Writing for the Sake of Writing

That is exactly what I’m doing! I figured I was falling short on my articles’ count compared to my fellow creatures, hence this.

Hate me for it. But peer pressure has got to me. And I’ll do anything to fit in.

So what do I write? It really is an inane thing to do.

Being random is really my forte, but somehow it fails me when writing on Bleacher.

A bit like Manchester United FC’s performances against the "Top Four" clubs this season. For all our outstanding set of records this season (fourteen consecutive clean-sheets, eleven consecutive league wins, et al) we have just not turned up in the big games.

One win, one draw, and three defeats in five matches against the rest of the current Champions League sides do not make for pleasant reading at all!

Of course, I would rather have it this way and still be top of the table than go the Liverpool way (the double over Chelsea, over us, and a draw against Arsenal) and remain third on the table.

Yet, it leaves the picture a bit imperfect. We are still on cue for our third back to back title, a first-ever successful defence in Champions League history, and recapturing the FA Cup after quite a while, attainment of all of which would lead to the magic word: Quintuple.

But I’m not too bothered about the “high five” really. I’d be glad if we won the League. The Champions League would be a grand bonus, while the FA Cup, well it’s the FA Cup! It’s not really the most sought after trophy now-a-days is it?

But it would still be a fine feeling to complete a first ever domestic Treble for the club!

Like I said though, not too bothered about the “high five.” But I AM worried about the Indian cricket team’s Test series in Kiwi Land.

Looking at South Africa’s spineless performance against “World Champions” (can NOT believe we still have to call them that!) Australia may well leave India as the immediate challenger, the number one contender, shall we say, for Australia’s title.

The team has the arsenal; it is just a matter of clicking and not being complacent after the ODI series victory, something we as a population aren’t too good at!

Yep, containing this complacency will certainly be the key. The good thing in such a scenario is the large scale changes in the side. Large not because of the quantity, but quality.

A flamboyant Suresh Raina makes way for a sedate Rahul “the Wall” Dravid (indeed the ODI players are yet to get nick names in the media for themselves, a clear lack of experience at this level!).

An inconsistent but atrociously gifted Rohit Sharma makes way for an equally inconsistent and atrociously gifted VVS “Very Very Special” Laxman.

The bowling remains much the same, if at all bearing a bit more settled look, with the more traditional 7-4 batting-bowling combination.

Rumours abound that India’s very own smiling assassin, Laxmipathi Balaji may be given a look in for the first Test, which may turn out to be either a master stroke or a disaster.

Balaji, who shot to fame as Irfan Pathan’s new ball partner in the CB Tri Series in Australia and later in Pakistan in 2004, has a phenomenal wrist, with capability of swinging the ball both ways at will.

But with a recurring stress fracture already having wasted his early years in the game, it will interesting to see whether he retains his pace, which will be extremely vital. The difference between figures of 5-0-50-0 and 17-10-20-6 could be as much as 9-10 kilometres per hour!

And talking of speed, I’m loosing sleep in anticipation of the Australian GP! From the looks of things, us folks waving the red flag are in for a good season, with Massa clocking in good lap times, and the McLaren struggling for speed! Some time to go for the first race, but for our sake, let’s just hope it stays that way!