Anil Kumble: Kumble has forever stamped cricket with his hallmarks, humility off the field and guile on it. He is possibly the nicest person to have ever worn Indian colours, or for that matter any colours ! In his own bland, colourless way, he has stepped out of Indian cricket with limited fanfare. Test cricket has had its share of lethal bowlers who have taken their share of large wicket hauls. Bowled, Caught, Stumped and Lbw. But besides Shane Warne, Anil Kumble is the only bowler who has actually "thought out" batsmen consistently. For those of you screaming "Murali", I said "Bowler". Salutations to the scientist !
Sourav Ganguly: In my opinion, the best leader Indian cricket has ever had. God on the off side, suspect on the on side, all heart inside and all cool on the outside. I had written a piece on Sourav when he was dropped two years ago. I am happy to see my views vindicated. I am happier to see this champion of our times given the send off that he so richly deserves.
Sourav took on the unenviable task of leading Indian Cricket when even die hard cricket fans had given up on a tainted team. He backed and built a strong team that beat the best in the game. A team that brought back cricket fans to stadia and to TV sets. A team from which he was once booted out unceremoniously and in my opinion, unjustly.
Since his "in your face" return to test cricket, Sourav has possibly scored more runs than any other Indian batsman. But more importantly, he has scored consistently. He leaves Indian Cricket with about two more years of competitive International cricket left in him. Two years that he has decided to keep for himself. Good, because the frivolus cricket fans of this country should never be given a chance to insult this great man again.
I have been inspired by Ganguly for years. He is human, fallible and yet great. The Bradmans, Sachins and Laras have their place in the record books, but to me, they can't hold a candle to this man.
没有评论:
发表评论