I didn't find out the answer, but I think I did find out the way. It is something similar to what I have experienced in my life itself, but these days I get frightened about talking about myself. So I would like to share something interesting I came across. It relates to cricket, the 2nd religion of India [I think it used to be.. For the generation of the 90s like I, who grew up watching and playing cricket.. Amazing that I am just 23 and am talking about generations :) ]
Today, I was just going through some sports news, when I came across this article.
It was as if I had been punched in the face by a professional boxer. Everyone has her/his [chivalry is it? Well, I am learning from companies coming in for placements.. Girls are always to be placed first irrespective of.. ahem ahem :) ] good and bad times, and I seem to think that every time you are down, you are surrounded by critics; while every time you do anything well, even if by pure fate, you are applauded for your talent. Sachin Tendulkar hasn't been anything less than a legend since the day he burst on the international cricketing arena. There have been ups and downs, and he is not the perfect batsman as some describe him. I feel he is a very intelligent cricketer who, over the years, has learnt to hide his weaknesses more than anything else. His game has changed over the years, the reflexes do not seem the same. Yes, that may prompt some to say that his age is showing and he should pass on the baton to the youngsters. Compare this: Sachin Tendulkar plays for five years more vs. a youngster plays for those five years instead of him. Does any modicum of imagination tell any of these critics that the youngster will have a better average, more number of centuries/half-centuries, man of the matches, runs, or even a single parameter out of any of these? The man has amassed more than 30K runs in international cricket. If I go and bowl for 5 years, I am quite sure I would claim to have perfected it. The guy has played 20 years in international cricket. Imagine the amount of practice that would have gone into that. Practice makes a man perfect? The man has become a living legend.
I am more surprised that people like Ian Chappel, who has played cricket himself, should talk this way about another cricketer. He, of all people, should know the ups and downs of a sportsman's life [if he has played sufficient amount of cricket for that :) ]. Today Henry is just a shadow of what he used to be for Arsenal in 2003-05. I know that Australia has a decent model of cricket which has produced the most recent 3 World Cups and has produced a team which is more consistent than any other team except the West Indies of the 70s and the 80s. Then why do I see him crying 2 years later in another article over the lack of masters Glen Mcgrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist.
Wouldn't India have faced similar troubles which Australia is facing now if the Yuvraajs and Gambhirs not been eased into the team owing to the backing up by the master?
I am not a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar due of his technique, probably Rahul Dravid is more solid technically. I am a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar due to his attitude. 2 years after that article, he single-handedly almost blasted away Australia out of the game with a masterly 175, which would have given India the victory if it were not for fate.
I believe in fate and believe that you do not get what is not written for you. Unfortunately, I can remember a lot of times when India would have got the victory but did not just because Tendulkar got out at the wrong times. Possibly, fate didn't hold that for him. But he has had a majestic run of late, and has proved that even at the age of 36, he is still the best. Of course, you don't get everything. But you keep trying. And trying. And blast your critics not through words but silence. Of course, fate does play a role, but it can't if you give up. Which Sachin Tendulkar will not.
