The same old Indian saga in Australia

           

              I was very hopeful that this Indian team had the balls to face the balls. But the first day of the first test match shows how the next 5 to 6 weeks will be. At the very best, India will draw a test and lose 3-0 rather than 4-0. To win a test match the basic skill required is to take 20 wickets. In last decade or so, no Indian bowler seemed good enough to take wickets "on demand". We need a Wasim Akram or Marshall or Imran Khan to rattle the batting side with pace, bounce and venom. What we all have is/was a 'Balaji' who would bowl medium pace, good enough for the likes of Hayden,Clark and Pontings to build their own personal records.
             I am thoroughly disappointed with the first day. I had a plan to get up early, sit glued to the TV, sip hot cup of tea and see my Indian team fight it out. What rally happened today - I got up early, checked the score on a mobile app and that was it, started on with my routine. The only solace is that I did not waste my time watching Indian bowlers being blasted all over the park!

Playing it my way - Sachin's Autobiography - My thoughts rather than a review

        Read Sachin's autobiography written by Boria Majumdar in about 3 sitting. The first thought on completing the book was how conveniently some topics were removed or just touched briefly to avoid any controversy and how great the book was marketed so that each and everybody should go and read it. Sachin has systematically taken us ( the reader ) step by step from the childhood to retirement. The childhood memories were the best part of the book as it revealed somethings that many of us did not know. Also his great admiration and love for his family is well portrayed and stands in good light for those who follow Sachin - the Bharat Ratna.
        Overall the book is all about his journey in terms of how many runs he has scored in a match, how he tacked the best of the bowlers, how unlucky he was because of some umpire decisions went against him ( which could have been omitted a few times ) , what he ate after the matches. The book is essentially lacking in the insights, the dramas, the thought process, and his opinions on others. The book is all about 'my runs', 'my shots', 'my team' and 'my country'. We all love Sachin for what he has done for India and in true sense is a Bharat Ratna. Throughout a career of about 20+ years he has shown maturity, dignity and has been humble in all possible conditions he has been put to. But the book definitely lacks a punch; it is rather a a scorecard rather than a personal journal.

Bombay Grill - An eatout in Baner

We had heard a lot about Bombay Grill. Being a veggie and teetotaler the first look was not impressive. Though it read "Multi cuisine" restaurant, it seemed like a beer bar where people came for red meat and booze. Even then we did enter the gate and for a surprise did not see any beer bottles on the table and quite decent crowd. Within no time we got a table for two that too on a Saturday night at about 9.30 pm and it was such a relief.
Soon an aromatic Chinese dish was served at table besides us and we felt for the first time that we are at the right place. The overall service seemed fine. People seemed relaxed, some were celebrating birthdays others were on a date and some like us were focused and digging in on what they had ordered. In some restaurants the waiters are so prompt that it feels it is our duty to eat asap and make way for those waiting for the table. Thankfully there was no mad rush here.
We ordered 1 veg crispy ( as starter ) and 1 Paneer tikka Biryani. The starter looked red hot and it was, with lots of garlic. We finished the starter in no time. And then came the biryani. I have tried veg/paner biryani at many places in Pune and this is one of the best. The paner was well cooked, the masala did not seem to be an added ingredient but rather an indigenous part of the biryani. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and the service.

This place worth a visit!

Food - 4.5/5
Ambience - 3.5/5
Service - 4/5

Address : Shop 2, Opposite Primrose Mall, Baner Road, Pune.