Adversity ,the springboard for success

A must read editorial for  crickerature enthusiasts *******************************
An E-magazine @ZERO BUDGET  brought out by the Postgraduate and Research Department of English, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam (details below)************************************************************************************Top of the heapIndia’s series win in Australia came in difficult circumstances, and will be the stuff of folklore

On a magical Tuesday, India’s cricketing history gained a luminous chapter even as the shadows lengthened at Brisbane’s Gabba. When Rishabh Pant’s winning four aptly concluded a tense pursuit of 328 on a nerve-wracking fifth day of the fourth Test, Ajinkya Rahane’s men seized the series at 2-1 to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As far as role-reversals go, this was stunning in its execution and jaw-dropping in its impact. It was a verdict that seemed improbable after India’s 36, its lowest ever Test score, during the debilitating loss in the first game at Adelaide. But India progressed despite losing personnel to injuries or personal reasons. Skipper Virat Kohli took paternity leave while other regulars had to be benched following a spate of injuries. Yet, Rahane’s men persevered, right from the established Cheteshwar Pujara and R. Ashwin to the latest rookies in the squad — Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar. At various points, the experienced professional and the fresh debutant joined forces and nourished miraculous dreams. The turn-around at Melbourne was followed by the stone-walling at Sydney. Finally, in a long tour that commenced on November 12, last year, a second-wind was found in the climax. India did not have any of its frontline bowlers at Brisbane but Mohammed Siraj astutely helmed the attack and Tim Paine’s men were defeated by three wickets.

Winning a Test series against Australia in its backyard is considered as cricket’s highest benchmark for excellence. This yardstick has lasted for two decades ever since the previous dominant outfit, the West Indies, suffered a decline. Seen in that context, what India has achieved over the course of two tours — in 2018-19 and the just concluded 2020-21 face-off — is nothing short of stupendous. Twice, India has defeated Australia by identical margins (2-1). However, the latest act will rank right up in an all-time list of great Test series ever since the sport’s longest format commenced at Melbourne in 1877. When India last toured Australia, the host was blighted by the ball-tampering scandal and Steve Smith and David Warner were rightly put to pasture. Cut to the present, the visitor was up against a full-strength home unit. These are fraught times due to the pandemic and resultant bio-bubble angst, and even stepping out for a coffee is deemed an offence. To make it worse, India was never at its optimum potential and with every passing day, its list of the walking-wounded grew. There were even wry jokes about how coach Ravi Shastri may be forced to turn out considering his diminishing resources. But India thrived and just like it did at Eden Gardens in 2001, adversity became its springboard for success aganst an old adversary-.

EDITORIAL BY  THE HINDU

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HeadLines 20.01.2021, #512, Wednesday

1. Kerala gets additional 3.3 lakh Covid vaccine doses; 8,548 get jab on Tuesday.

2.Lakshadweep reports first COVID case, contact traced to arrival from Kochi.

3.Covid vaccines are safe, only 0.18% adverse events so far: Government.

4.Lottery seller from Tamil Nadu wins Rs 12 crore in Kerala's Christmas-New Year lottery.

5.No more food subsidy at Parliament canteen: LS Speaker.

6.UK sees 1,610 Covid deaths in record single-day toll

7.Qatar calls on Gulf nations to engage in diplomacy with Iran.

8.Farmers’ protest | SC panel to meet State govts, farm unions from Jan. 21.

9.India wins Brisbane Test, retains Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Headlines Vocab

1. call on 

demand that someone do something.

"he called on the government to hold a vote"

 synonyms:appeal to,ask,request

https://www.facebook.com/109209820702164/posts/226734438949701/.

Headlines Vocab by Lalji Daniel

Consolidated and organised by Nishad Abdulkareem

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This is an E-magazine brought out by the Postgraduate and Research Department of English, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam

Please check it out...and all the teachers here can think of publishing your school annual magazines in similar formats, it is totally a ZERO BUDGET PROJECT The students can have a novel experience and the for the readers it will be much more appealing than the traditional printed school magazines. Moreover, your works of art can reach literally everyone there in this globe -Ajith Rajesh,SPEP