The century of centuries: A Nation Waits

Sachin's century of centuries and India's poor performance against Australia have been the topics being debated furiously and sometimes too zealously. We must remember that cricket is just a sport. Winning or losing is not a matter of life and death. 

The cricket fans world over, especially India wait with baited breath every time Sachin Tendulkar arrives on the crease. Hoping that he will notch up his century of centuries. Last 9 test matches have seen the Indian legend notch up good scores, including a few nineties. But, alas, the wait continues. 

Everywhere there is a debate on the reason why Sachin is unable to complete the herculean feat. So much so that sometimes even the losses that the Indian team has suffered in test matches in England and Australia do not garner so much interest or debate.

In the present series India are down 2-0 against Australia with losses at Melbourne and Sydney. The little master has had good scores (73,32,41 and 80) but no century. Indian team also has had a few good moments but it is the final score that counts. 

The experts are of the opinion that

(i) Tendulkar's ton is weighing down the team. 

This is more a philosophical than logical reasoning. Is it really possible that Sehwag is thinking of Sachin's ton when facing Siddle? Or Ishant is bothered about the 100 when bowling to Ponting?

(ii) The team is not taking pride in it's performance

  

How does anybody (commentator, ex-player or fan) know that a player (Sachin, Dravid, Dhoni .....) is not taking pride in playing for the country is  baffling. Can we guess what they are feeling or thinking?      

(iii) Senior players like Dravid and Laxman need to be replaced  

       by young guns

That Dravid has been scoring prolifically over the past year and has only failed in the last 3 innings is being ignored. Laxman's class is undeniable. Also, who exactly is going to replace them? 

Surely these great players will not go on under performing. This is the best team we have.  There is no use screaming for their heads. 

Have faith in them. Be patient.

A test win is not far off. It is round the corner!!!!!!!!!

Maybe Indian team's redemption is destined to be achieved in Perth. So too is probably Sachin's.

Saurav Ganguli while commenting on television made a very apt quote when Tendulkar was dismissed for 80 defending to part time spinner Clarke in the second innings of the Sydney match.

"I'll tell him (Sachin), if he thinks about defending, he must try some other sport."

This is a very sound advice for not only Sachin but the whole team.

In simple words

"Attack is the best form of defence"


SO GO FOR IT GUY'S