The day I met a Legend!

Last week, while I was returning home from a routine day’s work, I happened to glance at the tender-coconut vendor who occupies the foot-path off the road to my house. I felt as though I have seen someone I know. To ensure that it wasn’t a chemical locha in my head, I looked carefully again. I sped across the road to get a closer look.
He must have noticed me running towards him because he looked a bit taken aback as he looked in my direction. As I grew closer, I noticed the BCCI emblem on his t-shirt and I was certain by now that I had indeed spotted the great Indian off-spinner of the 70’s, Erapalli Prasanna!

I went up to him. Greeted him. Expressed that I was very happy to see him.
It suddenly occurred to me that I was very close to my house. I quickly asked him if he would be willing to sign my bat. This request obviously took him by surprised as I wasn’t carrying a bat, was dressed in formals with a formal bag.

I, realizing this excitedly stretched my hand out towards my house and told him that I’d rush and get it in a minute.

He assured patiently that he would wait in the car while I fetched the bat.

I just sped. The watchman was wondering what had got into me. I fetched the bats and ran back to his car; relieved to see him wait there patiently.

He signed my bats writing, “Lots of runs! GOD Bless! – Prasanna!”

I was humbled by the great cricketer and his kindness to wait for me to get my bats.
I started sending out messages to my friends reciting the incident! It was a great feeling!

This was certainly one special day!

So many Batsmen! Why not as many ...

Why does India not produce as many fast bowlers as Pakistan?

This question I am sure has crossed the mind of every Indian cricket follower some time or the other. More so because the playing conditions in the two countries are quite similar.

Both countries have produced some great cricketers who have enjoyed huge fan following all over the world and especially in their respective countries have been elevated to being role models for aspiring athletes.

“Whom would you like to become when you grow up?” Ask this question to any young kid in India who is pursuing a dream in the sport and he will most probably say Sachin Tendulkar. About a decade back, a kid would have answered a bit differently and taken the name of Sunil Gavaskar.

Ask the same question to a kid across the border and he would without much doubt take the name of Imran Khan or Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis.

If you look back, most of India’s world beaters in the game have been batsmen. Starting as far back as C.K. Nayudu, Poly Umrigar, Vijay Manjrekar, Tiger Pataudi, the four legendary spinners of the 60’s and 70’s, Dilip Sardesai, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Vishwanath, Sachin. We can see how lonely Kapil is in this list.

Now, look at Pakistan and the names that come to your mind are Imran Khan, Javaid Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and now, Shoaib Akhtar.

As its eminent, the bigger heroes in Pakistan have been fast bowlers.

Champions in a sport often pay role models to the budding next generation. They are looked up to by youngsters who often attempt to emulate their feats.

If there would not have been an Imran, there may not have been a Wasim, a Waqar.

Similarly, if there would not have been a Sunil, there may not have been a Sachin, a Sehwag.

Champions breed champions.

The Stuff Champions Are Made Of!

When I sit back and think, what is it that I enjoy champions doing the most?

Winning…yes…of course…that is why they are champions!

A Becham free kick, a Federer ace, a Kapil Dev banana out-swinger, a Gavaskar straight drive, a Lara pull, an Agassi baseline winner or return of serve, a Shane Warne googly, a Tendulkar drive on the up. These are trademarks of some of the Champions I can think of.

These speak volumes about their skills which have helped them get to such heights.

But when was it that I saw something special from these champions that stood out even amidst the already maintained higher standards?

I remember the Olympic semi final between Agassi and Paes. Paes was 2-0 up. In the third set, he lost a bit of conditioning and that was enough for Agassi to wedge in, win the next three sets, the match and finally went on to win the gold that year.

I have enjoyed a Federer game most whenever he has been one set down. The Wimbledon 2007 Final against Nadal was one such example.
People say that this was the best Wimbledon final that they have witnessed after the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 which was Borg’s last win of the record five in a row.

(Future might show some more similarities seeing the way Nadal is going!)

It is believed that Kapil’s 6 wicket haul against the Aussies in 1980 at Melbourne is one of his most memorable performances which proved decisive with respect to the result of the test match.
It is said that Kapil was nursing a soar knee and it was doubtful whether he would bowl in that particular innings. He backed himself, raised his game and the rest is history.

I remember the big hundred by Steve Waugh in his comeback test after being unceremoniously dropped and being written off many a times.

Followers of other sports might come up with a lot more similar examples.

Champions are different.

They are the ones who when cornered against a wall, come back raring at you like a tiger.
It is amazing to see the way they raise their game and rise to the occasion.

This according to me is what sets champions apart.

The stuff champions are made of!