MSians who know me are probably well aware of my utter contempt for numbers ? So if you?d prefer a review with lots of facts and figures to back my choice of favorite 10 sportspersons, take my advice and stop reading. This is because I personally do not agree with the now popular Sidhuism that ’’Statistics are like miniskirts: they reveal more than what they hide’’ - I think statistics lie - And you will see this belief of mine amply illustrated by my choices. Here I go..
Imagine your team playing the World Cup finals chasing a target of say 280 in 50 overs - Assume they are reduced to 20/4 - Would you switch off your telly and go to sleep? Would you give up? NO - NOT when STEVE WAUGH is in my team and is still around - A fighter with a never-say-die spirit - A man you can count on when chips are down - A silent performer - A thorough professional - A thinker and above all a great human being. At a time when the Laras and Sachins were dazzling the world, I have always maintained that kids should grow up saying ’’Main Steve Waugh Bannna Chahta Hoon’’
Charles Rosin in 1990 said ?Golf isn’t a game, it’s a choice that one makes with one’s life.? Golf has had me passionately glued onto television for almost 7 years now especially after the intensely competitive Ryder Cup in Valderama in 1997. It was here that I first chanced to see BERNHARD LANGER in action and ever since I have been a big fan of his.
In a sport dominated by the flamboyant Ballesteros, Norman and Woods, the remarkably consistent and extremely resilient Langer brings a tranquil serenity to the game. Today Langer is one of the circuit’s most respected professionals - This year he is captain of Europe for the Ryder Cup - America, just watch out!
Ayrton Senna was GOD - But then when he was at his peak, I did not appreciate F1 as much as I do today. My first flirtation with F1 was in my std: 10 ? my friend was a big fan of Damon Hill and had invited me to over to see the Brit in action. I think it was Imola or Monte carlo - Damon didn?t win but I liked the way the lesser fancied MICHAEL SCHUMACHER drove his guts out of that Benetton - That day a Schumi fan was born and the rest as they say is history - Today when I see Schumi steer the Ferrari past the chequered flag race after race, I just feel like saying ’’ Told you so’’ :-) From 1994 to now, along the way Schumi has seen a host of ’’pretenders’’ - Hakkinen, Villeneuve but what has endeared him to me has been his sheer consistency despite almost always driving on the edge - Way to go Schumi !
3 Wimbledons, 2 Australian Opens, 1 US open and 43 other career titles might interest the numerically inclined - Yes, I am talking of that living legend BORIS BECKER - But for me, Boris’ crowning glory was the day all past champions were honored at Centre Court. While more illustrious winners like Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras were applauded in true Conservative Brit fashion, Boris was welcomed with wild cheering usually reserved for rock stars and movie celebrities - The people had just embraced their champion. Bursting into the scene at 17 and dominating it for almost a decade, Boris will always be the reason I love tennis so much today. Those booming serves, those diving volleys, that child like enthusiasm - When will tennis ever see another of his kind ?
A lot has been written about successful captains and their contrasting styles. IMHO, most of these debates have failed to grasp the subtle difference between man management and leadership. While Saurav Ganguly and Mike Brearley are brilliant examples of the former, I am more favorably inclined towards Clive Lloyd and Imran Khan for the latter. But one person who impresses me most is STEPHEN FLEMING. An astute student of the game, an intricate planner, a no-nonsense person leading from the front, a remarkable man-manager - Fleming, for me, embodies the ideal captain. You just have to have a look at New Zealand’s consistent record in one dayers for further proof. (For once, I like stats) And hey, he’s done so much for cricket by attracting new target audiences - I know a few women friends of mine who swoon over his good looks :-)
’’Normal is boring’’ - If this adage strikes a chord somewhere in you, just switch onto ESPN next time they show RONNIE O SULLIVAN. Ever since my childhood when I used to make the odd visit to the billiards room in my uncle’s club, the green table has fascinated me a lot. This fascination was nipped in the bud by watching the likes of the boring, workman-like but highly talented Stephen Hendry. But when Ronnie turned up in the scene sometime in the mid 90s and caught my fancy much later in 1999, snooker was back in my favorite sports list. Ronnie was like a whiff of fresh air with his daring shot selection and fast play. He brought with him a magical eccentricity to the sport which I daresay is second only to the next person in this list. Never known to shy away from controversies, THE ROCKET will always remain one of my all time favorites.
’’Friday 6 July 2001, at 18:12, mankind finally found the answer for the biggest question: ’’Yes, God exists’’, Boris Dezulovic, Globus columnist - What am I talking about ? Those were the headlines when GORAN IVANISEVIC won Wimbledon. What unites Jack Nicholson, Pat Rafter, Zvonomir Boban and millions of Croatian refugees - they all love Goran ! Btw, Who doesn?t ? :-) So what is it that makes him so immensely popular? The fact that he was for so long a ’’nearly man’’ before he made it in 2001 ? His unpredictability - delivering a second serve ace against Chris Wilkinson with match point against him ? His infamous temperament - ’The trouble with me is that every match I play against five opponents: umpire, crowd, ball boys, court, and myself.’ ? Whatever it may be, there will always be only one Goran - and I can?t wait to see him at Wimbledon.
Mavericks are a delightful lot - Attitude is Everything - There is no substitute for Natural talent. How does all this add up ? Think IAN TERRENCE BOTHAM and doesn?t it all connect. A genuine all rounder who could turn a match single handedly with either bat or ball or his safe pair of hands, Botham will remain the last English cricketing icon for me. Never a man to mince words be it his views on racism and apartheid or touring Pakistan, Botham is every aspiring all rounder’s role model. Though I never had a chance to see him on television in his prime, thanks to cable television, I have been able to relive some of his magical moments and boy, was he impressive. Besides this, Botham in his current avatar as a television commentator is a treat to listen to.
There’s something jinxed about these Italians and football - they always flatter to deceive. After the giddy days of Paolo Rossi, the Azzuri have never won anything but believe me , its never been for lack of effort or talent. One such player who has always been on the fringe of honors has been GIANFRANCA ZOLA. In a land blessed(??) with the likes of Baggio and Del Piero, Zola could seldom make it to the national side. But what he’s done at Chelsea is folklore in London. Diminutively built at 5’5’’, Zola on song can befuddle the best of defenses. His curling free kicks and quick runs from midfield are a delight to watch. His commitment, hard work ethic and the passion he brings to the game are worthy of emulation.
The last in my list - The Crown Jewel - The Kohinoor of India - The man who used to single handedly lift the spirits of a billion countrymen - The Little Blaster who could delight the common man and the connoisseur - the one and only SACHIN TEN