It was 1987 Sunil Gavaskar hung
his boots after an epic but heartbreaking century against Pakistan at
Bangalore. That was a long series with dull draws. It was hyped as this 2012 Pak
series of T20s and ODIs is. It was Gavaskar vs Imran. For kids like me born in mid 70s and induced
into cricket religion in early 80s marked by 83 WC win, it was end of world.
For me Kapil was the main show and Gavaskar the director. There were Patils, shastris, shrikants,
binnys, jimmys , colonels and madans but crux of team were these north and
south poles. As in India we value batting more than bowling, Gavaskar retired
was like a catastrophe. Who will replace him?
In comes a Mumbai lad who not only made a mark but also excelled the
incumbent in all aspects.
And of course ODI cricket gave him a demi-god status
coupled with liberalization, entry of cable TV, day and night colored cricket,
hypes around WC and other trophies. He
excelled along with Indians in all fields of life like business, IT,
infrastructure. World outside changed with cold war making way for terror
driven divide. We Indians crossed the chasm taking over high end technology and
management jobs worldwide. Economy opened up with all world majors wanting to
start shop here. Now ODIs will be no
more same. I have my own story attached to successes of Sachin over last 23
years but not very significant for public domain. Growing up with Tendulkar was
great. Be it career defining Xth and XIIth academics. I remember how his maiden
century in England and later Perth gave us confidence (though his test career
is still intact and what has ended is ODI stuff). That tied ODI in Perth vs WI
with sachin bowling was amazing. Be it hostel life in Kharagpur when he was
making his early marks in world cricket. Memories include career defining opening
blitzkrieg at Napier, Last over in Hero cup 93 at kolkatta, maiden century. His captainship coincided with first job in
Mumbai. But period when we plunged into entrepreneurship coincided with those
two innings in sharjah popularly known as desert storm not as captain. Death of
his father during 99 WC coincided with death of my father in law. His attack on
Pakis in 03 erased all defeatist mindset India had against Pakistan in 80s ,
sharjahs and elsewhere. That was time when i embarked upon world stage in
outsourcing. His injury since 05 coincided with BP and spinal issues. Disaster
in WC 07 coincided with some turbulence. His stamp on winning tri-series final in
Australia in 08 marked us shifting to a big facility. His 200 coincided with a
deal signed. And finally his WC triumph
which was witnessed live in person, marked in Himalayan trek and new
experiences which had been dreamt since 1989 when i did my first Himalayan trek.
I am sure all of us have such thought process. Every one’s
life has been enriched by Tendulkar memories. Each ODI was an event one looked
forward to. His failure was hated and his success was assumed. Cricket ODI viewing will be no more the same. Don’t
know how most of us will cope up. But as they say time is only healer. And no
one and nothing is indispensible in this world even Tendulkar.
Now we should answer who is next Tendulkar just as we found
Tendulkar to be next Gavaskar. Virat? Rahane? I enjoy watching Rahane though
with similar excitement as i had for young Sachin. He has to be more mature and
selectors should trust him more. Virats
ODI record is better than Tendulkars at that stage. So let’s watch out these
two. But when ODI future itself remains uncertain we don’t know if there will
be any Tendulkar replacement for all stature he has acquired. T20s is different
ball game and test future of India seems hazy with lack of bowling options and
new batsmen trying to put feet into big shoes.
One thing is sure, that i got induced to cricket due to one
Mr Kapil Dev Nikhanj. His bowling and his
batting induced life into proceedings on the field. His fielding was always
excellent. His fitness after carrying team load for 15 years is exemplary.
Though Kapils end was bit dragged like that of Sachin. I still feel as a fan 2nd
April 11 was the date to call quits as last 20 months have been difficult to
digest for ardent sachin fan. But still after 18 years after Kapils retirement,
we have struggled to find a bowling all-rounder who would have made 2000 team
of greats a greatest consistent team at world stage. Irfan flattered to
deceive. And there was inconsistent Agarkar. Ganguly’s bowling was limited.
Wish kapil would have born 10-15 years later. For me debate
rests for the greatest Indian crickter who was undoubtedly Kapil Dev. We may find next Tendulkar as we found next Gavaskar.....
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