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Sep 19, 2009
Hi bro .. Happy bday and i wish u all the luck as well in coming season !!!! Amit
Amit Gupta

Sep 19, 2009
respected sir, i am vraj i am 18 years old and a left arm batsmen my question is based on what we should be taking guard leg stump or off stump??? i am weak on my legs as far as now but i am improving it from past 1 week
vraj kishore

Sep 16, 2009
Very interesting article and congratulations. My question to you... why our teams in all sectors the short and test matches fielding so bad. Take the last ODI with Sri Lanka, we gave away a lot of chances? Don't you think that the players should be given good throwing practices to increase their aims at the stumps and to be extra sharp at catches. I remember my younger days when I used to play marbles, and believe me the big boys were afraid of my aim (I used to practice alone hours at length and many a days forgetting my meals). Please some advice to our boys and I like to follow India team everywhere and every match in this non playing part of the world. Al Lawoor, Lugano; Switzerland
Al Lawoor

Sep 16, 2009
Hi Aakash, First things first. It is a good website and if it keeps growing, then nothing like it. I am not a regular cricketer and play only 2 months in a year as part of corporate tournaments. As far as I know, most of the players like me are above 30 years and are serious about cricket & fitness for only those months. Will it be possible to focus couple of sections for such people on Fitness & Nutrition, as the risk of injuries for us is even higher than regular players.
Bhanu

Sep 16, 2009
Dear Aakash, I can ball quite accurately but i want to get a little more speed in my bowling, I was thinking of joining a gym, will that help or should i just continue with normal fitness training etc and that will do the job?
Vishi Kumar

Sep 16, 2009
Dear Akash Big Kudos for maintaining this awesome web-site and also answering to all the questions posted amidst your busy schedule. It takes lots of dedication from someone of your stature. If i want to step out to a fast bowler what would be the best point of time to start stepping out. I usually try to step out as the bowler nears the bowling greese and just before he starts his jump. Please advise. kindest regards
Sri

Sep 12, 2009
Hi Dear Aakash, I an concerned over Players using Conventional Run-ups at bowling Like Right Arm Bowler will Opt for Bowling from Over the wicket for right hand batsmen rather then trying for going round d wicket or u can say vice-versa for the Left arm Bowlers. I just played up to State levels to compete for my city during my school days as bowler,Right Arm Medium Fast. Bt i always preferred myself to bowl round the wicket to Right hand batsmen.The whole Idea was to make them play each n every Delivery n also trying to square them up.I felt its more easy to do from this side rather thn another.Just waiting for your views....Wht u suggest?????
Rahul Sharma

Sep 12, 2009
What are some of your favorite bats? I use a 3lb Kookaburra big kahuna, but I am looking to get something lighter? Preferably of an Indian/Pakistani make.
Ganesh

Sep 11, 2009
Dear Aakash, This is more a technical question on batting. As a right hand batsman, my issue is with left hand bowlers bowling across the line. I find that I cant adjust to the line of the ball and even when I do its either too late or not good enough. Personally, I tried to rectify the issue with bringing my front foot out early (a la, Jacques Kallis) to cover my middle stump but find that even my defensive shots tend to go in the air. If the balls are short, I have no problem in blocking or cutting or pulling them, its only a problem when it full straight or swinging away from me. Could you maybe give me a suggestion or your personal method of dealing with this sort of bowling ? Regards and thanks for your time. Meherzad
meherzad variava

Sep 10, 2009
Hi sir I am Surendra from haldwani UA. Sir I am a left arm medium pacer I am unable to bowl Inswing to right handers and sometime I could not control Sswing in my bowl.Please give me some advice and add something aboyt left hand bowlers in your website.
Surendra Koranga

Sep 10, 2009
Hi Aakash, Website great idea and well presented with a lot of interesting aspects to it. However, I noticed pictures have been cut off at the bottom. Cheers from a PE teacher/cricket coach in Adelaide. Nick.
Nick

Sep 06, 2009
dear sir,i was in delhi on 27may to15june2009 for the campwhich was held in st marks schoolin paschim vihar.i was under thecoachof madan sharmawho was very cooperative and supportive,sir i m a left arm spinnerand useful batsman in lowerorder.sir my qetionis thereis any chanceto play for delhi or haryanafor me.
akash shaw

Sep 02, 2009
Dear Akash, First of all thank you very much for reply. appreciated! One this is for sure, the way you have answered my question, you have added one more supporter to your list. I Would definitely come to watch a match when you are playing and hopefully meet you in person (hope you will remember me :)) Thanks again! Cheers, Sanket
sanket

Aug 28, 2009
Hi Aakash, I came across this website from Cricinfo. I am not a player, but enjoy watching the game a lot. I commend you and your team on this wonderful website and hope you keep on adding more content. i think ventures like this will help young aspirers a lot. Wish you all the success.
Nikhil

Aug 28, 2009
dear akash,i have been an admirer of your cricket writing skills with great passion and with true technical perspective. It is for sure a wonderful website for aspiring young players. I have been playing cricket at club level in germany. my question is how to play late and time the ball. I am always playing the ball much early therefore not timing it properly and playing much infront of the body in the club matches. But when I practice at my backyard by hanging the ball in socks/rope and playing different shots, I am able to play late and my drives are timed well. but in the real match scenarios, i am not able to time it and play late. Could you pls advice. thanks in advance and keep up the good work. ams
sachinsfan

Aug 28, 2009
Hey Akash, how r u doing? I am following your articles on cricinfo and they are pretty good. I like ur writing style. No offense, but just wanted to ask that why Indian cricketers do not respect their fans, I mean I was up in Belfast, Ireland to watch a match between India and SA last year. SA players (and I have noticed many other players from other nations) were giving autographs, taking pics with their fans (they were quite friendly) whereas Indian players (except SACHIN) were not really responding to anyone. Any specific reason they dont care? We come to matches to support you guys and cheer u. But since then I dont really feel like going to a match. thanks for ur time. cheers!
sanket

Aug 27, 2009
Hi Akash Bhai, Hope you are doing great! I just got selected for my State U-22 team for this season I am 20 years of age I am a batting allrounder, I bowl around 130-135 KMPH and a middle order batsmen. I have attended couple of NCA camps for U-17 and U-19.I noticed this while playing some A division matches for my club here in Bangalore that while batting I am getting a kind of a laid back attitude after reaching 40-50 I start taking it easy. I love test cricket and I use to score big hundreds earlier but for last 4 matches my heighest score is just 84 I just keep on thinking in my mind so what if I cant score big runs I can always compansate with my bowling. Is is because I am getting attracted more towards bowling or is there any other problem you see here. This things are really scaring me as I want to be some one like Andrew Flintoff. Bro I need your suggestion on this as you are an amazing player on domestic circuit I admire your batting style and try to copy as well :) Regards, Vijay
VJ

Aug 27, 2009
Hi Akash, I want to become an Umpire. Where should I start? What are the formalities. Can you please explain.
Shriram

Aug 27, 2009
How to practice for late cut? I have been trying to play that without any success. Thanks
Nauman

Aug 27, 2009
Hi Aakash 1) There are only questions in your "Ask Me" section but no answers - wouldn't the answers be of general benefit if they were published as well? 2) Any plans to visit the UK in the near future? Regards. George Cheriyan
George Cheriyan

Aug 25, 2009
Dear sir, i play here in mumbai for small club and i m 14 now , i have tried my luck in MCA U14 selection.......i was rejected..........my friend whi is 12 has got selected .....I am right arm fast-medium bats man and sometimes capable of batting too..........my coach tells that u play really well...but the selector didnt.....now u tell what should I do?
tejkaran

Aug 21, 2009
Hi Aakash, I have been following the game as keenly as possible fo the past 22 years (since the age of 6!!) and though I have not made it big in playing any recognized tournaments other than few corporate and locality based games I would like to contribute to the game in any manner whatsoever. I would like to contribute as a blogger, part of an administration body, etc. My intention is to be associated to the game in any fashion possible. Just being in touch with cricket gives so much solace. I would like cricket to be part of my life along with academics and employment. Kindly advise how do I go about acheiving this.
Ram Vishwanathan

Aug 15, 2009
They say cricket is a commercial business now. Your views on that, please. Do you think it's all about money, and very little [or not at all] about the passion to play cricket now? Also, do you agree with the view that the IPL has done more to monetize the sport, than to 'bring out fresh talent from all over the world'? Thanks!
Neha J

Aug 15, 2009
sir, the idea of IPL is to find new talents. If am right ,from the first two years of IPL who do you think is capable of representing our side at the highest level as of now from IPL?
Kapil

Aug 15, 2009
dear Aakash, Iam the smallest player in my net. Everybody in my net say me to increase my speed of the ball. But I am capable of swinging the ball so in your opinion what should I do for increasing my speed or should I remain like this only?
Soumta Sourav

Aug 14, 2009
sir you told me "try batting first in the nets and then bowl. This would allow you to bat while your limbs are not tired." thnx a lot for your sujjestion its helping and moreover i have found the right balance once again thnx a lot
HANS SINGH

Aug 14, 2009
hey i was your u-16 opening partner playing against himachal at delhi.how have u been?
sheesur rehman

Aug 14, 2009
Hi Akash, everytime I play the flick or a glance, I don't get any power in the shot. To generate that, I end up using bottom hand and which of course results in ball going in the air. How do I correct that?
PJ

Aug 14, 2009
Hello Sir. I just want to say that you were a very good, solid batsman. And your opening partnerships with Sehwag, were one of the key reasons(although much understated) why we did so well on that tour Down Under. Especially that opening session of the Boxing Day in Melbourne, the way you guys faced up to some real good and nasty fast bowling, it was really admirable and refreshing. Also I have liked your style of writing. Do continue that and also if it interests you become a commentator. I am sure you will do well at that. All the best
Ravi

Aug 13, 2009
aakash often i get stumped out while advancing down to spinners. what is the right way and the right technique to do so?
divay

Aug 13, 2009
Aakash u r da best online coaching prospect and i really admire wht u have done so far. I have one confusion while I hold da bat is tht my coach forces me to hold da bat low frm da handle while i feel comfortable holding da bat high on handle. I am 6 feet tall and just need ur help to knw abt the proper way to grip da bat frm da high hanlde or low handle.
Ajit Singh

Aug 13, 2009
hey Akash..I always belived that sachin tendulkar could have been a great opening batsman for India in test matches. What do you think .. why he never openened in test matches. Vishal
vishal agarwal

Aug 11, 2009
Aakash, You have written beautiful article on concentration on cricinfo.com. Can you share your routine? thanks..
K Singh

Aug 09, 2009
Hi Aakash, Just finished reading your book "Beyond the Blues" which my sister sent me from India. It is one of the most enjoyable reads on cricket and I've read a few since Tiger's Tale by Pataudi (Jr.). I've read that clarity of thought leads to clarity of speech and your book is an excellent example of that. You may have got the short end of the stick from selectors in Test cricket but cricket's loss is a gain for the world of books. I wish you much success in life.
Niranjan Rao

Aug 09, 2009
hii .. aakash .. i m manu . 20 yrs old frm delhi . can i tell me a gud portable bowling machine for professional use and a vide camera to record my battin nd bowlin sessions.. thnx..
manu

Aug 08, 2009
hey aakash my coach tells me by batswing is wrong. he tells me my bat comes from gully instead of first slip. are there ways to improve so that my bat comes from first slip?
jerry bardwaj

Aug 06, 2009
Hello, I played lot of school & college cricket.Since i couldn't make it big as a player,i had to fall back on my studies n leave playing cricket.Right now i am doing engineering(last year) & i want to make a career out of cricket and get back into cricket in some form or the other.I did a cricket management course as well.Actually i went through the site www.catchthespirit.com and read the story of Australian Sue Stimpson in January.After that i wanted to get involved and be a volunteer in whatever way i can.I mailed so many boards but never got any kind of response from them.There are so many development & educational programmes in place for cricket these days.For example in Europe,we have courses on coaching,umpiring,scoring & match referees as part of ICC Europe development programme.I am hoping there would be such courses available for people in Asia & India.Could you please tell are there any courses as such.How can i utilize these courses and take full advantage of it so that i can make a career out of these courses.I want to do these courses as soon as possible if they are on offer so that by the time i come out of college,i can start working immediately with out wasting time.
kiran

Aug 02, 2009
hello akash can u give me an insight to how you go about building an innings when batting and also a tip of how to adjust from club cricket to first class batting wise and mentally thank you
vikash

Aug 01, 2009
Hi Akash, I have no question, this is to tell you, you are the best short leg i have seen since the greatest of all - Eknath Solkar. There is an art to how to field at short-leg and you came closest to Solkar in it's implementation. I made as a kid in B'bay fielding at short-leg a way of life because of Solkar. Everyone today fields at short-leg very wrongly and incorrectly. And they field with fear. There is no more fun position to field than at Short-leg against any bowling. And helmet is not necessary just as wicket-keepers don't need a helmet if one is truly great at it. And no one today is a Knott, Kiri, or an Engineer. Your article on concentration is the first time anyone has addressed it since Tim Galleay and Bjorn Borg. Borg said - concentration has to be practised in practice. And the message to play in the now is just the most important. - Vijay
Vijay Menon

Jul 31, 2009
Hi Aakash Am currently reading your book and enjoying it. As a purely recreational ex-cricket player, I'm thoroughly enjoying your Cricinfo column. I am one of (I'm sure) many who admired the grit, technique and concentration you brought to the Indian team's opening slot. Viru and Gautam are doing really well now but... we still miss you! Hope you keep doing what you enjoy doing, Nikhil
Nikhil Dhar

Jul 31, 2009
Hi Aaksash, Rather than asking you a question, would like to appreciate that the amount of dedication that you have shown in your site looks at par with the dedication with which you play cricket. Awesome work Aakash,and wish you the very best and hope to see you soon in the Test Arena. Paresh www.shamsnwags.com
Paresh Waghela

Jul 31, 2009
Hi Akash, I dont have such question to ask,but felt that i must congratulate you for coming out with such a beautifully website, where u r helping all age group of people from old to young to improve the art of playing cricket. Once again congrats a wish u a the best for future. Suraj Sharma Sydney Australia.
Suraj Sharma

Jul 30, 2009
I am not a professional player, I am one of those players who have played tennis ball cricket in their colonies. I am not a very good or hard hitting player. My problem is that while no bowler can knock off my off stump and I am strong on the off side, I cannot even defend the ball when bowled at leg side losing my stump or allowing it hit my thighs which means consuming a lot of deliveries and that is a crime in 5-10 over games akash. How do I get rid of the problem. I am a left handed batsman and the problem is even more when a right handed fast bowler bowls from over the wicket . Please help me.
Shubhomoy Sikdar

Jul 30, 2009
I want to be start a career in umpiring. I follow cricket from my childhood and played the game in school. Learned the game well. Its a passion you can say. Can you tell me where to start and how it can happen. Thank you.. Regards, Mushir
Mushir Ahmed Basheer

Jul 30, 2009
Hi Aakash, This is an excellent site. However it favors the batsmen. The coaching manual is just for batsmen. It would be really beneficial if you had a guide for bowlers too as they are just as important to the game. Or do you know another site that has a guide for bowlers.
Sheel

Jul 30, 2009
Hello Akash, I play club cricket in NY. Typical wickets here are very bouncy. I am a right hand opening batsman. I have a lot of problem playing the inswing deliveries, as I often get LBW to it, or ocassionally bowled. What is the best way to play incoming deliveries at good pace?? Your prompt response will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bobby Hameed
Bobby Hameed

Jul 30, 2009
Not a question but a small note to congratulate you on this website and the effort you have put in. I personally felt that you were short-changed at a crucial time in your career....and while the reasons/people, may vary....I personally admire your presence and grace in dealing with all...,.,to me, you are a true sportsperson...and if you do believe in a second innings, yours is yet to come...my best wishes
Rohan

Jul 30, 2009
Hi Akash, i read your article regarding concentration posted in cricinfo. It was really very informative and very straight forward explanation on what concentration is all about. I am a great cricket fan and die hard fan of Sir. Sachin Tendulkar. The article has really a lot of values which one can easily adapt to his life/work aswell. looking forward more of such articles and information from you. Many Thanks, Umesh
Umesh

Jul 30, 2009
Hi, Aakash...having followed your test career with interest and been very disappointed at the way things panned out, I began subsequently to follow your writing career and can honestly pronounce myself extremely impressed. I am trying to get hold of a copy of your book (a little difficult since I live in North America) but I wanted to ask if you ever do signings or public appearances of any sort. It would be a privelege to meet you or at least have your signature in my copy of your book.
Sabah

Jul 24, 2009
Hi Askash Firstly let me congratulate you on opening this wonderful website.I am just one among millions of fans in this country.The information you share on your website and on cricinfo are what i would like to call it as an insiders story. Leaving cricket aside, I have a question for you.Have you ever thought of sponsor for this wonderful website? I am sure a lot of them will be ready to do it for this site.Keep up the good work cheers
chetan