When the going gets tough, DADA gets going..

I used to be an ardent fan of cricket, following cricket matches played all around the world, could dish out a few statistics and get a little technical (at least better than most girls :)). The last one year, however has been different. I really found it difficult to be interested and to keep tabs on the happenings, but however a news headline this morning about Saurav Ganguly's 100th test caught my fancy. Personally, my favorite has always been Rahul Dravid, but I have always admired Saurav (Dada as he is called fondly) for his never-say-die attitude. It's not easy for someone who has always been glorified to handle the emotions and pressure that come along after being unceremoniously dropped from a team and to come out of it successfully. I have only seen cricketers fade away into oblivion when this has happened, but when the person in question is DADA, things are quite different. Sure he was out of form but I certainly do feel, he did deserve a much better treatment while being dropped. My heart really went out to him. For me, he certainly has been the best thing to have happened to Indian Cricket at the time he was appointed Captain. Under him, the team transformed from a selfish group to cricketers to "Team India". A Indian Cricket fan has never been more proud and entertained ,as he took the team thru some of the most glorious moments - A Scintillating Natwest trophy final, a world cup final, away and home test match victories. Aggression, youth, team spirit, playing to win - these words came to life while he was at the helm of the affairs. The team moved out of the "Tendulkar" mould and it was no more that India would win only when Tendulkar plays. The fact that he enjoyed undying support from the youngsters in the team is a testimony to a fact that he has been an unbiased and a great leader. He has been the man behind getting some of the finest talent into playing for India. And now he has shown the world what he is truly capable of, I respect him twice as much. For to be down and out and written off and then prove the world that they are wrong is no mean feat especially when the country is India and the sport is Cricket. As he plays in his 100th test, here’s wishing him the very best and hopefully I will soon return to following this sport.