of the living legend : Rahul Dravid

Rarely has a word so aptly been devised to represent a person who is very modest to call himself as a true Gentleman. Rahul Dravid is one such person and a cricketer, whose impeccable qualities on the field stands out as much as his politeness and charisma off the field. 

                 

He is so good as a cricketer, purely rating him in terms of technique and the ability to withstand tremendous pressure from the opposition that his wicket always makes for an invalueable asset to possess. He is one such player who is never hated by anyone in the opposition or any cricket lover for that instance. He was and still is an enormous asset to the Indian cricket and the cricketing fraternity.

His technique was by far the best amongst the test playing batsman, his cover drives and the cut shots that he plays through the offside are mesmerising where he takes that extra bit of time from the bowler as he watches the ball to turn/zip or seam and then execute his shot was a sight which would take your breathe away. His occasional leg glance which would involve anything on the middle or slightly on the leg to flick it or to pull, if it was short of length was technically the best by far. 

He is known to be a team person, one who gave his everything for the team. It is very hard to imagine a person who has sacrificed so much for the team, that if he was asked to bat at all the positions (from being an opener to finish at No.6 or 7) he would be ready to do so, if he was asked to keep the wickets because the team needed an extra batsman, he would do so. If he was asked to field at short leg long after he had earned the reputation of being a exceptional slip catcher, he would still do it because another player was too tired to field. 

 

The philosophy that mars Rahul is that he was ready to look bad for the team to look good. His outstanding days were when he wore the white jersey for India, be it the magical partnership with VVS Laxman at Eden Gardens,Calcutta in 2001 vs Aus or the 233 vs Aus in Adelade, he always gave us a reason to cheer for him, have expectations of him and trust him to sail India through.

                   

He was truly believed to be "The Wall" of India. His remarkable achievement though for me came in England 2011, where he carried his bat through the innings and made a virtual mockery of the hugely talented batsmen who were in his company. He was too good not to be counted amongst the greats. He always maintained a low key profile, even in his interviews to the magazines or the press he never outspoke anyone. 

Naysayers may argue that he captained India in 2007 WC to a disastrous result, however that would tell us he is human above all. He always lived in the shadow of Sachin Tendulkar and he never had the opportunity to show the world the legend he was. I think if he would have lived in an era pre-Sachin or post-Sachin, he would have outshone him easily. His life was never a fairytale and he got an ending that was not a fairytale one too. He was always this good guy from Bangalore whom every girl would want to take home to her parents, never misbehaved, never got angry at trivial stuff or at his critics. I think that is one virtue not everyone posesses and he was the paramount when it came to play for the country with dignity and pride. Almost every format he took part in he excelled. Be it having scored more than 10000 runs in ODI's and tests or anchoring the innings for Rajasthan Royals in IPL, He was the go to man of Indian cricket.

Sadly, he did not recieve the dearest adulation or the star studded farewell like Sachin or the near perfect farewell of retiring in front of his home crowd, he got out for 1 in his last match ever, 25 in his last test innings and 69 in his last ODI innings. More importantly he lost all of last matches played hence not allowing the fans to glorify his absence thereforth. But everyone who grew up admiring Rahul would agree that he was much more than a excellent cricketer, more importantly he was a gentle human being, sometimes so gentle that you would wonder if one has to be so pompous and exuberant for anything that one's achieved. He exemplified for being simplistic and selfless yet fighting hard for his runs. He continues to be remembered as a wonderful cricketer and more importantly a beautiful human being who continues to inspire generations ahead. Glad that I saw you play in your prime.

We will never forget you or your contributions to Indian cricket. 

Someday I wish to be as selfless and as giving as you.

Love,

Ram

19-11-2014

Nice to read what other cricketing greats think of him:

http://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/10-greatest-quotes-on-rahul-dravid-cricket-ideal-team-man?imgid=18988

http://www.scoopwhoop.com/sports/rahul-dravid-quotes/

What do you think of him uh ?

of my first flight experience

I felt this today morning as I hopped onto my bike to come to office.
While I was accelerating on my bike on a visibly clean road I felt the same sound, same gush of air and a similar experience as i did 3 years ago.

Although it didn't look this good from the inside. Never mind posting it!

3 years ago, almost about this time I was taking my first ever flight to Paris. This I've not mentioned any where but the feeling of the first flight was an experience I wanted to mention somewhere.
As I sat in my seat and the flight started moving, I prayed to god for a safe flight. And here I am unknown to the experience unknown to the drama, unknown to many others in the flight while being unknown to himself, about to experience a story, so routine for everyone else but for him.

As I was trying to catch every glimpse of the little things I see outside, dark, mysterious and ambiguous on my camera than a lady patted on my shoulder asking me to switch my camera off which I did very politely at that instant. But knowing the Indian in me I would turn it back on just moments later.
Imagine, who would want to let their first flight experience go uncaptured when you know it can be done.

The flight began to make unnecessary rounds on the run way (unnecessary at least I thought so), while I could only distinguish the lights on the runway which were screaming to be noticed. The captain switched the cabin lights off now, and all of a sudden the flight came to an abrupt halt. I had a feeling at this moment
that something different, apart from the last few mins was about to happen. It was that sound of the turbine engines of the Airbus-A330 that confirmed my speculation and the engines were now running at full speed (or at least they seemed to run faster than ever before). There was a gush of air surrounding the turbine
which made a unique sound, which I could relate to me being on my bike in the morning. There was the final thrust of the engine and brakes were released only for me to be pushed back onto my seat with great force, brute force it was. Such a force I had not experienced anywhere before. It was the like the force of a downhill roller coaster ride, with no bounds attached ,which will push your backs to the seats with no mercy. There was a significant shift of the cabin pressure when speeds close to 1000 kph aided the flight to get off the ground.

I was flying, well literally.

And it was a such a similar experience this morning, while I was reliving these moments than the next speed breaker interrupted my thoughts only for me to remind myself that I am grounded :)

Thanks for reading !

..of the person who was the heartbeat of a nation- Sachin Tendulkar

To the man whom we all know as Sachin Tendulkar.
As I write this piece of blog, I am very emotional as Sachin got out, with teary eyed Thanking would just understate the fact that this person has ruled my life for a good part of 17 years. I will always remember him as a person who always stood for what was right and dictated terms of his own, no matter how gigantic the problem was. His ability to maintain composure and his ethical values will always standout as being modest. His passion for cricket drew me towards the game, can't imagine the pressure and the well wishes of billions of people every time he walks out to bat.Every time he walks out to bat in the middle, a nation walks with him.

I was introduced to cricket by Sachin, you were everything that I knew about it. Never was your name taken in a wrongful way. I know people whose friendships and relations are not the same before, we grew closer because of you. You've bonded us well so strong that it is hard to let go off you. I distantly remember my first memory of yours in 1996 World cup, India vs Australia. You were toiling the attack at will. Though I didn't knew the complexities of the cricket then, you made me happy.

Then I would also remember your innings in Dhaka in the Coca-Cola trophy, where you took the bowlers to the laundries, and how vital it was for the team.

There came the Desert storm innings in Sharjah Apr,1998. I still remember the innings as it happened yesterday, it was a day-night match the room in my old house was about 8x10 feet. There were 10-12 people in our TV room that evening, it was chase that began around late evening time around 8-9 pm. Everyone were eager to watch that match as it was the match that took us to the final of the trophy. And there you were on a swansong who mellowed the Australian attack back and forth, spanking Kasprowicz, Fleming, Tom Moody, Steve Waugh and of course Shane Warne all over the ground. It was not before a sandstorm came, after which the way you grabbed the match at the scruff of its neck was scintillating, amazing innings to watch. It was the time when I felt how much we were dependent on a man, who carried the hopes of a nation. A nation, which was looking forward to a hero, to idolize, to worship, to love.



And next came Pakistan to in India in Jan-Feb 1999 in Chennai, to me this was the innings which I will cherish all my life.To have witnessed such an innings is a blessing. Though the second innings hundred came in a losing cause, it was the innings of grit and determination at its best and dedication at its epitome. I still remember that knock, those drives, the pressure from all of us cheering on television at home and millions across the country. Pak believed and so did we, it was Sachin who stood between an Indian victory and defeat. The pain with which you played must be cruel and excruciating, which overtook your concentration on the game and bought tears to an entire nation with you, let alone myself. It was with that innings established you for me as the greatest and most dedicated batsman for the Indian cause.

 
There was the 99' World Cup in England, where you became an example for millions when took the field vs Kenya, to put your team above yourself despite the unimaginably huge loss of your father.

Then fast forward to 2003 World Cup and the innings versus Pakistan, it was your aggressive best I saw given the occasion as a fiercy Shiva on MahaShivaratri day. My Xth board exams were just days away, you made me stay awake, long hours not to study, but to playback your innings over and over again in mind. It was a festive occasion, I offered prayers to God asking India to win the match. God obliged me by asking you to take over his mantle. You became GOD, for me and for all of them who worshiped you. 

Then came your low phase, where everyone had written you off never thinking how a person would feel listening to this. These were the times when you proved everyone wrong, making them eat their words by coming back stronger on field after your injury. Like the innings in Sydney in 2003-04 where you did not play a single shot on the off out of your 200 odd runs because you had been out plenty of times in the series playing the ball on the off and outside off stump. You symbolized as a person who believed hardwork and the never give up attitude would pay dividends finally. You showed the world what stuff the champions are made of.

Then you were this all new transformed batsman, post the 2007 World cup debacle which never really took off. You were the new player who played defensively yet made sure we got to enjoy whenever you did blaze. The Hyderabad innings of 175 vs Aus was the attacking best in a long time, reminding the kids who had started watching cricket recently, how close that knock was to the Sharjah 1998 match. Mesmerizing cover drives, elegant straight drives, amazing cut shots. Oh my Sachin.. I'm lost at words here.


A man's dream was also the nation's dream in 2011. You played the World Cup with such focus and hunger with the team complimenting your efforts with the win. Everyone gave their everything and we witnessed a spectacle of our lives when we won the World Cup. You were in tears, so was the country. Happy for you, happy for the team, happy for your efforts all this 22 years that you put in. You made me cry, you made me happy, you made me bunk classes you made me to stay awake.

There was many a times when I have cussed a few words for you, for the team and for others, that is when I have felt more close to you, cared more for you. You have been there all my cricketing life, it would be very menial to say Thank you for such lovely memories that you've left me with. It is only fitting we continue to remember you in happier times of Indian cricket and in times of adversity. You will always remain in our heart as a hero who captured the imagination of millions of people and held them together like the grip of your bat. Can't imagine, how it must be for a person to go out in the middle with billions expecting to perform well, every single time, while we struggle to cope with our mundane lives. Surely you are special.

Good Bye Tendlya,
15- Nov-2013

This was my memory of Sachin.. whats your special memory of the Master ?

Sachin's Last Test

..of the Game I love so much..

It was an unusual start to that Sunday, when I got a call from Vaibhav (my friend and foe) asking me to watch a India vs Australia match with him. Initially I was retrospect about the thought, since he had only one ticket and I wanted 2 of them (one for my friend Arjun). Unusually we both (me and Arjun) woke up early that morning and we for a moment thought about going for the match.. and we never looked back from then.
We hurried to the ground and to our dismay, we gotto know that the tickets were sold out, so we had to get them in black paying 100 bucks extra per ticket.

And now that we had the tickets to the match, i was all excited and upbeat about the fact of watching a match live, a game which I love so much, the players who I thought existed only in Televisions, I was there to watch them all play. What a feeling it was.. Quintessential !!

At 12:30pm the Gate C opened and as I entered the stadium, I was mellowed by the sound of willow hitting the ball. The moment I turned to my left to see from where the sound was coming, I was awestruck by the sight of Sachin Tendulkar, the great Sachin Tendulkar practicing in the nets. I was living the moment of my life. Wow what a way to begin your first match in a stadium. With all the adrenaline rushing through my body and mind, "Saachinnnnnn" shout came out of me, and I kept on shouting, like a child till one of the organizers had to pull me away. I was indeed fortunate in my lifetime to see "THE GOD" playing what he does the best.

While I was still lost in the thoughts of seeing Sachin, my friend & foe Vaibhav popped up on the seat next to me and my friend. Vaibhav deserves a mention here, since he's my friend and my foe, as he is a big fan of Ponting and Oz's, and the time we spend together discussing about cricket makes it more enjoyable to watch.

And there he was, beside me, for an India vs Australia World Cup practice match, it could not get bigger for our small rivalry. As the match begun, the Indian team was received to thunderous roar which set the tone for the match. To make the things more exciting, we were in company of Oz's supporters. For every Indian wicket they cheered, and we did the same when they batted. The match had its moments: Ashwin and Nehra's cameo, Sreesanth's bouncer to Ponting were the highlights. The only disappointment was not to see Sachin bat in the middle, but indeed I was lucky to spot him as the first best thing when I entered the stadium. India won the match and we danced and jumped with joy for that reason.
My God !! it was just a practise game of the World Cup 2011, but for us it had already begun, with a win and we were priding ourselves of it. What an unusual start to the day and unexpected end.

Feb 13th 2011 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

 India vs Australia World Cup 2011 Practise Match

Cheers !!

Conquering Kodachadri

After scrapping innumerous weekend getaway plans finally we hit upon gold with 7 friends, Ram(me) urf Raamya, Chetan urf Chetya, Siddlingesh urf Siddya, Abhin urf Abhin !, Sandesh urf Sandy, Santosh urf Santya, Aditya alias Adya with a trip to Kodachadri, Shimoga. There was a sense of excitement and anxiousness amongst we friends. Chetya had messaged me just hours before we left to confirm whether the trip was still on or not, as we were still unsure of our plans :-(

Shivappa Naik's Fort, Nagara

The vehicle came around 10:30pm on Friday night as planned and by the time we left Bangalore it was 12.am. There was much to say and hear amongst us, since many of us were seeing eachother after several months. And the main plan was yet to be decided. What to do in Kodachadri ? Till then no one had an idea where to stay or how to spend the weekend ahead as most of us were frustrated with the routine in Bangalore which life welcomed us with, we just wanted to getaway from the mundane lives we led.

After dinner at Hotel Highway at 1:30am, we continued our journey. The road ahead was a bumpy one, and most of us(Except Adya and Sandy) did not sleep the whole night, not realizing what surprise waited ahead of us the following day. The stop over at Shimoga ensured we were well fed atleast !! The visit to Shivappa Naik's Fort was noteworthy, as the landscapes it provided were beautiful. Kodachadri was to be the scenic beauty as it seemed  from the net, and indeed it was. After we hired a local guide (Ramappa)we began our trail through the flat land which the hills had in offer. The trek which began was never expected to be this tough as we invaded the steep forest which had its own sense of beauty to offer. The trek to the Hidlumane falls was demanding as the road ahead got steeper than before. Hidlumane falls was a wonderful sight in the offing with its ice cold water and scenic beauty it presented. There were some minor slip ups by me and Santya at the falls, but they were luckily not fatal.

Hidlumane Falls

The next stage of our trek was the steepest ever and dangerous at some points as we climbed the waterfalls parallely and any minor slip up would surely cause fatal injuries, we had to be vigilant and careful. As we reached a point from where we thought, our downward journey will begin than the climb to the next hill was calling us. All except me and Siddya went ahead of us as we struggled to get pass the hill. Gasps of breath and some more chocolates were needed to boost our energy levels. Meanwhile, as we climbed this treacherous hill. mesmerizing view of the Western Ghats was to be seen. Never to be forgotten those small breaks which helped everyone gather energy which would help stretch everyone's limits. Adya,Santya and Sandesh were amongst the first ones to reach the place where we had our lunch. We had hiked 9 kms in 3 and half hours accross 4 hills to which our guide Ramappa appreciated and also gave a compliment (just being boastful) that very few beginners complete by this time, and mind you not many of us had slept the prev. night so it was indeed a proud moment for all of us.

Sunset point

The hike of 3-4 kms to Sarvajna peetha did not matter much as we were grilled to dust by the previous trek. The sunset view was a rare beauty which we failed to notice day in and day out, busy with the mechanical life we led, so this sunset was particularly special as we noticed very ordinary things in a different view. There was an inexplicable calmness that the sunset had to offer soothing the pain we bore in our legs since morning. The night out at Ramappa's house was a blast as we sat around the fire to warm ourselves from the chilling wind, remembering the good ol college days. It was a weekend which will be hard to forget anytime soon.  Cheers to Kodachadri and Cheers to my friends !! 

It all ends here.. 4th week

As the rock music played in the background, Wasen was the place to put your hairs down, as "Prost" was the most celebrated word there. The colorful tents looked more inviting, and the folk dress equally vibrant.

The weather was changing thick and fast, from a max of 26 degrees to a minimum of 6 degrees was a radical  change to witness. Getting good Indian breakfast in Germany is as probable as spotting a tiger in Bandipur. The best breakfast I had during my stay was by the courtesy of Anil, who made Avalakki and Rusk, and didn't I enjoy savoring that. It was the best flight to be on for me, as my country seemed much more closer with Shiva from Dhrawad sitting next to me, and I could not wait  for more time as the countdown to reach destination seemed ticking slower than ever.

As I reflected back on my 4 weeks here, I found the best of friends,people and work in Germany, a memory to be cherished for a long time to come. An enduring experience made much special by your lovely comments. Thanks all :)

2nd week ..3rd week ...here they come

Time was indeed flying in Deutschland,  I had to cook everyday nite for myself, as the day ended and didn't I enjoy that ? The mornings were chill when I woke up to 6 degree celsius, and the usual routine was to follow. Everything here is well planned in advance, sometimes so much in advance it is that, You arrive at the office on a  Monday morning, and the discussion for the weekend plan is on the cards ('-').

There was an over joyous feeling, when I reached Mercedes Benz Arena, to watch a Bundesliga match between VFB Stuttgart and Hamburg SC. I was warned by the VFB fans that it would be a cake walk for the home team, but to my surprise it was the other way around and I saw the home team was forced to bite the dust, and luckily I was in the away team's stand, the noise which they made had got much sweeter. "Mumbai" is the first impression I had when I saw Frankfurt (of course with lesser population). The city welcomes you with its long and tall buildings, and ancient buildings as well. The concept cars were the highlight of the Auto-show, with never seen before engineered models, with imaginary design and stunning looks.

Krakow(Poland) seemed a very organised city, an impression which was to change in next few days. The city  has a president for itself who assumes the post of a mayor, and I imagined how many presidents would India have if it was the case there :). The city has a beautiful landscape with the Vistula river providing the charm it deserves.  And when I rode to any place in taxis, people demand for fixed amounts(as in India),and also the ride is as bumpy as in a Metro construction site in Bangalore or as in a New Cotton Market,Hubli, so I missed India seldom. And even people change traffic lanes at will, which is unusual in Europe (much in similar to India). On the way back to Stutgart I could spot Okotberfest in Munich (the place I would visit over the weekend).

The shopping district in Metzingen is the biggest and the cheapest you would see near Stuttgart. Brands like Armani, Hugo Boss, Lacoste,Cavalli,Versace,Esprit have kept their goods on display. The hike in Bad Urach was a memorable one, as we kept getting lost in the forest, and ended almost covering 8kms to reach the destination: Bad Urach Wasserfall, and was it not a relieving sight ? First sighting of Munich was the Olympic stadium and it is a very well built architecture, opposite to which is BMW HQ. The city of Munich is a hustling and bustling city with colourful people enjoying the fest, the city is a mix of old and new architectures, and I kept on thanking my Deutsch course teachers (Frau Ills and Jaster) for the tiny bits of Deutsch they taught me, as I could at least understand what the sense of conversation was, and win some friends over inspite of my bad language.