DESERT STORM– Déjà vu!!!

Nearly quarter a century ago, a couple of friends and me watched Sachin Tendulkar hunker down as the desert storm ravaged the Sharjah stadium. A couple of Australian players had even left the field, while Sachin plotted to blow away the Australian mighty attack to shreds right after the storm subsided. What happened next is was absolute goosebump worthy moment as Sachin tore apart every bowler that night and came so close to winning the match. He single-handedly helped India qualify for the finals where another masterful century sealed India’s famous win. This ultimately established Sachin’s place in annals of cricketing history as one of the best batsman. 

 

For a very long time, people would switch off their television when Sachin got out. This trend diminished to a great extent when Dhoni took over the Indian team. But nobody in their dream had thought that there would be a heir to his cricketing throne. But the next King had arrived in a grand style. His best of 183 along with the Master Blaster tore Pakistan’s bowling in Asia Cup a decade ago. 

Kohli rose from one high to another in a very short span of time, but things never go according to any plan in life, do they? The last 3 years have been excruciating for the world (with Covid) and more so for Kohli. His paternity leave for his first daughter through the most important Australian test series was heavily criticized as India were expected to be whitewashed in his absence. Fortunately we won a historic series, with contributions from the least expected players. His much publicized fight with Ganguly (former BCCI president), losing his captaincy and a change in head coach from his favorite Ravi Shastri to Rahul Dravid must have quite shaken up any normal player. But Kohli is no mere mortal. 

India needed 28 of 8 balls, with in-form Rauf running in hard. As with why Misbah chose the scoop over the 100s of shots in that in-opportune moment in the 2008 world-cup final to why Rauf banged a slower ball back of length to the regular hard length delivery, nobody knows. The bowler nearly won as he had Kohli jam up in a very awkward position with the ball hitting high up on his bat. But then the magic happened… Kohli hit the ball with his all muscle memory and it travelled all the way for a SIX!! (a true Desert Storm Deja va). This one shot, given the magnitude of the game, playing conditions and his own dismal form is why he will be considered a legend whenever he decides to hang his boots.

 

But it is this iconic picture that speaks a thousand words, as a tear dropped in from his eye as India finished winners in this iconic match. He is still human, he is still one among us, a human being with deep feelings. This is perhaps a gentle reminder to all of us to be caring, patient, positive and forever cherish this beautiful game as well as our lives!!