Right from std V, I’ve played & followed
cricket to the extent of nearly flunking on days where my love for cricket took
over my fear of the next day exam (and this includes Sachin’s recent knock of
174 before my dear QAFD paper, not so dear to me but with results not out yet
:P..let’s play safe….!).
Before I pen down some analysis to show
off my cricketing know-how in an attempt to justify years of my interest in the
same, let me begin with some of my personal favorite moments (in no particular
order) of cricket involving mostly Indian team…my 2nd love
Ganguly…and others…
1) I am adding to this post after
many years. Kyuki aaj Dil khamakha khush nahi hai....real me hai!!! The cricket
lover in me gets active very few times now. Maybe because its too much cricket
and I've too little time. India won a series in Australia in January 2021 by
beating Australia at Gabba. As Harsha Bhogle rightly said.....Covid you are
beaten! Even you took not take one of the spectacles of sports from us. Cricket
mirrors all life emotions. And its not just a series/match win. It's a message,
to just give your best shot and not think about result. Our men/boys showed
temperament. They rose after falling. They didn't care - the who's who of the
world had written them off after 36 all out. They just went on even if there
were injuries after injuries. Bruised, broken but patient tigers! Waiting for
an opportunity to pounce. I've always felt Indian team should not have
individual brilliance like Kohli/Tendulkar as captain. It somehow doesn't work
when one man does the heavy lifting. We did brilliantly under Dhoni. It's only
when the cubs are left to swim on their own, they improvise and team games are
won! After 36 all out, my 7 year old asked me....is India that bad a team? I
told him...series is not over till the last ball is bowled. He brushed it off
like a typical 'Mumma Gyaan' Now this win goes in his subconscious. Cricket is
a great teacher! (Deep in my heart I had also written off India, but that's not
the right thinking I should pass on to him so stayed quiet ;) )
2) India's world cup win in 2011.
I just went gaga on the roads like millions of Indians. In Mumbai, both me and
SRK got stuck in traffic though ;)
3) Escaping from office to watch
the T20 Indo-Pak 2007 final and then going crazily ga-ga over the sensational
win post the world cup debacle in the same year…
4) Sachin’s century in the qualifying
breathtaking match against Australia of the coca-cola cup ‘98 at Sharjah was
much better than his so-called greatest knock of the final of same series…
5) Kumble’s decision not to call off
the 2008 test series against Australia post the controversial Sydney test was
as per me the most mature decision in cricket ‘EVER’…
6) It was Ganguly who made us
believe that we could win overseas – India-Australia series 2001 where India
made history by winning a test match after being forced to follow-on…there’s
been no stopping ever since…
7) An engg. classmate of mine praying
for rains in a pune temple J when India were struggling in the 2003
world cup final against Australia (aus made 359 batting first)…India lost
ultimately though RainGods did try their bit…
8) When I cried with Vinod Kambli (in
different cities of course ;)) after the match between India-Sri Lanka was
awarded to SL post crowd misbehavior in the 1996 world cup…
9) Sachin’s SUPERB catch of
Inzamam in Pakistan. His kid-like excitement post this catch is still a
treat to the eyes... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeIYy0eLfA
10) Venkatesh Prasad’s wicket of Aamir Sohail in
the 1996 world cup quarter final showed what a CLASSIC reply from a bowler
actually means…! Can still hear commentators’ comment: “Aamir Sohail would be
killing himself in the dressing room”
Team compositions have changed since then……rivalries have shifted and intensified…from India vs Pak to India vs England to India vs Australia to South Africa vs Australia…etc…not only are the players and the teams evolving but the sport itself too, with the advent of T20 and IPL! But my love for the sport never subsided be it T20’s entry, match fixing or even when the players I grew up with bid adieu! Everytime I feel I’ve grown old enough to waste time watching 100 overs, a Sachin-174 like knock makes me believe in cricket’s gigantic potential to infuse immortal passion in me! Cricket, with its uncanny ability to mirror every possible human emotion, is life to me!
