The second cricket test match between India and England is not yet complete. The test, however, has seen some great things. Sports, I feel, always evokes some true emotions.
Saurav Ganguly was made to feel unwanted a year back. Every newspaper had written him off. The greats of the game suggested him to retire. Friends too, thinking, its not just for a great to be treated like that. In an interview he said, its easy to just leave. Thats the easiest path. Anyone can do that. So he decided to challenge himself, to see if he can force a comeback. Of all odds, he came back. In this test match he played a great innings. He was nearing his 100, but was given out wrongly. His will though, will bring him another one soon. All his career, he was known for one thing, his dogged will. That is what he will be remembered later.
Sachin Tendulkar too was nearing a century but was a victim of another poor decision by Simon Taufel. When he was given out, he was stunned and shocked. But he didnt make noises, he didnt make faces towards the umpire. We get a bad deal, say a road jam, and would make a big fuss about it. He just turned back and went. It is these small things, that give the big insights inside the soul of big champions.
Lastly, umpire Simon Taufel, had a bad day. The best umpire in the game today gave two wrong decisions. We all have our bad days. His greatness was his confession. Its not easy to say "I made a mistake". He could have said something else, or could have refused to speak. But he chose to accept his mistake. And on top of that, he felt bad for the spectators and fans, for it was them who felt the most let down. And Sachin and Saurav? They were fine. One eating an ice-cream and the other cracking jokes with his team-mates.
