The Fall of Giants!
Who would have expected this or may be we all knew it before. Every sport or life in general is so great to enjoy because of certain twists happen, not because they were bound to happen, but because these twists were a result of certain person’s mistakes. And this time around, those who did the mistakes, and kept repeating them were Inzamam Ul Haq, Brian Lara, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Though Sachin Tendulkar hasn’t retired from the ODI cricket, his demi-god status in India is gone. Reason: A Duck! Many thought that his inconsistency was not worth mentioning, as he kept hitting century after century. But now his inconsistency is shown, everywhere.
For Inzi bhai, someone as big as him, his ability to lead the team from front was questioned, and so was his laid back attitude. Poor thing even was (or is?) doubted in Bob Woolmer’s murder. And now he is just another player, if he is allowed to play Test Matches.
Brian Lara, considered the greatest batsman but he was with a team that showed unseen brilliance as much as unseen inconsistency. But if a person as great as him cannot inspire a side, may be then someone has to doubt his capabilities off the field. And in the last ODI, taking the power play, in the 45th over of the match was the last straw. I haven’t heard much from his critics, but I know, he is going to get bashed even by his constant supporter Sir Viv Richards.
But what makes me wonder is why did these people choose to leave as failures rather than leaving when they were personally on a high. Or were they HOPING to change the fortunes of their team…well we all knew which teams are the most inconsistent dont we…and the teams that would be on top were – West Indies, Pakistan and India. How come these people miss such an observation?