India’s Richie Benaud

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Many take to cricket either because of the love for the game or for the players or for the country or even because of the cricket fanatics around them. But believe it or not I started watching the game for its commentary. I used to pay more attention to the words than the ball. I used to love commentators more than cricketers. I still do. Commentators keep the game alive and interesting. They help ordinary spectators understand the game better. Imagine watching cricket on TV without commentary. It would be like dessert without its yummy topping. The flavor would have gone missing.

I still remember those days when I used to feel depressed if I got a commentator’s name wrong. As a young kid I believed everything they said was true and there was no disputing it. I still haven’t completely come out of it. Those are the voices I rely on. Commentators still have a great influence on me. At times I wonder why. And the answer is with me - Their interesting choice of words, their cricketing acumen and more for their personality than anything else. I have a long list of commentators who have over the years made the game more interesting than it is. A few names which come to my mind without having to recollect are India’s Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri, Australia’s legendary commentators like Richie Benaud, England’s Geoff Boycott, Tony Greig and David Lloyd. Even if it’s a boring test match draw I’m glued to the television screen just to listen to Mark Nicholas talk. Such is the impact commentators have on the game. I’m in no means suggesting that the quality of the game has very little to do with drawing followers. All that I’m saying is commentators add the much needed spice to cricket.

My inspiration to write about the game came from Mr.Harsha Bhogle. He is undoubtedly the face of Indian cricket. His singing abilities and on-field achievements as a captain of his university cricket team are always talked about by him. Everyone just adores him for what he is. He is intelligent, smart, witty, lively and humble and has vast knowledge about the game. He knows how exactly to capture the minds of a global audience with the touch of humour of course. He is a thorough professional. He is accepted world-wide as a bright media person. Be it as an anchor or a quiz master, a host or a T.V presenter, a top class commentator or a fine writer, he is at his best. His child-like enthusiasm is evident in every article he writes and every show he hosts. He has inspired me o empower my dreams. He might not be as great a writer as Peer Roebuck or as great a commentator as Richie Benaud. But he has managed to make a name of his own. Once, a group of cricket lovers in Pakistan held a banner which said “Harsha Bhogle fan club”. What better a prize could you expect! The warmth with which he is welcomed, loved and respected all over the world is phenomenal.

“India’s Richie Benaud equivalent, the guru of cricket from India” says Adam Gilchrist about Harsha Bhogle.

The Journey from Good to Great..

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Almost 21 years of top level cricket and counting at the age of 37. Shy yet confident young boy made his debut 21 years back and is still going strong. A stylish schoolboy with loads of curly hair then, a stylish little man with funky hair-do now. Prodigy then, genius now. No prizes for guessing whom I’m talking about. It is indeed the master blaster, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

Though I haven’t witnessed the early days of the little genius I know for a matter of fact that he was a gifted talent. At the age of 17, it’s not easy to stay focused in spite of all the adulation, money and fame. I’m not even as old as the number of years the big daddy has given to cricket. So it wouldn’t be fair for me to talk much about the great man. The dignity and humility with which he walks out to bat is evident even today. No doubt he has got exquisite timing and perfect placement but the youngsters today have to take notice of the hard work the man puts in before every match he plays.

Sachin Tendulkar is such an inspiration to the entire nation. He is a jovial and fun loving person. He usually hangs out with the young brigade of the team. He loves his clothes, food, music and his love for cars is well known. He has done the world of good to cricket in India and elsewhere. A living legend according to experts, master blaster and the God of cricket to all his fans, Sach to his friends and Grandpa to the young members of Indian team. Dedication, determination, simplicity, humility, will power, confidence, dignity, all of these traits suit the man perfectly. Well, it’s so true that ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ is the vastest topic to write on. Even after writing a 500-page book on him you would realize you haven’t covered even half of what he has achieved over the years. Such is the legacy of the man.

The whole world watches cricket to watch Sachin bat. The sheer contentment and delight you derive after watching him play is incredible.

When bat proved mightier than gun..

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Karim Sadiq, Afghanistan opener said about his team, “Having survived in refugee camps and fought for food and clothes all their life, they are not used to defeat”. Yeah, that’s the spirit team Afghanistan carries with it. It is amazing how a country like Afghanistan can pick up bat instead of guns.

I was awestruck when I first heard the news that Afghanistan had made it to the World T20. No doubt they are a tough bunch and they want to get counted on such a big platform. They aren’t in West Indies for nothing. They have proved it in the recent past that they deserve to be there and that nothing is impossible. A year ago nobody in their wildest of dreams thought of Afghanistan being a part of this elite group. Here they are to make their country proud. It’s a dream come true for players from Afghanistan to be playing against the world’s best cricketers. No one is expecting them to win the tournament here but the very fact that they made it till here should be motivation enough for them. Team Afghanistan is an inspiring story for other upcoming countries. There are a lot of youngsters in the team and they need to be nurtured well. As a team they didn’t look great in their series opener against India. But then they will certainly improve with proper coaching and exposure.

You simply can’t produce top class cricketers with not a single turf cricket in the entire country. It’s good news that the International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council are providing grants to cricket in Afghanistan for better infrastructure. They need to set themselves better standards and keep their feet on the ground. Once that happens they will be a better side. I still can’t believe there’s a cricket team from Afghanistan. They have done a commendable job till now. They need to get better. It sounds like a fairy tale to me. But I’m glad it’s real. I’ve always endorsed T20 cricket for only one reason that it globalizes the sport. Here’s a live example for it. Hope cricket brings some solace to the war-tone nation.