The Young Blue Brigade!

Every team has to evolve after a certain period of time. Australia has still not found the replacements for the likes of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Team's form and ranking have hit all time low since Ponting has bid adieu to international cricket. Similar questions arose when Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar decided to call it a day. But Indian selectors have shown great faith in their young talent. Even captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes to give a chance to young players. When Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were dropped from the Indian squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2013, whole nation was in a shock. It was a golden opportunity for the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma to prove their mettle. Even Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja had to prove that they are the future of Indian Cricket Team. Their efforts and temperament won them accolades from everyone. India won the last ICC Champions Trophy without losing a single match! Mahendra Singh Dhoni now is the only captain in the world to have all three major ICC trophies. After Champions Trophy and Tri-series (India-Sri Lanka-West Indies), it has been proven that this Young Indian Cricket Team is one of the toughest to defeat. The duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma was the most successful opening pair in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina fills the void of a conventional middle order. Their impressive technique, temperament and the ability to explode whenever required, makes them irreplaceable. After hitting a blistering 115 against Zimbabwe, Virat Kohli has surpassed the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and many more in the rate of scoring centuries. "He's a very dangerous player and the speed that he's scoring runs with, amazes me. He can be a real pain to bowlers when he plays in South Africa!" commented former South African cricketer Jhonty Rhodes after Virat hit a century against Zimbabwe. Ravindra Jadeja has also became a necessary and very important asset of the team. When everything fails, Sir Ravindra Jadeja prevails! "He (Jadeja) is more than an all-rounder and team would lack the X-factor without him." said Kapil Dev in a recent interview. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's ability to get a breakthrough with new ball, everytime, has gained him a spot in the team with Ishant Sharma. R Ashwin is the first choice when it comes to spinners. His variety and versatility is the key to his success. "The fielding standard of the team increases when you have young players in your side and it's always an added advantage." Dhoni appraises his young team. Virat Kohli is being considered as the future captain after MSD and he has earned this consideration rightly so. "Though he's totally opposite to Captain Cool (aggressive), he still has those capabilities to keep the tri-color floating sky high in world cricket." Sunil Gavaskar praised Kohli after the Tri-series win. These young players are here to stay for a very long time and we hope they maintain their good form. With every Indian, I also have a dream: to see India win every match they play. And this Young Blue Brigade have it in them to make it come true.

Flood of Inspiration!

Lately, I've not written any film reviews, but on a special request from a friend and a film brimming with confidence has ignited that spark again and here I'm now with BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG!

A small boy comes all the way to India crushed amongst a pile of stinking dead bodies from Pakistan during partition and swears to never go back to the place where the blood of his own's can be felt in the air. It's the biggest nightmare of Milkha Singh's life and Farhan Akhtar has played his part to perfection with the obstinate behaviour and stentorian determination made him stand-out. His chiselled physique, mannerisms and dedication of an athlete and with confidence in himself that 'he can do it' made the character look more real.

The kid who plays young Milkha, Japtej Singh, is as convincing as Farhan Akhtar (who plays adult Milkha Singh). Divya Dutta in the role of his elder sister brings out the emotional quotient of the film, just adding a feather to the cap. Sonam Kapoor and Rebecca Breeds did not have much to do, but were filling the void of love quotient in the film. The inspirational vibes that this movie spreads, gives you goose-bumps with every passing moment. The music of the film also gives a sharp edge to the film and makes it more intensively inspiring. If you feel a teardrop rolling down your cheeks at a point, the film has made an impact on you. Farhan Akhtar has set a benchmark which will be very difficult to surpass.

The 'Flying Sikh' has proved his worth and hence, such a nicely carved film has found a niche in its genre and the industry. Milkha Singh, you running beauty!
::RESPECT::