Inspiring India, classless Kohli
It has been a week since the last test match of the glorious test season ended, but the withdrawal symptoms still persist. My muscle memory still accesses the Cricbuzz app. And, when my eyes don't see any fresh score flashing on the screen, disappointed, they scan the balance of the app for news articles. The realisation dawning for the umpteenth time that the test series is truly over.
A time had come during the second half the Aussie series, when I forcibly uninstalled my favourite app, cricbuzz from my phone. Just to ensure that the addictive power of the current series did not distract me from my work.
Cricket aficionados across the country (and there is no dearth of them in India anyway) would concur with me violently. We were exposed to some of the most exciting cricket we have ever seen.
While the season score line suggests a comprehensive win for us, the victory was not so easy. The Kiwis refused to be cowed down, the Englishmen started with flourish. Who knows, if only Kohli had not batted well in the first test we would have been staring at a barrel. The Bangladeshis showed that they belonged on the big stage.
But, the die hard cricket fan knew, that all these tests were the appetisers. They were setting us and our appetite up for the fight between the top two teams.
This was the El Classico and the Derby rolled into one. This was the Roger versus Rafa contest stretched over five days over four matches.
And, what a start it had.
The seemingly invincible Indians, who were supposed to roll over the Aussies suffered a body blow in the first test.
The meteoric team turned into a misdirected scud missile scarring itself.
The real test started. Were we the real number 1 or a team that was masquerading as the best team?
The way the Indian team sprung back subsequently is a story that will be spoken of for many many years. If there were any doubt whether we were the true no. 1, those doubts got erased completely.
While the Indian team roared and its reputation soared, one person started crumbling.
Virat Kohli, the man who could do no wrong.
It was a terrible sight seeing the captain sledge, use cuss words, push his team members to behave obnoxiously.
It was difficult to see an Indian captain stoop to levels that were hitherto unknown. Virat Carries a legacy - his predecessor was the cool Dhoni, and before him the venerable Kumble, Dravid, Tendulkar and even Ganguly..
None of them ever said anything that bore any stigma.
Any idea that Virat has that he is indispensable would have been eradicated after our Dharmasala win. The team won the match together without any ruckus.
IPL will possibly prove again that the sport is bigger than its players. Virat the captain might not be missed..
Maybe there will be a lesson Virat will learn during the process.
While legends like Federer have shown how to be true champions, on an off the field, Virat can possibly take a leaf out of Sindhu's book. India's reigning sports queen is a picture of humility despite reaching Himalayan heights.
Hopefully, Virat remembers that "with great power comes great responsibility ". He handles the second most important post in the country, the Prime Minister being the most important.
Hope he lives up to the responsibility the post bestows on him..
When he comes back from his injury, hope he comes back respecting the game more..
It has been a week since the last test match of the glorious test season ended, but the withdrawal symptoms still persist. My muscle memory still accesses the Cricbuzz app. And, when my eyes don't see any fresh score flashing on the screen, disappointed, they scan the balance of the app for news articles. The realisation dawning for the umpteenth time that the test series is truly over.
A time had come during the second half the Aussie series, when I forcibly uninstalled my favourite app, cricbuzz from my phone. Just to ensure that the addictive power of the current series did not distract me from my work.
Cricket aficionados across the country (and there is no dearth of them in India anyway) would concur with me violently. We were exposed to some of the most exciting cricket we have ever seen.
While the season score line suggests a comprehensive win for us, the victory was not so easy. The Kiwis refused to be cowed down, the Englishmen started with flourish. Who knows, if only Kohli had not batted well in the first test we would have been staring at a barrel. The Bangladeshis showed that they belonged on the big stage.
But, the die hard cricket fan knew, that all these tests were the appetisers. They were setting us and our appetite up for the fight between the top two teams.
This was the El Classico and the Derby rolled into one. This was the Roger versus Rafa contest stretched over five days over four matches.
And, what a start it had.
The seemingly invincible Indians, who were supposed to roll over the Aussies suffered a body blow in the first test.
The meteoric team turned into a misdirected scud missile scarring itself.
The real test started. Were we the real number 1 or a team that was masquerading as the best team?
The way the Indian team sprung back subsequently is a story that will be spoken of for many many years. If there were any doubt whether we were the true no. 1, those doubts got erased completely.
While the Indian team roared and its reputation soared, one person started crumbling.
Virat Kohli, the man who could do no wrong.
It was a terrible sight seeing the captain sledge, use cuss words, push his team members to behave obnoxiously.
It was difficult to see an Indian captain stoop to levels that were hitherto unknown. Virat Carries a legacy - his predecessor was the cool Dhoni, and before him the venerable Kumble, Dravid, Tendulkar and even Ganguly..
None of them ever said anything that bore any stigma.
Any idea that Virat has that he is indispensable would have been eradicated after our Dharmasala win. The team won the match together without any ruckus.
IPL will possibly prove again that the sport is bigger than its players. Virat the captain might not be missed..
Maybe there will be a lesson Virat will learn during the process.
While legends like Federer have shown how to be true champions, on an off the field, Virat can possibly take a leaf out of Sindhu's book. India's reigning sports queen is a picture of humility despite reaching Himalayan heights.
Hopefully, Virat remembers that "with great power comes great responsibility ". He handles the second most important post in the country, the Prime Minister being the most important.
Hope he lives up to the responsibility the post bestows on him..
When he comes back from his injury, hope he comes back respecting the game more..
