Interesting how the cricket columnists deal with the fall of Tendulkar’s wicket .
- he got out to an unplayable delivery that kept low, again bringing into sharp focus the sad state of the underprepared pitch.
- the ball made an inaudible contact with the bat and was taken behind by the wicket-keeper. The great man, ever the gentleman, walked without even waiting for the umpire’s decision. Action replay showed that the ball had just grazed the outer edge of the bat.
- Once Tendulkar got out ( 5 runs off 17 deliveries), the Indians had no chance whatsoever. They just folded up like a pack of cards.
- The Little Master got out for 12 runs, which included two hits to the boundary, one of which was an exquisite cover-drive that bore the unmistakable Tendulkar stamp of class. Attempting a similar shot the next ball, he spooned an easy catch to the fielder at mid-off. He walked back to the pavilion dejectedly, having missed out on a chance to complete his 35th century that was his by right.
- He was clean bowled by a ball that went through his legs. Two years back, that ball would have been nonchalantly and mercilessly despatched to the fence, leaving the bowler clueless and hapless.
- He was out lbw off the third delivery that he faced. But it speaks of his dedication and commitment that he came out to bat at all, despite his swollen ankle, fractured thumb, broken ribs, sprained back and twisted intestines.
- He fell to an out-swinger, playing an uncharacteristic mistimed shot. The Australians were beside themselves with joy, having got the wicket they wanted the most.
Well, I haven’t exactly quoted verbatim, but you get the drift.
Time for some loyalty. I guess you have a short memory. Start reading through some standard newspapers and columns.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where you read such columns.
How about:
ReplyDeleteA lesser batsman than Tendulkar wouldn't have got anywhere near the ball. Unfortunately, Tendulkar being the master-batsman that he is, managed to get a tiny little edge to it.
and this:
ReplyDeleteTendulkar couldn't stay till the end as he was unfortunately bowled through a deflection of a straightish delivery from Marlon Samuels onto his pads.
(After watching the replay):
The way the bat came down, the ball looked going straight into long on boundary.
hilarious post! keep it going.
came here via shruthi's blog.
cheers
bellur
Anon, loyalty cannot make us blind.
ReplyDeletehari, how true!
Bellur, thanks, do visit again.
In down under - Sachin inadvertently failed to remove his bat in time and to his misfortune the ball was lapped up by Gilchrist with glee.
ReplyDeleteWhen did Sachin ever win a match for india chasing a good target ? Dont bother jogging your memory. Never is the answer (& arguably, surely in the future as well).
Anon, I didn't mean to belittle the achievements of Tendulkar. He has played many a memorable innings. I just find it funny that our newspapers can't report his dismissals in an honest manner.
ReplyDeleteHi raj,
ReplyDeleteI heard about this post of yours and thought I would comment on it. Being in the cricket writing profession, I understand what you are saying but wanted to explain why such reporting may happen.
1 Journalists, at some level, are fans themselves. So it's difficult for them to criticise someone who has often proved to be the embodiment of perfection. It's easier to write honestly about someone when you haven't idolised him/her.
2 This is the more crucial point. Speak to any great batsman (like Weekes, Sobers, Harvey, Hanif, Lara etc) and they will tell you that majority of the fans can't fully understand Tendulkar's craft. You need to have batted at that level to understand what goes on in a Tendulkar innings. We see only parts of his greatness and only a Sobers or Lara can appreciate the thought process that goes into a Tendulkar innings. We see him taking a single to square leg but we don't understand the reasoning that went into it, the difficulty that it entailed. Tendulkar (unlike a Kaif or a Yuvraj) bats at a higher plane. When you can't appreciate the full value of a sportsman, it's very difficult to criticise him.
I have thought about this many times as well and realised that it's always better to give the great players benefit of the doubt.
cheers
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (Usha's son)
Siddharth, thanks. I do see your point of view. I also appreciate the fact that you took time to respond to this post.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I am as much a fan of Tendulkar's as anyone else, but am aware that even great men have their bad days, play stupid strokes once in a while, get trapped by good bowlers occassionally and get out cheaply. Isn't it much better to accept this as a fact of life and be honest about it? That was my point.
And, Usha, thanks for referring this post to a real columnist!
Hi Raj,
ReplyDeleteCame to your blog thu' Shruthi's blog.
Very enlightening. Am delighted to read your blogs.
Though Siddharth's comments are interesting, I still don't buy his arguments regarding Sachin ... many a time he's been bowled or lbw . For a layperson as me , that's a bit difficult to stomach.
Plus the fawning...some times the great perons too exasperate beyond a point
Anon, welcome.
ReplyDelete