India's most successful captain, the God of off side, one who changed the face of Indian Cricket has retired and will no more be seen in the International arena. What a life of Cricket he has had. DADA as he is favouritely called by all, made his debut against the Australians, but fell short of runs and was thrown into a shell for 4 years. But despite this, he made a strong come back by hitting a century against England in his Debut Test match at Lord's in 1996. There has been no looking back since then.
He made a revolution in the Indian cricket when he took over the reins of captaincy from Mohamed Azharuddin. Just when it looked as if Indians would win no more matches, he led the team to the famous win against the Australians at home when the Indian team beat the World champions and won the historic test series 2-1.
He led the team by example, nurtured and extended his fullest support to all the younger players, showed his aggressiveness when needed the famous being when he removed his shirt at Lord's Balcony when India thrashed England by chasing 326 in Natwest Finals in 2002, just because Andrew Flintoff had run bare chest in India.
After being dropped from the team in 2005, he re-emerged from the ashes by hitting an half century in his come back match. From then on, despite the consistent criticism showered on him, he has replied patiently by scoring heavily in most of the matches.
Few moments which is close to my heart:-
- The rain of sixes during World Cup 1999. He would stand confidently after hitting a shot. This exposed the pain and agony in the eyes of any of the opposition.
- His 183 scored of 158 balls against the Sri lankan's. What a stunning performance.
- His every stand as an opener with Tendulkar, especially when the duo stood together for 196 against the Kenyan's. Though it was against minnows, it was a treat for the eyes. Their highest being 258.
- Removal of his T-shirt in the Balcony of Lord's when India chased 326 for victory.
- His recent century against the Australians in Mohali, his 85 in Nagpur and though i didnt want this kind of farewell to Dada, the most saddest a duck in his final innings.
The final innings when he walked in for fielding and received a salutation from his teammates, would have been watched by many with a heavy heart. India's most successful captain, having won 21 tests and 76 one day internationals under his captaincy, scoring more than 18000 runs, 11000+ runs in ODI and 7000+ runs in Tests, averaging more than 40 in both forms of cricket, he definitely has proved himself as a worthy cricketer who in the history of world cricket would be placed as an successful cricketer and captain.
As God had said, it is time for celebration as one of the most successful cricketer has taken the toughest decision of his life and we all should support him.
Today as he sits back and takes a deep breath to see how his cricket life had been, it would surely give him some peace and satisfaction.
Though we would get no more of the lofted sixes, the square cuts and the square drives, you would still be remembered at heart as one of the greatest cricketer India has produced.
GOOD BYE DADA.
No comments:
Post a Comment