Monday, January 04, 2010

Is S bigger than R?

A few from my kindred believe that Sehwag is better than I.V.A Richards. Such petulance would have created a mental havoc in me, as it did a few months ago, when the world-wide Indian samaj poured eulogies to mark twenty years of Sachin's arrival. But, now I have passed the stage realizing, humans are always out-numbered in the planet of apes.

I am a sports and history buff. These are a deadly duo and few realize this. Isaac Vivian Alexandar Richards invoked a fear in the greatest of bowlers and fielders. Clearly visible; when he would lumber to the batting crease with a cap or a hat, yawn, look non-chalantly - making the men around him feel like lilliputs, make an eye contact with the bowler - letting a shiver run through his spine, then decimate the ball to every part of the cricket ground with a power unseen. This would happen to every team and everywhere, no prejudice, no sympathy and galores of laughter typifying a West Indian spirit. Men and women admired him for his larger than life presence. It became unanimous that Richards was born in another planet, transponded to earth and wielded the bat like a Jedi master.

Virender Sehwag on the other hand, is brutal, destroys bowling attacks and even manages a smile. Unfortunately, all this ends, when the pitch comes to life, the ball is aimed at his jugular and the bowlers strike his ever worn helmet so often that claustrophobia descends on his run-making abilities. His exploits for an Indian fan - with limited cricketing adherence - may seem exceptional, but for the rest, it is merely average.

There have been many of Sehwag's kind - who have treaded the cricketing grounds and exploited favorable conditions to produce a few brilliant moments. But, when it comes to ruling the sport of cricket - there can be only king - and he is from the carribean island - Antigua.