Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

An Ode to the Men in Blue

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Sanjay Jha, cricket writer and author of 11: Triumphs, Trials and Turbulence, pays an unusual tribute to Team India.

They have bestowed on him several tags, masterful
The Joy of Jharkhand, is indeed nobody's fool, a real dude
MSD keeps wickets, in trying circumstances, even his cool
His may lose the toss, but under him Team India cannot be subdued.

Please click NEXT to read Sanjay's ode to other members of Team India...

Coverage: Cricket World Cup 2011

Virender Sehwag

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Virender Sehwag

The royal sobriquet of Najafgarh's Nawab
Is perched with insouciant ease on his bald plate
Sehwag makes ruthless mincemeat, a kebab
Of all, like Lee, Akhtar, Malinga or Shaun Tait

Please click Next to read more...

Harbhajan Singh

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Harbhajan Singh
The Terminator is famous for his wily doosra
Is a hard nut to crack, like a resolute almond
The ultimate team man, is rumored to be a hit with a pretty Basra
Bhajji, the irrepressible fellow will now also play with Andrew Symonds

Please click Next to read more...

Gautam Gambhir

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Gautam Gambhir

Gauti has a constant hangdog, grumpy expression
Which rarely changes, in any session
His elbow possesses an awesome edge, ask Shane Watson
By the way, he is also IPL's most prized possession

Please click Next to read more...

S Sreesanth

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
S Sreesanth

At the slightest provocation, his nostrils flare
Can do a sizzling samba, watched by Andrew Nel
Sreesanth provides entertainment, including the patent angry glare
Which essentially means, thanks, the Kochi boy is doing just well

Please click Next to read more...

Yuvraj Singh

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Yuvraj Singh

Accused of a protruding paunch, he is an acrobatic fielder
Personification of pucca Punjabi spirit, hale and very hearty
Brilliant player, a genius, is also a lady-killer
Page 1, Page 13, Page 3, Yuvraj is the life of a nocturnal party

Please click Next to read more...

Sachin Tendulkar

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Sachin Tendulkar

Men in Blue repeat in a chorus: We want to do it for Sachin
Joined by a billion hopeful, a huge multitude
The modern Bradman, flashes his unassuming grin
A pinnacle, beyond reach, defines a new altitude

Please click Next to read more...

Yusuf Pathan

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Yusuf Pathan

He bats like Mad Max meets Iron Man
And has perceptible penchant for hitting a six
Occasionally peppered with a boundary, this mountainous Pathan
Not so long ago, had Smith in a real fix

Please click Next to read more...

Virat Kohli

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Virat Kohli

He sports the demeanor of an impetuous brat
Of late, has scripted mysterious miracles with his willow
Created pandemonium in opposition camps has Virat
A pugnacious attitude, just what does he hide beneath his pillow?

Please click Next to read more...

Ashish Nehra

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Ashish Nehra

Nehra gave a Mr Hussain a Durban nightmare
His gangly frame deceptive, treacherous
Successor Andrew, no last straws to clutch , had better beware
He has also hit match-winning strokes, not entirely atrocious

Please click Next to read more...

Zaheer Khan

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Zaheer Khan

Master of Injuries, Merchant of Comebacks
Lethal yorkers, reverse swing, finding a bat and pad gap
Khan has an Oxford Street sounding nickname, Zaks
Has many a bunny, including Graeme, for whom he is not a nice chap

Please click Next to read more...

Piyush Chawla

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Piyush Chawla
Doubting Thomases were left awestruck
As Piyush did a deadly construct
His wily leg spin left the Oz quite amuck
Warmed up? said Chawla, expect more of my misconduct

Please click Next to read more...

Munaf Patel

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Munaf Patel
When he beats the fine edge, Munaf flashes wry grin, a pleased look
Frequently found nursing broken limb, but is terribly miserly
Not necessarily a gymnastic fielder from the text-book
A gentlemanly sort, unlikely to inspire fine from a match-referee

Please click Next to read more...

R Ashwin

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
R Ashwin
He is the Indian team's sophomore, a talented rookie
Had us all charmed with his off-spinners in IPL, overawed
Not many betted on him, not a single bookie
But Ashwin might just have the last laugh, and win applause

Please click Next to read more...

Suresh Raina

Last updated on: February 18, 2011 11:59 IST
Suresh Raina

Raina when in motion, provides the Indians great locomotion
The dazzling defiant southpaw
Has caused some serious damage to many an opposition
Even when they have unleashed the red cherry on his jaw