Sports India : The Three Kings

Sachin Tendulkar, Leander Paes & Vishwanathan Anand are for Indian sports what Brahma, Mahesh & Vishnu are for Indian mythology. There have been great sportspersons in the past and many larger than life. But these 3 gents have shone like the sun, bright and wide. People have flocked to watch them play. Many worship them, they have been the achievers in the last couple of decades of sports, and continue to awe and inspire.

While cricket was popular before Sachin’s advent, he’s taken it to an all together new pedestal. Click here to read the author’s piece on Sachin. India invariably won most of the matches that Sach excelled in. If he wasn’t batting to victory, then he was catching, diving or even bowling, the Hero Cup finale being a case in point. Like Lord Brahma, he’s created a world of his own, where his followers treat him no less than a deity. He’s brought smile and joy to many a cricket fan. His annihilation of the bowling attacks of the world has won him followers even amongst the opponents. Many a bowler secretly hope to see him hit them out of the park, to be up close when the master is teaching his class and detractors, the nuances of attacking cricket. What has helped him attain a halo is his penchant for striving clear from controversies. He’s had an unblemished career which many fail trying to emulate.

Leander has brought oodles of attitude and chutzpah in the sporting world. His personal life and choices have enticed the same awe as his backhand winners. His pairing with Mahesh Bhupati was the best advertisement for tennis. The adrenaline pumping mid-air-chest-slam has been forever etched into the memories of the fans. He’s known to be mercurial and destructive like Lord Mahesh. His Olympic bronze and numerous other titles not withstanding, the fans remember his most astounding performances whenever he played for the country. The sight of the tricolor waving high and mighty was enough to pump his adrenalin. The author remembers a Davis Cup tie, when a big serving Goran Ivanisevic was 2 sets up, yet lost to Leander’s brilliance and a screaming themselves hoarse crowd. Leander went and won grand slams, something that past Indian tennis players, even the Amritrajs couldn’t manage.

Vishwanathan Anand, or Vishy as he is popularly called is the first player in chess history to have won the World Championship in three different formats: Knockout, Tournament, and Match. He’s brought accolades to the country from a very early age. Believe it or not his first chess tutor was his mother; she introduced young Vishy to the world of knights and pawns. From the youngest Indian grandmaster to the world champion, his journey is well documented. From playing with the best chess masters of our times, to competing with the fastest computers, Vishy has done it all. Yet he remains the same, humble polite self of yore. The oldest of the troika discussed here, is often considered the best chess player of all times. His cool and composed demeanor likens him to Lord Vishnu.