Guillermo .... ... , the new President-elect of Ecuador

The name Guillermo means ‘with Gilded Helmet’ and is of Spanish origin. Remember there was a famous Tennis player - Guillermo Vilas – from Argentina   who won four Grand Slam tournaments, one year-end Masters, nine Grand Prix Super Series titles and 62 total ATP titles.  In the ATP computer rankings, he peaked at No. 2 in April 1975, a position that he held for a total of 83 weeks. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991.   In 2016, The Daily Telegraph ranked him as the 3rd best male clay-court player of all time, behind Rafael Nadal and Björn Borg.  Historical and statistical studies presented in 2015 by Argentinian journalist Eduardo Puppo and Romanian mathematician Marian Ciulpan concluded that Vilas should have been No. 1 in the old ATP ranking system for seven weeks between 1975 and 1976. The ATP Tour and its chief executive at that time, Chris Kermode, although not refuting the data, decided not to officially recognize Vilas.   In Oct 2020, Netflix released a documentary film about the Vilas case titled "Guillermo Vilas: Settling the Score".

 

This is no post on the Tennis legend but on a man with the same surname - during the 1990s, this man  was named the head of operations in Ecuador for Coca-Cola, following the local bankruptcy of the company in that region. In this role, he was tasked with restructuring the company and bringing it back to financial health. He has since sat on the boards of directors for both Coca-Cola, and Mavesa, and also served as Chairman of the board of directors of the Guayas Transit Commission as well as being a member of the Board of Directors of the Andean Development Corporation.  Now he is in news ! becoming the President-elect.

Those who visit the Middle of the World, a government-owned park that pays tribute to the Equator, are not drawn by the trinket shops or cafes offering roasted guinea pig. They want to stand on a yellow line painted on the ground here that is said to be precisely at Earth’s midpoint — 0 degrees latitude, 0 minutes, 0 seconds.  Except that it is not. The Equator is hundreds of feet to the north. For tourists reveling in the notion of being, for once, at the very center of things, the truth can be a bit of a letdown.

Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombi, Peru, & Pacific Ocean.   Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometres (621 mi) west of the mainland. The capital is Quito. The territories of modern-day Ecuador were once home to a variety of Amerindian groups that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The territory was colonized by Spain during the 16th century, achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia, from which it emerged as its own sovereign state in 1830.   Spanish is the official language and is spoken by a majority of the population, though 13 Native languages are also recognized, including Quechua and Shuar.  The sovereign state of Ecuador is a middle-income representative democratic republic and a developing country that is highly dependent on commodities, namely petroleum and agricultural products. It is governed as a democratic presidential republic.   

The man mentioned at the start (of cocacola &) - Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza  is an Ecuadorian businessman and politician who is the president-elect of Ecuador.  He was a candidate in the 2021 general election, defeating Andrés Arauz in an upset victory. He previously ran for president in the 2013 and 2017 elections. In 2013, Lasso came in a distant second place behind President Rafael Correa by a landslide margin.  In the 2017 election, he advanced to the run-off running against Vice President Lenin Moreno but narrowly lost the election. Lasso served as Superminister of Economy during the Jamil Mahuad presidency briefly in 1999. He previously served as Governor of Guayas from 1998 until 1999. Aside from his political career, Lasso is also a banker and previously served as CEO of Banco Guayaquil.   

 

In the first round of 2021 elections, Lasso was slightly behind indigenous rights activist Yaku Pérez Guartambel, but eventually garnered enough votes to secure a narrow second place finish.  Lasso's victory was also seen as a win for free-market advocates in the country.  In 2011, Lasso published the book Cartas a Mis Hijos, which translates to Letters to my Children, which contains lessons he developed from his time working in business and highlights recommendations for the economic development of Ecuador.  Among his ideas, Lasso discusses the need for greater sovereignty over parts of the national economy.  The book advocates for the Ecuadorian government to develop policies that create more economic opportunities for its citizens. 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
14.4.2021.
  

Reliance grand gesture of 100 tons of oxygen for Covid

Covid 19 is threatening humanity badly .. .. the nos. are increasing - Tamil Nadu recorded 10,694 positive cases yesterday, bringing the state tally to 9,91,451. Among these, Chennai reported 3304 positive cases, bringing the city’s total to 2,83,436. .. .. to cynics and non-believers – just see your neighbourhood – with streets getting closed, the threat is real !!

 IPL meantime is interesting – at Chepauk, Mumbai Indians chose  to bat and defend successfully. Their 150 for 5 landed in the middle of the 152 and 149 defended in the two previous matches, Jonny Bairstow, opening this time, threatened to run away with the game taking three of the powerplay overs for 52 runs.   Jasprit Bumrah, the classic artist, went without a boundary in his four overs for the fourth time in the history of the IPL. Rahul Chahar broke the back of the Sunrisers Hyderabad with three wickets in the middle overs, and then Trent Boult came back to wipe off any resistance, with a little help from Bumrah again. For the Sunrisers, it was another case of Warner-Bairstow or bust, getting a great start but not capitalizing it !

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani once  said that his wife Nita Ambani, has built a bigger brand in Mumbai Indians than the company.   Nita has built a bigger brand for Reliance," said Mukesh while addressing a gathering of past and present cricketers and Mumbai Indians players on the occasion of franchise's 10 years' celebration. A founding member franchise of IPL, Mumbai Indians are two-time winner of the T20 League in 2013 and 2015 and an equal number of Champions League T20 titles.  

Oxygen (O), nonmetallic chemical element of Group 16 (VIa, or the oxygen group) of the periodic table. Oxygen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas essential to living organisms, being taken up by animals, which convert it to carbon dioxide; plants, in turn, utilize carbon dioxide as a source of carbon and return the oxygen to the atmosphere. Oxygen forms compounds by reaction with practically any other element, as well as by reactions that displace elements from their combinations with each other; in many cases, these processes are accompanied by the evolution of heat and light and in such cases are called combustions. Its most important compound is water.

In hospitals, more Covid patients reportedly  have suffered breathlessness in the second wave than any other symptom, leading to a greater need for oxygen this time, the government said  on the record rise in cases across India. Other symptoms like body ache were higher in the first wave, said a member of  NITI Aayog. According to him, more than 70 per cent patients are over 40 in both waves. In a letter to all Chief Secretaries, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla  asked them to take all measures to prohibit the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those exempted

 

The Central Government responded Sunday to reports on the shortage of medical oxygen. "Requirement for Medical Oxygen is a critical component in the treatment of Covid affected patients," the Centre said. "In view of the recent surge of Covid-19 cases, the requirement of oxygen for effective clinical treatment of Covid patients has also witnessed a manifold hike," the government said.

.. .. .. and the Corporate which is always in news responded brilliantly ! Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd is diverting oxygen produced at its refineries to supplement availability in worst-hit COVID states like Maharashtra and the trucks carrying supplies are in transit, sources said. Reliance's twin oil refineries in Jamnagar have through minor process modification converted industrial oxygen into medical-use oxygen that can be administered to COVID-19 patients low on oxygen, people aware of the development said.  It was further stated that the trucks carrying oxygen cylinders are in transit.

Unable to get prompt supplies, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Maharashtra is among the worst-hit states facing a fresh outbreak of the pandemic, Gujarat too has seen number of patients swell.  Oil refineries can produce limited volumes of industrial oxygen in air-separation plants meant for nitrogen production. Scrubbing out other gases such as carbon dioxide can convert it into medical-use oxygen with 99.9 per cent purity. Reliance operates the world's largest oil refining complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat.

A great gesture by Ambani - the western state will get 100 tons of the gas from Reliance, Eknath Shinde, urban development minister of Maharashtra  said in a tweet. 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
18.4.2021. 

Deepak Chahar sends Punjab wobbling !!

If you were to ask – do we need IPL at a time when Covid is peaking – I have no positive answers !!  .. .. but if you are the one to enjoy the game, sitting relaxed at home and see ball-by-ball – I am one with you . .. .. and if you are the one who put a meme or read with happiness (this afternoon especially before the start of the match) on how Dhoni is running a retirement home  ! – or that he looks jaded and needs to retire or he favours some players like – Ambati Rayudu, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ruturaj Gaikwad (who are not performing !) ..  please read on .. and incidentally can you identify this CSK player ?

During the first player auctions for the inaugural IPL season in January 2008, the Chennai franchise bought a number of contemporary star cricketers such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, Stephen Fleming, Muttiah Muralitharan and Michael Hussey.  Dhoni was the costliest buy at $1.5 million, became the Captain with Kepler Wessels becoming the  head coach. They played their first game on 19 April 2008 against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali, won by 33 runs after posting 240/5 in 20 overs, which was the highest total of the tournament, a record surpassed by themselves in 2010.

Way back in Nov 2019 in T20I 1014 at Jamtha, Nagpur - the wicket of Aminul Islam, clean bowled was significant ~ and if you ask what is great about the last batsman wicket – read on !

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain M. S. Dhoni is playing his 200^th  Twenty20 (T20) matches for the Men in Yellow today at Wankhede.  The mercurial MSD  has led CSK  in all but one game (2012 Champions League T20 – in which he bowled too) when he has been part of the XI.   Dhoni has made 176 appearances for CSK in the Indian Premier League (IPL) besides having 24 outings for the side in the Champions League T20 (CLT20) tournament in the past. MSD also represented Rising Pune Supergiant in 30 IPL matches in the 2016-17 seasons.

Under the helm of Dhoni – CSK has performed greatly .. have won the IPL title thrice (in 2010, 2011 and 2018),  have the highest win percentage of matches among all teams in the IPL (59.83 %). They hold the records of most appearances in the playoffs (ten) and the Final (eight) of the IPL.  In addition, they have also won the Champions League Twenty20 in 2010 and 2014. .. .. and yet they are ridiculed often !!

In Nov 2010 - Hyderabad axed four senior players, while their head coach and batting coach have resigned in the aftermath of a humiliating defeat against Rajasthan in their opening Ranji Trophy game in Jaipur.  The ignominy was - they were bowled out for 21 - the lowest score in the tournament's history. Batsmen Arjun Yadav, Anirudh Singh, Anoop Pai and allrounder MP Arjun were dropped.  Head coach Venkatapathy Raju, a former Indian left-arm spinner, and batting coach Vivek Jaisimha resigned. 

Today at Wankhede – the ball was moving – wonderfully bowled by Deepak  Chahar as Punjab were all at bay more so after a brilliant run out by Sir Jadeja.  Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda and Nicholas Pooran – all removed by Chahar.  Wickets fell at 1;15;19;19;26;57;87 & 101 as Punjab ended their innings at 106 with TN Sharuh Khan scoring 47.  Punjab's 106/8 is the second lowest 20-over total in IPL at Wankhede. Lowest is 101/9 by MI against PWI in 2012 while chasing a target of 130 to win.

Well bowled Deepak Chahar !  .. on that day against Bangladesh at Nagpur, of  the 5 bowlers, Khaleel and Washington Sundar went wicketless; Yuz Chahal had one taking him to the fastest Indian to 50 wickets in T20I.. Shivam Dubey was the unlikely hero with 3 wickets (was on a hattrick with 4-0-30-3) .. .. it was CSK Deepak Chahar who stole the show ! ~ he reportedly was rejected by  Greg Chappell, who was director of the Rajasthan Cricket Association academy in 2008.   Chahar had dream figures of 3.2-0-7-6 – including a hat-trick when Aminul Islam was bowled off the 2nd ball of the last over – it was his third consecutive wicket split between 18th and 20th overs.  Only 3 bowlers have taken 6 wickets in T20I – Ajantha Mendis twice and Ys Chahal once – DL Chahar topped hat list with a magical 3.2/0/7/6.

In Nov 2010,  77 years after its inauguration, it was mayhem at Jaipur. The name of  Deepak Lokandersingh Chahar was one everybody’s lips. The  18 year old has created waves not mere ripples.  In his debut Ranji match at Sawai Man singh,  he walked into the record books and enabled a humiliating place for Hyderabad also.   Pankaj singh bowled 8 overs conceded 11 and took 2 but for once looked an ordinary performance as at the other end was Chahar who had figures of  7.3 – 2 - 10 – 8. In the second his figures read : 18-3-54-4.

The cricketer at the start is Chezian Hari Nishaanth – the other childhood friend of him Narayanan Jagadeesan have played junior cricket together in Coimbatore and have also opened together for Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL - have been central to Tamil Nadu's unbeaten run in Syed Mushtaq Ali this season. The pair has struck up three fifty-plus opening partnerships, including an unbroken 128 against Assam.

Interesting !  CSK kku whistle podu –enga thalai Dhonikku periya whistle adinga!

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
16.4.2021. 

Sanju Samson scored 119 ! and refused a single !!

438 runs in 40 overs .. ..  what a belter it turned out to be .. in the end – was the hero right in doing it ? – ‘it is opinion’ – could be pretty prejudiced one at that. .. .. and one cannot think how the arm-chair critics would have reacted had it been the mercurial MSD.  To some – he takes the match till the proverbial last match and thrives on that – he has done it more than a couple of times and when he could not fructify – people have torn into his flesh !!!

Right of first refusal  is a contractual right that gives its holder the option to enter a business transaction with the owner of something, according to specified terms, before the owner is entitled to enter into that transaction with a third party. A first refusal right must have at least three parties: the owner, the third party or buyer, and the option holder. In general, the owner must make the same offer to the option holder before making the offer to the buyer. The right of first refusal is similar in concept to a call option.

Maharashtra on Monday reported a slight dip in the number of fresh cases, with 51,751 more people testing positive. The state also reported 258 more deaths. On Sunday, more than 63,000 people had tested positive for Covid in the state.  . .. . and right there in the middle at Wankhede, there was a pot-boiler.  Five required off two balls, an International allrounder in Chris Morris at the other end, Sanju Samson has been in dream touch, having hit seven sixes in his 119 off 61. Then he gets a ball right in the slot, and he hits it straight to a cleverly placed wide long-off. He refuses to run, drawing almost indignant bemusement from Morris and disbelieving looks from the dugout.  Was that a right decision ?

To his supporters and those who saw him the way he played, perhaps  Samson did the right thing and the end result should not change that at all.  5 off 2 – had he run a single – there would only be two possibilities (4 or 6 securing a win – otherwise loss – of course a 3 would have tied !) Wankhede is a small ground, the ball was hit hard and straight to the fielder. So the second was probably not on. Had Samson taken the single, he would have watched the last ball from the other end.

For Samson people may argue that had taken that single,  leaving  Morris, who was not middling the ball (wait he had played only 4 balls for 2) – yes he had missed a ball pitched in the slot but all that happens  Samson predicted that he is likelier to hit a six than Morris is to hit a four.  Chasing a formidable 222, Samson brought it down to 21 off 12 and then 13 off six. They managed only two off the first three balls of the last over and needed 11 from three when Samson crunched Arshdeep Singh over the covers for a six. He then drilled the next delivery along the ground to wide long-off but sent a sprinting Chris Morris back without a single, which took the equation to five from the final ball. Samson connected well with Singh's cutter but only found deep cover, where Deepak Hooda fittingly took the catch – it was all over and here are we debating !

Arshdeep  bowled the toughest over of the night, in which he kept aiming for the wide yorkers. The first three worked, the fourth didn't and eventually he trumped Samson to seal victory. Rajasthan Royals team director Kumar Sangakkara backed his captain Sanju Samson's decision to retain the strike for the last ball of the chase denying that single.

In that chase where Ben Stokes scored a duck and Jos Butler 25 – Riyan Parag was a revelation – hitting 3 sixers in his cameo of 25 off 11. He was so nonchalant in lofting deliveries beyond the rope.  Before concluding the other man, Chris Morris has scored International  50s in all 3 formats – and is one of the  IPL's biggest South African beneficiary having been bought for  US$625,000 at the 2013 auction and US$1 million three years later. Morris is a bowling allrounder, who often sends the speedgun beyond 140kph and bats fearlessly in the lower-order.  This year he had been picked for an astronomical price of  INR 16.25 crore – the highest-ever fee paid for a player.

Well played Sanju Samson, a great innings – but not a win for Rajasthan Royals which was within the reach of a single shot.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

13.4.2021.