Respect

Dear Rahul,

It is exactly one year to this day since you retired. Your press conference still streams through my mind. I have not seen many, looking dapper with the India blazer and the tie, on similar occasions (or choose to don the India colours). But then, you were always the studious gentleman, weren't you? I can imagine you as a student in the classroom, refraining from tantrums and truants, and, instead engaging in very well-mannered frivolity, away from the eyes and ears of the teacher! Yes, that was probably what you did too...

Well, what else has happened in the past one year? Economic meltdowns, political turmoil and inhuman rapists aside, you did go quietly about your business post-retirement too. First, there were numerous emotional articles, writ with perfect diction and correctness, that can only be attributed to you. For some writers and journalists, you seemed to bring out their best strokes. If one ever had a doubt that you were an ethereal underdog who never seemed to get his due, the media and the blogging world lay this argument to rest with resounding success. Why, you were even bestowed with the country's third highest civilian honour! Honestly, the words- wall, consistent, dependable, technique, gentleman, champion, among several others took to a new level. Some of the articles and comments have truly been tear-jerking and I shed quite a few too. Gradually, philosophical ideas overtook current reality that, time does not wait for anyone. Alas, fans will now have to get used to a gaping void at the third position of the scoreboard, eventually to be filled by a bunch of letters, but, never again capturing the essence of India's greatest one-drop batsman.

Secondly, the felicitations from the governing bodies of cricket and the media followed where you had to struggle to keep yourself from breaking-down. And, you began laying the foundation of a perceivable future brick by brick in all those memorable speeches. Each carefully prepared, judiciously studied and eloquently delivered. I could not help but notice the tight bond between the core group of the team and time, which now form fairy-tales from yore. It was truly wonderful to realize that even in a professional environment, there could be true friendship and respect for peers.

A few months down the line, when the cacophony of the IPL ended, not many realized that the Rajasthan Royals finished up on top of the table for fair-play. I am sure, your presence at the helm would have resulted in that achievement. Budding players, blinded by the arc-lights of fame would have had a re-assuring arm on their shoulders telling them that individual brilliance is all fine ephemerally, but true worth lay in putting team over self, humility over arrogance, perseverance over lethargy. You would have told them that the five-day version of the sport would remain the summit to scale- the pearl in the oyster. I truly hope they would have taken this advice.

You then dabbled in some public appearances with your book launch, at leadership summits and literature festivals, lots of public awareness campaigns, where you appeared to feel right at home. There was the one very odd award ceremony where you looked completely at sea, sitting among film personalities and leggy lasses. One could see your face turning crimson red when you were interviewed by a model! Perhaps, clean-bowled by a fair maiden? But, it was nice to see you loosening up, albeit only momentarily, in these events.

You also did a measured stint in commentary and writing, which should be favoured areas of interest in the future as well, considering your penchant for the written word. You must be satisfied with this new guy, holding up your desk in the office. He does not seem to be too bad. But, hopefully, he is able to grab your baton in overseas conditions. We will have to wait and watch, for a repeat of his current performances can hopefully, bring down the anxiety levels when India is 2 for 1. Maybe, he can figure out a way to calm the nerves over the next ball, the bowler charging in after his success, the crowd behind the home team, and the ball released with fiery pace is safely "well-left" to the keeper without any hassle. It will be a thrill to hear the buzz in the stadium turn into an exasperation. Maybe, he has it in him to battle the whims of the weather-Gods and bide time for sunnier moments at Leeds. Perhaps, he can summon his yogic concentration levels in sweltering heat in the dust bowls of Rawalpindi, much like you did....

So, yes, I have been following your activities over the past one year with great interest and curiosity. For a select few of us, stationed across continents, you have been one of the prime source of conversation exchange. That is perhaps, a fresh accolade to your overflowing cup. Over time, I do see you getting more involved in cricket. Perhaps, you can team up with your legendary mates and spread the awareness of test cricket to the smaller towns in the country. Perhaps, you can engage in unearthing talent from different parts of the country. Perhaps, you can dig into the grassroots of Indian cricket, and volunteer to clean it up, just like you did, in the Indian colours.

But, whatever you do, it has been an absolute privilege watching, discussing, understanding and aping you. After a year, the hat of great "Ambassador to Cricket" now fits nicely, just like that India blazer and tie did a year ago. Thank you, Rahul, for the memories.

Siddarth.
 

Catalyst

In placing due importance to the the famous Independence speech by Pandit Nehru, India awoke into the pangs of ignominy at the turn of the century. A nation felt betrayed by scandals and testimonials of epic proportion in a sport which ran rich and thick through it's veins. The first man of cricket was brought to his knees in astounding revelations and it seemed as if turmoil on the political front seeped into the cricket field as well. While one end of the country was losing her brave soldiers at the high peaks of Siachen, at the other end, it's people wept and felt cheated by icons of the sport. To some, Prime Minister, A.B.Vajpayee's oratory skills provided comfort and served as a balm to soothe the pain of the causality India was suffering at Kargil and at cricket. 

But, all that was to change. Day after day, the Prime Minister's brilliant speeches and intent, created a massive ripple that gripped the nation and gave it belief, that she could come out of it scathed, yes, but stronger and belligerent. To this end, we owe a truck-load of gratitude to our brave soldiers, who survived all odds to scale great heights and stamp the authority India was to have in the high peaks of the Himalayas. As a result of this new found confidence, people across the country began to look up at the sky again. The successful nuclear tests and the long range ballistic missile tests conducted during this time further strengthened the country's might and India announced herself to the world rising like a dragon.

Over this period of excitement, every Indian citizen began his day with the hope that he too can scale great heights. It was against this backdrop that a visiting Australian team arrived on Indian shores with the dream of conquering it on the grass-fields. It was against this backdrop, that a nucleus of players with highest integrity and deepest love for the traditions of the game came together to brush away the tragic drama that had engulfed the sport. Aggressive competitors on the field with a demure persona off it, these titans performed duties battling cramps, broken-jaws, hamstrings, dehydration, sore backs, short-pitched deliveries and thrust the new found self-belief into the face of the nation and especially, it's youth. For that, this blogger will be eternally grateful.

An Indian team got up to defend it's land and protect it against the all conquering Australian team. Led extremely admirably by a captain who believed in taking the bull by the horns, it's batsmen stood up to face the heat. It's bowlers acquired new desire to run in hard and bend their backs with each delivery. It's fielders threw themselves on the ground-leaping, flying, shedding blood to blunt the opposition. In due course of time, as India became a global power who could not be ignored, an Indian team and it's brave-hearts stepped onto the play-field literally wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Not to be subservient anymore, not to be bullied anymore, but to fight and win within the
boundaries of sportsmanship.

It was against this backdrop the India vs Australia series of 2001 unfolded and will remain etched in the minds of my generation for ages to come. When every player begins to believe that he can perform beyond his potential, what transpires on the field is a revelation. Each of these players assumed a larger than life grit and will-power and gave it his all for the cause of his country. That group of players attained divinity in the minds and hearts of their supporters. Bloodied but not beaten, injured but not down, they collectively embodied a nation's calling for a shot at her destiny.

And what a legacy they left behind! One, that cannot be surpassed, not because records cannot be broken, but for the immense levels of valor that went into shaping that legacy. No one can dare put a prize to that and no one should. To exemplify the fact that, this level of greatness was achieved with the utmost humility and stood out in the standard that was maintained in keeping up with the traditions of the game is a resounding achievement. This Indian team not only protected the country's soil against invaders, but went on to battle for supremacy on foreign soil. Battlegrounds in England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia were conquered. Those present, witnessed and stood in unison to laud these legendary warriors who enthralled the audience with grit, determination, audacity, tenacity, guile, perseverance and more importantly, love for the game and respect for it's peers.

Today, as I look back fondly at this time India rose, I recall how her warriors on the battlefront and off it performed admirably. A nation's collective calling was answered by a few men who took guard against bullets and bouncers. Against bitter cold and sweltering heat. To stand up and fight did not require might but strength, did not require rage but resolve, did not require hate but skill. Today, as India pushes herself up to greater heights, I cannot help but smile at the catalyst that spurned this process. At the men, who gave their all.

"At the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, India awakens to her life and freedom...".