Virender Sehwag : A revolution

The way he started he started his career, he was dubbed as the next Tendulkar. I still remember the Bloemfontein, career your debut against proteas. And when Sourav Ganguly departed at 68 there was a magic at 22 yards two identical sachin that was the 1st impression you had on me. Your stance. that same back-foot punch on off side, the wristy whip to the leg and scoring that magical straight drive, sachin's signature was all over it. It was like somebody doing His impression in front of him and with supreme authority and authenticity. Even Sachin would be wondering on his mirror self shots. Had you come after his retirement than surely he would have made the same comment to his wife as what Sir Donald Bradman did to his,"Now I never saw myself play, but I felt that this player is playing with a style similar to mine".
But this was a start to an astonishing career. You redefined the whole concept of opening in tests, rather seeing off the 1st hour against new ball, you took the leather off that cherry. It was just matter of time that people started looking into you and started criticizing you technique. Everyone went on air to say that its matter of time for you to fail. But 12 years, 104 tests, 251 ODIs, 19 T20Is 17000+ international runs and 136 wickets what more could we have asked and if thats failure I am happy that you failed. You proved every critic wrong with the span of your career. You revolutionized the opening slot in the test cricket. Rather than those old school openers with the SR below 40, your blade was firing with 82 per 100 balls. There was always a terror in bowlers while delivering against 

Manchester United: Season so far

A new season for the devils has started and there are high hopes for manager who has a superb CV. The club has not performed as expected after the departure of the SAF. Still the enigma of Fergie been around as there has been a dismal season under David Moyes and last season under L. van Gaal didn't went as expected. Team got qualified for the Champions league but then performance was not that convincing and expectations of fans were higher and are not satisfied with anything less than silverware. In last two decades since the inception of the premier league in fact this is worst period that United has faced, i.e. , two years without any silverware.

Transfer Window:
There has been a heavy past where greats have joined United or were always had the desire to play for. But this is not the scenario for the last two seasons and players have snubbed United. No SAF, and then two dismal season without any silverware has made players conscious enough to think about their future at Theatre of Dreams. And if we see Van Gaal's team you might find there is no vision or at least that could be another reason.
The activity of this summer transfer was not good. There were players who saw last of old trafford were Nani, Van Persie, Rafael, Johnny Evans and Javier Hernandez, whereas Adnan was sent on loan to Dortmund. I didn't get reason for sending Rafael or Evans as both were good back and moreover latter was at this club since childhood. But most baffling was Adnan going on loan to Borussia where already 16 midfielder were present and that gives the chance of him getting 1st team experience. He was one player who should have been retained in the team. The defender could have been retained also because there are only 6 defenders right now at the club and Blind and Carrick has to play the role of defenders.
The window has seen the arrival of M. Depay, M. Darmian, M. Schneiderlin, B. Schweinsteiger and A. Martial. These all whole group is settling down nicely and mostly Darmian and Depay who are just improving after every game. And if you see weekend game against sunderland and Champions league fixture against Wolfsburg you can make out evidences of some good partnership building between Depay and Martial and it will be one duo to look after this season. Both are young and agile and add sound technicality and knowledge of football these two are showing which make you believe that title might be in devils grasps.
Retention of De Gea I believe was the best business that United have done this summer. Don't know who's mistake it was, whether los Blancos failed in paper work or was it from the Manchester in either case it just boosted the Reds chances of lifting the trophy this season. One of the best goal keepers around the Premier league and he's still in the mid 20's.

Evolution of Players:
There is one player whose evolution has attracted many and that is Mata. He's transformed into the most reliable players for the devils this season. From the best in the league as No.10 to best attacking midfielder. His performance against Sunderland and Wolfsburg were testimonial. His performance has even casted a shadow of the underperforming Rooney till now and till he's in-form captain gets another shot to hit form.
D. Blind is the other player who has transformed into the most versatile player donning the reds shirt. He's played as centreback holding midfielder and even the attacking. Might tell why the Philosopher added him into the ranks and could be seen as Carrick's replacement in the ranks.

What's Next
The trip to Emirates will be the crucial one as winning this fixture would put the noisy neighbors at arms length from the top till the league resumes after the international break. Partnership of Depay and Martial will be key to road to silverware for Devils this season and how this team put their defensive woes away as this is one area where United looks most vulnerable.
After International break they'll be travelling to goodison park and a mid week fixture away to CSKA Moscow to follow The Derby at Theatre of dreams. The defensive woes will continue till Rojo and Shaw comes back to 100 % fitness. And if any possible hope to be instilled in the fans that club could win the league they have to do some business in the January transfer window and look for some defenders.

Let's hope for the best still long way to go but this could be the defining season for the United after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, already two seasons passed, will shape up team for future.