It was 4 pm. I was hungry, having not eaten anything for close to 15 hours. I had spent the last two hours in an examination hall where I had found out the actual name of the course for the first time. Common sense dictated – get food and get rest. Thankfully I had 2 missed calls, when I checked my phone after the exam. They were from Mom. I called back and found out that He was batting on 75. If I did not believe in serendipity earlier, I do now.
We all know what happened next, and papers tomorrow will be full of it. In few or more words they will all call Him a living legend – there was never a doubt over that. They will all salute His genius – one would be blind not to have observed that already. They’ll say men like Him are born once in a century – and surely time will stand witness to that. They’ll all say cricket will never be the same without Him – and I dread to think of the day when He decides to say “that’s all folks”.
Somehow, I always feel that my words will do justice to what I felt, and always I terribly fail. Last time around, 4 months ago, I could manage less than 60 words [here]. If only I could do better this time around.
Soon the shots will begin to fade and the numbers will be reduced to a list in the books of stats. What will remain is the memory, an image – like those of a sandstorm, like those of a cut over point – the image of a man looking up at the sky with a tricolor embracing helmet in one hand and a 30-in piece of willow in the other.
This achievement makes Him no greater than he already is. This is not a feat He needed. But it is the world of cricket that deserved someone like Him to score the first double ton in ODI. It is the world of cricket that is honored to have Him as the first double centurion in ODIs.
Thank God that I parked myself in front of the television at 1615 hrs on Feb 24th 2010 – I could never have forgiven myself otherwise.
And Thank You – for always giving me a reason to say “I’m proud to be an Indian”.
We all know what happened next, and papers tomorrow will be full of it. In few or more words they will all call Him a living legend – there was never a doubt over that. They will all salute His genius – one would be blind not to have observed that already. They’ll say men like Him are born once in a century – and surely time will stand witness to that. They’ll all say cricket will never be the same without Him – and I dread to think of the day when He decides to say “that’s all folks”.
Somehow, I always feel that my words will do justice to what I felt, and always I terribly fail. Last time around, 4 months ago, I could manage less than 60 words [here]. If only I could do better this time around.
Soon the shots will begin to fade and the numbers will be reduced to a list in the books of stats. What will remain is the memory, an image – like those of a sandstorm, like those of a cut over point – the image of a man looking up at the sky with a tricolor embracing helmet in one hand and a 30-in piece of willow in the other.This achievement makes Him no greater than he already is. This is not a feat He needed. But it is the world of cricket that deserved someone like Him to score the first double ton in ODI. It is the world of cricket that is honored to have Him as the first double centurion in ODIs.
Thank God that I parked myself in front of the television at 1615 hrs on Feb 24th 2010 – I could never have forgiven myself otherwise.
And Thank You – for always giving me a reason to say “I’m proud to be an Indian”.
Copying wrd frm ur prev post :
ReplyDelete"We are India, as long as HE is there.
and WE BELIEVE."
i missed the history in making...no rerun or news report of that few seconds can ever match up to my loss...on top of that i din realize what has happened when you called me...
ReplyDeletethings like these mk me wonder what wrong have i done??...
:kiss
ReplyDelete