With five more innings to go including this second innings at Mohali, before people sit down to pen down the epilogue of Sourav Ganguly. I am driven by this inner urge to scribble a few words about this living legend of Indian cricket. The news paper headlines and television air time belongs to the Sachin Tendulkar of Indian Cricket, and indeed like millions of cricket fans in India, even I am delighted that I have witnessed Sachin create this great piece of history in such a humble way. It felt great to be a part of this generation that grew up watching him. But not to forget our Dada, who silently yet significantly consolidated this Indian Innings to pile on a significant total, that even the mighty aussies got bogged down to. And the back with a bang gesture that was portrayed by him transpired his emotion and desperation for this feat in this final series. Like millions of Indians, especially Bengalis for whom Sourav was a part of their life, a symbol of their pride and one of their greatest icon. I am sure there are millions who want Dada’s swansong to continue and are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that his final chapter be his Magnum opus. Indeed I belong to this species of Sourav bhokto( sourav’s fan). And I know how it is feeling at this hour when you all know that this is going to be the last time we see him on air with that blue cap and high crest doing the duty he has done best over the last 13 years. I must have been two when Sachin kicked off his innings in the International arena, and don’t quite have a vivid memory of that, albeit I remember him from the earlier years of the 1990s, But in 1996 I was a school going boy about 10 years of age and the ball ruled the roost over the text-book. So those centuries that decorated the English summers are still fresh and alive. The lanky bengali boy who sported a moustache and wore a full sleeved T-shirt with a half sweater on, raised his bat to kiss the English clouds and praises and honour came down torrentially from all corners, India had found its new cricketing icon. But more so importantly Bengal , that had very few representations in the Indian Cricket’s dressing room found a man who was ready for a long innings here. With the pampering of Jagmohan Dalmiya and the entire nation dancing to his dancing down the track six of spinners, this boy within a spell of five years was promoted as the India Captain and within months , this country saw a new dream roll out in the fields, TEAM INDIA was born . An ideal punch of youth and experience, of aggression and defense, of temperament and flamboyance. And guess who wove the fabric for it all …Sourav or more popularly DADA by then.
For the nest five years the dream run was on. until it was finally halted on the 15th of December,2005 after a test match at Delhi’s Kotla when Kiran More came out announcing that the services of sourav ganguly was not required to the Indian cricket team at that point in time. Soon after this, the majestic hero of millions, was branded as an adamant, arrogant , ill-tempered player who gelled well with none. Critics had accumulated sufficient amount of material from their closet to fill the newspaper column and interactive shows on TV (most of them) with their flashy graphical statistics went on to prove how miserable a failure Sourav had been . And a few die-hard fan who wanted to voice out against this were muted by the noise of the commotion.
Despair loomed large at times, with Dalmiya also ousted from the ranks of the BCCI, a hostile coach in the form of Greg, and a team that seemed to have adorned this new colours of change. But tough practice and the whispering by his coach in his ears “ Tomake India team e abar khelte hobe” (You have to play for India again), it was ten months and sourav ganguly pounced upon proteas touring their country just at the right time, and saved India from a humiliation on that tour abroad. Greg had anything to do but applaud the genius of the player and the gem of Indian cricket. The next year and a half; the best of his career, his first double ton on his comeback circuit, and he averaged more than that of his career average all through out. He was once again a part of this TEAM INDIA, he once built, but as a member not as their commander in chief(Captain). He toured Australia with his team that winter and played his 100th test match ,only the sixth Indian to do so. Then a mighty 87 against the proteas in a dust bowl in Kanpur, reaffirmed his place. But the erratic performance at the SriLanka series once again helped the critics raise their eyebrow, and every time they had done so he came up with his usual answer in the form of his flawless cricket . But this time before the home series against Australia and the speculations that were on fuelled by the media and critics were doing rounds. And It was at a press conference in Bengaluru , at about when the PC was about to end and the journalist in a wind up mode,7th October 2008, that the Maharaja called in quits and called it an end to his international cricketing career after the home series with Australia.
It was a broken heart for many of us, and at the same time our nerves went jittery. But all that eased when Cameron White was driven on the legs for a boundary that brought up his sixteenth test century at Mohali, one that may eventually punctuate his career as his last century. But wishing that he scores another couple in Delhi and Nagpur , this is to wish the Maharaja of Indian Cricket, The prince of Kolkata and the King of our Hearts adieu and goodbye. Sourav you ruled, you rule and you will continue to rule our aspirations and imaginations for years and decades to come. It’s been a pleasure and a honour having been able to see you all though out your career, in and out. DADA U Truly Rock!!!
For the nest five years the dream run was on. until it was finally halted on the 15th of December,2005 after a test match at Delhi’s Kotla when Kiran More came out announcing that the services of sourav ganguly was not required to the Indian cricket team at that point in time. Soon after this, the majestic hero of millions, was branded as an adamant, arrogant , ill-tempered player who gelled well with none. Critics had accumulated sufficient amount of material from their closet to fill the newspaper column and interactive shows on TV (most of them) with their flashy graphical statistics went on to prove how miserable a failure Sourav had been . And a few die-hard fan who wanted to voice out against this were muted by the noise of the commotion.
Despair loomed large at times, with Dalmiya also ousted from the ranks of the BCCI, a hostile coach in the form of Greg, and a team that seemed to have adorned this new colours of change. But tough practice and the whispering by his coach in his ears “ Tomake India team e abar khelte hobe” (You have to play for India again), it was ten months and sourav ganguly pounced upon proteas touring their country just at the right time, and saved India from a humiliation on that tour abroad. Greg had anything to do but applaud the genius of the player and the gem of Indian cricket. The next year and a half; the best of his career, his first double ton on his comeback circuit, and he averaged more than that of his career average all through out. He was once again a part of this TEAM INDIA, he once built, but as a member not as their commander in chief(Captain). He toured Australia with his team that winter and played his 100th test match ,only the sixth Indian to do so. Then a mighty 87 against the proteas in a dust bowl in Kanpur, reaffirmed his place. But the erratic performance at the SriLanka series once again helped the critics raise their eyebrow, and every time they had done so he came up with his usual answer in the form of his flawless cricket . But this time before the home series against Australia and the speculations that were on fuelled by the media and critics were doing rounds. And It was at a press conference in Bengaluru , at about when the PC was about to end and the journalist in a wind up mode,7th October 2008, that the Maharaja called in quits and called it an end to his international cricketing career after the home series with Australia.
It was a broken heart for many of us, and at the same time our nerves went jittery. But all that eased when Cameron White was driven on the legs for a boundary that brought up his sixteenth test century at Mohali, one that may eventually punctuate his career as his last century. But wishing that he scores another couple in Delhi and Nagpur , this is to wish the Maharaja of Indian Cricket, The prince of Kolkata and the King of our Hearts adieu and goodbye. Sourav you ruled, you rule and you will continue to rule our aspirations and imaginations for years and decades to come. It’s been a pleasure and a honour having been able to see you all though out your career, in and out. DADA U Truly Rock!!!
