India’s Selectors on Fast Bowlers Trail, Who Will Make It to Australia?

What is the BCCI’s selection committee looking close to two months before the first ball is sent down in the five-Test series against Australia?  Obviously an adequate and capable fast bowling pack to last a long local summer. The Test series will move from West to East — Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney — over a period of 47 days and there is palpable buzz with a lot of punditry already coming in the public domain. It will be the first time in 33 years that the two countries will feature in a five-Test series. India played a five-Test series in 1947-48, 1977-78 and 1991-92, but from 2003 onwards it has always been a four-Test series except in 1999-2000 when it was a three-Test series. Thanks to India’s 2-1 wins in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 series, Australia will host India for five Tests, a change that will please Cricket Australia’s media rights holders and the public who believe that the cricket season starts only on Boxing Day which is December 26.

 

The selectors are on the lookout for a group of fast bowlers to last over eight weeks. They have Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep already. How many more will they bring into the squad? Mohammed Shami’s fitness is not known and Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar were on the tour to South Africa early this year along with allrounder Shardul Thakur.  There are a lot more bright prospects, but the selectors will be keen to find out how the new kid on the block Mayank Yadav shapes in the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh and also in South Africa. (By G Viswanath)

Is The Labour Strike At Samsung Chennai Plant Orchestrated?

In a globalised environment, business is not just about buying and selling. It is also not just about demand and supply. It is much more than all these. It’s a tool to push geo-political influence. Is there a foreign hand in the labour face-off at Samsung plant near Chennai? The Left union represented by CITU is spearheading an industrial action at the Samsung plant, demanding the recognition of its union among other things. In the midst of the face-off with the management, New Delhi has advised the Tamil Nadu Government to amicably resolve the labour imbroglio at Samsung. Post pandemic and especially in the wake of constant border skirmishes with Beijing, New Delhi has been making constant effort to pare dependence on Chinese products. Mobile devices especially of the Chinese make are sought to be controlled in the marketplace. Viewed against this backdrop, the industrial action at Samsung is viewed with more than cursory interest. And, the CITU entry into Samsung has raised considerable disquiet among the administration at different levels. Also, it coincides at a time when New Delhi is working hard to woo global investment in the wake of China plus one strategy adopted by nation states. The advisory to the State Government on Samsung assumes significance if one reads it in the context of CITU and its well-known leanings. (By KT Jagannathan)

Rajinikanth’s Unexpected Hospitalisation And Clouds Of Surmises

Ace Tamil film director Lokesh Kanakaraj currently directing Rajinikanth’s 171^st movie Coolie, is a hunted man trying his utmost to convince the crazed Super star fans that he was in no way responsible for Thalaiva’s sudden illness. Rajini had just completed a 40-day stint for Coolie at Vizag. He was taken ill with belly pain and unease, immediately rushed to the Apollo Hospital, Chennai where a team of top cardiologists and other consultants took charge. Rajini came home after a stent was put and advised rest for three weeks. The Tamil media spelt the stent as “stunt” in their news bulletins. In any other 73-year old, it would just pass off as an age related issue and not unusual. (Rajini has a transplanted kidney and was on immune suppressants). Here we are talking of a phenomenon who reigns over a huge legion of fans who go crazy just for a glimpse. So the overwhelming vigil outside the hospital was expected, happening every time a political VIP/celebrity gets into Apollo. Not just the media but the hundreds of me too YouTubers floated opinions, prayers, surmises and misplaced criticism of the director Kanakaraj. Various theories floated around and blame was pinned on the director. With Vettaiyan set to release on October 10 and mega marketing promos needed, Rajini had much to deal with. The talk was that he was paid Rs 100 crore while Big B paid Rs 7 crore ( for guest appearance ). Vettaiyan could benefit from the huge publicity generated by Thalaiva. (By Padma Ramnath)

Amit Shah’s Mantra For Maharashtra Elections, Eyes 150 Seats For Mahayuti On 2% Vote Share Rise

Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Maharashtra, cemented seat sharing talks within the Mahayuti and announced BJP’s CM face. During introductory remarks at a closed-door intra-party BJP meeting Shah recognized Devendra Fadnavis as “Humare Party Ke (Maharashtra) Sarvosarvah” while introducing other state level party leaders by respective designations. Shah’s predominance over 50% of organizational work, the domain of National BJP president JP Nadda, sets to rest speculation over Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s candidature as next BJP president. Chauhan’s exemplary work in agriculture and current emphasis on Maharashtra saw the former Madhya Pradesh CM, son-in-law of Gondia in Maharashtra cosying up to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Shah finalized seat sharing numbers for assemblies; BJP will contest between 150-160 seats, Shiv Sena 70-80 and NCP 40-50. Second round discussions will focus on sitting MLAs within the alliance after which, second placed Lok Sabha losers from NDA will also be factored in. Shah also injected confidence in the party cadre asking, “Why are you depressed? We returned to power for a record three times not-just-withstanding INDIA Bloc but also forces from abroad who proactively used AI and funding to defeat PM Modi.” The BJP’s political strategist emphasised the need to grow the NDA vote share by a couple of percentage points in the forthcoming assembly elections bearing in mind the marginal percentage point reduction during Maha Lok Sabha polls in 48 constituencies. Shah’s gameplan also seeks MVA alliance’s vote share effectively curbed may see disgruntled MVA aspirants independently playing spoilsport come elections. Now if only, Nitin Gadkari would also toe the party line? (By Renni Abraham)

Haryana & JK Exit Poll Forecasts Send Alert Signals In Maharashtra

The exit poll predictions about Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir assembly elections have sent cautionary signals to both camps in Maharashtra. While the ruling Mahayuti feels it needs to reinvigorate its cadres, the opposition-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is worried that its workers can become complacent and take the victory in the coming election for granted. Sensing the possibility of doom spreading over the BJP workforce in case the party loses on 8 October, as forecast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi injected a new spirit in the organisation during his Saturday (Oct 6) visit to Maharashtra. He blasted the Congress party like never before while highlighting the developmental work his government has initiated in the state. The party’s election strategy will be redrawn after Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir results on October 8. To capitalise on its spectacular performance in the Lok Sabha election, the MVA is determined to improve upon its parliamentary score. The Congress, the main partner, is confident of a fabulous win. Expression to this feeling by various party leaders has been worrying the other two partners – the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar. Moreover, the complacency already visible among the workers will have to be ended soon by the leadership. The electioneering will start from 14 October, a day after Dussehra, as soon as candidates are announced by different parties. (By Dilip Chaware)

Has Naveen Patnaik Put BJP On The Backfoot In Odisha?

Ever since he lost power in the Odisha assembly elections in 2024, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik, age notwithstanding, has moved in aggressive mode to put BJP on the back foot. The general feeling was that BJD has lost steam and may implode over a period. BJP MLA Sanatan Bijuli openly says that “there will be no need to break BJD, it will disintegrate automatically.” Echoing Bijuli’s statement, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal says there are many BJD leaders waiting to join BJP. Our completion of 100 days is only a trailer. The movie is ahead. To boost confidence in his party and cadres, the former chief minister Patnaik has been extensively touring the state to strengthen the party. In the last two months he has already toured 30 districts to work out future road maps district-wise. For Patnaik, attacking BJP is the best form of defence. At the BJD’s annual Jansampark Padyatra which commenced from October 2 onward at Bhubaneswar, Naveen Patnaik taunted BJP not fulfilling its election promises. He listed several of them one by one. He asked BJP why households have not received Rs 300 units free electricity, asked the status of Rs 3,000 allowances towards SSS scheme, where is the Rs 50,000 cash voucher for every woman under the Subhadra Yojana scheme. Naveen summarised these lapses as a wakeup call for people of Odisha. Seasoned politicians say Naveen’s aggressive combat strategy towards BJP is to neutralise the negative effect of his Rajya Sabha MPs joining BJP. (By Sangram Mohanty)

Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Elevation: Calm Before The Storm?

Immediately after his ascension to the TN throne as Deputy CM, Udhayanidhi Stalin did the mandatory optic-filled rounds of feet touching of elders in the party, seeking their blessings. He did not ignore Rajathi Ammal, his second grandmother and his aunt Kanimozhi. The usual platitudes and well-wishing congratulations were extended. But wagging tongues continued to rustle up a huge stir of debate, debunking the obvious…that all is well in Stalin’s family and Kalaignar’s extended family, that Udhayanidhi was an inch away from the top seat of TN, and that Stalin had a firm grip over Party, Government and challengers. Stalin himself had gone through this gambit when his father had to sideline an impetuous, mercurial second son MK Alagiri and choose younger son Stalin. The buzz became very real when Kanimozhi posted on her Insta juxtaposed with a photo of her late Dad, “Appa I miss you, though you are always with me “. Just the kind of wet earth needed to sprout a thousand conjectures. Senior Journalist Tamizha Tamizha Pandian in his no punches spared interview said, “After Karunanidhi, Stalin, Kanimozhi and then Udhayanidhi are in the succession line. But Stalin chose to elevate his son, missing the next in line Kanimozhi”.  Note, the deputy CM tag was conferred, but no change in portfolio –he still is Sports Minister. Kanimozhi won’t rock the palace intrigues boat, now says Pandian and adds that it may perhaps happen when Udhayanidhi steps into his father’s shoes. At that point, Kani may stake her claim… the party could split with the old guard supporting her. (By Padma Ramnath)

Sharad Pawar Ties BJP In Knots With His 75% ‘Quota Reservation’ Demand

By pushing for a demand to raise the state quota for reservation limit to 75 %, Sharad Pawar has put the BJP in a quandary. Acceding to this demand could prove counterproductive for the BJP against its own OBC support base. The quota for reservation has upset the BJP core constituency of the other backward classes (OBC), which is upset at the Marathas wanting a share from their reservation pie and are vehemently opposing it. The BJP, which bore the brunt of the reservation agitation in the 2024 Lok Sabha results (won 9 out of the 28 seats in Maharashtra) had granted reservations for the Maratha community, hoping to woo the significant Maratha vote bank. Getting the Maratha Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, on their side, was also part of this strategy. Yet, now far from getting the Maratha support, it finds itself struggling to wriggle out of its repercussions. The Marathas continue to be upset with the BJP, particularly with its leader Devendra Fadnavis for not ensuring a legal-proof reservation insisting that only being added in the OBC bandwagon, could help withstand legal scrutiny. The Marathas anger for being lathi-charged and rioting cases against them not being withdrawn, also continues. Manoj Jarange Patil continues to spit fire on BJP and threatens to scuttle their chances in this election.  Pawar, who himself has led Maharashtra four times as a CM, was clearly well aware of the pitfalls of yielding to reservations demands of Marathas, and managed to sidestep it during his regime. The wily Pawar seems to be having the last laugh for now. (By Hepzi Anthony)

Sharad Pawar’s Indomitable Durability Charms All, But Not Shinde’s Sena

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar has once again shown his indomitable durability by immersing fully in the preparation for the coming Maharashtra assembly election. Busy from dawn till late in the night, Pawar has been receiving delegations and hopefuls throughout the day, besides holding strategy sessions. As usual, his team ensures that all such goings on are widely covered by the media, electronic and the print. Over the past two days, Pawar has been concentrating on the Marathwada region, once loyal to him. Presently, his NCP faction has been left with just a couple of MLAs from the backward region while half a dozen had walked out with his nephew, Ajit Pawar. Some of them have already called on the NCP founder in a bid to stage a homecoming. Similar is the scenario in Pune district, till recently under the influence of Ajit Pawar. The recent Lok Sabha rout of the NCP(Ajit) has changed the power equation for both, the uncle and the nephew. Over the past few days, many of Ajit’s followers have openly said they are seeking Sharad Pawar’s blessings for a comeback. The BJP, too, is roasted by Pawar’s magnetism. Several of its workers at different levels are desirous of switching over for a possible win. Political observers, however, are perplexed that the Sena led by chief minister Eknath Shinde has remained impervious to Pawar’s charm in this season of great political churning. (By Dilip Chaware)

Amit ShahIndia-AustraliaIndian cricketNational PoliticsNaveen PatnaikSharad PawarUdhayanidhi Stalin