RIP Milton Pydana !! - remember Randhir Singh !?

IPL is pure entertainment, though it is overdose !  In the 43^rd match of IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost again .. their first-ever home defeat to SRH.  The score of 154 clearly was not enough as they fell by way side after being 114/4 in 13^th over.  

If you are over 50, have been following Cricket since mid 1970s and can remember all players of those times – check and say whether you remember these 2 names Milton Pydana and Randhir Singh – incidentally both played their last International match at Guwahati – the 5^th ODI on 17.12.1983 

It was a series that Indian supporters would like to forget !!  West Indies visited India fresh after their surprise humiliating loss in WC 1983 finals.    Captained by Clive Lloyd, West Indies played six Test matches against India as well as five ODI in addition to other first class matches. West Indies won three tests lost none and won all the five ODIs. Despite the poor performance of Indian players, India did manage to create some records in this series. Kapil Dev produced his career best innings spell of 9 wickets in an innings for 83 runs  and Gavaskar scored his career best 236 not out in this series.  This knock of 236 runs not out took him past Donald Bradman's record of 29 test hundreds and Vinoo Mankad's record score of 231. 

At Guwahati, India batted first – made 178/7 and WI won by 6 wickets with 14 balls remaining.  With Kapil Dev not playing, it was the most inexperienced attack of Chetan Sharma, Roger Binny, Randhir Singh,  debutant Raju Kulkarni, Mohinder Amarnath and Ravi Shastri. Both sides were below strength. West Indies rested Lloyd and Dujon, both suffering from minor injuries, and Roberts, while India were without Kapil Dev and Gavaskar.  Indian captain was Syed Kirmani.    

Medium pacer Randhir Singh was one of several surprise choices in the Indian squad which toured England in 1982. He didn't score a run on the entire tour, and his bowling chances were limited. After finishing wicketless on his ODI debut against England at Ahmedabad in 1981-82, he was brought back to play a game against West Indies two years later when he  picked up the wicket of Gordon Greenidge, bowling six overs for 30 runs. That remained the extent of his international career, although he continued to play for several more seasons in the Ranji Trophy.

 

It was the last match for him and Milton Pydanna.  Milton Robert Pydana who passed away recently was a Guyanese cricketer who represented the West Indies in three One Day International (ODI) matches. A skilled wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman who typically played in the middle to lower order, Pydana had a notable first-class cricket career with Guyana spanning 17 seasons (1970–1987). He also served as captain of the Berbice team in Guyanese domestic cricket, leading them to multiple championship victories. 

Some of you may remember that Pydana was the reserve wicket keeper in that formidable West Indies Team led by Clive Lloyd.  Earlier in 1981,   he made his international debut at Pakistan  and played in two ODIs, memorably scoring the winning runs in his second match—the only time he batted in international competition. His third and final ODI appearance came at Guwahati, then he fell into oblivion. 

Following his cricket career, Pydana emigrated to the United States in 1989, settling in Brooklyn, New York with his family.  He remained there until his death on 15 April 2025.  Cricket West Indies posted a heavy message on his passing away.  Milton’s story is one of quiet strength and untiring perseverance. In an era dominated by some of the greatest cricketers our region has ever known, Milton stood with dignity and determination, always prepared to answer the call for West Indies. Though his time in the maroon may have been brief, his impact was far deeper — a symbol of the countless men and women who give their all for the game, often without the spotlight they so richly deserve." Behind the stumps, he was sharp and reliable, seizing every opportunity with grace — whether claiming the wicket of a giant like Javed Miandad or guiding his teammates with calm assurance. 

Milton Pydanna may not have been a household name, but he was a hero in his own right — a testament to dedication, humility, and love for the game. His journey reminds us that greatness is not only measured in records, but in heart, sacrifice, and service – stated Cricket WI.  He was a former Police in Berbice, Guyana and passed away at 75 years of age. 

RIP Pydana !! 

Medium pacer Randhir singh played 2 ODIs, and in the both Kapil Dev did not play.  He debuted at Ahmedabad in 1981 in the 1^st ODI  against England when Kapil   was injured and unable to play.  

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
26.4.2025 

Pallu ... Pelican !!!

The beauty of the saree is determined by its ‘Pallu’  (the broad hem) !! – ask any Man, who accompanies his wife or sisters  – when buying a saree !!  

You  likely would  have observed many  ‘a good lookin model showing pallu in saree advts’ .. ..  remember Tilakaratne Dilshan ?!?

 

In 2009, at the World T20 in England, Tillakaratne Dilshan added his name to the list of cricket’s out-of-the-box thinkers and in doing so defined a tournament, brought a unique shot to the world’s attention and added a new word to the cricketing lexicon.

As Watson trundled up to the wicket Dilshan shuffled across to a position outside his off-stump: unconventional maybe, but not yet groundbreaking. What followed was revolutionary, as he crouched down and positioned himself inside and under the ball before flaying it over the head of the Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.  The shot was infectious, a revelation, and it is now firmly part of the game. It may not have been invented by Dilshan. 

Couple of years later in 2011 WC campaign, there were advertisements of Dilshan trying to drape sareee pallu over his shoulder again and again and thus mastering the dilscoop shot !!! 

interesting !!
Regards – S Sampathkumar
25.4.2025

Triplicane paid homage to victims of terror at Pahalgam

*Tearful homage to the victims of terror at Pahalgam, Kashmir* 

Terrorism raised its ugly head again at Pahalgam  - in a heinous, gruesome murder attack, gun wielding terrorists killed 26 tourists 

The heinous murder reprised Indian Govt to take strong steps against terror harbouring neighbor Pakistan that includes :  suspension of Indus Water Treaty of 1960; closing integrated check post at Attari; not allowing Pakistani nationals to travel to India under SAARC visa Exemption scheme. Pakis holding SVES visa have been asked to leave India in 48 hours.  The defence / military, Naval and air advisors in Paki High Commission in New Delhi declared persona non grata and given a week to leave the country.     

Nation is shaken by the terror and is overwhelmed with grief – for those innocent Hindus who did nothing wrong.  At this hour of grief for those victims – we stand with their families – and pray God to give them the strength to bear this colossal tragedy. 

Today at Triplicane, a peace march was held paying homage to the victims of terror attack.  A Ashwathaman, BJP; AT Elangovan, Hindu Munnani and host of others participated in the march and paid homage. 

24.4.2025 

Who is beautiful ! - where is happiness !?!?

Many people are prejudiced !  - they hate Crow because it is black and more so because it is common !!  Some think Parrots are beautiful as they are green ! and not found in abundance ! 

In some ways, both are birds, both are not directly connected to our way of living, yet there are perceptions on what is beautiful and what is welcome !! 

Away from the concrete world, A crow lived   and was absolutely satisfied in life.  Then on a day, he saw a Swan.  Attracted by its white colour, he felt ashamed and thought Swan must be the happiest one in life !. 

But when asked, Swan had a different story – it said, yeah, I was feeling very happy with my beauty until I saw a Parrot – beautiful with rose line on Green .. a great one in God’s creation and am adoring it !!  

A couple of days’ later, the Crow saw its dream Parakeet on my terrace -  Parrot was a bit terrified when Crow landed nearer.  To the same Q on beauty and happiness – Parrot explained – I was living happily till I saw a Peacock – what a beautiful creation with so many colours, long feathers and what not !! 

   

Next both flew together and saw a couple of Peacock in a zoo ! with hundreds of people gathered around !!   the Peacock explained, I live a horrible life – every day thousands come to see, they try to throw stones at, disturb me, just to see me flutter and open my wings !!  - there is no happiness at all, happiness is when we live freely.  .. .. and I feel you both are very happy !! 

That sums up our way of life – most of the life is spent on unnecessary comparisons and perception of who is happy and why we are not ! .. .. it is not money, it is not possessions, but it is health, mental peace added with other wealth that keeps us happy.  The first step to happiness is value what you have and never run after something in the vicious cycle of comparison.    

Life is short, learn the secret of being happy, disassociate with evil minded persons, discard comparisons – life your own way.  Don’t worry, be happy !!  Photo and Words of wisdom from Aasami sirippu sinthanaiyaan !!

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
24.4.2025