SOURAVISM........More than Cricketism: May 2009

Saturday, May 16, 2009

No Tears...Only Cheers to My Hero..!!

Dada...An Enigma

How can we forget Mini World up 2000 which he took us to finals single handedly..(that was his first major series as captain)...

How can we forget those straight wins in WC2003..

How can we forget that famous kolkata win against mighty aussies which has put end to 16 winning streak...

How can we forget first series against Pak in PAK...till then Ind Vs Pak were almost onesided with Pak bullying us out...things started changing from then...

How can we forget next edition of miniworld cup whcih we shared with SL...

How can we forget the Brisbane knock which set the tone for the rest of series..

How can we forget the frustration of bowlers when he dances down the track and hit ball to a six...

And yes..How can we forget that strip act at Lord's Balcony kicking the ass of englishmen...(FLINTOFF)..

How can we forget the mother of all comebacks you made in south africa?

How can we forget that majestic 239 just when India wanted at the of 65/4..

I can never forget IPL match you played in hyderabd where in you scored 91 punctuated with your typical super sixers and sexy square cuts....

DADA...you are simply the unforgettable hero...You showed the way to Indian Cricket...You are the Leader ,,..You are the only Leader....

TAKE A BOW MY HERO...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

DADA Song

Here goes my song for my beloved DADA....

This is a tale - unfinished so far
Of a fiery cricketer - a lode star

An attacking player... with elegance to match
India's most successful Captain - and in the 10,000 (ODI) runs batch

For a man who has done so much for Indian cricket
Isn't it bizarre he's always on a sticky wicket

For a cricketer who has plundered 19,000 + runs (Test and one-day combined)
Not to mention the 22 one-day tons

It's ironical that he has to fight his way back
Battle the odds and ignore the flak

This story has had many twists and turns
But 'Dada' keeps his end up - the fire fiercely burns

Let's now take guard and take stock
The 'hitherto' Ganguly Saga' lets unlock

We'll examine the issues - such as they are
What the critics fall back on, in trying to pull down this star

'Dalmiya's man' - he was dubbed
Shouldn't he with Sachin, Sanath, Inzy - be clubbed? (10,000-ODI-Runs Select Club)

His place was assured in the team - they say
Thanks to his 'Godfather' - come what may

Then - may I ask the public this
Whose are the runs - Dalmiya's or his?

Some other 'crimes' - charged to his name
Shows dissent - slows down the game

Unfit - fakes injuries - late for the toss
Lazy - princely - ask Freddie Flintoff!

Some tag the word 'Parochial' to him
Ironical that memories can be so dim

Wasn't it Ganguly - the 'new broom'
(Who swept away zonal politics)
Exciting 'Indian' talent he did groom

Talent that he picked and backed
A 'fighting spirit' in the team was packed

He turned the Indian team around
Battle it out- stand your ground!

This took Indian cricket to new heights
Putting up some of the great fights
(Remember Eden Gardens…Barbados…Headingley…Adelaide…Chennai… Lords-NatWest?)

Won matches at home and away
Won accolades for the way we play

Then there's the talk about 'green tops'
Facing fast bowling Ganguly 'hops'?

From the quicks he shys away
Then how on earth did he flay

The opening bowlers in the one-day game
Dispatching them - on his way to fame

Some more chat - that he detests
'Chin Music' in the Tests

May I refer all - to the Brisbane Test
The Aussie quicks at their furious best

'The Wall' and 'The Little Master' fell
Sounding for the tour - a 'death knell'?

But out came striding the Captain bold
Unleashed his repertoire manifold

Leading from the front - at Brisbane
Treating the Aussies - with disdain

Thus at the 'Gabba' - of bounce and pace
Ganguly - to a 'setting-the-tone' century did race

From the 'Brisbane heights' to the 'Chappell era lows'
The Prince has stoically taken many blows

No 'fair-weather' friends - his legion of fans
They believe in him - he vindicates their stance

Experience, resolve - and the 'Ganguly' knack

Was behind the dramatic 2006-7 comeback

Sachin-Ganguly-Dravid-Laxman-Kumble - our Magical Five
Contrary to 'death-knells' - they are still very much alive

Currently the 'Fab Four' may not be at their batting best
All credit to a tre'mendis' display by Sri Lanka in the Tests

But if old Hayden and Hussey and Sanath are still around
Why should our 'younger' 'Seniors' not stand their ground? (didn't Leander Paes?)

'Out of form' - is how we dismiss and dispatch
Don't all great batsmen go through a rough patch? (Ponting is still around)

The press doesn't often bother to tell all
In the minds of the greats - Ganguly stands tall

Ask Gavaskar, Boycott, Bhogle - to name a few
His county (Glamorgan) also gives him his due

"An outstanding professional" - was the Glamorgan call
He's as committed as the 'Wall'

Not for power - or for pelf
It's cricket that spurs him on - improving himself

At 'sixes and sevens' - but not for long
At 'sixes and fours' - is where he still belongs

There are few better sights than the southpaw's grace
"God of the off-side" - is how he stays!

IMPORTANCE OF SOURAV

Well, I can write pages about the importance of Sourav Ganguly. Sourav is not only the most elegant left hander India has ever produced, but also, the most successful Indian captain till date, who has brought us many glorious victories,by his agressive leadership. He is one of the best lefties of recent times, and his shots on the off side, and his cover drives are simply a wonder to look at. He is an useful medium pacer who is capable of breaking partnerships.But the thing which I find most outstanding about the "Bengal Tiger" is his never say die atitude and undaunted courage.He has been wrongfully sacked from the team time and again, but he still had the will to continue. He taught us that perseverance is essential for success, and his comeback to the national team was truly inspiring. Sourav has the guts to protest against wrongs, which often led him to many controversies. But inspite that none was able to restrain him,because the prince of Kolkata is a charismatic, and a committed cricketer. There are many importances of Sourav Ganguly, but to me the most important of all is that he is our dear dada, who has taught us the most valuable lesson in life-to fight and not to surrender no matter how tough the job may be.

Sourav Ganguly - In Brief

Sourav Ganguly, the name itself encapsulates a thousand stories, starts a hundred debatable topics, reminds you of a story that holds more twists and turns than any soap opera. Dada, as he is affectionately called, captained Team India from 2000 to 2005, and during that tenure led India to incredible success including the finals of the 2003 World Cup. In a career laden with achievements and controversy, Saurav Ganguly has occupied the centre stage in Indian cricket for over a decade. But more than anything, its his batting that really captivates any fan.One of the cleanest strikers and sweetest timers of the ball, Saurav Ganguly is an exceptional player of the off side. So much so, that his successor as captain, Rahul Dravid, once commented, On the off side, first there is God, then there is Ganguly. There isn’t an attack that he has not mercilessly slaughtered, no gap in the field that he hasn ot found. And he has amassed 18000 runs in the process, and his partnerships with Tendulkar are the stuff of legends. The fastest to 6000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 runs in ODIs, the Prince of Calcutta has many records to his credit. But more than the statistics, it is the sheer joy of watching the Bengal tiger in all his glory, that is worth mentioning. Just bring on the off-spinner in front of Ganguly in form, and he pounces on the chance. He steps to the pitch of the ball and hits a clean blow straight out of the ground, a shot which has now become his trademark.The rise of Ganguly to prominence has been as exciting as his batting. Cricket was not his first love, and he only took to the sport as a pastime. He used his brothers equipment, who was a lefty, so he turned into a left handed batsman as well. And when he started excelling in the sport, further drama followed in the Ganguly household as his inclusion into the Ranji squad was at the cost of his brother’s place. He didn’t let them down however, and was soon selected into the national squad. And he flopped badly to spend the next few years in anonymity. But not being one to step back ever, he finally found a place in the Indian squad in the 96 tour of England. What followed was a century on debut and in his second match. Saurav Ganguly had made a mark on world cricket and was here to stay. The following years saw him rise to the top of world cricket, with an average of 40+ and many memorable knocks like the 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup. What added to Ganguly’s utility was his handy work with the ball as well. A gentle medium pacer, he has hundred ODI wickets and many feel he could have done a lot better in that department.An aggressive character on field, he was finally made captain of team India in 2000. And he was just the kind of Captain that a youthful side trying to emerge from the shadows of match fixing needed. His fire and determination spread through the team and he led team India to unprecedented success. Wins in away test series, a run of 13 consecutive finals of tournaments, Champoions trophy and World Cup finals followed. The image of a jubilant Ganguly swinging his shirt from the Lords balcony as India won the Natwest Trophy is a part of cricketing folklore. He presented the team with character and a will to fight, a will that often led him into trouble with match officials and kept him wrapped in controversy always.But his personal form declined over the years and he was often criticized for being unable to play the short ball. After many failures, and public fall outs with coach Greg Chappell, he was unceremoniously dropped from the side and his career looked over.But yet again, after a 15 month lay off, the Prince of Calcutta roared back to grab a man of the series award in his return series in Feb 07,and a beautiful double century against pakistan in dec 2007. A Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee, Ganguly is known to be a quiet man with nerves of steel. A devoted husband and a religious person, his marriage with wife Dona is no less eventful than any Hindi movie.He once again looks ready to shine, to mark his territory and as always, and to provide a solid answer to all those who ever doubted his abilities. No matter how he fairs, one thing is for certain, that there is a lot many chapters to be written in the amazing tale of our beloved Dadaa.