The name that matters the most
More on cricket, another magnificent knock coming out of the pages of the past. Its nostalgia time, Indian cricket fans and folks. Call it the brief flicker of hope before the candle burns out or the last hurrahs of our very own champions, let us hope it sustains enough to see Rahul "The Wall" Dravid lifting the cup.
We have known for years now that the Indian batting line-up chart with the big three - Maharaj, The Wall & Tendulkar - on it looks most imposing. When one of them fires, we moan that the Indian team always relies too much on one man; when two fire, the team does well; but when all three fire, there is an inevitability to it all, it looks as if this was the day that God created cricket and the art of batting. Today at Baroda was one such day when the batting gods smiled beatifically on the Indians. Add to this, the fact that Sehwag could be back.
If three of the word's best one-day batsmen exploding together was not enough to cherish, the day was made more beautiful by the sight of Tendulkar reaching his 41st ton off the last ball of the innings. There has been a lot said about his form and whether he is a spent force. Some experts have even gone to the extent of asking for his sacking. To be honest, this has not been completely illogical though we are an hyper emotional people. There has surely been some truth in the criticism. However, the tones would quickly change now that we have seen a Tendulkar-like innings from Tendulkar. And again, I see nothing wrong with that. Its only fair that if the criticism has been there, the praise should also be back. We Indians need to see special stuff from him, it lifts us, we love him to our heart's content and its only fair that we demand to be loved back in kind.
Tendulkar though need not worry about criticism and selection issues. Tendulkar has an exalted place in Indian cricket and there will never be a moment where a decision is forced on him by the selectors. He is perhaps one of the few sportsmen in world who can choose his timing, all by himself.
Having said that, I think we should also take into account his mental setup and whether he would be asking himself the question that having given everything, is he not trying too hard for only criticism in return; whether he would be thinking that all this is worth the effort of going out and trying his best everyday; whether he would be asking himself for one final go at the cup.
Savour the moment, folks, this might be the seasonal finale of India's longest running cricketing love story, Tendulkar, the Maestro. Prepare for a tear-jerker ahead, with some of the best supporting actors also on the verge of leaving the stage.
We have known for years now that the Indian batting line-up chart with the big three - Maharaj, The Wall & Tendulkar - on it looks most imposing. When one of them fires, we moan that the Indian team always relies too much on one man; when two fire, the team does well; but when all three fire, there is an inevitability to it all, it looks as if this was the day that God created cricket and the art of batting. Today at Baroda was one such day when the batting gods smiled beatifically on the Indians. Add to this, the fact that Sehwag could be back.
If three of the word's best one-day batsmen exploding together was not enough to cherish, the day was made more beautiful by the sight of Tendulkar reaching his 41st ton off the last ball of the innings. There has been a lot said about his form and whether he is a spent force. Some experts have even gone to the extent of asking for his sacking. To be honest, this has not been completely illogical though we are an hyper emotional people. There has surely been some truth in the criticism. However, the tones would quickly change now that we have seen a Tendulkar-like innings from Tendulkar. And again, I see nothing wrong with that. Its only fair that if the criticism has been there, the praise should also be back. We Indians need to see special stuff from him, it lifts us, we love him to our heart's content and its only fair that we demand to be loved back in kind.
Tendulkar though need not worry about criticism and selection issues. Tendulkar has an exalted place in Indian cricket and there will never be a moment where a decision is forced on him by the selectors. He is perhaps one of the few sportsmen in world who can choose his timing, all by himself.
Having said that, I think we should also take into account his mental setup and whether he would be asking himself the question that having given everything, is he not trying too hard for only criticism in return; whether he would be thinking that all this is worth the effort of going out and trying his best everyday; whether he would be asking himself for one final go at the cup.
Savour the moment, folks, this might be the seasonal finale of India's longest running cricketing love story, Tendulkar, the Maestro. Prepare for a tear-jerker ahead, with some of the best supporting actors also on the verge of leaving the stage.
posted by Amit at 4:51 PM
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