Disenchanting Night Watchman's innings by Manmohan Singh...

For those non-cricket followers... A night watchman is one who is sent higher than his batting order towards end of day's play to protect more accomplished batsman for a fresh day's play the next day. The pitfalls of this strategy is if he fails to survive or survives too long by hitting a stroke-less century forcing the match to a meaningless outcome. In the latter case, it is only a personal achievement that a night watchman can claim as it did not help the team's cause. Manmohan Singh's prime ministership is akin to the latter. Take this for sample...

Manmohan Singh's government has failed in their policy and decision making time and again. For starters, Sharm el-Sheikh in July-2009, fresh in his second term, makes a hara-kiri by issuing a joint statement with Pakistan Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, to debracket terrorism from composite dialogue and including Balochistan. The inclusion of Balochistan, where Pakistan has always unsuccessfully accused India of fomenting trouble, not only drew international attention, but also eased the pressure Pakistan was under after 26/11. That Manmohan Singh found himself isolated within his own party showed that his move at Sharm el-Sheikh was irresponsible, impulsive one, which his own party boss (a.k.a Sonia Gandhi) disowns.

It is also noteworthy that economist prime minister lack of leadership gets manifested best in abdication of responsibilities on issues concerning Indian economy. Even as the government fiddles on the critical issue of food grains, continue to rot for want of storage space, it is inexcusable that Singh's assertion that Supreme Court must not dictate policy - a statement that absolves the agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar for all his failures.

Even as Naxals continue to kill forces at will, there is utter chaos in the basic comprehension of the problem. While Home Minister, P.Chidambaram suggests it as "law and order" problem, Digvijay Singh thinks otherwise. Even as the killing continues, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, addresses massive rally at Lalgarh along with Maoists and supports investigation into the death of Naxal commander. Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee disapproves Mamata's antics only to Congress heir apparent, Rahul Gandhi addressing a massive tribal rally alonside suspected Naxal leaders as the soldier for tribals in Delhi. No one can decipher on what Manmohan Singh thinks of this problem.

It is becoming only natural to expect inaction from Manmohan Singh by constantly looking the other side on issues involving corruption be it the ones concerning Telecom Minister A.Raja or Common Wealth Games Chariman Suresh Kalmadi. One does not need more instance to conclude, India deserves a "in-control" PM. However, the point is, what makes the projected and proclaimed PM-in-waiting, Rahil Gandhi to be 'shielded' perpetually? Has he done a reality check and concluded that he is not ready for the job? Is he worried that he will face same flak when he gets his opportunity?

Even more appalling is our PM-in-waiting is invisible when it concerns issues of the country. Rahul is busy just canvassing with colleges for youth to join politics, but is silent on any policy, proving he is mysterical... may be incapable. Never has he expressed his comprehension on issues of national importance - be it Naxal menace, Kashmir problem, China's bullying or price rise.

The opposition parties, who have done well recently, are weary of bowling to a Night Watchman for more than six years now and seems to have taken the game away, without any apparent merit. They must be raring to have a go at a main batsman, who is happy cooling heels in the pavilion.

To conclude, What will Rahul be as a prime minister - main batsman or Night Watchman? Its anyboy's guess, but to me all hints points towards another Night Watchman PM-in-waiting and not a main batsman...

If I were a Pakistan cricketer, I will fix matches...

There has been a lot of hooplah around the recent spot-fixing of cricket games by Pakistani cricketers. No doubt, it has weaned away the audience who were on the wall in terms of which game to follow. Especially in cricket playing nations such as West Indies, the audience and support is weaning away, this will only make the spectators move away from cricket as a game...

Having stated the obvious, I would like to present a paradox view on this allegations, from the shoes of a pakistani cricketers. Herein is a nation torn with domestic violence, human rights as well as role models like cricketers turned politician. The last aspect of cricketer turned politician seems to be a sub-continental disease with the likes of Mohammed Azharuddin, Imran Khan, Arjuna Ranatunga to name few. The glitzy lifestyle of Pakistani politicians like Zardari only makes the Pakistani cricketers envy glitzy lifestyle.

Given that, Pakistani politicians do nothing to instill confidence to the world on the measures to kill violence within their country, the cricketers are already reeling under "no playing" in Pakistan approach from various cricket teams.

Also, the annual contracts for Pakistan cricketers are the lowest of the big-8 cricketing nations that they cannot compete with their contemporaries from other 7 countries wherein the cricketers are paid much higher annual contracts.

In this backdrop, it is only natural that the Pakistani cricketers adopt to "quick-buck" approach as they are not sure how long would they get to play the game and get the glitz.

I am not supporting that match fixing is the right thing, but being in Pakistan cricketer's position, the temptation to get involved is very high. Something on the lines of Naxals having the poorest of poor in India enrolled in their ranks