If you happen to be a cricket aficionado don’t read on.If this leads to any conflicts religious or otherwise I am not responsible.
MY CANDID CONFESSIONS:-
I don’t understand the nitty gritty of cricket:How on earth am I writing a review about a cricketer?.It’s like mandira bedi or ruby bhatia commenting about cricket. GUYS, I just could’nt help but write about my favourite cricketer Shoaib Akhtar.Yes, you have read the correct name it’s HIM. I can visualise raised eyebrows and agape mouths. This in spite of the fact that he is a chucker, medically unfit, Bollywood freak and as good as any ordinary bowler. ( The adjectives were as per others perception). To put in simple words ’’When you like someone, You ignore his weaknesses and appreciate his strengths.’’ People are not just black or white they are shades of grey. So in this review I would like to talk about what makes him top my hit list.
My tryst with Shoaib Akhtar:I am talking about the test match between India and Pakistan at Eden Gardens in kolkata in 1999.I was not able to catch his debut match against WI in 1997-98.At Eden gardens he got Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket in succession. It was just remarkable and I still can’t get over that euphoria.Recently in the world cup match against England the Rawalpindi Express(as he is rightly called) was disappointed because in spite of bowling the fastest ball in the history of cricket, it wasn’t worth the effort.The feat barely created a ripple and the rest of his spell was not all that good. Shoaib conceded later, ’’ What is the use of bowling the quickest delivery ever if the team loses the match.’’ (courtesy TOI dated 24th feb’03) I think Indian team should take a leaf out of his book and inculcate team spirit amongst themselves.
3.Universally accepted facts: He is the world’s fastest bowler. Take it or leave it. Shoaib Akthar has left the worlds Jeff thomsons, Brett lees and Andy roberts behind by bowling at the speed of 100.23mph. Let him bask in his glory.It’s ridiculous but there is a hype created on either side ie India and Pakistan to win the ’’World Cup’’ which is not the finals but the match against each other. SAD BUT TRUE.....
People say that Sports and politics must not be intertwined but the fact of the matter is that the majority in India would not want to see India lose against Pakistan. ( Going to extremes like burning effigies of players to vent their frustration NOT RECOMMENDED).I am a true Indian and like my comrades I would be ecstatic if India win. If I were to frame the feelings crossing my mind right now in a sentence it would be ’’LET THE BEST TEAM AND THE BEST MAN WIN’’
3.Snippets from PRIYA NAIR’S DIARY:My friends , parents (YES)and colleagues all the time hurl comments at me about Shoaib which obviously I don’t like.But I have taken it in my stride just like my icon does. You can HATE Shoaib or LOVE him but you cannot ignore him.He is always in the news, may or may not be for the wrong reasons.What appeals to me the most is his aggression, never say die attitude , not to mention his physical appearance.Hey don’t put your glasses on, yes HIS LOOKS. People snigger about his looks all the time. My friends liken him to alligators, lizards and all the members of the reptile species.It seems his accent is a put on. Well actions speak louder than words.
Somebody once wrote about his own mother, ’’ I like my mother not because she is beautiful but she appears beautiful to me because I love her.’’ Hey guys don’t stretch your imagination. I have no fatherly affections for him. No freudian complexities.It’s just that he is the best.
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One has to excel in whatever one does. Fast bowling is Shoaib Akthars forte and he has excelled in it. ICC was not very considerate towards him initially, Health conditions working against him (people feel he is a hypochondriac), but I have a hunch that he will be BACK WITH A BANG, SOONER OR LATER. IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME.
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PLEASE CONDONE ME FOR THREE REASONS:-
1.WRITING SUCH A LENGTHY REVIEW ACTUALLY I CAN WRITE A THESIS ON THIS :)
2.IF I DID NOT GET SOME OF THE STATISTICS RIGHT. I AM A NOVICE AS FAR AS UNDERSTANDING THE INTRICACIES OF CRICKET IS CONCERNED AND I LOVE CRICKET BECAUSE OF SHOAIB AKHTAR AND NOT VICE VERSA. (I know that should’nt happen , It is like a man watching a tennis match because of Anna Kournikova- just kidding)
3.ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ANY BODY’S COMMENT LIVING OR DEAD IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL.IF I HAVE HURT SOMEONE UNCONSCIOUSLY PLEASE TAKE IT VERY SPORTINGLY. BECAUSE LIFE IS LIKE A CRICKET FIELD AND WE ARE LIKE MERE PLAYERS AND WINS AND UPSETS ARE A PART OF IT.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT I AM NOT A FAN OF NAVJOT SINGH SIDDHU, IF THE PREVIOUS SENTENCE MAKES YOU THINK SO.
HAPPY VIEWING!