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Parallels between 2003 and 2026 World Cup Finals and how Win Predictor had to do very little both times

In a nutshell All those who endured the torture of the 2003 World Cup final deserved a day where the tables would turn and India would heap the same kind of misery on our Oceanian neighbors that they once piled upon us. Fun fact, my win predictor friend didn't have much to do on that evening too more than two decades ago. The D-Day The final of the 2026 World Cup produced a one-sided beating much to the delight of my friend, the one and only Win Predictor who also practically dozed off throughout the semifinal until being woken up by Jacob Bethell's explosive century.  The final would offer no such snags for my friend. This was at first a canter by any stretch of the imagination until  Samson fell trying to up the ante.  Jimmy Neesham who accounted for Samson then took two more making it 3 wickets in the space of 5 balls and Hardik Pandya who promoted himself at the expense of his captain found the meaning of hard times. My Win Predictor friend's slumber was about...
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The roller coaster ride of the Win Predictor: Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026

It was a humdinger of a match to close out the Super Eights for Group 2. Yet, until the 18th over everything pointed to a Pakistan victory. My friend the Win Predictor was just going through the motions and looking forward to calmly calling it a day. 'Destiny' Dasun Shanaka  however had other plans. He had just smoked a six of Shadab to push the win probability up to a little under 3% and before the end of the penultimate over would double Sri Lanka's chances of winning with another six. 18.2 overs Sri Lanka's win probability <Courtesy: cricinfo > 18.4 overs Sri Lanka's win probability <Courtesy:  cricinfo > Continuing his aggressive intent, Shanaka took 10 runs off Shaheen Shah Afridi 's first two deliveries. Still, my Win Predictor friend was still not impressed and refused to budge.  19.2 overs Sri Lanka's win probability <Courtesy:  cricinfo > But, in a sport where intent is everything, 'Destiny' Dasun pummelled two straight ...
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The optimism of the Win Predictor - Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026

There was no way that Sri lanka were going to score 64 runs in 2 balls and win their  Super Eights encounter against New Zealand . Still, the win predictor gave them a 0.01% chance when in my opinion they didn't have a chance in a gazillion to walk away as the victors. 2026 T20 World Cup: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka scorecard  In order for Sri Lanka to have a shout: Glen Phillips had to offer up at least 9-10 no-balls Chameera or Theekshana would then have had to launch each of those free hits into the stands That's 9-10 sixes on the trot while there's only instance ( Meghalaya's Akash Kumar Choudhary during a Ranji match ) in the entire history of cricket where a batsman managed to score the maximum, eight out of eight times Considering the fact that Glen Phillips' offbreaks are a regular part of New Zealand's limited overs bowling set-up and facing him were two tailenders, victory was impossible. There was a mathematical probability of a win (as illustrated ab...
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1992 WWF Title Reign of Macho Man Randy Savage - An evalutaion

One of the most recognizable names in the world of wrestling, Macho Man Randy Savage, concluded his final run as WWF (WWE) champion in 1992.   With Hulk Hogan's exit from the company after Wrestlemania 8, this was a period of transition for the WWF and an ideal opportunity for a champion to carve out his own niche. That somehow didn't happen despite all of Macho Man's charisma and verve. So, what preempted Macho Man from cementing a legacy defining second reign? Let's take a look: Exit and face turn of several top heels post Wrestlemania 8 : You are only as good as your opponents, an all-conquering hero needs a credible villain to prove his mettle. This of course didn't happens as: Sid Justice and Jake "the Snake" Roberts both left the WWF immediately after Wrestlemania 8 The Undertaker turned face and was now a monster slayer rather than a tormentor of good guys Earthquake who once put Hulk Hogan on the shelf was now straddling the tag team scene with Ty...
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Three questions from the 1991 Royal Rumble

Recap of the Royal Rumble 1991 For the second year in a row Hogan outclassed 29 other superstars to win the Royal Rumble and set up the main event for Wrestlemania 7 with the American turncoat villain, Sgt. Slaughter. Hogan didn't need to win the 1990 Royal Rumble, Mr. Perfect should have gotten the nod there to launch a well-deserved main event run . Here however, Hogan was the only logical choice to win considering the circumstances of the Gulf War and his status as an All-American hero. And win he did by eliminating all the big men that were available (read Smash, Crush, The Warlord, Brian Knobbs and Earthquake). Other stars who shined included: British Bulldog eliminates Mr. Perfect with a brilliant dropkick <Courtesy: WWE > The Undertaker (still managed by Brother Love) who eliminated the likes of Bret Hart and "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich "The Model" Rick Martel who entered at no. 6 and made it to the final five thereby setting a new Royal Rumble ...
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The grandeur of Gandikota Fort

 Where? About 400 kms from Hyderabad. Gandikota fort overlooking the gorge over Pennar river What is it? A picturesque fort on top of a gorge steeped in history and relevant for multiethnic communities. Plaque detailing the history of Gandikota fort What greeted us within the fort? We made our way into the fort through a majestic entrance which was constructed wide enough for the royal elephants to march in. The majestic entrance of Gandikota fort Gandikota's own version of Charminar and an ancient prison house were the next stops on the journey. Charminar - Gandikota fort version The ancient prison house - Gandikota fort Then, the magnificent Madhavaraya temple with its awe-inspiring gopuram and resplendently carved pavilions emerged. This temple is an excellent example of Vijayanagara school of architecture.  The spectacular Madhavaraya temple within the Gandikota fort   Vijayanagara school of architecture - Madhavaraya temple pavilions Next stop was to the Gandikota go...
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At Bertram's Hotel - Not one of Agatha Christie's finest

In a nutshell A plodding whodunit which takes its own sweet time to set things up but doesn't quite deliver the punch at the end with its reveal. Plot  Miss Marple returns to a favorite childhood spot, Bertram's hotel, to experience the nostalgia of the bygone years. The hotel's guests include Miss Marple's gregarious friend Selena Hazy, absent minded Canon Pennyfather who's making his way to a conference in Lucerne via London, hypervigilant Colonel Luscombe accompanied by his precocious ward Elvira Blake and tabloid friendly socialite Lady Bess Sedgwick who always seems to have a knack of generating headlines. While Miss Marple does take great pleasure in the comforts of the place she also quickly comes to sense that there's something sinister going on behind all that external facade. While a motley group of characters is permeating Bertram's hotel, the city is being terrorized by the daring thefts of a criminal gang which has evaded the police by skillfull...
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