Memories, like this one in Mohali, will remain
It’s always great to have one final game to bid adieu to a sport which has been life for not just the sportsman but also his fans. There’s no shame in asking for one final stage for a last show in front of adoring fans who know it’s the last time they would be seeing their favorite player. In terms of looking ahead for the future, one more game would not have been any great deal. But like Dravid, Laxman chose to sneak out the back door, leaving most of us surprised. That their time was up wasn’t in question. But denying one final show in front of their fans wasn’t too much of an ask.
Looking at the big picture then, were they? But after almost 20 years of following the game, I feel cheated by them for leaving the show so abruptly. It’s a selfish thing to want them to do something which was against their nature. They were no Ganguly who wanted a grand stage to go out (not to be taken in a demeaning manner) but to find them gone so suddenly is frustrating.
Dravid and Laxman gave us a sense of calm in all the turbulent times over more than a decade and half. To find them gone is akin to taking to new seas in a new ship. With all the potential of adventures and surprises, it’ll be a long time before anyone is trusted like the giants who’ve left.
After months, I’ve come to terms with Dravid’s departure. And in time, Laxman will be history too. But now the picture becomes much clearer with the duo retired. If anything, it has made it perfectly clear that one day we’ll be dealt a much bigger blow when cricket will cease to have one more of its Indian giants – Sachin Tendulkar, maybe the tallest of all who bowed away. We thought Laxman will carry on for another year or so, giving us breathing space after Dravid’s departure. But here we are, writing tributes to our saviour, surprised by the turn of events.
It’s going to be an increased pleasure watching the last of the titans bat in the upcoming matches, for no one knows, how long it will last. Goodbye Laxman, you’ve given us a lot to savour – hope you stand tall amidst everything in your 2nd innings, as you always did.
I think its in the character that both Dravid and Laxman have brought to the team. They realised that they have not been performing and age has caught up with them. In the name of enjoyment they couldn’t have gone on wasting time (thinking of the team and not the individual). Also, the onus of gradually phasing out players was on the selectors which the latter did not perform. Considering that now Sachin is the last of the titans left, the test team should be made around him so that they can gather experience in the coming year. Though, Sachin would have to last till the South African tour next year so that the youngsters can learn outside the subcontinent as well.