|
By Harimohan
Paruvu (The writer is the author of 'The
Men Within - A Cricketing Tale' and also
a former Hyderabad Ranji Player)
 With
the Perth
victory, Anil Kumble and his men shut up
all the Sydney test nonsense in a way that
brooks no answer. The Aussie skipper who was all
of belligerence after the last match shut up.
The Aussie team with its irritating, whining
quotes after the last match shut up. The Aussie
media at large shut up. Most importantly, all
the crazies in India who reacted with ‘Call the
team back’ and who typically over-react to
everything cricketing in India, shut up.
 This
was one of the most satisfying wins I’ve ever
experienced by India. It made me smile. It made
me take a walk out in the sun. It made me feel
warm and fuzzy. No histrionics, no
shirt-tripping-and-waving, no raucous shouting
and falling over each other in a heap, no
pushing out senior administrators rudely out
because we won a historic win, no jumping all
over the carcasses of the vanquished – no, just
a quiet celebration for winning a game of
cricket, genuine in every word (unlike some of
the antics we see from some of our players which
are clearly aimed for the cameras that they know
are looking for some visuals to splash across).
No wonder, the warmth touched us all the way
here. And to all those TV anchors who doubted it
– yes, it’s a gentleman’s game still.
It will remain a
gentlemen’s game as long as we have players of
such exceptional temperament. They belong to the
highest league of men – Kumble- the statesman,
Dravid – Mr. Fair play, Tendulkar – An icon who
sets the highest standards of behaviour on and
off the field, Ganguly – an exceptional leader
and motivator of men, Dhoni – a quiet achiever
and incredible man-manager, Sehwag – the most
underrated of all, VVS Laxman – who’s so good
you hardly notice him despite all his selfless
heroics …there are more but yes, this is a list
of exceptional men. Not because of their records
but because they know how to lose. And precisely
because of that - they are also capable of
winning. Like at Perth.
It’s time Australia learnt
how to win. And to lose. Maybe they could hire
Kumble to teach them a few lessons in the art of
winning. Bravo boys. This is about being Indian.
We don’t need to sledge. We don’t need to fight
and beat our chests. We can forgive - like we
did Hogg. We can take it on the chin and still
carry on – like a racism slur from the most
racist team of all. We can play where it matters
most - in the middle.
And we can hurt where it
hurts most – by taking away your pride in your
den. But it’s not about that really. It’s merely
about playing a game of cricket. And playing it
consistently well over four days to deny the
famous Aussies the pleasure of dominating even a
single day. It is about all the players doing
what they can do the best – Kumble daring to bat
first on WACA, Sehwag banishing all fears of
pacy wickets and attacks, Dravid resolute in
defense and so compact that nothing could have
got him except himself, Tendulkar carrying the
fight deep into the enemy’s heart on the first
day, Laxman making sure that Australia chase 400
by scotching all hopes with some fantastic
batting with the tail, Dhoni who excelled
efficiently behind the stumps as with the bat,
Kumble for captaincy that was uncannily on the
button, RP for spirited batting and bowling and
young Ishant for lion hearted bowling that
reminded me of Kapil’s attitude against famed
batting line-ups. A special word for Pathan who
did no wrong with the bat and ball and tormented
the Aussies and finally hurt them badly
everytime he was out in the middle.
Did I miss anyone? Yes, the
reserves, the support staff, everyone of us who
egged the team on in our mids and said ‘Go on
boys, do it at Perth”. The world’s in good hands
my friends. And I know I can wake up with a
smile of anticipation tomorrow. The news in the
morning papers is bound to be good.
Top of the Page |
Related Links