Hindustan Times
Cause Celebre — a replay of 1983
This blog may kindly be read as a letter to M S Dhoni’s boys. They’ve done us proud. Never before in recent memory did India rise as one, barring of course our maiden world cup victory in 1983 in England and Sunny Gavaskar equaling Sir Don Bradman’s record of 29 centuries in Delhi the same year and overhauling it shortly thereafter against the West Indies in Chennai.
It is strange that when we recall 1983, we often forget to mention Gavaskar, of whom noted commentator Harsha Bhogle once said: “His numbers were stellar, but more important, to a country starved of self-respect, he was a godsend….”
I couldn’t agree more. Gavaskar’s sporting glories were a matter of national pride. He was the hero of we hadn’t had for a long, long time. I’d often compare him those days with Nehru as cricket’s Jawahar. He was overwhelmed when I told him that at a recent meeting.
I was in the stands at Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla when Gavaskar joined the pantheon of all time greats. Cricket aficionados rate that hundred of his among the very best, if not the best ever by any batsman. His footwork was picture perfect. Singularly Gavaskarisque was the flair with which he hooked the short balls of that ferocious duo— Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding. The century was memorable also because a Marshall bouncer had had Sunny’s bat flying in the previous Test at Kanpur, the city where his in-laws lived.
Once in the dressing room after the memorable innings, Sunny was gracious enough to grant to yours truly the first interview upon equaling Bradman’s record. I was then with the Malayala Manorama’s The Week magazine that destroyed over 50,000 printed copies to stop press and put Gavaskar on the cover.
So much so that the legendary cricketer also helped me speak to his wife Marshneil, who named Madan Lal as her favourite cricketer for being the fighter that he was on the field.
Cut to circa 2011. We had Sachin in place of Sunny (though both didn’t do well in the finals) on the verge of his 100 th Test-ODI ton and Yuvraj matching Kapil Dev’s all-rounder profile. There were others whom one could compare with Krish Srikant, Mohinder Amarnath, Sandeep Patil, Roger Binny, Syed Kirmani and Madan Lal; the difference being that the 1983 win was the bowlers’ achievement in a low-scoring match.
But the big picture was no different. India’s proud and on an unprecedented high after wresting the Cup again! The victory came when the national mood was low amid a welter of superlative scams. We needed a cause celebre. And Dhoni’s team gave us one.
But should Gautam Gambhir not have been named Man of the Match for his gritty 97 that encouraged Dhoni to promote himself in the batting order for a scintillating knock?
On an afterthought, it doesn’t really matter. The Cup is for the whole of India. Dhoni’s boys won it. We have it.
(8 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5)
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), Rajeev Ram (like Jagjivan Ram), Rajeev Togadia (like Praveen Togadia), Rajeev Modi (like Narendra Modi), and Rajeev Godse (like you know whom)? I think even Rajeev Yadav will do ….no? Pl give me your choice. After all its about your name —- though it may not matter to you 
usman chaudhry Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Greetings Everyone,
Congratulations! on winning the world cup and many thanks for inviting few of us over the semi final match.
Warm Regards,
Usman
Pakistan
[Reply]
Rajeev Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
What do you think about Afridi’s rant?
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usman chaudhry Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
A bit negative on Shahid’s part by using terms as “not large hearted” or “no long term relations” with India. I dont have firm grip as he claims his quotes were taken out of context.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/cricket/world-cup-2011/I-have-been-quoted-out-of-context-Afridi/iccworldcup2011-dontmiss/SP-Article10-681421.aspx
Rajeev Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Usman,
I think it is more to do with Afridi’s education. It looks like pakistani team is always eager to show how muslim it is.
I don’t know how non-muslims survive in pakistani team.
The good thing is that Afridi’s statement was condemned in pakistan as well.
(Dr.) B.N.Anand Reply:
April 6th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Hello Mr. Usman
First thanks for your greetings for our world cup final victory. I live in Mohali and I had watched the semi-final.
Well , in a lighter tone, while taking a dig at Pakistan players in a more matured way,I think Yuvraj Singh has very properly conceded that , yes, Pakistani players do have a big heart. It was for this quality, they could drop so many catches in the semi-final for our benefit. It is only a large hearted person can do this act , as for not having shown such big heart, India may not have reached the finals. In the same context, yes, we were not large hearted enough to have gifted the match to Pakistan on a platter.
But all said, it is an unforgettable image to see Mr. Afridi chewing the cricket ball in full view of cameras in Australia(or somewhere else). How such a person can command respect from the people from this and the other side of the border?
Regards
BNA
usman chaudhry Reply:
April 7th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hello Dr Anand,
Your light tone satirical response is a message between the lines. I wish such display of large heartedness is not to be repeated next time the two sides meet.
Yes, as a sportsman and (especially) as a captain, Shahid has to over come his image of chewing the ball or spoiling the pitch with a strong discipline. Whenever under media coverage such queries of response and welcome have to be dealt in a positive manner. I too take serious note over such remarks where no room should be given for mis-interpretation causing misunderstanding especially where slight tilt is percieved as wayward. But what I too believe and witnessed was the volley of speculations from Indian media; painting him an immediate culprit thus making mountain out of molehill. Despite his clarification to indian tv channel NDTV he couldn’t reclaim his earlier image where he asked his fellow countrymen to introspect their views about India. Hope he won’t live upto his myopic remarks of “large heartedness”; that all i can wish.
Usman
Gaurav Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Well… Gavaskar may be Nehru… but Tendulkar is certainly Advani… he transformed an average team to a team which could challenge the might of any team in the world. Just like Advani transformed BJP from a party of 2 seats to a party which challenges Congress on a daily basis… Something which people like Vinod Sharma don’t like
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B.V.SHENOY Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Gaurav,
without meaning to, you might have committed secular sacrilege by comparing Tendulkar with Advani, who is the bug bear of all secular journalists and politicians. Can you make suitable amends?
vijay Kumar Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@ Usman,
Thanks! But why did’nt you come????
The Indo Pak encounter was cricket at its best.
Anyway most Indians are saddened by Afridi’s volte face. He had won so many fans by his earlier comments on India… but he just tarnished his own image.
Hope Pakistan uses sports to overcome its Talibani challenge, as hardliners always find sports, especially women in sports, a challenge to their power…
[Reply]
B.V.SHENOY Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
It is actually Afridi’s double volte face.
He is now blaming everybody else, except LeT, JUD, Kayani and ISI.
B.V.SHENOY Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
After so many volte faces, we may as well call him Shaaaayad Aaaafridi.
usman chaudhry Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Hello Vijay,
Find you remarks welcoming. Couldn’t be there at the occasion because of some domestic concerns.
Afridi’s comments are looked down upon even though he claims his words were taken out of context criticizing more on the media part then the people and politics. I wish he wouldn’t have actually meant it in a harsh manner. I claim no grip over the matter. To me sportsmen and showbiz personalities are respective ambassador’s of their countries; who should play positive role in bringing down tensions by bridging differences.
Usman