Namaste! Greetings to all of you!

I am not an unknown entity. For a long time now, I have made my presence felt all over the world. I command a respect so vast that billions of people follow me wholeheartedly with reverence in their minds.

Tell me, what does cricket means to you? Cricket – The eternal sport that fuels the enthusiasm of countless fans all over the world! Cricket – The sport played with the mind, appreciated with the heart, and loved by old and young alike. But cricket in India means much more than this. It is a religion by which people swear by. Our cricketers are like our deities whom we worship and cherish for a lifetime.

For years now, I, Indian cricket, have inspired and nurtured brilliant players of all time. I have made men out of boys. I have supported & helped raise perfectionists, pseudo-gods, winners, destroyers, and a whole lot of varied cricketers from different backgrounds. Cricketers with heart-breaking stories, cricketers with humble backgrounds, cricketers who have mesmerized the world with their genius.

I fondly remember the Black prince, Prince Ranjit Singhji, who made his test debut for England in 1896, which made him the first Indian to play Test cricket. The Ranji trophy got its name from this swashbuckling player, who pitched India on the international cricketing circuit. This overseas triumph first brought cricket into the hearts of millions of Indians back home.

The BCCI was formed in 1928 and India played its first ever test match against England in 1932. And soon after independence, a free India saw the rise of the game in its truest form. By the 1960s and 70s, I am proud to say that Indian cricket had developed into a fierce and daunting opponent. Polly Umrigar, Vijay Manjrekar, MAK Pataudi, the list goes on. How can I forget the formidable Bedi, Chandra, Prasanna spin trio which instilled fears in the hearts of top batsmen of those days. And of course, Sunil Gavaskar, a man after my own heart. He defined cricket on his own terms, yet gained a crazy fan-following in India & abroad. When he surpassed Don Bradman’s record of 29 centuries; everybody thought (including me) that such a batsman would never be born again in India.

But, my Indian soil has surprised me each time. The 1980s saw the rise of dashing cricketers like Mohammad Azharuddin, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Kapil Dev and many more. It was a proud moment when we won the 1983 World Cup, a victory totally unexpected. And then, by the early 1990s, a God arrived. He was unlike any cricketer I had seen. Genius, talent & determination etched on him, a boy-next-door, a  would-be legend & a person who made the whole world run behind him like crazy. Perhaps, the most humble Indian cricketer of all times, next only to Rahul Dravid, another iconic batsman nicknamed “The Wall”. Anil Kumble, an incomparable spinner with heart of gold. Sourav Ganguly, the captain who catapulted India to top spots in the international rankings, the one who helped India win overseas tours. VVS Laxman, the epitome of patience & methodical stroke-play.

And more recently, the current Indian cricket team with Captain Cool Dhoni, who fulfilled our dream of winning the World Cup almost 23 years later. Sehwag, the disciple of Sachin himself;  Gambhir, an aggressive hitter; Yuvraj, the prince who fought cancer and emerged victorious on all fronts. Zaheer & Harbhajan, two diamonds who have now lost their shine. Young & talented Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, who have all captured pinnacles of success in such a young age.

Sadly, though, today I feel poorer in all these contexts. I lay ruined & tarnished, waiting for respite. My own people have turned away from me. After the World Cup win 2 years ago, nothing has been right. One by one, my gems, my stars, my jewels have all retired. Losses have been aplenty and the lack of any convincing wins have left me broken. Though the IPL has boosted my T20 performances, “Test cricket”, the true identity of cricket, is in disarray and chaos. The ODI wins are too scattered and disoriented to reach any final conclusion.

In reality, I have no dearth of talent today too. My young cricketers are as much brilliant as the old ones, if not more. But they are brash & over-confident. Humility isn’t the lesson they have learned yet. Their too-sure attitude has ruined their outlook & it pains to see that there is no one to guide them further. A few random wins within a series of defeats & repeated failures are no excuses for such dismal performances. The problem is that we have so many excuses for bad performances, but such few ideas for improving upon them.

The BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world; but I, Indian cricket, I am so impoverished today, for want of a little consistency. What I need is an attitude change, a will for hard-work & an inspiration like no other. Sachin’s dream motivated us to get the World Cup. So why can’t a collective dream of youthful minds change the face of Indian cricket?

I want to apologize to my supporters, well-wishers & lovers who I have disappointed in these last two years. And I want to appeal to my current torch-bearers to adopt the humility & grace which bestowed the older cricketers the benevolence necessary to sustain in this otherwise ruthless & competitive world. Possessing talent isn’t enough; unless it is coupled with a healthy attitude, all will be lost.

Above all, I am answerable to the common Indian cricket fan who looks up to me for motivation, for something to hold onto in the bleakest times. I have a legacy to uphold. I have to bring the golden days back.

All I ask, is for little patience from my fans & a little understanding from my young brigade & I promise you, I will get back on my feet & command the respect I truly deserve. Deep inside, I do believe, once I emerge from this lean patch, I shall be stronger and a whole lot wiser. Once again, I would have made ‘men’ out of ‘boys’, learned my lessons. After all:

“You can learn LITTLE from victory, but you can learn EVERYTHING from defeat.”

Howazztt! It’s here! It’s here! It’s here! The ultimate name in Sports courses!!!

Greetings aspiring losers, my dear fellow cricketers. As the Indian team’s (self-appointed) PR manager, I, “bookworm”, would like to bring to your attention, a world-renowned BCCI certified course with 100% guaranteed formula for failure - THE ART OF LOSING!

Never before seen in the world of international sports, this revolutionary technique of losing has taken all world sporting bodies by storm and created a unique culture based on loss of self-dignity.

So, if you want to let go of all “moh” and”maya”, all material happiness and worldly possessions and play for the ultimate intention of losing against top as well as bottom teams, read on to get a brief info and highlights of this amazing course.

THE ART OF LOSING

Course Director :- Sri Sri Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Course Syllabus:-

Module 1: Understanding Public Mentality

Module 2: Keeping top officials and coaches in your pocket

Module 3: Team-mate rivalry and Cultivating ‘chamchas’ in the team

Module 4: Public speaking and Press conference training

Module 5: Cricket follies and Pitch dynamics

Course Highlights:-

1) Learn how to lose an easily winnable match in less number of days, effectively ending the test on the 4th day so that the need for 5th day of a test cricket is totally vanished.

2) Learn (un)effective field placement most beneficial for opposite team’s players, which will help them accumulate a mountain of unattainable runs.

3) Learn to rotate bowlers in the most atrocious of all ways, which will even make them question their existence in the national team.

4) Learn how to de-motivate top players with innovative methods so that they fail and contribute a lion’s share to the team’s subsequent loss.

5) Learn how to smile less, exhibit a grim face and show total lack of emotion in your facial features.

6) Learn how to blame it on IPL, tight cricketing schedules, government, weather, media and other external factors.

7) Learn how to bribe selectors and other officials who will give you free rein in choosing players in the side and keeping those who do not perform forever in the team.

8) Learn how to throw tantrums, demand top-class pitches favourable for opposite teams, behave aggressively with the media and defend foolish decisions.

9) Learn how to win tosses but play in such a manner that losses are inevitable.

10) Learn how to win a match or two in between, because people’s memories are short and that will keep you in the clear to lose the next 10-15 matches with ease and no interference.

Course Requirements:-

1) Any current captain of international stature willing to experiment

2) Any other team player tired of minting money from IPL and his A/B/C national category

3) Anyone who wishes to follow the non-violence policy, letting go of worldly desires and establishing a feeling of brother-hood among cricketing community

4) Any player belonging to non-cricketing sport intelligent enough to apply the course modules to his own game (Special discount for Indian Hockey Team)

Course Fee:-

While we do not endorse greediness and running after material pleasures; nothing in life is free so price will be disclosed on request.

Course Duration:-

First Stage – During any away tour*

Second Stage – During home tours*

*Warm-up matches will be included in training

HURRY! Special discounts for captains with good loss record! Special discount on first come first serve basis! Our Swami Sri Sri MS Dhoni‘s never win formula now at your doorstep!

Contact: Bookworm PR agency for Cricket, 100 Failure tower, Loss & Defeat road, India-420840. Phone no. 99999

[Disclaimer:- This is an intentionally unsuccessful piece of writing, written in remorse of team India's dismal performance and a fan's incomplete emotional mechanism to deal with the stress arisen due to India's continuous losses. To be taken with a pinch of salt. Apologies to true team India and MSD fans, I love my team too and believe in miracles but sometimes, can't help being sarcastic!]

My Dear Sachin,

They say, people rise and people fall but life goes on. That everything in life is temporary – all failures & even the successes. No man can remain on top forever; fame has its price; even life has an expiry date. Everything begun knows an end. The star that shines brighter than even the brightest of sun’s rays slowly sinks into oblivion some day. The bright that pierces darkness gets engulfed by it eventually. There comes a time when you have to let go of all that you once held close.

The love for cricket I first developed at a very young age refuses to go away. It’s still very much there & it’s more like a drug now that gets me high! And I am not even a player! I cannot even begin to understand how difficult it must be for you to let go of something which has made you what you are today – a legend. Somebody told me once that if there is something in your life that makes you happy, you should fight to keep it in your life forever. Pure unadulterated joy is so rare and in this fake world, we go through great struggles to keep the one thing attached to us that brightens our life.

People hellbent on your retirement have probably forgotten one thing – that it is eventual! You have been playing for over 20 years and that is not natural. People are afraid of such things. They think it’s not healthy in the interests of young generation that you have “blocked” one spot on the team. Deep down, insecure in their own worlds, they find themselves in fear of your achievements. But they still forget – it’s eventual! As a die-hard fan, I definitely don’t want you to leave. But I know I have to let go. And the time is near, so near that I get this unsettling feeling every time India plays.

Every player, be it a legend or a rookie, has to retire someday. And no, it’s not easy for any of them. It’s like making a truce with your body and finally calling it a day. But your retirement has become more of a national issue. Everybody wants to have a say. People who barely understand the game are protesting vehemently over your place in the team.

It doesn’t feel that we are just letting you go; it’s more than that, it feels as if we are letting go of an era. An era that was imprinted in our minds by players who built the 1990s; and even the early 2000s. We have said goodbye to almost all of those gems. You are like a final link that still tugs on our memories of those days.

I was 11-12, when I first fell in love with you, nearly 15 years ago. “Retirement” and “Sachin”, were never synonymous words then. I thought, by the time I grow old enough to see you go, I would have fallen out of love; cricket would be just a time-pass thing. While that has been the case for most of my friends, it doesn’t describe me! I have went ahead and fallen so madly in love with every great player and more so with the game that it’s difficult to imagine life without any of this.

Ricky Ponting will say goodbye in a couple of days time and it is sad to let him go too. I have not been a huge Ponting fan but I cannot deny the treat I got every time I watched him play; his flawless technique & his brilliant captaincy that really took Australia to the very top and remain there for as long as anyone could remember; that made them invincible for a really long time.

Such a fine player and what does it happen when he announces retirement? Here in India, where we cover even US elections in all their glory, we got to see a 30 minute news segment on Ponting followed by 30 hours of debate on why it’s time for Sachin to retire! It’s so pathetic, it’s funny!

Just a couple of mornings back, I saw this huge debate on a popular news channel – “Should Shahrukh & Sachin retire?” I mean, what the heck? At 7 in the morning, five distinguished looking gentlemen who had nothing to do with cricket or even the film industry, for that matter, were discussing how you and Shahrukh are both a burden now in your respective fields for having remained there so long. Wow, I mean, I have better ways to spend my mornings than barking over things that do not directly concern me. And, what does Shahrukh has to do with you? At least, he looks his age, you don’t!

Jokes apart, why should anyone who does not even know cricket or films that well, has the right to poke his/her nose in a someone else’s personal quest? Doesn’t it sound ridiculous?

I know you have not performed and people asking questions are justified. As a fan, even I have waited quite a long time for you to click. It hurts not to see you performing and seeing you as a mere shadow of a player you were once. But deep in my heart, every single time you come on the field, I pray so diligently for a 100. Even when you don’t get it, when you whip the ball straight into the ropes, it seems like Diwali & Christmas all rolled into one. After all these years, it’s still magical.

People who are pressing you to turn your bat in do not know the void that will be created thereafter. Every person I know is ready to quote the scores of your last 10 innings & mock your genius. Sachin is getting bowled so many times, he has lost his touch! When Dravid got bowled so many times in Australia, they said the Wall had holes! He was made fun of, very mercilessly so. But a few months later when he announced retirement, suddenly nobody wanted him to go!

So, if it is about scores, why talk about the last 10 innings? Why not talk about 90 innings previous to that? Why stop at last 90, why not go beyond that? I am no clairvoyant and I don’t know whether you will play in Kolkata test or the Nagpur one. But whatever the outcome, it won’t stop me believing in you!

When you walk off the field one last time, into the sunset; not only will you leave behind broken hearts but also unforgettable memories. An era will end, a legend will cease. Will the world stop turning? Will the earth die? Perhaps not.

Because for every fan whose life you touched, you will leave behind a legacy. A legacy of humility, of strength of character, of sheer genius, of hard-work, of always giving your best, of never quitting, of battling inner & outer demons and above all, of being you!

Everybody grows old and has to stop at some point. When your body sends out that message, how much ever agile or swift your mind may be, you have to pause slowly and then stop.

If you ask me what things make me happy? Let me tell you, there are very few and one of them is YOU! And the other is something that you gifted me unknowingly – the love for cricket! Am I letting go either of them? Probably not! I am mature enough to understand your era nears the end but cricket will remain!

I am no cricket pundit but I say, once again, that your retirement is eventual. So, why sit on your head and hammer into your brain that you are no good. Why not enjoy these remaining days and celebrate every innings? Why not be happy in these little things instead of pondering over serious issues? Why not clap gleefully on your every boundary and sixer? Why not be a 90s kid again & rejoice in your glory?

With lots of admiration, respect, awe & love,

A fan who owes you too much

]]> http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/12/02/letting-god-go-a-fans-heartfelt-letter/feed/ 5 541825 http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/11/25/the-unsung-heroes-of-cricket/ http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/11/25/the-unsung-heroes-of-cricket/#comments Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:57:29 +0000 bookworm http://www.sportskeeda.com/?p=999992

When you have grown up watching the one sport you love the most, you imagine yourselves to be just like your favourite player. When you have grown up watching cricket, that player maybe Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara, Glenn Mcgrath or Shane Warne, or even Jonty Rhodes. Growing up, we have all come to admire our cricketing heroes who have entertained us as long as we could remember. Old ones faded but new ones arose, keeping the passion of the game still alive in each one of us.

When I was a kid, I never imagined myself to be a cricketer. Loving cricket has always been a natural feeling for me but when my eyes scanned the field, they always rested on the one person I thought was even more powerful than a cricketer. Yes, I wanted to be an “Umpire”. It was a weird fascination and my friends ridiculed me because for young minds, batsman lofting sixes over the stadium and bowlers shattering stumps were more acceptable and natural choices for super-heroes. How can two insignificant people on the field and two off-field ones (third and fourth umpire) hold so much power in them, that any player, irrespective of the team he plays for, has to compulsorily accept their decisions!

The word ‘umpire’ came from the french word ‘nompere’, meaning not equal or impartial. And impartial they have to be, to keep up with the spirit of the game and relish their authority with utmost caution and fairness.

To understand the value of patience for a sportsperson is evident when we look at cricketing greats who have disciplined themselves over the years to achieve milestones. But patience holds an entire different meaning for umpires who have to show great restraint over their temper and keep their feelings aside and dispense judgments. It’s not only standing still at one place, but carefully watching every move, not letting the ball out of sight even for a moment, and coolly having their say. Their job is not easy as it sounds. While raising the finger to signal a ‘wicket’, flailing arms on the sides to signal a ‘wide’, signaling a ‘no-ball’ or nodding the head for a ‘not-out’ may appear cool, it requires great skill and “eye-to-detail”.

Apart from this, many a times, umpires have to pacify agitated bowlers, and break-up ugly fights. Not only do they bear the brunt of players’ temper but also shoulder the responsibility of punishing offenders fairly. And if you thought the life of a player was hard, always moving around for tours and spending time away from friends and family; the same applies for umpires too. They have to stay away from their family, maintain a strict diet and take equal care of their health. They have to make sure they don’t strain themselves before a match, take ample of rest and conduct themselves respectfully when on field.

Being an umpire also means knowing A to Z about cricket and its laws. An umpire must have himself played the game to have a thorough understanding of how it works and be well-versed with all rules and regulations.

It does not mean they are machines, meticulously imparting judgement; they are humans like us and they fail, just as us. It’s easy for a batsman to show dissent when he gets out wrongly or a bowler whose appeal has been turned down to run screaming on the field. But in that split second, where one wrong decision could turn the outcome of the entire match, umpires face tremendous pressure to make sure their judgement is correct. They know how important their contribution is in turning the face of the game. And every wrong move on their part hurts them just as much. It’s easy to forget them as humans and curse them when your favourite player is denied the opportunity to shine but remember, messy decisions have an impact on their standing too.

We have watched David Shepherd and Dickie Bird rule the game; loved Rudi Koertzen, hated Simon Taufel for leaving the game so early, enjoyed Billy Bowden’s antics, respected Aleem Dar and all the great ones who have been and the ones still giving themselves selflessly to the game.

In my own kiddie world, umpires have always been the superheroes with the mightiest of powers and strength, pillars of patience, tolerance and humility. They have been the unsung heroes we fail to admire as they fade into the shadows of some players’ greatness. They are alone, in their own cocoon, perfecting their technique, trying hard to be fair and honest. They have to forget boundaries and countries and any associations and only remember what’s best for the game. They love cricket differently, not like a cricketer, but as someone who will nurture the sport. Their love for cricket is like that of a parent for a child, unconditional and impartial!

Take a bow, all umpires, you are the real heroes who breathe life into cricket! R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

]]> http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/11/25/the-unsung-heroes-of-cricket/feed/ 0 02361 http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/11/11/10-most-bizarre-football-injuries-ever/ http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/11/11/10-most-bizarre-football-injuries-ever/#comments Sun, 11 Nov 2012 09:33:03 +0000 bookworm http://www.sportskeeda.com/?p=943937 As a self-proclaimed klutz, I have had the experience of falling down and injuring myself a countless number of times. While most of my injuries have been really dumb, even I could not beat the weird and seriously funny injuries that some football players have suffered.

Now, if you are a footballer, there’s ALWAYS a chance of getting injured. You could call it an occupational hazard. You are always bumping into someone and there have been horrific collisions on the field to prove that. However, here’s a list of some of the most bizarre injuries caused off the field:

10 – Becks & the boots

Who isn’t aware of the famous spat between the then England captain David Beckham and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Apparently, Becks was given the boot out of Old Trafford after Manchester United were thrown out of the FA Cup against Arsenal in 2003. Fergie was so enraged after the game that he kicked a stray boot, which caused a cut just above Beck’s eye.

9 – I love Chicken wings (not)!

Can tasty delicious chicken wings be that terrifying? Manager Brian Lewis was so not happy with Ivano Bonetti after a 3-2 defeat at Luton, and hurled a plate of chicken wings at the Italian’s head. The poor guy was left with a broken cheekbone and left for Tranmere just five months later.

8 – Koffee with Rio

Dumb things sometimes come naturally to footballers. When Rio Ferdinanad was at Leeds, he suffered a tendon strain in his knee after leaving his leg propped on his coffee table for too long while watching the telly. Maybe he was watching recordings of his own game???

07) Revenge of the Jellyfish

Presumably, Newcastle was breeding sinister jellyfishes to sabotage the Sunderland team in the summer of 2004. The ruthless Julio Arca was stung by an exotic jellyfish when he was swimming in England’s North East during the Sunderland team’s training session. He broke into hives and a serious rash, and was frantically rushed to the hospital.

06) Infa”moose”

The early morning jog is the most peaceful and trouble-free activity ever…Or is it? The Norwegian Svein Grondalen found this in the weirdest of ways. Grondalen was forced to miss a game for Norway after he became the victim of an unusual ‘hit-and-run’, when a stray wild moose emerged from the roadside and catapulted him in the air.

05) Eye of the Pass-holder

And so it seems that even airports are not safe for footballers. The only people dumb players must fear is themselves. Milan Rapaic, the Hajduk Split player, unfortunately missed the start of Croatian season after jabbing his eye with his plane’s boarding pass at the airport. Beauty is in the eye of the pass-holder?

04) Attack of the thumb monster

Looks like Alessandro Nesta was responsible for increasing Sony’s sales overnight. The gutsy center-back got so involved while playing on his Playstation that he damaged the tendons in his left thumb, leaving it raw and inflamed. The injury cost him a month away from “real-life” football and later even required a surgery to treat the ruptured tendons. He probably was playing as himself in FIFA.

03) Oops, the wrong way

This anecdote will tell you why it is necessary to listen to the doctors very, very carefully. Brazilian striker Ramalho was laid up in bed for three days after swallowing a big pill which had been prescribed for a dental infection. Don’t see the problem in that? Well, check this. Apparently, the pill was a suppository. What’s that, you ask? Well, it had to be administered, errr…anally!

02) The puppy did it

Well, I love dogs too. But, they make a mess and here’s why cleaning it as soon as possible is very important. Darren Barnard would not have given that a second thought if he hadn’t torn a knee ligament and found himself out of action for 5 whole months. The reason? All because he slipped on his new puppy’s piss on the kitchen floor.

01) The smell of klutz

Perhaps the weirdest of all tales will be this – the dangerous bottle of cologne? Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares had to forcibly miss the 2002 football World Cup after a freak accident in his hotel room that severed a tendon on his right foot. What was he doing? He just dropped a bottle of aftershave on his foot accidentally. Talk about delicate porcelain hands.

And, bizarre but tragic on-field injuries…

Death by pork chops

Some pigs were so angry for being eaten that they went running wildly for revenge. The Indonesian footballer Mistair was so unlucky that he died at the young age of 25 when a herd of pigs came stampeding on the team’s training pitch in 1995.

Will you marry me?

Paulo Diogo, the Servette midfielder ripped his finger while jumping into the crowd to celebrate a goal. His wedding ring got caught on the fence and lost among the crowd. He did recover the finger but unfortunately, it was too late to mend and the remaining portion had to be cut so as to prevent infection. Case of the (un)true love?

Charles Copeland once said, “To eat is human, to digest divine.” Recently, an established cricketing legend and massive foodie Sachin Tendulkar who has given indigestion to most bowlers of the world was present to launch Times Now journalist Boria Majumdar’s book – An Average Indian Man’s Encounters with Food.

Apparently, Sachin is not new to these foodie talks as he has been preying on bowlers for nearly 25 years now. The fact that he has not been in form this year has done little to decrease fear that resides in the hearts of international bowlers. Hoping Sachin would not be much of a threat, Railway bowlers in the on-going Ranji encounter took it easy until they were b(eaten) into pulp when Sachin started hitting boundaries all over his home ground.

On this occasion, Tendulkar disclosed quite a few secrets  which have created curiosity among fans and thrown everyone’s already frenzied life totally out of control.

Ever since Sachin revealed that he is very much into Japanese cuisine and loves to eat sushi and sashimi; my 10-year-old cousin refuses to eat anything that is not Japanese and has been begging my aunt to serve him raw fish for dinner every night. This admittance on Sachin’s part has also created chaos in the Mumbai macchi (fish) market. Sudden demand for fish and prawns has tripled fish business here in the last two days and demands are pouring in from all over the country. Also in Mumbai, roadside Chinese stalls are being replaced by Japanese ones. Popular names of Japanese “gaadi” have been adopted, varying from “Manga” to “Geisha” and “Sayonara”. The menu includes variety of Indian fishes being served raw with bland sauces and the special “Sachin Tendulkar Japanese Thali” complete with chopsticks and shiny bowls. Chinese dragon-styled lanterns have been replaced with real and artificial Ikebana style flower arrangements.

In a confession of sorts, another interesting revelation by Sachin is that during the historic India Pakistan World Cup match of 2003, the only thing that Sachin had was a bowl of ice-cream (that was probably the thing that induced those shivers that Shoaib Akhtar mistook for Sachin’s fear, which then led to Akhtar being beaten black & blue as he so deserved). Interestingly, Sachin has kept away from controversy and not revealed the brand or even flavor of the co-called legendary ice-cream.

However, that news has spread delight among kids and youngsters alike and ice-cream has become the staple food recommended by nutritionists before any sports match. There is now a fight among leading local & international brands, each proclaiming that their ice-cream is what graced Sachin with extraordinary strength and resolve. Among flavors, experts have been divided between chocolate and vanilla, trying to dissect whether it was the “feel-good” factor of chocolate or the “pure essence” of vanilla that helped maintain Sachin the required concentration to feast on Pakistanis as main course.

While this was not enough, Sachin also admitted that he “loves” cooking food for his wife and kids. Husbands all over the world have started getting the cold-shoulder treatment from their wives and there has been an unprecedented rise in unrealistic demands from wives and girl-friends everywhere. The term “ideal” partner has been broadened to include “cooks food whenever home” clause.

Sachin Tendulkar’s “foodie-ness”, like his cricket, thus is now ready to inspire millions of people all over the world to explore their own gastronomic indulges. Modern man today lives to eat rather than eats to live and food has become an integral part of our culture and character as well.

Tendulkar ended his informal tête-à-tête saying that, “Good food is one of life’s greatest pleasures” and “while nothing can beat home-made food cooked by mom, foreign tours are a great way of trying multicultural dishes and delicacies”.

Inside sources reveal that Sachin’s indication of retirement in a recent interview followed by this revelation of food secrets has some sort of a connection, with becoming a travel food writer or hosting a cookery show being Sachin’s choice of post-retirement plans. A source that wishes not to be named even said that Sachin has been in talks with Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris from MasterChef Australia (who are currently touring India) to launch his very own “MasterChef Japan” in Tokyo next year.

(The above news, so-called facts, shocking revelations are true in the author’s imaginary world  and are to be taken with a pinch of salt)

Kids today are born with a Playstation in one hand and an iPhone in other. But for us, who grew up in the 90s, having a self-owned cricket set or badminton racket was the coolest thing in the world. At that time, when there were no dedicated cartoon channels on TV, video games owned by a few, computers even rarer and internet a make-believe world, parents insisted on their children getting fresh air every evening. So every kid – fat or thin, good or bad, shy or mischievous – assembled at the local park or ground or any tiny space in his/her colony and played good old-fashioned games that supplied their daily dose of exercise.

Now, cricket was popular of course, as it has been since ancient times, but cute little giggly girls who were quite scared of getting hit by the ball or who could barely lift the bat, turned towards badminton. See, badminton was easy when we played it. There was this weightless shuttlecock that you had to hit to and fro and not let it fall on your side of the ground. Of course, net was not available but “your side” and “my side” of the ground were decided by drawing a line in between and exerting your dominance on any one side. And, thus, we spent many a summer evening with our own version of badminton. There was doubles too if there wasn’t more than one shuttlecock available or less space to occupy two full-fledged games. School offered a more sophisticated option. Open ground, nets, professional coaches – but none of it beat the thrill of playing the game in our own localities (pretty much like “gully cricket”).

We have grown up hearing stories about the legendary player Prakash Padukone from our parents, later been introduced to P. Gopichand as one of the finest. However, in comparison to cricket, badminton has always taken a back-seat. On one hand, where we are aware of every major or minor cricketing tournament, the venues, its timetable, we barely have time to take notice about badminton championships.

Badminton is more of a childhood game that we played as kids, locally or in school or at picnics and outings. For the most part, our badminton rackets lie in some secluded corner of the house or over the cupboard gathering dust.

But thanks to one young woman, kids today at least “know” badminton. That young girl who has spread badminton awareness all over the country and presented herself as an ideal role model for this generation of tweens and teens – Saina Nehwal. Women players are rare in this country, be it in any sport. However, with the awareness of international tournaments and availability of good coaches and ex-players pioneering for their sports, there has come about a change in the mentality of current generation of parents. Girls like Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta have catapulted an “un-glamorous” sport to more rousing & commendable heights.

Unlike cousin cricket, badminton has never made a solid mark in our day-to-day lives. Saina, however, continues to exhibit tremendous grit and determination that forces us to take notice and laud her achievements. India’s recent success at Olympics 2012 is a testimony of such young players working together for betterment of long-forgotten sports in the country. Saina’s bronze at the Olympics, win at Denmark Open and the more recent finals appearance at the French Open have been added to her list of successes this year; the others being Swiss Open, Thailand Open and Indonesia Open. Consistency is what that has kept her on the top and inspired thousands of young girls across the country to take up this sport.

Such is the Saina effect that the BAI (Badminton Association of India) has planned to launch the IBL (Indian Badminton League), a million-dollar event, to encourage interest in the game. The IBL is supposed to take place between January 20 and February 11 next year with $ 1 million as prize money. The BAI is planning to bring on Prakash Padukone on the board as an advisor and rope in several other sportspersons and Bollywood stars to promote IBL. With the much-obvious success of IPL, sporting authorities in charge of other games are trying to promote their own with specific goals in mind – awareness among youngsters being the number 1 priority as well as offering several other small-time players a platform to showcase their talent and mettle.

Whether all of this will glorify the game or generate interest among Indians is a matter that remains to be seen. A few years ago the PHL, or Premier Hockey League, had generated similar enthusiasm, and was launched amidst munch fan-fare. But it failed to maintain the momentum for long and was scrapped within 3 years of its inception. India’s poor run at the Olympics this year has sealed the fate of hockey in this country and its tag as the “national game” of India remains a mere formality.

IBL might be a big hit next year. However, its true test would be whether it is able to prolong the interest of the Indian psyche for more than just one season. Talented players like Saina Nehwal carry on their shoulders the onus to glamorize badminton and confer on it the respect it deserves.

And mere commoners like us bear the responsibility to revere and acknowledge the game that we all grew up with…

“Drivers getting ready in their cars and the lap formation begins…the engines begin firing up… Vrooom…Vrooom…All drivers have now left the grid…no problem there at all…the five red lights go out and yes, the race is on!!!”

26th October is less than a week away and the Indian capital is already warming up for one of the biggest and only a year old Indian Grand Prix. There is adrenalin in the air and fingers are being crossed for the 3 day racing festival. Or is it?

Except cricket, I have rarely seen Indians getting excited by something that outrageous. We have always been a country crazy about team sports; where cricket tops the list followed by Football (purely because of attraction towards English clubs) and to some extent hockey (Mostly to demean players & authorities that they don’t take it seriously where on the other hand we ourselves have forgotten the importance it once had in Indian psyche).

Coming back to Formula One, it has always been an enigmatic sport for us Indians. It’s like watching Need for Speed or F1 Championship games in real life. Formula One has been the glamorous babe of all sports. What’s with the 3 day extravaganza of qualifiers and pomp and splendour. The grid formation, the lap counts, the pit stops, the intensifying speed, the close finishes, chequered flags, podiums and of course, champagnes. Chics flocking towards drivers, battling their eyelashes and all the Schumachers, Hamiltons, Alonsos and Raikonnens exhibiting their talent.

Formula One is like a long “page-3 party” draped in elegance and sophistication. Television has made it even more fabulous. The sponsorships,  the media rights, with travel companies offering exclusive packages complete with hotel bookings and 3 day passes for the race.

Last year in midst of excitement and enthusiasm, the 17th race of Formula One season kicked off with Sachin Tendulkar, the iconic cricketer waving the chequered flag.

Now, one year later, does Formula One hold the same revere that it held a year back? The curiosity is no more. Last year, it was more of a new romance, a new love waiting to be discovered, to be pampered and frowned upon. Is it the same now?

Well, for one, the buzz has died down, the excitement diminished. There have been cutbacks in sponsorships, less events this time round and significant losses that have been effectively hidden.

India has never been a racing country, cars rarely form a part of our culture and long monotonous races offer less thrilling excitement in comparison to even 5 days of cricket. Though the appeal of Formula One is much like IPL, the Indian involvement in itself is minuscule compared to other sports. Everyone has heard about Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok but every young kid aspires to be Tendulkar or Kohli and not some racing addict.

Races form a part of game collections to be played on PS3s and X-boxes. In a country, where Formula One does not even enjoy the privileges of being called an actual sport, it has failed to reach and make home in people’s day to day lives.

Vijay Mallya’s Force India generated quite an interest at the time of its conception and although we love to see that white race car drenched in Indian tri-colours zipping on the track, it fails to maintain that patriotic feeling for long.

With 365 days of cricket and large tournaments being played all over India and overseas, people rarely have time to watch anything else. Television sponsors will rather bank on cricket which will generate an assured mix of viewers and madness, the essential needs to thrive.

Experts are divided on their opinions, with some feeling that given time, the F1 culture will be absorbed in the Indian mindset slowly but surely. Now that only few days remains, it will be interesting to see how much enthusiasm does this edition of Indian Grand Prix creates. Maybe India will indeed set hearts pumping like last time. As Sebastian Vettel, the last year Grand Prix’s winner said:-

“I am very proud to be the first winner here in India…Even though the people have so little here, I think in a way they are much richer than a lot of people back in Europe. There is a lot we can learn and it is a great race, great event. The circuit is fantastic so all in all it is fantastic so thanks a lot to India and all the people here.”

What I love about any cricket game is its potential to swing in any ridiculous way possible. Some wins are so miraculous and some losses so shockingly incredulous that for a moment, even you are left confused and dazed as to what exactly happened. One team that gives us regular glimpses of both unquestionable talent and foolish bravado is of course – SOUTH AFRICA. I am sure that South Africa is not just my favorite team, but also the favorite team for a significant proportion of the cricketing population.

Even currently, they have entered the World T20 tournament poised as favorites to win the title (just as they always are in every World Cup and major cricketing tournament). But undoubtedly, we already know their outcome when they reach the semi-final.

The first time I became acquainted with this national squad was when I came across Hanse Cronje’s ruthless captaincy. They had me mesmerized. Gary Kirsten was an undisputed God for me then; Allan Donald, the intimidating demon; Jonty Rhodes, the superman along with greats like Daryl Cullinan, Pat Symcox, Shaun Pollock, the Zulu Lance Klusner. Wow, now that was a team deserving to win and go on winning. And then they choked!

I was too young to remember the 1992 World Cup when the bizarre ”maximum scoring overs” rain rule was applied during the semi-final, challenging them to hit 21 runs in 1 ball after a brief rain delay. In 1996, their exit was more of an upset and less of a controversy. Then followed 1999 that broke hearts of South African cricket lovers like me, the chaotic historic run-out. 2003 – the Duckworth-Lewis disaster and more recently, in 2011 – another shocking upset.

And then they choked!

But what is it about South Africa that attracts cricketing fans to them? And inspite of being labeled as obvious “chokers”, they still continue to dominate the game in their own way. The endless trove of genuine all-rounders and raw talent that they possess is a true testimony of their passion and dedication towards the game in all these years.

Hansie Cronje’s career, though riddled with match-fixing controversies, was also a witness to the step-by-step rise of the team. There was no doubt of him being a great captain and motivator. If you wanted to see class as well as depth in batting, Gary Kirsten was the shy batsmen who mesmerized young and old alike with his game. Even now as a coach, he continues to inspire talent in every form. Admit it, you weren’t a little scared when Allan Donald came to bowl. If you were supporting the opposite team and he charged down the field with the ball; you knew, even prayers would not keep your favorite batsman on track. Fielding received cult status when Jonty Rhodes came on the scene. We do remember Lance Klusner for that shambolic run-out in 1999 World Cup but in reality, he was a dashing last-ball finisher of the game. Fiery-head Shaun Pollock, the silent killer. A young Jacques Kallis of the 1996 World Cup squad is one of the best and most feared all-rounder in the world today. And although Mark Boucher‘s career came to an abrupt end, he was a solid wicket-keeper and batsman during the last decade. The current crop of young cricketers are no less intimidating. J.P Duminy is someone you would love to have in your side; Smith, a formidable captain, Dale Steyn, the new Allan Donald and of course AB de Villiers, the one to be crazy about. The ever-effervescent Morkel brothers. And, the hero that has been in unbelievable form – Hashim Amla. When Amla’s ‘hamla’ happens, it is difficult to save, well, almost anybody. It’s not only them but dozens of other players who have taken South African cricket to a much higher and respected level. With the arrival of IPL, the images of these cricketers have been seared onto our hearts and we lovingly support them when our local teams clash.

I admit they make a mess of everything. But,  if there is one thing that I have learned from the South African cricket team is that they NEVER GIVE UP! For years now, the Proteas have commanded unparalleled respect for the grit and determination they have showed in all formats of the game. You will not be able to associate the brash and cocky attitude of the Aussies with them or even the meek submissive character of the minnows. They were and have always been a balanced team. They fact that they rule the ICC rankings is an obvious endorsement of this fact. I have learned the lessons of life from the Proteas. How destiny takes its own turn despite giving best each time. How to keep cool and show humility in the highest form. The techniques of amazing fielding, the clinical batting performances and a methodical bowling attack.

They say, history repeats itself and that has been proven time and again by the South Africans. Their history of choking in all major tournaments haunts them and their fans in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend.

But, history can be re-written! Re-written in ways that will allow South Africa to reclaim their lost glory. In reality, on paper, we all know, they have always been graced with legendary players. Their repeated failures, however, cast a black shadow on their mettle as fine sportsmen. But who knows, this tournament can prove to be that life-changing, history transforming act for them. Who knows, for once, the Proteas will not choke and clinch that title. It’s high time they did.

But, maybe, possibly, if they lose yet again in some weird bizarre fashion that’s only possible for them, will I stop supporting them? Will I stop respecting them? Will we hate them?

Win or lose, the South African cricket team has been an inspiration for cricket enthusiasts all over the world. And yes, if they are chokers; they still are my favorite chokers in the world! There are some things beyond the usual division of the positive and the negative. Things like integrity, humility, respect, finesse and sheer brilliance shine through even in the bleakest of conditions. This is the stuff champions are made of.

Did you say, they are chokers? But, hey, they are still the most lovable chokers in this world!

If you know the story of David versus Goliath, you probably have the most effective piece of wisdom in your life; the true winner of the Brain versus Brawn debate. A story that makes you believe in miracles and gives you hope of how the teeny tiny can triumph over the high and mighty.

David’s feelings after defeating Goliath are best reproduced when you see minor cricketing nations defeating the obvious champions. If you are in love with cricket like me, you probably enjoy watching all formats of the game and quite obviously, “all” the games too. If you truly appreciate cricket, a India-Afghanistan game should be as exciting for you as an India-England one. By now, you already know, that in the on-going T20 world cup India barely managed to scrape through whereas England were merciless against the Afghans.

By now you know, Bangladesh is not exactly a weak team and if you have grown up watching cricket in the 1990s’, you know Zimbabwe isn’t the same as what it used to be. The sheer brilliance of players like Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Heath Streak, Alistair Campbell, Andy Whittall, Guy Whittall has now transformed into a mere shadow today with rare glimpses of talent that could only be seen by a keen eye now.

As far as Bangladesh is concerned, a team that has been playing cricket for over 25 years now and still unable to establish a strong foothold in the cricketing world, one wonders if they rightfully belong among the giants. In recent times though, they have proved their mettle against strong teams & aren’t a team to be taken lightly of. And we all know how they have won against major cricketing teams, even repeatedly, by perseverance & talent and not just mere fluke.  However, what was supposed to be the Group of D(eath) in the on-going T20 world cup has been now reduced to being a repeat of what is happening in the other three groups. Brendon McCullum‘s fiery assault has doused the hopes of Bangladesh making it to the super 8s. But then, that does not mean Pakistan has nothing to be afraid of. We all have learned through experience that Bangladesh can bounce back.

And after all, each major cricketing tournament deserves an unprecedented upset to make it more exciting.

How can anyone forget, Sri Lanka’s rise from a minnow cricket team to a world champion. After winning the World Cup in 1996, they have hardly looked back and went on to become one of the most formidable team in cricketing history today. Current players like Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardane, Kumara Sangakkara inspire the kind of fear that only few teams can. Sri Lanka are the current favorites to win this T20 cup and have come a long way since those yesteryears when they were a nobody.

So, do we need minnows to complete our cricketing circuit?

In the 2015 World Cup that will be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand, 10 teams will play, not including the minor cricket nations. This decision has sparked debate across the cricketing community whether minor teams deserve their chance in competitive tournaments.

While you have to agree that you do feel bad when some major cricket team ruthlessly tramples a minnow to win by 10 wickets or post a massive run total, you definitely argue that such teams should not be allowed to participate in major championships, simply because it is so humiliating for them. However, once in a blue moon when a mega cricketing upset happens, that brings about a chain of juicy gossip as well as accusations of match-fixing for all.

But, it cannot be denied that such tournaments can offer a great platform for small teams to improve and learn and mingle with their cricketing heroes who probably inspired them to play. Not to forget the money it offers. After all,  Sri Lanka did prove it and maybe Bangladesh will too, a few years down the line.

And what about these so-called major teams? Although New Zealand have been playing convincingly well in the T20 format, we all know they have been unable to make any impression in the Tests or even ODIs for that matter. Their recent dismal performance against India in the Tests has raised concern over their overall mentality towards the game.

We also know that England went through a rough patch in the early 2000s before coming to life in the later part of the last decade to become the number one side in ODIs and Tests, a position recently usurped by the South Africans. The same thing can be said against Pakistan who, when riddled with controversies that threatened the very existence of their entire playing population, have now emerged as a strong contender. Or West Indies, who have gone through rough and good patches intermittently.

What cricket needs today is all that is put up for offer. A platform to grow and equal opportunities for all it’s followers. We need those big fishes in small ponds and small fishes in big seas. We need both the big and small fishes together competing in vast oceans to raise cricket to newer heights. T20 perhaps, is our best bet to do so. A mini format, small enough to catch interest of newly initiated cricketing fans but long enough to provide entertainment and awareness regarding it.

A beginning to reach towards that coveted “Test” status for small teams and an opportunity for big teams to groom their youngsters on an international level.

A beginning to help cricket grow to heights we only ever imagined. A beginning to spread this cricketing spirit in every nook & corner of the world.

I sit with “It’s not about the bike” in my right hand, with my left one wrapped tightly over a recently read copy of “Every second counts”. I frown as I keep turning both the books and see the man on both covers; he is smiling. I am not.

I sit thinking, deeply disturbed about the USADA’s decision to strip Lance Armstrong of his 7 Tour de France titles and ban him for life. And why shouldn’t it be disturbing? It’s not easy seeing the man you admire caught up in a controversy that embarrassing. It breaks my heart. This is not how I want to see my hero – frustrated, tired and finally giving up without a fight! He refused to give in to cancer, then why the hell is he refusing to fight now? Some, feel for him. Others think, his refusal to contest against the USADA’s decision is a testimony of his guilt. By now, in 2 days, you might have seen several of these stories doing rounds. The world is understandably divided. Fans are supporting him, critics are demeaning him while others on the sideline are just going with the flow. I don’t know whether Lance Armstrong is guilty or not. It’s a question that will be best answered by him. People might speculate a thousand things but in the end what we feel for him in our hearts is not going to change. Can you erase the memories of all the times he won those titles? Can you erase those smiles he put on peoples’ faces? Can you erase every word you read from his books? And can you forget what his foundation Livestrong represents?

This isn’t a stigma on a normal sportsperson. It is a stigma on a hero, on the sport and above all on the rosy picture we create around ourselves. So, suddenly, is Lance Armstrong the villain now? The cheat, The bad egg, The liar?

You have seen this cricket’s bad boy number of times. But as all bad boys, there is something irresistibly sexy about him – the tattooed arms, lean body, messy haircut and smoldering hot attitude. And although he would not be the guy you would normally like to bring home to meet your parents; he certainly is the one for late night bike rides. Kevin Pietersen is all that and much more. Lately, he has been under a lot of flak from the ECB, team-mates, coaches for sending text messages to his South African counterparts. Makes you wonder, since when did sending smses became such an unpardonable crime.

2011 was the year of the English cricket team. They created records, topped rankings, won cups and Pietersen had a large role to play in England’s rise. In the recent series against South Africa, England lost and had to give up their “No.1 team” title. However, that didn’t discourage them from sending KP packing off in wake of the final test. England lost, as expected. The one dayers’ also are not their best bet. South Africa just have to win one match to topple the rankings once more. And so they will, as expected. And although, England does have a lot of quality players in their side, it will be a miracle if they are able to defend the T20 Championship title next month.

Some say, KP’s career is over. Some say, he still has an outside chance. Some say, the ECB will keep him out of the team long enough to teach him a lesson and then take him back. But who is an expert on the English pride? KP did make a sincere video apologizing for his behavior. But, bad boys never look the part of a “meek apologizer”. Who would expect that of them? For the authoritarian English people, this certainly must have sounded hollow & phony. It is difficult being a bad boy!

From purely cricketing point-of-view, keeping all the moralities aside, you would be a fool if you don’t admit the fact that when you have seen Mr. Kevin Pietersen batting, you have seen one of the best batsmen batting on the current international scene. As a fan, this fiasco deeply saddens me again. There will always be this looming dread that we might never see KP bat again for England. (Thanking IPL at this point). KP’s switch-hit – it became a rage earlier this year in IPL, KP’s sixes – something to die for, KP’s effortless batting – a treat to watch. The way he carries his 6 foot 4 inches frame, proudly flaunting his biceps, that cool look on his face, that cocky ‘too-sure’ attitude suits him perfectly right down to the confident swagger of his walk. You never want to be on the opposite team when KP’s batting. You just want to gaze from afar and be mesmerized. A hero or a villain? A hooligan, you say…

Two larger than life Heroes. People I have looked up to. For different reasons, yet for the same purpose – inspiration!

Even if you keep the cancer part apart, Lance Armstrong’s story in itself is a perfect storybook material. An ordinary boy with extra-ordinary talent went on to win 7 Tour de France titles and became the master of cycling. You come across thousands of such examples. People from a humble background making it big on the basis of their unquestionable determination and talent.

Now add to it the fact that, here was a guy who got testicular cancer that had metastasized to his brain and lungs at the young age of 25, he fought it, emerged victorious, came back to race again and win Tour de France. With this, the story has the making of an international bestseller. It is a story that makes you cry, that makes you smile, a story that tells you hope’s never lost. A story that gets etched on you brain and on your heart without any extra effort.

Cancer is not only a disease, it is also a curse. A curse so profound that it drags the person suffering from it to the depths of hell, while still alive. A curse so profound, that it condemns not only the unfortunate person, but also his or her loved ones as well. Cancer attacks one person, but destroys families! Still, many people fight it and survive. But Lance Armstrong was your no ordinary survivor, he was a ‘winner’ – through & through. His foundation – Livestrong today inspires and uplifts so many cancer affected people. In him, we found a hero who was much worthy of genuine accolades & love than the mere on-screen ones.

KP’s story still does not have a concrete ending. It is left to hang in uncertainly, poised in between unsure & undecided. A South African who felt intimidated by the quota system back home, migrated to England and earned a place in the national squad. Relinquished captaincy for a short while, faced critics audaciously, yet never compromised his game. Who cares if KP is not a team player? Who cares what he is as a person? One thing is true, what he is – is right there out in the front. No pretenses! He doesn’t wear those fake masks. Do you believe every other person in the English dressing room is a saint of magnanimous proportions? Or for that matter – are all players currently playing the game, crusaders of kindness, virtue & morality?

There are so many good players all over the world today. But, KP is something that only a few of them are – Entertaining!!! His batting can best be summed up as hypnotizing. OK, so we don’t have a hero with the best attitude in the world but we do have one with an attractive reckless streak.

The problem with us is that we always have believed that world could be divided into good and bad, right and wrong, yes and no. We, who are swathed into blankets of everyday frustrations search for heroic figures to look up to. Pure genius they say is something bestowed upon few. God might be generous in squandering talent around but when it comes to giving the brains & a hardworking will to utilize those talents, God is cruelly stingy. So, some of us, who are the unlucky lot look up to the one’s in the lucky lot.

Ever since humanity came into existence, it has taken upon ‘worship’ as it’s ultimate redemption tool. Any person, however conceited needs an idol to look up to. A seemingly perfect figure that serves as a benchmark for attesting self-achievements. A revelation, a motivation, an influence.

But, blind are we to the faults of the ones we deem as great. We do not realize that these people are mortals like us, living breathing mortals who drink & eat to live. When I wrote, Heroes are People too 3 years back, I expressed similar sentiments regarding the unusual predicament common people always find themselves in.

Heroes are people with their own past – none too different from your own. A past that has regrets, embarrassing situations, mistakes, lies and secrets.

I have a friend who is allergic to eggs. Now you know as a general fact, that eggs are a rich source of proteins. Doctors, health professionals will recommend it as a part of our daily diet. Yet, if a person allergic to them happens to ingest some, they could be life-threatening. Are the eggs bad then?

How do we decide what’s good or bad? Based on the age-old moral values that we have been following all life? How do we know for a fact what is true and what is false? What is right or what is wrong?

Should we condemn Lance Armstrong now if tomorrow he admits his guilt? Should we abhor KP, just because he isn’t a team player?

Will we ever realize that people cannot be divided as Heroes or Villains? Will we ever realize that we cannot categorize every person between two extremes of black or white?

Will we ever realize that the best of men, famous or infamous, are always cloaked in subtle shades of grey.

Dear VVS,

Within a matter of months, we are again saying goodbye. Seems just like yesterday that Dravid bid adieu to international cricket and here you are, doing the same. Even before India gets back to Test cricket after a long break, we have been left hopelessly depleted. It won’t sink in as yet. It will sink in when the first test against New Zealand begins in Hyderabad and we don’t have a middle order to call our own.

You are the third among the Greatest Four to announce his retirement in the last few years and without you the team is never going to be the same ever again. Change is a part of life, they say. But cricket, as I knew it years ago when I was a kid, is gradually changing. The deep sense of respect and gratitude people felt to the likes of you, Dravid, Kumble, Ganguly is not there anymore. The young blood today is cocky and confident. For them, this is more of an occupation and it’s no longer a gentleman’s game. The competition is tough and cricket could be an ideal career choice is dawning upon this generation’s parents.

What is it to be you, VVS? What is it, to play with stalwarts like Sachin and Rahul, yet, make your own separate identity? What is it, that made you special and appreciated? Is it only talent? Is it only perseverance? Or is it the warmth you exuded as a person? Is it the humility? Or the serenity?

You have always been the unsung hero and we never knew when you became the vanquisher of the deadly Aussie brigade.

Just last November, you hit that 176 n.o. to help India conquer an innings victory against West Indies, followed by the rare failure in Australia. Everyone exclaimed, your career’s over. I admit, the debacle in Australian sub-continent was shocking and humiliating but you weren’t the only one who failed. It was a collective failure. And we did recover from it in the limited overs format. Once again, we are back to playing good cricket and the upcoming test series is just another chance to bounce back in this format of the game.

What I now realize is that, people have taken you for granted so many times. Even now, an unspoken rumor was going around that you are going to quit soon after this test series, or maybe soon after the first match. It would be a fitting farewell, they said, in Hyderabad, your home-town.

But you just shut everyone up. You quit on your own terms, in your own way, unwilling to back down or show any kind of weakness. You said that the time was right, a time to let youngsters take the mantle. In doing so, you have left a huge void in the middle order. How the hell are we going to fill it so soon? You showed how a great cricketer never gets bogged down, and you have always held your head high. You admitted your mistakes, improved upon them and polished your own game in a way that it was enjoyable, entertaining and fascinating. You have emerged taller among some of the great cricketers this world has seen and yet made for yourself a special place. How did you do it?

Rarely have I considered you amazing. You are no Sachin or Rahul or even a Sourav. But it is rightly said, “You never know what you have till you’ve lost it.” And now that we are losing you, I remember all those times when you have literally pulled Team India out of difficult situations. Your first test century, a scintillating 167 against Australia in Sydney – just amazing. And who can forget that epic 281 again versus the Aussies that launched you as a superman.

I see so many quotes today by current and retired cricketers praising you. They have oodles of praise for your batting, your temperament but above all, they have a great respect for your character, your personality. Almost all have described you as a great human being. Those who have not expressed this verbally, in the depths of their heart, every person that has met you, has experienced the genuine warmth radiating from you.

Rahul Dravid’s tribute to you is very emotional. I absolutely loved these lines -

“When he walks in, whether you are batting in the middle or sitting in the pavilion and a wicket has fallen, he brings calm to the whole dressing room. I, personally, get a feeling of calm and solidity, not because Laxman will always score but because you know that he will never let you down in terms of effort: you know that he is there and he will pull his weight. There is no higher compliment. You know he has the requisite quality, and that he can read situations well. He has turned up in every circumstance: bad pitches, good pitches, when setting a total or after the opposition has piled up a big score.”

VVS, you really have been a different kind of inspiration for all. Not only for young batsmen but us mere mortals too. Your retirement was inevitable, everyone’s is. But you are walking away as a hero. And I bet, all Aussies’ are breathing a sigh of relief right now.

The team will move on….. it always does. Young and dashing Kohli is in an unbelievable form, Raina is looking good, Manoj Tiwary would get better, Ajinkya Rahane will be groomed and who knows, even Rohit Sharma may bounce back. There is no dearth of talent in Indian cricket and Team India will always have a bright future.

But, it will never be the same again. We have lost another Ace today. In this pack of cards, now a solitary ace remains. He will fight till he feels right and retire on his terms too, just like all you people did.

I will miss you VVS. You have been a part of that Indian team which fueled my passion for cricket. You will be missed for that effortless ease you displayed while batting, for your shots, for your silent assault on bowlers, for that calmness, for that reverence, for being what in words sounds quite easy but in reality is something that you can’t say for many people – a good human being.

I salute you. And dedicate this letter to all genuine lovers of cricket. In you, let us all find inspiration to reach higher and make our own “very very special” place…

With lots of respect and adoration,

A fan who will always look up to you