Schumacher vs Hamilton : The final Verdict

It's been another amazing season of Formula 1 and as expected by many, Lewis Hamilton trumps every other driver to win a historic 6th World Drivers Championship. After Michael Schumacher, Hamilton is probably the most decorated driver statistically. Along with the great Ayrton Senna, he is also the fastest in a 1 lap dash as his qualifying record suggests. Having seen him for the past dozen years, none can argue of his brilliance. As Hamilton closes in on Michael's records, one question beckons us all : How well does he match up to Schumacher and is he really the better driver?

Comparison after the 248 races 

I believe for a fairer comparison we must take into account only Schumacher's first career till 2006.
His second career at Mercedes was when he was 41+ and way past his prime, still coming to terms with the new regulations. After the exact races, Schumacher leads Hamilton in wins, podiums, championships, only lagging behind in poles. This stat probably tells us that Schumacher perhaps was the better racer. To go along with 68 poles, he had 91 wins, thus having a win to pole ratio of about 1.3. Hamilton on the other hand has 83 wins of 87 poles which makes the win to poles ration even less than 1.

In the most dominant period of Ferrari from 2001-04 on an average they had 72% of the maximum points available with a peak of 82% in 2004. Mercedes, on the other hand, had an average of 82% of the maximum points with a peak of 86% in 2015. To conclude these dominant years, we can say that Mercedes were moredominating than Ferrari in their best years.

The Non-Dominant Years

To compare the years in which both Hamilton and Schumacher did not have the best cars we have to consider the years 1996-99 for Schumacher and 2009-13 for Hamilton. Schumacher had 3 wins in the 1996 season which did not make any sense because the car was third best at the very least. In 1997 and he battled the Williams of Jacques Villenueve till the very end losing in a controversial fashion. In 1998/99 he went toe to toe with Mika Hakkinen and came a close second.

Hamillton had to contend with a struggling Mclaren in 2009 and he did brilliant to secure 2 wins in what everyone called a 'dog' of a car. Where Hamilton lacks is though he never finished above the top 4 from 2010-12 in a very competitive Mclaren. His worst year in F1 during this time was 2011 when he and Felipe Massa had many incidents.


Comparison with Team Mates

Before 2010, Michael Schumacher was never beaten by a team mate in all his 15 years in Formula 1. This is one stat that probably defines the winning machine that he was. He always had the edge on the person in the sister car. Lewis made an incredible start to Formula 1 when he tied the 2 time  defending World Champion Fernando Alonso. To expect a rookie matching Alonso was the least expected thing fans have ever seen in F1. That alone confirms his status as a prized asset of this sport.
However, he did lose over a season to Jenson Button and even lost a Championship to Nico Rosberg, something Michael has never done, let alone with a World Championship at Stake.

Final Verdict 

Having watched his whole F1 career, this generation will agree that Hamilton is perhaps the single most dominant force when it comes to speed over a single lap. I do believe though, over a race and a season, Michael is the one who can extract more of the car. His record of most wins after 248 races came after developing Ferrari for 4 years while Hamilton made a very tactical choice of switching to Mercedes, which proved to be a master stroke. I feel that there's not much to separate between the two but Michael Schumacher is marginally better of the duo.

Magnificent Sindhu : On the new world champion

History has been made and what a wonderful way India's Pv Sindhu answered her doubters and the naysayers, who often brought up the point that she couldn't quite win the final matches of the big tournaments. The way Sindhu has worked on her fitness, skill, temperament and big match pressure handling is an inspiration to many other young girls making a mark on the International Arena. For a country obsessed with Cricket and which does not invest too much into other sports, this is a major break through. It should make the sports federation of India take notice and invest in the youth of other sports. The way Sindhu defeated Okuhara, another former world champion had even the commentators gasping for breath. Such was her domination that at no point did Okuhara seem comfortable, let alone dreaming of winning the world champion. A 21-7,21-7 is by no means a normal achievement considering it came at a tournament where only the best players in the world qualify. If 1983 inspired a whole generation of cricketing legends like Dravid , Tendulkar and the others, then this monumental victory will have the same affect in budding Badminton players. What we learnt from Sindhu was a lesson in persistence, perseverance , dedication and determination. She persisted with her game through her failures ( if you can really call them one after reaching the finals on numerous occasions ), she persevered through every obstacles and she was determined enough to not let the ghosts of the past become a hindrance in her path to glory.

Silencing her Critics!

She had often been questioned about her ability to perform in the finals of big tournaments. Be it the loss to Carolina Marin in the Olympic Final or be it the loss to Okuhara in the 2017 championship final or be it the loss in the championship final again last year to Marin, she was criticised for not bringing her best to the fore. While that's definitely not true, her 3rd consecutive world championship final coupled with her glorious performance in the Rio Olympics proves her consistency and desire to stay at the top. This victory should silence the critics and ignite a new fire in her to keep going. Let's hope 2020 is another special year for India's wonder woman and she stands on the top of the podium at the Olympics once again to become the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal. More glory to you, Pv Sindhu !!

Incomplete end of a Billion Dreams : Thank you Dhoni!

I don't believe a call on his career is too far away and when it comes, it will be the most emotional one. Over the years we have had great Batsmen, great Bowlers to watch but before MS Dhoni came we had never had a captain-keeper-batsman as capable as him. That there was still hope when India's top order was blown away at 5/3 is the biggest testimony to the faith 1.25 Billion fans across the country have in their ultimate leader. The intent that has been talked about from the start of this tournament was there, just that the timing was perhaps not there. He tried his best but couldn't save our campaign yesterday. We should not rue the fact that he was not able to close out the game for us like he's done so many times in the past but celebrate his distinguished career. He's been India's best captain, wicket-keeper and the most street smart one we've ever had the privilege to watch. In his heydays, Dhoni was undoubtedly the greatest finisher this generation has seen and won India every possible trophy. From the World T-20 of 2007 where no one gave us a chance to championing the side in the 2011 World Cup and 2013  Champions Trophy to leading Csk like a true leader in the Ipl, I don't think there's a player to whom captaincy comes so naturally. At the fag end of his career, he still remained the only hope for the Nation. A true hero and a competitor who always made India win, I believe the following are the two main reasons why he is incredible in so many ways !

1. Captain Cool 

Captaincy is something that is very instinctive and players who have backed their gut feeling to the hilt have aced the mantra of being a leader. MSD has always backed himself and his players to come good in crunch situations. His wicket keeping and intuitive skills always stood out. The very first tournament he led showed his immense belief when he gave the last over to the not so known Joginder Sharma and he ultimately won us the tournament. The biggest example of his boldness was the move when he came above the in-form Yuvraj and promoted himself against the likes of Murali and Malinga. Dhoni had not done well the entire tournament and yet when it mattered , he produced an innings of a lifetime when he and Gambhir led India to the most historic win. He made the whole country exult into a euphoria never experienced before. It gives the fans chills thinking about the day. It was the finest moment of glory and he capped it off with a thunderous six that remains enshrined in the minds of people till date. Brilliant players like Kohli, Rohit and Jadeja became permanent mainstays because of the backing Dhoni gave them. Kohli revelled and became one of the greats and Rohit became a mighty white ball player as well. Dhoni inspired a generation of young players and as Virat says time and again,"he will always be their captain."

2. The Greatest Finisher ever

Some of his finishes are on everyone's fingers, such is his frequency and preciseness of the finish. Even when the bowler is defending 15 in the last over , the bowler is the one under the pump, not MSD. His 112m six off Mckay to make us win at Adelaide, his 16 runs in the final against Eranga, his final 2 sixes against Axar Patel in the IPL and his career defining 91 not out when India were battling to win the world cup were played under immense pressure and anyone who has achieved one of these innings can be a very proud man. Yes, the last 2-3 years, he's not been able to hit them as clean as he used to but age does take its toll. Even then, his mere presence guided youngsters like Hardik and Jadeja to go for the calculated risks. If Bevan was the 1990's ultimate finisher, then Dhoni is the greatest finisher of the last decade. During a run chase, no one knew what went in his mind and when he planned to attack yet he was the one who came out on top 9 out of 10 times. As his career comes to dusk let's celebrate India's favourite sons. Players like him come in a millenium. Players who dedicate themselves to the team and are humble enough to take the blame when things go 

wrong. 

THANK YOU DHONI !!

Boy to a Man : On Virat's incredible journey!

As we see the Indian Cricket Team rack a victory one after another, the captaincy of Virat Kohli has really come to the fore. It seems like yesterday that a 19 year old young chubby cricketer was leading the Under 19 team to the glory of the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia. That chubby cricketer is now a relentless machine. Probably the most hardworking athlete India has ever produced, he goes from strength to strength while leading the side as an example. That burst of true energy has rubbed onto everyone else in the team and India look serious contenders with very little concerns. Virat has been the most fiery, charismatic character this generation has come across and yet for the past 2 years , there seems to be something that tells me he wants to be remembered not just as a great cricketer but also a very fine person. Here are a few reasons why I think so!

1. Captain Courageous 

The way Virat has backed some of his players, be it KL Rahul or Vijay Shankar has stood out. He has preferred a winning combination over axing a player marred in bad form. This shows his belief in his players. The result? Kl Rahul shifted to the opening slot after India got a huge setback in form of Shikhar Dhawan's injury and he has provided good stability at the top of the order. He has played the new ball well which has given the extra cushion to the middle order. Moreover, Kohli's bowling changes at critical junctures in the games have played their part. The move to bring Bumrah back for another spell when the match seemed to spill out of India's hands was a master stroke that paved the way towards a close win. The way Virat has shuffled the middle order and his optimum use of Hardik Pandya as a finisher has also been outstanding. Virat, the batsman has been a superstar from the time of his arrival in International Cricket, but it is Virat, the captain, who has been a delight to watch.

2. The Run Machine

By his standards, Virat has not really lit up the tournament the way he does. He is averaging close to 60 with 300+ runs and yet he desires more. This is a true testimony of his hunger and greatness. Teams in the competition would be wary of the fact that Virat has 4 consecutive 50+ scores ( a dream run for any batsman ) and yet a 100 has eluded him. His best is still to come. His best is scary. Virat has always had 100s in run chases for dinner. Maybe another one waits in the corner. Like any other captain, he too does not care about personal milestones when the team wins. So, while he may not lose any sleep over those missed opportunities, he is an ominous threat to every opposition India face.

3. Measured and Calm

Off late, MS Dhoni has been copping a lot of criticism for his Batting approach. Virat stuck his neck out for him and explained why he believes MS is such an important player to this team. This reflected maturity on his part and would have given MS immense confidence to become the force he has been for the Indian Team. Virat's behaviour has always been a talking point for everyone. Be it his fans, or the media or the opposition he's always been in the limelight for his aggression and win at all costs mentality. His dignity and calmness when facing the post games interviews or engaging with the opposition has been heartening. His gesture towards Steve Smith in one of the earlier games set an excellent example on how the game should be played. With respect, with dignity and chivalry. His aggression has always been his strength and I believe the day he tries to tone it down, he would not cast that same brilliance we have all been used to. While that aggression has been a part of his batting, it is his attitude, his beliefs and his respect towards the game which has impressed everyone. Let's hope he carries this persona forward and only let his batting do the talking to carry India towards his biggest dream, the World Cup !

Disappointment is an understatement : On rain winning this year's world cup!

As millions of fans geared themselves  for what seemed to be a very open world cup for a long time, no one saw the preparation of Cricket's apex body , The International Cricket Council. To say that the first two weeks have been catastrophic would be apt. It's been a rain marred world cup and the ICC have been found wanting when it came to solutions. They have had the weather predictions for months leading up to the World Cup and yet, they never bothered to pay heed to the shifting of the venues. There have been 4 abandoned matches till now with the Marquee India- Pakistan match also in grave danger of being washed out. I can't begin to remember the last time I once saw a World Cup match without worrying a bit about the weather (Yes, there was such a time). The questions to ponder are many and I will delve into two of the most frequent ones.

Height of mismanagement?

I can't recall the last time an ICC event was so unprofessionally managed. Is it a Cricket World Cup or a World Cup full of Rains? The ICC never had any plans in place. From the drainage system of the grounds to the covering of only 3/4th's of the ground, the writing seemed to be on the wall every single time there was even a hint of a drizzle. Wet outfields, the hesitancy to curtail the match to a T-20 just for the fans who came all the way from different parts of the world was mind boggling. 1 match in 4 days is a poor showing and it is expected to rain on the 16th of June as well (for cricket lovers, another mood dampener). The decision not to have reserve days is starting to look worse and worse with each passing day. Imagine your favourite team missing out on the Semi-Finals of a Cricket World Cup just because of two washed out games. The teams are not here to chance their luck but to display their wide range of skills. To see a tournament come in once every 4 years and get flushed down the drain is disheartening for everyone.

Love for the broadcasters?

Coming to the India-New Zealand match, the ECB and the ICC officials knew it had been pelting for the last three days and the likelihood of the match even beginning was as good as USA featuring in a Cricket World Cup. Yet, they kept holding the inevitable announcement to assist the broadcasters generate their Ad Revenue. Keeping the fans waiting for what was not a possibility defied logic, tested the fan's patience and left them discontented. After a mind numbing 6 hours of delay, finally, the match was called off. To a certain extent, a part of me was gratified to know that the officials in the ICC must be livid to watch the tournament go out of the window, but then we all wanted to see a bit of action on the Cricket Field. I have been following this game for a good 15 years now and I have never seen a tournament as mismanaged and heartbreaking as this one.  The players, the fans, the commentators and the umpires, every single one of them deserved the best version of the World Cup. As ICC's negligence would have it, the winner of the tournament would be less remembered than the spoil sport rain and the inability of the ECB to conduct an error free 7 weeks for the ardent fans of this great game.

Specious Talks? On this year's Cricket World Cup.

Not so 'flat' after all!!

We are into the second week of the 2019 Cricket World Cup and if early signs are anything to go by, this isn't half what it was purported to be. Before the World Cup began, we were made to believe that this World Cup would see a slew of large scores never witnessed before. We were shown the number of times England easily crossed the 300 barrier and their bowling still struggling to defend those scores. If anything, this has been a bowler's tournament so far. With the average scores being round about 250-260 and pitches assisting the spinners so far, this World Cup promises to be a low scoring affair. Not that it's anything bad for the game ( unless you're only a fan of the Bat smacking the leather ). As we slowly get towards the big India Vs Australia game this weekend, let's look at some of the things that have worked for teams till now.

1. Making the new ball count

Every good bowling performance this year has included a fiery spell upfront. Be it Bumrah, Rabada or the mighty Mitchell Starc, they have all made the new ball talk. Taking wickets early on is the key. There are no two ways about it. Take two or more wickets in the first 10 overs and you make sure your spinners have an easier job to do. Starc's spell against Gayle was an absolute thriller to watch. He made the ball go both ways, troubled him with the bouncers and the surprise yorkers. At that pace, when your feet is not moving early on, it can be very difficult to judge the movement of the ball relying on the hand-eye coordination alone. With a little bit of spice in the wicket , we all saw Bumrah rip through Amla and De Kock in no time. Rabada was unplayable with the steep bounce he generated against Dhawan and Rohit. The common thing in all these instances was the presence of a bowler who could exploit these ripe conditions to his maximum advantage.

2. Sustaining the pressure in the middle overs

Every good start requires bowlers who can back it up with good control and accuracy. A clear plan is needed to make sure that the good work uptill now is not undone in a few losse overs. This is where I feel India have the biggest weapons. In Kulcha (as Kuldeep and Chahal are often called) they have the most potent spin duo capable of taking wickets at regular intervals, thereby, ensuring that the opposition is always facing relentless pressure. In Kedar and Hardik, they have two bowlers who can at will bowl 10 overs. Kedar's lower round arm trajectory is an added bonus. In the pursuit of targeting him, people end up losing their wickets. All of these factors combined together make the Indian Team the best bowling attack in this competition.

3. Reverse Swing is still the King!

Bowlers who can make the ball reverse at the death with optimal precision are the ones who will be the most successful in this World Cup. For me , Starc should lead this race just like the 2015 World Cup. He's already shown us a great spectacle of Death Bowling in the group match against the Windies. Picking up 3 wickets in his last two overs, he displayed a wide range of skills in executing those Yorkers, Bouncers and slower balls. Bumrah is close but what makes Starc effective is the left arm angle coupled with the speed at which he reverses the ball. For someone as quick as him, his 'you miss, I hit' accuracy is baffling to say the least. He's always a threat to any opposition. And they better watch out because this man can run through the order alone!

As this World Cup progresses, I hope we can watch more of this even contest between Bat and Ball. After all, is there a better sight than a tall sturdy fast bowler bullying the opposition with Pace and Bounce? Being an ardent fan of fast bowling , I hope this tryst between the Bat and Ball continues till the epilogue reveals itself :)

Midweek Madness : On this Year's UCL semi-finals

What the football world witnessed this week was nothing short of two absolutely sensational comebacks. On Tuesday night, Liverpool did the unthinkable at Anfield beating a very formidable Barcelona. A day later, Tottenham went a step further at Ajax to change the two legged tie within a half. What is amazing about these comebacks is not even the ardent fans of these two clubs expected something quite like this. To cap off an amazing UCL this year is an all England final between teams who just don't know how to give up, no matter the odds stacked against them. That this feat came without the presence of  Mohammed Salah and Kane just adds another feather to their glorious runs. To reign supreme against adversity is something both these clubs have made a habit of. Let's try to recapture the madness that took place this week!

Magnificent Liverpool!

As I have written in one of my previous blogs, Klopp has made sure that last season's UCL success for Liverpool was not a one off success. He has sustained that form for Liverpool for so long that they are genuinely considered one of the best teams in the world specially at home. Turning a 3-0 drubbing against a Leo Messi masterclass to a 4-0 rout is not a mean task. That it came against high quality La Liga champions and in the absence of Salah, Firminho and Keita shows the mettle this Liverpool team possess. Going toe to toe with Manchester City in the league, they might finish as the second best in EPL this Sunday, but they still have had an incredibly successful season. A large part of that success is owed to Klopp's tactical genius. While his counterpart Valverde took out Coutinho and brought on another defender with the Leg tied at 3-0 , Klopp brought on another attacker and the move paid dividends. Week after week, match after match, Klopp has proved himself to be a great tactician and his record at Anfield will only get better. He's here to stay and might well be coined the Premier League's 'Special One'.

Counter Attacking Spurs!

If the quarter finals against Manchester City were any indication then Spurs were not expected to be beaten without a fight. However, all of that resilience came int question at half time. With Ajax leading the home leg 2-0 and effectively 3-0, any sound football follower would not have dreamt of the drama that would ensue on that night in Amsterdam. A team devoid of the services of one of the best strikers of this generation in Harry Kane were not expected to counter attack in the manner they did. Lucas Moura scored a hat trick, with the last one coming with virtually the last kick of the match. If there were any doubts on Spurs's ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stages of the competition, then they were all put to rest. Spurs have not signed a player in an year and the emotions that Pochettino showed on the field shows how much this club has grown from being an underdog to everyone's favorite. They may or may not win the Champions League but they've shown everyone what belief can do to a set of players willing to put a fight till the end. Spurs are the common man's hero and Pochettino a very admirable figure. 

It promises to be an aboslute thriller of a final. One every football fan is waiting for. Two pretty evenly matched teams with a great flair for counter attacks. With the availability of Kane and Salah, make no mistake, this promises to be the best final in decades of UCL history!