Me@Cricket

Cricket………It’s considered a religion in India……Billions follow it…..

Cricket has always been one of my favorite sports…… since childhood I have been a big cricket fan…..As far as I can remember the 1^st match I saw was of India vs Australia in the World Cup 1992…. And since then I have been regularly following cricket……. Over the years has become a huge cricket lover…… Could go to any extent to watch a cricket match….. Till date try to keep track of all the records, stats and figures, especially India…… Have gone through many high and lows……of Indian cricket……always kept faith in Indian team, if not this time next time they will surely do better….and if they had success, was hungry for more in future… I think this faith or believe of performing better next time has kept me interested in Indian Cricket till date….. And yes we had moments of glory…… and moments which are totally forgettable…..

Over the years have got my own set of favorite players……And Sachin Tendulkar has always been on the top of the list…. He is like god to me…. (I am sure I am not the only one)… He has always been the main reason for me to watch Indian cricket…. or I can say the game of cricket…. I totally admire this batting genius…. He had his ups and downs in his prolonged career… People, Experts, Cricket Gurus etc have said many things……about him….both good and bad….over the years….. There have been many instances when he has disappointed million fans of his….but I am sure more than disappointments he has brought cheers to billions of cricket fans in India and around the world…. He has also failed to deliver on big occasions many a times…… when India really desperately needed his services…. But I will always have a high regard for this batting maestro who is considered as one of the best batsmen of his Era…. (For me he is the best)… I can do anything to watch him play…… Till date whenever I watch him play….my heart is in my mouth….always….. I just want him to succeed (like all his fans) every time he walks on to the cricket ground….. And I am such a big admirer of him (you can call me a devotee of him)….that today he is the only reason why I watch Indian matches or infact cricket….. I hardly find any interest in the games of which he is not a part….

In his career he has achieved almost everything…..everything that one can dream about….. Today he holds almost all batting records….. has enough money that his next few generations can survive….. He has always been a favorite of all the media people, sponsors…… etc…. But I think in spite of having so much………..he always goes out on to the field…… with same zeal and enthusiasm….. Hungry for more…an appetite for success that can never be filled…..( people may not agree with me)…..

Respecting all this achievements, all his hard work….all his passion for the country….. the biggest black mark on his career would be…..not getting back the World Cup Trophy to the country…. One thing I am sure he would have always desperately wanted in his career…is to win the biggest prize in the World of cricket…….

Before the world cup 2007 started in the Caribbean few days back….. Tendulkar had played 4 World Cups…but with no success….. (Though as a batsman he had done wonders in the world cup)… He is almost 34…..and not sure if he will be playing the next world cup….He with Dravid, Kumble and Ganguly (even for them age is not on their side) surely desperately wanted to bring the cup back home….. Dream of holding the trophy…..in their hands…..

But….this dream was not to be realized….. After today’s defeat India are out of the World Cup and their dream of winning the cup is also shattered…. These 4 players have given so much to Indian Cricket (people may say whatever they want to)….deserved the title of world champions….. I feel really sorry for these cricketers….. Who most probably will retire with the black mark of not being the part of World Cup winning side….

And with this….. I think I will also take retirement from watching cricket….. I waited for 4 years like many others….hoping India will win this time….. but…… …About watching Tendulkar bat again….. I don’t know how I am going to resist it….but I think my cricket craziness will end once Sachin retires….. And I doubt if I will watch cricket ever again with the same enthusiasm…………..

(P.S.: I just hope that Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly play the next World Cup and bring laurels to India…..there is no harm in being optimistic……)