what makes a great team. With 40 overs to go and 250 to chase, why did India not go for at least quick singles so that they would be in a position to chase the target later on?

They made a dash with 8 an over required and when it was too late. A lot of praise in the media was heaped on them. I wasn’t impressed by the lack of steel which would have been required to go for the target earlier.

Unfortunately, I didn’t highlight this aspect earlier engrossed in other sports. Thank god Tim de Lisle does the needful in his latest piece.