Hats off

Heard about Saurav's retirement yesterday, it was more shocking though I had predicted it in my earlier post (I guess dada follows me too), it sent shivers through my body. Finally curtains are down on the whole Saurav Ganguly saga.

Among the most glorious chapter in the history of Indian cricket is now into its concluding phase. In many ways his career was different than the fab four (or I would call it fantastic five), he struggled, he struggled more and then he struggled even more but at the end of every struggle we saw a new Saurav who was braver, stronger and more importantly "positive". Unlike Tendulkar he was never perfect, unlike David he was never dependable, unlike Laxman he was never soft-spoken, unlike Kumble he was never patient but he made for everything which these four never had and thats why they call him "DADA".

Its amazing to see so many people dislike Saurav, but why??? Leave aside his personal records Saurav has offered a lot to the team. How can we forget the phase Indian cricket was going through during match fixing when Saurav took over the captaincy from Tendulkar who put up his hands, and guess what Saurav did it in style. Five years down the line Saurav skips a match and people start doubting his commitment, and he was removed him from the team? Did people think the same for Tendulkar five year back??? I don’t hate Tendulkar but he always remained the most loved lad of the country (and rightly so), but does Saurav deserves to be the step-son of Indian cricket? Saurav waved his T-shirt at the balcony of Lord's (so called home of cricket) and they laughed at him! when Flintoff did the same at Wankede they didn't object. Saurav was just proving that all grounds all over the world should have same respect if Flintoff can do it in India why can he do the same in England and he did it. Was he the only one who believed India should have same respect as other cricketing nations like Australia, England, etc? Many felt Saurav was selfish and self-centered, I would like to ask those people why would he bat at no.6 and not in top order when he was captain? He never complained about the same unlike some of the team members!

I believe that this is Saurav's call and not BCCI's, because till date he has not allowed others to write his future. He was sacked because he was responsible for it, he was recalled because he knew he had fire left in him which he proved too. BCCI wanted him to quit two years back but he didn't give up and we all know what happened, Man of the Series in the come back Series overseas, Man of the series again in ODI series, can this be fluke? He proved him self wise again by taking decision at right time. When asked as to why he was the most scrutinized among the Fab Five, Ganguly smiled and replied, "Probably people didn't like my face.", No Dada we love you!

He had spark, courage, attitude, rivalry, spirit, style, fearlessness and many more qualities, which were missing in Indian cricket before he entered. MS shouldn't forget the team India he is driving today was build from the scratch by Saurav. Though Saurav will retire soon but his qualities and contribution will remain with Indian cricket for years to come and will not retire. No true cricket fan will forget him. Saurav has still got more to offer to Indian cricket and he will do so.

Thanks Dada you have been my inspiration in life in more ways than one! I wish you the best for rest of your life....