Indian Cricket is well-known to have players who are capable of achieving more than expected. The best example is Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 hundreds. The second best example is the unbeaten 133-run innings of Virat Kohli against Sri Lanka at Hobart in 2012. In this, India had to chase 321 runs set by Sri Lanka inside 40 overs to stay alive in the tri-series (Hosts Australia as the third side). Honestly, it was expected that India wouldn’t be able to do it, but out of nowhere, Kohli played one of the most unbelievale innings ever in the history of cricket. Amazing that was!
With respect to such performances, let’s take a look at some of my inspirations for India who have/had the unbelivale capability to do something extremely special:
The God of Cricket
In 1999 when Sachin Tendulkar’s father died during the World cup, he showed his dedication to play the world cup by making a quick returns after attending the funeral of his father. This was amazing as it shows the commitment and dedication for the cause of country despite near catastrophe at home. This was the first incidence that stuck me. In 2011 after winning the 50 over world cup in his home crowd and the way people cheered for him, the youngsters lifting him on their shoulders was an amazing scene which I will never forget. The speech he gave at his home ground in his last test touched me as thanked all the people who supported him during bad times. Sachin is a source of inspiration for the youngsters of the not only our country but worldwide and me because his humbleness, support from the family he became the brand ambassador of cricket that makes him special. Playing for 24 years by the age of 39 and finishing on high note on his home crowd deserves all the respect. All this makes him special cricketer and source of inspiration for me and many others.
The match winner
My second inspiration from Indian Cricket is Yuvraj Singh who despite having serious health problems did not deter from playing before the illness and returning to the game even after suffering from Cancer that allowed him to be declared as the man of series in the World cup 2011 played in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He had cancer, the name of the disease itself is disheartening to most of the people but this man showed the courage of and will to fight cancer showed the character and determination of Yuvraj Singh. His option and dedication to play for the country and win the world cup for Sachin Tendulkar speaks of his respect to Sachin and country and his own belief in himself. He never showed glimpses of weakness and played with a lot of passion, dedication and never say die attitude and after winning the world his eyes was full of happiness and joy of winning the world cup.
The Man with the cool head
MS Dhoni the man with cool head is the third source of inspiration for me among the legends. Since he entered into the cricketing he was swashbuckling player but with time he has become matured and won many matches by his own. Dhoni has won the T-20 world cup, ICC world cup 2011 and Champions Trophy 2013. In the world cup final in Mumbai the team was struggling at one moment and then the captain’s innings came from Dhoni. His maturity, never to take tension in crucial moments makes him a special captain. Whenever the Indian team is in trouble the captain comes and rescues the team. The best example is when Dhoni came to crease in 2011 World cup final and made 91 to give a famous win. In the shortest format his ability to make instant changes and not to allow the batsman settle makes him a differently thinking captain. Playing big shots makes him a dangerous player. When the team performs well he gives credit to the team members and when the team loses he takes responsibility on himself. I love this attitude. Backing the players which can deliver the goods and believing his own instinct makes him out of box thinker. MS Dhoni shows faith in the players and gives them a long rope. He is a source of inspiration for me always because these qualities.
The rockstar of Indian team
Virat Kohli a youngster and backbone of the Indian batting has been a source of inspiration in the recent times. The ability to chase down huge scores, hunger to score more runs, aggressive attitude are all his characteristics that influence me. In Commonwealth Bank Series in 2012 India needed 320 off 40 overs then came Kohli’s knock that helped India to easily chase down the score well within 40 overs. He made 183 against Pakistan in Asia cup 2012 to chase down 330. The talent he possess is exceptional and wrist work makes him a special player. In recent 2014 T-20 world cup semi-final against South Africa Virat Kohli played a match winning knock to guide India into the final. Character, strong will, challenging the opponent, extra-ordinary fielding makes him darling of the crowd. He allows the other batsman to settle and does not panic while chasing. Apart from aggressive batsman there are signs that he is a good captain also.