Hello readers! It's Valentine's month and what more is needed rather than talk about our first Valentine, Cricket!!
Cricket is just a sport, say many. But for the ones who are mad of it would only know it's value. Cricket has been my lifeline whenever I am down as the matches would keep me calm and also boost my self-confidence and teach me lessons about handling pressure, tactical planning and strategising things. The sport has had it's share of joys, ups, downs, worries, heartbreaks, deceits etc but the sport is lifeline for many who play it too.
When I talk about cricket, I can talk non-stop and also sit at one position for hours and hours and listen to people talk and discuss. Funny would be the times when I would have debates with my friends about domestic cricket in India and how players can be taken to the national setup. Sometimes, I myself would act as the Chairman of Selectors and select the best team. The above may sound silly but it is what brings us sheer joy!
If I want to say about my memorable matches, I would say two matches which are forever etched in my minds and heart. First, would be the WC 2011 Final between India and Sri Lanka. I could still remember that day when Sehwag and Sachin got out to Malinga and the people in my area were so upset and silent that even from a mile one could hear a pin getting dropped!! Then, Gambhir and Dhoni amde the unthinkable and took the team home and winning the WC after 28 years!
The next would be easily guessed by many and specially my cricket group friends. It is the blistering innings of my favourite, Suresh Raina. That innings of 89(25) would be forever etched in every cricket fanatic's mind. The mere fact that Johnson, one of the most fearsome bowler, was pushed to the docks was the icing on the cake. Had that run out not been done by Brendon McCullum, it would have been an innings which no one could even dream of, such was the stroke making and the panache given by my hero.